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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: This will be our last week-based Schools Top 20 for 2016 as we shall now go through the whole season's performances and try our best to produce a Top 20 for the year.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: There are few matches but several that are relevant to picking the Schools Top 20.

rugby365 would like to wish all our Muslim readers and their families a joyous Eid al-Adha.

TOP 14 WRAP: Toulon flexed their muscles with a 32-15 bonus-point Top 14 victory at Toulouse on Sunday, which could have saved under-fire manager Diego Dominguez his job.

REACTION: Western Province coach John Dobson did not hold back when he shared his feelings on his side's 32-58 hammering at the hands of the Golden Lions in Johannesburg on Friday

REACTION: Blue Bulls head coach Nollis Marais was pleased with his team's bonus-point 41-14 away victory against the Pumas, especially after struggling in Nelspruit in 2015.

PREMIERSHIP SUNDAY WRAP: Defending Aviva Premiership champions Saracens continued their 100 percent start to the new season as Alex Lozowski inspired his side to a hard-fought 34-13 bonus point win at Exeter.

NRC ROUND THREE WRAP: The third round of the National Rugby Championship has delivered plenty to excite spectators, including a 2015 grand final rematch and a thrilling match in a country rugby heartland.

NPC SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 columnist Richard Neal, in his weekly wrap, looks at Round Four of the National Provincial Championship in New Zealand.

INJURY UPDATE: Springbok flank Willem Alberts has been called up as replacement for lock Lodewyk de Jager, who was on Sunday ruled out of action for up to two weeks with a severely bruised knee.

NEWS: All Blacks prop Joe Moody has escaped any punishment for a head-high tackle on Argentina's Guido Petti during their Rugby Championship Test.

NEWS: New Zealand prop Joe Moody has been cited for contravening Law 10.4(e) during their Rugby Championship match against Argentina in Hamilton.

NEWS: New Zealand prop Joe Moody has been cited for contravening Law 10.4(e) during their Rugby Championship match against Argentina in Hamilton.

REACTION: Bath Rugby Director of rugby Todd Blackadder believes Semesa Rokoduguni’s eye-catching display prompted Bath Rugby’s ruthless try-scoring streak against Newcastle Falcons.

NEWS: Wales's Taulupe Faletau could miss the entire November international campaign after Bath boss Todd Blackadder said the No.8 was set to spend up to two months out with a knee injury.

REACTION: Cardiff Blues coach Danny Wilson was ecstatic after Dan Fish’s late score secured a remarkable 24-23 win  against Munster at Irish Independent Park in the Pro12.

NEWS: Warren Gatland is determined there will be no repeat of the mistakes made by the last British and Irish Lions team to tour New Zealand when the combined side face the All Blacks next year.

NEWS: Michael Cheika called props Toby Smith and Tom Robertson into his Rugby Championship squad following news that Allan Alaalatoa was ruled out with a knee injury.

REACTION: Edinburgh Rugby coach Alan Solomons has praised his flyhalf Duncan Weir's performance in their win against Scarlets.

NEWS: The much-hyped Hurricanes flank Ardie Savea has been thrust into the All Blacks limelight with confirmation that injured Sam Cane will be out of action for at least a month.

REACTION: Allister Coetzee has called for South Africa's discipline to improve after they let an early lead slip to go down 17-23 to Australia in the Rugby Championship in Brisbane.

REACTION: Despite getting their first win of the season, Newport Gwent Dragons coach believes his side have to improve ahead of their clash against Munster.

TOP 14 SATURDAY WRAP: France wing Noa Nakaitaci grabbed a hat-trick of tries as Clermont throttled defending Top 14 champions Racing 92 in Saturday's bonus-point 47-10 home victory.

NEWS: Veteran Springbok prop Tendai Mtawarira was handed an off-field yellow card over an act of foul play in South Africa's 17-23 loss to Australia at the weekend.

PRO12 SATURDAY WRAP: Tommy Seymour starred for Glasgow Warriors as he scored four tries in their thrilling 33-25 win over Leinster at Scotstoun Stadium.

NEWS: Struggling Grenoble have been hit by a new wave of injuries.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: Bath produced a ruthless display against Newcastle Falcons, running in eight tries for a 58-5 win on Saturday.

REPORT: The Blue Bulls cemented their place in the top three of the Currie Cup standings with an impressive 41-14 win over the Pumas in Nelspruit on Saturday.

REACTION: Australian coach Michael Cheika spoke of 'relief', while South African counterpart Allister Coetzee admitted he is beginning to sound like a broken record.

REPORT: The Free State Cheetahs overtook the Sharks at the top of the Currie Cup standings, after beating them 38-30 in their Round Six encounter in Durban on Saturday.

REACTION: The All Blacks have hard work ahead, after they were uncharacteristically made to "struggle" before blowing away Argentina 57-22.

OPINION: Australia got back to winning ways with a 23-17 win over the Springboks, but they still have some work to do if they want to be considered as a world class team.

OPINION: The Springboks produced another disappointing display of rugby during their 17-23 defeat to the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

OPINION: Argentina put up a good fight, but in the end they ran out of gas - going down 22-57 to New Zealand in Hamilton on Saturday.

OPINION: New Zealand did what New Zealand do best - destroy the opposition - beating Argentina 57-22 in Hamilton on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Australia ended their six-game losing run with a 23-17 win over South Africa at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: A devastating late surge saw New Zealand pound dogged Argentina 57-22 in a frenetic Rugby Championship encounter at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP FRIDAY WRAP: Greig Laidlaw's trusty boot helped Gloucester claim a late 23-23 draw with Worcester Warriors while Sale Sharks bagged their first victory of the campaign.

PRO 12 FRIDAY WRAP: Cardiff Blues and Edinburgh claimed their first victories of the season with victories over Munster and Scarlets, respectively while Newport Gwent Dragons squeezed past Zebre.

REPORT: The Golden Lions ran in eight tries to bag a comprehensive 58-32 bonus-point victory over Western Province at Ellis Park on Friday.

NEWS: After an extensive recruitment process, the RFU Nominations Committee have unanimously proposed Andy Cosslett to be the next Rugby Football Union Chairman.

NEWS: The Sharks have been rocked by late injury setbacks ahead of their crunch Currie Cup Premier Division clash against the Free State Cheetahs in Durban on Saturday.

NEWS: The Gold Cup kicks-off on Saturday with eight eagerly-awaited first round matches being hosted across South Africa.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Skipper Adriaan Strauss said the Springboks had plans to make sure Australia's Michael Hooper and David Pocock don't dominate the breakdown in Saturday's Rugby Championship Test.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand have pledged to keep their fists to themselves in their clash with Argentina in Hamilton on Saturday, ruling out a repeat of the scuffles that marred their last outing against Australia.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Argentina captain Agustin Creevy has warned New Zealand to "remember Christchurch" as they prepare to unleash their lethal rolling maul in Saturday's Rugby Championship clash in Hamilton. 

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND THREE: New Zealand paid Argentina a huge compliment ahead of their Test in Hamilton this weekend.

NEWS: All Black Filo Tiatia is set to take over from countryman Mark Hammett as head coach of Japan's Sunwolves Super Rugby side, local media reported Friday.

TOP 14 WEEK FOUR: Under-fire Toulon will undergo a true test of their mettle when they host Toulouse in Top 14 action this weekend, while defending champions Racing 92 face a daunting trip to Clermont.  

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sharks wing Odwa Ndungane believes a successful Currie Cup Premier Division campaign might be a launch pad to success in next year's Super Rugby tournament.

REACTION: New Zealand Rugby (NZR) announced it will work with an anti-sexual violence campaigner Friday after facing a backlash over its handling of allegations that Chiefs players abused a stripper.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND THREE: In Brisbane on Saturday two teams will meet that are at present suffering louder and louder criticism at home.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais has warned his team not to take the Pumas lightly ahead of their Currie Cup Premier Division sixth round clash at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday.

NEWS: The Wallabies dropped hulking loose forward Lopeti Timani from their bench on Friday, shunning an opportunity to match South Africa's forwards strength in their crucial Rugby Championship Test.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Five teams will play their first home game of the season.

REPORT: Griquas consolidated their position in the top four of the Currie Cup competition with a bonus-point victory over the Boland Cavaliers in Kimberley on Thursday.

NEWS: Ireland back Simon Zebo will be out for around five weeks due to a fractured rib, his club Munster announced on Thursday.

INTERVIEW: Jesse Kriel is not everybody's cup of tea as the Springbok outside centre, but he is determined to prove his detractors wrong.

CURRIE CUP PREMIER DIVISION: There are two key fixtures in Round Six of the Currie Premier Division this weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Worcester Warriors boss Carl Hogg has called for an urgent improvement as his side prepare to face Gloucester at Sixways in the Premiership's M5 derby.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The fear of failure is the reason why many South African teams, and coaches, still resist switching to an expansive game.

SEVENS: The Durban High School Under-18 Rugby Sevens Tournament takes place on Friday and Saturday, September 9 and 10.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Free State Cheetahs head coach Franco Smith has tweaked his back row ahead of his team's clash against the Sharks at Kings Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has made just one change to his side that lost to Western Province for their top of the table clash against the Free State Cheetahs on Saturday. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais made two forced changes to his Currie Cup starting team that will play the Pumas in Nelspruit on Saturday.

REACTION: Leading New Zealand rights groups Thursday criticised an investigation that cleared Chiefs players of sexually assaulting a stripper, while demanding a change to Rugby Union's macho culture.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Pumas have been boosted by the return of their key players ahead Currie Cup clash against the Blue Bulls at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.

Jan de Koning en Eugene Eloff, vir die laaste keer uit die Kaapstad se ateljee, gesels oor die Rugby-Kampioenskap en Curriebeker toernooie.

REACTION: Western Province head coach John Dobson believes they are well equipped to deal with Golden Lions' powerhouse centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Tauriq Ebrahim takes a look at the renowned Moerat family and the next star in a long line of provincial and national representatives.

NEWS: The talented loose forward  Rowan Jenkins has signed a development contract with PRO12 side Ospreys from Aberavon Wizards.

Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim look at the Rugby Championship and Currie Cup competitions, who are both at a critical stage.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wallaby veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper is set to put his Bledisloe Cup woes behind him and hit the Top 14 season running to go some way to appeasing his disgruntled Bordeaux-Begles club President.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Coach Michael Cheika bolstered the line-out as he made two changes to the Wallabies starting team for the Rugby Championship Test against South Africa in Brisbane.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Inspirational Argentina flank Juan Manuel Leguizamon has lost his fitness battle and been ruled out of Saturday's Rugby Championship Test against New Zealand. 

NEWS: Wales international wing Aled Brew has joined Premiership side Bath on a short-term contract until the end of the year.

NEWS: Rob Howley has been appointed Wales coach, following the departure of as Warren Gatland.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The return of Ryan Crotty is one of three changes to the New Zealand side for their Round Three Rugby Championship encounter with Argentina on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has included Francois Hougaard, Juan de Jongh and Jesse Kriel in a revamped backline.

CURRIE CUP ROUND SIX: Griquas will look to take another step closer to the play-offs when they host a dangerous Boland team in Kimberley on Thursday.

INTERVIEW: Lions coach Johan Ackermann wants his young players to 'step up' and show they belong on the big stage.

REACTION: Warren Gatland believes his British and Irish Lions can trump their series win under him in 2013 and defeat world champions New Zealand.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Flank Rynhardt Elstadt and hooker Mike Willemse will both start for Western Province against the Golden Lions at Ellis Park on Friday.

INTERVIEW: Lions coach Johan Ackermann believes that Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies must be given the freedom to play his natural game.

NEWS: South African Dave Wessels has been appointed the new head coach of the Western Force.

NEWS: An investigation into allegations a stripper was sexually assaulted at a Chiefs function has cleared the players.

NEWS: The Waratahs have re-signed injured flyhalf Bryce Hegarty for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: rugby365's Matthew Ackermann looks at how the mighty Lions suddenly have the appearance of a whimpering cub.

EXCLUSIVE: Eugene Eloff, a two-time former Under-19 World Cup winner, talks about the criteria that should apply when appointing coaches and administrators.

INTERVIEW: South Africa are ready 'fight fire with fire' when they play Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Western Province head coach John Dobson knows that his team will have to beat the Golden Lions if they are to have any chance of making this year's Currie Cup Premier Division play-offs.

NEWS: With Siyabonga Ntubeni out for the rest of the season, Western Province have recalled Michael Willemse from the Eastern Province Kings to boost their stocks at hooker.

INTERVIEW: Argentina are no longer the 'easy beats' of the Rugby Championship and New Zealand will show them the necessary respect.

NEWS: London Welsh, one of English Rugby Union's great historic clubs, announced they were set to be taken over by a "California-based investment group" after avoiding a winding-up order.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Prop Ruan Dreyer will start for the Golden Lions against Western Province after returning from a lengthy injury lay-off.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Warren Gatland will face arguably the toughest challenge of his career should he be appointed coach for the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Japan coach Jamie Joseph has pledged to expose his men to the world's top teams as the Brave Blossoms prepare to host the World Cup in just three years' time.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: For 22 years, Gordon Tietjens ruled New Zealand Sevens rugby with an iron fist, bringing unprecedented success and introducing stars such as Jonah Lomu and Christian Cullen to the world.

NEWS: Flank Chris Alcock has signed a one-year deal with the Brumbies ahead of the 2017 season as the Super Rugby franchise are continuing to build a strong 2017 side.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Stuart Lancaster has hit back at suggestions he was insufficiently hands-on during his four years as England head coach. 

INJURY UPDATE: Springbok flyhalf Patrick Lambie has finally taken to the training field at the Sharks after a lengthy lay-off on the sidelines.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: This is the final Schools Top 20 for 2016 and again Paarl Boys' High top the rankings for the second successive year and before that, in 2012.

NEWS: Toulon's South African flank Juan Smith will be out of action for four months after rupturing his left bicep.

NEWS: Gordon Tietjens has decided not to seek a new contract, after 22 years at the helm of the All Black Sevens team.

INJURY UPDATE: The Blue Bulls will head to Nelspruit on Saturday, to play the embattle Pumas, without the services of captain Arno Botha.

The Rugby Championship is in action again this weekend, both matches in Australasia.

NEWS: Amidst new rumours of a cash crunch and avoiding another club revolt, it appears Cheeky Watson is finally ready to step down as President of the Eastern Province Rugby Union.

INJURY UPDATE: The Eastern Province Kings have a number of injury concerns to contend with after their 25-57 defeat to the Free State Cheetahs last weekend. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wallaby loose forward David Pocock has defended his partnership with Michael Hooper in Australia's back row.

INJURY UPDATE: The Golden Lions will be without wing Courtnall Skosan for the rest of their Currie Cup Premier Division campaign.

INTERVIEW: Improving their kicking percentages and eliminating the high error rate are the main focus points for the Springboks.

INJURY UPDATE: Western Province hooker Siyabonga Ntubeni will undergo surgery on his torn Achilles tendon on Wednesday.

SEVENS: Glenwood participated in the “Fields of Dreams” Sevens Tournament on Saturday held at KINGS Park.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: After an impressive victory over the Golden Lions, the Blue Bulls lead the way in terms of player selection in our famous Team of the Week.

REACTION: Saracens coach Mark McCall says despite their five-point win which sees them go top of the Premiership standings, he feels his charges have a long way to go.

REACTION: Connacht coach Pat Lam is adamant his side will quick bounce back quickly.

INJURY UPDATE: Pumas flank Nardus van der Walt will undergo surgery after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in his team's 22-25 loss to Boland last Friday.

NEWS: Springbok Ruan Pienaar showed his true value to Irish province Ulster, helping them to a season-opening 29-8 Pro12 victory over Newport Gwent Dragons.

INJURY UPDATE: The Boland Cavaliers will be without their captain Ryan Nell for the remainder of the Currie Cup season.

NEWS: Stricken Wallaby Christian Lealiifano could join the Brumbies coaching staff next year if illness puts his playing career on hold, the team has said.

NEWS: Former England coach Stuart Lancaster joins Irish Province Leinster as a senior coach with immediate effect.

SEVENS RESULTS: The second Quadrangular sevens tournament hosted by SACS was very successful.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The debate surround Adriaan Strauss' successor as Springbok captain reached fever pitch at the weekend. However, it appears one candidate stands out.

REACTION: Western Province coach John Dobson fired the first broadside in what could be an interesting build-up to a must-win Currie Cup match.

NPC SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 columnist Richard Neal, in his weekly wrap, looks at Round Three of the National Provincial Championship in New Zealand.

SUNDAY PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Tommy Taylor's first Premiership try for Wasps helped Dai Young's men to a 25-20 victory over Exeter Chiefs on Sunday.

NRC ROUND TWO WRAP: The second round of the National Rugby Championship has delivered some surprising results, with expected favourites pushed to their limits.

FIRST DIVISION WRAP: The Leopards opened an eight-point gap at the top of standings in South Africa's second-tier domestic provincial competition.

REACTION: Pumas coach Marthinus Mentz admitted there will be no reprieve for his winless team.

REACTION: Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais believes his team has the right "attitude" heading into the latter half of the Currie Cup season.

INJURY UPDATE: Seasoned hooker Siyabonga Ntubeni faces a lengthy lay-off and is unlikely to return to the playing field this year.

REACTION: Sharks captain Keegan Daniel admitted their 27-34 loss to the Western Province was the result of too many errors.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Australian coach Michael Cheika has included five new faces in a 33-man squad for the upcoming Tests against South Africa and Argentina.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 columnist Ethienne Reynecke digs deeper into travel factors in Southern Hemisphere competitions.

TOP 14 WRAP: Manager Diego Dominguez branded three-time European champions Toulon "rubbish" after they were stunned 25-21 at their Mayol fortress by minnows Brive in the Top 14.

SATURDAY PRO12 WRAP: Rassie Erasmus enjoyed a dream start to life with Munster as the Irish side claimed a 23-13 win away to the Scarlets to kick off their Pro12 campaign in style.

SATURDAY TOP 14 WRAP: A last-gasp Waisea Nayacalevu try rescued a 30-30 draw for Stade Francais as Clermont maintained their unbeaten start in a high intensity rematch of the 2015 Top 14 Final on Saturday.

SATURDAY PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Schalk Burger scored on his Premiership Rugby debut as reigning champions Saracens blew Worcester Warriors away with a second half blitz to secure a bonus-point 35-3 win at the London Double Header.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks' unbeaten run in this year's Currie Cup Premier Division ended when they went down 27-34 to Western Province at Newlands on Saturday.

NEWS: Bordeaux-Begles forwards coach Jacques Brunel said Australia back Adam Ashley-Cooper must undergo some tests in France before playing again.

NEWS: Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies and scrumhalf Francois Hougaard have returned to the training field on Saturday after the Boks' arrival in Australia.

MATCH REPORT: The free State Cheetahs scored nine tries as they thrashed the Eastern Province Kings 57-25 at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

NEWS: The coveted Brett Robinson Medal for the Brumbies' Players' Player of the year was picked up by flyhalf and co-captain Christian Lealiifano at their awards gala.

REACTION: Richard Cockerill was pleased with the composure Leicester Tigers showed to pull off one of the most remarkable comebacks in Premiership history when they fought back from being down by four scores.

NEWS: Stephen Larkham has committed himself to the head coach position at the Brumbies for another season after agreeing a new one-year deal.

FRIDAY PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Sam Harrison's last-gasp try completed an astonishing comeback for Leicester Tigers on Friday.

FRIDAY PRO12 WRAP: Ospreys were targeting a fast start after stuttering out of the gate a year ago and they did just that.

MATCH REPORT: The Blue Bulls put their Currie Cup campaign firmly back on track with an impressive 31-17 win over the Lions in Pretoria on Friday.

NEWS: Despite government opposition, South Africa feature among the four candidates to host the 2023 World Cup.

MATCH REPORT: The Boland Cavaliers held on in the face of a strong late surge to edge the Pumas 25-22 in their Currie Cup Round Five encounter in Wellington on Friday.

NEWS: Two-time Ireland Triple Crown winning flyhalf Paul Dean is to take over as manager of the national team after the November Test series, it was announced on Friday.

INTERVIEW: Four new coaches will be gracing the Premiership in 2016/17, but Bath fans will be most excited about former All Black captain Todd Blackadder's arrival at the Rec.

NEWS: Waratahs captain Michael Hooper has once again broken team records after winning his fourth consecutive Matthew Burke Cup Players’ Player Award at the Waratahs Annual Gala Awards in Sydney.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Eastern Province Kings head coach Barend Pieterse believes their tough schedule this week will put them in good stead going forward as a team.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Flyhalf continues to be a problem position in the Cape and there seems to be no solution in sight for Western Province in this year's Currie Cup Premier Division.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Eastern Province Kings coach Barend Pieterse has made twelve changes to his team that lost to Griquas on Wednesday for their clash against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

NEWS: Fiji rugby officials accepted Friday that they had lost gold-medal winning Sevens maestro Ben Ryan and confirmed they would now advertise for a new coach. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: East London Police and College Rovers were confirmed as the final two qualifiers for the Gold Cup after two nail biting play-off finals last weekend that was decided only in the dying seconds. 

LIVE STREAMING: rugby365 has linked up with School Sport Live to bring you live coverage of the Villager School Sevens tournament starting at 14.40 CAT on Friday, September 2.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The National Rugby Championship (NRC) has delivered enthralling, exciting and telling matches in Round One.  

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jan de Koning spoke to Springbok flyhalf Patrick Lambie in the first of a series of in-depth features.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Free State Cheetahs head coach Franco Smith has made three changes to his starting XV for their clash against the Eastern Province Kings on Saturday. 

NEWS: Springbok Francois Hougaard has been rewarded for the ultimate act of sportsmanship and team values by giving away his Olympic medal to an injured teammate, Seabelo Senatla.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Wallabies will be going all out to break their losing streak when they play the Springboks at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane next weekend.

TOP 14 WEEK THREE: Stade Francais host Clermont in a rematch of the 2015 Top 14 Final trying to play down a disciplinary incident involving Fijian recruit Alipate Ratini.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The road to the Pro12 Final in Dublin on May 27, 2017 begins this weekend.

SEVENS: On Saturday, 3 September 2016 SACS will host its second Quadrangular Sevens.

INTERVIEW: Golden Lions Johan Ackermann believes his team is entering a crucial period in their Currie Cup campaign. Jan de Koning reports.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais believes that his team's Currie Cup Premier Division title aspirations will be put to the test when they face the Golden Lions at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

CURRIE CUP PREMIER DIVISION: Two big derbies, in Pretoria and Cape Town, will spice up the Currie Cup Premier Division this weekend as the competition shifts into a new gear.

NEWS: Adriaan Strauss will retire from Test rugby at the end of the 2016 season. 

PREVIEW: Maverick talents Kurtley Beale and Danny Cipriani will spearhead Wasps' bid to dethrone Saracens and be crowned English champions for the first time since the 2007/08 campaign.

NEWS: Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny confirmed on Thursday that French Top 14 side Toulon would release him to play in next year's British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand. 

NEWS: Gloucester captain Greig Laidlaw has high expectations for the new Premiership season.

NEWS: Harlequins have signed England loosehead prop Dan Murphy from Gloucester.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Boland Cavaliers have made a few late changes to their team that will face the Pumas at the Boland Stadium on Friday.

NEWS: Samoa international wing Sailosi Tagicakibau has left Wasps after requesting a release from his contract for family reasons.

NEWS: Worcester Warriors head coach Carl Hogg hopes his new recruits along with his youngsters can combine and fire the Warriors to Premiership success as they prepare to take on Saracens at the London Double Header on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage will start on the bench for Western Province in the Currie Cup clash against the Sharks at Newlands on Saturday.

NEWS: Scotland international Jon Welsh says Newcastle Falcons' unbeaten pre-season run has left the side in a perfect position for Friday’s Premiership kick-off match against Sale Sharks.

NEWS: The Wallabies have lost Adam Ashley-Cooper's services for the rest of this year's Rugby Championship.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has made just two changes to his team that defeated the Blue Bulls last weekend for the clash against Western Province in Cape Town on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones has told his stars to take the fight to South Africa's bullies when they clash at Twickenham.

REACTION: Australian lock Kane Douglas on Thursday dismissed claims All Blacks prop Owen Franks eye-gouged him during last weekend's fiery Bledisloe Cup clash in Wellington.

NEWS: Maverick flyhalf Quade Cooper has signed a three-year contract with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) taking him back to the Reds.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim analyse the Springbok team selection, the losing culture and Currie Cup dramas.

IN DIE KOLLIG: Jan de Koning en Eugene Eloff bespreek die raadsaal gevegte en magstryde wat Suid-Afrikaanse na die ashoop sleep.

MATCH REPORT: Griquas scored 21 points in a six-minute blitz to set up a convincing 47-24 win over a willing Eastern Province Kings side in Kimberley on Wednesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Robbie Louw, son of Springbok legend Rob Louw, has been named on the Boland Cavaliers bench.

NEWS: Prop Dale Chadwick has left the Sharks to join French second division club Narbonne on a two-year contract.

INTERVIEW: Patience will be key when the Blue Bulls do battle with the Golden Lions in a Currie Cup clash in Pretoria on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australian lock Dean Mumm says they will have their line-out fixed when they play South Africa next week.

REACTION: Matt Toomua's worrying history of concussion could sideline him for the rest of the Rugby Championship.

NEWS: Springbok prop Brendon Botha has signed for Top 14 side Lyon in France.

SEVENS: The kick-off time on Friday, 2 September 2016, for the 48th Villager Sevens has been delayed an hour.

NEWS: Springbok scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar has been forced to leave Irish province Ulster.

THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: rugby365's Matthew Ackermann looks at the 'great' start Allister Coetzee made to his Springbok coaching career.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Pumas are confident they can finally break their Currie Cup duck when they travel to Wellington on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Blue Bulls backline coach David Manuel believes his team can claim a big scalp and win back the hearts of their supporters.

NEWS: Back Jeronimo De la Fuente has been ruled out of Argentina's tour to Australasia.

CURRIE CUP CATCH-UP MATCH: The Eastern Province Kings will face the Griquas in Kimberly on Wednesday with an almost completely new team.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 law guru Paul Dobson looks at the incident leading up to Grey College's last second victory over Paul Roos.

NEWS: Bath announced that former captain Stuart Hooper will take up the role of Performance and Player Development Director.

INTERVIEW:Jamie Roberts says it will be a privilege to play when Harlequins face Premiership new-boys Bristol Rugby at Twickenham as part of the London Double Header this Saturday.

INTERVIEW: Jamie George hopes Saracens can hit the ground running in the London Double Header in their quest to do the 'double double'.

INTERVIEW: Inny-Christian Radebe says Springbok flyhalf Patrick Lambie has played a big role in his growth as a player at the Sharks.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After a 10-year career with Leicester Tigers, No.8 Jordan Crane is ready to help Premiership Rugby new boys Bristol Rugby in their quest for victory against Harlequins at Twickenham on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Edinburgh Rugby flyhalf Jason Tovey will miss the first eight weeks of the Pro12 season due to a wrist injury.

NEWS: Sale Sharks newly-appointed captain Josh Beaumont believes his team are to mount an assault on Premiership Rugby’s top four.

NEWS: Scarlets captain Ken Owens admits his side opening Pro12 season match against Munster is a tough challenge.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Blue Bulls head coach Nollis Marais has made a few changes to the team that lost to the Sharks last weekend for their clash against the Golden Lions on Friday. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Albertus Smith and Rohan Janse van Rensburg will both make their first starts for the Golden Lions this season against the Blue Bulls in Pretoria on Friday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Lwazi Mvovo and Francois Hougaard were both included in the 28-man Springbok squad for the two away Rugby Championship Tests against Australia and New Zealand.

NEWS: Loose forward Tim Agaba and scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage are set to feature for Western Province in the coming weeks.

INJURY UPDATE: Boland are set to be bolstered by the return of Jacques Engelbrecht and Zandre Jordaan.

INJURY UPDATE: There were no new major injury concerns for the Sharks ahead of their Round Five clash with Western Province at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.  

NEWS: The Waratahs have secured the services pf powerful locks, Dean Mumm and Leon Power.

NEWS: Crusaders legend Leon MacDonald will join the Crusaders coaching team ahead of the 2017 Super Rugby season. 

The Rugby Championship has the week off but the Pro 12, the old Celtic League, and the English competitions get started.

NEWS: Fiji has ramped up overtures to Sevens coach Ben Ryan giving him land and a chiefly title to keep the popular Englishman in the South Pacific island nation. 

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina will be without lock Tomas Lavanini and wing Manuel Montero for their tour to New Zealand and Australia in this year's Rugby Championship.

INJURY UPDATE: The Bulls received a mixed bag of new on Monday, ahead of their Currie Cup crunch match with the Golden Lions on Friday.

NEWS: Western Province will add a New Zealand flavour to their coaching panel for their Currie Cup campaign.

SEVENS: For the 48th time the Villager Sevens will take place at the great old club on the Friday following the end of the schools season.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP, WEEK TWO: New Zealand's superiority over the rest of the world was again put on display in glorious fashion this past weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: He never managed it as a player, but now in his first full season as a coach former British & Irish Lion and Wales' superstar Dwayne Peel has a Twickenham victory in his sights.

INTERVIEW: After playing for the USA at the Olympic Games in Rio, Saracens fullback Chris Wyles admits it has been a dream few months. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jim Mallinder believes new club captain Tom Wood is the perfect example to his Northampton Saints side as they target a top-four Premiership finish.

INJURY UPDATE: Centre Daniel du Plessis was the only casualty from Western Province's 36-6 bonus-point win over the Eastern Province Kings in Port Elizabeth last weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Argentina has climb two places to seventh in the World Rugby Rankings after beating South Africa in the Rugby Championships in Salta last Saturday.

Hoërskool Brackenfell klop Hoërskool Tygerberg 30-19 in hul jaarlikse Classic Clashes op Saturdag.

OPINION: rugby365 columnist Brett McKay thinks that Argentina have overtaken both the Springboks and Wallabies in the Rugby Championship pecking order.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Players from the Golden Lions and Sharks dominate rugby365's famous Currie Cup Premier Division Team of the Week for Round Four.

RESULTS: The first round of the second Maties schools’ tournament delivered some surprise results on Saturday.

NPC SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 columnist Richard Neal, in his weekly wrap, looks at Round Two of the National Provincial Championship in New Zealand.

INJURY UPDATE: The Eastern Province Kings came out relatively unscathed following a bruising encounter against Western Province on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Despite a bruising 35-41 loss to the Griquas last Friday in the Currie Cup Premier Division, the Pumas have not been severely affected by new injuries.

WRAP - NRC ROUND ONE: The National Rugby Championship (NRC) has delivered four enthralling, exciting and telling matches to complete the opening round of the competition.

NEWS: The All Blacks have released a number of players to their respective National Provincial Championship teams as the Rugby Championship takes a break this coming weekend.

SACS did not allow Wynberg Boys’ High School to end their week of 175th Anniversary celebrations in the manner they would have liked.

NEWS: The All Blacks star first flyhalf Beauden Barrett has inked a new deal across all levels of the game, in what is a major signing for New Zealand Rugby.

TOP 14 REPORT: Clermont beat Montpellier 26-22 for their first win of the new Top 14 season on Sunday, but were made to work hard for victory.

After beating Bishops 15-14 at Rondebosch, Rondebosch beat them 30-26 at Bishops.

REACTION: Senior figures within English rugby union have hit out at the "ludicrous" fixture schedule for next year's British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.

INTERVIEW: Bristol have had to wait a long time for their return to the Premiership but now that it is here – skipper Jack Lam does not want his side to fluff their lines.

REACTION: Golden Lions head coach Johan Ackermann said his squad will be further bolstered by the return of key players ahead of their clash against the Blue Bulls next weekend.

REACTION: Saturday's match against Argentina in Salta was the Springboks' fifth outing of the 2016 season, but they still have not improved much since their loss to Ireland in Cape Town in June.

It seems that this is the end of the schools season for teams played with 15 players aside.

REACTION: Argentina coach Daniel Hourcade hailed his "huge-hearted" team on Sunday after a 26-24 Rugby Championship triumph over South Africa - their first at home against the twice former world champions. 

REACTION: Pumas head coach MJ Mentz was disappointed with the many try-scoring opportunities his team spurned during their 35-41 loss to Griquas on Friday.

TOP 14 ROUND TWO WRAP: Top 14 heavyweights Racing 92 and Toulon put their opening day blues behind them on Saturday, bouncing back with wins over Lyon and Pau on the second day of French rugby union action.

REACTION: Michael Cheika said Sunday he did not feel under threat as coach, as the Wallabies eyed a record low-point of Test defeats in the wake of their latest heavy loss to New Zealand.

NEWS: Springbok flank Teboho Mohoje has been issued with a Citing Commissioner Warning for foul play during his team's 24-26 loss to Argentina in Salta on Saturday.

REACTION: All Blacks prop Owen Franks will not be cited for alleged gouging in New Zealand's 29-9 victory over Australia on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Springboks wing Ruan Combrinck was ruled out of action for up to six weeks after he sustained a fractured fibula in the Boks' 24-26 loss to Argentina on Saturday in Salta. 

OPINION: A brave second half fight back was not enough to rescue the Springboks from suffering an historic 24-26 defeat at the hands of Argentina in Salta.

OPINION: Argentina dominated the first half and that proved to be crucial in bagging a 26-24 victory over South Africa as their replacements let them down in the second half.

REPORT: Curwin Bosch contributed 21 points to ensure his side's fourth consecutive Currie Cup victory with a 26-19 over the Blue Bulls in Durban.

REPORT: Argentina toiled hard for most of the 80 minutes to claim an historic 26-24 victory over South Africa in Salta, despite the visitors' launching a late second half comeback.

REPORT: Huw Jones scored a hat-trick as Western Province recorded their first win of the Currie Cup season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Newcastle Falcons' Director of Rugby Dean Richards insists his side have a bright Premiership season ahead of them.

INTERVIEW: England flank Tom Wood believes the arrival of Louis Picamoles in Franklin Gardens has provided a major boost for the Premiership outfit.

REACTION: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen his team's greater skill is what managed to overcome a spiteful Wallaby team.

REACTION: Claims of eye-gouging cast a dark shadow over New Zealand's impressive Bledisloe Cup triumph over Australia.

OPINION: The Wallabies winless streak continued as they suffered their sixth consecutive Test-match defeat dating back to the Rugby World Cup Final in England last year.

OPINION: The All Blacks won the Bledisloe Cup for the fourteenth year in succession with a well-deserved 29-9 bonus-point victory against the Wallabies at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday.

REPORT: New Zealand taught Australia another lesson with a 29-9 victory that ensured the Bledisloe Cup will stay in All Black hands for at least another year.

REPORT: The iconic Ranfurly Shield, New Zealand's most prized domestic silverware, will stay in Hamilton.

INTERVIEW: Springbok captain Adriaan Strauss said he and his teammates are bracing themselves for a fired up Argentinian team in Salta on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Griquas continued their good form when they beat the Pumas 41-35 at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: The Golden Lions scored nine tries as they thumped the Boland Cavaliers 60-12 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Western Province will be out correct certain issues in their game when they face the Eastern Province Kings at the Nelson Mandela bay Stadium on Saturday.

NEWS: Former Sale Sharks scrumhalf Cillian Willis is suing Premiership club Sale Sharks after sustaining two head injuries in 2013.

NEWS: Olympic silver medallist Ollie Lindsay-Hague is leaving Harlequins after seven years with the club.

INTERVIEW: Saracens swept all before them last season, but Premiership-winning captain Brad Barritt insists the English champions are working like underdogs.

NEWS: Time is limited for candidates hoping to replace Oregan Hoskins as President of The South African Rugby Union.

REACTION: New Zealand say Saturday's Test in Wellington against Australia is all about securing the Bledisloe Cup for a 14th straight year.

In a Premier Interschools Match at Bishops on Saturday, the neighbours will continue a rivalry  of well over a century.

INTERVIEW: Australian great Matt Giteau says he will be on hand to advise his French club, three-time European champions Toulon.

TOP 14 WEEK TWO: Two weeks ago few would have thought that Top 14 giants Racing 92 and Toulon, favourites to win the Bouclier de Brennus this year, would slump to opening weekend defeats.

INTERVIEW: Australian coach Michael Cheika struck back Friday at mounting criticism of his side as he looks for a face-saving performance in Saturday's second Test against New Zealand.

NEWS: Australia and South Africa would lose one team each under a potential new streamlined 16-team Super Rugby model under consideration.

Stephen Mathew has the privilege of leading Wynberg Boys in their annual Classic Clash against SACS on Saturday in a match that also marks the school's 175th anniversary.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP, ROUND TWO: And so to Salta, a long leap for the teams from Nelspruit last Saturday to the foot of the Andes this Saturday.

Two old schools, Wynberg and SACS, meet again on the rugby field, and this time it's a really special occasion.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP, ROUND TWO: Complacency is the big battle facing the back-to-back World Cup champion All Blacks.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Daniel Hourcade has made just one change to his matchday squad for the return Rugby Championship Test against South Africa.

NEWS: Officials in charge of England's elite Premiership club competition joined the calls for reform of what they say is an "unsustainable" international calendar.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A large number of new players have arrived in the Premiership over the close season with some moving between clubs in England's top flight.

INTERVIEW: Argentina head coach Daniel Hourcade believes Saturday's Rugby Championship match against South Africa in Salta will be different due to the weather conditions.

CURRIE CUP PREMIER DIVISION: The Sharks will be looking to extend their unbeaten run when they face the Blue Bulls at Kings Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Olympic Sevens Bronze medallists Cheslin Kolbe and Werner Kok will both start for Western Province against the Eastern Province Kings, at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, in Port Elizabeth, on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The respective winners of two of the most famous trophies in South African club rugby go head to head on Saturday as the race for the last two places in the upcoming Gold Cup reaches its climax.

REACTION: Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais believes that his team cannot afford to concede early points if they are to topple the Sharks.

NEWS: Sevens star Seabelo Senatla has signed a new three-year tripartite contract with Western Province Rugby and the South African Rugby Union.

REACTION: Springbok coach said Elton Jantjies will be given time to settle at flyhalf and Johan Goosen at fullback.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas coach Peter Engledow has tweaked his starting XV that beat the Golden Lions last weekend for their clash against the Pumasin Nelspruit on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has made four changes to his team to face the Blue Bulls in their Currie Cup Premier Division Round Four clash in Durban on Saturday.

REACTION: All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has backed wing Julian Savea to justify his selection against the Wallabies in Wellington on Saturday.

REACTION: Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper said Saturday's match against the All Blacks will not be his personal attempt at redemption on the international stage.

NEWS: Bristol confirmed Andy Robinson has committed his future to the Premiership club.

Tauriq Ebrahim and Eugene Eloff puts the spotlight on some of the mediocrity seen in the Rugby Championship and also discuss the Currie Cup.

TEAM ANNOUMCEMENT: Quade Cooper has been thrown a Test lifeline after being recalled Thursday to the Australian side.

NEWS: Flank Guy Mercer has been appointed Bath captain ahead of the 2016/17 season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Boland Cavaliers coach Brent Janse van Rensburg has made a number of changes to his team to face the Golden Lions in a Currie Cup match on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Centre Anton Lienert-Brown will make his debut for New Zealand on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 columnist Richard Neal, looks at the lack of spectators in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ricky Schroeder, one of the loan players, will continue to lead the Eastern Province Kings into battle Western Province.

NEWS: The Melbourne Rebels have kept faith in international quality wing Dom Shipperley by re-signing him for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

REACTION: Australian Rugby Union Chief Executive Bill Pulver says his organisation won't go as far as the All Blacks by sweeping their rooms for listening devices.

In his first year of playing in the first XV, Tiaan de Witt will lead Hoërskool Tygerberg as they head to Hoërskool Brackenfell to attempt to continue their dominance in their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

Hoërskool Brackenfell captain Ruan Combrinck is keen to put an end to their six-year winning drought when their go head-to-head against Hoërskool Tygerberg in their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

INTERVIEW: Australia international and former Waratahs playmaker Kurtley Beale has revealed that he relishes the prospect of starting his new journey at Premiership club the Wasps.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Pumas are determined to record their first win of the Currie Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Despite Australia losing their last five Tests, Wallaby coach Michael Cheika's job is safe - for now.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais has made three changes to his starting team that will face the Sharks in their Currie Cup clash on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Vincent Koch will replace the injured Julian Redelinghuys in the only change to the Springboks' starting XV.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann has completely revamped his team for their Currie Cup Round Four encounter with the Boland Cavaliers.

Again we publish the results of matches when two schools meet.

INTERVIEW: Argentina are determined to reverse not only last week's narrow loss to South Africa, but also the last encounter the two teams had in Salta.

NEWS: New Zealand sevens coach Gordon Tietjens will only make a final decision on his coaching future after the post-Olympics review.

INJURY UPDATE: Australian international Matt Giteau could be out of action with injury for four months, Toulon President Mourad Boudjellal said.

THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: rugby365's Matthew Ackermann looks back at the Springbok 'victory' over the Pumas this past weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks' previous visit to Salta was an intimidating affair. rugby365 brings you the latest from the Bok camp.

It was close and it was tough but Boland Landbou beat rivals Oakdale of Riversdale 27-22 in Agter-Paarl on Saturday.

On Saturday, Paarl Gim entertained Outeniqua from George and won - 59-42, nine tries to six.

NEWS: French Top 14 side Bordeaux-Begles announced on Tuesday that they had signed Kobus van Wyk as an emergency replacement for injured fullback Darly Domvo.

INTERVIEW: With three wins from three in this year's Currie Cup Premier Division, the Sharks are brimming with confidence ahead of their showdown with the Blue Bulls in Durban on Saturday.

SACS captain James Brewer is looking to rain on Wynberg Boys' 175th Anniversary with a rare double over them when the teams meet in a Classic Clash at Wynberg on Saturday.

NEWS: England international and Exeter Chief newcomer Ollie Devoto says his team should continue to build on their pre-season form as they tackle Newport-Gwent Dragons on Friday.

Cwengile Jadezweni of Stellenbosch becomes South Africa's latest Test referee.

NEWS: Head coach Alan Solomons has named hooker Stuart McInally and lock Grant Gilchrist as Edinburgh Rugby's co-captains for the 2016/17 season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 columnist Richard Neal, in the first of his weekly wraps, looks at the 'new' National Provincial Championship in New Zealand.

NEWS: In what promises to be a Championship campaign that breaks new ground, Dublin has been chosen as the host city for this season's Pro12 Final on May 27, 2017.

REACTION: The Free State Cheetahs will look to build on their early season momentum and become more consistent.

INTERVIEW: Argentina wing Manuel Montero is hoping to have another opportunity to start for the Pumas when they face the Springboks in Salta on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Black veteran Jerome Kaino, now 33, is using his experience on the international stage to help groom the next generation of All Blacks stars.

NEWS: Wales international prop Ryan Bevington has agreed to join Bristol Rugby with immediate effect.

NEWS: Playmaker Quade Cooper is set to be included in Michael Cheika's Wallaby team for their Rugby Championship Round Two clash against the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Western Province head coach John Dobson confirmed that Sevens star Werner Kok is in his squad for the rest of the Currie Cup Premier Division campaign.

CLASSIC CLASH WRAP:  Hudson Park and Framesby ended their season on a successful note while Punt Hoërskool, Swartberg SS and Hexvallei SS also managed narrow wins.

TOURNAMENT: The first round of the second Maties schools Tournament will be played at Stellenbosch on Saturday August 27, 2016.

The Rugby Championship marches on - to Wellington and Salta.

NEWS: The British and Irish Lions coach will be announced on September 7, the team's management revealed on Monday.

INJURY UPDATE: The Blue Bulls have paid a dear price for their 49-35 win over the Eastern Province Kings at the weekend.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP, WEEK ONE: It should not come as a surprise that the world's top-ranked team dominates rugby365's famous weekly selection.

NEWS: New Zealand have extended their cushion at the top of the World Rugby rankings following their masterclass against Australia in the opening round of the Rugby Championship.

INJURY UPDATE: The Sharks will be without loose forward Lubabalo Mtembu for their clash against the Blue Bulls at Kings Park on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Players from the Free State Cheetahs, the Sharks and Griquas dominate our famous Currie Cup Premier Division Team of the Week for Round Three.

The Rugby Championship marches on - to Wellington and Salta.

INJURY UPDATE: The Pumas have several injury concerns to contend with ahead of their next game against Griquas at Mbombela Stadium on Friday.  

REPORT: Dale College claimed a thrilling 32-30 victory over Queen's College in their Classic Clash at the Recreation Grounds in Queenstown on Saturday.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby has presented the Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph with a pounamu mere in recognition of his 100 games at the helm of the Super Rugby club, the Highlanders.

REACTION: New Zealand have denied they are paranoid about being spied on amid revelations they routinely sweep hotel rooms for listening devices.

REACTION: Springbok scrumhalf Francois de Klerk said he was frustrated with the amount of slow ball he got during his team's 30-23 victory over Argentina on Saturday. Warren Fortune reports. 

INJURY UPDATE: Eastern Province Kings skipper Schalk Ferreira will most likely not be available for the rest of the season following a groin strain sustained during the Boland Cavaliers match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium two weeks ago.

IN THE SPOTKIGHT: The Wallabies' poor defence can be fixed, assistant coach Nathan Grey said Monday.

REACTION: All Blacks hooker Dane Coles, who is carrying a rib injury, said he hardly had any problems during his team's 42-8 victory over Australia in Sydney last Saturday.

Grey College scored 12 points in four minutes to beat Paul Roos 34-32 in an FNB Classic Clash in Bloemfontein.

NEWS: The England-born coach of Fiji's gold medal-winning Sevens team, Ben Ryan, has been awarded one of the Pacific nation's highest civil honours at a ceremony in the capital Suva on Monday.

INJURY UPDATE: New Zealand rushed five players into their squad as injury cover on Monday, ahead of the second Rugby Championship Test against Australia in Wellington.

REACTION: Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann does not see his team's 24-30 loss to Griquas as a 'setback'.

TOP 14 WRAP: Bayonne stunned three-time European champions Toulon 28-23 at the Stade Jean Dauger on Sunday in their first match back in the French Top 14 since promotion.

REACTION: Eastern Province Kings coach Barend Pieterse believes that his team's depth will be put to the test in the next two weeks.

REACTION: Bulls coach Nollis Marais is adamant his team will be able to raise their game for their Currie Cup crunch match with the Sharks.

REPORT: After a virtual no-show against Bishops the week before, SACS bounced back and beat their hosts Rondebosch 28-10.

REACTION: Loose forward Teboho Mohoje repaid the faith Springbok head coach Allister Coetzee had in him. Warren Fortune reports from Nelspruit.

TOP 14 WRAP: Defending French Top 14 champions Racing 92 slipped to a 9-15 defeat at Bordeaux-Begles on the opening day of the new season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rugby and golf thrived on their return to the Olympics after a century away, but will soon face new challengers in the battle to retain a place beyond the Tokyo 2020 Games.

REACTION: Fiji's gold-medal-winning Sevens team received a tumultuous heroes' welcome when they returned home from Rio Sunday to launch two days of celebrations.

INJURY UPDATE: Springbok prop Julian Redelinghuys will not travel with the 27-man squad to Argentina this coming week.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Like autumn days, the rugby matches dwindle down to a precious few as the rugby season peters out.

REACTION: Argentina head coach Daniel Hourcade has called for an 80-minute performance in Salta next weekend. Warren Fortune reports from Nelspruit.

REACTION: South African captain Adriaan Strauss said the valuable lessons they learnt in June against Ireland helped them against Argentina. Warren Fortune reports from Nelspruit.

REACTION: New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has paid tribute to the contributions of Beauden Barrett and Dane Coles.

REACTION: The woes mounted for the beleaguered Wallabies on Sunday.

OPINION: Argentina's hearts were left broken by a late Springbok comeback in their opening Rugby Championship encounter, however, they deserved more from the match.

OPINION: The Springboks may have beaten Argentina 30-23 but celebrating this victory would be a crying shame as they struggled to execute the simple basics in the opening round of the Rugby Championship.

REPORT: Griquas produced some of their best rugby to date to beat the Golden Lions 30-24 in their Currie Cup encounter at Griqua Park in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon.

REPORT: The Springboks scored 17 points in the final 10 minutes to secure a shameful 30-23 victory over a determined Argentina in Nelspruit.

REACTION: New Zealand captain Kieran Read says the execution in his side was not as good in the second half in their 42-8 win against the Australia in the Rugby Championship clash in Sydney on Saturday.

OPINION: The All Blacks' performance in the opening Rugby Championship encounter against the Wallabies proved that they are miles ahead of other countries as they thumped the home team 42-8 in Sydney.

OPINION: Australia were handed a lesson when they suffered an 8-42 defeat at the hands of New Zealand in their opening Rugby Championship match in Sydney.

LIVE NOW: rugby365 has linked up with School Sport Live to bring you live coverage of the massive derby between Rondebosch and SACS!

SCHOOLS LIVE STREAMING: rugby365 has linked up with School Sport Live to bring you live coverage of the massive derby between Paarl Gimnasium and Outeniqua!

REPORT: New Zealand were in an unforgiving mood as they destroyed Australia 42-8 in Sydney to lay down an early marker for the remainder of the Rugby Championship.

NEWS: Toulon signed Australian back Matthew Carraro as a medical joker on Friday to replace injured Japan full-back Ayumu Goromaru.

NEWS: A day after All Blacks arrived in Sydney, a listening device was found during a routine security sweep on Monday at the hotel.

INTERVIEW: The Lions will arrive in Kimberley on Saturday with a 'secret weapon'.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Josh Isaacson spent the week at the Argentina camp in Johannesburg and spoke to Pumas coach Daniel Hourcade.

REPORT: The Blue Bulls secured a 49-35 bonus-point win over the Eastern Province Kings in their Currie Cup encounter at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

REPORT: The Cheetahs held on for a thrilling 32-25 win over Western Province in their Currie Cup Round Three match at Newlands on Friday.

REPORT: The Sharks had too much fire power for a hapless Boland Cavaliers team in their Currie Cup Round Three match in Wellington on Friday.

NEWS: Ireland prop Finlay Bealham has extended his contract with Pro12 side Connacht.

NEWS: Chiefs coach Dave Rennie will leave New Zealand Rugby at the end of the 2017 Super Rugby season.

NEWS: Samoan international Jack Lam has been appointed as Bristol captain for the 2016/17 season.

INTERVIEW: It seems Argentina's powerhouse No.8 Facundo Isa is firmly on Springbok Warren Whiteley's mind ahead of Saturday's Rugby Championship Round One clash at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. Warren Fortune reports.

NEWS: South African-born flank Nick Fenton-Wells will miss Bristol's opening Premiership match after being banned for an offence he committed last season.

Two of the best agricultural schools in South Africa meet in Agter-Paarl on Saturday.

INTERVIEW: The Wallabies are hoping a new focus will help them upset New Zealand in the opening Rugby Championship Test.

The Classic Clash match between Hexvallei SS and De Kruine holds special meaning to Hexvallei captain Terrence Ludix, as it was in this derby that he made his first XV debut.

NEWS: The Melbourne Rebels have signed Welsh international lock Dominic Day, as they continue to boost their forward pack for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

INTERVIEW: Springbok prop Vincent Koch, who will start on the Springboks' bench against Argentina, is ready to bury the demons after a nightmarish experience against the same opponents a year ago. Warren Fortune reports.   

NEWS: New Zealand suffered a setback Friday on the eve of their Rugby Championship opener against Australia with hooker Nathan Harris sustaining a serious knee injury.

THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND ONE: In their first match in SANZAAR's 2016 Championship South Africa and Argentina meet in Nelspruit in the subtropical Lowveld.

It's Paul Roos's turn to trek north to Bloemfontein for their FNB Classic Clash with Grey College.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND ONE: Australia will set out to overturn 14 years of All Blacks torment when they open their Rugby Championship title defence against their New Zealand nemesis in Sydney on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Round Three matches serve as extended and exciting curtain raisers to the Springboks' opening Rugby Championship Test against Argentina.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Eastern Province Kings will face the Blue Bulls in their Currie Cup Round Three encounter without skipper Schalk Ferreira.

This FNB Classic Clash is a Border War, and yet a gentlemanly one, fought with skill, strength and speed and with laws equally applied.

REACTION: Springbok wing Bryan Habana will have the added responsibility of guiding an inexperienced backline against Argentina in the opening round of the Rugby Championship on Saturday. Warren Fortune reports.

PREVIEW: rugby365 and School Sports Live brings you live streaming of Rondebosch hosting neighbours and rivals SACS on Saturday in their penultimate match of the season.

He may only be in his first year of first XV rugby but Johann Joubert has been trusted with Paul Roos Gimnasium's captaincy as the team heads to Bloemfontein to tackle old rivals Grey College in their annual Classic Clash.

REACTION: Based on their performances against Ireland in the in June, Springbok head coach Allister Coetzee made it clear that his team will have to improve drastically on the field if they are to beat Argentina on Saturday. Warren Fortune reports.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina captain Agustin Creevy will bring up his half-ton against South Africa in Nelspruit on Saturday.

PREVIEW: rugby365 and School Sports Live brings you live streaming of two of South Africa's top rugby teams meeting in Paarl - Paarl Gim and Outeniqua of George.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Julian Redelinghuys will earn his first start for the Springboks against Argentina in Nelspruit on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach  Johan Ackermann made a number of changes to his team to Griquas in a Currie Cup game in Kimberley on Saturday.

In the Currie Cup match between the Golden Lions and the Pumas at Ellis Park, there was confusion about player numbers.

In his final match as captain of Grey College's first XV, Gideo Beukes is hopeful of regaining the Classic Clash bragging rights when they host Paul Roos Gymnasium on Saturday.

Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim puts the Springboks' first BIG Test of the year in the spotlight.

Langenhoven Gimnasium will have their backs against the wall in their Classic Clash against Punt on Saturday as a number of injuries have forced them to field an inexperienced team.

Mihlali Peter will lead a highly experienced Queen's College team onto the field for their Classic Clash against Dale College on Saturday.

Hawston captain Showan Moos knows the feeling of bagging an Classic Clash victory over Swartberg and is hopeful of leading his team to retain the bragging rights.

A dying second loss in the 2015 Classic Clash is fresh on Framesby captain Ruben le Roux' mind as he is set to lead his against Nico Malan in the 2016 edition of the long-standing rivalry.

With an excellent season behind them, De Kruine captain Tristan Sneygans is hopeful his charges can end their season on a high when they take on rivals Hexvallei in their annual Classic Clash.

Jan de Koning en Eugene Eloff plaas die Springbokke se eerste Rugby-Kampioenskap Toets teen Argentinië onder die vergrootglas.

REACTION: All Blacks and Hurricanes flyhalf Beauden Barrett says he wasn't expecting to start for the All Blacks in this weekend's Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup opener against Australia.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A few Wallabies shaved their heads as a mark of respect for teammate Christian Lealiifano ahead of their clash against the All Blacks on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Argentina defence coach Pablo Bouza believes that his team must learn from the Jaguares' lack of tactical awareness during this year's Super Rugby season in order to make sure that the same mistakes are not repeated on the international stage.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Coach Michael Cheika welcomed back 315 Tests of experience for Australia's Bledisloe Cup and 2016 Rugby Championship opener.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Playmaker Beauden Barrett will start in the No.10 jersey for the All Blacks in their Bledisloe Cup match against Australia at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Saturday.

NEWS: Gregor Townsend will replace Vern Cotter as the head coach of the Scotland national side at the end of the 2016/17 season, the Scottish Rugby Union announced Wednesday.

In the absence of regular captain Siyanda Am, Siphosethu Dlongodlongo has received the honour of leading Dale College in their annual Classic Clash against old foes Queen's College.

Led by Reghardt van Eyk, Hoërskool Punt would want to end their season on a high note as they go head-to-head against Langenhoven Gimnasium in their annual Classic Clash.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok flank Schalk Burger says he is relishing a new challenge at Saracens after joining the English club's pre-season training earlier this week.

Hoping to add his name to a long list of memorable Cambridge High School first XV captains is Pumezo Kanzi, who will lead the side in their annual Classic Clash against Hudson Park High School on Saturday.

Hosts Swartberg Secondary School would want to avoid a second consecutive defeat as they go up against Hawston Secondary School in their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

Hoërskool Nico Malan's experienced captain Bendré Jonck will want to secure back-to-back victories when his side travels to Hoërskool Framesby for their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

Led by Libhongo Geza, Hudson Park High School hopes to end their season on a high note as they go head-to-head against Cambridge High School in their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has made four changes to the team that defeated Griquas last weekend for their Round Three Currie Cup Premier Division clash again Boland in Wellington on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Boland Cavaliers have made only two changes for their third match of the Currie Cup season against the Sharks in Wellington on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais believes that his team needs to be more accurate on both attack and defence if they are to learn from the errors that plagued them in their 20-43 defeat to the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Province coach John Dobson has made a number of changes to his team to face the Free State Cheetahs at Newlands on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Free State Cheetahs will be without captain Francois Venter for their clash against Western Province at Newlands on Friday.

INTERVIEW: New Zealand fullback Israel Dagg is expecting a lot from Australia when the two meet for the opening Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney on Saturday.

NEWS: Leinster will be without their defence coach Kurt McQuilkin who is returning home to New Zealand for personal reasons.

NEWS: Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young has named England lock Joe Launchbury as Wasps' captain ahead of the 2016/17 season.

NEWS: Sale Sharks hooker Cameron Neild and England Saxons centre Sam James have signed new four-year contracts after making their mark at the club in the Premiership.

NEWS: After much confusion, three-time European champions Toulon have eventually managed to secure the signature of Australian flank Liam Gill, although the confirmation remains subject to a full medical.

INTERVIEW: Argentina's 33-year-old veteran lock Juan Manuel Leguizamón believes that the passion and emotion shown by the players in the Argentina national team has the ability to lift their game.

NEWS: Oregan Hoskins has vacated his position as SA Rugby president with immediate effect at a general council meeting on Wednesday.

INTERVIEW: Juan de Jongh is hoping to secure a regular spot in Allister Coetzee's Springbok squad after nearly four years in the international wilderness.

THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: rugby365's Matthew Ackermann found a new 'gold rush' in the Fijian Islands.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Start from scratch and build a solid foundation for future success.

REPORT: At Bishops on Tuesday afternoon, SA Schools beat France Under-19 42-3 after a slow start.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Argentina expect South Africa to be at their 'brutal; best' when the two teams meet in the opening round of the Rugby Championship on Saturday.

NEWS: Scrumhalf Francois Hougaard will miss the Springboks' first two matches in this year's Rugby Championship because of a knee niggle.

REPORT: SA Schools A redeemed their Day one performance by securing a 53-14 win over England on Day two of the Under-19 International Series.

NEWS: New Zealand is facing an intriguing midfield poser, with the news that star centre George Moala has been ruled out of their Rugby Championship opener.

NEWS: The Waratahs received a huge boost with confirmation that Australian Olympic Sevens star Cameron Clark has signed with the team until the end of 2018.

REPORT: Wales were in an unforgiving mood as they put Italy to the sword to claim a comfortable 41-15 victory in their second Under-19 International Series match at Bishops on Tuesday.

INTERVIEW: Springbok utility back Johan Goosen says playing in France with some of the world's best players has helped his game a lot in the last two years.

INJURY UPDATE: The Pumas are counting the cost of their 26-68 loss to the defending champion Golden Lions in their Currie Cup encounter at Ellis Park last week.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blue Bulls have been given a significant boost ahead of their Currie Cup[ Round Three encounter with the Eastern Province Kings at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

New Zealand's provincial competitions are getting under way with law adaptations in them.

REACTION: Fiji's euphoria following their historic Olympic gold medal in Sevens could be tinged with sadness.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: What do you do when SA Schools play, and teams with players involved in those two teams play and lose?

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks will be out to nullify Argentina's strongest weapon, the scrum, when they face off in their Rugby Championship Round One match in Nelspruit on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Two teams made a big statement of intent this past weekend and they were rewarded in rugby365's famous weekly selection.

As the season peters out it seems that there are more 'big' games than ever especially in the southern part of the country.

INJURY UPDATE: Western Province coach John Dobson will be sweating over the result of Springbok loose forward Nizaam Carr's arthroscopic surgery.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The six Under-19 teams taking part in the International Series will be in action at Bishops on Tuesday.

NEWS: Northampton Saints have signed Argentina Sevens star Juan Pablo Estelles from Atletico del Rosario.

REACTION: SA Rugby said was it was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former struggle stalwart and South African Minister of Sport and Recreation, Makhenkesi Stofile.

INJURY UPDATE: The Eastern Province Kings, already struggling with limited resources, have a number of injury concerns.

SANZAAR's championship starts this weekend in Sydney and Nelspruit.

INJURY UPDATE: Olympic Bronze medalist Francois Hougaard is doubtful for the Springboks opening match of the Rugby Championship against Argentina in Nelspruit on Saturday. 

EXCLUSIVE: Eugene Eloff, a two-time former Under-19 World Cup winner, shares a few success stories of players that made it when no one gave them a chance.

REPORT: In Paarl, a crowd of more than 12 000 filled up the Faure Street Stadium for a tightly contested match as Klein Nederburg Secondary School secured a narrow 10-7 win against New Orleans Secondary School.