It might be eight slapies before Christmas, but it is 28 slapies before the Bongani Rainmaker Pumas play their first Carling Currie Cup match of 2022.

The Carling Currie Cup will kick off next month with a seven-team Premier Division, following an online meeting of the general council of the South African Rugby Union last Friday.

The 2022 competition will commence on the weekend of January 14/15.

The unusual kick-off date has been prompted by the realignment of the South African domestic rugby calendar to dovetail with the Northern Hemisphere season, following the expanded entry of four teams into the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

The change means that the final will be played on June 25, which will mark the end of the season for senior professional players appearing in the Carling Currie Cup and the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

The Pumas squad for the 2022 season was announced by director of rugby, Jimmy Stonehouse, last Thursday.
Loose-head props: Dewald Maritz, Ruan Kramer, Corne Fourie.
Hookers: Eduan Swart, Luwellyn Classen, Tango Balekile.
Tight-head props: IG Prinsloo, Ettienne Janeke.
Loose-head locks: Shane Kirkwood, Malembe Mpofu, Brandon Valentyn
Tight-head locks: Darrien Landsberg, Deon Slabbert.
Open-side flanks: Daniel Maartens, Francois Kleinhans.
Blind-side flanks: Phumzile Maqondwana, Khwezi Mafu.
Eighthmen: Willie Engelbreght, Kwanda Dimaza
Scrum halves: Chriswill September, Lucky Dlepu, Giovan Snyman, Keegan Scheafer.
Fly halves: Eddie Fouche, Thinus de Beer, Tiaan Botes.
Left wings: Etienne Taljaard, Jade Stighling, Morne Joubert.
Inside centres: Ali Mgijima, Robbie Petzer
Outside centres: Alwayno Visagie, Sebastian de Klerk, Nico Liversage
Right wings: Lundi Msenge, Sihle Njezula, Japie Kleinhans.
Fullbacks: Devon Williams, Tapiwa Mafura, Herschelle Goodman.

The Bongani Rainmaker Pumas’ Carling Currie Cup Premier Division fixtures are (dates and times to be finalised):
Friday/Saturday January 14/15: Bongani Rainmaker Pumas vs Vodacom Bulls.
Wednesday January 19: Sigma Lions vs Bongani Rainmaker Pumas.
Wednesday February 2: Tafel Lager Griquas vs Bongani Rainmaker Pumas.
Friday/Saturday February 18/19: Bongani Rainmaker Pumas vs Toyota Cheetahs.
Friday/Saturday March 4/5: Bongani Rainmaker Pumas vs Cell C Sharks.
Wednesday March 23: DHL Western Province vs Bongani Rainmaker Pumas.
Wednesday April 6: Bongani Rainmaker Pumas vs Sigma Lions.
Friday/Saturday May 6/7: Cell C Sharks vs Bongani Rainmaker Pumas.
Friday/Saturday May 13/14: Bongani Rainmaker Pumas vs DHL Western Province.
Friday/Saturday May 27/28: Vodacom Bulls vs Bongani Rainmaker Pumas.
Friday/Saturday June 3/4: Toyota Cheetahs vs Bongani Rainmaker Pumas.
Friday/Saturday June 10/11: Bongani Rainmaker Pumas vs Tafel Lager Griquas.
June 18: Semifinals.
June 25: Final.