SA Rugby unveils packed 2026 domestic competition calendar

The momentum in the women's game gathers speed with the establishment of the Women's Super Leagues 1 and 2 competitions. Plans are also on the cards for the creation of an elite competition, earmarked for local women's franchise teams, while two SA Schools teams for girls will be named for the first time after the FNB U18 Girls Week.

There is also alignment for boys' and girls' participation at the annual Youth Weeks, with U18 and U16 schoolboy and girls' players taking part in their national weeks at the same time at one venue.

The U18 Craven Week and U18 Girls Week are set to take place from 6 to 11 July at Grey High School in Gqeberha, while the U16 Grant Khomo Week and U16 Girls Week will be hosted by Kearsney College in Durban (29 June to 3 July).

Following the U18 weeks, the SA Schools team will face an 'A' team in Gqeberha on 16 July, with the top girls involved in this match for the first time, following on the naming of the inaugural SA U18 Girls team for two matches late last year.

SA Rugby also confirmed that the status quo will remain for the 2026 edition of the SA Cup. This means the same 10 teams will return for another exciting instalment, with the format remaining unchanged. This competition will kick off on 7 March with a single round of matches, and the final will be staged on 23 May.

The top four teams at the end of the SA Cup league phase will again qualify for the Currie Cup Premier Division, where they will be joined by the Bulls, Sharks, Lions and Western Province. The other six teams from the SA Cup will then contest the annual Carling Currie Cup First Division.

SA Rugby and its member unions are exploring changes to the men's age-group provincial competitions, Following a thorough review of the current structure. Details will be confirmed in due course, while the SA Rugby U20 Women's Week for this year is also still in the planning phase.

Last year, the Sharks (SA Rugby U21 Cup), Bulldogs (SA Rugby U21 Shield) and Bulls (SA Rugby U19 Cup) won their respective age-group competitions, while Western Province will defend their title as top team at the SA Rugby U20 Women's Week at Queens High School in Johannesburg during September.

For club players, the Women's Club Championship is returning for a second season, from 19 September to 26 September, while the hugely popular Gold Cup is due to start from 26 September, with the final on 24 October.

Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby, said the announcement of the confirmed competition structure for 2026 follows an intense period of planning by the governing body, provincial unions and key stakeholders.

"In a year when we will see the Springboks take on the All Blacks in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry on home soil, as well as the new Nations Championship, we are once more extremely pleased to announce these confirmed local competitions," said Oberholzer.

"I'd like to commend everyone involved in this exhaustive planning process, including the provincial union presidents, CEOs and coaches, for working so hard in collaboration with our High-Performance and Operations Departments to produce an incredibly detailed and workable schedule for the entire local season.

"I also want to thank our broadcast partner SuperSport for again getting onboard with these plans in what promises to be an epic season of local rugby action."

All fixtures, venues and kick-off times will be confirmed in due course on the SA Rugby website.

2026 SA Rugby competition schedule

Currie Cup Premier Division

Participating teams: Bulls, Sharks, Western Province, Lions and the top four qualifiers in the SA Cup

Defending champions: Griquas

Opening round: 18 July (single round of matches with two semi-finals and a final)

Final: 12 September

Currie Cup First Division

Participating teams: The six teams who missed out on the Premier Division at the end of the SA Cup

Defending champions: Griffons

Opening round: 13 June (single round of matches with two semi-finals and a final)

Final: 25 July

SA Cup

Participating teams: Pumas (defending champions), Boland Kavaliers, Border Bulldogs, Eastern Province, Cheetahs, Griquas, Griffons, Leopards, SWD Eagles, Valke

Opening round: 7 March (single round of matches with two semi-finals and a final)

Final: 23 May

Women's Super League 1

Participating teams: Isuzu Bulls Daisies (defending champions), Boland Dames, Border Ladies, Eastern Province Queens, Free State Women, Golden Lions Women, Sharks Women, Western Province

Opening round: 14 February (single round of matches with a final)

Final: 4 April

Women's Super League 2

Participating teams: Pumas Women (defending champions), Griquas Women, Griffons Women, Leopards Women, Limpopo Blue Bulls Women, SWD Eagirls, Valke Women

Opening round: 4 July (single round of matches with a final)

Final: 22 August

Gold Cup

Participating teams: 32 clubs from the 15 provincial unions

Defending champions: Naka Bulls

Opening round: 26 September (knockout format)

Final: 24 October

Women's Club Championship

Participating teams: 16 clubs from the 15 provincial unions

Defending champions: Kwaru

Opening round: 19 September (knockout format)

Final: 26 September

Youth Weeks

U18 Craven Week & U18 Girls Week

Venue: Grey High School, Gqeberha

When: 6 to 11 July

SA Schools matches (boys and girls): 16 July

U16 Grant Khomo Week and & U16 Girls Week

Where: Kearsney College, Durban

When: 29 June to 3 July

READ MORE: Buy-in sparks Sharks revival under Pietersen - Esterhuizen