The SA Rugby Under-23 Cup was created in 2026 for junior player development and senior players returning from injury or who need game time for the four United Rugby Championship franchises - the Bulls, Lions, Sharks, and Stormers who do not currently feature in the SA Cup."SA Rugby creates new competition for URC franchises", rugby365.com, 3 May 2026"SA Rugby revamps provincial age-group competitions", https://supersport.com, 3 May 2026
A key element of the tournament is the strategic allowance of up to seven over-age players (senior players) in each 23-player match-day squad, with a maximum of four of those players included in the starting line-up."New SA Rugby U23 Cup set to strengthen pathway", sarugby.co.za, 14 April 2026
Teams
SA Rugby Under-23 Cup teams Team Sponsored name Vodacom Bulls XV Lions XV Hollywoodbets Sharks U23 DHL Stormers XXIII
Finals
The results of the finals played in the SA Cup competition are as follows:
SA Rugby Under-23 Cup finals Season Winner Score Runner-Up 2026 Bulls 33-22 Lions
Overall record
The overall record for the teams in the SA Rugby Under-23 Cup competition is as follows:
SA Rugby Under-23 Cup overall record Team Name Champions Runner-Up Semi-Final Years Champion 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
See also Rugby union in South Africa Currie Cup SA Cup Mzanzi Challenge SuperSport Rugby Challenge Vodacom Cup Bankfin Nite Series
References