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WRAP: The annual Grootvlei Rugby Week held on March 28 was dominated by Generaal Hertzog High School.

NEWS: Sunwolves coach Mark Hammett believes that his team's set-piece play will improve over time. Warren Fortune reports.

REACTION: Sharks coach Gary Gold will be under the spotlight when his team take on the Lions in Saturday's key Super Rugby clash.

NEWS: The Blitzboks are looking to build on their good form from the first six tournaments of the World Rugby Sevens Series.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Southern Kings received a timely boost ahead of their Super Rugby showdown with the Bulls on Saturday.

NEWS: The Lions Rugby Union will retain the services of their coaching staff as all the mentors have renewed their contracts until the end of 2018.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sunwolves will be without playmaker Tusi Pisi for their showdown with the Stormers at Newlands on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks Director of Rugby Gary Gold has made just one change to his starting team for the Super Rugby crunch match with the Lions.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have made two changes to their side to take on the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

SA SCHOOLS: Glenwood High School will be hosting Framesby High School on  April 9.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd has made four changes to the side that beat the Kings a fortnight ago for Saturday's fixture against the Jaguares in Wellington.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Reds have made two changes to their starting lineup to take on the Highlanders at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

EXCLUSIVE: Jan de Koning and Eugene Eloff shines the spotlight on the new Springbok coach, while Wynona Louw joins the rugby365 team!

NEWS: Wallabies star David Pocock has taken to social media to express his remorse and apologise for an incident that led to him being suspended by the Super Rugby judiciary.

EKSKLUSIEF: Jan de Koning en Eugene Eloff skyn die soeklig op die nuwe Springbok afrigter, terwyl Wynona Louw haar by die rugby365 span aansluit!

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Highlanders have made a number of injury-enforced changes to ther matchday 23 to face the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jaguares star Nicolas Sanchez returns to the flyhalf position for his team's clash with the Hurricanes this weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT. Jan de Koning looks at the Friday matches in Part One of Super Rugby's Round Seven.

Springbok Sevens regular Philip Snyman will become the ninth South African to reach the special milestone of 35 World Sevens Series tournaments when the Hong Kong Sevens kicks off on Friday.

INTERVIEW: The Sharks are determined to get their Super Rugby campaign back on track and at the same time stretch their lead in South African Two conference.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: He's ditched the helmet and padding, but that's just the start for Super Bowl winner Nate Ebner as he embarks on a fast-track transition to Sevens in time for the Rio Olympics.

NEWS: Ulster have received a boost at flyhalf, with Bath pivot Brett Herron and Ireland Under-20 star Johnny McPhillips joining the Pro12 side.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365's new columnist Brett McKay, with the first in a series of monthly columns, tell us why things are not well in the Land Down Under.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck believes his side does not face a flyhalf crisis despite a season ending injury to Kurt Coleman, who took over from the injured Robert du Preez.

COMPETITION TIME: rugby365 and adidas have combined to provide our readers with an opportunity to win some wonderful prizes.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Force have made two changes to their matchday 23 to take on the Crusaders at nib Stadium on Friday as they return home for the first time since Round Three.

NEWS: The Melbourne Rebels have been boosted with centre Tom English, lock Sam Jeffries and scrumhalf Ben Meehan extending their commitments to the club.

NEWS: Prop Gareth Thomas has extended his stay with Ospreys, after signing a new three-year contract with the region until the end of the 2018/19 season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ben Volavola will start as the Crusaders' fullback for their encounter against the Force in Perth on Friday.

NEWS: Oyonnax wing Silvere Tian will face a disciplinary hearing on April 20 at which he faces a potentially lengthy ban for insulting referee Roman Poite.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have opted to start with seasoned Super Rugby fullback SP Marais when they take on the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blues have handed lock Hoani Matenga his first Super Rugby start as they head to Hamilton to take on neighbours the Chiefs on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheslin Kolbe will slot into the Stormers' flyhalf position should Jean-Luc du Plessis be substituted during their match against the Sunwolves on Friday.

NEWS: England prop Joe Marler has been fined £20,000 (US$28211) and handed a two-game ban by a World Rugby misconduct hearing for his 'gypsy boy' remark aimed at Wales prop Samson Lee.

NEWS: England Grand Slam winner George Kruis was cleared of biting an opponent, following a citing charge that Saracens forwards coach Alex Sanderson labelled an "absolute travesty".

OPINION: The rugby365 team went to the community to ask them about the 'revamped' Currie Cup competition. We came to the conclusion that it has been stripped of its status as one of the world's elite events.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Dominic Bird will make his Chiefs debut in the Bombay's battle when the Blues travel to Hamilton on Friday.

NEWS: Stade Francais captain Sergio Parisse vowed to go to war against Leicester Tigers in the European Champions Cup this weekend.

Last Saturday, April 3, Oyonnax were at home at Stade Charles Mathon to Grenoble in a Top 14 match when their fullback was sent off for insulting the referee.

WRAP: The Annual 'Best of the West' Easter Festival, hosted by Krugersdorp High School, was dominated by a Pretoria Boys High Invitational team.

REACTION: Italian rugby boss Alfredo Gavazzi on Tuesday dismissed Bernard Lapasset's call for introducing relegation and promotion to the Six Nations as a vote-grabbing initiative by France's outgoing World Rugby President for the 2024 Olympics.

NEWS: Chester Williams' UWC will play UCT-Ikeys in the Varsity Cup promotion/relegation match on Monday, April 11 at the Danie Craven Stadium.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 cartoonist Matthew Ackermann looks what appears to be the South African Rugby Union's worst-kept secret

Europe's Professional Clubs go into the two sets of quarterfinals - for the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup.

INTERVIEW: Northampton Saints Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder insists his side won't feel daunted at having to travel to meet Saracens in the Champions Cup quarterfinals.

NEWS: A SANZAAR Judicial Hearing has found Sharks Director of Rugby Gary Gold guilty for using crude and insulting language towards TMO Johan Greeff during the match between the Sharks and Crusaders on March 26.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Paul Treu is growing into in his role as defence coach at the Stormers after making the transition from Sevens back to the XV-man game.

NEWS: SANZAAR have confirmed that Argentina and Australia will play a Rugby Championship game at Twickenham on October 8 this year. 

NEWS: New Zealand fullback Israel Dagg will link up with his Crusaders teammates in Perth after David Havili returned home from the team's tour due to injury.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Tentatively, we have dipped our toe into the cold water of the schools season to feel out the possibility of diving into our first weekly Top 20.

NEWS: A player described as the English Premiership's "best mid-season signing" has on Tuesday been named Premiership Player of the Month for March.

NEWS: New Six Nations Grand Slam winners England will send a strong Saxons team – effectively the country's next-best – to face South Africa 'A' in a two-match series in June.

NEWS: Brumbies star David Pocock has been suspended for three weeks for choking an opponent during his team's 23-48 loss to the Chiefs last Saturday. 

NEWS: Highlanders loosehead prop Brendon Edmonds has been ruled out for the rest of the Super Rugby season due to a knee injury.

NEWS: All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams is "fighting fit" after recovering from a knee injury as he presses his Olympic bid at this week's Hong Kong Sevens, his captain said on Tuesday.

INTERVIEW: Sharks assistant coach Robert du Preez said there is a lot riding on the outcome of their crucial Super Rugby clash against the Lions at Kings Park on Saturday.

NEWS: Sharks Director of Rugby Gary Gold could face sanction for alleged misconduct during the Sharks' match with the Crusaders last week.

NEWS: New rugby laws aimed at making the game safer, simpler and more fun to watch, will be trialled in two of New Zealand's national competitions - the National Provincial Championship and Heartland Championship this year.

REACTION: England's Joe Marler has apologised publicly for calling Wales prop Samson Lee a "gypsy boy".

NEWS: Outgoing World Rugby president Bernard Lapasset has backed calls for introducing promotion and relegation to the Six Nations.

INTERVIEW: Exeter Chiefs beware! Wasps are planning a major revenge mission in the European Champions Cup quarterfinal stage this weekend.

INJURY UPDATE; The Bulls could be left with a midfield crisis, after two of their frontline centres suffered injuries at the weekend.

REPORT: Maties booked themselves a home final in this year's Varsity Cup when they thumped UP-Tuks 49-11 in Stellenbosch on Monday.

REPORT: NWU-Pukke put in a strong first-half performance to beat UJ 35-7 in Johannesburg and advance to this year's Varsity Cup Final.

NEWS: Bath tighthead prop David Wilson and Saracens flank George Kruis will both up to disciplinary hearings.

NEWS: South African-born lock George Earle took another step in gaining Welsh selection, when he signed with Cardiff Blues for next season.

NEWS: Stormers lock Eben Etzebeth could miss his team's clash with the Sunwolves at Newlands on Friday after he injured his calf.

NEWS: South Africa have taken a different approach to the Hong Kong Sevens this year.

NEWS: The much travelled cross-code superstar Sonny Bill Williams is set for a return to Top 14 big guns Toulon according to reports Monday in L'Equipe.

WRAP: The various festivals have fuelled the results this week around South Africa.

NEWS: Hurricanes hooker Leni Apisai will lead the New Zealand Under-20 squad when they travel to the Gold Coast, Australia, this month.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Melbourbe Rebels recorded an historic win against the Waratahs in Sydney and are well represented in rugby365's famous Team of the Week for Round Six.

NEWS: A hungry and determined Julian Savea is set to be unleashed by the Hurricanes in their Super Rugby fixture against the hapless Jaguares on Saturday.

TOP 14 WRAP: Clermont consolidated their lead of the Top 14 when a last-gasp converted Damien Chouly try saw them snatch a 19-18 win over Toulon.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: A brace from Rob Miller moved Wasps a step closer to the Premiership semifinals as Dai Young's side eased past Northampton Saints 28-6 at the Ricoh Arena.

REACTION: Blues head coach Tana Umaga said he was pleased with his team's defence against the Jaguares in Albany on Saturday.

REACTION: Bulls head coach Nollis Marais is struggling to find a reason for his team's second-half lapses in this year's Super Rugby competition.

REACTION: After beating the Sunwolves on Saturday, the real question that confronts the Southern Kings is whether they can build on that success and achieve another victory in this year's Super Rugby competition.

REACTION: Jaguares back Santiago González Iglesias says they are struggling to see the positives after going down 16-24 to the Blues in Albany on Saturday.

REACTION: Lions captain Warren Whiteley acknowledged that the Crusaders were more clinical in various facets in their encounter in Johannesburg on Friday.

VARSITY CUP SEMIFINAL: Log leaders, Maties, dominated the round-robin phase of the competition and earned the right host rivals UP-Tuks to the second semifinal on Monday.

REACTION: Seven-time Super Rugby champions, the Crusaders, are starting to build up a head of steam in this year's competition.

VARSITY CUP SEMIFINAL: The orange army will be in full force as UJ host NWU-Pukke in the first Varsity Cup semifinal on Monday.

REPORT: The Melbourne Rebels recorded their first-ever win in Sydney when they beat the Waratahs 21-17 at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday.

SATURDAY PRO12 WRAP: Leinster secured a Pro12 double over Munster and moved to the top of the table after hanging on for a 16-13 victory at the Aviva Stadium.

SATURDAY PREMIERSHIP WRAP: England centre Manu Tuilagi scored two tries as Leicester kept their Premiership play-off hopes alive with a come from behind 35-30 win at home to Gloucester on Saturday.

REACTION: England's Rugby Football Union is studying reports that a fan confronted referee Greg Garner in his dressing room, following Bath's home defeat by Premiership leaders Saracens on Friday.

REPORT: The Bulls held on in the face of a powerful second-half onslaught to beat the Cheetahs 23-18 in their Super Rugby derby on Saturday.

REPORT: The Southern Kings scored their first win of the Super Rugby season when they beat the Sunwolves 33-28 in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

NEWS: Nick Cummins has been called up to the Australian Sevens squad by coach Andy Friend for next week's Hong Kong tournament.

NEWS: David Pocock of the Brumbies has been cited for alleged foul play during his team's humiliating 23-48 Super Rugby loss to the Chiefs at the weekend.

REPORT: The Chiefs again displayed their championship potential when they taught the Brumbies a harsh lesson in Canberra on Saturday.

NEWS: Kings coach Robbie Kempson will rely on the youngsters at his academy when he coaches the Eastern Province Kings in the Currie Cup competition.

NEWS: Paul Zacks has been appointed as the new CEO of Western Province Rugby, following the retirement of Rob Wagner.

REPORT: The Blues got back on the winning track, their first victory since week one, when they beat the Jaguares 24-16 in North Harbour on Saturday.

REACTION: A black African assistant and more players of colour are among the 'developments' that await the new Springbok coach.

PRO12 FRIDAY WRAP: Rory Best's first-half try set Ulster on their way to a hard-fought 18-10 victory at the Kingspan Stadium as Connacht failed in their quest to record a first win in Belfast since 1960.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Saracens cemented their place at the summit of the Premiership table after a convincing 30-10 win over Bath at the Rec on Friday.

REPORT: The Crusaders put down another big marker with a thrilling 43-37 win over the Lions in their Super Rugby showdown at Ellis Park on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Dawie Theron has chosen 36 players for a training squad. We give their places of birth and high schools.

NEWS: Dawie Theron, the coach of the South African Under-20 team has chosen 36 players after a trial camp in Cape Town.

NEWS: The South African Rugby Union on Friday cleared the final hurdle ahead of the - as expected - appointment of Allister Coetzee as the new Springbok coach.

NEWS: Clermont forward Jamie Cudmore has signed a two year deal with relegation-bound Top 14 side Oyonnax, the Canadian second row announced on Friday.

NEWS: Cardiff Blues have signed exciting centre Willis Halaholo from Super Rugby side, the Hurricanes.

NEWS: The Sharks will be embarking on a township 'tour' during the months of April and May - taking their Currie Cup matches to the grassroots of the game.

INTERVIEW: Bulls scrumhalf Rudy Paige is expecting the Cheetahs to once again try and run the Pretoria side off their feet when they clash in a Super Rugby Round Six match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

REACTION: Saracens coach Mark McCall is looking forward to having "X-factor" wing Chris Ashton back in the side following the England international's 10-week ban.

MATCH REPORT: The defending champion Highlanders moved back to the top of the Super Rugby standings with a hard-earned 32-20 win over a willing Western Force outfit on Friday.

NEWS: Australian Men's Sevens head coach Andy Friend has made two changes for the Hong Kong Sevens next weekend (April 8-10).

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sunwolves head coach Mark Hammett has made a number of changes to his pack for his team's clash with the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Captain Nic Stirzaker will lead the Melbourne Rebels for the first time with a return to the starting line-up for the side's clash against the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Four changes have been made to the Waratahs starting team to face the Melbourne Rebels on Sunday at the Allianz Stadium.

EXCLUSIVE: Cheeky Watson will depart the Eastern Province Kings with a ZAR1-million golden handshake.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT. Jan de Koning looks at the Saturday and Sunday matches in Part Two of Super Rugby's Round Six.

After dropping out of the Top Four, Ulster wing Andrew Trimble believes his team must win against Connacht on Friday in order to keep their season alive.

World Rugby Under-20 Championship is in Manchester on 7-25 June 2016, and the referees have been named.

INTERVIEW: The Bulls will have to start "converting" their opportunities into points if they want to remain in the Super Rugby play-off race.

NEWS: The White Card review system has returned and will be implemented in the Varsity Cup semifinals and Final.

PREVIEW: Dave Attwood admits he has extra incentive to help Bath see off Saracens on Friday as he looks to get one over his England second-row rivals.

NEWS: Gloucester confirm on Thursday the signing of front row forward Josh Hohneck who will join the club for the 2016/17 season from Super Rugby Champions, Highlanders.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Southern Kings head coach Deon Davids has made just two changes to the team that lost to the Hurricanes for their clash with the Sunwolves in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

NEWS: The name of the new Springbok coach won't be revealed until mid-April. rugby365 reports.

NEWS: The Madejski Stadium, Reading, the City Ground in Nottingham, the Allianz Riviera, Nice and the MMArena in Le Mans have been chosen as the venues which are in line to host next month's European Rugby Champions Cup semifinals.

PREVIEW: Montpellier's seemingly inexorable march towards a potential first French title will continue on Friday led by a powerful South African contingent.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs will unleash Pretoria-born and schooled Nico Lee on the Bulls on Saturday.

NEWS: London Irish have landed South African second row Sebastian De Chaves from Leicester Tigers on a two-year deal.

INTERVIEW: Dan Carter says he feels settled now in Paris following two months of being an anonymous tourist in the City of Lights.

NEWS: Sonny Bill Williams was named Thursday in New Zealand's squad for next week's Hong Kong Sevens after shaking off a knee injury that sidelined him for two tournaments.

The third day of the fifth Glenwood Rugby Festival was for the age-group sides and again there were mostly big victories.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie has made just two changes to the starting XV, who ran in nine tries to beat the Western Force 53-10, for their clash against the Brumbies. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham has named an unchanged starting XV for their crunch Super Rugby clash against the Chiefs on Saturday. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: English-born back Piers Francis will make his first Super Rugby appearance when the Blues host the Jaguares at North Harbour on Saturday.

NEWS: France international scrum-half Rory Kockott has signed a three-year contract extension with Castres.

NEWS: The finals of the 2016/17 European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup will be held at Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium on May 12 and 13.

NEWS: Wigan's England Rugby League international Josh Charnley announced that he will cross codes to join English Premiership Rugby Union side Sale next season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT. Jan de Koning looks at the Friday matches in Part One of Super Rugby's Round Six.

EXCLUSIVE: Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim talk rugby again, along with Paul Dobson, as they look at the coach that went missing in action!

EKSKLUSIEF: Jan de Koning en Eugene Eloff gesels weer lekker rugby. Hulle bespreek die skokkende uitslae van sommige spanne en 'n afrigter wat die spoor byster geraak het.

NEWS: Wing Alex Cuthbert will miss Wales's tour of New Zealand after the Cardiff Blues revealed that he will be out for the rest of the season, following knee surgery.

June is coming, midsummer in the north, 25 Tests in the south's winter.

NEWS: Siviwe Soyizwapi, signed from the Southern Kings, will make his Springbok Sevens debut next weekend as the World Series moves to the Far East.

NEWS: The Lions suffered a cruel blow with the news that hooker Robbie Coetzee underwent knee surgery on Wednesday.

REACTION: The Sharks have reacted with caution to reports that seasoned hooker Kyle Cooper was jailed at the weekend after an alleged bar brawl.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jaguares coach Raúl Pérez left a host of key players at home as his team headed to New Zealand for a three-match tour.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok centre Jesse Kriel will don the No.15 jersey for the Bulls' clash with the Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Western Force have made two changes to their run on side for the clash with last year's champions, the Highlanders, in Dunedin on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Highlanders have made several changes ahead of their Super Rugby Round Six encounter with the Western Force in Dunedin on Friday.

OPINION: Tauriq Ebrahim looks at the decision taken by the Varsity Cup organisers to promote a team who could possibly not be the Varsity Shield champions.

The Glenwood Festival kicked off on Monday, March 28 with 15 schools taking part.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder made four changes to the team to take on the Lions in a Super Rugby crunch match at Ellis Park on Friday.

NEWS: Mils Muliaina, a Samoan-born fullback who earned 100 caps for New Zealand, has signed with the new PRO Rugby North America league and will play for San Francisco.

NEWS: The Bulls were dealt a cruel blow ahead of their first game back on home soil.

REACTION: England prop Joe Marler has been the victim of an "excruciating media witch hunt" over his "gypsy boy" slur.

INTERVIEW: The Brumbies return to Canberra after a spell in South Africa, where they took one win from two matches to stay atop the Australian Conference.

Daffodils are flowering in the north and that means crucial club matches.

NEWS: Thomas Waldrom said Exeter Chiefs won't allow last Saturday's Premiership loss at Saracens to define their season.

NEWS: The Golden Lions Rugby Union (GLRU) have secured the services of a number of their stars for 2017 and beyond despite earlier rumours of a mass exodus. 

NEWS: Lions playmaker Elton Jantjies has been bracketed with Marnitz Boshoff in the Lions' team to face the Crusaders in Johannesburg on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: rugby365's acclaimed writer Paul Dobson takes a look at two momentous incidents in the career of Craig Joubert.

INTERVIEW: The Blues will be looking to win their next three games to keep their play-off aspirations alive in this year's Super Rugby tournament.

NEWS: England's Joe Marler will face a World Rugby misconduct hearing on April 5 after he called Wales's Samson Lee a "gypsy boy", the global governing body announced Monday.

NEWS: Key All Blacks Sevens player Scott Curry has re-signed with New Zealand Rugby making him available to play Sevens through to the end of 2018.

NEWS: Three players each received bursaries to the Sharks Academy for 2017.

REPORT: UJ beat a weakened Maties side 42-16 in Cape Town on Monday to set up a home semifinal against NWU-Pukke in Johannesburg next week.

NEWS: The furore over Joe Marler calling Wales's Samson Lee a "gypsy boy" has taken a new twist as the England prop's club Harlequins claim their man he was called "posh" and a "four-letter word". 

REPORT: Defending Varsity Cup champions UFS-Shimlas were knocked out of this year's competition after they went down 21-37 to NWU-Pukke in Cape Town on Monday.

The St John's Easter Festival ended on Easter Monday with a titanic clash between Affies of Pretoria and Paul Roos of Stellenbosch.

REPORT: TUT bagged their first win of the season when they defeated Fort Hare 45-40 on Monday.

The KES Easter Festival ended on Easter Monday with only one unbeaten side.

The 33rd Saints Easter Rugby Festival ended with lots of scoring - an average of 48 points per match for the six matches.

REPORT: CUT finished their Varsity Cup campaign on a high when they beat NMMU-Madibaz 35-26 in Cape Town on Monday.

REACTION: Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham praised David Pocock for his outstanding performance at the breakdown against the Cheetahs.

NEWS: Southern Kings duo Luzuko Vulindlu and JP du Plessis will both be in a race against time to be fit for their team's next clash against the Sunwolves on Saturday after they sustained concussions against the Hurricanes.

REPORT: UP-Tuks kept their play-off hopes alive after they crushed UCT 100-25 in Cape Town on Monday.

REPORT: Wits advanced to the Varsity Shield Final Final after they thrashed UWC 60-13 on Monday.

NEWS: Santiago Cordero was not part of the Jaguares squad which flew out to New Zealand on Sunday after he injured himself in a car accident.

SACS and Selborne started Day 3 of the Kearsney Easter Festival with a close contest.

NEWS: After four rounds of rugby action at neutral venues, Varsity Cup will be concluded at the various qualifying universities' campuses. 

NEWS: Reds prop Sef Fa'agase has been suspended from all forms of the game for one week After being found guilty for foul play in his team's 13-15 loss to the Waratahs on Sunday.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Chiefs currently lead the Super Rugby standings and they dominate rugby365's famous team of the week for Round Five.

REACTION: Jaguares players Santiago García Botta and Lucas González Amorosino said they were angry with their error rate in their 8-13 loss to the Stormers on Saturday.

REACTION: Danny Cipriani was praised by Sale coach Steve Diamond after guiding the Sharks to a 27-20 win over Leicester in the English Premiership on Sunday.

TOP 14 WRAP: Veteran winger Vincent Clerc closed in on the French try-scoring record on Sunday as Toulouse routed old rivals Stade Francais 36-3 to stay on course for the Top 14 play-offs.

PREMIERSHIP SUNDAY WRAP: Danny Cipriani helped himself to 17 points against Leicester Tigers as Sale Sharks kept up their impressive home record in a match which was temporarily halted due to lightning.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: At this sacred time of the year, as autumn settles on South Africa, there are many rugby tournaments.

PRO12 REPORT: Edinburgh battled to a 16-15 win over Newport Gwent Dragons to keep their Pro12 play-off hopes alive at Rodney Parade.

The final day of the ninth annual Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival is set for further thrilling games.

NEWS: The Stormers suffered a huge blow with the news that Dillyn Leyds will be out for the rest of the season after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in training last week. Warren Fortune reports.

INTERVIEW: Eddie Jones is expecting a hard time from his Australian compatriots when he returns in June aiming to lead England to more success. 

NEWS: Reds prop Sef Fa'agase has been cited for alleged foul play during a Super Rugby match at the weekend.

There is only match that carries any significance in the final round of the Varsity Shield as a place in the Final awaits the winner.

We have reached the final round of the Varsity Cup before the play-offs and just two sides have already booked their semifinal spot - Maties and UJ.

REACTION: Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall believes his returning international stars paved the way for an outstanding bonus-point 38-16 victory over the Exeter Chiefs at Allianz Park.

REACTION: Sharks Director of Rugby Gary Gold was pleased with the character showed by his players in their 14-19 loss to the Crusaders in Durban on Saturday.

REACTION: Bulls coach Nollis Marais was left frustrated by his side's poor conversion rate after they narrowly beat the Sunwolves 30-27 in Singapore on Saturday.

REPORT: Handling errors were the order of the day in Queensland as the Waratahs scraped past the Reds 15-13, in a rain-affected Australian derby.

TOP 14 WRAP: Toulon went second in France's Top 14 on Saturday moving ahead of Racing 92 with a thrilling 21-20 win over the Paris side in front of 40 000 fans in Lille.

REPORT: The Stormers put in a strong performance up front as they edged the Jaguares 13-8 in difficult conditions in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: Saracens returned to the top of the Premiership table with the returning Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola spearheading a scintillating 36-18 win against Exeter Chiefs.

There were interesting results on Day 2 of the KES Easter Festival.

PRO12 SATURDAY WRAP: League leaders Connacht stayed atop the Pro12 standings after they edged an intense clash with second-placed Leinster at the Sportsground.

There was a lot of exciting rugby down on Burger Field at St John's College on Day 2 of their Easter Festival.

REPORT: Kieran Read scored a late try as the Crusaders edged the Sharks 19-14 in a tense and bruising encounter at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday.

VARSITY SHIELD REPORT: UKZN regained top spot from Wits after they crushed TUT 72-8 on Saturday.

REPORT: The Brumbies recorded their fourth win of the season when they beat the Cheetahs 25-18 in a scrappy game in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

There was a huge win for Grey High on the second day of the Saints 33rd Easter Festival.

REPORT: The Bulls withstood a late Sunwolves charge to claim a slender 30-27 victory in what was essentially a scrappy affair in Singapore.

A good crowd turned out early for what promised to be a superb day of schoolboy rugby up at Botha’s Hill.

REPORT: The defending Super Rugby champions, the Highlanders, put in a defensive masterclass to claim a 27-3 bonus point victory over the Rebels in  Melbourne on Saturday.

VARSITY SHIELD REPORT: Wits put themselves in pole position to claim a spot in the Shield Final when they ran out convincing 64-13 winners over Fort Hare at the Rand Stadium.

REPORT: A massive second half performance by the Chiefs saw them score 41 unanswered points, including four Charles Ngatai tries, to claim an emphatic 53-10 bonus point victory over the Force on Saturday.

The 33rd St Stithians College Easter Sports Festival started on Thursday 24 March 2016 with great games and lots of fun.

PRO12 FRIDAY WRAP: Scotland's Stuart Hogg marked his return to the Glasgow Warriors side with a try and a dramatic late long-range penalty as the reigning Pro12 champions kept up their winning run with a 27-17 victory over Ulster.

After the first day of the 2016 Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival the sides which stood out are Selborne from East London and hosts Kearsney.

NEWS: European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) confirmed on Friday that they are in talks with SANZAAR about a possible match between then the winners of the European Champions Cup and the winners of the Super Rugby competition.

PREVIEW: Sale Sharks attack coach Paul Deacon insists his side need to improve and quickly if they are to earn a Premiership top-six finish this season.

PREVIEW: Sale Sharks attack coach Paul Deacon insists his side need to improve and quickly if they are to earn a Premiership top-six finish this season.

PREVIEW: Sale Sharks attack coach Paul Deacon insists his side need to improve and quickly if they are to earn a Premiership top-six finish this season.

TOP 14: Racing 92 recalled their big guns for a top billing Top 14 match against Toulon on Saturday, two weeks before the two teams meet again in the European Champions Cup quarterfinal.

NEWS: Stormers' young lock JD Schickerling will have a huge amount of responsibility on his shoulders in his team's clash with the Jaguares on Saturday. Warren Fortune reports.

NEWS: Former Ireland fullback Conor O'Shea was Friday named as the new Italy coach, taking over from Frenchman Jacques Brunel.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: We have reached the penultimate round of the Varsity Shield and three sides remain in the hunt to qualify for the Final and have the possibility of being promoted to the Cup division.

NEWS: Jim Botham, the grandson of England cricket great, Ian Botham, is set to make his international debut, but in Rugby Union and for Wales.

NEWS: A stadium in Porirua Park in Wellington has been renamed after All Black legend Jerry Collins.

NEWS: South African lock Jandre Marais has extended his contract with Bordeaux-Bègles until June 2019, the Top 14 side confirmed on Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bernard Foley returns to the Waratahs fold to make his first Super Rugby appearance for their Round Five match against the Reds in Brisbane.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Reds have announced their side to take on the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium in a blockbuster clash on Easter Sunday.

REPORT: The Hurricanes were made to work hard for their 42-20 bonus-point win over the Southern Kings in an entertaining match in Wellington on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Tauriq Ebrahim looks at the remaining Round Five Super Rugby fixtures played over Easter weekend!

The 21st St John's Easter Tournament kicked off on Thursday in excellent weather conditions.

The annual King Edward VII Easter Rugby Festival started in balmy weather on Thursday, day of lively rugby.

REPORT: Maties made it six wins from six matches when they beat defending champions UFS-Shimlas 35-14 in Cape Town on Thursday.

NEWS: Jaguares head coach Raul Perez has made six changes to the team that lost 26-30 last weekend for their Super Rugby Round Five match against the Stormers at Velez Sarsfield on Saturday.

NEWS: The Cheetahs will play against Japan Top League side Verblitz on July 23.

REPORT: NWU-Pukke stayed in touch of the Varsity Cup pacesetters when they beat CUT 44-14 in Cape Town on Thursday.

REPORT: NWU-Pukke stayed in touch of the Varsity Cup pacesetters when they beat CUT 44-14 in Cape Town on Thursday.

PREVIEW: The Pro12 is starting to assume it's final form in terms of the log as the season comes to a close with only five games left for most teams.

REPORT: UCT suffered another confidence-shattering defeat when they went down 0-63 at the hands of UJ at the Cape Town Stadium on Thursday.

NEWS: Three bronze medal winners from last year's World Rugby Under-20 Championship, JT Jackson, Tinus de Beer and Marco Jansen van Vuren, are amongst 56 players invited to a Junior Springbok trials camp in Cape Town next week. 

REPORT: UP-Tuks fought off a plucky NMMU-Madibaz to win 45-23 in their Varsity Cup Round Six tie in Cape Town on Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls coach Nollis Marais gave first starts to Tian Schoeman, Jason Jenkins and Lizo Gqoboka in his run-on team for Saturday's Super Rugby match against the Sunwolves in Singapore.

On a warm day of Highveld autumn, the Saints 33rd Easter Rugby Festival kicked off with two big wins.

NEWS: Springbok scrumhalf Fourie du Preez called time on his illustrious rugby career on Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Joubert Engelbrecht will make his Super Rugby debut for the Cheetahs against the Brumbies in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Hosts Kearsney kicked off the college's ninth Easter Festival with a big win for the home side.

The St John's Easter Festival starts on Maundy Thursday, 24 March 2016, with a strong body of 12 teams.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are four changes to the Stormers team to face the Jaguares in a Super Rugby match in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

NEWS: England prop Joe Marler is to face an independent World Rugby misconduct hearing after calling Wales's Samson Lee a "gypsy boy" during the Six Nations international at Twickenham on March 12.

Paarl Gim's annual tournament for Under-14 teams ended on 23 March 2016.

INTERVIEW: Australian veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper, busy honing his "Frenglish" skills with Bordeaux-Begles, has admitted to AFP that playing in the Top 14 and European Cup was proving a tough physical challenge.

NEWS: The head of the Tonga Rugby Union (TRU) says the organisation is in receivership and is negotiating a rescue package with the Pacific island nation's government.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Highlanders will have the services of a number of key players for their clash against the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday.

Paarl Gim hosted an Under-16 Tournament which ended on 23 March 2016.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Fullback Reece Hodge has overcome injury to be selected in the Melbourne Rebels' matchday squad Saturday's game against Super Rugby’s defending champions, the Highlanders, at AAMI Park.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scrumhalf Cobus Reinach and flank Jean-Luc du Preez were included in the Sharks starting XV for their match against the Crusaders in Durban on Saturday.

If you watched the Sunwolves' match in Singapore, you would have recognised the voice of the commentator.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder has made seven changes to his starting XV to take on the Sharks at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Brumbies will welcome back a number of familiar faces for this weekend's Super Rugby match against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Western Force have made two changes to the matchday 23 to face the Chiefs at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand World Cup winner Stephen Donald will don the Chiefs jersey for the first time since 2011 when the Waikato team takes on the Western Force on Saturday.

The Tony Stoops Rugby Festival ended in Parow on Wednesday with 15 matches.

After spending two week at Soccer City, the penultimate round of Varsity Cup action gets underway in Cape Town as the tournament heads to the iconic Cape Town Stadium.

EXCLUSIVE: Tauriq Ebrahim and Eugene Eloff speaks England's Grand Slam and all things Super Rugby, including more controversy!

At the end of the Oakdale Rugby Week, a team was chosen and awards were made.

Oakdale Rugby Week ended in Roiversdale on 23 March.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Tauriq Ebrahim looks at the only Round Five Super Rugby match taking place on Good Friday.

NEWS: England World Cup winner Will Greenwood will help Robbie Deans coach the Barbarians against South Africa in November.

The Saints Easter Sports Festival takes place on 24, 26, 28 March 2016 at St Stithians College in Sandton.

NEWS: Varsity Cup side CUT and Varsity Shield side Fort Hare have both been docked two points after an audit revealed they had fielded ineligible players during their respective competitions.

REPORT: St Andrew's came to Bishops for another meeting of good spirit and creative  rugby.

NEWS: Former Wallabies wing, Nick Cummins, is ready to make his mark with the Australian Sevens squad - in a late push to Rio.

Thursday is Maundy Thursday, the start to a sacred period for Christians and of rugby tournaments in Durban, Johannesburg and Krugersdorp.

NEWS: SA Rugby has addressed the potential threat of match fixing in the sport by putting in place a monitoring service for Super Rugby and Springbok Test matches in 2016.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has made three changes to his starting XV for Friday's Super Rugby match against the Southern Kings at Westpac Stadium.

NEWS: A prototype headband to record brain trauma is being designed in Australia, as sports such as football and rugby around the world grapple with how to manage knocks to the head.

In the North-South interschools matches being played at Hoërskool Garsfontein in Pretoria the hosts just got home against Paarl Gim.

It was Wales's first Under-20 Grand Slam as they did what was expected of them - beat Italy.

England Women were rampant in the Six Nations till France brought them down with a bang.

NEWS: Leinster player Darragh Fanning decided to call it quits on the field and look towards other opportunities.

INTERVIEW: Sharks scrumhalf Michael Claassens says the Crusaders will pose a totally different threat out wide than what they already faced this year.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Southern Kings head coach, Deon Davids, has made five changes to the starting line up for the match against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday.

NEWS: It turns out the wrist injury Elton Jantjies suffered against the Cheetahs is not as serious as first feared.

Of the 30 schools playing at the Oakdale Rugby Festival in Riversdale, seven have won both of their matches.

NEWS: Newcastle Falcons have added Fijian international, Vereniki Goneva, to their ranks for next season.

NEWS: Toulon's Australian international back James O'Connor returned to training on Tuesday five weeks after being laid low by a heart problem.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Players from champions England and second-placed Wales dominate our 2016 Six Nations team of the tournament.

The Six Nations is done. The cheering is over and the referees fade back home. But there is still life ion rugby north and south.

NEWS: A SANZAAR Judicial Hearing has found Chiefs flank Sam Cane of the Chiefs not guilty of a dangerous tackle in the match against the Jaguares on Saturday.

NEWS: Lions flyhalf Elton Jantjies will undergo surgery on Tuesday to repair a fractured left wrist that he sustained in his team's Super Rugby match against the Cheetahs at Ellis Park last weekend.

INTERVIEW: England head coach Eddie Jones on Monday challenged his Grand Slam-winning players to "rewrite history" and become the first England team to win a Test series in Australia.

NEWS: Having played with the Springboks on numerous occasions in Argentina, Schalk Burger is expecting a hostile environment when the Stormers run out at Vélez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

After the second day of the Tony Stoops Rugby Festival, being played in Parow, there are still nine undefeated sides.

REPORT: UJ put in one of their best performances in recent years in the Varsity Cup when they smashed defending champions UFS-Shimlas 72-49 in Johannesburg on Monday.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 law guru Paul Dobson looks at the controversial Dillyn Leyds try in the match between the Stormers and Brumbies.

REPORT: UP-Tuks bagged their second win in this year's Varsity Cup when they beat CUT 68-25 in Johannesburg.

Hoërskool Garsfontein is hosting the North-South matches which kicked off on Saturday.

VARSITY SHIELD WRAP: UKZN-Impi got back to winning ways in this year's Varsity Shield when they pummeled Fort Hare 97-0 in Johannesburg on Monday.

The 31st Oakdale Rugby Festival kicked off at the Riversdale school on Saturday with 28 schools in action.

REPORT: The Maties continued their unbeaten run in this year's Varsity Cup after they thrashed NWU-Pukke 56-12 in Johannesburg on Monday.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: After a weekend where no New Zealand teams lost it is no surprise that players from the land of the long white cloud dominate our famous Team of the Week.

REPORT: NMMU-Madibaz put in a strong second-half performance to beat UCT 46-33 in Johannesburg on Monday.

Once again in 2016 Premier Interschools have 12 top schoolboy matches to show South Africa.

INTERVIEW: Nick Frisby and Jake McIntyre are finally starting to come into their own as a halfback combination for the Reds in this year's Super Rugby tournament.

NEWS: Brumbies loose forward Ita Vaea is flying to Cape Town today to link with the rest of the squad ahead of next Saturday's match against the Cheetahs.

REPORT: Parktown scored in the last seconds of the match to beat St John's 31-25 in the first Classic Clash of 2016.

TOP 14 REPORT: Fijian wing Alivereti Raka scored a pair of tries as Clermont beat 14-man Toulouse 32-23 on Sunday to return to the summit of the French Top 14.

NEWS: Brumbies hooker Josh Mann-Rea has been suspended from all forms of the game for one week after he for punching an opponent in his team's 11-31 loss to the Stormers and Newlands on Saturday.

NEWS: Prop Schalk Ferreira and loose forward Thembelani Bholi will both return home from the Southern Kings' tour to New Zealand after picking up injuries in their team's 24-57 loss to the Crusaders on Saturday.

On a warm autumn after noon in the Cape the big, friendly Tony Stoops Rugby Festival kicked off at Hoërskool Tygerberg in Parow.

PREMIERSHIP SUNDAY WRAP: Exeter Chiefs moved top of the Premiership after a second-half fightback inspired by England international Henry Slade saw off Northampton Saints at Sandy Park.

REACTION: France coach Guy Noves insisted he had seen his team make progress despite finishing fifth in the Six Nations with just two victories.

INTERVIEW: Wales great Graham Price believes the team's playing style under coach Warren Gatland has "not evolved enough" to end a losing streak against New Zealand that spans six decades. 

REACTION: Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck praised his team's composure and maturity in their match against the Brumbies on Saturday. 

REACTION: Eddie Jones took over England at one of the team's lowest ebbs, the Red Rose outfit having failed miserably at the World Cup on home soil.

It's the fringe of holiday time as the world prepares for Easter - and rugby festivals break out in South Africa.

REACTION: Jaguares wing Santiago Cordero says basic mistakes cost them victory against the Chiefs in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

REACTION: Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham believes the red carded handed to hooker Josh Mann-Rea for punching in his team's 11-31 loss to the Stormers was a harsh decision.

NEWS: Chiefs flank Sam Cane, Sunwolves lock Tim Bond and Brumbies hooker Josh Mann-Rea have all been has been cited for alleged foul play during this weekend's Super Rugby action. 

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones said he was "ecstatic" to have won the Six Nations Grand Slam, but immediately turned his focus on the tour to Australia.

REACTION: Wales coach Warren Gatland said his side had to believe in their ability if they were to end decades' worth of defeats by New Zealand later this year.

REACTION: Italy captain Sergio Parisse said talk of introducing relegation to the Six Nations was "ridiculous" after a 14-67 thrashing by Wales again raised questions over the Azzurri's place among Europe's elite.

REPORT: A 79th minute Brad Weber try helped the Chiefs claim a dramatic 30-26 victory over the Jaguares in the first Super Rugby match to be played in Argentina on Saturday.

REPORT: England, led by bullocking No.8 Billy Vunipola, confirmed their remarkable transformation from World Cup flops to Six Nations Grand Slam winners when they beat France 31-21 on Saturday.

REPORT: Ruthless Ireland punished an indisciplined Scotland to round off a disappointing Six Nations championship on a high with a 35-25 win at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

REPORT: The Stormers ran in three second half tries to defeat the Brumbies 31-11 in a bruising encounter at Newlands on Saturday to hand the Brumbies their first defeat of the season.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Wynand Olivier and GJ van Velze both struck in a Worcester Warriors first half blitz as they dented Harlequins' Top Four hopes at the Twickenham Stoop.

TOP 14: Montpellier ran in nine tries as they pummelled an under strength French Top 14 leaders Racing 92 with a 60-7 victory on Saturday.

REPORT: The Lions put in a superb performance in their first home fixture to claim a comfortable 39-22 victory over the Cheetahs in Johannesburg on Saturday.

REPORT: George North starred as Wales assured themselves of second place in the Six Nations with a record 67-14 thrashing of Italy in Cardiff on Saturday.

VARSITY SHIELD WRAP: UWC made the high flying UKZN-Impi taste their first defeat while Wits bagged a massive win to take over as log leaders at the Rand Stadium.

REPORT: An Ihaia West penalty after the final hooter handed the Blues a 25-25 draw with the Reds in Queensland on Saturday.

REPORT: The Crusaders ran in eight tries, including a Nemai Nadolo brace, to overwhelm the Southern Kings 57-24 in an 11-try fest in Christchurch on Saturday.

REPORT: The Rebels travelled to Japan and ran the Sunwolves into the ground in the second half to claim a convincing 35-9 victory in Tokyo on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Tom Homer's nerves of steel gave Bath back-to-back wins for the first time in this season's Premiership. 

PRO12 FRIDAY WRAP: Munster's play-off charge was derailed in Wales as Rhys Patchell produced an impressive showing as Cardiff Blues claimed a 37-28 Pro12 win.

PREVIEW: They first met in 1896, making the Bishops-St Andrew's College match one of the oldest in the country.

REPORT: Sharks flyhalf Joe Pietersen missed an easy penalty just before full-time as the Durban-based side played out a 16-16 draw with the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

NEWS: Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck believes their opponents this weekend, the Brumbies, is the best team in this year's Super Rugby competition. Warren Fortune reports.

REPORT: The Highlanders hung on for dear life in the second half to claim a 30-26 victory over the Waratahs, as the home side came back from 0-30 down to almost sneak the win.

REPORT: An immense second half performance by the Hurricanes, in which they scored five tries, saw them keep the Western Force scoreless to claim a massive 41-6 victory.

PREVIEW: It is the final round of the Under-020 Six Nations and only Wales are unbeaten.

NEWS: The Rebels' relationship with Japanese Rugby will be preserved with the introduction of the Ganbatte Trophy ahead of the club's first game against the Sunwolves in Tokyo on Saturday.

TOP 14 PREVIEW: French Top 14 leaders Racing 92 will rest superstar Dan Carter on Saturday when they tackle Montpellier, with one eye already on next month's heavyweight European Cup clash against Toulon.

SIX NATIONS ROUND FIVE: Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has revealed he will decide on his international future after the country's three-Test tour of South Africa in June.

SIX NATIONS FINALE: Wales and Italy will go in search of consolation wins of very different sorts when they meet in the final round of the 2016 Six Nations at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS FINALE: Paul Dobson takes a unique look at England's final push for Grand Slam glory when they travel to Paris to take on France.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jan de Koning looks at the Saturday matches in Part Two of Super Rugby's Round Four.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Italy coach Jacques Brunel has made five changes to his team to face Wales in their Six Nations finale in Cardiff on Saturday in what will be his last game in charge.

The PRO12 returns to action on Friday with two of the three outstanding fixtures from Rounds Nine and 12 being played.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones said Wales "don't know if they're Arthur or Martha".

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Rory Best has shaken off a calf injury to be named as Ireland captain for Saturday's home Six Nations match against Scotland in a battle to nail down third place.

PREVIEW: It's make-or-break time for Bath this weekend as they host Newcastle Falcons and fullback Tom Homer has challenged his teammates to dig deep.

NEWS: Frankie Horne, who has not featured in any of this season's World Sevens Series events, will be part of a Springbok training group of 14 players that will attend the Team South Africa Olympic training camp.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scotland coach Vern Cotter has made three changes to his side for Saturday's match against Ireland in Dublin as they look to finish this season's Six Nations with a third straight win.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Southern Kings made two changes to their starting line up for the game against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.

The big day is 18 June.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Joe Marler will be on the bench when England go in search of a Six Nations Grand Slam against France in Paris on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France coach Guy Noves on Thursday made just two changes to his starting line-up for the final Six Nations match against England at the Stade de France on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ruan Ackermann, son of Lions coach Johan Ackermann, will get his first Super Rugby start against the Cheetahs on Saturday.

NEWS: Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham has named an unchanged side for Saturday's match up against the Stormers at Newlands.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs wasted no time in drafting in star Springbok Lodewyk de Jager for their Super Rugby showdown with the Lions.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are two backline changes in the Stormers team to face the Brumbies at Newlands on Saturday.

DOPING UPDATES: World Rugby has provisionally suspended two Russia players, but cleared former South African and Kenyan national Sevens coach Paul Treu on doping charges.

Union High School of Graaff-Reinet is very proud to be hosting the 29th Union High School Senior Rugby and Hockey Festival from 19-21 March.

On Saturday the first Classic Clash of 2016 takes place when Parktown go across to St John's.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Blues lock Josh Bekhuis joins illustrious company when he celebrates his 100th appearance in Super Rugby against the Reds in Brisbane.

NEWS: Brisbane City prop Pettowa Paraka has been included in the Reds matchday 23 for their match against the Blues after Ben Daley was ruled out with injury.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks Luke Romano and Matt Todd will both play their first game of the season for the Crusaders against the Southern Kings in Christchurch on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Melbourne Rebels welcome back captain Nic Stirzaker and Scott Fuglistaller for Saturday's game against the Sunwolves at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo.

EXCLUSIVE: Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim talk rugby again, with Paul Dobson revealing the key calls a referee got wrong - without anybody noticing.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sunwolves head coach Mark Hammett has tweaked his team for their Super Rugby Round Four clash with the MelbourneRebels on Saturday.

NEWS: Joe Marler will be available to face France when England go in search of a Grand Slam in Paris on Saturday after Six Nations officials decided to take no action against him for calling Wales prop Samson Lee a "gypsy boy". 

EKSKLUSSIEF: Jan de Koning en Eugene Eloff gesels weer lekker rugby, met die Super Rugby seisoen wat interessante wendings begin neem!

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jan de Koning looks at the Friday matches in Part One of Super Rugby's Round Four.

NEWS: Australian flyhalf Mike Harris and former England international fullback Delon Armitage have signed for French second-tier leaders Lyon, ahead of their likely promotion to the Top 14.

NEWS: England prop Joe Marler has escaped a ban despite admitting to striking Wales front row forward Rob Evans in last weekend's 25-21 win at Twickenham.

NEWS: England's forwards coach Steve Borthwick stated that captain Dylan Hartley is "fine" and "not carrying an injury" ahead of Saturday's Grand Slam bid against France in Paris.

NEWS: Wales coach Warren Gatland apologised for labelling England prop Joe Marler's verbal abuse of Welsh counterpart Samson Lee as "banter".

NEWS: Cape Town Stadium will play hosts to the final two rounds of Varsity Cup action on March 24 and 28 but the dates and venue of the semifinals and Finals remains a mystery.

One more time ...

NEWS: Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots special teams player Nate Ebner has been drafted into the United States seven-a-side rugby set up.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 cartoonist Matthew Ackermann looks at the drama surrounding EP Kings boss Cheeky Watson.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Force and Wallaby prop Tetera Faulkner has been named as one of six changes to the franchise's starting XV for the Super Rugby clash with the Hurricanes.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks Director of Rugby, Gary Gold, has made numerous to his starting XV ahead of their trip to Pretoria to face the Bulls on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hooker Liam Coltman will make his 50th Super Rugby appearance in Highlanders colours when they travel to Sydney to face the Waratahs on Friday.

NEWS: All Black wing Nehe Milner-Skudder will miss the rest of Super Rugby season with a shoulder injury.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wycliff Palu has been handed his first start of the season at No.8 for his side's Round Four Super Rugby encounter against the Highlanders at Allianz Stadium on Friday.

NEWS: Lions loose forward Warwick Tecklenburg has been slapped with a one-week ban for 'recklessly' charging into a ruck.

INTERVIEW: The Sharks, who are unbeaten after three rounds in this year's Super Rugby competition, do not want lose any momentum when they face the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

NEWS: The New Zealand Rugby Union confirmed that All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith had signed a two-year contract extension.

NEWS: Wallaby back row forward David Pocock will remain in Australian until at least the 2019 Rugby World Cup, but he will take a one-year sabbatical.

England are the only unbeaten side in the Women's Six Nations and a Grand Slam is clearly well within their capabilities.

RESULTS: There were six senior matches on a lively Schools Day at Newlands, the 13th in modern era.

This year the Durban High School, one of South Africa's greatest schools, is celebrating its 150th birthday.

NEWS: Tradtitional schools rivalries will be reignited this year with 53 Classic Clashes scheduled to take place in 2016.  

NEWS: Injured Scotland forwards David Denton and Jonny Gray will both miss the team's Six Nations finale away to Ireland this weekend, it was announced Tuesday.

INTERVIEW: Chris Robshaw has urged already-crowned Six Nations champions England to "finish the job properly" by completing a Grand Slam against France in Paris on Saturday.

NEWS: Tomas Francis will miss Wales's match against Italy on Saturday after he was given an eight-week ban for eye gouging.

NEWS: The Sharks will be without the services of flank Jean-Luc du Preez for Friday's match against the Bulls at Loftus because of a foot injury.

INJURY UPDATE: The Lions will have a full squad to select from when they play in their first Super Rugby home game of the season.

NEWS: Wasps on Tuesday announced the signing of Guy Armitage from London Welsh. 

NEWS: Springbok scrumhalf Francois Hougaard has made his move to Worcester Warriors a permanent one, the club said on Tuesday.

Being consistent, firm with his players and always leading by example is the philosophy Lesiba Molopa will be implementing when he leads Parktown Boys into battle against rival St John's College.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Dan Lydiate will lead a Wales side that includes four personnel changes for the clash against Italy on Saturday. 

Sibiya Sibiya does not only provide St John's College with an anchor at scrum time but the hooker has an influential aura about him that helps lift his side in times of need.

NEWS: Springbok Sevens captain Kyle Brown will not return to South Africa with the rest of the squad and will instead stay behind in Vancouver on medical advice. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok Sevens flyer Jamba Ulengo will make his Super Rugby debut on Friday, when the Bulls host the undefeated Sharks at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

NEWS: The Stormers know all too well what the Brumbies are capable of ahead of their clash at Newlands on Saturday.

REACTION: South Africa will need to improve their discipline or they will continue to lose crucial games in the Sevens World Series.

DRAW FOR WORLD SERIES ROUND SEVEN: The draw or the Hong Kong leg of the Sevens World Series have produced a number of intriguing showdowns in the pool stages.

It's the last round of Six Nations this week and England are already champions and winners of the Triple Crown.

INTERVIEW: Not content with telling his England players to emulate the country's Ashes cricket heroes, Eddie Jones has urged them to play "Bodyline" rugby against his native Australia later this year.

NEWS: Former Fiji international Seru Rabeni died on Tuesday at the age of just 37, rugby officials in the Pacific nation said, prompting shock and tributes from teammates and fans.

NEWS: The search for a new head coach for the Highlanders is officially under way.

NEWS: Argentina legend Agustin Pichot is set to be World Rugby's new Vice-Chairman, replacing South Africa's Oregan Hoskins, who is standing down.

NEWS: Exeter Chiefs centre Michele Campagnaro will be replaced by Giulio Bisegni for Italy's final Six Nations clash against Wales after suffering a knee injury in a 15-58 thrashing by Ireland.

UNDER-20 SIX NATIONS: Four down and one to go for Wales. Win that one, and they will win the Under-20 Six Nations with a Grand Slam.

REPORT: Maties were simply marvellous in their 60-13 rout of Cape-rivals UCT-Ikeys in Johannesburg on Monday, to remain unbeaten in the Varsity Cup.

NEWS: Varsity Cup CEO Duitser Bosman confirmed on Monday that the next round of fixtures will return to Soccer City on Human Rights Day, March 21.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: England have already won the Six Nations and there is further reward for them in the form of rugby365's famous weekly selection.

NEWS: South African flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff signed two-year deal with Irish province Connacht, the team announced on Monday.

REPORT: UP-Tuks put in dominant performance to thrash a poor UJ side 43-8 in Johannesburg on Monday.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Brumbies dominate our famous team of the week after bagging another impressive win in this year's Super Rugby competition.

REPORT: NWU-Pukke claimed their third victory of the campaign with a convincing 46-18 victory over a mediocre NMMU-Madibaz in Johannesburg on Monday.

REPORT: UWC claimed an emphatic 30-5 victory over Fort Hare in Johannesburg on Monday, to keep themselves in the running for a spot in the Shield Final, albeit a slim one.

NEWS: Toulon prop Florian Fresia has been called up to the France team ahead of Saturday's Six Nations clash against England.

NEWS: Joe Marler could miss England's bid for Grand Slam glory against France in Paris on Saturday.

REPORT: UKZN-Impi were forced to come from behind to claim a 26-21 victory over a determined Wits side in Johannesburg on Monday.

REPORT: Defending Varsity Cup champions UFS-Shimlas edged neighbours CUT-Ixias 10-9 in a tightly fought encounter at Soccer City on Monday.

NEWS: The Sharks will prepare for their encounter with the Bulls on Friday with no new injury concerns after their 18-13 victory over the Stormers at Newlands.

REACTION: Better tactics and tougher matches. This, in a nutshell, is the reason why New Zealand beat South Africa in the Final on the Vancouver Sevens.

NEWS: Fiji wing Sisa Waqa has signed for two years with French Top 14 club Grenoble from Australian National Rugby League side Canberra Raiders.

NEWS: Lock Ben Hyne will link up with the rest of the Brumbies squad in South Africa this week for matches against the Stormers and Cheetahs. 

INTERVIEW: Reds hooker Andrew Ready says the coaching transition from Richard Graham to co-interim coaches Nick Stiles and Matt O'Connor has been a good one.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 law guru Paul Dobson kills the fire that erupted after Siya Kolisi was sin-binned and the Sharks being handed a penalty try during their match on Saturday.

REACTION: France coach Guy Noves was left shaking his head and deriding his players for their stumbling Six Nations performance Sunday in the 18-29 loss to Scotland at Murrayfield.

REACTION: Relief and optimism for the future flooded the Scottish rugby camp in equal measures following the pulsating 29-18 Six Nations win over France at Murrayfield.

NEWS: Wales prop Tomas Francis was on Sunday cited for eye-gouging during the 21-25 Six Nations defeat to England at Twickenham on Saturday.

CANADA SEVENS FINALS WRAP: New Zealand walked away winners at the first ever Vancouver leg of the Sevens World Series,

CANADA SEVENS semifinal WRAP: South Africa will meet arch rivals New Zealand in the Final at the Vancouver leg of the Sevens World Series on Sunday.

CANADA SEVENS QUARTERFINAL WRAP: All the big guns advanced to the semifinals at the Vancouver leg of the Sevens World Series on Sunday.

NEWS: England coach Eddie Jones set his sights on the Grand Slam after his team were crowned Six Nations champions on Sunday with a round to spare, as Scotland beat France 29-18 in Edinburgh.

REPORT: France were unable to remain in contention for the Six Nations title as Scotland tore them apart with a convincing 29-18 victory at Murrayfield on Sunday.

NEWS: England prop Joe Marler has apologised to his Wales counterpart Samson Lee for verbally abusing him during Saturday's Six Nations clash.

REPORT: Montpellier moved up to fifth spot in the French Top 14 with a bonus-point 31-10 victory over rock-bottom Oyonnax on Sunday.

NEWS: The Southern Kings will head on a tough tour of New Zealand as the Crusaders and the Hurricanes await their arrival.

NEWS: The Jaguares have named a 42-man squad in preparation for their first ever home Super Rugby fixtures against the Chiefs and Stormers, respectively.

If they are playing rugby in sweltering Singapore, they may as well enjoy it in wet Northvaal.

Following two weeks of inactivity, the Varsity Cup makes a welcome return to action on Monday, March 14 with all Round Four's matches being played at a neutral venue - Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.

REACTION: The Stormers were unable to handle the pressure of the Sharks' tactical kicking game as they succumbed to their first Super Rugby defeat of the season, going down 13-18 at Newlands.

TOP 14: Ma'a Nonu and Drew Mitchell took centre-stage for European champions Toulon in a 38-8 rout of Grenoble on Saturday, with the New Zealand legend grabbing a try and getting sin-binned.

REACTION: Captain Sergio Parisse insists Italy still deserve a place in the Six Nations despite their nine-try 15-58 humiliation by Ireland in Dublin.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones said his side needed to demonstrate greater tactical awareness if they were to mark the Australian's first season in charge with a Six Nations Grand Slam.

DAY ONE WRAP: World Sevens Series leaders Fiji, second-placed South Africa and third-placed New Zealand were perfect in pool play to book quarterfinal berths at the Vancouver Sevens.

REPORT: Alex Goode scored a try and kicked four second-half penalties to power Saracens over London Irish 26-16 Saturday and back to the top of the English Premiership in the league's first match in the United States.

Kingswood finished Greame Coillege's rugby Day with an impressive win over Queen's.

SATURDAY PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Gareth Steenson set a new league points scoring record for Exeter Chiefs as they overcame a determined Newcastle Falcons.

REPORT: Top 14 leaders Racing 92 made the most of Stade Francais' indiscipline to romp to a bonus point 34-16 victory in the Parisian derby on Saturday.

REPORT: Maro Itoje starred as England beat Wales 25-21 at Twickenham on Saturday to put one hand on the Six Nations title and keep their Grand Slam hopes alive.

REPORT: Joe Pietersen and namesake JP Pietersen combined to produce a rare moment of magic as the Sharks sent the Stormers packing - with an 18-13 win in their Super Rugby showdown at Newlands on Saturday.

REPORT: Ireland scored nine tries to thrash Italy 58-15 in their Six Nations Round Four match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday.

REPORT: The Chiefs hardly moved out of second gear, but were still too good for the hopelessly outclassed Southern Kings.

REPORT: The Cheetahs came from behind to secure a morale-boosting 32-31 win over the Sunwolves at the Singapore National Stadium on Saturday.

NEWS: Lions flank Warwick Tecklenburg has been cited for alleged foul play during his team's 15-34 loss to the Highlanders on Saturday.

REPORT: The Rebels kept the hapless Reds winless and stuck at the bottom of the Super Rugby standings.

REPORT: The Highlanders brought the Lions down to earth with a massive bang at Dunedin's indoor stadium on Saturday - the defending Super Rugby champions claiming a 34-15 win over the visitors from South Africa.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Scotland will be after their first back-to-back Six Nations wins in three years at Murrayfield on Sunday, but to do so they will have to beat France for the first time in 10 years.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Boyhood friends Billy Vunipola and Taulupe Faletau could well determine whether England or Wales emerge on top in front of a capacity crowd during Saturday's crunch Six Nations clash at Twickenham.

REPORT: French Top 14 play-off rivals Toulouse and Bordeaux battled out a 13-13 draw on Friday, with the record four-time European champions now having gone four games since the start of the Six Nations without a win.

NEWS: French Top 14 club Pau were mourning the loss of second row forward Damien Fevre and former president Andre Lestorte, after both passed away on Friday.

FRIDAY WRAP: Harlequins returned to winning ways against struggling Bath thanks to a two-try showing from flyer Charlie Walker and all-star performance from Nick Easter to claim a 35-28 victory.

It is the ninth and penultimate round of the European Nations Cup, the so-called Six Nations B.

NEWS: Connacht prop Finlay Bealham could make his Ireland debut off the bench against Italy in the Six Nations on Saturday after Cian Healy was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

World Rugby has appointed Alain Rolland of Ireland as its high performance match officials' manager for the 15-a-side game.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Francois Trinh-Duc will make his first Six Nations start since 2013 after being named at flyhalf for Les Bleus' match against Scotland on Sunday.

In an innovation, schools matches will be curtainraisers to four Super Rugby matches at Ellis Park from March 19 to May 14.

SIX NATIONS ROUND FOUR: It's been 10 years since Scotland last beat France in the Six Nations, their only win over Les Bleus in the Championship, but they'll be hoping to put that right on Sunday when the sides meet at Murrayfield.

The 32nd Easter Festival hosted by St Stithians College kicks off on March 24.

NEWS: Jerome Kaino of the Blues has been issued with a citing commissioner warning for a high tackle during his team's 19-23 Super Rugby loss to the Hurricanes on Friday.