2006 Currie Cup Premier Division

Domestic rugby union competition

The 2006 ABSA Currie Cup season was contested from June through to October. The Currie Cup is an annual domestic competition for rugby union clubs in South Africa. The tournament was controversial before it even began, with the Southern Spears saga regarding entry into the Super 14 and Currie Cup continuing. The final was drawn between the Free State Cheetahs and the Blue Bulls 28 all at Vodacom Park. It was the first drawn final since the 1989 season. The 2006 final was the third Free State/Blue Bulls final in succession.

The structure of the competition changed for 2006. In 2005, all fourteen provincial teams played in the qualifying rounds of the Currie Cup, with the top eight teams going through to the Premier Division competition and the bottom six teams going through to the First Division tournament. For 2006, it was decided to reduce the number of teams to just eight. The five provincial teams directly affiliated to the Super 14 franchises the , , , and , called "entrenched" teams – got automatic qualification to the Currie Cup Premier Division for five seasons, from 2006 until 2010. The two best non entrenched teams in the 2006 Vodacom Cup competition would also participate in the Premier Division. The won the Vodacom Cup competition and the finished fifth to secure their places in the Premier Division. In addition, the South Eastern Cape would be named as an entrenched team for 2006 only, as preparation for the Southern Spears' entry into the 2007 Super 14 season. However, the Southern Spears were later denied entry into the Super 14 competition and the South Eastern Cape's spot were given to instead.

All eight teams played a double round robin, meaning every team played fourteen matches in total. Teams received four points for a win and two points for a draw. Bonus points were awarded to teams that scored 4 or more tries in a game, as well as to teams that lost a match by 7 points or less. Teams were ranked by points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded). The top four teams qualified to the semi finals.

2006 10 14Free State Cheetahs28–28 (a. e. t.)Blue BullsVodacom Park, BloemfonteinAttendance: Referee: Jonathan KaplanTries: Philip Burger, Kabamba Floors Pens: Willem de Waal (5), Meyer BosmanTries: JP Nel (2), Marius Delport Cons: Morné Steyn (2) Pens: Derick Hougaard, Morné Steyn (2) Cards: Johan Roets Dries Scholtz
At the end of regular time the scores were level at 25 25 and the match went into extra time for the first time in the Currie Cup's 127 year history. After 20 minutes of extra time, the game was still tied, each team having managed to score no more than a penalty goal. In the absence of a tie breaker, the match was drawn — the first time since 1989 that a final had been drawn — and, with no clear winner, the cup was shared by the two teams.