# 2022 Currie Cup First Division

The 2022 Currie Cup First Division was the 84th edition of the Currie Cup. As the second-tier of the competition, it ran alongside the 2022 Currie Cup Premier Division. It was sponsored by beer brand Carling Black Label and organised by the South African Rugby Union.
The tournament was played from April to June in a single round-robin format, following the realignment of the South African domestic rugby union calendar to dovetail with the northern hemisphere and the United Rugby Championship, which features four South African sides.
The competition again featured ten sides, the seven sides who competed in the 2021 Currie Cup First Division, and teams from Georgia, Kenya and Zimbabwe. The top South African side in the 2022 Currie Cup First Division was promoted to the Premier Division for 2023, forming an eight team competition. The 2022 Currie Cup Premier Division began in January and was completed in June.

## Teams

The ten competing teams are:

## Regular season
### Standings

2022 Currie Cup First Division standings :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Griffons | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 435 | 174 | +261 | 51 | 20 | 8 | 0 | 44 | semifinals |
| 2 | Eastern Province Elephants | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 305 | 167 | +138 | 44 | 23 | 6 | 2 | 32 | semifinals |
| 3 | SWD Eagles | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 258 | 207 | +51 | 37 | 30 | 5 | 0 | 29 | semifinals |
| 4 | Black Lion | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 255 | 210 | +45 | 27 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 29 | semifinals |
| 5 | Falcons | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 281 | 230 | +51 | 37 | 26 | 5 | 3 | 28 | |
| 6 | Boland Cavaliers | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 260 | 241 | +19 | 36 | 31 | 6 | 4 | 26 | |
| 7 | Leopards | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 232 | 227 | +5 | 39 | 34 | 2 | 4 | 18 | |
| 8 | Simbas | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 261 | 312 | −51 | 38 | 48 | 3 | 3 | 18 | |
| 9 | Zimbabwe Goshawks | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 99 | 278 | −179 | 12 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 12 | |
| 10 | Border Bulldogs | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 68 | 408 | −340 | 9 | 61 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
* 4 points for a win.
* 2 points for a draw.
* 1 bonus point for a loss in a match by seven points or under.
* 1 bonus point for scoring four tries or more.

### Round-by-round

The table below shows the progression of all teams throughout the Currie Cup season. Each team's tournament points on the standings log is shown for each round, with the overall log position in brackets.
| 2022 Currie Cup team progression |
| Team | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 | Semi | Final |
| Black Lion | 5 (1st) | 9 (1st) | 9 (3rd) | 9 (4th) | 14 (4th) | 19 (4th) | 19 (6th) | 19 (6th) | 24 (4th) | 29 (4th) | Lost | DNQ |
| Boland Cavaliers | 2 (6th) | 4 (7th) | 4 (8th) | 9 (6th) | 11 (7th) | 17 (6th) | 21 (5th) | 21 (5th) | 26 (3rd) | 26 (6rd) | DNQ | DNQ |
| Border Bulldogs | 0 (10th) | 0 (10th) | 0 (10th) | 0 (10th) | 0 (10th) | 0 (10th) | 0 (10th) | 0 (10th) | 0 (10th) | 0 (10th) | DNQ | DNQ |
| EP Elephants | 5 (4th) | 6 (4th) | 11 (4th) | 16 (1st) | 21 (3rd) | 26 (2nd) | 26 (2nd) | 26 (2nd) | 31 (2nd) | 32 (2nd) | Won | Lost |
| Falcons | 5 (5th) | 10 (3rd) | 15 (1st) | 15 (3rd) | 22 (2nd) | 22 (3rd) | 22 (4th) | 22 (4th) | 23 (6th) | 28 (5th) | DNQ | DNQ |
| Griffons | 5 (2nd) | 10 (2nd) | 10 (3rd) | 15 (3rd) | 30 (1st) | 35 (1st) | 39 (1st) | 39 (1st) | 44 (1st) | 44 (1st) | Won | Won |
| Leopards | 0 (6th) | 4 (6th) | 5 (6th) | 6 (7th) | 12 (6th) | 12 (8th) | 12 (7th) | 17 (7th) | 18 (7th) | 18 (7th) | DNQ | DNQ |
| Simbas | 0 (7th) | 0 (8th) | 1 (9th) | 2 (9th) | 7 (9th) | 8 (9th) | 8 (9th) | 8 (9th) | 13 (8th) | 18 (8th) | DNQ | DNQ |
| SWD Eagles | 0 (8th) | 5 (5th) | 9 (5th) | 9 (5th) | 9 (5th) | 14 (5th) | 19 (3rd) | 24 (3rd) | 24 (5th) | 29 (3th) | Lost | DNQ |
| Zimbabwe Goshawks | 0 (9th) | 0 (9th) | 4 (7th) | 4 (8th) | 12 (8th) | 12 (7th) | 12 (8th) | 12 (8th) | 12 (9th) | 12 (9th) | DNQ | DNQ |
| Key: | | Win | Draw | Loss | No match | Bye | Posp. |

### Matches

Listed below are all matches for the round-robin, played for the 2022 Currie Cup First Division.

#### Round 10
## Play-offs
### Final
## Players
### Team rosters

The respective team squads for the 2022 Currie Cup First Division are:
Black Lion squad :
| Forwards | Nika Abuladze Tornike Akubardia Nikoloz Aptsiauri Mikheil Babunashvili Ioseb Gusharashvili Luka Ivanishvili Lasha Jaiani Goga Kadaria Nika Khatiashvili Sandro Koiava Giorgi Maisuradze Sandro Mamamtavrishvili Shalva Mamukashvili Mikheil Oragvelidze Nika Pataraia Giorgi Pertaia Levan Tchavtchavadze Nodar Tcheishvili Giorgi Tkhilaishvili Mikheil Tsiklauri Tengiz Zamtaradze |
| Backs | Shalva Aptsiauri Giorgi Babunashvili Giorgi Begadze Giorgi Chikovani Gurami Kandaurashvili Lasha Khmaladze Davit Khuroshvili Otar Lashkhi Lasha Lomidze Luka Matkava Mirian Modebadze Davit Modzgvrishvili Tengiz Peranidze Merab Sharikadze Sandro Svanidze Aka Tabutsadze Demur Tapladze Teimuraz Tchitchinadze Alexander Todua |
| Coach | Levan Maisashvili |
Boland Cavaliers squad :
| Forwards | Sauliegh Arendse Hilroy Baadjies Gerrit Bester Emile Booysen Emile Booysen Nicholas Duhwa Jacobus du Plessis Kevin Fikster Brendon Fortuin Wayrin Losper Thurlow Marsh Ayyoob Moerat Charles Nimb Schalk Oelofse Keenan Opperman Ryan Persence Chadwin Robertson Peter Smit JJ Strydom Ian Thompson Carl Truter Jordan Williams Marlyn Williams Wayne Wilschut |
| Backs | Jaiden Baron Alshaun Bock Denzil Douries Cornell Engelbrecht Marvin Fredericks Cameron Hufke Jacquin Jansen Jurick Lewis Dylan Maart Ryno Marais Theodore Marinus Laznar Nxele Dylon Siegelaar Gavern Skippers Percival Williams Warren Williams |
| Coach | Franzel September |
Border Bulldogs squad :
| Forwards | Sithhembiso Adonisi Chuma Biyani Hugo Bronkhorst Mkhonto Caku-Caku Ntsika Daka Onke Dubase Cole Haggard Phila Layiti Azola Manti Asekho Marubelela Vuyisani Mavuso Siba Mnkani Sokhana Mpemba Yamkela Mzozoyana Likho Ndiyalwa Miyelane Ngobeni Ayabonga Nomboyo Edwin Nxumalo Sinesipho Puzi Kuhle Seteni Lukhanyo Siyobi Esethu Zenani |
| Backs | Lutho Adonis Migcobo Bovu Keith Chiwara Sakhe Dingile Ntabeni Dukisa Lelethu Gcilitshane Vusi Hanabe Lwazi Madiba Lwandile Mapuko Soso Matyoyi Edwin Mcaphukana Mihlali Nchukana Mihlali Nobomvu Sipho Nofemele Edwin Nxumalo Yakha Qinela Sicelo Tole Simamnkele Yafele Anele Zweni |
| Coach | Lumumba Currie |
Eastern Province Elephants squad :
| Forwards | Zingisa April Mzwanele Besman Duncan Du Buisson Duan du Plessis Billy Dutton Cebo Gidane Laken Gray Gerrit Huisamen Hannes Huisamen Athenkosi Khethani Arnold Kleyn Luxolo Koza Sibusiso Lali Rob Lyons Sive Mazosiwe Lungi Mbiko Siya Nzuzo Robin Stevens Roche van Zyl Tiaan Vermaak Jaco Willemse Stefan Willemse Diego Williams Vian Wolmarans |
| Backs | Riaan Arendse Masixole Banda Luvo Claasen Rodney Damons Chucky Ismail Garrick Mattheus Athi Mayinje Dayle Nel Rouche Nel Qeutyne Oerson Aya Oliphant Mbembe Payi Merlynn Pieterse Davian Swanepoel Sacha Toring Josiah Twum-Boafo |
| Coach | Dumisani Mhani |
Falcons squad :
| Forwards | Cody Basson Reuben du Plooy Eddie Evans Njabulo Gumede Ethan Jeffery Khwezi Mafu Spiec Magawu Stairs Mhlongo Komape Moloto Raynardt Nel Thabo Ntunja Darnell Osuagwu Dwayne Pienaar Hugo Pienaar Pierre Rabie Bulelani Sali Bheki Shongwe Zander van der Merwe Jordan van Dyk Boela Venter Andrew Volschenk |
| Backs | Chris Booysen Coert Cronjé Luciano Elias Keagan Fortune Ruben Liebenberg Jimmy Mpailane Franco Pienaar Johan Pretorius Lundi Ralarala Godfrey Ramaboea Sherwin Slater Joshua Vermeulen Ruan Wasserman Valentino Wellman Iusanda Xakwana |
| Coach | JP Immelman |
Griffons squad :
| Forwards | Michael Benadie Stephan de Jager Dandrè Delport Xolani Jacobs Etienne Janeke Hannes Janse van Rensburg Athenkosi Khethani Jared Kruger Thato Mavundla Kyle Milford Neo Mohapi Oupa Mohojé Nqoba Mxoli Wikus Nieuwenhuis Buhle Nojekwa Zander Oberholzer Jean-Jacques Pretorius Simon Raw Curtley Thomas Keith van Aswegen Janus Venter Chadley Wenn Ludio Williams Soso Xakalashe |
| Backs | Lionel April Lloyd April Carel-Jan Coetzee Donovan Don Jaywinn Juries Granwill Matthys Allistair Mumba Duann Pretoruis Marquit September Dommenic Smit Aphiwe Stemele Duncan van Vuuren Keanu Vers Gurshwin Wehr Ethan Williams |
| Coach | Jacques Juries |
Leopards squad :
| Forwards | Heinz Bertram Waldo Crous Jandre de Beer Ruben Dreyer Ruben du Plessis Gustav Erlank Lukas Klopper Robert Kruger Robey Leibbrandt Lihle Lolwane Lion Lushozi JP Mans Franco Marais Vincent Maruping Marvelous Mashimbye Wihan Nel Siya Mdaka Masonwabe Ngcem Freddy Ngoza Lwando Nteta Faf Pelser Arminn Posthumus Johann Scheepers Didi Sekati HP Swart Sampie Swiegers Joe van der Hoogt Tiaan van der Merwe Marco van Deventer Chris Vermaak Cohen Wortley |
| Backs | Gerhard Ackerman Tjaart Benade Heinrich Botha Shirwin Cupido Willem du Plessis Quan Eymann Riaan Genis Andre Grobler Eugene Hare Sylvester Hassien Duren Hoffman Naiden Jaarts Meyer Kriel Aphelele Madaka Vuyo Mbotho Isrome Phatudi Andries Truter Keenan Twigg Pienaar van Niekerk Martin Venter Danrich Visagie Keano Windvogel |
| Coach | André Pretorius |
Simbas squad :
| Forwards | Oscar Ouma Achieng Teddy Akala Shem Angugo Manasseh Auma Davis Chenge Toby Francombe Brian Juma Clinton Juma Ian Karanja Oliver Kizito Brian Masinza Elkeans Mukamiti Bethwel Muteshi Mark Mutuku Brian Ndirangu Edwin Njuguna Joseph Nyagol George Nyambua Kevin Nyongesa Epraim Oduor Felix Ojow Martin Omondi Thomas Ongera Malcolm Onsando Patrick Ouko Chrispine Shitundo Eugene Sifuna Daniel Sikuta Emmanuel Silungi Andrew Siminyu Brian Waraba Colman Were |
| Backs | Bryceson Adaka Willy Ambaka Samuel Asati Derrick Ashihundu Owain Ashley Dominic Coilson Timothy Ejakait Collins Emonyi Isaac Ikigu Peter Kilonzo Michael Kimwele Darwin Kinyangi Brian Maragwa Andrew Matoka Anthony Mboya Jeff Mutukugi Beldad Ogeta Jacob Ojee Maxwell Oketch John Okeyo Geoffrey Ominde Vincent Owino Brian Tanga Jone Tavaga Michael Walyaula |
| Coach | Paul Odera |
SWD Eagles squad :
| Forwards | Freggie Africa Ian Alexander Marnus Botha Phillipus Botha Alwyn Carstens Mitch Carstens Layle Delo Armand Grobler Stefaan Grundlingh Keano Hendricks Stephen Leonard Khanya Ncusane Lucky Ngcamu Nkosi Nofuma Arie O'Neil Shaun Raubenheimer Heinrich Roelfse Raaez Salie Anton Smit Duimpie Swartz Justin Theys PJ Toerien Gihard Visagie Armando Wienand |
| Backs | Ezrick Alexander Deon Carstens JP Duvenage Darryn Fortuin Lungelo Gosa Kirsten Heyns Jaylen James Adri Jacobs Winslin Klaasen André Manuel Hlumelo Ndudula Austin Prins Edwin Sass Keagen September Dillin Snel Rosco Syster Regan van der Westhuizen Gene Willemse |
| Coach | Anton Moolman |
Zimbabwe Goshawks squad :
| Forwards | Dustin Andrews Sean Beevor Aiden Burnett Tonderai Chiwambutsa Johan du Preez Andrew Evans Tyran Fagan Bornwell Gwinji Aaron Juma Doug Juszczyk Kelvin Kanenungo Cleopas Kundiona Liam Larkan David Makamba Deanne Makoni Matthew Mandioma Godwin Mangenje Mungo Mason Brian Muntanga Victor Mupunga Godfrey Muzanargwo Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa Declan Ralphs Sebastian Roche Panashe Rukodzi George Saungweme Gabriel Sipapate Nyasha Tarusenga Biselele Tshamala Dylan Utete |
| Backs | Tavonga Ablant Daniel Capsopoulos Munashe Chaitezwi Taku Chieza Keith Chiwara Brendon Curle Russell Dinha Kyle Galloway Shingirai Katsvere Conor Kennedy Shayne Makombe Darrel Makwasha Brendon Marume Carlos Matematema Tawanda Matipano Matthew McNab Hilton Mudariki Brandon Mudzekenyedzi Ernest Mudzengerere Taku Musingwini Ronald Ndidura Marcus Nel Riaan O'Neill Boyd Rouse |
| Coach | Brendon Dawson |

## Referees

The following referees officiated matches in the competition:
2021 Currie Cup First Division referees :
* Christopher W. Allison
* Aimee Barrett-Theron
* Griffin Colby
* Stephan Geldenhuys
* Cwengile Jadezweni
* Phumzilo Mbewu
* Ruhan Meiring
* Paul Mente
* Sean Muller
* Dylen November