It is believed that the worlds’ oldest domestic rugby competition will be restructured this year to accommodate a single round of fixtures between the seven competing teams.

This will also include semi-finals and a final. There have also be suggestions that the top two teams after the group stage will go into a straight final.

At this stage the exact date of the SARU meeting cannot be confirmed, but it is believed that the Executive Council as well as the General Council will be meeting roundabout 13 June. The format and the fixtures are on the agenda for the meetings.

The first round of fixtures will take place on the weekend of 17 and 18 August.

This will mean a balancing act for the Toyota Cheetahs again, with the franchise competing in Guinness Pro14 and the Currie Cup. This will be due to the competitions overlapping again for two months.

During their debut season in the Pro14,  the Cheetahs competed with two squads, and this did have an impact on their Currie Cup title defence. The two squads not only included players, but the management team as well.

Having said that, the Cheetahs do have a lot more time to plan for both campaigns this time around.  Learning from this past season will put the Free State and Cheetahs in good stead.

The seven teams competing in the Premier Division this season are: Blue Bulls, Toyota Free State Cheetahs, Golden Lions, Tafel Lager Griquas, Pumas, Sharks and Western Province.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport