Golden Lions taking rugby back to grassroots level

Five clubs were granted the rights to host Currie Cup matches after a tender process was followed with two matches being played at Emirates Airline Park (Ellis Park).

Alberton, Diggers, Pirates, Johannesburg Police and Roodepoort will host the five games.

The Currie Cup is South Africa’s premier rugby competition and has a rich history which dates back to 1889.

Lions CEO and former Springbok number eight, Rudolf Straeuli said, “We are taking the game back to our grassroots and our stakeholders,” he said.

President of the union Kevin de Klerk said, “As the president of the Golden Lions I am pleased and excited by the package our CEO has presented to the clubs to enable them to earn some funding from the exercise.

“The Currie Cup games will be hosted at some of our premium clubs that have tendered for these matches and I know it is going to be an enormous success and will assist them with their future projects.”

The first game of the new Currie Cup season will see the home side take on the Border Bulldogs at the Lions’ headquarters in Doornfontein.

Eastern Province will play the Lions in Greenside at the Pirates Rugby Club, and Griquas will be hosted at Marks Park, the home of the Joburg Bobbies.

The Currie Cup trophy will be on display at all these venues and supporters will be able to have their pictures taken with the trophy.

The Currie Cup programme:

• 23 April: vs Blue Bulls (Alberton Rugby Club)
• 7 May: vs Cheetahs (Diggers Rugby Club)
• 28 May: vs Eastern Province (Pirates Rugby Club)
• 11 June: vs Griquas (Jhb Police Rugby Club)
• 2 July: vs Griffons (Emirates Stadium)
• 16 July: vs SWD Eagles (Roodepoort Hoërskool).