2019's Currie Cup schedule has been announced - and Namibia are nowhere to be found

The defending Currie Cup champions, the Sharks, will get the 2019 edition of the competition underway in front of their home crowd in Durban when they host the Griquas on Friday, 12 July.

The fixtures of the Currie Cup Premier and First Division were announced by SA Rugby on Wednesday.

The Currie Cup First Division will kick off on the weekend of 5/6 July, with the Border Bulldogs coming into the competition for the Namibian national side, who have decided to withdraw from the competition.

After the final round of this weekend's Nations Cup, Namibia have no further games scheduled until the World Cup

The defending First Division champions, the Eagles, start their campaign with a tough trip to the East Rand to face the Valke.

The Jaguares XV from Argentina, who start their campaign with a trip to Welkom to face the Griffons, will be based in Potchefstroom.

The Currie Cup Premier Division will culminate in the semi-finals on the last weekend of August, while the Final will take place on Saturday, 7 September. The First Division Final is scheduled for Friday, 30 August.

See here for a complete list of fixtures.

- SA Rugby