Shaping future Bok prospects

With the Currie Cup final between the Lions and Sharks set to be battled out at Ellis Park on Saturday (kick-off 4pm), many are perhaps wondering what place the country's oldest rugby competition still has in the current rugby ecosystem.

- Ross Roche

CURRIE CUP: FORMER STARS SEE IT AS A VITAL PATHWAY.

Former Springbok legends Naas Botha and Victor Matfield believe it still has a vital role to play in building future Bok stars, and that it is also still a very coveted trophy for many of the franchises.

With the Boks at the top of the SA Rugby totem poll, the Champions Cup, Challenge Cup and United Rugby Championship following, the Currie Cup has slipped down the pecking order in terms of importance.

However it is changing from what it once was, the country's premier franchise rugby competition, into a vitally important feeder tournament that will shape future Bok prospects as they grow.