The 2022-edition of the Carling Currie Cup kicks off in a groundbreaking new “window” on Friday night and featuring an exciting new initiative with the introduction of the “Discovering Champions” video series, featuring Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber and his assistants, Deon Davids and Mzwandile Stick, as the competition lifts off.

The historic nature of this year’s Carling Currie Cup sees senior rugby in South Africa crossing a proverbial Rubicon as the local calendar aligns with the northern hemisphere, with all the matches broadcast live on SuperSport ( https://www.springboks.rugby/match-centre?seriesId=BB147660-39C0-4528-AAF3-B74E77AF923C" rel="nofollow - CLICK HERE FOR THE FIXTURES) .

The 2022 season sees a Premier Division of seven teams kick off their home-and-away season at Mbombela on Friday evening with the Pumas taking on the Vodacom Bulls in a campaign that is jam-packed with more of the popular isiXhosa commentary video clips, loads of engaging social media posts and a sizzling fan competition.

The promotional centre-piece will be “Discovering Champions”; an SA Rugby-produced video series aimed primarily at TikTok and Instagram with secondary reach geared to Facebook and Twitter. The intention of the series is to pair passionate insight and commentary from the Bok coaching staff around the attributes they would look for in up-and-coming talent.

In addition, well-known entertainment personality Siv Ngesi will also use his commentating skills to narrate the exciting and energetic “Pressure Player of the Week” segment in isiXhosa.

Furthermore, this year’s edition of the Carling Currie Cup will see the introduction of the exciting Ultimate Fan experience competition. The top five fans (and their partners) with the most digital engagement with the brand during the competition will win a unique VIP Ultimate Fan experience to the Carling Currie Cup Final.

In welcoming the new season, SA Rugby President Mr Mark Alexander, said the Carling Currie Cup remains the premier provincial competition on the South African rugby landscape.

“As the oldest provincial rugby competition in the world, the Carling Currie Cup has always provided a magnificent pathway for players to show they have what it takes to step up to high-intensity action at the top level,” explained Alexander.

“This year, more than ever before, we are looking forward to our teams unearthing the next generation of Springbok stars by providing playing opportunities to the best local talent.”

According to Mr Alexander, the Carling Currie Cup is about respectful rivalry, provincial passion, ambition, pride and community, with local support always at very high levels.

“I would like to thank our broadcast partner, SuperSport, and our tournament sponsor, Carling Black Label, for their continued support, as well as all the team partners who invest in the local game, ensuring we can deliver a top-class product week in and week out,” he added.

The other two matches in the opening round are scheduled for Saturday in Bloemfontein at 14h30 (Toyota Cheetahs v Tafel Lager Griquas) and Cape Town at 17h00 (DHL Western Province vs Sigma Lions). Cell C Sharks, last year’s finalists, have a bye in the first round.

Match information:

Pumas v Vodacom Bulls

Date: Friday, 14 January

Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

Kick-off: 19h00

Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni

TV: SuperSport

Toyota Cheetahs v Tafel Lager Griquas

Date: Saturday, 15 January

Venue: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein

Kick-off: 14h30

Referee: Jaco Peyper

TV: SuperSport

DHL Western Province v Sigma Lions

Date: Saturday, 15 January

Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town

Kick-off: 17h00

Referee: AJ Jacobs

TV: SuperSport