Georgia, Zimbabwe and Kenya join SA's Currie Cup structure

International outfits Georgia, Zimbabwe and Kenya have been added to this year's Currie Cup First Division roster.

With the United Rugby Championship and Currie Cup Premier Division already in full swing, SA Rugby on Monday confirmed the competition structure for the remainder of the local rugby calendar, which will include a 10-team Currie Cup First Division as well as seven teams in an expanded Women's Premier Division.

The Currie Cup Premier Division kicked off in January to allow the SA domestic season to align with the northern hemisphere.

The country's four top franchises - the Bulls, Sharks, Stormers and Lions - ply their trade in the United Rugby Championship, which culminates in the final on 18 June. The Currie Cup Premier Division final is a week later on 25 June.

In the Currie Cup First Division, Georgia, Zimbabwe and Kenya will be joined by defending champions the Leopards, Griffons, South Western Districts, Boland, Eastern Province, Border and the Valke. It will be a single round of action, with the final scheduled for the final weekend of June.

Last December, SA Rugby's General Council approved a motion that the top South African team in the First Division be automatically promoted to the Premier Division at the end of the 2022 Currie Cup season, creating an eight-team Premier Division.

In addition, the promoted team will be entrenched for two seasons (until the end of the 2024 Currie Cup season) when the bottom team in the Premier Division will be automatically relegated in favour of the top South African team in the First Division, which will also be entrenched for two seasons before promotion/relegation at the end of the 2026 season. 

SA Rugby added that plans on a competition for the First Division sides in