List of South African rugby union teams

List of South African rugby union teams
Country South Africa
Governing body South African Rugby Union
National team South Africa
Nickname(s) Springboks
National competitions
Club competitions

Rugby union in South Africa is centrally administered by the South African Rugby Union, which consists of fourteen provincial unions – the Blue Bulls Rugby Union, the Boland Rugby Union, the Border Rugby Football Union, the Eastern Province Rugby Union, the Free State Rugby Union, the Golden Lions Rugby Union, the Griffons Rugby Union, the Griqualand West Rugby Union, the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union, the Leopards Rugby Union, the Mpumalanga Rugby Union, the South Western Districts Rugby Football Union, the Valke Rugby Union and the Western Province Rugby Football Union.[1]

Each of these unions administers a senior professional rugby team that participates in the domestic Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup competitions. In addition, these unions are responsible for amateur club rugby in their region. Clubs participate in provincial leagues organised by the unions; university sides also participate in the annual Varsity Cup competition, while non-university sides participate in the annual SARU Community Cup.

South Africa have six franchises participating in the annual Super Rugby competition. All fourteen provincial unions are allocated to a Super Rugby franchise on a geographic basis.

Super Rugby

Main article: Super Rugby

The six Super Rugby franchises, plus their constituent rugby unions are:

South African Super Rugby franchises
Franchise Base Core rugby union Other rugby unions
Bulls Pretoria Blue Bulls Rugby Union Valke Rugby Union
Cheetahs Bloemfontein Free State Rugby Union Griffons Rugby Union
Griqualand West Rugby Union
Kings Port Elizabeth Eastern Province Rugby Union Border Rugby Football Union
South Western Districts Rugby Football Union
Lions Johannesburg Golden Lions Rugby Union Leopards Rugby Football Union
Mpumalanga Rugby Union
Sharks Durban KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union
Stormers Cape Town Western Province Rugby Union Boland Rugby Union

Provincial Rugby

Map of South Africa displaying the borders of the 14 Currie Cup teams
Main articles: Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup

The fourteen provincial unions each have a professional team that play in the annual Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup competitions, plus youth sides in the Under-21 and Under-19 provincial competitions and youth tournaments such as the Under-18 and Under-13 Craven Week tournaments, the Under-18 Academy Week tournament and the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week tournament.

South African provincial teams
Union Base Professional team
Blue Bulls Rugby Union Pretoria Blue Bulls
Boland Rugby Union Wellington Boland Cavaliers
Border Rugby Football Union East London Border Bulldogs
Eastern Province Rugby Union Port Elizabeth Eastern Province Kings
Free State Rugby Union Bloemfontein Free State Cheetahs
Golden Lions Rugby Union Johannesburg Golden Lions
Griffons Rugby Union Welkom Griffons
Griqualand West Rugby Union Kimberley Griquas
KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union Durban Natal Sharks
Leopards Rugby Football Union Potchefstroom Leopards
Mpumalanga Rugby Union Nelspruit Pumas
South Western Districts Rugby Football Union George SWD Eagles
Valke Rugby Union Kempton Park Falcons
Western Province Rugby Union Cape Town Western Province

Since 2013, a Limpopo Blue Bulls team participated in the Vodacom Cup competition. Limpopo is a sub-union that forms part of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union.

Varsity Rugby

Main article: Varsity Rugby

In 2008, a Varsity Cup competition was created, with eight universities competing. In 2011, a second tier called the Varsity Shield was added, consisting of a further five side and the collective was rebranded as "Varsity Rugby". In addition to playing in the Varsity Rugby competitions, these sides also take part in the provincial unions' championships.

Varsity Rugby teams
University Team Union
Central University of Technology CUT Ixias Free State Rugby Union
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University NMMU Madibaz Eastern Province Rugby Union
North-West University NWU Pukke Leopards Rugby Union
Tshwane University of Technology TUT Vikings Blue Bulls Rugby Union
University of Cape Town UCT Ikey Tigers Western Province Rugby Union
University of Fort Hare UFH Blues Border Rugby Football Union
University of Johannesburg UJ Golden Lions Rugby Union
University of KwaZulu-Natal UKZN Impi KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union
University of Pretoria UP Tuks Blue Bulls Rugby Union
University of Stellenbosch Maties Western Province Rugby Union
University of the Free State UFS Shimlas Free State Rugby Union
University of the Western Cape UWC Western Province Rugby Union
University of the Witwatersrand Wits Golden Lions Rugby Union

Provincial championships

Each of the provincial unions have a number of amateur clubs playing in the respective club championships. The highest-placed non-university sides qualify to the annual SARU Community Cup.

Blue Bulls Rugby Union

The club sides that form part of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union are:[2]

  • Atteridgeville
  • Brits
  • Bronkhorstspruit
  • Centurion
  • Correctional Services
  • Cullinan
  • Dragons

  • Eersterust
  • Hartbeespoort
  • Mabopane
  • Mamelodi
  • Medunsa Campus
  • Naka Bulls
  • Noordelikes

  • Oostelike Eagles
  • Pretoria
  • Pretoria Harlequins
  • Pretoria Military
  • Pretoria Police
  • Silver Valke
  • Soshanguve

Blue Bulls Limpopo Sub-Union

The club sides that form part of the Blue Bulls Limpopo Sub-Union are:[3]

  • Atok
  • Bosveld
  • Kwagga
  • Letaba
  • Levubu
  • Loskop
  • Louis Trichardt

  • Mac Musina
  • Mankweng
  • Mogol
  • Naboomspruit
  • Noordelikes
  • Northam Platinum
  • Nylstroom

  • Phagameng
  • Phalaborwa
  • Pietersburg
  • Police
  • Potgietersrus
  • Seshego
  • Thabazimbi

  • Union
  • University of Limpopo
  • University of Venda
  • Vaalwater
  • Winterveldt

Updated 8 May 2014.

Boland Rugby Union

The club sides that form part of the Boland Rugby Union are:[4]

  • Abbotsdale
  • Adelaars
  • All Stars
  • Ashton United
  • Atlantics
  • Attackers
  • Aurora
  • Bella Vista
  • Black Leaves
  • Blue Swallows
  • Botrivier
  • Broodkraal
  • Caledon
  • Cederberg Leopards
  • Ceres
  • Cheetahs
  • Citrusdal
  • Coronations
  • CPUT
  • Darling
  • De Doorns
  • Delicious
  • Delicious
  • Dennegeur
  • Die Dorings
  • Doringbaai Young Spurs
  • Eagles
  • Elandsbaai
  • Elandskloof
  • Elim
  • Evergreens Paarl
  • Evergreens Wellington
  • Excelcior
  • Flying Eagles
  • Flying Eagles
  • Genadendal
  • Goedverwacht

  • Gold Stars
  • Golden Eagles
  • Golden Swallows
  • Good Hopes
  • Grabouw
  • Green Lillies
  • Greyton
  • Growing Stars
  • Hamlet
  • Hawston
  • Hillcrest United
  • Hopefield
  • Invincibles
  • Kleinmond
  • Klipdrift
  • Koringberg
  • Laingsburg
  • Langebaan
  • Malmesbury
  • Mamre
  • Marines
  • Mbekweni United
  • McGregor
  • Miracles
  • Montagu
  • Môrester
  • Mountain Stars
  • Napier
  • Never Despair
  • Newtons
  • Oak Valley
  • Op-die-Berg
  • Orchard
  • Overhex
  • Paardekloof
  • Paternoster

  • Piketberg
  • Porseleinberg
  • Porterville
  • Protea De Doorns
  • Protea Worcester
  • Rangers Bredasdorp
  • Rangers De Hoop
  • Rangers Robertson
  • Rawsonville United
  • Red Roses
  • Red Roses
  • Red Stars
  • Riebeeck United
  • Riviersonderend
  • Robertson RFC
  • Rooi Tiere
  • Rooiberg United
  • Rosendal
  • Roses United
  • Safcol
  • Saldanha
  • Saldanha Tigers
  • Samoa Moorreesburg
  • Saron
  • Sea Hawks
  • Spring Roses
  • St Helenabaai
  • Standards
  • Struisbaai
  • Temperance
  • Thistles
  • Titans
  • Touwpark
  • Tulbagh
  • United Stars
  • United Stones

  • Universals
  • Universals
  • Velddrif
  • Verenigde Ceres
  • Villagers Breërivier
  • Villagers Citrusdal
  • Villagers Montagu
  • Villagers Newton
  • Villagers Wittewater
  • Villagers Worcester
  • Villiersdorp
  • Voorberg
  • Vredenburg
  • Wamakers
  • Wellington
  • Wesbank
  • Wolseley
  • Worcester Perseverance
  • Young Black Arrows
  • Young Blues
  • Young Blues
  • Young Diggers
  • Young Eagles
  • Young Eagles
  • Young Eagles Robertson
  • Young Good Hopes
  • Young Hamiltons
  • Young Hearts
  • Young Proteas
  • Young Proteas
  • Young Stars
  • Young Tigers
  • Young Tigers
  • Young Turbos
  • Young Westlyans
  • Zebras

Updated 8 May 2014.

Border Rugby Football Union

The club sides that recently played in the top-level domestic competition organised by the Border Rugby Football Union are:[5][6]

  • Africans
  • Berlin Tigers
  • Buffalo
  • Breakers
  • Cambridge

  • East London Police
  • Evergreen
  • King Brumbies
  • Ngculu Zebras
  • Ntlaza Lions

  • Ocean Sweepers
  • Old Collegians
  • Old Selbornians
  • Ready Blues
  • Swallows

Updated 12 May 2014.

Eastern Province Rugby Union

The club sides that form part of the Eastern Province Rugby Union are:[7]

  • Aberdeen
  • Adelaide Rangers
  • African Bombers
  • Alderonians
  • All Blacks
  • Auckland Tigers
  • Black Lions
  • Born Fighters
  • Central
  • Coldstream Crusaders
  • Colesburg Wanderers
  • Cookhouse United
  • DB Blues
  • Despatch
  • Despatch Oostelikes
  • Easterns
  • Evergreens (Cradock)
  • Evergreens (Krakeel)
  • Excelsior
  • Gardens
  • Gelvan Wallabies
  • Gladiators
  • Glen Roses

  • Grahamstown Brumbies
  • Grootfontein
  • Hamilton
  • Hampshire
  • Hankey Villagers
  • Harlequins
  • Hilltop Eagles
  • Humansdorp RC
  • Humansdorp United
  • Jansenville
  • Karoo Springbokke
  • Khyelitsha United
  • Kirkwood
  • Klipfontein UT
  • Kliplaat
  • Kowie
  • Kruisfontein
  • Kuya
  • Kuyga
  • Kwaru
  • Lily White
  • Loerie Blues

  • Middleberg Eagles
  • Mighty Blues
  • Mission
  • Motherwell
  • Murraysburg
  • NMMU Madibaz
  • Noupoort Diamonds
  • Old Grey
  • Orlando Eagles
  • Park
  • Paterson Lions
  • Pearston Villagers
  • Pirates
  • Port Elizabeth College
  • Port Elizabeth Crusaders
  • Port Elizabeth Harlequins
  • Port Elizabeth Police
  • Port Elizabeth Villagers
  • Progress
  • Red Lions
  • Rhodes
  • Rosebuds

  • Scorpions
  • Siyakhula
  • Spring Rose
  • St Cyprian's
  • St Francis Sharks
  • St Mark's
  • Star of Hope
  • Steytlerville Dolphins
  • Steytlerville United
  • Suburban
  • Sunday Stars
  • Thistles
  • Trying Stars
  • Union
  • United Barbarians
  • Visitors
  • Walmer Wales
  • Walmer Wallabies
  • Wanders
  • Windvogel United
  • Winter Rose
  • Winter Rose (UIT)

Updated 8 May 2014.

Free State Rugby Union

The club sides that form part of the Free State Rugby Union are:[8][9][10]

  • Bloemfontein Collegians
  • Bloemfontein Crusaders
  • Bloemfontein Police

  • Old Grey's
  • SANDF

Reserve teams also play in the league, as well as youth sides of CUT and UFS.

Updated 12 May 2014.

Golden Lions Rugby Union

The club sides that form part of the Golden Lions Rugby Union are:[11]

  • Alberton Rugby Club
  • Alexandra Rugby Club
  • Diggers Rugby Club
  • Eldoronians Rugby Club
  • Germiston Simmer Rugby Club

  • Harlequins Rugby Club
  • Jabulani Rugby Club
  • JHB Police Rugby Club
  • Khosa Rugby Club
  • Pirates Rugby Club

  • Raiders Rugby Club
  • Randfontein Rugby Club
  • Roodepoort Rugby Club
  • Soweto Rugby Club
  • Titans Rugby Club

  • UJ
  • Union Rugby Club
  • Wanderers Rugby Club
  • Wes Wits Rugby Club
  • Wits

Updated 8 May 2014.

Griffons Rugby Union

The club sides that recently played in the top two domestic competitions organised by the Griffons Rugby Union are:[12][13]

  • Beatrix
  • Bethlehem Collegians
  • Bethlehem Oud Skoliere
  • Bobbies
  • Bothaville
  • Bultfontein

  • Ficksburg
  • Frankfort
  • Harmony
  • Harmony Tigers
  • Henneman
  • Kroonstad

  • Harrismith
  • Hoopstad
  • Kestell
  • Koppies
  • Klutwanong

  • Ladybrand
  • Lindley
  • Parys
  • Welkom
  • Welkom Rovers

Updated 12 May 2014.

Griqualand West Rugby Union

The club sides that form part of the Griqualand West Rugby Union are:[14]

  • Aggeneys RFC
  • Desert Daisies Rugby Club
  • Douglas RFC
  • Elevations
  • Gladiators RFC
  • Hartswater Rugby Club
  • Hope Town
  • Hurricanes
  • Jacobsdal
  • Kakamas, Rugby Klub
  • Kenhard

  • Kenhardt, Rugby Klub
  • Kimberley Polisie Rugby Club
  • Klipfontein United Rugby Club
  • Kuruman Rugby Club
  • Marrigolds
  • Nababeep Rugby Club
  • Ocean Collegians Rugby Club
  • Orania Rugby Club
  • Oranjemund RFC
  • Phantoms Rugby Club
  • Pofadder Rugby Klub

  • Postmasburg
  • Prieska Rugby Club
  • Protea United
  • Protea United Rugby Club
  • Rangers RFC
  • Riverton's
  • Rosh-Pinah Rugby Club
  • Sishen Rugby Club
  • Springbok Rugby Klub
  • Steinkopf United RFC

  • Tigers RFC
  • United Rugby Football Club
  • Universals
  • Warrenton Rugby Club
  • Warriors Rugby Football Club
  • Young Blues Rugby Club
  • Young Blues/Williston
  • Young Lions
  • Young Removers Rugby Club
  • Young Stars Rugby Club

Updated 8 May 2014.

KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union

The club sides that form part of the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union are:

  • Amabhubesi
  • Amangcesha
  • Amanzimtoti
  • Ballito Dolphins
  • Bergville Zebras
  • Black Knights RFC
  • Bulls
  • Cedara
  • Clermont
  • College Rovers
  • Drakensberg
  • Durban Collegians
  • Durban Crusaders
  • Durban Mets
  • Eshowe
  • Esikhawini
  • Flying Eagles

  • Gamalakhe
  • Harding
  • Harlequins
  • Hillcrest Villagers
  • Hluhluwe
  • Howick Eagles
  • Ixopo
  • Izinyathi
  • Jaguars
  • Kapaailand
  • Kokstad
  • Kwantu
  • Ladysmith
  • Ladysmith United
  • Mandini
  • Mangosuto University of Technology
  • Matatiele

  • Melmoth
  • Mtubatuba
  • Nagle Dam Rhinos
  • Newcastle Highlanders
  • Newlands East Brumbies
  • Noodsberg
  • Obhejane
  • Ogwini Bafana
  • Pietermaritzburg Collegians
  • Pietermaritzburg Waratahs
  • Piet Retief
  • Pinetown Raiders
  • Pongola
  • Queensburgh
  • Rhinos
  • Richards Bay

  • Scottburgh
  • Sentraal
  • South Coast Warriors
  • University of KwaZulu-Natal Howard College
  • UKZN Impi
  • University of KwaZulu-Natal Westville
  • University of Zululand
  • Ushaka Warriors
  • Utrecht
  • Varsity College
  • Volksrust
  • Voortrekker Old Boys
  • Vryheid
  • Young Lions
  • Westville Old Boys
  • Zululand Rhinos

Updated 8 May 2014.

Leopards Rugby Football Union

The club sides that recently played in the top-level domestic competition organised by the Leopards Rugby Football Union (or teams from the region playing in other competitions) are:[15]

  • Hartbeesfontein
  • Klerksdorp
  • Leeudoringstad

  • Vaal Reefs2
  • Vryburg

1 NWU Pukke and Rustenburg Impala play club rugby in the Golden Lions Pirates Grand Challenge.[16]
2 Vaal Reefs play club rugby in the Valke Peregrine League.[17]
Updated 12 May 2014.

Mpumalanga Rugby Union

The club sides that recently played in the top-level domestic competition organised by the Mpumalanga Rugby Union are:[18]

  • Barberton
  • Bethal
  • Carolina
  • Ermelo
  • Groblersdal

  • Hurricanes
  • Kriel
  • Lydenburg Rooikatte
  • Malelane

  • Matla
  • Middelburg
  • Nelspruit
  • Sasol

  • Standerton
  • Tigers
  • White River
  • Witbank Ferros

Updated 12 May 2014.

South Western Districts Rugby Football Union

The club sides that form part of the South Western Districts Rugby Football Union are:[19]

  • Adias
  • Albertinia
  • All Blacks
  • Arrows
  • Barbarians
  • Barrydale
  • Beaufort
  • Bitou
  • Black Lions
  • Black Warriors
  • Blanco
  • Bonnievale BB
  • Bonnievale United
  • Bridgton
  • Buffaloes
  • Calitzdorp
  • Collegians
  • Crusaders

  • DKD Mosselbaai
  • DKD Oudtshoorn
  • Dysselsdorp
  • Eagle Stars
  • Evergreens
  • Excelciors
  • Gamka United
  • Garden Route
  • George
  • Glen Roses
  • Greater Knysna
  • Grootbrak
  • Happy Hearts
  • Harlequins
  • Heidelberg
  • Hungry Lions
  • Jaguars
  • Kango United

  • Knysna United
  • Ladismith
  • Maoris
  • Mosselbaai
  • Mountain Stars
  • NMMU George
  • Oudtshoorn
  • Perseverance
  • Plett United
  • Prince Albert
  • Progress
  • Progress Suurbraak
  • Proteas
  • PSP Timbers
  • Rheenendal
  • Riversdal Barbarians
  • Riversdal Dorp
  • Riversdale Blues

  • Seagulls
  • Shamrocks
  • Silverstars
  • Spring Roses
  • Super Stars
  • Swellendam
  • Swings
  • Thistles
  • Uniondale
  • United Stars
  • Van Wyksdorp
  • Vleesbaai
  • Willowmore
  • Winter Roses
  • Young Leaves
  • Young Roses
  • Zoar

Updated 8 May 2014.

Valke Rugby Union

The club sides that form part of the Valke Rugby Union are:[20]

  • Benoni
  • Boksburg
  • Brakpan
  • Buffels
  • Delmas

  • East Rand Police
  • East Rand United
  • Edenpark
  • Edenvale
  • Elsburg

  • Sasolburg
  • Springs
  • Vaal
  • VUT
  • Vereeniging

Updated 8 May 2014.

Western Province Rugby Union

The club sides that form part of the Western Province Rugby Union are:[21]

  • Albions
  • All Saints
  • Allandale
  • Atlantis
  • Belhar
  • Bellville
  • Bishop Lavis
  • Blakes
  • Blue Downs
  • Blue Jets
  • Blue Stars United
  • Brackenfell
  • Busy Bees
  • Caledonian Roses
  • Cities
  • Cloetesville
  • Collegians
  • Durbanville-Bellville
  • Eersterivier
  • Elsies River United
  • False Bay
  • False Bay Cobras
  • Franschhoek United
  • Goodwood
  • Goodwood Gazelles

  • Hamediehs
  • Hamiltons
  • Hamlets
  • Hands & Heart
  • Helderberg
  • Imiqhayi
  • Khaya Rose
  • Khayelitsha
  • Koshuis
  • Kraaifontein
  • Kuilsrivier
  • Kylemore
  • Lagunya
  • Langa
  • Lower Paarl
  • Macassar
  • Manenberg Rangers
  • Masiphumelele
  • Maties
  • Mitchells Plain Utd
  • Mountain Rocks
  • NNK
  • Noordelikes
  • Paarl
  • Paarl Rangers

  • Peninsula
  • Perel United
  • Perseverance
  • Pniel Villagers
  • Polisie
  • Primrose
  • Progress
  • Raithby Universals
  • Rangers
  • Retreat
  • Richmond Rangers
  • Riverstones
  • Rocklands
  • Scottsdene Central
  • Silverleaf
  • Silvertree
  • Simondium
  • Sir Lowrians
  • SK Walmers
  • St George's
  • Stellenbosch Coronations
  • Strand
  • Strand Pioneers
  • Strand United
  • Technikon-tuine

  • Temperance
  • Thistles
  • Titans
  • Tygerberg
  • UCT Ikey Tigers
  • Unimilrfc
  • United brothers
  • UWC
  • Van der Stel
  • Vikings Police
  • Villager
  • Vineyards
  • Violets
  • Violets (Paarl)
  • Watsonia
  • Whistling Wheels
  • Windmeul United
  • Young Brothers
  • Young Gardens
  • Young Ideas
  • Young Peoples
  • Young Standards
  • Young Stars
  • Young Wesleys

Updated 8 May 2014.

See also

References

  1. "Constitution of the South African Rugby Union" (PDF). South African Rugby Union. SuperSport. April 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  2. "Blou Bulle Rugby-Unie Klubs & Verenigings 2012" (in Afrikaans). Blue Bulls. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  3. "Limpopo Club Contacts" (in Afrikaans). Blue Bulls. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  4. "Boland Clubs - Structure". Boland Rugby Union. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  5. "2014 Community Cup Qualifying - Border Premier League". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  6. "Full Log : 2015 Cell C Community Cup Qualifying - 2014 Border Super League". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  7. "Club Teams - Eastern Province Rugby". Eastern Province Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  8. "Amateur Rugby". Free State Cheetahs. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  9. "2014 Community Cup Qualifying - Free State 1st League". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  10. "Full Log : 2015 Cell C Community Cup Qualifying - 2014 Free State 1st League". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  11. "Other Teams - Clubs". Golden Lions Rugby Union. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  12. "2014 Community Cup Qualifying - Griffons 1st League". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  13. "Griffons Club Rugby". Club Rugby SA. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  14. "Clubs within the Griquas Region". Griqualand West Rugby Union. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  15. "2014 Community Cup Qualifying - Leopards Neser A League". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  16. "Full Log : 2015 Cell C Community Cup Qualifying - 2014 Golden Lions Pirates Grand Challenge". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  17. "Full Log : 2015 Cell C Community Cup Qualifying - 2014 Valke Peregrine League". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  18. "Full Log : 2015 Cell C Community Cup Qualifying - 2014 Mpumalanga Super League". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  19. "SWD Clubs". South Western Districts Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  20. "Valke Clubs". Valke Rugby Union. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  21. "Western Province Club Rugby - View Club Info". Western Province Rugby Union. Retrieved 8 May 2014.