The Currie Cup First Division kicks off this season with a replay of last year's Final, when the Eastern Province Kings host the South Western District Eagles in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

In 2010, the EP Kings beat SWD 16-12 in the First Division Final in George and even though both sides fought hard in the play-off games against the  Leopards and Pumas, neither could win promotion to the Currie Cup Premier Division.

In the other games this weekend, the Falcons host the Griffons in Kempton Park on Saturday, after which the Border Bulldogs take on the Boland Cavaliers in Wellington.

All the fixtures:

EP Kings vs SWD Eagles
Date: Friday, 15 July
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Referee: Mark Lawrence
Assistant referees: François Groenewald , Christie du Preez
TMO: Johann Meuwesen

Falcons vs Griffons
Date: Saturday, 16 July
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Venue: Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park
Referee: Tiaan Jonker
Assistant referees: Eduan Nel, Sieg van Staden

Boland Cavaliers vs Border Bulldogs
Date: Saturday, 16 July
Kick-off: 16.00 (14.00 GMT)
Venue: Boland Stadium, Wellington
Referee: Sindile Mayende
Assistant referees: Andrew Slater, Sinethemba Mrulwa
TMO: Thuso Mngqibisa