# 2005 Vodacom Cup

The 2005 Vodacom Cup was the 8th edition of this annual domestic cup competition. The Vodacom Cup is played between provincial rugby union teams in South Africa from the Currie Cup Premier and First Divisions.

## Competition

There were 14 teams participating in the 2005 Vodacom Cup competition. These teams were divided into two sections of equal strength; Section X and Section Y, both with seven teams. Teams would play all the teams in the other section once over the course of the season, either at home or away.
Teams received four points for a win and two points for a draw. Bonus points were awarded to teams that score four or more tries in a game, as well as to teams losing a match by seven points or less. Teams were ranked by points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded).
The top two teams in each section qualified for the semi-finals. In the semi-finals, the teams that finished first in each section had home advantage against the teams that finished fourth and the teams that finished second in each section had home advantage against the teams that finished third. The winners of these semi-finals then played each other in the final.

## Teams
### Changes from 2004

* The Vodacom Shield competition was scrapped and teams were divided into two equally strength groups; Section X and Section Y.

### Team Listing

The following teams took part in the 2005 Vodacom Cup competition:
Section X :
| Team | Stadium/s |
| Boland Cavaliers | Boland Stadium, Wellington |
| Falcons | Bosman Stadium, Brakpan |
| Golden Lions | Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg |
| Golden Lions | Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg |
| Golden Lions | Alberton |
| Mighty Elephants | EPRU Stadium, Port Elizabeth |
| Mighty Elephants | Central Grounds, Uitenhage |
| Mighty Elephants | Despatch |
| Mighty Elephants | Humansdorp |
| Natal | Kings Park Stadium, Durban |
| SWD Eagles | Outeniqua Park, George |
| SWD Eagles | Oudtshoorn |
| Blue Bulls | Securicor Loftus, Pretoria |
| Blue Bulls | Westelikes Sports Grounds, Pretoria West |
Section Y :
| Team | Stadium/s |
| Border Bulldogs | Absa Stadium, East London |
| Griffons | North West Stadium, Welkom |
| Leopards | Olën Park, Potchefstroom |
| Leopards | Potchefstroom University, Potchefstroom |
| Leopards | Zeerust |
| Western Province | Newlands Stadium, Cape Town |
| Western Province | Florida Park, Parow |
| Pumas | @lantic Park, Witbank |
| Free State Cheetahs | Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein |
| Griquas | Griqua Park, Kimberley |

## Tables
### Section X

2005 Vodacom Cup Section X Table :
| | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points For | Points Against | Points Difference | Tries For | Tries Against | Try Bonus | Losing Bonus | Points |
| 1 | Blue Bulls | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 255 | 184 | +71 | 34 | 20 | 6 | 2 | 28 |
| 2 | Boland Cavaliers | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 258 | 165 | +93 | 34 | 19 | 6 | 0 | 26 |
| 3 | SWD Eagles | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 206 | 253 | −47 | 22 | 31 | 3 | 0 | 19 |
| 4 | Falcons | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 208 | 188 | +20 | 25 | 24 | 3 | 1 | 18 |
| 5 | Golden Lions | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 180 | 224 | −44 | 18 | 30 | 3 | 2 | 23 |
| 6 | Natal | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 174 | 213 | −39 | 23 | 28 | 3 | 1 | 12 |
| 7 | Mighty Elephants | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 174 | 236 | −62 | 18 | 29 | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| The top 2 teams qualified for the semi-finals. Points breakdown: *4 points for a win *2 points for a draw *1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less *1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match ||||||||||||||

### Section Y

2005 Vodacom Cup Section Y Table :
| | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points For | Points Against | Points Difference | Tries For | Tries Against | Try Bonus | Losing Bonus | Points |
| 1 | Griquas | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 236 | 132 | +104 | 30 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 25 |
| 2 | Leopards | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 234 | 177 | +57 | 28 | 20 | 4 | 1 | 25 |
| 3 | Western Province | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 214 | 179 | +35 | 27 | 21 | 6 | 1 | 23 |
| 4 | Free State Cheetahs | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 248 | 197 | +51 | 33 | 24 | 4 | 1 | 21 |
| 5 | Pumas | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 230 | 256 | −26 | 27 | 29 | 4 | 0 | 20 |
| 6 | Border Bulldogs | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 130 | 241 | −111 | 13 | 31 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| 7 | Griffons | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 171 | 273 | −102 | 23 | 35 | 3 | 1 | 8 |
| The top 2 teams qualified for the semi-finals. Points breakdown: *4 points for a win *2 points for a draw *1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less *1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match ||||||||||||||

## Winners

* 2005 Vodacom Cup
* CHAMPIONS
* Griquas
* 2nd title