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.
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 Eastern Province Elephants who participated in the 2021 Preparation series.
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: