World champion Junior Boks and U21 players get a golden opportunity to enhance their credentials in the 2025 Currie Cup.

BOLAND CAVALIERS
Last season: First Division champions
Boland have named a competitive squad for their first Currie Cup Premier Division campaign since 2016, headlined by Springbok scrumhalf Louis Schreuder and Blitzboks David Brits and Donovan Don.
Forwards: Andrew Beerwinkel, Emile Booyen, Taine-Randall Booyse, Llewellyn Claasen, Gift Dlamini, Doctor Booysen, Wayrin Losper, Ameer Hendricks, HP van Schoor, Lamla Nunu, Laurence Victor, Micheal Benadie, Schalk Oelofse, Keenan Opperman, Sibusiso Sangweni, Sauliegh Arendse, Sidney Tobias, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Ludio Williams, Marlyn Williams, Thurlow Marsh, Khwezi Mafu, Jurie van Vuuren.
Backs: Bentley Geldenhuys, David Brits, Chriswill September, Darian Hock, Ashlon Davids, Domenic Smit, Donavan Don, Duren Hoffman, Cornell Engelbrecht, Erik Lambrecht, Jurick Lewis, Xavier Mitchell, Juan Mostert, Aphelele Madaka, Lunathi Nxele, Riaan Louw, Louis Schreduer, James Tedder, Marcqiewn Titus, Renaldo Young, Godlen Masimla.

MORE: ‘Hungry’ Schreuder bolsters Boland

VODACOM BULLS
Last season: Semi-finalists
The Bulls squad includes six world champion Junior Boks (hooker Esethu Mnebelele, prop Jean Erasmus, locks Jacobus Grobbelaar and JJ Theron, centre Demitre Erasmus and winger Cheswill Jooste) with a further 10 players under the age of 21. Springbok lock Marvin Orie and prop Lizo Gqoboka bring valuable experience, while loose forward Nizaam Carr and winger Aphiwe Dyantyi are currently injured.
Forwards: Abri van der Westhuysen, Cassie Badenhorst, Dylan de Leeuw, Dylan Smith, Esethu Mnebelele, Francois Klopper, Jacobus Grobbelaar, Jean Erasmus, Jeandre Rudolph, JJ Theron, Joe van Zyl, Junior Pokomela, Lizo Gqoboka, Marco Ferreira, Marvin Orie, Nama Xaba (c), Ruan Swart, Shaun Schurmann, Sintu Manjezi.
Backs: Boeta Chamberlain, Brooklyn Newmann, Cheswill Jooste, Chris Barend Smit, Daimon O’Connell, Demitre Erasmus, Henry Immelman, Jaco van der Walt, Katlego Letebele, Liam Koen, PA van Niekerk, Riyaad Bam, Stedman Gans, Steven Nel, Stravino Jacobs, Zak Burger.

YOUR 2025 CARLING CURRIE CUP SQUAD 🐂 @Vodacom #ForeverBlue pic.twitter.com/abKgLBMHNA

— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) July 21, 2025

CHEETAHS
Last season: Semi-finalists
Having starred in the win against Georgia, wingers Ntokozo Makhaza and Banie Britz are set to make their Currie Cup debut for the Cheetahs, along with young props Frankie dos Reis and Ben Pitout (both Paarl Gymnasium old boys). Tighthead prop Aranos Coetzee will return to Bloemfontein after appearing for Namibia in their World Cup qualifier against the UAE.
Squad: TBC

📣 Team Announcement – Toyota Cheetahs vs Georgia.
It’s a nice day in Bloemfontein!
Gates open 15:00.
🎟It’s not to late – get your tickets at @TicketProSA or at the gate.
📺 Live on @SuperSportTV pic.twitter.com/PkmTMGWhTD

— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) July 11, 2025

GRIQUAS
Last season: Fifth
There are six new faces in Griquas’ Currie Cup squad – props Johan Louw, Ntobeko Shezi, Ebune Ngundue and IG Prinslo, hooker Tiaan Lange, locks Malembe Mpofu and Lungisile Mbiko and outside back Izzy Novuka. Flyhalf George Whitehead captains the SA Cup finalists.
Forwards: Eddie Davids, Cebo Dlamini, Johan Louw, Corne Lavanga, Leon Lyons, IG Prinsloo, Ebune Ngundue, Ntobeko Shezi, Dandre Delport, Gustav du Randt, Tiaan Lange, Janco Uys, Athenkosi Khethani, Albert Liebenberg, Lungisile Mbiko, Malembe Mpofu, Derik Pretorius, Marco de Witt, Carl Els, Gustav Erlank, Phumzile Maqondwana, Lourens Oosthuizen, Carel van der Merwe, Jac van der Walt.
Backs: Caleb Abrahams, Bobby Alexander, Thomas Bursey, Xavier Swartbooi, Zinedine Robinson, Tylor Sefoor, George Whitehead, Zane Bester, Tyler Bocks, Tertius Kruger, Tom Nel, Mnombo Zwelendaba, Cameron Hufke, Dylan Maart, Connor Mahoney, Izzy Novuka, Gurswin Wehr.

2025 CURRIE CUP SQUAD ANNOUNCED!

Presenting your Suzuki Griquas squad for the 2025 Carling Black Label Currie Cup – a powerful mix of grit, talent, and determination.

Our first game is on Friday at 19:00 vs the Airlink Pumas in Nelspruit.#SuzukiGriquas #CarlingCurrieCup pic.twitter.com/xl168US6jX

— Griquas Rugby (@GriquasRugby) July 21, 2025

LIONS
Last season: Finalists
The Lions have picked several players with URC experience, including flank Renzo du Plessis, flyhalf Kade Wolhuter, flyhalf/fullback Gianni Lombard and winger Rabz Maxwane, but all eyes will be on Junior Boks scrumhalf Haashim Pead, who was named Player of the Tournament after their World Rugby U20 Championship title triumph.
Forwards: Jaco Visagie (c), SJ Kotze, Morgan Naude, Heiko Pohlmann, RF Schoeman, Conrad van Vuuren, Sebastian Lombard, Siya Dube, Stian de Bruyn, Franco Marais, Morne Brandon, Marno Grobbelaar, Thando Biyela, Raynard Roets, Darrien Landsberg, Dylan Sjoblom, Johnre Stopforth, Tiaan Wessels, Luca Ribbens, Renzoi du Plessis, Jarod Cairns, WJ Steenkamp, Izan Esterhuizen, Siba Zoma, Morne Venter
Backs: Nico Steyn, Layton Horn, Zian Cilliers, Haashim Pead, Lubabalo Dobela, Sam Francis, Kade Wolhuter, Gianni Lombard, Tapiwa Mafura, Gilermo Mentoe, Rynhardt Jonker, Bingo Ivanisevic, Alzeadon Fleix, Kelly Mpeku, Bronson Mills, Manuel Rass, Rabz Maxwane, Angelo Davids, Likhona Finca, Keagan Smith, Michail Damon.

Here’s your Fidelity ADT Lions squad for the 2025 Carling Currie Cup.#CurrieCup | #WhereChampionsRise| #ForOurCity #LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/3H7mEOtTCx

— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) July 23, 2025

PUMAS
Last season: Sixth
The Pumas have been bolstered by the return of 2022 Currie Cup-winning captain Willie Engelbrecht from the Stormers. The rest of the squad has a familiar look as they aim to kick on from their SA Cup-winning campaign.
Forwards: Etienne Janecke, Sampie Swiegers, Stephan de Jager, Dewald Maritz, Duard Deichmann, Eduan Swart, Jan-Henning Campher, Darnelle Osuagwu, Jeandre Leonard, Tiaan de Klerk, JJ Scheepers Miyelani Ngobeni, Heinz Bertram, Hanno Theunissen, Ntsika Fisanti, Willie Engelbrecht (c), Kwanda Dimaza, Armand Maritz, Ruwald van der Merwe, Marvellous Mashimbyi, Andre Fouche.
Backs: Ross Braude, Russwill Fredericks, Danrich Visagie, Carlton Banies, Clinton Swart, Wian van Niekerk, Sango Xamlashe, Jaycee Nel, Tiaan Pretorius, Darren Adonis, Lundi Msenge, Dalvon Blood, Stefan Coetzee, Tino Swanepoel, Kabelo Mokoena.

SHARKS
Last season: Champions
Loose forward Nick Hatton captains a Sharks squad that includes Junior Boks flank Bathobele Hlekani, scrumhalf Ceano Everson and flyhalf Vusi Moyo. Blitzbok Christie Grobbelaar has also joined the Durbanites for the Currie Cup.
Forwards: Dian Bleuler, Phatu Ganyane, Dian Heunis, Mawande Mdanda, Jacques Marais, Corne Rahl, Coetzee le Roux, Deon Slabbert, Gideon Koegelenberg, Tino Mavesere, Jannes Potgieter, Meno Barnard, Nicholas Hatton (c), Bryce Calvert, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Matt Romao, Thomas Dyer, Bathobele Hlekani, Phiwayinkosi Kubheka, Simphiwe Ngobese, Kuhle Mthimkhulu, Ulrich van der Westhuizen, Yabo Ndzamela, Sphephelo Mbonambi, Van Heerden Pretorius, Liam van Wyk.
Backs: Bradley Davids, Tiaan Fourie, Jean Smith, Marnus Potgieter, Diego Appollis, Hakeem Kunene, Phikolomzi Sobahle, Paschal Ekeji, Christie Grobbelaar, Jaco Williams, Vusi Moyo, Scott Nel, Litelihle Bester, Chijiundu Okonta, Juan Loots, Drico Marx, Kuthi Rasivhaga, Albie Bester, Janco Purchase, Maurice Willemse, Chris Horak, Ceano Everson, Willem van der Hever.

⚪ HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS XV SQUAD LIST ⚫ pic.twitter.com/9BfsVpt01g

— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) July 21, 2025

2025 CURRIE CUP: Title race wide open

WESTERN PROVINCE
Last season: Seventh
The 54-man WP squad includes 13 club players and eight Junior Boks – props Oliver Reid and Herman Lubbe, lock Riley Norton, loose forwards Xola Nyali and Wandile Mlaba, centre Dominic Malgas, centre/wing Gino Cupido and wing Siya Ndlozi. WP will also rely on Springbok Sevens representatives Tristan Leyds, Zain Davids, Sako Makata, Justin Geduld, Ronald Brown and Shilton van Wyk.
Forwards: Abri Coetzee, Adam De Waal, Aden da Costa, Alex Groves, Andre Goedhals, Arno Gustufson, Cabous Eloff, Carlo van Greunen, CJ Velleman, Danio Botha, De Wet Marais, Enos Ndiao, Erhard Lambrecht, Francois Staples, Gary Porter, Gideon van Wyk, Herman Lubbe, Keagan Blanckenberg, Luca Bakkes, Louw Nel, Lukhanyo Vokozela, Matthew Beckett, Mhleli Khuzwayo, Nick Roebeck, Oliver Reid, Patrick Kitete, Riley Norton, Roland van der Heever, Scarra Ntubeni, Sti Sithole, Wandile Mlaba, Xola Nyali, Zachary Porthen, Zain Davids.
Backs: Asad Moos, Brendan Venter, Courtnall Skosan, Damian Markus, Dominic Malgas, Ezekiel Ngobeni, Gino Cupido, Imad Khan, Jared Africa, Joel Leotlela, Jurie Matthee, Justin Geduld, Kyle Smith, Luke Burger, Quewin Nortje, Ronald Brown, Sako Makata, Shilton van Wyk, Siya Ndlozi, Tristan Leyds.

Our squad for the Carling Currie Cup which features eight Junior Bok champs, six Springbok Sevens players and 13 club players. #wpjoulekkerding pic.twitter.com/GF2wbj9uaF

— WP RUGBY (@WP_RUGBY) July 23, 2025

Currie Cup Round 1 fixtures:
Friday, 25 July
Pumas vs Griquas (Nelspruit, 7.30pm)
Saturday, 26 July
Lions vs Sharks (Johannesburg, 3pm)
WP vs Bulls (Cape Town, 5.10pm)
Boland vs Cheetahs (Wellington, 3pm)
All fixtures

Photo: Timothy Rogers/Getty Images