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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: With many schools conjuring up a long weekend, there were few matches this weekend, the big one being the great Paarl Interschools derby.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Again we try to reward teams that are playing, a time when several stop playing.

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.

REPORT: The Classic Clash title exchanged hands as Hoërskool Noord-Kaap stormed to a 32-17 win over Hoërskool Diamantveld on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Graeme College ended their season on a high as they beat Muir College 23-6 in Grahamstown on Saturday.  

REACTION: The injection of overseas-based players will make the Wallabies a bigger threat to the All Blacks than they were to England in June.

INTERVIEW: Coach Michael Cheika fired up the war of words with his New Zealand counterpart Steve Hansen on Monday.

REPORT: There is nothing wrong in South African schools rugby if it produces rugby of as great tradition and impeccable manners as this one.

REPORT: In the Classic Clash in East London, Selborne beat Grey of PE 27-21.

REACTION: Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais was left disappointed with his team's inaccuracy after they suffered a 20-43 defeat at the hands of the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

NEWS: The Springboks will draw on various positives from each of the country's Super Rugby franchises as they prepare for the 2016 edition of the Rugby Championship.

REACTION: The Sharks will keep their faith in inexperienced players like Curwin Bosch and Innocent Radebe throughout the Currie Cup competition.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After the long weekend schools have recovered to play more matches, except in KwaZulu-Natal.

REACTION: The Golden Lions may have claimed a more than comfortable 68-26 victory over the Pumas but know they have plenty of sharpening up to do as the tournament wears on.

REACTION: Boland Cavaliers head coach Brent Janse van Rensburg was pleased with the improvement his side showed in their 28-10 victory over the Eastern Province Kings on Friday.

REACTION: Boland Cavaliers head coach Brent Janse van Rensburg was pleased with the improvement his side showed in their 28-10 victory over the Eastern Province Kings on Friday.

REACTION: Boland Cavaliers head coach Brent Janse van Rensburg was pleased with the improvement his side showed in their 28-10 victory over the Eastern Province Kings on Friday.

REACTION: Eastern Province Kings coach Barend Pieterse is counting the costs of his side's Currie Cup opener after two experienced players limped off the field.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Despite being a late call-up into the All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship, Damian McKenzie has been left at home for their opening match against Australia in Sydney.

REACTION: Golden Lions lock Lourens Erasmus scored the fastest try in Currie Cup history on Saturday.

NEWS: It was a weekend of mixed news for the Sharks as they received some positive news about Springbok Patrick Lambie and a shock resignation.

REPORT: The Free State Cheetahs outclassed the Blue Bulls - beating them 43-20 in their Currie Cup Round Two match in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

REPORT: The Lions started the defence of their Currie Cup crown with a 68-26 drubbing of the hapless Pumas at Ellis Park on Saturday.

REACTION: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen feels his side was scrappy at times in their three-way friendly against Northland and Counties ahead of the Rugby Championship.

NEWS: No.8 Duane Vermeulen suffered a knee injury while playing for his French club Toulon and was on Saturday withdrawn from the Springbok squad.

EUROPE'S CALLING: The Australian Rugby Union has granted early releases to Liam Gill and Greg Holmes.

REACTION: The public debate surrounding the All Black brand's link to New Zealand's national Sevens team took another twist on Saturday.

INTERVIEW: There is a new generation of New Zealand loose forwards to torment Wallaby David Pocock, but he is looking forward to the challenge.

NEWS: United States Eagles prop Chris Baumann and towering Waratahs lock Sam Lousi will add bulk to a Wellington Lions squad.

NEWS: Coach Scott Roberston has named three Fijian newcomers in his Canterbury squad to defend the National Provincial Championship, when the competition kicks off next week.

INTERVIEW: Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika looks set to experiment with his back row options during the upcoming Rugby Championship.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks went to the top of the Currie Cup Premier Division standings with a 46-24 bonus-point win over Griquas at Kings Park on Friday.

INTERNATIONAL AGE-GROUP SERIES: The South African Schools beat Wales Under-18 team 23-17 at City Park in Cape Town on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: Boland Cavaliers bagged their first win of the 2016 Currie Cup Premier Division when they beat the Eastern Province Kings 28-10 in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

Grey College of Bloemfontein drop over the Berg and down to warmer Durban to play Glenwood.

REACTION: Great Britain Sevens star Dan Bibby says he hopes their performances at the Rio Olympics will inspire people to play the sport. 

REACTION: New Western Force recruit Curtis Rona is already in the sights of Wallaby coach Michael Cheika.

REPORT: Italy's first half performance proved more than enough to secure them a 23-20 historic victory over South Africa A in the second match of the Under-19 International Series.

PREVIEW: As is customary, Faure Street  Stadium will be home to a big, enthusiastic crowd for an Interschools match.

INTERVIEW: Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann will 'experiment' a bit in the Currie Cup, but retaining their title remains top priority.

REPORT: France failed to score any second half points but hung on to claim a 23-18 victory over England in the first Under-19 International Series match in Cape Town on Friday.

REACTION: Neil Powell, the South African Sevens coach, admitted the players succumbed to 'nerves' in their semifinal loss to Britain at the Rio Olympics.

The versatile Kelvin January looks forward to the chance of leading New Orleans Secondary School against old foes Klein Nederburg in their annual Classic Clash in Paarl on Saturday

PREVIEW: Grey High of Port Elizabeth and Selborne College of East London play each other every year in a match that they first played in 1926.

Reclaiming the Classic Clash honours will be on Grey High School captain, Tertius Groenewald's mind when they travel to East London to take on Selborne on Saturday.

REACTION: Fiji came to a standstill as their Sevens team gave a seven-try masterclass against Britain and secured the Pacific island's first Olympic medal.

OLYMPIC SEVENS: Fiji made history in more ways than one - winning the first title upon rugby's return to the games.

Rasta Rasivhenge of South Africa will referee the Sevens Final in Rio.

It may just be by some years the oldest match in the land - Bishops vs SACS.

RIO OLYMPICS: Fiji will face Britain in the Sevens Final, after two very contrasting semifinals on Thursday.

PREVIEW: On Friday in suburban Cape Town, three Under-19 international matches will be played.

CURRIE CUP PREMIER DIVISION: The Currie Cup will be in full swing this weekend with the Golden Lions, Eastern Province Kings and Griquas kicking off their Premier Division campaigns.

REACTION: Chiefs midfield back Anton Lienert-Brown offers the All Blacks more options than any other player.

Klein Nederburg Secondary School captain Nathan Fredericks will want nothing but a win when his side takes on New Orleans Secondary School in their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: With the bulk of the 26-man SA Schools squad being made up of Western Province players, who took top honours in the Under-18 Craven Week for the second successive year, SA Schools coach Lance Sendin had the luxury of selecting a few settled player combinations.

OLYMPIC SEVENS: New Zealand Seven coach Gordon Tietjens is not using injuries as an excuse for his team's poor performances at the Olympic Sevens in Rio De Janeiro. 

Fullback Gladwin Nieuwenhuizen has been assigned the pivotal role of leading a young Hoërskool Noord-Kaap side against Hoërskool Diamantveld in their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

Hoërskool Diamantveld captain Bernard Zirk Jansen hopes to continue his sides winning streak as they hunt for a third successive Classic Clash win over arch-rivals Hoërskool Noord-Kaap.

NEWS: Newcastle Falcons have signed Tonga back-row forward Opeti Fonua from Leicester Tigers.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Free State Cheetahs head coach Franco Smith has made three changes to the starting XV that beat Boland for their clash against the Blue Bulls in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have gone down the route of dual captaincy for the defence of their Currie Cup crown.

OLYMPIC SEVENS: Japan playmaker Lomano Lemeki is backing his team to cause a few more upsets in the Olympic Sevens competition and win the competition's gold medal.

Inside centre Sango Xamlashe has been tasked with leading a young Selborne side to a second successive victory over Grey High in their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Pumas have been boosted by the arrival of their No.8 Renaldo Bothma, just in time for what promises to be a stern Currie Cup test against the Golden Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim puts the spotlight on Springbok selections and appointments. There is also some Currie Cup and Super Rugby.

Day 3 is a decisive day for the Sevens at the Olympic Games.

Jan de Koning en Eugene Eloff plaas die jongste Springbok aanstellings en span-keuses onder die vergrootglas.

NEWS: Wealthy Top 14 outfit Toulon have been fined €100 000 (£86 000) for exceeding the salary cap during the 2014/2015 season, French Rugby's governing body (LNR) said on Wednesday.

NEWS: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen put a positive spin on the season-ending injury to backline star Sonny Bill Williams, saying Thursday the rest would probably do him good in the long run.

NEWS: Pau announced that they had signed loosehead prop Jamie Mackintosh rival Top 14 side Montpellier. 

OLYMPIC SEVENS: South Africa Sevens captain Kyle Brown said their Pool B defeat to Australia helped them in their Olympic quarterfinal win over the same opponents on Wednesday.

NEWS: New Zealand rugby legend Colin Meads confirmed Thursday that he has cancer, vowing to fight the disease as he requested privacy for his family. 

OLYMPIC SEVENS: New Zealand became the first of the tournament's big guns to be send packing at Rio.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: If you watched the Final of Super Rugby, you know that the title is true.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Boland Cavaliers kept changes to the minimum for their second match of the Currie Cup season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Eastern Province Kings coach Barend Pieterse said he is happy that his team is being written off before the start of their Currie Cup campaign.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann was able to call up a number of his Super Rugby stars, as they start the defence of their Currie Cup crown.

OLYMPIC SEVENS: New Zealand sneaked in the quarterfinals at the Rio Olympics, courtesy of South Pacific rivals Fiji.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas coach Peter Engledow wasted no time in bringing back his big guns for their opening Currie Cup match of the season.

SQAUD ANNOUNCEMENT: Jaguares centre Jerónimo De la Fuente has not been included in the 26-man squad after he sustained an injury ahead of the Rugby Championship match in South Africa.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Utility back Ulrich Beyers will make a welcome return to the Blue Bulls on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks will be without both their Du Preez twins, Jean-Luc and Daniel, when they host Griquas on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The absence of Japan-based fullback Willie le Roux has created a three-way race for the Springbok No.15 jersey.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Unhappy rugby fans are calling on New Zealand Rugby Union to drop the All Blacks tag given to the national sevens team.

NEWS: Sale Sharks have signed England Under-20 hooker Curtis Langdon ahead of the Premiership season.

There were few results but interesting ones.

NEWS: New England Patriots defensive back and United States of America Sevens player Nate Ebner hopes the Sevens side will set the pace for the sport's development in the USA.

REPORT: St Andrew’s College cruised to a 48-12 victory against Muir College in their final match of the season in Grahamstown.

REACTION: Following a successful Day One at the Rio Olympics, South Africa's Sevens team have a crucial pool game against Australia on Wednesday.

THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: rugby365's Matthew Ackermann looks at Super Rugby's new predator!

INTERVIEW: All Black legend Richie McCaw joked Tuesday he was "never good enough" for Sevens, dubbing as "brilliant" the sport's debut at the Olympics.

MEN'S SEVENS DAY ONE UPDATE: After two games in the Olympic Sevens competition, South Africa are yet to concede any points.

NEWS: Code-swapping star Sonny Bill Williams was Tuesday ruled out of the rest of the Olympic men's Sevens with an achilles tendon injury, the New Zealand Olympic team announced.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: It took us a while. However, after much debate, our team of 'selectors' produced what they felt was the best combination of the opening round.

MEN'S SEVENS DAY ONE: Japan caused one of the biggest shocks in Sevens history when they beat New Zealand 14-12 in their opening match of the Olympic Sevens.

NEWS: Connacht Rugby and the IRFU have confirmed the recruitment of lock Lewis Stevenson for the 2016/17 season.

NEWS: Lewis Evans has been named Newport Gwent Dragons captain ahead of the 2016/17 season.

NEWS: Jonny Gray and Henry Pyrgos have been named co-captains of Glasgow Warriors for the 2016/17 season.

NEWS: Prop Schalk Ferreira will captain the Eastern Province Kings in this year's Currie Cup Premier Division.

Super Rugby is over, the Hurricanes delighted, the Lions disappointed.

EXCLUSIVE: Tauriq Ebrahim caught up with South African Schools captain Salmaan Moerat, who is continuing his family's legacy of producing highly talented sportsmen, which dates back to the 80s.

INTERVIEW: Melbourne Rebels utility back Reece Hodge will be happy to make his Wallaby debut in any position amongst the backs during the Rugby Championship.

WRAP: All but one Classic Clash result went the way it was expected after another action packed weekend.

NEWS: One of the most iconic figures of provincial rugby – the Rugby Cup – returns to New Zealand's national competition and will be the silverware presented to the winners of this year's National Provincial Championship.

NEWS: Wallaby Toutai Kefu will return to Ballymore as head coach of Bond University Queensland Country in the 2016 National Rugby Championship (NRC).

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Neil Powell was in a positive frame of mind a day before the start of the South African team's campaign at the Olympic Sevens tournament in Rio de Janeiro.

INJURY UPDATE: The Blue Bulls received a timely boost ahead of their Currie Cup trip to Bloemfontein this week.

NEWS: Jan de Koning reports on the protracted Eastern Province Kings saga, which has more plot twists than your average soap-opera.

Alhambra Nievas of Spain will referee the first-ever Olympic Games Sevens Final.

INTERVIEW: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez will be wanting his team to build on their win against the Pumas when they face Griquas in Round Two of this year's Currie Cup Premier Division.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT:  Players to watch at the Sevens at the Rio Olympics, which gets underway on Tuesday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Wallabies have begun working on their game plan ahead of their Bledisloe Cup match against the All Blacks on August 20.

OPINION: rugby365 columnist Brett McKay asks if the Hurricanes perhaps showed that New Zealand teams now prefer to play without the ball.

NEWS: The Pumas have several injury concerns to contend after their 10-33 loss to the Sharks at the Mbombela Stadium last Friday.

NEWS: The SA Schools and SA Schools A teams began their preparations for the International Series on an inspirational note as they were treated to a talk by Springbok captain Jean de Villiers on Sunday.

NEWS: Western Province are hoping to make the most of their bye week at a training camp in Hermanus.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The 2016 Super Rugby season is done and dusted and now it is time for rugby365's Team of the Tournament.

OLYMPIC SEVENS: Fiji will be hoping to make history by winning a first-ever Olympic medal for their country.

NEWS: Springbok prop Lourens Adriaanse was on Monday called up to the Springbok squad after Trevor Nyakane was ruled out of Boks' first two matches of the Rugby Championship against Argentina because of an ankle injury.

REACTION: Coach Michael Cheika and the Wallabies on Monday backed their teammate Christian Lealiifano to win his fight against leukaemia.

NEWS: Democratic Alliance Mayoral Candidate, Athol Trollip, dropped a bombshell for the beleaguered Eastern Province rugby Union at the weekend, when he said that the ZAR20-million support package that had been promised by the municipality was not a done deal.

The big one was a thriller when Boys' High beat Gim in Paarl.

REACTION: Pumas head coach MJ Mentz admitted that his team was outplayed in their opening Currie Cup Premier Division clash against the Sharks in Nelspruit on Friday.

REACTION: After being involved in a number of Super Rugby Finals, Hurricanes assistant coach John Plumtree can finally add a winners’ tankard to his collection of runners-up achievements.

REACTION: They are already setting a trend the rest of South Africa may follow, but the Lions believe their best is yet to come.

REACTION: The Hurricanes celebrated their break-through Super Rugby championship win Sunday with confirmation coach Chris Boyd will be staying on for the next two years. 

REACTION: Western Province head coach John Dobson gave an honest assessment of his team's performance after their 26-45 defeat at the hands of the Blue Bulls in their Currie Cup Premier Division Round One clash at Loftus Versfeld.

REACTION: Blue Bulls head coach Nollis Marais had mixed feelings after his team's winning start in this year's Currie Cup Premier Division.

NEWS: Hurricanes duo Ben May and Loni Uhila have both been issued with a Citing Commissioner Warning for dangerous play during Saturday's Super Rugby Final.

MATCH REPORT: Just one point but enough to send Paarl Boy's High into ecstasy as they beat Gim 26-25.

REACTION: Hurricanes captain Dane Coles played through the pain barrier as he led his team to their maiden Super Rugby title.

REACTION: Lions head coach Johan Ackermann lamented his team's inability to control possession in the difficult conditions in Wellington on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Free State Cheetahs moved to the top of the standings at the end of the opening round of the Currie Cup competition.

REACTION: The Hurricanes revealed that the late Jerry Collins was a big part of the inspiration behind the franchise's defence this year.

OLYMPIC SPOTLIGHT: When rugby return to the Olympic Games, some of the sport's greatest names will be watching from the sidelines.

NEWS: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has included uncapped Malcolm Marx and recalled Johan Goosen in a squad of 31 players.

OPINION: Another defensively brilliant performance by the Hurricanes saw them keep the Lions try-less to claim a 20-3 victory and secure their first Super Rugby title.

OPINION: The Lions were far off their best in rainy Wellington conditions and succumbed to a 3-20 defeat at the hands of the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby Final on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Hurricanes are Super Rugby champions for the first time, following their 20-3 dismantling of the Lions in a wet Wellington on Saturday.

NEWS: Wallaby back Christian Lealiifano has been diagnosed with leukaemia and is undergoing treatment in hospital.

NEWS: World Rugby is aiming for a global Rugby Union season unifying the North and South Hemispheres by the end of the year.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Argentina's Juan Imhoff is a rarity in the men's rugby sevens at the Rio Olympics, an all-out XVs star who, along with New Zealand's Sonny Bill Williams, has successfully transitioned into the abbreviated game.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks ran in five tries to record an impressive 33-10 bonus-point win against the Pumas in their Currie Cup Premier Division encounter in Nelspruit on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: The Blue Bulls got their 2016 Currie Cup Premier Division campaign off to the perfect start with a 45-26 bonus-point win over rivals Western Province at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

NEWS: Newcastle Falcons have signed Scotland flank Tyrone Holmes.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Boland wasted no time in adding new recruit Jacques Engelbrecht to their team for their return to the Currie Cup Premier Division.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Punches and kicks raining down on the pitch, rioting fans and dressing room theft.

Nstonkotha Secondary School captain Badashe Avuya advised his team to stay focus against Zweliyandila Secondary School in their annual Classic Clash on Friday in East London.

INTERVIEW: Wallaby coach Michael Cheika clearly believes in the hare and tortoise philosophy.

NEWS: The Waratahs have signed Sydney-born utility back row forward Michael Wells.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: At the start of the season Lions captain Warren Whiteley faced the most difficult poser of his career - Super Rugby or Sevens.

INTERVIEW: The Blue Bulls is set to adopt their Super Rugby style, when they face Western Province in their Currie Cup opener at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

Zono Siphelele hopes to end the season on a high note when he leads Zweliyandila Secondary School against Nstonkotha Secondary School in their annual Classic Clash on Friday.

Bergrivier Secondary School captain Shandrey Pietersen will want to emulate last year's win when his side takes on arch-rivals Weltevrede Secondary School in their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

Perhaps playing in his last rugby match ever, Hoër Volkskool captain JC Conradie would want to emulate last year's result when they go head-to-head against Union High School in their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England Under-18 have selected 26 players who will travel to South Africa to partake in the U18 International Series starting on August 12.

NEWS: Coach Michael Cheika named five foreign-based stars and four uncapped players in a 33-man Wallabies squad for the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup campaigns starting this month.

PREVIEW: Last week, Selborne College overturned an earlier defeat against Queen's College. Can they do it again this week?

PREVIEW: Glenwood High School travel from the coast to play Maritzburg College on the once-feared Goldstones.

PREVIEW:There is really only one interschools - the one in Paarl each August.

SUPER RUGBY FINAL: Super Rugby comes of age in Wellington on Saturday and Jan de Koning looks at the 21st Final of the professional era.

PREVIEW: Jeppe High School for Boys and King Edward VII School are old rivals and not far apart, but the rivalry never wanes.

PREVIEW: The annual match between nextdoor neighbours Union High School and Hoër Volkskool is a great Graaff-Reinet occasion.

The annual match between nextdoor neighbours Union High and Volkskool is a great Graaff-Reinet occasion.

The annual match between nextdoor neighbours Union High and Volkskool is a great Graaff-Reinet occasion.

The match officials for the opening day of the very first rugby Sevens participation in the Olympic Games have been appointed.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales Under-18 coach Geraint Lewis has selected 27 players who represent the country in the Under-18 International Series in South Africa.

CURRIE CUP PREMIER DIVISION: The North-South derby between Blue Bulls and Western Province will headline the opening round of this year's Currie Cup Premier Division.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok coach, Allister Coetzee, said he is happy with the outcome of the rehabilitation and conditioning camp which finished on Thursday in Stellenbosch.

NEWS: The Eastern Province Kings will play in the Premier Division of the Currie Cup after all.

The one brushes opponents out of his way and the other brushes blemishes away.

NEWS: Parel Vallei made history when they beat Worcester Gimnasium 26-8 for the first time in 30 years on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY FINAL: Scrumhalves TJ Perenara and Francois de Klerk have both been influential in their respective teams' journeys to the Super Rugby Final. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Former Kings prop Tom Botha has been included in the Cheetahs starting line-up to face Boland in their opening Currie Cup Premier Division clash at Boland Stadium on Saturday.

REACTION: The players welcomed the 'liquidation' of EP Rugby (Pty) Ltd, the professional arm of the Eastern Province Rugby Union.

THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: rugby365 cartoonist Matthew Ackermann gives us his take on the Super Rugby Final!

NEWS: Springbok fullback Willie le Roux will join English Premiership club, Wasps, during the 2016/17 European season.

NEWS: Ospreys flank Sam Underhill could be out for four months because of a shoulder injury.

NEWS: Prop forwards Richard Barrington and Titi Lamositele signed new deals with Premiership champions Saracens. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hurricanes captain Dane Coles has once again been bracketed for Saturday's Super Rugby Final against the Lions.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are six Under-21 players in the Western Province matchday squad to face the Blue Bulls in their opening Currie Cup Premier Division clash at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The inclusion of Sevens in the Olympic Games will change the landscape of the sport, according to veteran New Zealand player DJ Forbes and coach Gordon Tietjens.

MATCH REPORT: Muir College last home fixture ended in disappointment as the side went down 7-18 to Despatch in Uitenhage.

NEWS: Melbourne Rebels have announced the signing of Japan international Amanaki Mafi on a marquee deal for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

REACTION: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has called for an end to "Mad Monday" celebrations after the Chiefs became embroiled in scandal following their exit from the Super Rugby competition.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Warren Whiteley  will lead the Lions against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday.

NEWS: There remains a cloud of uncertainty over the possible return of Springbok flyhalf Patrick Lambie.

INTERvIEW: Mike Phillips revealed he jumped at the opportunity to join Sale Sharks in his first interview with the club.

NEWS: Angus Cottrell has recommitted to the Western Force on a two-year deal.

Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim shines the spotlight on the suggestion that the Springboks can't play like the Lions, as well as look at the Super Rugby Final.

Jan de Koning en Eugene Eloff plaas die kollig op die omstrede uitlatings van Springbok afrigter Allister Coetzee en die Super Rugby eindstryd.

SUPER RUGBY FINAL: The Super Rugby Final - between the Hurricanes and Lions on Saturday - is set produce some of the tournament's most intriguing head-to-head battles.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: This year, the 22nd year of Super Rugby in the professional era, there is the possibility of a new winner.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 columnist Ethienne Reynecke explains why the Lions is an example that rugby has evolved.

NEWS: The two-time Super Rugby champion Chiefs landed themselves in hot water after two serious post-season howlers.

NEWS: Bath revealed that England internationals Jonathan Joseph and Anthony Watson both agreed to long-term extensions.

NEWS: Jarryd Hayne returned to Australia to play Rugby League for the Gold Coast Titans, having failed to make Fiji's Sevens squad for the Olympic Games.

It's the 22nd Super Rugby Final this weekend and, for the first time, Glen Jackson is the referee.

Denver Gowar, who will lead Gill College, is oozing with confidence as he pursues a fifth successive Classic Clash win against arch rivals Cradock High School on Saturday.

Tiaan van Zyl will want to avoid a fifth consecutive Classic Clash defeat when he leads Cradock High School against arch-rivals Gill College on Saturday.

Outside centre Khanyisa Tshuni will lead Union High School in what is dubbed the most crucial match in Graaff-Reinet, when they go up against Hoër Volkskool in their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

Weltevrede Secondary School captain John-Paul Heugh would want to avenge last year's Classic Clashes defeat when they once again go head-to-head with Bergrivier Secondary School on Saturday.

INTERVIEW: Keegan Daniel believes the Sharks are in a stronger position now to challenge for the Currie Cup title than in seasons past.

NEWS: There appears to have been a dramatic about turn in the protracted Eastern Province Kings Currie Cup saga.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Pumas have made a number of changes for their first Currie Cup Premier Division clash against the Sharks in Mbombela on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Blue Bulls head coach Nollis Marais has set his team clear objectives to reclaim the Currie Cup trophy, which his side last won in 2009. 

SUPER RUGBY FINAL: The Lions won't let the wild Wellington weather inhibit their approach to Saturday's showdown with the Hurricanes.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Curwin Bosch will start for the Sharks in their opening Currie Cup Premier Division match against the Pumas at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

The big appointment this week is that of Glen Jackson to the Super Rugby Final.

The Currie Cup starts this week, a wonderful competition going back to 1890 - the oldest of its kind in rugby.

NEWS: Saracens flank Michael Rhodes has signed a new deal with the Premiership side.

NEWS: Samoa international back row Alafoti Faosiliva has signed with the Premiership side Worcester Warriors.

NEWS: Centre Winston Stanley and wing Charlie Walker have signed new contracts with Harlequins.

Last Wednesday there was a meeting of Currie Cup coaches and referees in Stellenbosch.

INTERVIEW: Being the favourites for this weekend's Super Rugby Final means nothing to a Hurricanes side looking to secure their first-ever title.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Boland Cavaliers have bolstered their 2016 Currie Cup squad by adding two new faces.

NEWS: Western Province head coach John Dobson admits rivals, the Blue Bulls, are favourites to win the North-South derby in the opening round of this year's Currie Cup Premier Division.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Try-scoring ace Bjorn Basson will start at fullback for the Blue Bulls when they take on Western Province in the opening round of the Currie Cup Premier Division on Friday. 

NEWS: The Ospreys have handed Keelan Giles his first professional contract, signing - a three-year deal with the club.

INTERVIEW: Jaguares and Argentina wing Santiago Cordero says there was a positive attitude during the Pumas' first day of a training camp ahead of the Rugby Championship.

NEWS: Melbourne hooker Jordan Uelese has become the third home grown player to sign his first professional Super Rugby contract with the Melbourne Rebels.

NEWS: SARU has announced that the kick-off times for the Under-19 International Series on Friday, August 12 and Saturday August 20 have been changed.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sonny Bill Williams' latest code-hopping venture will see the two-time Rugby Union World Cup winner target Olympic gold as Sevens makes its debut at the Rio Games.

The big appointment this week is that of Glen Jackson to the Super Rugby Final.

NEWS: A SANZAAR Judicial Hearing has found Brumbies assistant coach Dan McKellar guilty of using crude language towards referee Angus Gardner.

NEWS: Springbok loose forward Arno Botha will lead the Bulls in the 2016 Currie Cup Premier Division.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Danny Cipriani and Chris Ashton have been left out of England's provisional squad for this month's pre-season training camp.

Again we record the results in the order in which we received them.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Hurricanes belief there will not be a repeat of their previous 'chokes', when they lost in Super Rugby finals.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks can't copy the Lions style of play because the two teams have different cultures.

NEWS: Chris van Zyl will captain Western Province in their opening Currie Cup Premier Division clash, when they face the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

NEWS: Cameron Holenstein has joined the Premiership side Harlequins from French Top 14 club Pau.

NEWS: It has been formally proposed that the Leopards replace the Eastern Province Kings in South Africa's premier domestic competition, the Currie Cup.

NEWS: Veteran loose forward Keegan Daniel has been appointment as Sharks captain for the 2016 Currie Cup campaign.

REPORT: Kingswood College secured a hard fought 26-19 against hosts Graeme College in an exciting derby fixture.

NEWS: Springbok and former Stormers No.8 Duane Vermeulen has been appointed Toulon captain.

COMPETITION TIME: Test your knowledge against the rugby365 team - join our SuperBru prediction pool.

CLASSIC CLASHES WRAP:  Welkom Gimnasium end their season on a high note as they demolished Goudveld Hoërskool 71-0 in their annual Classic Clash on Satuday.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: After their impressive performance against the Highlanders, the Lions have nine players in rugby365's famous Team of the Week for the semifinals.

NEWS: Just four days out from the start of South Africa's premier domestic competition, the Currie Cup, officials were still scrambling to finalise fixtures.

NEWS: Super Rugby assistant coach Paul Treu and Russell Winter will add value to the Western Province Currie Cup campaign.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Fiji has never won Olympic gold but that could change in Rio with a rugby team drawn from the Pacific nation's humble villages which takes the simple approach of training in sand dunes and coral lagoons.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Double World Cup winner Sonny Bill Williams is back for the All Blacks and Julian Savea has retained his place in the 32-man New Zealand squad for the Rugby Championship.

REACTION: The Lions' mindset and scramble defence will be key aspects in the Super Rugby Final. Josh Isaacson reports.

REACTION: The Lions may be underdogs, but they showed in the last two years they do travel well. Josh Isaacson reports.

REPORT: The Memorial A field at SACS was not the killing field some expected when powerful Paarl came to play.

Grey played Grey on a grey day in Algoa Bay, and the faraway Grey won.

REACTION: Thousands of words will be written in the build-up to the Super Rugby Final this coming week - after which a new champion will be crowned.

NEWS: Injured captain Warren Whiteley and back Sylvian Mahuza have been added to the Lions' squad for the Super Rugby Final.

NEWS: Injured flyhalves Patrick Lambie and Handré Pollard have been named in an 18-man group of players that will take part in a rehabilitation and conditioning camp in Stellenbosch this week.

In Riversdale Oakdale Landbou beat Marlow Landbou 50-12 in an FNB Classic Clash on Saturday.

NEWS: There are surprises in the schools matches this past week and rugby365 brings you all the available results.

REACTION: Highlanders captain and fullback Ben Smith said he was disappointed with the way his team played in their semifinal against the Lions, but also gave credit to the Johannesburg team.

REACTION: Elton Jantjies could not describe what the semifinal win over the Highlanders meant to him, but he certainly showed it after the match.

MATCH REPORT: The Lions will play the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby Final after the Johannesburg team thumped the Highlanders 42-30 in their semifinal at Ellis Park on Saturday.

REACTION: According to Chiefs co-captain Aaron Cruden, the Hurricanes' Super Rugby Final opponents will need to bring their 'A' game to Wellington to test the home side.

Pacaltsdorp Secondary School captain Ronaldo Cedras face an uphill battle when his side takes on George Secondary School in their annual Classic Clash.

NEWS: Ireland and Munster scrumhalf Conor Murray has praised Rassie Erasmus' new approach at the club.

REACTION: Hurricanes captain TJ Perenara praised his sides defensive effort, especially in the first half, that proved to be the catalyst to their 25-9 Super Rugby semifinal victory over the Chiefs in Wellington.

NEWS: More than 60 000 Cape Town Sevens tickets were snapped up by the public on the first day of sales.

REPORT: The Hurricanes showcased a defensive masterclass to ensure a 25-9 victory over the Chiefs in Wellington to secure a home Super Rugby Final.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jaco Kriel, still unbeaten as Lions captain, believes his team has enough 'experience' to cope with the pressure of a Super Rugby play-off.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Chiefs are happily embracing the underdog tag, as they go into Super Rugby semifinal against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday.

SACS play Paarl Boys' High in Newlands on Saturday, a daunting prospect for any school.

NEWS: SARU has appointed Lance Sendin and Sean Erasmus as head coaches of the two SA School teams on Friday.

NEWS: Dean Ryan has been appointed as the Rugby Football Union's head of international player development.

NEWS: England and Harlequins forward Nick Easter has announced his retirement from playing.

NEWS: Sale Sharks have signed a new three-year contract Samoan back row forward TJ Ioane.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Highlanders assistant coach Tony Brown believes that the Lions' fast-paced, attacking approach to the game is similar to that of the New Zealand teams.

St Andrew's College of Grahamstown head up to Dale College of King William's Town to renew old rugby ties.

REPORT: Woodridge College secured narrow 8-7 win against Muir College at Thornhill.

NEWS: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika on Friday included Matt Giteau in his train-on squad for next month's Rugby Championship, against the wishes of his French club Toulon.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Rugby Championship match between title-holders Australia and Argentina at Twickenham next month could be the first of several.

Utility back Willtano Seconds has the great honour of leading George Secondary School against Pacaltsdorp Secondary School in their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY SEMIFINAL: There will be no margin for error at Ellis Park on Saturday, especially for the hosts - who will appear in their first Super Rugby semifinal in the professional era.

These two great schools, Grey College of Bloemfontein and Grey High School of Port Elizabeth, meet again.

On Saturday in Welkom Goudveld take on Welkom Gimnasium in a Classic Clash.

REACTION: He may not be wearing the captain's armband, but Warren Whiteley will still play a leading role for the Lions.

SUPER RUGBY SEMIFINALS: Chris Boyd believes the Chiefs are a slightly different team now than when Hurricanes played them back in April.

NEWS: Sharks defence and breakdown coach Omar Mouneimne will continue his team-hopping ways when he departs Durban for France.

In a Classic Clash Oakdale and Marlow meet in Riversdale on Saturday, 30 July 2016.

In an FNB Classic Clash Oakdale and Marlow meet in Riversdale on Saturday, 30 July 2016.

In an FNB Classic Clash Oakdale and Marlow meet in Riversdale on Saturday, 30 July 2016.

In an FNB Classic Clash Oakdale and Marlow meet in Riversdale on Saturday, 30 July 2016.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT:  Allister Coetzee said he will continue to change South Africa's style with increasing opportunities for young players.

NEWS: Former Connacht No.8 George Naoupu will join English Premiership club Harlequins for the forthcoming season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jaco Kriel will lead the Lions in their first ever Super Rugby semifinal at home.

NEWS: The mass exodus of New Zealanders to the Northern Hemisphere's cash-flush clubs are beginning to include a steady stream of coaches.

NEWS: Newport Gwent Dragons are pleased to announce that they have signed Ebbw Vale lock Ashley Sweet on a one-year deal.

NEWS: Sale Sharks are delighted to announce that All Black Lock Bryn Evans has agreed and signed a new three-year deal.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Chiefs have named a team that shows three changes, for their Super Rugby semifinal showdown with the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday.

NEWS: The NSW Waratahs are pleased to announce the prop, Tom Robertson has committed himself to the franchise for a further two seasons.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph has made a few changes to his starting forward for their Super Rugby semifinal against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hurricanes captain Dane Coles will be given until match day to prove his fitness for Saturday's Super Rugby semifinal against the Chiefs at Westpac Stadium.

NEWS: The Crusaders unveiled Wallaby wing Digby Ioane as the Super Rugby franchise's latest signing.

IN THE FIRING LINE: Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim take a look at players who are forcing Springbok coach Allister Coetzee's hand.

IN DIE SPERVUUR: Jan de Koning en Eugene Eloff plaas die vergrootglas op Allister Coetzee se Springbok-spankeuses vir die Rugby Kampioenskap teen Nieu-Seeland, Australië en Argentinië.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Pricey tickets are not a deterrent for Lions fans, hoping to see their team reach a Super Rugby Final for the first time since 1995.

NEWS: Rene Ranger's hope of a return to the All Black team in the near future has been put on ice.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The South Africa Rugby Union's 'quota contract' with the government is going end any hope of the Springboks remaining competitive in the Test arena.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South Africa will hope to add an Olympic gold medal in Rio next month, to their Commonwealth Games triumph two years ago.

NEWS: The Sharks have managed to lure South Africa Under-20 captain Jeremy Ward to Durban.

NEWS: The club versus country debate once again boiled over after it emerged that Toulon boss Mourad Boudjellal maybe using his bullying tactics again.

NEWS: The Springboks were dealt a double blow ahead of the start of the Rugby Championship next month.

NEWS: Sale Sharks have signed utility back Byron McGuigan from Exeter Chiefs on a two-year deal.

Marlow captain Vaughen Isaacs is in the form of his life and will be looking to use that form to inspire his team to a rare Classic Clash victory over bitter rivals Oakdale when the sides meet on Saturday.

History is certainly on Oakdale's side when it comes to Classic Clashes against Marlow and it will be up to WP van Heerden to continue that dominance when the sides meet in Riversdale on Saturday.

NEWS: Former Crusaders loose forward Angus Gardiner is moving up places at the Christchurch-based franchise.

NEWS: The Chiefs received a huge boost when captain Sam Cane was cleared to play their Super Rugby semifinal against the Hurricanes on Saturday.

THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: rugby365 cartoonist Matthew Ackermann looks at the Super Rugby semifinals.

Queen's College travel down to East London this weekend, and are probably glad of it.

EXCLUSIVE: Eugene Eloff, a two-time former Under-19 World Cup winner, believes the time has come for South African coaches to 'adapt or die'.

NEWS: Former Springbok assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher has joined the Sharks coaching team ahead of this year's Currie Cup Premier Division.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Highlanders stepped up the their build-up to the Super Rugby semifinal behind closed doors on Tuesday.

Duke Jantjies will lead Welkom Gimnasium as they seek a second successive victory over Goudveld Hoërskool in their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

NEWS: Jarryd Hayne's hopes of playing Super Rugby have taken a blow after the Waratahs confirmed they will not offer the code-hopping star a contract ahead of the 2017 season.

Paul Sauer will have the honour of leading Goudveld Hoërskool in their annual Classic Clash against old foes Welkom Gimnasium.

Jaco van Heerden, a 33-year-old from Pretoria, is heading up to Nairobi this week to referee his first Test match - Kenya vs Uganda.

NEWS: Harlequins on Tuesday confirmed they will travel to San Francisco later this week for a pre-season training camp to prepare for the Premiership season.

INTERVIEW: Hurricanes fullback James Marshall believes it will not be all doom and gloom if captain Dane Coles is unfit to play in Saturday's semifinal against the Chiefs in Wellington.

The list of appointments this week is shorter than it has ever been.

NEWS: Dan Lydiate will be using the next block of pre-season to work his way back to fitness after the double injury blow that forced him out of Wales' tour of New Zealand in June.

NEWS: Sale Sharks fullback Mike Haley has signed a new three-year deal with the Premiership side.

NEWS: The Lions could lose captain Warren Whiteley again ahead of their semifinal showdown against the Highlanders at Ellis Park on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: If things had gone to plan for Carlin Isles, the Olympic Games might have witnessed a duel between the fastest man in rugby and the fastest man on the planet. 

NEWS: Nick Stiles was on Tuesday appointed the Queensland Reds' permanent coach for the next two seasons.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Again it is time for a Top 20 - it's a tough place to get to and a tough place to stay in - unless you come from Paarl it seems.

COMPETITION TIME: rugby365 and John Nicholas Analytics have combined to provide our readers with an opportunity to win tickets to the Super Rugby semifinal at Ellis Park.

NEWS: Newcastle Falcons have received a huge boost ahead of the new season with the news that club captain Will Welch and back-row comrade Mark Wilson have both signed four-year contracts.

INTERVIEW: The Lions' evolution from tournament discards to title contenders has taken another step forward with the addition of some defensive steel.

CURRIE CUP FIXTURES REVEALED: The Golden Lions will begin the defence of their Currie Cup title with a clash against Griquas in Kimberley in the opening round of the 2016 Premier Division.

WRAP: Afrikaanse Hoërskool Kroonstad (Rooiskool) ensured the town remained bright red after they demolished Hoërskool Kroonstad (Blouskool) 80-10 in their annual Classic Clash.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Chiefs and Lions have five players each in rugby365's famous Super Rugby Team of the Week for the quarterfinals.

NEWS: The Springboks could potentially be without Siyamthanda Kolisi for the Rugby Championship after the loose forward injured his ankle in the Stormers' quarterfinal clash against the Chiefs at the weekend.

NEWS: England's aim of becoming the dominant force in the global game has been strengthened by a new agreement signed between Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Premiership Rugby Limited (PRL).

SEVENS: Durban High School beat Westville Boys High, 27-12 in the Seven Cup final at the Crawford La Lucia Tournament.

NEWS: Munster and the Irish Rugby Football Union have confirmed the signing of Stormers lock Jean Kleyn on a three-year contract.

It is interesting to look down the list of results this weekend.

REPORT: St Andrew's College and Marlow Agriculture High school settled for a draw on Saturday as the game ended 14-14 in a cold and blustery Grahamstown.

NEWS: Josh Beaumont will captain the Sale Sharks after agreeing a new three-year deal with the Premiership side.

Graeme College had two fantastic derby fixtures arranged for the weekend.

SACS went out to Bellville on Saturday and beat Bellville High 47-7.

NEWS: The Chiefs will be sweating over the fitness of their co-captain Sam Cane ahead of their semifinal showdown with the Hurricanes in Wellington.

The Melbourne Rebels have added attacking depth for the 2017 Super Rugby season with the signing of Australian Sevens star Pama Fou.

NEWS: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen on Monday re-signed with the New Zealanders until 2019, giving him the chance to defend the World Cup in Japan.

Maritzburg College hosted Affies this past weekend and found the going tough.

NEWS: Schalk Burger's move to Saracens may spell the end of his international career as he pledged his immediate future to the Premiership club.

There are at least two surprises this week, both north of the Vaal. First of all Parktown beat Jeppe and secondly HTS Middelburg beat Nelspruit.

REACTION: Chiefs coach Dave Rennie smiled like a Cheshire cat after his master plan came to fruition as his side romped to a 60-21 victory over the Stormers in their quarterfinal encounter at Newlands on Saturday.

NEWS: Former All Blacks skills coach, Mick Byrne, has returned to his Australian roots after being snapped up by the Australian Rugby Union until the end of the 2019 World Cup.

REACTION: Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder believes that the Lions have the ability to win the 2016 Super Rugby title, after his team were sent packing with a 25-42 quarterfinal defeat against the Lions at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

REACTION: Lions head coach Johan Ackermann believes that his team's good start to the game created the momentum which saw them defeat the Crusaders 42-25 in their Super Rugby quarterfinal at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

REACTION: Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck believes the experience of playing against the Chiefs bodes well for the development of the players as they look to build on the foundation set in this year's Super Rugby campaign.

SUPER RUGBY SEMIFINALS: New Zealand teams will continue their trans-ocean travels for the Super Rugby semifinals next week.

CURRIE CUP WRAP: Western Province ended their season at the top of the table as they smashed the Welwitschias in Windhoek.

NEWS: Bath Rugby confirmed that Kyle Eastmond has left the club and will join Premiership side Wasps for the 2016/17 season.

REACTION: Hurricanes captain Dane Coles left the field with a suspected rib injury in their Super Rugby victory over the Sharks and may miss the semifinals.

REACTION: Highlanders scrum coach Clark Dermody has praised his team’s scrum after having to survive some last minute scares. 

REACTION: Embarrassing  and naive were some of the adjectives used to describe the Sharks' 0-41 whitewash at the hands of the Hurricanes.

REPORT: Cheetahs proved too strong as they cruised to a 62-13 historical win over Verblitz on Saturday in Japan.

MATCH REPORT: The Chiefs showed their superior skill and class when they recorded a 60-21 win over the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday.  

MATCH REPORT: The Lions put on display a sublime attacking performance to outplay the Crusaders and win 42-25 - advancing to the Super Rugby semifinals for the first time in their history.

MATCH REPORT: The Hurricanes advanced to the Super Rugby semifinals after they hammered the Sharks 41-0 in awful conditions at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP WRAP: The Leopards managed a rare win over Griquas in the final round of the Currie Cup qualifying matches.

This law discussion comes from a discussion amongst a group of referees of an incident in the match between the Sharks and the Cheetahs.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Crusaders lock Sam Whitelock believes that his team cannot rely on past results to see them through their Super Rugby quarterfinal with the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

REACTION: Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham did not pull any punches in his criticism of Australian referee Angus Gardner  on Friday.

Every single person in Kroonstad will know that the Blouskool are playing the Rooiskool on Saturday.

INTERVIEW: Buoyed by their stunning victory in the Singapore Sevens, Kenya's men's team will be vying for a top-three finish at next month's Rio Olympics when the Sevens game makes its debut.

NEWS: The core of this year's All Blacks Sevens squad headed by veterans DJ Forbes and Tim Mikkelson will anchor the side through the next World Rugby Sevens Series after re-signing with New Zealand Rugby.

NEWS: The Melbourne Rebels have signed Australian-born lock Alex Toolis from Edinburgh on a two-year Super Rugby deal. 

NEWS: Prop Jeremy Tilse and back Matt Carraro are the latest players to leave the Waratahs.

SUPER RUGBY QUARTERFINALS: Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck says the Chiefs have no weaknesses, despite the Waikato team's long injury list ahead of the play-offs.

MATCH REPORT: The Highlanders held on in the face of sustained second-half pressure to advance to the Super Rugby semifinals.

SUPER RUGBY QUARTERFINAL: The Lions are undoubtedly the most-improved team of the past three years, the Crusaders the most successful in the competition's history.

SARU has announced the SA Schools and SA Schools A teams for an international series next month.

PREVIEW: On Saturday, July 23, Pretoria goes to Pietermaritzburg for a wonderful day of sport.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Veteran All Black Stephen Donald will start at inside centre when the Chiefs face the Stormers in their Super Rugby quarterfinal showdown at Newlands on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Crusaders will have to bring their 'A-Game' if they are to beat the Lions in their Super Rugby quarterfinal at Ellis Park on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jan de Koning spoke to Lions coach Johan Ackermann ahead of the Johannesburg franchise's first appearance in Super Rugby play-offs in two decades.

SUPER RUGBY QUARTERFINALS: Hurricanes assistant coach John Plumtree knows all too well what the Sharks are capable of ahead of their quarterfinal clash in Wellington on Saturday.

NEWS: Jaguares lock forward Marcos Kremer is set to make his senior international debut for Argentina in the Rugby Championship next month.

REACTION: Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck believes flyhalf Robert du Preez has the right temperament to help guide his team to victory against the Chiefs in their quarterfinal at Newlands on Saturday.

NEWS: South African-born centre Brad Barritt has been appointed as Saracens captain.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Flyhalf Robert du Preez will make his return for the Stormers in their Super Rugby quarterfinal against the Chiefs at Newlands on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Warren Whiteley has been cleared to lead Lions in their first ever home Super Rugby quarterfinal against the Crusaders on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks were given a timely boost with the return of Springbok Willie le Roux.

Despite being injury-plagued this season, experienced 18-year-old Dihan Odendaal is hopeful that Hoërskool Aliwal-Noord can secure a third consecutive Classic Clash victory against Hoërskool Hangklip when he leads them on Saturday.

NEWS: Northampton Saints has issued a statement regarding players who sustained injuries either towards the end of the 2015/16 season or in the June tours.

NEWS: Former Cardiff Blues prop Thomas Davies has signed a one-year deal with Newport Gwent Dragons.

NEWS: Wales international front-row forward Paul James has signed a fresh contract with the Ospreys.

NEWS: The Crusaders confirmed that Jone Macilai will return to red and black in 2017, recommitting for two years.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder has made five changes to his matchday 23 for their quarterfinal clash against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd has made three changes to the starting XV for Saturday's Super Rugby quarterfinal against the Sharks at Westpac Stadium.

Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim chat about European agents scouting for schoolboy talent in South Africa, as well as looking at the Super Rugby quarterfinals.

Jan de Koning en Eugene Eloff bespreek en maak voorspellings oor die Super Rugby kwarteindwedstryde.

SUPER RUGBY QUARTERFINALS: The bookmakers have made the Highlanders favourites, but there may be a couple of factors they did not take into account.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The headlines will be about the high-profile players, but doping in rugby is more prevalent among schoolboys than professionals.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs will play an historic match against Verblitz in Japan on Saturday.

With just a single year's experience in the first XV as a loose forward, Hoerskool Kroonstad (Bloues) captain Piet van der Merwe knows his young side face an uphill battle when they travel to rivals Afrikaans Hoerskool Kroonstad (Rooies) for their annual Classic Clash.

CARTOON: rugby365 cartoonist Matthew Ackermann looks at the Super Rugby quarterfinals.

NEWS: Southern Kings and South African A hooker Edgar Marutlulle will join the Blue Bulls for the Currie Cup Premier Division campaign.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Outgoing Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph made two changes to his starting XV for their Super Rugby quarterfinal showdown with the Brumbies.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Brumbies have retained Ruan Smith as their starting tighthead prop while they have also received a significant boot in the loose forwards department ahead of their Highlanders clash.

NEWS: Gary Teichmann has officially been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of the Sharks by the Chairman of The Sharks Board of Directors, Stephen Saad.

With only one loss in the season thus far, Hoërskool Hangklip captain JW le Roux would want to continue their success rate when they travel to Aliwal-North to face rivals Hoërskool Aliwal-Noord for their annual Classic Clash.

A young Afrikaans Hoerskool Kroonstad (Rooies) team, led by Marinus Aucamp, will take to the field when they host cross-town rivals Hoerskool Kroonstad (Bloues) in their annual Classic Clash.

In the Western Cape rugby continues in the third term though in many parts rugby stops.

Lofty Nel, a great Springbok loose forward, has died a few days short  of his 81st birthday.

NEWS: Cardiff Blues are pleased to confirm coach Danny Wilson has signed a one-year contract extension.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jan de Koning chatted, exclusively, with Lions assistant coach Swys de Bruin about the team's extraordinary journey over the last four years.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Chiefs co-captain Aaron Cruden has praised his forward pack ahead of his team's Super Rugby play-off against the Stormers on Saturday.

NEWS: Tom Mitchell will lead the Great Britain Sevens squad, which boasts a wealth of experience, to the 2016 Rio Olympics.

John Dobson, the Western Province coach, writes on the value of schools rugby.

Super Rugby knock-outs begin. This is an exciting time as the competition heads to an end.

NEWS: Stormers utility back Huw Jones said his time with the Scottish national team was a huge confidence-booster for him.

EXCLUSIVE: Following rumours regarding the supposed price tag being placed on talented Craven Week players, Tauriq Ebrahim spoke exclusively to Springbok Thinus Delport regarding the scouting of schoolboy players.

NEWS: Australia Under-20 and Brumbies prop Tyrel Lomax has signed a two-year contract with the Melbourne Rebels.

NEWS: Sharks Director of Rugby Gary Gold cleared some confusion surrounding flyhalf Patrick Lambie's eligibility for the play-offs and his health.

OPINION: rugby365 columnist Brett McKay feels we are not done yet as far as Super Rugby surprises go.

NEWS: The Stormers have been boosted by the return of a number of players ahead of their quarterfinal clash against the Chiefs at Newlands on Saturday.

NEWS: The Bulls will retain the services of Nollis Marais as coach when they start their Currie Cup campaign next week.

NEWS: Kenya Sevens coach Benjamin Ayimba has selected the 12 players that will represent the side in Rio.

INJURY UPDATE: The Lions received a timely boost with the news that regular captain Warren Whiteley could be fit for the Super Rugby play-offs.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Newlands! It is the parent of many great memories, another one this Saturday immediately past. Paul Dobson takes a stroll down memory lane.

NEWS: Top Sevens Series scorer Madison Hughes has the privilege of leading Unites States of America at the Olympics in Rio.

COMPETITION TIME: rugby365 and John Nicholas Analytics have combined to provide our readers with an opportunity to win a Lions jersey.

NEWS: Springbok legend Gary Teichmann is being hailed as the man to lead the Sharks out of the proverbial wilderness.

Super Rugby Spotlight: rugby365 selects its final Team of the Week for the league phase of this season's Super Rugby tournament. 

OPINION: rugby365, once again, asks why the South African Rugby Union insists on trying to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.

NEWS: Hooker Tom Youngs has been given the responsibility of leading Leicester Tigers ahead of the 2016/17 season.

NEWS: Exeter Chiefs coach Rob Baxter confirmed the Premiership club have taken up a clause to extend the contract of Welsh international Tomas Francis.

INTERVIEW: Australia's only representatives in the Super Rugby play-offs, the Brumbies, will be looking to up their game against defending champions, the Highlanders, in the first quarterfinal in Canberra on Friday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Crusaders will have limited time in Johannesburg to prepare for their quarterfinal clash against the Lions at Ellis Park.

REACTION: Juan Manuel Leguizamón says the Jaguares have learnt a lot in their debut season of Super Rugby.

On Saturday, Ruhan Meiring of Reebok refereed the prestigious last match of the 2016 Craven Week.

REACTION: Matt Toomua says the Brumbies must be wary of the danger the Highlanders pose and in particular, the play their back three are capable of.

NEWS: SANZAAR have ruled Chiefs flank Liam Messam ineligible for the Super Rugby play-offs.

REACTION: The Stormers will likely be without flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis for their quarterfinal showdown with the Chiefs at Newlands.

REACTION: Sharks Director of Rugby Gary Gold was disappointed with the way his team let the Sunwolves stay in the game during the encounter in Durban on Friday.

REACTION: No one was more surprised than Hurricanes captain Dane Coles when a turbulent final weekend of Super Rugby's regular season saw his Wellington side emerge as top qualifier.

REACTION: Outgoing Sunwolves head coach Mark Hammett is proud of his team's growth in what was their debut season of Super Rugby this year.

NEWS: The Chiefs suffered a huge blow ahead of their trip to Cape Town after centre Seta Tamanivalu was ruled out his team's quarterfinal against the Stormers.

NEWS: The Crusaders will be without powerhouse Fijian wing Nemani Nadolo for their quarterfinal clash with the Lions at Ellis Park next weekend.

NEWS: The Super Rugby play-off schedule has been finalised, with the Brumbies and Highlanders opening the quarterfinal weekend this coming Friday.

MATCH REPORT: The Lions finished second on the Super Rugby standings, after their second string selection fell short against the Jaguares on Saturday.

The Craven Week and the Academy Week, hosted by Kearsney, ended on Saturday, 16 July 2016.

CURRIE CUP WRAP: Western Province recorded a resounding 52-26 bonus-point victory against Border Bulldogs at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls finished their Super Rugby season on a high, with a comprehensive 43-17 win over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Centre Huw Jones scored four times as the Stormers warmed up for the Super Rugby play-offs with a 52-24 victory over the Southern Kings on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: For the second year in a row, Western Province won the final match at the Craven Week. This year's was different.

CRAVEN WEEK WRAP: Pumas secured a narrow 26-23 victory over KwaZulu-Natal on the final day of the Craven Week.

CRAVEN WEEK WRAP: Blue Bulls ran in 12 tries as they bullied Free State to a 74-8 win on the final day of the 2016 Craven Week.

NEWS: Argentina coach Santiago Gómez Cora says the inclusion of World Cup stars Juan Imhoff and Matías Moroni gives his side "an added dimension" as they prepare to go for gold at Rio 2016.

REPORT: The Brumbies booked their spot in this season's Super Rugby quarterfinals with a 24-10 win over the Western Force in Canberra on Saturday.

REPORT: The Highlanders edged the Chiefs 25-15 in Dunedin on Saturday and will travel to Australia for their quarterfinal.

CRAVEN WEEK WRAP: Border were in an unforgiving mood as they ran in 10 tries to hand Boland a 64-26 thrashing to end their campaign on a positive note.

REPORT: The Hurricanes boosted their chances of winning the New Zealand Conference when they thumped the Crusaders 35-10 in Christchurch on Saturday.

NEWS: Melbourne Rebels fulback Paul Asquith has received a warning for dangerous play in his team's 31-28 win over the Reds on Friday.

EXCLUSIVE: The possibility of Patrick Lambie running out in the Super Rugby playoffs remains up in the air as Sharks director of rugby Gary Gold, contradicted himself following their victory over the Sunwolves at Kings Park.

CURRIE CUP WRAP: The Pumas qualified for the Currie Cup Premier Division on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks booked their place in the Super Rugby play-offs with a scrappy 40-29 win over the Sunwolves in Durban on Friday.

Ruhan Meiring has been appointed to the last match of the 2016 Craven Week, between WP and the Golden Lions.

REACTION: Blues coach Tana Umaga believes his team has laid a sound platform from which to launch their campaign in 2017.

NEWS: Glasgow Warriors can confirm that flank Hugh Blake has joined the Bay of Plenty on loan until the end of October.

NEWS: Edinburgh have confirmed the signing of Tongan international loose forward Viliami Fihaki, who will join from Sale Sharks on a two-year deal.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Now that the Under-18 Craven Week is drawing to a close and all attention shifts to the selection of the SA Schools side, rugby365 have come up with a number of players who we feel will be in the squad.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers will be facing a daunting task when they run out at Newlands next weekend for their quarterfinal.

REPORT: The Melbourne Rebels edged the Reds 31-28 in Brisbane on Friday to end their 2016 Super Rugby season on a high.

In the match between the Sharks and the Cheetahs, a Cheetah went off the field groggy. Were they allowed a substitute?

REPORT: The Blue put in a outstanding attacking performance in the rain to beat the Waratahs 34-28 at Eden Park on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Jaguares have made two changes to their team for their final league match against the Lions in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sometimes the sideshow overshadows the main feature. That may well be the case in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT. Jan de Koning looks at the Saturday matches in Part Two of Super Rugby's Round 17 - the final round of league action.

NEWS: Western Province and the Golden Lions will contest the last match of the 2016 Craven Week - the Final.

To many this match was a knock-out, winner going to the final. The Golden Lions won it 41-14.

NEWS: Former England Saxons centre Dominic Waldouck is joining Newcastle Falcons on an initial month's trial.

NEWS: Springbok and Bulls flyhalf Handré Pollard was close losing his arm after serious shoulder infection.

MATCH REPORT: Free State were far too good for Leopards as they march to a 86-14 win against Leopards in the penultimate match of Day four.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Southern Kings Coach Deon Davids made three changes to his starting team for their final match of the Super Rugby season.