Sanzar deal for 2011 means the Currie Cup will be cut to just six teams

[beige]

After weeks of posturing and threatening to walk away from the Sanzar alliance, South African Rugby and broadcasters Supersport have thrashed out a way of keeping their Tri-Nations partners, Australia and New Zealand happy, as well as the smaller South African provincial unions.

Although there is a perception that SA Rugby caved in during last week’s negotiations in Dublin, the reality is that a six-team Currie Cup was always on the cards.

SA Rugby acting managing director Andy Marinos said that South Africa would not compromise on the Currie Cup, but at first glance that appears to be exactly what has happened. However, a stronger, more competitive, Currie Cup will emerge.

A more virile six-team premier division was what the broadcaster and the sponsors had wanted, and the added bonus from a South African Rugby perspective is that it has secured a strong Super rugby deal.

Read more: http://www.thetimes.co.za/Sport/Article.aspx?id=1002830

[jargan83]

this will show how much I know about the Currie Cup but how many teams are in it at the moment?

[tragic]

8.

So, they're having to do a bit of a restructure, there.
At least they see their provincial comp as important enough to retain and fight for.

[beige]

If I had a $100 million dollar tv deal for it, I would too.

[jargan83]

8.

So, they're having to do a bit of a restructure, there.
At least they see their provincial comp as important enough to retain and fight for.

So how are they getting rid of two teams? Are they being absorbed into other teams or just being given the arse?

[tragic]

I don't know if they know yet. rugby365 suggests they might drop two teams from their Premier Division down to First Division (so, yes, the arse).

http://www.rugby365.com/news/1682620.htm

[welshrugbyfan]

The comp is split into two divisions. There are 8 teams are in the Premier Division, and contest the Currie Cup. The other 6 teams are in the First Division, and play for the chance to be promoted to the Premier Division.

The team that wins the First Division plays the team that came last in the Currie Cup to see who plays in the Premier Division the next year.

This comps been going since 1889 which I think is great stuff, I love the history of our game.

Plus my favourite Yarpie Naas Botha was a legend in this comp for Northern Transvaal who are now the Bulls.

Any Bulls fan would remember the pairing of Naas and Joost van der Westhuizen, what a combination.

See my head is full of shit.

[beige]

So how are they getting rid of two teams? Are they being absorbed into other teams or just being given the arse?

As the article suggests, it's what the SARU, the sponsors and the big 5 provincial unions (i.e. the Super 14 host unions) have tried to do repeatedly over the last decade, due to the fact that the "big 5" operate on a significantly higher level than the other teams and have done for years. It's just that the 9 smaller unions constitute a very powerful voting bloc.

The current 8 team premier division was a compromise to keep the smaller provinces happy while preventing too many huge scoreline blowouts and non-drawing games for the big teams. It seems that the Super 15 negotiations have given the SARU a nice excuse to cut the competition back to 6 teams like they wanted.

The team that wins the First Division plays the team that came last in the Currie Cup to see who plays in the Premier Division the next year.

Plus my favourite Yarpie Naas Botha was a legend in this comp for Northern Transvaal who are now the Bulls.

I'm gonna be a smart arse WRF

I believe how it works is that the last team in Premier Division automatically goes down and the First Division winner goes up. The second last team in Premier Division then has a play-off against second place from the First Division to decide the other promotion / relegation spot. With the new system, it will just be a straight play off between last and first I'm guessing.

And Northern Transvaal is now the Blue Bulls - the Bulls are different.

[welshrugbyfan]

I'd say the Currie Cup will be 6 teams and the First Division will be 8.

[beige]

I think it's tidier that way personally.

[welshrugbyfan]

I'm gonna be a smart arse WRF

I believe how it works is that the last team in Premier Division automatically goes down and the First Division winner goes up. The second last team in Premier Division then has a play-off against second place from the First Division to decide the other promotion / relegation spot. With the new system, it will just be a straight play off between last and first I'm guessing.

And Northern Transvaal is now the Blue Bulls - the Bulls are different.

No theres a play off between the top and bottom finishing team only.

Vodacom Blue Bulls and yep I know but it operates the Bulls as a seperate franchise.

Your head is full like mine. Problem is when I put new info in old stuff falls out. I went on a beer appreciation night once and completely forgot how to drive on the way home.

[beige]

No theres a play off between the top and bottom finishing team only.

I'll notch that one down as, "I disagree but I can't be bothered checking"! Haha

[pieter blackie]

Do not forget that there s another comp running called the Vodacom Cup where all these franchises also play in

[welshrugbyfan]

Do not forget that there s another comp running called the Vodacom Cup where all these franchises also play in

Is that the one with the North and South section teams?

I think the Griquas(spelling?) just won it didn't they?

This must run during the Super 14 as feeder clubs into the Super 14 teams and then are basically the Currie Cup team with returning Super 14 players not playing intenationally after that.

Wales has a similar concept.

[beige]

Pretty similar.