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SCHOOLS SPOTLIGHT: Three of us sat down with lots of information at our disposal and after a long time and much debate came up with the first Schools Top 20 of 2017.

REACTION: The majority of South African teams are not fit enough to play the high-tempo game that Super Rugby has become.

MATCH REPORT: Diocesan College (Bishops) hosted the South African College High School (SACS) in a highly anticipated match.

NEWS: South African lock Michael Rhodes was named as the Richard Hill Players’ Player of the season for the 2016/2017 campaign.

CLASSIC CLASH REPORT: HTS Drostdy made sure they secure back-to-back Classic Clash victories with a 47-7 win against the old foe Worcester Gimnasium in Worcester.

REACTION: Francois de Klerk's move to Sale Sharks is not a done deal, according to Golden Lions Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer Rudolph Straeuli.

INJURY UPDATE: The Stormers suffered another blow on the injury front after flyhalf Robert du Preez tore his pectoral muscle in his team's 22-41 loss to the Hurricanes

SCHOOLS REPORT: Glenwood High school marched to comfortable 59-7 win over Kearsney 59-7 on Saturday.

REACTION: The Blues will be out to build on their two wins in Australia when they face the Cheetahs in Auckland on Friday.

CLASSIC CLASH REPORT: Die Brandwag cruised to their fifth consecutive Classic Clash victory with a convincing 55-10 win against old rivals Daniel Pienaar on Saturday.

NEWS: Johan 'Rassie' Erasmus was named Pro12' Coach of the Season after guiding Munster to the semifinals of the Celtic League.

NEWS: Springbok scrumhalf Francois de Klerk will be joining Sale Sharks on a three-year deal, the Premiership club confirmed on Monday.

WRAP: The Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament ended on Friday in Japan where Hoërskool Framesby of Port Elizabeth, South Africa's 2017 representative ended seventh out of 16 teams.

SCHOOLS REPORT: Shades of 2014 in Stellenbosch, Grey High scored last to win their exciting contest with Paul Roos 22-20 in a Premier Interschools match.

SCHOOLS REPORT: On Friday night there was a thriller when Cheetahs played Highlanders and another thriller in Bloemfontein when Grey College met Affies.

NEWS: Springbok prop Brian Mujati has committed his future to Ospreys.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has included six uncapped players in his group attending an England training camp.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: The Sharks head coach Robert du Preez admits there are still individual errors that need attention but seems happier after his side's 37-12 win against the Force in Durban.

NEWS: Following the final rounds of matches in the Premiership, PRO12 and TOP 14 regular seasons, European Champions Cup confirmed that the Cardiff Blues will face Stade Francais.

TOP 14 NEWS: French rugby officials said they would investigate claims by Stade Francais that Montpellier lock Jacques Du Plessis should not have played in their final game of the regular season.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Bulls head coach Nollis Marais is not about to exit Bulls' headquarters despite horrific performance throughout the Super Rugby season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: There were six Classic Clashes this week and a host of other results which makes for interesting reading.

PREMIERSHIP REACTION: Wasps director of rugby Dai Young is hoping his side are finally getting used to the 'big occasions', after finishing top of the Premiership Rugby pile with a resounding 35-15 victory over Saracens.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Despite their 47-10 thrashing of the Melbourne Rebels, Lions head coach Johan Ackermann is adamant that there are a lot of work-ons.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks sevens coach Scott Waldrom is forced to bring in new faces after nine players have been ruled our due to injury for the penultimate leg of World Rugby Sevens Series in Paris.

REACTION: Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd revealed the cross-field kick was the better option against the Stormers' African style of play during their 41-22 win on Friday.

INJURY UPDATE: Sonny Bill Williams has become the latest addition to the All Blacks injury concerns, suffering possible concussion in the Blues' Super Rugby win over the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday.

INTERVIEW: Springbok Sevens star Branco du Preez is staying far away from any permutation talk ahead of the final two legs of the 2016-2017 Sevens World Series.  

TOP 14 WRAP: All Black legend Dan Carter's late try sealed Racing 92's unlikely ticket to the French Top 14 play-offs on a gripping end to the regular season on Saturday.

FINAL WRAP: New Zealand beat Australia 43-6 in the final round of the Oceania Under-20 Championship to take the trophy for the third consecutive year.

NEWS: Ben Youngs has withdrawn from the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.

PRO12 ROUND 22 WRAP: Munster secured top spot in the table courtesy of a dominant final-day win over Connacht at Thomond Park. 

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Jaguares were made to work hard for their 46-39 win over the ever-willing Sunwolves in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

NEWS: World champions New Zealand will play the Barbarians at Twickenham on November 4.

PREMIERSHIP ROUND 22 WRAP: Thomas Young's sensational hat-trick paved the way for a bonus-point triumph for Wasps over Saracens, which saw them top the pile and book a home semi-final berth.

NEWS: France could play Test matches in the coming two seasons in the United Arab Emirates.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Crusaders ran in 10 tries to end a near decade-long losing streak against the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Sharks earned a valuable, but scrappy win when they beat the Western Force 37-12 in Durban on Saturday.

SCHOOLS STREAMING: rugby365 in partnership with School Sport Live brings you LIVE coverage of the Border derby between Selborne College and Queen's College.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Blues bagged their second-straight win in Australia when they beat the Waratahs 40-33 in Sydney on Saturday.

SCHOOLS STREAMING: rugby365 in partnership with School Sport Live brings you LIVE coverage of the oldest match in the land as Bishops host SACS.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Chiefs continued their winning ways when they recorded a 46-17 bonus-point win against the Reds in New Plymouth on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Lions bagged another bonus-point win on their Australian tour when they thrashed the Melbourne Rebels 47-10 in Melbourne on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: All Black loose forward Liam Squire broke his thumb during the Highlanders' Super Rugby thriller against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday.

SEVENS NEWS: Kenyan star wing Collins Injera has been ruled out of the remaining two legs of the World Sevens series due to a knee injury, head coach Innocent Simiyu said Friday.

CLASSIC CLASH PREVIEW: Another tough match is expected in the North West when Potchefstroom Boys' High and HTS Potchefstroom meet for their Classic Clash on Saturday.

TOP 14 PREVIEW: A top-of-the-table clash between La Rochelle and Clermont headlines a thrilling finale to the Top 14 regular season with the battle for play-off and European spots adding extra spice.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: There will be 28 matches - 56 teams - between two schools 460 km apart. And there are other activities.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Waisake Naholo's last-minute try made sure the Highlanders record a 45-41 win over the Cheetahs in a 12-try thriller in Bloemfontein on Friday.

CLASSIC CLASH PREVIEW: It's a Classic Clash this match in Worcester when HTS Drostdy go over to Worcester Gym, usually a closely contested affair.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Playmaker Rosko Specman is back in the BlitzBoks team for the final rounds of the Sevens World Series - in Paris and London.

NEWS: The Bulls were forced into a late change ahead of their Super Rugby Round 11 encounter with the Crusaders on Saturday.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: This match has rapidly become one of schools rugby's highlights of the year, again a Premier Interschools match.

NEWS: Worcester Warriors have captured the signing of young Northampton Saints flyhalf Sam Olver.

CLASSIC CLASH PREVIEW: It is the big school match of the year in Uitenhage - Daniël Pienaar vs Die Brandwag, again an Classic Clash.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Australia Under-20 head coach Simon Cron has made six changes ahead of the trans-tasman clash with New Zealand in the final round of the Oceania Rugby U20s Championship on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand will be looking to retain their Oceania Under-20 title when they play Australia in the final match of the tournament on Saturday. 

NEWS: Chiefs flyhalf Aaron Cruden will miss his team's clash against the Reds on Saturday due to illness.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jaguares head coach Raul Perez made six changes to his starting line-up to face Sunwolves on Saturday at the Velez Sarsfield club's José Amalfitani Stadium.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sunwolves have welcomed back a number of their star players for their clash against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Several moments of brilliance by the Barrett brothers, Jordie and Beauden, set up a 41-22 win for the Hurricanes over the Stormers in Wellington on Friday.

IN THE SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Can anybody stop the Crusaders juggernaut? That is the big question for this week.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: It is a special day on the rugby calendar and on the social calendar - the match between Hilton and Michaelhouse in the beautiful Midlands of KZN.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: This could just be the match of the year in KwaZulu-Natal - Kearsney vs Glenwood.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: There are three colleges in Border which excel in rugby - Dale, Queen's and Selborne.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: Grahamstown, the city of Saints, Schools and Law, once a border town with a garrison, now a gentle place, slightly frayed at the edges.

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN: We have reached the final, compelling, round of Premiership Rugby with just two points separating the top three in the table with two of those clubs namely - Wasps and Saracens- facing each other on Saturday.

IN THE SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Elton Jantjies may not be everybody's cup of tea, but he is a match-winner for the Lions.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok Ruan Combrink will make his much-awaited return to the field at the Alberton club in Johannesburg on Saturday.

NEWS: Ireland will play South Africa, Fiji and Argentina in Dublin in November, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) announced on Thursday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The regular Pro12 season will be capped off by Super Saturday in Round 22 as traditional derby games take place right across the Championship with all games kicking off at the same time. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Georgia captain Mamuka Gorgodze has called time on his international career, the national federation announced on Thursday.

NEWS: Scotland internationalist and former Highlanders flank John Hardie has re-signed with Edinburgh Rugby on a one-year deal.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks will be out to avoid another horror show in front of their home fans when they face the Western Force at Kings Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks have been bolstered by the return of Springbok flyhalf Patrick Lambie.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Johan Ackermann has made liberal use of his 'rotation' policy in naming the team to face the Rebels in Melbourne on Saturday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Australia Sevens powerhouse Ed Jenkins and experienced Tom Lucas will miss the Paris Sevens tournament on May 13.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Western Force have been given a huge boost with Wallaby lock Adam Coleman named in the starting side to face the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: Bishops started playing in 1861 and there is a belief that SACS started the year after that, which may, of course, be true.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has made four changes to the starting XV, for his team's Super Rugby Round 11 encounter with the Bulls.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blues have named a virtually unchanged team for the second leg of their Australian tour against the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Australian Rugby Union has been shocked with the sudden resignation of Chief Operating Officer, Rob Clarke.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson has made four changes to his starting XV for their clash against the Blues in Sydney on Saturday.

NEWS: Worcester Warriors prop Val Rapava Ruskin gets a six-week ban for pushing referee Greg Garner during their Premiership match against Newcastle Falcons.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Melbourne Rebels have named a new front row for Saturday's Super Rugby Round 11 encounter with the Lions.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Reds remains largely unchanged from last week's tight loss to the Waratahs, with head coach Nick Stiles opting for the same forward pack and minor changes to the backs.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs midfield sensation Charlie Ngatai makes his return to Super Rugby this weekend, starting at inside centre against the Reds at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth. 

REACTION: British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland gave an optimistic fitness update on injured trio Sam Warburton, Conor Murray and Alun Wyn Jones.

IN THE SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Two South African teams desperate to end their respective losing streaks, will have to do so against two of New Zealand's best.

Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim analyse the stance by the Minister of Sports, Thembelani Nxesi, that development should start at school level. They also give their predictions for the weekend's matches.

REACTION: Veteran Cheetahs lock Francois Uys may be heading abroad, but he will leave the Cheetahs with a group of well-equipped locks.

On the second weekend of May 2017, three finals of European Professional Club Rugby will be played at Murrayfield.

BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS TOUR: Dane Coles is the latest All Black battling fitness issues ahead of the international season.

INJURY UPDATE: The Southern Kings' influential hooker Michael Willemse is set to miss the side's next three matches.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs coach Franco Smith made a host of changes to his team to take on the Highlanders in Bloemfontein on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok Jacques Potgieter has been named in the Bulls' starting XV to play the Crusaders at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Highlanders coach Tony Brown named a strong side to take on the hapless Cheetahs in a Super Rugby encounter in Bloemfontein on Friday.

SHAKE-UP CONTINUES: The tremors and quakes continue as we have not reached stability yet - not in the Schools Top 20 anyway.

UNDER-20 CHAMPS SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Southern Kings speedster Yaw Penxe will be heading to Tbilisi, Georgia as part of the South Africa Under-20 squad for the World U-20 Championship.

There is a lot of deciding being made in Europe's club rugby.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scrumhalf Thomas Perenara will return as captain and Callum Gibbins at openside glank for the Hurricanes' Super Rugby match against the Stormers on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand import Shaun Treeby will make his first start for the Stormers in the Super Rugby clash against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The new Minister of Sport and Recreation Thembelani 'Thulas' Nxesi has rekindled the idea of a hosting the World Cup in 2023.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Brumbies will be hard at work over the next two weeks trying to improve their game ahead of their clash against the Lions.

NEWS: Samoan international Chris Vui will swap Worcester Warriors for Bristol in the off-season.

NEWS: Fiji lock Tevita Cavubati will add his considerable physical prowess to Newcastle Falcons' pack next season, having joined from fellow Premiership club Worcester Warriors.

INJURY UPDATE: The Southern Kings' impressive 44-3 win over the Melbourne Rebels came at a cost with a season-ending injury to prop Justin Forwood.

INJURY UPDATE: The Melbourne Rebels have lost scrumhalf and captain Nic Stirzaker to an ankle injury for three weeks.

OCEANIA U20 WRAP: The New Zealand Under-20 secured their second conhave made it two from two at the Oceania U20 Championships with a commanding 80-23 victory over Samoa at Bond University.

RESULTS WRAP: Back from a three-week holiday, St Andrew's College of Grahamstown records its April activities.

NEWS: Bristol Rugby have added three highly-rated young players -Mat Protheroe, Dan Thomas and Sam Bedlow - to their ranks as plans for the 2017/18 season continue to take shape.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez said his team's next three games will be hugely important in the race for a play-off spot.

NEWS: Seven-time Super Rugby champions the Crusaders could have a new home ground in Christchurch in the future.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Western Force's injury list grew ahead of their match against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Chiefs centre Charlie Ngatai is set to make his Super Rugby return against the Reds in New Plymouth on Saturday.

Day two wrap: At the Klein Karroo tournament in Oudtshoorn, three teams won both their matches - Jim Fouché of Bloemfontein, Oos-Moot of Pretoria and Marlow of Cradock.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Manu Tuilagi wants players from the Pacific Islands plying their trade in Europe to get greater off-field support as they adjust to the "culture shock" of life far away from home.

RESULTS: The two days of hectic Wildeklawer Super Schools is over. We give the results of all four divisions.

INJURY UPDATE: The Cheetahs suffered a cruel midfield blow as they look to end a six-match losing streak.

After the gross heat and Berg Wind of Saturday, Monday was clam and pleasant after Sunday's drizzle.

There are some remarkable results early on Day 2 and at the end Grey won the big one.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: After hammering the Stormers in Dunedin, the Highlanders dominate our selections in our Super Rugby Team of the Week for Round 10.

UPDATE: Crusaders lock Samuel Whitelock has been suspended for two weeks for striking a player in his team's 48-21 win against the Cheetahs in Round 10.

NEWS: Hooker Rob Buchanan has re-signed with Premiership side the Harlequins.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Australia Under-20 side to play Fiji in round two of the Oceania Rugby U20 Championship has been named with head coach Simon Cron making six changes to the starting side.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers will not change their attacking philosophy, despite taking two brutal beatings on their tour of New Zealand.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The New Zealand Under-20 head coach Craig Philpott has made 13 changes to his side against Samoa in their second match of the U20 Oceania Tournament on the Gold Coast on Tuesday. 

REPORT: Michaelhouse hosted Kearsney on a very pleasant afternoon in the Midlands and came back to ensure a narrow 26-24 victory.

NEWS: The Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd confirmed on Monday that Springbok Sevens star Johannes Prinsloo has joined them on a two-year deal, having signed a contract until October 2019.

CLASSIC CLASH REPORT: Weston Agricultural College claimed their third consecutive Classic Clash win when they secured a hard-fought 11-10 victory against Treverton College in Mooi River.

INJURY UPDATE: Hurricanes captain and hooker Dane Coles is still few weeks away from making his return to the rugby field.

REACTION: Bath Director of Rugby Todd Blackadder lamented the "inconsistency" that could yet cost his side a place in this season's title-deciding English Premiership play-offs despite an impressive derby win on Sunday.

NEWS: Sunwolves wing Jamie-Jerry Taulagi was banned for five weeks Monday after pleading guilty to a dangerous tackle during the weekend's tense Super Rugby loss to the Chiefs.

NEWS: All Black Aaron Mauger has signed for the Highlanders as assistant coach for 2018 and 2019 seasons.

REPORT: Stade Francais defeated Paris rivals Racing 92 by 27-23 on Sunday to keep their Top 14 play-off hopes alive in a bruising match which saw both sides have a man sent off in the first half.

REACTION: Lions head coach Johan Ackermann praised his team for their composure and character in the dying minutes against the Western Force in Perth on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Toby Faletau scored a hat-trick as Bath kept their hopes of reaching the Premiership semifinals alive with a 44-20 victory over Gloucester at The Rec.

REACTION: Southern Kings head coach Deon Davids says his team's defensive effort against the Melbourne Rebels was another box ticked in an ever-improving season.

SCHOOLS SPOTLIGHT: Many schools took advantage of the long, long weekend to get in some extra rugby. Three of these tournaments end only on Workers Day, May 1.

REACTION: Rebels head coach Tony McGahan said losing his captain, Nic Stirzaker, a day before their match against the Southern Kings played a big role in their defeat.

DAY ONE WRAP: The rugby tournament at Hoërskool Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo kicked off on Saturday with a massive win for Brackenfell.

INJURY UPDATE: The Stormers will be without a few of their star players when they face the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday.

INJURY UPDATE: The All Blacks were Sunday sweating on the availability of captain Kieran Read for the looming British and Irish Lions series after the loose forward suffered a broken thumb. 

NEWS: Sunwolves star Jamie-Jerry Taulagi could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines for a dangerous tackle during his team's 20-27 loss to the Chiefs on Saturday.  

NEWS: Cheetahs hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld has been warned for bad sportsmanship during his team's 21-48 loss to the Crusaders on Saturday. 

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Blues secured a valuable 18-12 bonus-point win over the Brumbies in Canberra on Sunday.

NEWS: Crusaders lock Samuel Whitelock has been cited for alleged foul play during his team's 48-21 win over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

PRO12 SATURDAY WRAP: Scarlets confirmed their place in the PRO12 top four with a 30-8 win against Connacht in Galway.

TOP 14 WRAP: Clermont stayed on course for a French and European double when they edged Lyon 23-20 to move into second place in the Top 14 as La Rochelle confirmed their semifinal spot without even playing.

REACTION: Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall was adamant the after-effects of a squad bonding trip in Barcelona were not behind his side's struggle to see off Bristol in the English Premiership on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Sharks made fewer errors in key moments to edged the Jaguares 33-25 in Buenos Aires.

SATURDAY PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Saracens overcame a slow first half to sign off their departing club legends in style with a bonus-point 27-9 victory over Bristol at Allianz Park.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Southern Kings returned home and claimed their first back-to-back victory in the competition when they ran riot and bagged a 44-3 bonus-point victory over the Rebels in Port Elizabeth.

DAY ONE WRAP: On a hot, hot day in April, crowds flocked to the Wynberg Festival where 32 matches were played on Day One.

TOP 14 SPOTLIGHT: The rivalry between Racing 92 and Stade Francais dates back 125 years but rarely will a match between the two Parisian clubs carry such emotion as Sunday's Top 14 clash.

Running in five first-half tries to lead 33-0 at the break, Grey High never relinquished their grip on the game to outclass Parktown.

DAY ONW WRAP: There was a big surprise early on Day One when Welkom Gim won strongly against HTS Middelburg.

There was a big surprise early on Day 1 when Welkom Gim won strongly against HTS Middelburg.

Glenwood played the first match at the 2017 Wildeklawer tournament and had a big win.

NEWS: Staging home Test matches abroad is among the options South African rugby bosses are considering in a bid to make the national body profitable again.

RESULTS: rugby365, in partnership with School Sport Live, bring you LIVE coverage of Day Two of the Grey High School Festival.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Crusaders stretched their winning streak to nine matches with a controversial 48-21 win against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Lions showed character to overcome a determined Western Force, winning 24-15 in Perth on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Wallaby flyhalf Bernard Foley kicked five penalties to seal a hard-earned 29-26 win for the Waratahs over the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Chiefs managed a hard-earned 27-20 win over the Sunwolves in Hamilton on Saturday, to cement their place in the play-off zone.

FRIDAY PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Nick Evans capped a memorable final appearance for Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop by scoring 22 points as they downed Premiership league-leaders Wasps 32-13.

PRO12 FRIDAY WRAP: Leinster took another step towards finishing on top spot come the end of this Pro12 campaign after getting the better of Glasgow Warriors in one of the most dramatic finales of the season at the RDS Arena.

NEWS: Australian international James O'Connor, who was suspended by Toulon after he was arrested and fined in a cocaine bust in Paris, will return to the team for Saturday's Top 14 match against Bordeaux.

NEWS: France great Thierry Dusautoir will make the final appearances of his glittering career for the Barbarians at the end of the current European season, the invitational club announced Friday.

CLASSIC CLASH: Treverton College captain Siboniso Ndlovu will hope to change the tide by avoiding a third consecutive defeat at the hands of Weston Agricultural College in their Classic Clash on Saturday in Mooi River.

CLASSIC CLASH: The experienced Marco Griebenauw will hope to secure back-to-back wins when he leads Augsburg Landbougimnasium against Hoër Landbouskool Jacobsdal in their third Classic Clash on Saturday.

TOP 14 PREVIEW: La Rochelle coach Patrice Collazo said his team will need to be on top form against Montpellier if they are to sew up first place in the French league regular season.

OCEANIA U20 WRAP: The host Australia proved too good as they recorded a 43-20 win against Samoa in the Oceania Rugby Under-20 tournament.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Bristol could yet escape relegation from the English Premiership after the body that organises the second tier competition said neither Doncaster nor Ealing would be promoted if they secured the one place on offer.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A French player who went against the advice of surgeons to return to the sport after the Paris terrorist attacks of November 2015, has been forced to give up the sport because his "destroyed body" can no longer cope.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Nic Mayhew will don the number one jersey for Brumbies against his former side the Blues at the Gio Stadium on Sunday.

NEWS: One-Test All Black James Broadhurst announced his retirement from rugby, saying he had been unable to shake off the impacts of concussion.

NEWS: The Cheetahs have decided to release injury plagued Johannes 'Boom' Prinsloo of his contract to pursue new opportunities.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jaguares head coach Raúl Pérez has made three changes to his starting XV for their clash against the Sharks in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Highlanders ran the Stormers ragged to produce an emphatic 57-14 win in Dunedin on Friday.

IN THE SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Can the minnows upset the pace setters? We have two games where this question will be answered.

The third Oceania Under-20 championship starts at Bond University in Robina, Gold Coast, on Friday, April 28.

This is just the third Classic Clash between Augsburg Landbougimnasium of Clanwilliam and Hoër Landbouskool Jacobsdal.

Mooi River in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands is a beautiful town in a beautiful area, a restful place except when Treverton and Weston meet on a rugby field.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Melbourne Rebels have regained valuable experience ahead of Saturday's game against the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth.

GREY FESTIVAL, DAY ONE WRAP: Hosts Grey High were pushed all the way by an energetic Jeppe outfit in the final match of the day.

NEWS: Connacht centre Bundee Aki has been slapped with a three-match ban, following the abusive language he used against a referee.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Premiership Rugby goes into its penultimate round with many of the key issues unsettled and the identity of all four semifinalists and Champions Cup qualifiers still in the balance.

NEWS: At the organisation’s historic 125th Annual general Meeting held in Wellington, Tew said the organisation was in solid financial health despite its huge loss.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All eyes return to the Pro12 Championship with four teams still fighting to join Leinster and Munster in the semifinals. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Southern Kings coach Deon Davids made just one change to his starting XV for their first home game after their successful Australian tour.

Tauriq Ebrahim and Jan de Koning look at an alternative option for the Cheetahs, should they be kicked out of Super Rugby. There is also Jan de Koning's predictions for the weekend.

CLASSIC CLASH: In a fairly new rivalry, Landboudal will hope to emulate their 2015 Classic Clash victory against Augsburg when the two Agricultural schools meet in their third Classic Clash on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand Under-20 have named a strong side for their first Test of the U20 Oceania Tournament on the Gold Coast on Friday.

NEWS: Wales lock Ian Evans has had to retire because of a knee injury, his English Premiership side Bristol announced on Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs head coach Franco Smith has included a few big names in his team for their clash against the Crusaders on Saturday.

CLASSIC CLASH: Weston Agricultural College captain Luke Gillitt will be looking to secure a third consecutive Classic Clash victory against Treverton College when they lock horns in Mooi River.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Australia Under-20s side to play Samoa on Friday in the opening round of the Oceania Rugby U20s Championship has been named with Reece Hewat given the captaincy duties for Australia.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sunwolves have made seven changes to their starting team for their clash against the Chiefs.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Johan Ackermann has made a number of changes to his starting XV for their clash against the Western Force in Perth.

IN THE SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: As we head into the second half of the season, there is substantially less room for errors (read defeats).

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks side named to take on the Jaguares in their Super Rugby clash in Buenos Aires on Saturday shows a number of changes with planned player rotation very much at the forefront of selection.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has named an unchanged forward pack from the starting XV that beat the Stormers in Christchurch last weekend for their clash against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

RESULTS: rugby365, in partnership with School Sport Live, bring you LIVE coverage of Day One of the Grey High School Festival.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Western Force have made a number of injury-forced changes to their side that take on the Lions on Saturday in Perth.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Nick Phipps has returned to the Waratahs' starting line-up for their clash against the Reds in Sydney on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Reds head coach Nick Stiles has made minimal changes to the matchday 23 which defeated the Southern Kings two weeks ago, for their clash against the Waratahs.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Black enforcer Jerome Kaino is in doubt for the British and Irish Lions tour after his Blues team revealed Thursday he is undergoing surgery on an injured knee.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie has named a strong, regenerated line-up to take on Japan’s sole Super Rugby side, the Sunwolves. 

NEWS: Worcester Warriors have recruited Omar Mouneimne as a defence and kicking strategy coach.

NEWS: La Rochelle's Fijian lock Jone Qovu was banned for two weeks for "striking" Gloucester's Richard Hibbard.

NEWS: Wales will tackle world champions New Zealand and play Georgia for the first time as part of their end-of-year Test schedule.

REACTION: The Cheetahs have been linked to at least two European competitions, but they are clinging to a Super Rugby lifeline.

REPORT: Rhodesfield Technical High School in Kempton Park claimed the inaugural JJ Yamwimbi Challenge Shield trophy on Saturday.

NEWS: Rugby will return to Soweto's Orlando Stadium and debut at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban in June.

REPORT: The Junior Springboks put together a devastating second-half display to see off the Varsity Cup Dream Team 50-19, after holding a narrow 21-19 lead at the break.

NEWS: La Rochelle's Fijian lock Jone Qovu has been cited for allegedly striking Gloucester hooker Richard Hibbard in last Saturday's European Challenge Cup semifinal.

NEWS: Taranaki and Maori lock Leighton Price has joined the Blues for the rest of the Super Rugby season.

SUPER RUGBY TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Highlanders will be without two key forwards when they take on the Stormers in Dunedin on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTL Springbok Eben Etzebeth will play his 50th Super Rugby game for the Stormers when they face the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday.

The PRO 12, England's Premiership, France's Top 14 and Pro D2 are in the last of their league rounds. One more round and then it's knock-out rugby.

NEWS: Worcester Warriors announced that Gary Gold will become the club's permanent Director of Rugby after signing a new contract to remain at Sixways until the end of the European season 2018.

NEWS: England prop Ellis Genge signed a new contract with English Premiership club Leicester on Tuesday.

Over the long weekend of Freedom Day and Workers' Day, there is a rugby tournament for schools in Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world.

NEWS: The versatile back row Sion Bennett will remain at Cardiff Blues after agreeing a long-term deal with the region.

NEWS: Ireland and Leinster legend Mike Ross confirmed that he will retire at the end of the season.

RANKINGS SHAKE-UP: This is just our second Top 20 of 2017 and it has been hit by a quake of high register.

INJURY UPDATE: Clermont's France international scrumhalf Morgan Parra could miss next month's European Cup Final against Saracens with a thigh injury, the French Top 14 club said Tuesday.

SUPER RUGBY REVAMP: Brumbies boss Michael Thomson has shut down any rumours of a Melbourne Rebels-Brumbies merger.

INJURY UPDATE: The Sunwolves have lost another player to injury while on tour in New Zealand.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Highlanders assistant coach Mark Hammett is wary of the Stormers' attacking threat ahead of their clash in Dunedin on Friday.

NEWS: The Chiefs will be resting star scrumhalf Tewera Kerr-Barlow for their upcoming clash against the Sunwolves on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former Wales captain Paul Thorburn has blasted leading Rugby Union officials for presiding over an excessively dangerous "monster" that is the modern game.

INJURY UPDATE: Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard underwent surgery on Monday, following a training ground mishap last week.

FESTIVAL TIME: Wynberg High will again be holding its festival of 65 matches at the school beneath the mountain.

This weekend it's the Wildeklawer Tournament, that which is regarded as the highest profile of all tournaments, a defining tournament.

Grey High School of Port Elizabeth is holding a festival over the long weekend, one of three festivals making use of the Freedom Day break.

Die afgelope Saterdag was die NWU Pukke Vaal reeks se finale gewees by Hoërskool Dr Malan in Meyerton. Secunda dra nou die kroon.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has named a 25-man touring squad, who will depart for Argentina on Tuesday ahead of their return fixture against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: They may be in a hotly-contested race for a possible wild-card slot in the play-offs, but the Sharks are not the Jaguares' top priority.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Our Super Rugby Team of the Week for Round Nine is dominated by some of New Zealand's best players at the moment.

NEWS: Harlequins scrumhalf Karl Dickson has announced that he will retire from rugby at the end of the current season.

INJURY UPDATE: Following their historic 26-24 victory over 2014 Super Rugby champions the Waratahs, the Southern Kings returned home with no new injuries. 

SPOTLIGHT: This is the first week proper of the 2017 schools rugby season, and we have the results of more teams than just the 1st XVs.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Shaun Treeby returns 'home' this week and will play a key role for the Stormers against his former team, the Highlanders.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Newly-capped Springbok Sevens star Zain Davids has been named captain of the Junior Springbok side to take on the Varsity Cup Dream Team on Tuesday.

St Stithians is delighted with the success of the Saints Sports Festival hosted over two weekends.

REPORT: The Graeme College 1st XV returned from the Easter festival after a number of good performances in Johannesburg to meet old friends Gill College.

The Graeme College 1st XV returned from the Easter festival after a number of good performances in Johannesburg to meet old firends Gill College.  

The Graeme College 1st XV returned from the Easter festival after a number of good performances in Johannesburg to meet old firends Gill College.  

NEWS: Worcester Warriors announced that British & Irish Lion Donncha O’Callaghan has signed a new deal with the club.

UPDATE: Sharks centre Andre Esterhuizen has been suspended for six weeks for dangerous play during his team's 9-all with the Melbourne Rebels.

SCHOOLS REPORT: A lovely winter’s day awaited both teams as anticipation grew ahead of the 1st XV match.

SUPER RUGBY NEWS: Reds flyhalf Quade Cooper labelled his duel with Waratahs flyhalf Bernard Foley as 'healthy rivalry' ahead of their Super Rugby match in Round 10.

REACTION: The Waratahs will be in search of a morale-boosting win when they take on arch-rivals the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday.

REACTION: Title-holders Saracens headed to Barcelona the morning after reaching the European Champions Cup Final in a bid to further strengthen their team spirit as they go in search of another 'double'.

NEWS: Sharks centre Andre Esterhuizen will appear before a SANZAAR Judicial Hearing on Monday for dangerous play during his team's 9-all draw with the Melbourne Rebels.

UPDATE: Rookie Chiefs scrumhalf Finlay Christie was suspended for three weeks on Monday after pleading guilty to stamping on an opponent's head.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: The Cheetahs' struggles with the mental demands of the imposing reduction in Super Rugby teams continues to play a massive role in their inability to finish off games.

CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: George Ford missed a last-gasp penalty for Bath as Stade Francais won 28-25 on Sunday to reach the European Challenge Cup Final.

REPORT: The South African College High School (SACS) won an exciting encounter against visitors Boland Landbou on an extremely hot day in the Western Cape.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: The boots of Morgan Parra and Camille Lopez has put Clermont into the Champions Cup Final after overcoming a plucky Leinster 27-22 in a pulsating semi-final.

SUPER RUGBY INJURY REPORT: The Stormers have been forced to place an emergency phone call to Cape Town to send in reinforcements after two players suffered injuries in their 24-57 defeat to the Crusaders.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Sharks coach Robert du Preez pulled no punches following his side's dour 9-9 draw with the Rebels and went as far as saying his side should "refund the public."

SCHOOLS SPOTLIGHT: It is the usual mixture of big scores, close encounters, surprises and at least, one thriller.

SUPER RUGBY NEWS: The Chiefs' Finley Christie has been cited for contravening Law 10.4(b) Stamping/Trampling on an opponent during their match against the Force.

SUPER RUGBY NEWS: There will be no further sanction on Rebels scrumhalf Nic Stirzaker after he received two yellow cards - and a subsequent red card - against the Sharks on Saturday.

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP: Gloucester flyhalf Billy Burns scored all of his team's points as the English side defeated French Top 14 league leaders La Rochelle 16-14 to reach the European Challenge Cup final on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Bulls coach Nollis Marais has laid down a challenge to his New Zealand opponents when they make the trek to Loftus Versfeld in Round 11 of the competition.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Johan Ackermann believes his side were brought down to earth by the Jaguares after they were forced to fight back to bag a "Test match" victory.

SUPER RUGY REACTION: A first half Crusaders blitzkrieg, which led to a 36-3 half-time lead, was more than enough to put the result to bed despite a much-improved second-half performance by the Stormers.

CHAMPIONS CUP REACTION: Owen Farrell insisted Saracens could be "more clinical" after the title-holders beat Munster 26-10 in a commanding European Champions Cup semi-final win in Dublin on Saturday.

REPORT: The ending to the evenly balanced match between Paul Roos and Paarl Gim, the two top-ranked sides in the country, was agonising.

TOP 14 REPORT: Montpellier ran in eight tries to move second in the French Top 14 with a humiliating 54-3 defeat of reigning champions Racing 92 on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Bulls flyhalf Tian Schoeman has agreed to join the French side, Bordeaux Begles when his contract ends in October.

INJURY UPDATE: All Black flank Elliot Dixon could miss the Highlanders' Super Rugby match against Stormers due to a knee infection.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The highflying Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has named a strong 28-man squad that will tour South Africa.

EUROPEAN CUP SEMIFINAL: Fans could be in for a festival of attacking rugby in Sunday's second European Champions Cup semifinal between Clermont and Leinster, the French team's head coach Franck Azema said on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Sharks and Rebels played to a 9-all draw in what must rank as the most dour match of the season.

SCHOOL REPORT: Kearsney College secured a narrow 13-10 hard-fought win against a resilient Hilton College. 

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Jessie Kriel scored a try in the 73rd minute to gift the Bulls a fortuitous 20-14 win over the hapless Cheetahs in Pretoria on Saturday.

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Saracens will defend their title in the Final of the European Cup, after an emphatic 26-10 win over Munster in Dublin on Saturday.

RESULTS: Dale College suffered a narrow 24-25 defeat at the hands of the old rivals and host Queen's College

RESULTS: Paarl Boys' High school cruised to comfortable 45-16 victory against Hoërskool Outeniqua on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have lost the service of loose forward Jaco Kriel for the next few weeks.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Chiefs were made to work harder than they wanted to for a 16-7 win over the Western Force in Perth on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Crusaders eased past the Stormers, winning 57-24 in a sublime display of skill - to reclaim top spot on the standings.

EUROPEAN CUP SEMIFINAL: Clermont hope to bury the misery of two European Cup final defeats in the last four years by downing three-time champions Leinster on Sunday and reach another title match.

EUROPEAN CUP SEMIFINAL: Munster return to Dublin's Lansdowne Road for the first time since the death of Anthony Foley determined to again honour their late coach in a European Champions Cup semifinal against title-holders Saracens.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: It was far from perfect, but the Highlanders got a full-house five points from their 40-15 win over the Sunwolves on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS CUP SPOTLIGHT: Saracens supremo Mark McCall believes Munster's Duncan Williams is more than capable of making up for the absence of star scrumhalf Conor Murray when they meet in a Champions Cup semi-final in Dublin on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS NEWS: Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie insisted the governing body remained in favour of plans to reduce the duration of the Six Nations from seven to six weeks, despite opposition from leading players.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: A determined Lions fought their way back in the final 10 minutes to overturn a 14-21 deficit to edge the Jaguares 24-21 at Ellis Park.

NEWS: NMMU-Madibaz captain Kevin Kaba said he was looking forward to running out alongside players who, until now, have been his opponents when he fills the No.8 jersey for the Varsity Cup Dream Team.

NEWS: A successful transition from wing to inside centre resulted in such a stellar season for University of Johannesburg's Aphiwe Dyantyi that he earned selection for the Varsity Cup Dream Team.

NEWS: The semi-finals of the European Champions Cup will be played in front of sell-out crowds in Dublin and Lyon this weekend, with over 90,000 fans set to attend the two high-profile matches.

CHAMPIONS CUP SPOTLIGHT: Saracens boss Mark McCall believes the Grand Slam heartache several of his side suffered playing for England in Dublin, will benefit the London team come Saturday's European Champions Cup semi-final in the Irish capital.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers are determined to make history when they face the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland scumhalf Conor Murray's bid to secure his British and Irish Lions place suffered a setback Friday when he was ruled out of Munster's European Champions Cup semifinal against title-holders Saracens this weekend.

NEWS: Harlequins second year Academy Member Archie White has re-signed, and Gloucester Academy prop, Josh McNulty will join the club from the 2017/18 season.

Three schools dominate schools rugby in Durban and two meet this Saturday.

The Premier Interschools match between Paul Roos and Paarl Gim is indeed a top schools match.

SUPER RUGBY REVAMP: Despite the constant news of a possible Super rugby oblivion in 2018, the defiant Western Force is adamant that they will remain in the competition until 2020.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Southern Kings won their first match on their Australian tour, when they beat the Waratahs 26-24 in Sydney on Friday.

UPDATE: All Black Ali Williams was fined by the French league's disciplinary commission on Thursday over his cocaine arrest with Australian star James O'Connor.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Rebels head coach Tony McGahan has made five changes in the forwards for their Super Rugby match against the Sharks in South Africa on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS CUP SEMIFINAL: Leinster may have been through a rebuilding phase this season but the way they defeated Wasps in the quarterfinals has given the Irish province confidence ahead of their Champions Cup semifinal away to French giants Clermont. 

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Hurricanes produced a second half of epic proportions to beat the Brumbies 56-21 in Napier on Friday.

CHAMPIONS CUP SEMIFINAL: British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland will be an especially interested observer when title-holders Saracens take on Munster in a European Champions Cup semifinal in Dublin on Saturday.

IN THE SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Closing out games has become a popular catchphrase for coaches.

It's Queen's College's 159th Reunion Day and it is such a good day to enjoy with their old friends/rivals Dale College from down the road in King.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The 2017 Easter Weekend at Krugersdorp High School has definitely been one of the most successful sporting weekends that the school has ever showcased.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 law guru Paul Dobson looks at an incident which surprised some people and had spectators howling in derision.

INJURY UPDATE: Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard is set to be out for two months with an ankle injury.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The National Provincial Challenge opens up with a couple of mouth-watering clashes across South Africa on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Cheetahs feel they have too much to offer South African rugby to be axed from Super Rugby.

REACTION: Eddie Jones said he had no doubts over Denny Solomona's commitment to England after including the former Samoa Rugby League international in his squad for June's tour of Argentina.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Robert Du Preez has named a 23-man squad for their Super Rugby match against the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday at Kings Park.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 law guru Paul Dobson looks at what happens when there are too many players on the field and when there is interference in in-goal.

INJURY UPDATE: The Lions' star centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg is set to miss the rest of the Super Rugby league phase because of a knee injury.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok Uzair Cassiem has been named in the Cheetahs' matchday 23-man squad that will take on the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jacobie Adriaanse will start at tighthead prop for the Bulls for the first time on Saturday when his team face the Cheetahs in a crucial Super Rugby clash in Pretoria.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jaguares head coach Raul Perez has reshuffled his backline for their clash against the Lions at Ellis Park on Friday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Blues flyhalf Piers Francis has been included in England's 31-man squad for their tour of Argentina in June.

Tauriq Ebrahim takes the lead as he discusses with Jan de Koning a case where sanity finally prevailed. However, they doubt the refereeing and disciplinary inconsistencies will ever be addressed.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sunwolves head coach Filo Taitia has named South African Willem Britz to start against the Highlanders on Saturday at Rugby Park Stadium.  

REACTION: British and Irish Lions fans will hope the 'Saracens Six' can match the achievement of London Welsh's 'Magnificent Seven' by helping the combined side win a Test series in New Zealand.  

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Western Force have made a host of changes to their matchday 23 to face the Chiefs at nib Stadium on Saturday from the side that beat the Kings in Round Seven.

REACTION: British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland is "clutching at straws" by using Ireland's upset win over the All Blacks as motivation, his opposite number Steve Hansen said Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie has made four changes to his XV for their clash against the Western Force. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Eben Etzebeth will captain the Stormers in their Super Rugby clash with the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has made seven changes to the starting line-up that played the Sunwolves last weekend for their clash against the Stormers.

IN THE SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: We have reached the halfway stage of the season and with every passing week the race for play-off places are going to get more intriguing.

REACTION: Choir practice and film nights will form part of the British and Irish Lions preparations for their Test series against the All Blacks.

REACTION: Sam Warburton has never savoured victory over New Zealand, but says he is relishing scaling the "pinnacle of my career".

NEWS: New Zealand's most capped lock Samuel Whitelock, who is also the Crusaders captain, has extended his contract through to 2020.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions will field an entirely new front row when they take on the Jaguares in a Super Rugby Round Nine match at Ellis Park on Friday.

REACTION: British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland insists every member of his newly-named 2017 squad will be given a chance to challenge for Test selection against the All Blacks.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sharks lock Etienne Oosthuizen was not surprised by the Melbourne Rebels' 19-17 win against the Brumbies last weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Southern Kings head coach Deon Davids has made four changes and one positional switch to hise team lost to Reds last weekend for their clash against the Waratahs.

NEWS: Toulouse skipper and former France captain Thierry Dusautoir is retiring at the end of the season, the influential star announced on Wednesday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Japan coach Jamie Joseph is backing his new-look side for this year's Asian rugby championship, a lopsided local scrap unlikely to offer many clues in their build-up to the 2019 World Cup.

BREAKING NEWS: South African-born Christiaan Stander has been named in the British and Irish Lions squad to tour New Zealand.

INJURY UPDATE: The Sunwolves will be without lock Liaki Moli for the rest of their New Zealand tour.  

NEWS: A SANZAAR judicial hearing has found Lions star Jaco Kriel 'not guilty' of foul play during his team's 29-16 win over the Stormers at Newlands last weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Rob Horne will wear the No.13 jersey when the Waratahs take on the Southern Kings in Sydney on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Highlanders head coach Tony Brown has named a strong side to take on the Sunwolves in Invercargill on Saturday. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Loose forward Brad Shields will lead the Hurricanes for the first time after being named captain for Friday's Super Rugby match against the Brumbies at McLean Park in Napier.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham has made two changes to the starting team that will face Super Rugby Champions the Hurricanes at Mclean Park in Napier on Friday. 

NEWS: Springbok and Sharks prop Lourens Adriaanse has signed a three-year contract with French club Pau.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England could provide the bulk of the British and Irish Lions squad and its most notable absentee when coach Warren Gatland unveils his tour party for the Test series against his native New Zealand.

NEWS: The owner of French club Montpellier said Tuesday he was withdrawing from plans to invest in Premiership side Gloucester after English officials voted to restrict his stake to 20 percent.

There is excitement in Europe - semis in the EPCR and six finals in Scotland, the British and Irish Cup final in Ireland where Munster A play Jersey and finals in Ireland.

PREVIEW: Castres and Stade Francais have spent the last few days trying to manage an unusual problem in rugby -- playing a midweek match.

NEWS: Fiji wing Timoci Nagusa has signed a two-year contract extension with Montpellier, the French Top 14 outfit said on Tuesday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Junior Springboks resumed their preparations for the World Rugby Under-20 Championship after a well-deserved break, with the training squad gathering in Stellenbosch for their third training camp on Tuesday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Australia head coach Simon Cron has selected a squad of 29 that will face Samoa, Fiji and New Zealand with one eye on the World Rugby U20s Championship in Georgia this June.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former South African Under-19 coach Eugene Eloff stole the headlines when he left for North America last year.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Brumbies captain Scott Fardy is not surprised with SANZAAR's handling in the decision to trim down the Super Rugby competition.

NEWS: Harlequins and New Zealand flyhalf Nick Evans is to retire from Rugby Union at the end of the Northern Hemisphere season, the English Premiership club announced on Tuesday.  

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers will be facing the tournament's best forward pack in Christchurch, according to the Cape side's assistant coach Paul Feeney.

OPINION: Jan de Koning looks into an incident that has cast a pall over the Lions' impressive win over the Stormers at the weekend.

INTERVIEW: World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry blasted the British and Irish Lions' "suicidal" New Zealand tour schedule Tuesday, saying their confidence could be shot before they even face the All Blacks.

INJURY UPDATE: All Blacks and Highlanders wing Waisake Naholo is set to make his Super Rugby return against the Sunwolves in Invercargill on Saturday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks apprentice Jordie Barrett will be unavailable for the New Zealand Under-20 side for the upcoming Oceania U20 tournament due to Super Rugby commitments.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Months of speculation will come to an end on Wednesday when coach Warren Gatland names his squad for the British and Irish Lions tour of his native New Zealand.

INJURY UPDATE: Leinster's 37-24 Pro12 win over Connacht in Galway at the weekend came at a price.

INJURY UPDATE: The Bulls have come through unscathed from their 26-13 win over the Jaguares at the weekend.

REACTION: English Premiership outfit Sale Sharks have dismissed persistent rumours that linked discarded Springbok scrumhalf Francois de Klerk to the club.

WRAP: Easter Monday was the third and final day of the highly successful St John's Easter Festival final.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Lions came, they saw and they conquered. They also made enough of an impression to dominate rugby365's famous weekly selection.

WRAP: A highly successful 10th Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival wrapped up with the announcement of four players who each received bursaries to the Sharks Academy.

VARSITY CUP SPOTLIGHT: UWC scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies has been rewarded for his brilliant performances with a call-up to the 2017 Varsity Cup Dream Team that will play a friendly match against the Junior Springboks in Stellenbosch on April 25.

VARSITY CUP FINAL REPORT: UP-Tuks dominated the set-pieces from the outset to bag a 28-21 victory over Maties and claim their first Varsity Cup title since 2013.

At the end of the 2017 Kearsney Easter Festival, the Sharks awarded bursaries for four of the players to attend their academy.

MATCH REPORT: In the final game of the 2017 Kearsney Easter Festival, Kearsney beat Queen's 24-13.

Monument of Krugersdorp kept their unbeaten record but Selborne of East London lost theirs when Monnas won 19-12.

INJURY UPDATE: The Lions' Springbok centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg may face a lengthy injury lay-off.

Easter Monday saw again some brilliant schoolboy rugby, it also saw the end of the big Easter rugby Festivals.

RESULTS: The Saints Festival ended on Monday 17 April 2017.

MATCH REPORT: Glenwood beat Noord-Kaap of Kimberley 25-20 in a thrilling match, thanks to a better boot.

MATCH REPORT: On the third day of the Kearsney Easter Festival, Dale came from behind for a thrilling 22-21 victory over HTS Middelburg.

SUPER RUGBY REVAMP: A group of heavyweight rugby identities and millionaire businessmen are plotting to save the Western Force from Super Rugby oblivion.

NEWS: Australia international back Drew Mitchell announced his retirement from the game on Twitter on Monday.

MATCH REPORT: Framesby won their first match at the festival when they beat Dr EG Jansen 29-21, which also meant that the Boksburg side has gone winless.

REACTION: Trevor Nyakane may not be everybody's cup of tea as a tighthead prop, but he is a valuable asset to the Bulls.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: There will be no early plea for Lions flank Jaco Kriel and he will appear in front of a formal SANZAAR judicial hearing.

RESULTS: Drostdy of Worcester ended the Kearsney Easter Festival unbeaten when they beat Pretoria Boys High 29-5.

On Easter Monday Jaco Pretorius will referee the final of the Varsity Cup.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Rebels have been boosted ahead of their two-match tour of South Africa.

RESULTS, DAY THREE: rugby365 has linked up with School Sport Live to bring you live streaming of Day Three of the 10th edition of the Kearsney Easter Festival.

RESULTS, DAY THREE: rugby365 has once again linked up with School Sport Live to bring you live streaming of Day Three of the 22nd edition of the St John's Easter Festival.

REACTION: The victorious Lions will be sweating over the fitness of a couple of key players ahead of their crunch encounter with the Jaguares.

ROUND NINE DRAW: The Pool draw for the Paris Sevens has taken place with Canada top seeds after winning the eighth round of the series in Singapore.

TOP 14 WRAO: French champions Racing 92 held on with just 13 players for a crucial 10-8 victory at Toulouse on Sunday that put them in the driving seat for a play-off spot.

The final day of the 10th Standard Bank Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival is set for further thrilling games with four schools going unbeaten into the final day.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP:  Saracens sent a huge statement of intent out to their Premiership rivals as an almighty comeback saw Mark McCall’s men edge out Northampton Saints 27-25.

TEAM ANNOUNVEMENT: Fiery loose forward Cobus Wiese has recovered from injury and will join the Stormers on their three-match tour of New Zealand.

VARSITY CUP FINAL: The 10th edition of the prestigious Varsity Cup tournament will come to a thrilling conclusion on Monday night when UP-Tuks host Maties in Pretoria.

FINALS WRAP: In a weekend of upsets Canada won their first-ever Cup title, a 26-19 win over the United States on Sunday.

NEWS: Melbourne Rebels lock Lopeti Timani has been suspended for four matches for kicking an opponent.

REACTION: The Stormers are looking to pick up the pieces as they head out on a three-match New Zealand tour on Sunday.

SEMIFINAL WRAP: It has proven to be a day of big upsets, as Canada and the United States advanced to a first all-North American Final.

NEWS: Lopeti Timani of the Rebels has been cited for foul play during a Super Rugby match at the weekend.

NEWS: Lions star Jaco Kriel has been cited for alleged foul play during his team's 29-16 Super Rugby win ober the Stormers at the weekend.

WORLD SERIES: For the first time this season South Africa will not be playing in the Cup semifinals of a World Series tournament.

TOP 14 WRAP: La Rochelle's hopes of wrapping up a French Top 14 semifinal spot suffered a setback Saturday when Lyon clinched a 29-25 victory, ending the league leaders' five-month undefeated run.

PRO12 WRAP: Dave O’Callaghan’s decisive try handed Munster a 22-20 dramatic victory over Irish rivals Ulster and booked their place in the PRO12 play-offs with two games remaining.

SCHOOLS SPOTLIGHT: Many of the results this weekend are from the various Easter Festivals, which wrap up on Monday, April 17.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: Ben Youngs inspired Leicester Tigers to a dominant bonus-point 30-3 victory over Newcastle Falcons at Welford Road.

We have made an attempt to present Holy Saturday's results of matches at the five Easter Festivals.

There were six matches on Day 2 of the St John's Easter Rugby Festival. Three were close encounters, three big winners.

The Saints Festival activities continued on Saturday 15 April 2017.

Monument had what looks like an easy win over HTS Middelburg on Day 2 of the Kearsney Easter Festival. They won 35-8.

With only seconds left in the match, Drostdy scored to beat Dale by a single point, 26-25 at the Kearsney Easter Festival.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Bulls secured their second Super Rugby victory after a hard-fought 26-13 win against the Jaguares at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Stormers' winning streak came to an abrupt end as they went down 16-29 to the  Lions at Newlands on Saturday.

Glenwood enjoyed a satisfactory victory over Dr EG Jansen of Boksburg, winning 24-19.

ROUND THREE WRAP: England continued their good run against the Blitzboks with a 17-12 victory which saw them topple climb above the Series leaders to top Pool B.

Having beat Dr EG Jansen 46-19 Selborne College of East London were even better against Pretoira Boys High, winning 58-5.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: A clinical second-half performance by the Chiefs ensured them a 41-27 win against a resilient Cheetahs side in Bloemfontein.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand's World Player of the Year Beauden Barrett is expecting the British and Irish Lions Test Series to be a grinding defensive and tactical battle. 

It was crisp but clear after heavy rains on Holy Saturday as Noord-Kaap of Kimberley beat Queen's College 31-14 in the day's first match.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The massive kicking boot of Reece Hodge came good for the Rebels as they claimed a mighty 19-17 victory over the Brumbies on Saturday.

ROUND TWO WRAP: The Blitzboks remained unbeaten in Pool B following a hard-earned 10-7 over France in the second round of action at the Singapore Sevens.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: A Mark Abbott brace, including a 74th-minute converted try, handed the Hurricanes a narrow 28-24 victory over the Blues on Saturday.

DAY ONE RESULTS: rugby365 has once again linked up with School Sport Live to bring you live streaming of Day Two of the 22nd edition of the St John's Easter Festival.

LIVE STREAMING: rugby365 has linked up with School Sport Live to bring you live streaming of Day Two of the 10th edition of the Kearsney Easter Festival.

ROUND ONE WRAP: The usual suspects were once again victorious in the opening round of action at the Singapore Sevens, with just one result sending a shock wave through the competition.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: A masterclass by flyhalf Quade Cooper in the second half allowed the Reds to score a total of seven tries to claim a 47-34 victory over the Kings in Queensland.

PRO12 REPORT: A free-scoring Glasgow Warriors put pay to Zebre's attempts for a third successive Pro12 win as Gregor Townsend's men outscored the Italians by seven tries to two for a 45-10 win.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Exeter Chiefs became just the second side in Premiership history to take a perfect 30 points from six matches after coming from behind to beat Harlequins at the Stoop.

Nigel Owens is the most experienced referee in the Pro 12 competition.

The first day of the 2017 Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival produced some cracking encounters and dramatic results, reflecting a healthy state of rugby at schoolboy level.

On Thursday 13 April 2017 thousands of players and supporters visited St Stithians for a busy day of Saints Festival fixtures.

TOP 14, WEEK 24: Already assured of a play-off spot, La Rochelle can sew up a bye straight into the French Top 14 semifinals against Lyon this weekend.

European Professional Club Rugby has appointed referees to its four semifinals.

SUPER RUGBY DERBY DAY: The Stormers readily admit they have a 'score to settle' when they host the Lions at Newlands on Saturday. Jan de Koning reports.

SUPER RUGBY REVAMP: The Melbourne Rebels finally voiced their disappointment against the Australian Rugby Union, following the decision to axe one of the Australian Super Rugby teams from the competition.

UPDATE: Grenoble have suspended three players -Ireland's Denis Coulson, Rory Grice of New Zealand and France's Loick Jammes - accused of gang rape, the French Top 14 side announced on Thursday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Black Ali Williams and Australian star James O'Connor, who were both arrested in a cocaine bust in the centre of Paris, will discover their French league disciplinary fate on April 19, officials said Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Nicolás Sánchez will take a spot on the bench as the Jaguares head coach Paul Perez made five modification to the side that will take on the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Crusaders put eight tries past the hapless Sunwolves to beat the men from Japan 50-3 in a wet Christchurch on Good Friday.

WORLD SERIES ROUND EIGHT: South Africa realise the importance of a strong start in the Singapore leg of the Sevens World Series.

IN THE SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: It is not a derby day in the true sense, but Saturday do have two very intriguing domestic encounters.

DAY ONE RESULTS WRAP: We have made an attempt to present Thursday's match results at the five Easter Festivals.

EASTER FESTIVAL: The 22nd St John’s College Easter Rugby Festival kicked off with Helpmekaar beating a game St John’s Harare team by 65-7.

The final match on the first day of Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival was the closest contest of the day as HTS Middelburg beat Hoërskool Noord-Kaap 21-19.

In the wet in the last match of the first day of the Kearsney Festival, Glenwood beat Framesby 21-10.

Monument's big pack of forward dominated the early stages of the fourth game, Dale came back and then Monnas made it look easier than it was at 33-16.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A mere five points separate the sides from fourth to seventh in the table and we start the weekend with a cracker at the Twickenham Stoop, second-placed Exeter Chiefs travelling to Harlequins.

VARSITY CUP SPOTLIGHT: Some coaches, whose teams failed to reach the Varsity Cup Final, gave their prediction as to who is more likely to walk away with the coveted Varsity Cup trophy. Leezil Hendricks reports.

Queen’s College held on despite giving away penalties that kept newcomers Pretoria Boys High in the game, until the final minute.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The fifth 'Big Weekend' will be packed with action and tribal rivalries as the Pro12 enters the final laps of the season. 

REACTION: New Zealand Rugby (NZR) compared the vitriol surrounding Sonny Bill Williams' religious objections to wearing a banking logo with homophobia on Thursday, urging fans to respect the All Black star's beliefs.

KEARSNEY FESTIVAL: Selborne played enterprising rugby and were fast to capitalise on mistakes and winning 46-19.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck has made four changes to his starting team for their clash against the Lions at Newlands.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Fullback Andries Coetzee has been cleared to face the Stormers in a crucial Super Rugby clash in Cape Town on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs coach Franco Smith has made several changes to his team as they gear up to take on the Chiefs on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs co-captain Sam Cane is fully recovered from the concussion he sustained in his side's game against the Bulls two weeks ago and will start at openside flank against the Cheetahs on Saturday.

Drostdy of Worcester start Kearsney Festival with a 45-17 win over the hosts.

NEWS: Zain Davids and Stedman Gans have been included in a 35-man South African Uneer-20 training squad.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Handré Pollard and Jesse Kriel are back in the Bulls' starting XV for their clash against the Jaguares at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks Sevens were forced to change four following a spat of injuries at the Hong Kong Sevens tournament last week.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Australian Sevens team has been named for the Singapore Sevens, with only one change to the squad that finished third in Hong Kong last weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Melbourne Rebels have made three change to the starting line-up for their second Australian derby of the season against the Brumbies at AAMI Park in Melbourne on Saturday.  

DAY ONE RESULTS: rugby365 has once again linked up with School Sport Live to bring you LIVE STREAMING of the Easter Festivals.

IN THE SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Now that the cat is out the bag, the South African and Australian conferences are going to get a lot more interesting.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Brumbies have made three changes to the starting XV that defeated the Reds at GIO Stadium last week as they prepare for the challenge of the Rebels in Melbourne on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Southern Kings suffered a blow with the loss of fullback Malcolm Jaer ahead of their Super Rugby match against the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Super Rugby's leading try-scorer Vince Aso and the Savea brothers Ardie and Julian will return to the Hurricanes starting side for Saturday's Super Rugby match against the Blues at Eden Park.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Reds head coach Nick Stiles has made six changes to his starting side for their match against the Southern Kings, headlined by the return of key players Quade Cooper and Karmichael Hunt.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blues have named a virtually unchanged side for their clash against the current Super Rugby champions, the Hurricanes at Eden Park on Saturday.

NEWS: England back row forward Jack Clifford has been ruled out of June's two-Test tour of Argentina through injury.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: An upbeat Dan Carter said he has put all this season's distractions behind him.

NEWS: All Black Ali Williams and Australian international James O'Connor were quizzed by a French rugby disciplinary committee on Wednesday following their arrests and fines for cocaine.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The great Super Rugby cull has been choking up the Cheetahs all season.

It is the great feast of Easter, a time of contemplation and celebration for much of the world's people. There is also rugby in many parts of Christendom

NEWS: Head coach Vern Cotter has named the first group of players selected by the Barbarians for the match against England.