The 2021 Currie Cup First Division was the 83rd edition of the Currie Cup. As the second-tier of the competition, it ran alongside the 2021 Currie Cup Premier Division. It was sponsored by beer brand Carling Black Label and organised by the South African Rugby Union.
The First Division was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, the 2021 season was the first time any of the First Division teams had played competitively since the 2019 edition of the tournament, barring the who participated in the 2021 Preparation series. The , who took part and won the 2019 Currie Cup First Division, did not take part in the 2021 edition of the tournament.
The seven competing teams were:
The table below shows the progression of all teams throughout the Currie Cup season. Each team's tournament points on the standings log is shown for each round, with the overall log position in brackets.
The following matches were played in the round-robin stage of the 2021 Currie Cup First Division.
The respective team squads for the 2021 Currie Cup First Division were:
The following referees officiated matches in the competition: