1998 Currie Cup

The 1998 Currie Cup was the 60th season of the Currie Cup, South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition, since it started in 1889. The competition was known as the Bankfin Currie Cup for sponsorship reasons and was contested from 8 July to 29 October 1998.[note 1]

1998 Currie Cup
CountriesSouth Africa
Date8 July – 31 October 1998
ChampionsBlue Bulls (18th title)
Runners-upWestern Province
Matches played94
← 1997
1999 →

The competition was won by the Blue Bulls for the 18th time in their history; they beat Western Province 24–20 in the final played on 29 October 1998.

Competition rules and information

There were fourteen participating teams in the 1998 Currie Cup. These teams played all the other teams once over the course of the season, either at home or away.

Teams received four points for a win and two points for a draw. Bonus points were awarded to teams that scored four or more tries in a game, as well as to teams that lost a match by seven points or less. Teams were ranked by log points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded). The top 4 teams qualified for the title play-offs. In the semi-finals, the team that finished first had home advantage against the team that finished fourth, while the team that finished second had home advantage against the team that finished third. The winners of these semi-finals advanced to the final, at the home venue of the higher-placed team.

Teams

Team Listing

1998 Currie Cup teams
TeamSponsored NameStadium/sSponsored Name
Blue BullsBlue BullsLoftus Versfeld, PretoriaMinolta Loftus
Boland CavaliersBokomo Boland CavaliersBoland Stadium, WellingtonBoland Stadium
BorderBorderWaverley Park, East LondonWaverley Park
Eastern ProvinceEastern ProvincePE Stadium, Port ElizabethPE Stadium
FalconsMTN FalconsBosman Stadium, BrakpanBosman Stadium
Free State CheetahsFree State CheetahsFree State Stadium, BloemfonteinVodacom Park
Golden LionsGolden LionsEllis Park Stadium, JohannesburgEllis Park Stadium
Griqualand WestGriqualand WestGriqua Park, KimberleyABSA Park
Mpumalanga PumasMpumalanga PumasJohann van Riebeeck Stadium, WitbankJohann van Riebeeck Stadium
North WestNorth WestOlën Park, PotchefstroomOlën Park
Northern Free StateNorthern Free StateNorth West Stadium, WelkomNorth West Stadium
SharksSharksUniversity of Natal, DurbanUniversity of Natal
SWD EaglesSWD EaglesOuteniqua Park, GeorgeOuteniqua Park
Western ProvinceNorwich Western ProvinceNewlands Stadium, Cape TownFedsure Park Newlands

Changes from 1997

There were name changes prior to this season:

Log

The final log of the round-robin stage of the 1998 Currie Cup:[3] [note 2]

1998 Currie Cup log
PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDTFTATBLBPtsQualification
1Griqualand West131003478216+26270268250semi-finals
2Blue Bulls131003461231+23065287249
3Sharks13913410242+16854257247
4Western Province131003371247+12449275247
5Free State Cheetahs13814453314+13956318143
6Falcons13913381285+9648355043
7SWD Eagles13715378290+8851387239
8Golden Lions13706389279+11055376236
9Eastern Province13508345313+3246455328
10Boland Cavaliers13508253456−20338673124
11Mpumalanga Pumas13409284381−9737523221
12Border132011236472−23627683213
13North West132011236637−401281001110
14Northern Free State131012212524−3122772419
Source: [3]
Rules for classification: 4 points for a win; 2 points for a draw; 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less; 1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match

Matches

The following matches were played in the 1998 Currie Cup:[4][note 1]

Round one

8 July 1998North West10–34Golden LionsOlën Park, Potchefstroom 
Scoreboard[5]


9 July 1998Griqualand West87–14BorderGriqua Park, Kimberley 
Scoreboard[6]

Round two

15 July 1998Boland Cavaliers14–9Northern Free StateBoland Stadium, Wellington 
Scoreboard[7]


15 July 1998Golden Lions26–27SWD EaglesEllis Park Stadium, Johannesburg 
Scoreboard[8]


16 July 1998Border15–23North WestWaverley Park, East London 
Scoreboard[9]


16 July 1998Eastern Province26–35Blue BullsPE Stadium, Port Elizabeth 
Scoreboard[10]


16 July 1998Free State Cheetahs40–13FalconsFree State Stadium, Bloemfontein 
Scoreboard[11]


16 July 1998Western Province24–21Griqualand WestNewlands Stadium, Cape Town 
Scoreboard[12]


17 July 1998Mpumalanga Pumas17–31SharksJohann van Riebeeck Stadium, Witbank 
Scoreboard[13]

Round three

22 July 1998North West7–57Western ProvinceOlën Park, Potchefstroom 
Scoreboard[14]


23 July 1998Falcons19–17Golden LionsBosman Stadium, Brakpan 
Scoreboard[15]


23 July 1998Griqualand West18–15Blue BullsGriqua Park, Kimberley 
Scoreboard[16]


23 July 1998Sharks43–24Eastern ProvinceUniversity of Natal, Durban 
Scoreboard[17]


23 July 1998Northern Free State34–33Free State CheetahsNorth West Stadium, Welkom 
Scoreboard[18]


23 July 1998SWD Eagles44–16Mpumalanga PumasOuteniqua Park, George 
Scoreboard[19]


24 July 1998Border29–19Boland CavaliersWaverley Park, East London 
Scoreboard[20]

Round four

29 July 1998Free State Cheetahs36–18BorderFree State Stadium, Bloemfontein 
Scoreboard[21]


30 July 1998Blue Bulls68–11North WestLoftus Versfeld, Pretoria 
Scoreboard[22]


30 July 1998Golden Lions54–9Northern Free StateEllis Park Stadium, Johannesburg 
Scoreboard[23]


30 July 1998Mpumalanga Pumas10–20FalconsJohann van Riebeeck Stadium, Witbank 
Scoreboard[24]


30 July 1998Sharks17–23Griqualand WestUniversity of Natal, Durban 
Scoreboard[25]


31 July 1998Eastern Province11–13SWD EaglesPE Stadium, Port Elizabeth 
Scoreboard[26]

Round Five

5 August 1998Blue Bulls48–3Mpumalanga PumasLoftus Versfeld, Pretoria 
Scoreboard[27]


5 August 1998Griqualand West46–8North WestGriqua Park, Kimberley 
Scoreboard[28]


6 August 1998Falcons39–17Boland CavaliersBosman Stadium, Brakpan 
Scoreboard[29]


6 August 1998Golden Lions11–10SharksEllis Park Stadium, Johannesburg 
Scoreboard[30]


6 August 1998Northern Free State21–27BorderNorth West Stadium, Welkom 
Scoreboard[31]


6 August 1998Western Province34–30Eastern ProvinceNewlands Stadium, Cape Town 
Scoreboard[32]


7 August 1998SWD Eagles27–38Free State CheetahsOuteniqua Park, George 
Scoreboard[33]

Round Six

11 August 1998Free State Cheetahs27–23Mpumalanga PumasFree State Stadium, Bloemfontein 
Scoreboard[34]


12 August 1998Boland Cavaliers29–19Eastern ProvinceBoland Stadium, Wellington 
Scoreboard[35]


12 August 1998Falcons17–13Western ProvinceBosman Stadium, Brakpan 
Scoreboard[36]


12 August 1998North West25–14Northern Free StateOlën Park, Potchefstroom 
Scoreboard[37]


12 August 1998SWD Eagles29–32Blue BullsOuteniqua Park, George 
Scoreboard[38]

Round Seven

19 August 1998Blue Bulls27–22FalconsLoftus Versfeld, Pretoria 
Scoreboard[39]


19 August 1998Eastern Province20–7Free State CheetahsPE Stadium, Port Elizabeth 
Scoreboard[40]


19 August 1998Mpumalanga Pumas21–44Golden LionsJohann van Riebeeck Stadium, Witbank 
Scoreboard[41]


19 August 1998Sharks15–14SWD EaglesUniversity of Natal, Durban 
Scoreboard[42]


19 August 1998Western Province31–7Northern Free StateNewlands Stadium, Cape Town 
Scoreboard[43]


21 August 1998Boland Cavaliers17–13Griqualand WestBoland Stadium, Wellington 
Scoreboard[44]

Round Eight

26 August 1998Falcons29–40SharksBosman Stadium, Brakpan 
Scoreboard[45]


26 August 1998Northern Free State5–28Blue BullsNorth West Stadium, Welkom 
Scoreboard[46]


27 August 1998Golden Lions43–22Eastern ProvinceEllis Park Stadium, Johannesburg 
Scoreboard[47]


27 August 1998Griqualand West48–28Free State CheetahsGriqua Park, Kimberley 
Scoreboard[48]


27 August 1998North West34–36Boland CavaliersRustenburg Platina Rugby Club, Rustenburg 
Scoreboard[49]


28 August 1998Border14–15Western ProvinceWaverley Park, East London 
Scoreboard[50]

Round Nine

2 September 1998Free State Cheetahs89–25North WestFree State Stadium, Bloemfontein 
Scoreboard[51]


3 September 1998Blue Bulls59–21BorderLoftus Versfeld, Pretoria 
Scoreboard[52]


3 September 1998Eastern Province20–17Mpumalanga PumasPE Stadium, Port Elizabeth 
Scoreboard[53]


3 September 1998Sharks57–3Northern Free StateUniversity of Natal, Durban 
Scoreboard[54]


3 September 1998SWD Eagles21–21FalconsOuteniqua Park, George 
Scoreboard[55]


3 September 1998Western Province25–39Boland CavaliersNewlands Stadium, Cape Town 
Scoreboard[56]


4 September 1998Griqualand West36–16Golden LionsGriqua Park, Kimberley 
Scoreboard[57]

Round Ten

9 September 1998Boland Cavaliers22–31SWD EaglesBoland Stadium, Wellington 
Scoreboard[58]


9 September 1998Northern Free State19–52Griqualand WestNorth West Stadium, Welkom 
Scoreboard[59]


10 September 1998Border26–50FalconsWaverley Park, East London 
Scoreboard[60]


10 September 1998Free State Cheetahs19–19SharksFree State Stadium, Bloemfontein 
Scoreboard[61]


10 September 1998Golden Lions12–20Blue BullsEllis Park Stadium, Johannesburg 
Scoreboard[62]


10 September 1998North West15–64Eastern ProvinceOlën Park, Potchefstroom 
Scoreboard[63]


11 September 1998Mpumalanga Pumas19–31Western ProvinceJohann van Riebeeck Stadium, Witbank 
Scoreboard[64]

Round Eleven

16 September 1998Falcons62–24Northern Free StateBosman Stadium, Brakpan 
Scoreboard[65]


16 September 1998Mpumalanga Pumas62–17North WestJohann van Riebeeck Stadium, Witbank 
Scoreboard[66]


17 September 1998Eastern Province12–19Griqualand WestPE Stadium, Port Elizabeth 
Scoreboard[67]


17 September 1998Golden Lions35–42Western ProvinceEllis Park Stadium, Johannesburg 
Scoreboard[68]


17 September 1998SWD Eagles52–16BorderOuteniqua Park, George 
Scoreboard[69]


18 September 1998Sharks55–14Boland CavaliersUniversity of Natal, Durban 
Scoreboard[70]

Round Twelve

23 September 1998Griqualand West64–7Mpumalanga PumasGriqua Park, Kimberley 
Scoreboard[71]


24 September 1998Boland Cavaliers3–57Blue BullsBoland Stadium, Wellington 
Scoreboard[72]


24 September 1998Border21–36SharksWaverley Park, East London 
Scoreboard[73]


24 September 1998Northern Free State25–46SWD EaglesNorth West Stadium, Welkom 
Scoreboard[74]


25 September 1998Western Province17–24Free State CheetahsNewlands Stadium, Cape Town 
Scoreboard[75]

Round Thirteen

30 September 1998Northern Free State13–43Mpumalanga PumasNorth West Stadium, Welkom 
Scoreboard[76]


30 September 1998SWD Eagles14–33Griqualand WestOuteniqua Park, George 
Scoreboard[77]


1 October 1998Blue Bulls20–38Western ProvinceLoftus Versfeld, Pretoria 
Scoreboard[78]


1 October 1998Border5–12Golden LionsWaverley Park, East London 
Scoreboard[79]


1 October 1998Falcons21–10Eastern ProvinceBosman Stadium, Brakpan 
Scoreboard[80]


1 October 1998North West24–57SharksOlën Park, Potchefstroom 
Scoreboard[81]


2 October 1998Boland Cavaliers19–59Free State CheetahsBoland Stadium, Wellington 
Scoreboard[82]

Round Fourteen

7 October 1998Mpumalanga Pumas19–0Boland CavaliersJohann van Riebeeck Stadium, Witbank 
Scoreboard[83]


8 October 1998Eastern Province35–8BorderPE Stadium, Port Elizabeth 
Scoreboard[84]


8 October 1998Free State Cheetahs34–18Golden LionsFree State Stadium, Bloemfontein 
Scoreboard[85]


8 October 1998Sharks24–19Blue BullsUniversity of Natal, Durban 
Scoreboard[86]


8 October 1998North West22–43FalconsOlën Park, Potchefstroom 
Scoreboard[87]


8 October 1998Western Province20–8SWD EaglesNewlands Stadium, Cape Town 
Scoreboard[88]

Round Fifteen

14 October 1998Golden Lions67–24Boland CavaliersEllis Park Stadium, Johannesburg 
Scoreboard[89]


14 October 1998Mpumalanga Pumas27–22BorderJohann van Riebeeck Stadium, Witbank 
Scoreboard[90]


15 October 1998Blue Bulls33–19Free State CheetahsLoftus Versfeld, Pretoria 
Scoreboard[91]


15 October 1998Eastern Province52–29Northern Free StatePE Stadium, Port Elizabeth 
Scoreboard[92]


15 October 1998Griqualand West18–25FalconsGriqua Park, Kimberley 
Scoreboard[93]


15 October 1998SWD Eagles52–15North WestOuteniqua Park, George 
Scoreboard[94]


15 October 1998Western Province24–6SharksNewlands Stadium, Cape Town 
Scoreboard[95]

Semi-finals

22 October 1998Blue Bulls31–17SharksLoftus Versfeld, Pretoria 
Scoreboard[96]


22 October 1998Griqualand West11–27Western ProvinceGriqua Park, Kimberley 
Scoreboard[97]

Final

29 October 1998Blue Bulls24–20Western ProvinceLoftus Versfeld, Pretoria 
Scoreboard[98]

Honours

The honour roll for the 1998 Currie Cup was:

1998 Currie Cup Honours
Champions:Blue Bulls (18th title)

Notes

References