A significant number of Springbok players have been released to play for their provinces when South Arica’s premier rugby competition, the ABSA Currie Cup kicks off this weekend.

Oregan Hoskins, President of the South African Rugby Union, said at the launch of the competition on Monday that the Bok management decided to releases “as many players as possible” for this coming weekend’s opening matches.

Hoskins, describing it as “the word’s best domestic competition”, said it is obvious that the public want to see the top players in action.

The Currie Cup, one of the oldest competitions in the world and still regarded as the cornerstone of South African rugby, kicks off this Friday when the Boland Cavaliers host the competition newcomers, the Leopards, in Wellington.

The highlight of the opening weekend is at Newlands in Cape Town where Western Province host the defending champion Sharks.

“What is significant, I heard this morning that the Springbok management decided to releases as many players as possible this weekend,” Hoskins said.

“Obviously they [the Bok management] will keep the nuclease of the players that played all three Tests [against the British and Irish Lions], but those that weren’t involved in all the Tests are going to be available for the Currie Cup games.

“I don’t have the names yet, but as many players as possible are going to be released back into the Currie Cup,” Hoskins said, describing it as a “fantastic decision”.

“The people want to see the best players in the country,” the SARU boss said, adding: “And once we get to the end of our Tri-Nations campaign all the players will be available for their provinces.

“It will be a fantastic injection into the latter stages of the competition.”

The Currie Cup, steeped in history and tradition, dating back to 1889 and is one of the oldest rugby competitions in the world, has as first prize the coveted gold trophy that remains the most prestigious prize in South African domestic rugby.

This year the competition will again be split into an eight-team Absa Currie Cup Premier Division and the six-team First Division.

Eight teams – Boland Cavaliers, Griquas, Leopards, Sharks, Blue Bulls, Free State Cheetahs, Western Province and the Lions – will battle it out in the Premier Division.

In the First Division, the Border Bulldogs, Griffons, Mighty Elephants, Pumas, SWD Eagles and the Falcons are the competing teams in this competition.

“Over the years, there have been many developments to the Absa Currie Cup,” Hoskins said in his media address, adding: “But this competition is still regarded as the cornerstone of South Africa’s rugby heritage, and the coveted gold trophy remains the most prestigious prize in South African domestic rugby.

“All teams competing in this year’s Currie Cup, be it in the Premier Division or First Division competitions, will no doubt be out make their local and loyal supporters proud. I am sure that as always the Currie Cup will keep us thrilled and entertained during the next few months.”

Source: rugby365.com