Kenya joins South Africa's Carling Currie Cup First Division

Begin the first weekend of April, 2022, Kenya will take part in the the Carling Currie Cup First Division, joining seven local South African teams and two international sides for the three-month league. 

This is the second tier league in South Africa. The opening round has been scheduled for 1 and 2 April. Teams will play in a single round of matches before the final, scheduled for between 24 and 25 June. 

The seven local provincial teams that will be joined by Georgia, Kenya and Zimbabwe in a the brand-new competition, include the divisions' defending champions, the Leopards, Griffons, South Western Districts, Boland, Eastern Province, Border and the Valke.

The top South African team in the First Division will be automatically promoted to the Premier Division at the end of the 2022 Carling 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 Carling 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.

Plans on a competition for the First Division sides in the last quarter of the year are also underway and will be confirmed in due course.

“Understandably, it has been very difficult to plan for the new season in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and while a number of variables may yet change our plans, we are pleased to announce these competitions, ranging from the Carling Currie Cup First Division and women’s leagues down to provincial age-group rugby,” said SA Rugby CEO, Jurie Roux.

“I would like to commend the union CEOs and coaches for working so hard on numerous calls with our Rugby Department to produce a workable schedule despite all the challenges, which includes a very full roster for the remainder of the season, as well as our broadcast partner for getting on-board with these plans in an extraordinary season.”