Mzanzi Challenge

Mzansi Challenge
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event 2023 Mzanzi Challenge
SportRugby union
Founded2023
First season2023
Ceased2023
No. of teams10
CountrySouth Africa, Namibia, Kenya, United States, Zimbabwe
Last
champion(s)		Falcons
Most titlesFalcons (1)

The 2023 Currie Cup First Division ran concurrently with the Mzansi Challenge, which, in addition to the six South African sides, featured four additional international sides; the Welwitschias from Namibia, the Zimbabwe Goshawks, the Simbas from Kenya and the San Clemente Rhinos from the USA. Initially, the Tel Aviv Heat from Israel were due to play. However, after pressure from the South African BDS, SARU withdrew their invitation to the Heat, who were replaced by the Rhinos.[1][2]

The SA Cup became the long term replacement for the Mzansi Challenge.[1]

Standings - Mzansi Challenge

2023 Mzansi Challenge standings
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Falcons 9 8 0 1 323 208 +115 48 29 9 0 41 Semifinals
2 SWD Eagles 9 8 0 1 223 174 +49 31 23 8 0 40
3 Boland Cavaliers 9 7 0 2 232 146 +86 34 17 8 0 36
4 Leopards 9 5 0 4 190 170 +20 24 23 6 0 26
5 Eastern Province Elephants 9 5 0 4 191 211 −20 23 28 5 0 25
6 San Clemente Rhinos 9 4 0 5 209 226 −17 30 34 8 0 24
7 Welwitschias 9 3 0 6 241 274 −33 32 35 5 0 17
8 Simbas 9 2 0 7 135 119 +16 20 17 4 0 12
9 Border Bulldogs 9 2 0 7 197 352 −155 27 51 4 0 12
10 Zimbabwe Goshawks 9 1 0 8 106 167 −61 14 26 4 0 8
Updated to match(es) played on 17 June 2023. Source: springboks.rugby
Rules for classification: Tournament points in the standings were awarded to teams as follows:
  • 4 points for a win.
  • 2 points for a draw.
  • 1 bonus point for a loss in a match by seven points or under.
  • 1 bonus point for scoring four tries or more.
Teams were ranked in the standings firstly by tournament points then by: (a) points difference from all matches (points scored less points conceded); (b) tries difference from all matches (tries scored less tries conceded); (c) points difference from the matches between the tied teams; (d) points scored in all matches; (e) tries scored in all matches; and, if needed, (f) a coin toss.

Round 1

25 March 2023
Border Bulldogs26–21Welwitschias
Police Park, East London
25 March 2023
LeopardsCancelledZimbabwe Goshawks
Olen Park, Potchefstroom
25 March 2023
SWD Eagles36–23Eastern Province
Riverville Stadium, Riversdale

Round 2

1 April 2023
SimbasCancelledBoland Cavaliers
Hamiltons Rugby Club, Cape Town
1 April 2023
Eastern Province ElephantsCancelledZimbabwe Goshawks
Adcock Stadium, Gqeberha
1 April 2023
Falcons64–17Border Bulldogs
Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park
1 April 2023
Welwitschias22–31SWD Eagles
Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium, Windhoek

Round 3

8 April 2023
Boland CavaliersCancelledZimbabwe Goshawks
Lyle Street Sportsgound, Ceres
8 April 2023
LeopardsCancelledSimbas
Olen Park, Potchefstroom
8 April 2023
SWD Eagles28–26San Clemente Rhinos
Outeniqua Park, George
8 April 2023
Welwitschias24–48Falcons
Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium, Windhoek

Round 4

15 April 2023
SWD Eagles33-24Falcons
Outeniqua Park, George
15 April 2023
San Clemente Rhinos33-22Simbas
Charles Morkel Stadium, Strand
15 April 2023
Eastern Province24–20Leopards
De Wet Stadium, Despatch
15 April 2023
Zimbabwe Goshawks26–31Welwitschias
Harare Sports Club, Harare

Round 5

22 April 2023
Falcons31-22Boland Cavaliers
Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park
22 April 2023
Leopards25-33SWD Eagles
Charles Morkel Stadium, Strand
22 April 2023
Border Bulldogs27–43Eastern Province
Police Park, East London
22 April 2023
Welwitschias24–25San Clemente Rhinos
Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium, Windhoek

Round 6

28 April 2023
SWD Eagles47-25Border Bulldogs
Outeniqua Park, George
29 April 2023
San Clemente Rhinos31-25Zimbabwe Goshawks
Charles Morkel Stadium, Strand
29 April 2023
Boland Cavaliers12–3Leopards
Glaskasteel Fields, Bredasdorp
29 April 2023
Eastern Province18–7Simbas
Port Alfred High School, Port Alfred

Round 7

6 May 2023
Simbas30-26Border Bulldogs
CPUT Sports Stadium, Cape Town
6 May 2023
San Clemente Rhinos36-45Boland Cavaliers
Charles Morkel Stadium, Strand
6 May 2023
Zimbabwe Goshawks48–57Falcons
Harare Sports Club, Harare
6 May 2023
Welwitschias20–23Leopards
Jan Wilken Stadium, Walvis Bay

Round 8

13 May 2023
San Clemente Rhinos22-41Leopards
Charles Morkel Stadium, Strand
13 May 2023
Eastern Province25-18Boland Cavaliers
De Wet Stadium, Despatch
13 May 2023
Welwitschias35–28Simbas
Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium, Windhoek
13 May 2023
Zimbabwe GoshawkscancelledBorder Bulldogs
Harare Sports Club, Harare

Round 9

20 May 2023
Simbas48-7Zimbabwe Goshawks
Nakuru Rugby Club, Nakuru
20 May 2023
Boland Cavaliers29-15SWD Eagles
Pella Park, Porterville
20 May 2023
Falcons56–29Eastern Province
Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park
20 May 2023
Border Bulldogs41-36San Clemente Rhinos
Sisa Dukashe Stadium, Mdantsane

Round 10

27 May 2023
San Clemente RhinoscancelledEastern Province
N/A
27 May 2023
SimbascancelledFalcons
Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park
27 May 2023
Border Bulldogs16–43Leopards
Police Park, East London
27 May 2023
Zimbabwe GoshawkscancelledSWD Eagles
Harare Sports Club, Harare
27 May 2023
Welwitschias17-38Boland Cavaliers
Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium, Windhoek

Round 11

3 June 2023
SimbascancelledSWD Eagles
RFUEA Ground, Nairobi
3 June 2023
Leopards35-43Falcons
Olen Park, Potchefstroom
3 June 2023
Border Bulldogs19–68Boland Cavaliers
Sisa Dukashe Stadium, Mdantsane
3 June 2023
Welwitschias47-29Eastern Province
Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium, Windhoek

Play-offs

On the eve of the playoffs, South Western Districts Eagles threatened to pull out of their semifinal, disputing the decision to award the Falcons points after they refused to play against the San Clemente Rhinos.[3]

Semifinals

10 June 2023 Falcons 57–30 Leopards Barnard Stadium  
15:00 [2]


10 June 2023 SWD Eagles 37–20 Boland Cavaliers Outeniqua Park  
15:00 [3]

Final

17 June 2023 Falcons 55–38 SWD Eagles Barnard Stadium  
12.30 Try: Tshabalala
Elias
Wellman
Stamper
Ntunja
Arendse
Con: Fortune (5)
Pen: Fortune (5) 		[4] Try: Syster (2)
Leonard
Stander
Ntsane
Con: Weich (3)
Syster (1)

See also

References

  1. ^ Smilk, Carin M. (24 March 2023). "Major Jewish groups urge US rugby team to pull out of South Africa tournament". JNS.org. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  2. ^ "South African Rugby Union withdraws invitation to Tel Aviv Heat". MSN. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  3. ^ Mjikeliso, Sibusiso. "SA Rugby avoid crisis as SWD lodge Valke dispute, nearly pull out of troubled Mzansi Challenge". Sport. Retrieved 17 June 2023.