SA Rugby has announced the exciting competition structure for the 2023 rugby season, which will see an expansion of the Currie Cup Premier Division, the addition of the Mzanzi Challenge comprising five international teams, as well as plenty of provincial women’s and age-group rugby.

Four South African franchise teams – the Vodacom Bulls, Sharks, DHL Stormers and Lions – are currently involved in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, which culminates with the final on May 27.

Four weeks later, on June 24, the local season will reach its climax with the Currie Cup Premier Division final.

The addition of the Griffons, last year’s First Division champions, means the Pumas will have to defend their Currie Cup title against seven other teams, over a double round of matches.

Full season of local rugby action lined up, with international teams included along with SA unions' men's, women's and age-group sides – more here: https://t.co/idKvhsy57C 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ydsFC1nXN0

— Springboks (@Springboks) January 30, 2023

Another new inclusion on the calendar is the introduction of the Mzanzi Challenge. This will involve the six First Division teams and five international teams: The Diables (Spain), Simbas (Kenya), Welwitschias (Namibia), Tel-Aviv Heat (Israel) and Goshawks (Zimbabwe).

The Currie Cup First Division will get underway on February 10, before the new Mzanzi Challenge kicks off on March 24.

All 11 teams will contest the Mzanzi Challenge in a single round format which includes a semi-final and a final match during the 14-week period, with the final set for mid-June.

At the same time, the six local teams will carry points earned against each other into the race for Currie Cup First Division honours and the team who finishes with the most log points (only matches involving the SA teams to be taken into account) will be crowned the winner.

In terms of youth rugby, seven teams – the Vodacom Bulls, Cheetahs, Leopards, Lions, Sharks, DHL Western Province and Valke – will contest the SA Rugby U20 Cup competition over a single round from February 18.

The final U20 match will be staged on April 6, after which the best players will be invited to join the SA Rugby Academy programme, which will then feed into the Junior Springboks for the return of the World Rugby U20 Championship.

The other age-group provincial competitions are the SA Rugby U21 Cup (from August 19 to October 14) and the SA Rugby U21 Shield (from August 5 to October 14), while an U19 provincial series and various youth weeks are also in the planning phase.

All fixtures will be confirmed in due course on the SA Rugby website.

2023 SA Rugby competition structure

Currie Cup Premier Division

Participating teams: Pumas (defending champions), Vodacom Bulls, Griquas, Sharks, Western Province, Cheetahs, Lions, Griffons.

Opening round:  March 10/11 (double round of matches)

Final: June 24

Currie Cup First Division & Mzanzi Challenge

Participating teams: Leopards, Valke, Boland Kavaliers, Eastern Province, Border Bulldogs, SWD Eagles [Currie Cup First Division]; Diables (Spain), Simbas (Kenya), Welwitschias (Namibia), Tel-Aviv Heat (Israel) and Goshawks (Zimbabwe) [Mzanzi Challenge].

The highest-placed SA team will be crowned Currie Cup First Division league winners.

Opening round: February 10/11

Mzansi Challenge final: June 17

Women’s Premier Division

Participating teams: Border Ladies (defending champions), DHL Western Province, EP Queens, Boland Dames, Blue Bulls Women, Sharks Women, Golden Lions Women

Opening round and final: TBC

Women’s First Division

Participating teams: Leopards, Valke, Limpopo, Pumas, Free State, Griffons, Griquas, SWD

Opening round and final: TBC

SA Rugby Under-20 Cup

Participating teams: Lions, Western Province, Vodacom Bulls (defending champions), Sharks, Leopards Cheetahs, Valke

Opening round: February 17/18 (single round of matches)

Final: April 6

SA Rugby Under-21 Cup

Participating teams: Vodacom Bulls, Cheetahs, Leopards, Lions, Sharks, Western Province

Opening round: August 18/19 (single round of matches)

Final: October 14

SA Rugby Under-21 Shield

Participating teams: Boland, Border, Eastern Province, Griffons, Griquas, Limpopo, Pumas, SWD, Valke

Opening round: August 4/5 (single round of matches)

Final: October 14