2014 Currie Cup First Division Explained

2014 Currie Cup First Division
Countries:	South Africa
Date:	29 August – 17 October 2014
Count:	2
Matches:	18
Tries:	136
Top Point Scorer:	Elric van Vuuren (88)
Top Try Scorer:	Tertius Maarman (5)
Prevseason:	2013
Nextseason:	2015

The 2014 Currie Cup First Division was contested between 29 August and 17 October 2014. The tournament (also known as the Absa Currie Cup First Division for sponsorship reasons) was the second tier of South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition, featuring teams representing either entire provinces or substantial regions within provinces.

Competition

There were six participating teams in the 2014 Currie Cup First Division. A proposed expansion of the Premier Division to eight teams^[1] was initially rejected,^[2] but was then subsequently approved on 13 February 2014.^[3] This meant that the First Division was reduced to six teams for 2014.

Regular season and title playoffs

The six teams played each other twice over the course of the season, once at home and once away. The first series of fixtures were played as part of the 2014 Currie Cup qualification competition, with all results carried forward to the First Division except for the match against the 2014 Currie Cup Premier Division qualifier. A second set of fixtures then followed between the remaining six teams.

Each team received four points for a win and two points for a draw. Bonus points were awarded to teams that scored 4 or more tries in a game, as well as to teams that lost a match by 7 points or less. Teams were ranked by points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded).

The top 4 teams qualified for the title play-offs. In the semifinals, the team that finished first had home advantage against the team that finished fourth, while the team that finished second had home advantage against the team that finished third. The winners of these semi-finals played each other in the final, at the home venue of the higher-placed team.

Promotion

All the teams qualified for the 2015 Currie Cup qualification series, since, a non-entrenched team, finished in the bottom two of the 2014 Currie Cup Premier Division.

Teams

The six participating teams were:

2014 Currie Cup First Division teams
Team	Sponsored Name	Stadium/s	Sponsored Name
	Regent Boland Cavaliers		Boland Stadium
	Border Bulldogs		Buffalo City Stadium
	Falcons		Barnard Stadium
	Down Touch Griffons		North West Stadium
	Leopards		Profert Olën Park
	SWD Eagles		Outeniqua Park

Log

The final log of the round-robin stage of the 2014 Currie Cup First Division was:

The teams' playing records from the 2014 Currie Cup qualification series brought forward to the First Division are as follows:

Fixtures and results

All the results from the 2014 Currie Cup qualification tournament were carried forward into the First Division season. The results against the 2014 Currie Cup Premier Division qualifier were discarded.^[4]

Title Play-Off Games

Semi-finals

Following the match between the Leopards and the Falcons, the former lodged a complaint with the South African Rugby Union regarding the eligibility of Falcons fly-half Clinton Swart. The Leopards argued that Swart was only eligible for the final two matches of the Currie Cup First Division competition and therefore not eligible to play in the semi-finals. However, SARU Judicial Officer Rob Stelzner SC, ruled that Swart fulfilled the eligibility criteria and rejected the complaint.^[5]

Final

Players

Player statistics

The following table contains points which have been scored in the 2014 Currie Cup First Division and excludes points scored in the 2014 Currie Cup qualification series:

All point scorers
No	Player	Team	T	C	P	DG	Pts<	-- Pos	Player	Team	Try	Con	Pen	DG	Pts-->
1	align=left		align=left	SWD Eagles	1	19	15	0	88
2	align=left	Jaun Kotzé	align=left	Falcons	0	13	11	0	59
3	align=left	Louis Strydom	align=left	Griffons	0	13	8	2	56
4	align=left		align=left	Leopards	1	16	4	0	49
5	align=left	Masixole Banda	align=left	Border Bulldogs	1	6	7	0	38
	align=left	Eric Zana	align=left	Boland Cavaliers	2	8	3	1	38
7	align=left		align=left	Griffons	0	7	5	0	29
8	align=left	Tertius Maarman	align=left	Griffons	5	0	0	0	25
	align=left	Rhyno Smith	align=left	Leopards	3	5	0	0	25
10	align=left		align=left	Griffons	4	0	0	1	23
11	align=left	Johan Deysel	align=left	Leopards	4	0	0	0	20
	align=left		align=left	Falcons	4	0	0	0	20
	align=left	Kyle Hendricks	align=left	Falcons	4	0	0	0	20
	align=left		align=left	Leopards	4	0	0	0	20
	align=left	Norman Nelson	align=left	Griffons	4	0	0	0	20
16	align=left	Alshaun Bock	align=left	SWD Eagles	3	0	0	0	15
	align=left	Danwel Demas	align=left	Boland Cavaliers	3	0	0	0	15
	align=left	Morné Hugo	align=left	Boland Cavaliers	0	3	3	0	15
	align=left	Adri Jacobs	align=left	Leopards	3	0	0	0	15
	align=left	Dwayne Kelly	align=left	SWD Eagles	3	0	0	0	15
	align=left		align=left	Leopards	3	0	0	0	15
	align=left	Bruce Muller	align=left	Falcons	3	0	0	0	15
	align=left	Wynand Pienaar	align=left	Griffons	3	0	0	0	15
	align=left	Anrich Richter	align=left	Falcons	3	0	0	0	15
	align=left		align=left	Border Bulldogs	3	0	0	0	15
	align=left		align=left	Falcons	3	0	0	0	15
27	align=left	Chris Ehlers	align=left	Griffons	2	0	0	0	10
	align=left	Morné Hanekom	align=left	Leopards	2	0	0	0	10
	align=left	Zandré Jordaan	align=left	Boland Cavaliers	2	0	0	0	10
	align=left	Strand Kruger	align=left	Boland Cavaliers	2	0	0	0	10
	align=left	Richard Lawson	align=left	Boland Cavaliers	2	0	0	0	10
	align=left		align=left	Border Bulldogs	2	0	0	0	10
	align=left	Vuyo Mbotho	align=left	Griffons	2	0	0	0	10
	align=left		align=left	Griffons	2	0	0	0	10
	align=left		align=left	Border Bulldogs	2	0	0	0	10
	align=left	JP Mostert	align=left	Falcons	2	0	0	0	10
	align=left	Japie Nel	align=left	Griffons	2	0	0	0	10
	align=left	Lundi Ralarala	align=left	Border Bulldogs	2	0	0	0	10
	align=left	Daniel Roberts	align=left	SWD Eagles	2	0	0	0	10
	align=left	Brian Skosana	align=left	SWD Eagles	2	0	0	0	10
	align=left	Dillon Smit	align=left	Leopards	2	0	0	0	10
	align=left	HP Swart	align=left	Leopards	2	0	0	0	10
	align=left	George Tossel	align=left	Leopards	2	0	0	0	10
	align=left	Clinton Wagman	align=left	SWD Eagles	2	0	0	0	10
	align=left	Rhyk Welgemoed	align=left	Leopards	2	0	0	0	10
	align=left		align=left	Boland Cavaliers	2	0	0	0	10
47	align=left	Junior Bester	align=left	SWD Eagles	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left	Deon Carney	align=left	Leopards	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left	Coert Cronjé	align=left	Falcons	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left		align=left	Boland Cavaliers	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left		align=left	SWD Eagles	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left		align=left	SWD Eagles	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left		align=left	SWD Eagles	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left	Roy Godfrey	align=left	SWD Eagles	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left	Hansie Graaff	align=left	Border Bulldogs	0	1	1	0	5
	align=left		align=left	Falcons	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left	Clemen Lewis	align=left	Boland Cavaliers	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left	Earl Lewis	align=left	Boland Cavaliers	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left	Mihlali Mpafi	align=left	Border Bulldogs	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left	Lindani Ndlela	align=left	Border Bulldogs	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left		align=left	Falcons	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left	Buran Parks	align=left	SWD Eagles	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left	Ulrich Pretorius	align=left	Boland Cavaliers	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left	Christian Rust	align=left	Boland Cavaliers	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left	Ashwin Scott	align=left	SWD Eagles	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left	Frans Sisita	align=left	Griffons	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left	Nicky Steyn	align=left	Griffons	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left	Sergio Torrens	align=left	Leopards	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left	Albert Trytsman	align=left	Boland Cavaliers	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left	Joe van der Hoogt	align=left	Griffons	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left	Andrew van Tonder	align=left	Falcons	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left	Jacques Vermaak	align=left	Leopards	1	0	0	0	5
	align=left	Mzwanele Zito	align=left	SWD Eagles	1	0	0	0	5
74	align=left	Clinton Swart	align=left	Falcons	0	0	0	1	3
–	align=left rowspan=2		align=left	Falcons	2	0	0	0	10
	align=left	Leopards	1	0	0	0	5
Legend: T = Tries, C = Conversions, P = Penalties, DG = Drop Goals, Pts = Points.

Squad Lists

The teams released the following squad lists:

Forwards

• Keenan Abrahams
• Gavin Annandale
• Yves Bashiya
• Ryno Coetzee
• Ashton Constant
• Martin Dreyer
• Kelvin Fikster
• Jason Fraser
• Francois Hanekom
• Zandré Jordaan
• Hanno Kitshoff
• Strand Kruger
• Clemen Lewis
• Dumisani Meslane
• Khwezi Mkhafu
• Ulrich Pretorius
• Franzel September
• Chaney Willemse
• Did not play:
• SP Wessels

Backs

• Christopher Bosch
• Jovelian de Koker
• Danwel Demas
• Sino Ganto
• Marnus Hugo
• Morné Hugo
• Richard Lawson
• Earl Lewis
• Christian Rust
• Edwin Sass
• Duwayne Smart
• Albert Trytsman
• Chevandré van Schoor
• Cheswin Williams
• Eric Zana
• Did not play:
• Ryno Conradie
• Arno Fortuin
• Harlon Klaasen
• Nathaniel Manuel
• Tiaan Ramat

Coach

• Abé Davids / Dewey Swartbooi

Forwards

• Ludwe Booi
• Onke Dubase
• Martin Ferreira
• Anthonie Gronum
• Simon Kerrod
• Blake Kyd
• Wayne Lemley
• Athenkosi Manentsa
• Siya Mdaka
• Mihlali Mpafi
• Buhle Mxunyelwa
• Nkosi Nofuma
• Lukhanyo Nomzanga
• Wandile Putuma
• Bryce Rennie
• Rynardt van Wyk
• Lindokuhle Welemu
• Yanga Xakalashe
• Did not play:
• Cheslin Goeda
• Johannes Jonker
• Naythan Knoetze
• Gareth Krause
• Sibulele Nanto
• Siyamthanda Ngande
• Ayabonga Nomboyo
• Anele Sibeko

Backs

• Masixole Banda
• Hansie Graaff
• Ruan Jacobs
• Ntando Kebe
• Bangi Kobese
• Michael Makase
• Makazole Mapimpi
• Lithabile Mgwadleka
• Thembani Mkokeli
• Lindani Ndlela
• Mario Noordman
• Lundi Ralarala
• Joe Seerane
• Oliver Zono
• Did not play:
• Niell Jacobs
• Skhangele Mateza
• Sipho Nofemele
• Siya Pati
• Lolo Waka

Coach

• André Human

Forwards

• Jacques Alberts
• Devlin Hope
• JP Jonck
• Shane Kirkwood
• Ernst Ladendorf
• JP Mostert
• Dean Muir
• Bruce Muller
• Thulani Ngidi
• Friedle Olivier
• Nico Pretorius
• Brian Shabangu
• Dandré van der Westhuizen
• Andrew van Tonder
• Jacques Verwey
• Marlyn Williams
• Did not play:
• Gerhard Engelbrecht
• Vince Gwavu
• KK Kgame
• Riaan Matthee
• De Wet Meyer
• Chris Richardson
• Andries Schutte
• Peet Vorster

Backs

• Coert Cronjé
• Dirk Dippenaar
• Cecil Dumond
• Wayne Gardner
• Kyle Hendricks
• Jaun Kotzé
• Sino Nyoka
• Willie Odendaal
• Jaco Oosthuizen
• Arno Poley
• Dewald Pretorius
• Anrich Richter
• Jaco Snyman
• Clinton Swart
• Andrew van Wyk
• Did not play:
• Lukhanyo Am
• Riaan Arends
• Ryan Carmichael
• Angus Cleophas
• Grant Janke
• Sandile Ngcobo
• Etienne Taljaard
• Lenience Tambwera
• Waylon Thompson

Coach

• Johan du Toit

Forwards

• Gerard Baard
• PW Botha
• Jan Breedt
• Rudi Britz
• Wikus Davis
• Chris Ehlers
• Dirk Grobbelaar
• Boetie Groenewald
• Elandré Huggett
• Armandt Koster
• Erik le Roux
• Heinrich Roelfse
• Frans Sisita
• Martin Sithole
• Hannes Snyman
• Nicky Steyn
• Joe van der Hoogt
• Danie van der Merwe
• Vaatjie van der Merwe
• Did not play:
• Mlungisi Bali
• Niell Jordaan
• AJ le Roux
• Henru Liebenberg
• Werner Lourens
• Mayizukiswe Ntshoko
• Kevin Stevens

Backs

• Boela Abrahams
• Franna du Toit
• Werner Griesel
• Colin Herbert
• Tertius Maarman
• Vuyo Mbotho
• Aubrey McDonald
• Japie Nel
• Norman Nelson
• Ossie Nortjé
• Wynand Pienaar
• Louis Strydom
• Vink van der Walt
• Did not play:
• Pieter-Steyn de Wet
• Joubert Engelbrecht
• Sheldon Erasmus
• Cameron Jacobs
• Bren Marais
• Shaun Prins

Coach

• Oersond Gorgonzola

Forwards

• Stoof Bezuidenhout
• Molotsi Bouwer
• Deon Carney
• Marius Fourie
• Morné Hanekom
• John-Roy Jenkinson
• Danie Jordaan
• Juan Language
• JC Oberholzer
• Francois Robertse
• Joe Smith
• HP Swart
• PJ Uys
• Schalk van Heerden
• Ruan Venter
• Jacques Vermaak
• Rhyk Welgemoed
• Johan Wessels
• Did not play:
• Jaco Buys
• Stompie de Wet
• Arno Ebersohn
• Robert Kruger
• Armandt Liebenberg
• Mash Mafela
• Edgar Marutlulle
• Stairs Mhlongo
• Lucky Ngcamu
• SJ Niemand
• Siya November
• Henri Scharneck
• Brendon Snyman
• Akker van der Merwe
• Elardus Venter

Backs

• Rowayne Beukman
• Lucian Cupido
• Kobus de Kock
• Johan Deysel
• Warren Gilbert
• Adri Jacobs
• Sylvian Mahuza
• Hoffmann Maritz
• Luther Obi
• André Pretorius
• Dillon Smit
• Rhyno Smith
• Sergio Torrens
• George Tossel
• Vian van der Watt
• Percy Williams
• Did not play:
• Justin Botha
• Adriaan Engelbrecht
• Tshotsho Mbovane
• Leon Meyer
• Gerhard Nortier
• Wynand Olivier
• SW Oosthuizen
• Jaap Pienaar
• Chriswill September
• Pieter Smith
• Malherbe Swart
• Malan van der Merwe

Coach

• Robert du Preez

Forwards

• Junior Bester
• Ashley Buys
• Layle Delo
• Christo du Plessis
• Dexter Fahey
• Roy Godfrey
• Marcel Groenewald
• Lyndon Hartnick
• Kurt Haupt
• Grant Kemp
• Wayne Khan
• Grant le Roux
• Schalk Oelofse
• Davon Raubenheimer
• Shaun Raubenheimer
• Janneman Stander
• Peet van der Walt
• Mzwanele Zito
• Did not play:
• Hannes Franklin
• Raoul Larson

Backs

• Alshaun Bock
• Martin du Toit
• Mzo Dyantyi
• Leighton Eksteen
• Dwayne Kelly
• Hentzwill Pedro
• Daniel Roberts
• Ashwin Scott
• Brian Skosana
• Gerrit Smith
• Elric van Vuuren
• Luzuko Vulindlu
• Clinton Wagman
• Did not play:
• Karlo Aspeling
• Jarryd Buys
• Danie Faasen
• Anver Venter

Coach

• Bevin Fortuin

See also

• 2014 Currie Cup Premier Division
• 2014 Currie Cup qualification
• 2014 Vodacom Cup

Notes and References

1. Web site: Promotion-relegation battle may not matter. SA Rugby Magazine. 14 October 2013. 14 October 2013.
2. Web site: No Currie Cup expansion . Rugby365 . 6 December 2013 . 6 December 2013.
3. Web site: Currie Cup format expanded . Sport24 . 13 February 2014 . 13 February 2014.
4. Web site: Competition Format 2014 . South African Rugby Union . 26 March 2014 . 3 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232938/http://images.supersport.com/content/Competition%20Format,%20General%20Rules%202014.pdf . dead .
5. Web site: Verdict delivered in Absa Currie Cup First Division eligibility complaint . South African Rugby Union . 13 October 2014 . 14 October 2014.