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WATCH as Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie reveals the Super Rugby challenge that awaits the Currie Cup champions later this year.

WATCH as Pumas coach James Stonehouse explains to @king365ed how his team will cope with another post-season exodus.

REACTION: There were good moments and some not-so-good moments for South Africa Under-20 in their 33-23 win over Georgia at the weekend.

REACTION: Newly-crowned First Division champions Boland could soon be in the 'big leagues' - financially.

NEWS: Toulouse's Australian lock Emmanuel Meafou will not be eligible to represent France before the end of 2023, meaning he will miss out on the Rugby World Cup.

REACTION: Sam Whitelock expects to have some explaining to do to All Blacks coach Ian Foster after helping the Crusaders win the Super Rugby Pacific Final despite an ankle knock.

REACTION: Michael Hooper has regained the Wallabies captaincy and will welcome the challenge for game time posed by in-form flank Fraser McReight.

WATCH as Australian coach Eddie Jones unpacks his decision about the Wallaby captaincy.

WRAP DAY ONE: South Africa kicked off their World Under 20 Championship with a winning start when they disposed of Georgia 33-23 in Stellenbosch on Saturday.

OPINION: @king365ed rates the Cheetahs players after their 25-17 win over the Pumas in the Currie Cup Final in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Cheetahs playmaker Ruan Pienaar sent the ball hurling into the stands as his team romped to Currie Cup victory after defeating the Pumas in the final in Bloemfontein on Saturday. 

OPINION: @king365ed rates the Pumas players after their 17-25 loss to the Cheetahs in the Currie Cup Final in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Final face-off between the Cheetahs and Pumas in Bloemfontein.

SPOTLIGHT: @king365ed looks at one of the more intriguing sideshows in the Currie Cup Final at the Free State Stadium on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Crusaders claimed a seventh straight title with a 25-20 win over the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Pacific Final Saturday.

REACTION: World Rugby's decision to clear Ireland lock Jean Kleyn to represent South Africa is a huge boost for the Springboks.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Springboks' post-World Cup exodus appears to be gathering momentum.

INTERVIEW: Ahead of this year's World Cup, Jack Dempsey's decision to swap a Wallaby jersey for a Scottish jumper has finally been accepted by his father.

NEWS: It is very likely that former Irish international lock Jean Kleyn will make his debut for the Springboks next month after being cleared for Bok selection under new eligibility rules.

PREVIEW: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse promised that he will have a 'few tricks up his sleeve' when they face the Cheetahs in the Currie Cup Final in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: Champion France kicks off their campaign in defence of the World Rugby Under-20 title against Japan on the first day of the Championship while hosts South Africa will tackle Georgia in their opening game in Stellenbosch on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs host the Pumas in the Currie Cup Final in Bloemfontein on Saturday in what will be their 16th Final, but will do so without their experienced prop Schalk Ferreira.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has gone with the tried and tested combination for the third consecutive week when he picked his side to defend their Currie Cup title in the Final against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

REACTION: He may not have won any silverware, but Sharks Currie Cup coach Joey Mongalo believes he has impacted on the lives of many in his first season as a head coach.

SPOTLIGHT: Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final clash between the Chiefs and Crusaders spells the end for some players and coaches.

WATCH Wallaby coach Eddie Jones explains how he plans to beat the Springboks at altitude.

NEWS: The saga of the Puma flyhalf and the Wales team in search of his services, is back on track and the South African playmaker is seemingly on his way to Cardiff next season after all.

NEWS: Springbok Derick Hougaard has emerged from a coma after 11 days.

WATCH as Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie explains how two-time World Cup winner Frans Steyn feels about his prospect of making the team bus to France.

WATCH as Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi talks about his ongoing rehabilitation after knee surgery.

TRANSFER NEWS: Saracens announced the signing of Ollie Hoskins on a two-year deal.

TRANSFER NEWS: Harlequins have confirmed the signing of London Irish prop Lovejoy Chawatama.

PREVIEW: The Crusaders aim to secure a seventh straight Super Rugby title and a triumphant swansong for talismanic All Blacks-coach-to-be Scott Robertson this Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Rory Jennings has become Newcastle Falcons’ latest signing, joining the Kingston Park club on a two-year deal.

NEWS: The first ever Test match between England and Japan to be played in Japan will be held next year, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) have announced in a historic occasion for the two nations.

NEWS: Juan Imhoff, recalled by Argentina after being left out in 2019, is sure that the Rugby World Cup in his adopted home of France is "bound to be magnificent".

NEWS: He would be forgiven if his heart pumps orange on Saturday when the Cheetahs and Pumas run out for the final of the Currie Cup in the Bloemfontein stadium on Saturday.

REACTION: The Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen predicted some attractive attacking rugby following the Challenge Cup draw.

NEWS: The Griquas will be very busy during the off-season as they not only seek a new forwards coach but also have to find a replacement for X-factor wing Rosko Specman. 

INTERVIEW: Ten months after rupturing his Achilles, veteran flyhalf Quade Cooper is ready to make his second Wallabies comeback in the lead up to the World Cup.

NEWS: The pool draws for the 2023-24 European Cup and Challenge Cup competitions have been made.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: France head coach Fabien Galthie has a revealed 42-man preliminary squad for the World Cup on Wednesday.

WATCH as South Africa's Director of Rugby Johan Erasmus talks about the pressure on the Springboks, heading into the World Cup as defending champions.

Toulouse clinched a 22nd French title over the past weekend following a stunning last-minute try from Romain Ntamack.

NEWS: The exodus of elsh internationals is gathering momentum.

SPOTLIGHT: After two months of preparing in Stellenbosch, the Junior Springboks are more than prepared for their opening World Rugby Under-20 Championship match against unpredictable Georgia. 

WATCH as Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber reveals where a recalled Elton Jantjies sits in the No.10 pecking order in the national team.

REACTION: An off-the-cuff remark by New Zealand-based journalist Ben Smith has caused a social media firestorm - with some severe push-back by South African supporters.

SPOTLIGHT: In a mighty boost to Australia's World Cup hopes, Taniela Tupou is on target for a return in the Wallabies' first Test of the year in South Africa.

INTERVIEW: Wily Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has elevated his team's status to 'major' ahead of the Currie Cup Final.

NEWS: Nigel Owens may not be available, but the Springboks have the next best on board.

WATCH as Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie unpacks the value of the veteran Springbok that signed for another year.

SPOTLIGHT: The Pumas are a mere 'infant' when compared to the rich Currie Cup history of the Cheetahs. One union was founded in 1895, the other almost a century later in 1969.

SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks head coach Ian Foster is confident he has the players to win the Rugby Championship and the World Cup this year.

NEWS: SA Rugby, in consultation with the local organising committee, have decided to move the 2023 Craven Week for Under-18 boys to Outeniqua Park in George.

NEWS: The match officials for the Currie Cup Final and First Division Final, in Bloemfontein and Wellington on Saturday, have been confirmed.

TRANSFER NEWS: Bath head coach Johann van Graan has added Andy Robinson and Stevie Scott to his coaching team for the 2023/24 season.

REACTION: New Zealand Warriors coach Andrew Webster has poured cold water on speculation that All Blacks centre Roger Tuivasa-Sheck could be in line for a shock early recall to the National Rugby League club.

SPOTLIGHT: Convinced Australia has the talent to win the World Cup, new forwards coach Neal Hatley has welcomed the Wallabies' daunting trip to Pretoria as the perfect season starter.

INTERVIEW: Japan veteran Michael Leitch said he believes his team can win this year's World Cup, claiming they have the best side the country has produced.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks coach Joey Mongalo says his team's 2023 Currie Cup campaign provided him with some valuable lessons going forward in his coaching career.

SPOTLIGHT: Japan flyhalf Lee Seung-sin said Monday he wants to blaze a trail for his country's ethnic Korean population by playing at this year's Rugby World Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: SA Rugby President Mark Alexander paid tribute to World Cup-winning brothers, Jannie and Bismarck du Plessis, both of whom have retired from rugby following careers spanning 20 years and thanked them for their loyal service to rugby.

NEWS: Deborah Griffin is set to make history in 2025 and become the Rugby Football Union’s first female president.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England’s second Rugby World Cup preparation camp in Brighton sees Steve Borthwick name an increased 38-player training squad.

REACTION: The Cheetahs are on a mission to get their revenge against the Pumas when the two sides meet in the Currie Cup Final on Saturday.

INTERVIEW: @king365ed sat down with Michael R. Yormark, President of Roc Nation Sports International, to unpack the financial challenges facing England's Premiership competition.

REACTION: Pumas head coach Jimmy Stonehouse says his team's determination to prove their worth in South Africa was the motivating factor in their Currie Cup semifinal win over the Sharks in Durban.

SPOTLIGHT: Former England wing Ugo Monye has refused to be taken in by the hype surrounding the No.1 ranked Ireland ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

REACTION: After Toulouse's star-studded side beat La Rochelle to claim a 22nd French Top 14 title, the club's host of internationals were ready to shift their sights to the Rugby World Cup.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Samoa’s World Cup training squad for the upcoming World Cup 2023 has been announced by head coach Seilala Mapusua.

REACTION: Frustration took its toll on the Bulls during their Currie Cup 10-39 semifinal defeat to the Cheetahs on Saturday, says backline coach Hugo van As.

REACTION: Sharks coach Joey Mongalo is taking full responsibility for his team's Currie Cup semifinal loss to the Pumas in Durban on Saturday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has revealed his squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship.

SPOTLIGHT: Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan concedes the Crusaders are in "phenomenal" form but believes his side has good reason to take confidence into the Super Rugby Pacific Final.

TOP 14 FINAL REPORT: Romain Ntamack scored a superb late try as Toulouse beat La Rochelle 29-26 in the French Top 14 Final on Saturday to claim a record-extending 22nd domestic crown.

SPOTLIGHT: Rudolph Snyman has developed into an experienced lock in his time with Munster and is back in the Springbok squad together with his teammate and friend Jean Kleyn.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Pumas will face the Cheetahs in next weekend's Currie Cup Final in Bloemfontein.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup semifinal encounter between the Sharks and Pumas at the Kings Park Stadium in Durban.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup semifinal encounter between the Cheetahs and Bulls in Bloemfontein.

MATCH REPORT: The Cheetahs booked a spot in the Currie Cup Final with a 39-10 win over the Bulls in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Former Springbok flyhalf Derick Hougaard has been in a coma for a week, his former girlfriend confirmed.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Chiefs ended the Brumbies' Super Rugby Pacific season with a 19-6 semifinal win in Hamilton.

REACTION: All Blacks-bound coach Leon MacDonald admits the Blues were no match for the Crusaders after seeing his side handed a 52-15 Super Rugby Pacific semifinal thrashing in Christchurch.

TRANSFER NEWS: Bristol Bears have signed former London Irish centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg.

STATISTICAL SPOTLIGHT: The dust is still settling on this season's United Rugby Championship and teams will be in the boardrooms reviewing their campaigns.

NEWS: South African flyhalf Tian Schoeman has left Premiership club Newcastle Falcons by “mutual consent”.

NEWS: Gonzalo Quesada will become the first Argentinian to coach Italy after he was named to replace Kieran Crowley after the Rugby World Cup, the Italian federation announced Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has made four changes to his matchday 23 for Saturday's Currie Cup semifinal against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

SEMIFINAL PREVIEW: Cheetahs head coach Hawies Fourie knows that his team can't afford another slow start against the Bulls when they meet in Saturday's Currie Cup semifinal in Bloemfontein.

CURRIE CUP, SEMIFINAL: It will be a case of student versus master when the Sharks host the Pumas at the Kings Park Stadium on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has provided an update after his squad wrapped up their first week of a three-week training camp in Pretoria.

NEWS: Wales and British and Irish Lions full-back Liam Williams has become the latest victim as Cardiff offloads their high earners amid the club's' £2m budget cut for next season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs head coach Hawies Fourie has made one change to his starting XV for Saturday's Currie Cup semifinal against the Bulls at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Crusaders have once again dashed the Blues' title hopes by dominating their Auckland-based rivals in a 52-15 win in the first Super Rugby Pacific semifinal.

SPOTLIGHT: French rugby giants Toulouse meet La Rochelle in the Top 14 in Paris on Saturday with the Champions Cup holders looking to claim a double after May's continental success.

INTERVIEW: Two different Springbok captains and two different teams will be used against Australia and New Zealand in the Rugby Championship in July.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has opted for an unchanged match 23 for the Currie Cup semifinals against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

NEWS: Kieran Crowley will leave his role as Italy head coach after the World Cup later this year, despite the New Zealand coach's wish to extend his contract.

BREAKING NEWS: The Eastern Province Rugby Union President, Maasdorp Cannon, has been suspended for two years.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Joey Mongalo has revealed his team to face the Pumas in Saturday's Currie Cup semifinal in Durban.

BREAKING NEWS: A spate of injuries among Springbok flyhalves has led to the call-up to the Rugby Championship training squad of cover at No.10.

NEWS: The Bulls received a boost ahead of their Currie Cup semifinal against the Cheetahs with the news that Elrigh Louw's red card has been rescinded.

NEWS: Patrick Arlettaz will take over as France attack coach following the World Cup, the French Rugby Federation announced on Thursday.

NEWS: Northampton have acquired the services of a second player from London Irish with the announcement that Tom Pearson will be following Chunya Munga Premiership club.

NEWS: Premiership Rugby confirmed the launch of the newly-formed Sporting Commission to help transform and strengthen its governance.

NEWS: South Africa's Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus, hopes Aphiwe Dyantyi can one day be picked for the Springboks again.

SPOTLIGHT: Three Wallabies and five All Blacks make Tonga's squad its best ever and will give the Pacific nation a "massive X-factor" at the Rugby World Cup, coach Toutai Kefu has said.

PREVIEW: An injury-hit Crusaders team missing All Black forwards Sam Whitelock and Ethan Blackadder are anticipating a bruising encounter when they host the Blues in the Super Rugby Pacific semifinal on Friday.

OPINION: Annemie Bester talks about the 'elephant in the room' - why the Lions no longer produce Springboks!

SPOTLIGHT: Bulls utility back Johan Goosen wants television match officials to get more involved in the kicking side of things.

NEWS: Suspended Wallabies playmaker Kurtley Beale said Thursday "the truth will come out" after he pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting a woman at a Sydney pub, reports said.

REACTION: SANSAAR was left with egg on its collective face over false claims by Rugby Australia and current SANZAAR Chairman Hamish McLennan.

NEWS: The Springboks almost lost the opportunity to make Jean Kleyn a Springbok because they voted against World Rugby's proposed change of Regulation 8.

NEWS: South Africa only have one fit flyhalf training in the build-up to the Rugby Championship.

SPOTLIGHT: Warren Gatland says he would not have returned for a second spell as Wales coach had he known the full extent of the problems plaguing Welsh rugby.

NEWS: Following a spectacularly successful season the European competitions will show dramatic changes to its formats for the 2023-24 seasons.

NEWS: The French Rugby Federation (FFR) announced it had appointed Florian Grill as its new president on Wednesday less than three months out from hosting the Rugby World Cup.

SPOTLIGHT: ‘It's not how you start but how you end.'

OP0INION: @king365ed put on his thinking cap and selected a 'Springbok' team of players who did not make the Rugby Championship training squad!

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Experienced Wallabies lock Adam Coleman was named in Tonga's squad Wednesday alongside former Australia teammate Israel Folau for Tests next month in the build-up to the World Cup.

SPOTLIGHT: Scott Robertson has backed his injury-hit Crusaders to "rise to the occasion" against the Blues after losing Ethan Blackadder and lock Zach Gallagher for Friday's Super Rugby Pacific semifinal.

REACTION: Lyon's former New Zealand flyhalf Lima Sopoaga said on Tuesday coach Xavier Garbajosa's departure from the French club should have come earlier.

NEWS: Former England prop Paul Rendall has died aged 69, it was announced Tuesday.

WATCH as Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie tells @king365ed about his plans for the Currie Cup semifinal face-off against the Bulls.

TRANSFER NEWS: Springbok Aphiwe Dyantyi will make his long-awaited return to the rugby scene - sporting a Sharks jersey.

NEWS: Sharks captain Reniel Hugo says new recruit Aphiwe Dyantyi has learnt his lesson and will join the Durbanites on a clean slate. 

SEASON REVIEW: The Griffons will be a much more competitive outfit next season says head coach Jacques Juries.

NEWS: Lions prop Sithembiso Sithole might very well be the Stormers’ answer to replacing Springbok Steven Kitshoff.

REACTION: John Dobson admitted that navigating between the Stormers’ United Rugby Championship and the Western Province’s Currie Cup season was 'not ideal' for the franchise.

NEWS: The Highlanders revealed the 'new' owners to join current co-owners Peter Kean, Shane Drummond and the regional provincial unions - Otago, Southland and North Otago.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Steve Borthwick has named a 28-player training squad for England’s first World Cup preparation camp at the England Rugby Performance Centre, Pennyhill Park.

NEWS: Lyon axed Xavier Garbajosa as coach after a season marked by tensions with the squad.

WATCH as backline coach Hugo van As unpacks the Bulls' loss to the Cheetahs at the weekend and their rematch in the Currie Cup semifinal this coming Saturday.

INTERVIEW: @king365ed sat down with Michael R. Yormark, President of Roc Nation Sports International, to unpack the reasons behind the decision of Springbok Cheslin Kolbe to sign with Japanese outfit @sungoliath.

NEWS: The two Currie Cup semifinals will all take place on Saturday in Bloemfontein and Durban.

The Stormers have finally bid farewell to former Junior Springbok captain Ernst van Rhyn in a moving social media post.

NEWS UPDATE: Ireland captain Johnny Sexton could miss a substantial portion of his country's build-up to the World Cup.

INTERVIEW: Japan coach Jamie Joseph believes his team's "unorthodox" style can make life difficult for England at the World Cup.

NEWS: England coach Steve Borthwick is expected to announce the England training squad on Monday and two shock selections are on the cards.

NEWS: Wales lock Corey Hill has opted to pursue a club contract outside of Wales and has become the latest player to withdraw from the Wales World Cup training squad.

REACTION: The Bulls’ Currie Cup semifinal spot was accompanied by a hefty price.

REACTION: Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie reckons his side is peaking at the right time going into their semifinal week after their vital fight-back victory over the Bulls at Loftus the past weekend.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: Western Province ended their Currie Cup campaign on high note after they smashed the Sharks 44-5 at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

REACTION: Despite the thrashing at the hands of Western Province over the weekend, Sharks head coach Joey Mongalo was adamant that the 5-44 loss in the last round of the Currie Cup in Cape Town would not hurt his team as they prepare for their home semifinal against the Pumas.

TRANSFER TALK: Union Bordeaux-Bègles could be one of the first clubs to swoop on the carcass of London Irish, with reports in France suggesting a Wallaby lock could be the first prize landed.

REACTION: Brad Thorn wants a “little break” and the Queensland Reds’ coach has probably earned it after signing off from 30 consecutive years in rugby with a gut-wrenching Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinal loss to the Chiefs.

SPOTLIGHT: If everything goes as planned, Ireland lock Jean Kleyn could switch international allegiance after he was selected to join the Springboks Rugby Championship training squad.

REACTION: Wallabies scrumhalf Nic White declared the Brumbies would "throw the kitchen sink" at the Chiefs when they fly the flag for Australia in the Super Rugby Pacific semifinals.

TOP 14 REPORT: European champions La Rochelle beat Bordeaux-Begles 24-13 in the second semifinal of the Top 14 play-offs on Saturday and will face Toulouse in the final next week.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round 14 encounter between the Bulls and Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round 14 encounter between Western Province and the Sharks in Cape Town.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Bulls have managed to book the final spot in this season's Currie Cup semifinals despite going down 27-31 to the Cheetahs in a thrilling final-round clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

INTERVIEW: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has pleaded with the South African Rugby Union to make a more concerted effort to invest in smaller unions.

SATURDAY WRAP: A Suliasi Vunivalu double got the Reds within reach of a historic Super Rugby victory, but Damian McKenzie sealed a quarterfinal win for the Chiefs.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber named a Rugby Championship training squad of 40 players.

REPORT: Toulouse gave a demonstration of power with a comprehensive 41-14 rout of Racing 92 to reach the Top 14 Final for the third time in four years.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: There is only one place remaining in the Currie Cup semifinals.

NEWS: The Bristol Bears have been handed a spot in next season's Champions Cup following the suspension of London Irish.

MATCH REPORT: The Lions kept their Currie Cup semifinal hopes alive with a hard-fought 39-22 win over the Griffons on Friday.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Pumas secured their spot in this season's Currie Cup play-offs with a hard-fought 27-17 win over Griquas in the final round in Kimberley on Friday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round 14 encounter between the Griffons and the Lions in Welkom.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round 14 encounter between the Griquas and the Pumas in Kimberley.

NEWS: The Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) is on the brink of finding an equity partner, SA Rugby announced on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks will be seeking another character-driven performance in the Currie Cup on Saturday, when they host Western Province in the final round of the pool stages.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has revealed his team for their crunch Currie Cup Round 14 clash against the Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie has been forced into leaving his star playmaker behind when they left Bloemfontein, en route to Pretoria, on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are six changes to the Western Province starting line-up for the coastal Currie Cup clash against the Sharks at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Waratahs' Super Rugby Pacific season has come to an end in the quarterfinals for the second straight year after a heavy loss to the Blues in Auckland.

PREVIEW: The Brumbies will host the Hurricanes in a Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinal, where two potent attacks will look to keep their seasons alive.

SPOTLIGHT: The Reds won't lean too heavily on their upset defeat of the Chiefs when the sides meet again in a Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final in Hamilton.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks could add another impeccable record to their rich history when they defend their World Cup title in France later this year.

TOP 14 PREVIEW: Racing 92's Argentina wing Juan Imhoff says he wants to make the most of Friday's Top 14 semifinal against Toulouse to put his hand up for World Cup selection later this year.

NEWS: James Slipper is on track to become the all-time most-capped Wallabies player after extending his contract with Rugby Australia and the Brumbies for another two years.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Mziwakhe Nkosi has made a few changes to his starting team as they aim to finish as high as possible in the Currie Cup standings.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: Five teams will compete for the last two playoff spots in the final round of the Currie Cup this weekend.

NEWS: Simon Raiwalui has named a 45-strong Rugby World Cup training squad which include 23 Fijian Dura players, 13 from the French Top 14, five from the English Premiership, and one each from the French Pro D2, the United Rugby Championship, Japan’s League one and Super Rugby.

NEWS: All Blacks winger Leicester Fainga'anuku will join French club Toulon later this year, his New Zealand side the Canterbury Crusaders said Thursday.

SPOTLIGHT: Joey Mongalo sees himself as part of a bigger picture emerging in South African rugby.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Western Province have no choice but to empty the tank when they host the Sharks at Cape Town on Saturday. 

NEWS: The Melbourne Rebels have officially confirmed Wallabies lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has signed with the Super Rugby Pacific team until the end of 2025.

NEWS: The next chapter in Cheslin Kolbe's career has been confirmed.

NEWS: The model for professional rugby in the UK seems to be inherently broken with London Irish being the latest victim of the financial crisis gripping the Premiership.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Pumas have made five changes to their starting XV that will face the Griquas on Friday.

NEWS: France head coach Fabien Galthie said on Wednesday that tight-head prop Mohamed Haouas will not be picked for this year's World Cup after being convicted of hitting his wife.

SPOTLIGHT: Bulls flank Marcell Coetzee has admitted that his chances of making Springboks' World Cup squad are slim.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Springbok wing JP Pietersen wants to give John Plumtree some selection headaches over the next few seasons.

UPDATE: London Irish filed for administration on Wednesday following their suspension from all club competitions over a failure to provide financial assurances.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas head coach Pieter Bergh has revealed his team for their crucial final-round Currie Cup clash against the Pumas in Kimberley.

NEWS: Springbok Stefan Terblanche has been named part of the disciplinary officials for the upcoming World Cup in France.

The Stormers have finally addressed the rumour mill surrounding the transfer deal with superstar Cheslin Kolbe. 

SPOTLIGHT: Growing up in the small town of Mamre in the Western Cape, Keagan Johannes looked up to a player like Ruan Pienaar as the ideal scrumhalf. 

INTERVIEW: Daniel Johannes 'Duane' Vermeulen has one mission before he bids farewell to the beautiful game.

NEWS: Rugby Australia and the Waratahs announced the re-signing of Lalakai Foketi until the end of 2025.

OPINION: The Springboks will likely send an ‘A’ team to New Zealand with a split squad strategy in this year’s Rugby Championship for one very specific reason.

SPOTLIGHT: Phil Waugh has set the lofty goal of taking Australia to the top of world rugby in all four formats of the game after being formally ushered in as Rugby Australia's new CEO.

NEWS: The Super Rugby Pacific tournament has confirmed the eight teams that have qualified for the quarter-finals and the matches that will be played this weekend. 

NEWS: London Irish will not participate in any league next season after the club failed to prove they have the finances to continue operating, England's Rugby Football Union (RFU) announced on Tuesday.

NEWS: New Zealand scrum-half Brad Weber will join Stade Francais next season, the French Top 14 side announced on Tuesday.

NEWS: British and Irish Lion and Scotland international prop Allan Dell has extended his contract with the the Glasgow Warriors for the 2023/24.

SPOTLIGHT: Ben-Jason Dixon has established himself as an important cog in the Stormers' engine room this season and his growth as a player will put the Capetonians in good stead heading into the 2023/2024 season.

SPOTLIGHT: Morné Steyn versus Ruan Pienaar is on the cards when the Bulls host the Cheetahs in the Currie Cup crunch match at Loftus on Saturday.

WATCH as the Bulls Currie Cup team's defence and breakdown coach, Sean Everitt, speaks about the key aspects of their game ahead of their crunch encounter with the Cheetahs.

REACTION: The South African Rugby Union has labeled the latest report of a stabbing in a domestic club match as a 'disgrace' and 'unacceptable'.

NEWS: Former Wallabies flank Phil Waugh was named chief executive of national governing body Rugby Australia on Tuesday, three months before the World Cup.

NEWS: Barely two years after being sacked by the Waratahs, Rob Penney has landed firmly on his feet as coach of the champion Crusaders.

NEWS: Jordi Viljoen, son of former Springbok scrumhalf, Roelof “Joggie” Viljoen, has been included in the New Zealand Under 20 squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship taking place in South African later this month.

TEAM NEWS: Injured lock Paul Willemse was named in France's first World Cup training squad.

NEWS: Joey Mongalo has been rewarded for his success with the Sharks Currie Cup team.

NEWS: Tongan coach Toutai Kefu believes he has rounded up the best possible talent for the World Cup, including Israel Folau. 

INTERVIEWS: It may not be on the magnitude of the event that took place during the Anglo–Boer War in the late 1800s, but as far as rugby games go this is going to be a titanic contest.

SPOTLIGHT: Lubabalo Dobela has been one of the stand-out flyhalves in the Currie Cup this season as one of the top points scorers in the competition.

NEWS: Sir Wayne Smith received a knighthood for services to rugby in New Zealand's annual King's Birthday honours.

REACTION: Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie made a pivotal decision recently that ended a run of defeats that could have had catastrophic consequences for their Currie Cup campaign.

NEWS: Christian Lealiifano is about to close the deal on his transfer from Australia to Samoa for a potential World Cup appearance. 

SPOTLIGHT: Liam Heagney looks at what happened to the Baby Bok class of 2012, who famously beat New Zealand in the Final in Cape Town.

WATCH as the Springboks' World Cup-winning captain Siyamthanda Kolisi shows off his virtuoso dance moves - all part of his rehabilitation.

TRANSFER TALK: Since the conclusion of the United Rugby Championship last month, the Stormers have been hard at work trying to boost their roster.

Fijian Drua head coach Mick Byrne says guiding the fledgling team to the Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinals surpasses anything he has achieved in top-level sport.

TOP 14 WRAP: Racing 92 beat 14-man Stade Francais 33-20 in a Top 14 play-off on Saturday to set up a semifinal against Toulouse in Spain next week.

REACTION: The Lions have given the Sharks the best possible preparation for the semifinals, says Joey Mongalo after his team won a hard fought battle in Durban on Saturday.

The Lions head coach Mziwakhe Nkosi was left gutted following his team’s 21-29 defeat to the Sharks during the Currie Cup Round 13 clash at Kings Park on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks have reclaimed the number one spot on the Currie Cup after a ferocious tussle with the Lions in the Currie Cup in Durban on Saturday, claiming a 29-21 win.

WATCH as Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber talks about his selection strategy in the build-up to the World Cup in France.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round 13 encounter between the Sharks and Lions at the Kings Park stadium in Durban.

WATCH as Western Province coach John Dobson unpacks his team's loss to Griquas in Kimberley and next week's final home game against the Sharks.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round 13 encounter between the Pumas and Cheetahs at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

SUPER RUGBY WRAP: The Waratahs will limp into the Super Rugby Pacific play-offs on the back of a shock 24-33 loss to wooden spooners Moana Pasifika in Sydney.

NEWS: Former Springboks lock Albert van den Berg has been named Scarlets' new forwards coach for the 2023-24 season.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls overcame a three-hour delay as a result of a power failure to record a bonus-point (64-33 win over the Griffons in Pretoria on Friday.

NEWS: Wales star Alun Wyn Jones has confirmed he will not be an Ospreys player next season.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round 13 encounter between the Bulls and Griffons at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round 13 encounter between Griquas and Western Province in Kimberley.

MATCH REPORT: The unerring boot of George Whitehead and unbounded enthusiasm on defence saw Griquas score their seventh-successive Currie Cup win over Western Province on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs have a score to settle with the defending Currie cup champions, the Pumas, when they face each other in Nelspruit on Saturday.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: The Sharks and Cheetahs are in the pound seats, as the Currie Cup play-off race heads into the finishing straight.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Mziwakhe Nkosi has indicated that five points are what his team is after from their clash with the Sharks in Durban in the Currie Cup this weekend.

Paul de Villiers and Katlego Letebele will return for their second stint with the Under-20 South Africa squad, this time as captain and vice-captain of team for the World Rugby Under-20 Championship, which will kick off in Cape Town, Paarl and Stellenbosch later this month.

SUPER RUGBY WRAP: The Blues have opened the final weekend of the Super Rugby Pacific regular season with a 16-9 home win over the Highlanders that severely dented the visitors' playoff hopes and opened the door for three of their rivals.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Saturday’s penultimate Currie Cup round, when the Sharks host the Lions at Kings Park, is a crucial weekend of action as the teams all vie for positions on the log.

Lions speedster Edwill van der Merwe has taken the sports quote ‘there are no speed limits on the road to success’ quite literally as he tears up the pitches across the country in his quest to score tries.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas head coach Jimmy Stonehouse had made one change to his starting XV that will host the Cheetahs in Nelspruit on Saturday.

TRANSFER TALK: The Welsh United Rugby Championship club the Dragons are reportedly interested in signing South African lock Deon Slabbert from Currie Cup outfit Pumas.

NEWS: Rugby Australia received a double boost with the signing of rising star duo Langi Gleeson and Cadeyrn Neville.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: With only one spot secured and one team out of the running, it is a six-team race for the remaining three places in the Currie Cup play-offs.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White reveals the real reason why World Cup-winning Springbok Sibusiso Romeo Nkosi is not being selected for their Currie Cup team.

SQUAD UPDATE: Wales' World Cup training squad have lost another player.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Tighthead prop Neethling Fouche will captain Western Province in a Currie Cup match against the Griquas in Kimberley on Friday.

SPOTLGHT: Former Springbok hooker Schalk Brits says the Wallabies will be a "different kettle of fish" this year under Eddie Jones and that makes them dangerous foes heading into the World Cup.

REACTION: The Eastern Province Rugby Union has been forced to suspend the home game of another club - the second time in as many months.

INTERVIEW: Fezokuhle Brian Zomakahle Mbatha is adamant the table-topping Sharks is not the finished product yet, despite sitting pretty at the top of the Currie Cup standings.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls prepare to take on the Griffons with a rotated side ahead of the Currie Cup round 13 clash at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

UPDATE: London Irish have been given a week's extension until June 6 to pay all staff their full May wages or face being suspended from the English Premiership.

Once a week, Eddie Jones and his Wallabies inner circle dial in for a Zoom meeting with one key focus - defying the odds and pinching the World Cup.

NEWS: New Zealand centre David Havili is expected to be sidelined for the entire Rugby Championship after suffering a serious hamstring injury in Super Rugby Pacific.

TRANSFER NEWS: Double World Cup-winning lock Sam Whitelock has signed a two-year contract with Pau, where he will join his younger brother Luke after the World Cup.

REACTION: The Eastern Province Rugby Union's spotty record took another battering in the wake of renewed reports of violence in club matches.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Griffons have made just two changes for their Currie Cup Round 13 face-off with the Bulls on Friday.

REACTION: Stormers head coach John Dobson said it is not fair that Manie Libbok gets the blame for Saturday's United Rugby Championship Final defeat to Munster.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas were forced into a change to their team for the Currie Cup Round 13 face-off with Western Province in Kimberley on Friday.

NEWS: Rhys Webb is the latest Wales star to retire from Test rugby ahead of the World Cup.

UPDATE: London Irish must pay all staff their full May wages on Wednesday or face being withdrawn from the English Premiership.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks wrapped up their second preparation camp on an exciting note in Durban on Wednesday, as the world celebrated the milestone of 100 days until the kick-off of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Sharks have confirmed that versatile Springbok prop Coenraad Oosthuizen will be returning to Durban from Sale Sharks.

WATCH as South Africa's Director of Rugby Johan Erasmus and Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber unpack the 'state of the nation' with 100 days to go to the World Cup.

SPOTLIGHT World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said this year's Rugby World Cup is "timely" as Wednesday marks 100 days to go until the start of the tournament.

REACTION: Super Rugby bosses have released a statement following Harry Wilson's comments that criticised referee Brendon Pickerill's handling of teammate Connor Vest's scary injury.

SPOTLIGHT: Some "simple advice" from Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has Suliasi Vunivalu confident about his rugby future with the wing signing a new deal until the end of 2025.

NEWS: Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie says he will not be happy with anything less than four points in the bag when his team faces the Pumas in Nelspruit on Saturday.

NEWS: Jaywinn Juries is the second highest points scorer in the Currie Cup but plays for the team destined for the wooden spoon this season that has only won a single game in twelve rounds of the competition thus far.

UPDATE: French rugby international prop Mohamed Haouas was on Tuesday handed a one-year jail sentence for hitting his wife in public.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Cheetahs have confirmed that centre Ali Mgijima will be returning to Bloemfontein.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell named a 42-player training squad to begin preparations for the upcoming warm-up Test matches and the World Cup.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe has opened up about his impending departure from Toulon.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok wing Sibusiso Nkosi says his time spent with the World XV squad last week was a break from being "judged".

ANALYSIS: To appropriate a popularized colloquialism: 'It is High Noon at the OK Corral.'

SPOTLIGHT: The United Rugby Championship Final was played at the right venue as the competition continues its outreach into Africa but Munster taking the trophy home to Ireland might be good for the tournament going forward.

NEWS: An indecisive Michael Hooper might be chasing a big pay-day in Japan or France, or even glory in the Olympic Games as his future beyond 2023 still seems unsure.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach John Dobson said there is no way his franchise can afford to bring Cheslin Kolbe back to Cape Town.

STATISTICAL SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers were made to work hard on defence in their United Rugby Championship Final against Munster over the weekend.

NEWS: World Cup-winning Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe will be leaving Toulon, the French club confirmed on Monday.

NEWS: Former Springbok hooker Lukas van Biljon sustained multiple stab wounds during a robbery at his family farm in the Free State, according to reports.

REACTION: Stormers head coach John Dobson is hoping he will have a "meaner and bigger" squad next season with a private equity deal and an adjustment to the salary cap on the cards.

NEWS: For the first time in the history of the Six Nations, France will host its home fixtures away from the Stade de France, in Paris.

NEWS: Pieter de Villiers, Steve Tandy and John Dalziel have extended their contracts as Scotland assistant coaches following Gregor Townsend, who committed his future to Scottish Rugby earlier this month.

REACTION: The Sharks face the Lions in the Currie Cup in Durban on Saturday and coach Joey Mongalo says they have a score to settle with the men from Johannesburg on and off the field.

REACTION: Munster star Tadgh Beirne says his team is 'really lucky" to have someone like Rudolph Snyman in their squad.

NEWS: London Irish could join Wasps and Worcester in being suspended from the Premiership on Tuesday following a season of unprecedented financial turmoil in English club rugby.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls have come away from Nelspruit with a valuable win over the defending champions, Pumas, in the Currie Cup on Saturday thanks to a tally of 14 points by Johan Goosen.

TOP 14 WRAP: Lyon beat Bayonne 53-19 to qualify for the Top 14 play-offs after Sunday's final round of matches in the regular season.

UPDATE: France prop Mohamed Haouas has been remanded in custody ahead of his trial on Tuesday for domestic violence his lawyer told AFP.

REACTION: World XV coach Steve Hansen said Israel Folau "can't be punished for life" after the talented back was booed at Twickenham on Sunday.

WATCH as Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber gives an update on the injury status of two-time World Cup winner Frans Steyn.

WATCH as South Africa's Director of Rugby Johan Erasmus explains how they 'parked' their well-documented disputes with match officials.

MATCH REPORT: The Barbarians came out on top in a 14-try 48-42 points-fest against the World XV at Twickenham on Sunday.

REACTION: Manu Tuilagi is playing "at his best" ahead of the World Cup according to Sale boss Alex Sanderson.

UPDATE: The Crusaders' comprehensive 42-18 victory over the Waratahs has come with a cost with two more All Blacks under injury clouds heading into the final round.

REACTION: Stormers head coach John Dobson admitted that he might have gotten his team's "game model" wrong for the United Rugby Championship Final.

NEWS: Will Jordan has become the latest All Black to re-sign with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) until the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup cycle.

REACTION: Owen Farrell was adamant Saracens' victory in the English Premiership Final at Twickenham on Saturday was just the start after guiding the London club to a 35-25 win over Sale.

REACTION: Blues coach Leon MacDonald has hailed the match-winning qualities of Mark Telea after the wing jumped to the front of a queue of contenders for an All Blacks Test jersey.

REACTION: Munster head coach Graham Rowntree said Saturday was his "best day ever" as a coach after his team edged the Stormers in a compelling United Rugby Championship Final at Cape Town Stadium.

REACTION: Stormers captain Steven Kitshoff was hit with a flood of emotions when the final whistle was blown in the United Rugby Championship Final.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber had the luxury of naming a group of 33 players for their second preparation camp in Durban from Monday to Wednesday.

URC REPORT: Munster have been crowned URC champions after they edged the Stormers 19-14 in an epic Final in Cape Town on Saturday.

OPINION: Many thought the Stormers just needed to turn up at the Cape Town Stadium to retain the title but a failure to hit their straps in attack cost the reigning champions against an underdog Munster side that refused to go away.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Grand Final encounter between the Stormers and Munster in Cape Town.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Saracens have been crowned the 2022/2023 Premiership champions after they beat Sale Sharks 35-25 in the Final at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Premiership Final between Saracens and Sale Sharks at Twickenham in London.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round 12 encounter between the Pumas and Bulls at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

MATCH REPORT: Two penalty goals in the last minutes of the Currie Cup game between the Cheetahs and Griquas have led to a 29-29 draw in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round 12 encounter between the Cheetahs and Griquas in Bloemfontein.

ROUND 14 WRAP: Prop John Afoa became Super Rugby's oldest-ever player as his Crusaders team coasted past the Waratahs 42-18 on Saturday to remain second in the standings.

NEWS: French star Mohamed Haouas has been placed in police custody for alleged domestic violence, his lawyer Marc Gallix told AFP on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: A try in the dying seconds of the game secured the Lions a bonus point when Ruan Venter scored his second try, handing them a vital Currie Cup victory of 32-12 over Western Province in Cape Town on Friday.

INJURY UPDATE: Reds lock Connor Vest fractured his neck in their Super Rugby Pacific loss to the Highlanders, the franchise said.

WATCH as the Stormers' management and players surprise their beloved coach John Dobson with a special gift.

PREVIEW: @king365ed unpacks the United Rugby Championship Final between the Stormers and Munster at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

WATCH as Munster coach Graham Rowntree explains his plans with Springbok Rudolph Snyman in the URC Final.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round 12 encounter between Western Province and the Lions at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks managed to grind out a 35-9 win in the Currie Cup against the Griffons in Welkom on Friday but not before they were severely tested in the first half.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round 12 encounter between the Griffons and the Sharks in Welkom.

PREVIEW: Top seeds Saracens and second-place finishers Sale Sharks will battle it out as they bid to be immortalised as Premiership champions for 2022/23.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: As the battle for Currie Cup semifinal positions hots up, the playoff picture will be a lot clearer after this weekend.

SUPER RUGBY FRIDAY WRAP: A last-minute try has robbed the Queensland Reds of just their second win in 27 years in Dunedin and left the injury-hit side in grave danger of missing the Super Rugby Pacific finals.

WATCH as South Africa's Director of Rugby Johan Erasmus explains why John Dobson succeeded with the Stormers while he could not achieve the same measure of success with the Cape Town franchise.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: Every Currie Cup game is vital as the semifinals loom and with no easy games anymore, every result affects the table significantly.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers head coach John Dobson has revealed his matchday squad for the United Rugby Championship Final against Munster.

WATCH as Munster defence coach Denis Leamy talks about his team's famous URC win over the Stormers last month - the first time in two years a team managed to win in Cape Town.

NEWS: Former Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie, who was sacked and replaced by Eddie Jones in January, will take over at Japanese side Kobe Steelers next season, the club announced Friday.

WATCH as South Africa's Director of Rugby Johan Erasmus explains the importance of the Springboks' opening World Cup pool match against Scotland.

NEWS: Wayne Smith, one of the most highly regarded coaches in the game, has been appointed as Performance Coach to the Black Ferns and All Blacks in a unique new role.

NEWS: The Pumas' Jimmy Stonehouse, coach of the defending Currie Cup champions, identifies the Bulls loose trio as the main threat in the upcoming Currie Cup clash this weekend.

WATCH as Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber and Director of Rugby Johan Erasmus explain the 'recovery' plan they have for captain Siyamthanda Kolisi ahead of the World Cup.

NEWS: Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has confirmed that Siyamthanda Kolisi will remain captain of the national side.

NEWS: Western Province assistant coach Labeeb Levy believes the Athlone stadium in Cape Town can become a rugby hub once again after successfully hosting the Currie Cup game between the Capetonians and Pumas last weekend.

NEWS: From next season the United Rugby Championship’s Chairman’s Award that recognises an individual or group of individuals for their positive contribution to the sport of rugby will be renamed as the Leonardo Mussini Award.

REACTION: Munster stalwart and former Stormers lock Jean Kleyn dismissed the ongoing debate about the Stormers' VideoGate saga as just a 'load of puff'.

WATCH as Munster defence coach Denis Leamy talks about the Stormers' pivotal threat in Saturday's URC Final in Cape Town.

INJURY update: The Brumbies will have some key names back for their huge Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Chiefs as they continue their fight for a top-two finish.

SPOTLIGHT: Having made his debut in 2016, France-bound Reece Hodge will farewell the Melbourne Rebels home faithful while also becoming the franchise's most-capped player.

SPOTLIGHT: Clayton Blommetjies is not a story of a shooting star, but rather of a player who's more akin to a Swiss army knife - versatile, dependable, and always ready to step up where needed.

INJURY UPDATE: Tom Robertson's World Cup dream ended on Thursday after a knee injury but fellow Wallabies Izack Rodda and Hunter Paisami will return this weekend from long-term lay-offs.

INTERVIEW: Eddie Jones wants to spark a revival of interest in the Wallabies by getting the team to play in the "Australian way" again.

UPDATE: They were discarded by the South African Rugby Union in the face of threats of violence by political opponents of Israel. Now they have been snapped up by one of the giants of the game!

NEWS: The Cheetahs are holding onto their top spot on the Currie Cup log for dear life but cracks have started showing and assistant coach Charl Strydom says the side is currently caught between two game plans. 

NEWS: France, the World Rugby U20 champions, will kick off the tournament on June 24th, an important day as South Africa celebrates the 28th anniversary of their first Rugby World Cup triumph in 1995.

NEWS: Luke Pearce will take charge of his first Premiership Final this weekend, as Saracens take on Sale Sharks at Twickenham Stadium.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Barbarians and the World XV, coached by Eddie Jones and Steve Hansen respectively, have named their matchday line-ups for this weekend's clash at Twickenham Stadium.

STAT ATTACK: The Stormers host Munster in the Final of the 2023 United Rugby Championship. We crunch the numbers ahead of Saturday's #BIG face-off.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Japan coach Jamie Joseph named a 36-man squad for upcoming Test matches as he looks to "reforge a strong connection" months before the World Cup.

UPDATE: The protracted Jurie Roux saga has taken another twist, with confirmation that he is hoping to appeal a recent ruling that went against him.

NEWS: The Crusaders have confirmed the signing of Levi Aumua for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season on a two-year deal.

SPOTLIGHT: John Dobson takes great pride in the fact that it has taken close to 60 players to get the Stormers to a second successive United Rugby Championship Grand Final.

REACTION: Steve Hansen said he had to pick the "best team", following controversy over the selection of Australia star Israel Folau in a World XV squad to play the Barbarians.

CONTRACT NEWS: Saracens revealed that Ivan van Zyl has signed a new two-year deal with the club.

WATCH as former Springbok captain Jean de Villiers explains why the current Stormers team is so much more successful than during his time with the Cape Town franchise.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers young gun Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu could still play a part in his team's United Rugby Championship Final against Munster on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: The United Rugby Championship will set a new record for season-long attendance with over 1.6-million fans attending games by the time the final whistle is blown at this weekend's Grand Final.

WATCH as Munster legend and Irish stalwart Christiaan Johan Stander reveals who he rates as the best No.8 in South Africa and why.

SQUAD UPDATE: Wallabies star Marika Koroibete has pulled out of Sunday's Barbarians v World XV clash at Twickenham.

NEWS: Former Springbok flyhalf Franco Smith has been named the United Rugby Championship Coach of the Season for 2022/23.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers are bracing themselves for some Bok firepower in Munster's pack after lock Rudolph Snyman was cleared to play in this Saturday's United Rugby Championship Final.

AWARDS: South African players and coaches dominated the awards at the end of the Japan League One season - taking the two biggest prizes and providing a sizable chunk of the team of the season.

SPOTLIGHT: Western Force skipper Michael Wells says he won't follow in the trash-talking footsteps of Folau Fainga'a leading into Friday's clash with the Melbourne Rebels.

WATCH as former Munster and Irish stalwart Christiaan Johan Stander unpacks the contrasting styles in the URC Final.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers assistant coach Rito Hlungwani is confident Joseph Dweba will back up his fighting words on the field in Saturday's United Rugby Championship Final against Munster.

NEWS: Munster will face the Barbarians at Thomond Park in a historic double-header for the province.

NEWS: Andrea Piardi will become the first Italian match official to referee a United Rugby Championship Grand Final after his appointment to this weekend’s decider between the Stormers and Munster in Cape Town.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Munster head coach Graham Rowntree has revealed a 30-man travelling squad for the United Rugby Championship Final against the Stormers in Cape Town.

REACTION: Sharks coach Joey Mongalo was full of praise for Lionel Cronje after the pivot delivered a man-of-the-match performance against the Cheetahs in Round 11 of the Currie Cup.

NEWS: Springbok Sevens playmaker Ricardo Duarttee was named the Rookie of the Year at the annual World Rugby Sevens Series awards in London on Sunday.

NEWS: English club Northampton Saints confirmed that Juarno Augustus has put pen to paper on a new contract with the club.

SPOTLIGHT: Ronan O'Gara has said he wants to coach his native Ireland after steering La Rochelle to a second consecutive European Champions Cup success.

NEWS: Former All Blacks centre Aaron Mauger has quit as head coach of Super Rugby Pacific bottom side Moana Pasifika to spend more time with his family.

NEWS: European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) officials revealed that they will be investigating an alleged tunnel altercation during Saturday's Champions Cup Final in Dublin.

SPOTLIGHT: The first season of Champions Cup and Challenge Cup rugby with South African teams ended on Saturday as holders La Rochelle edged Leinster in the showpiece event in front of a sold-out Lansdowne Road crowd.

NEWS: Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx has made a big decision about his playing future.

Argentina Sevens beat Fiji in the final to claim a third gold medal of the World Rugby Sevens Series 2023, while BlitzBoks claim a ninth spot as the Sevens Series drew to a close at Twickenham.

REACTION: Sean Everitt is confident that the Bulls will not be daunted by the challenge of reaching the Currie Cup semifinal phase as the season reaches its business end.

SPOTLIGHT: The Stade Rochelais No.8 and captain, Grégory Alldritt, has capped off an outstanding EPCR season by being voted as the 2023 EPCR Player of the Year.

DAY ONE WRAP: New Zealand knocked the Blitzboks out of the London Sevens title and automatic 2024 Olympics qualification at Twickenham at the London Sevens on Saturday, beating them 32-21 on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: The trash-talking days of Folau Fainga'a could be over after the Western Force hooker was given a clip for his light-hearted pot shots at former Brumbies teammates.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach John Dobson is expecting some improvements in the surface at Cape Town Stadium for the United Rugby Championship Final, but he also expressed some doubts.

REACTION: La Rochelle captain Gregory Alldritt admitted he was left frustrated by opposing skipper James Ryan's attitude during the coin toss ahead of Saturday's Champions Cup Final.

REACTION: Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith defended the make-up of his team after they crumbled against Toulon in the Challenge Cup Final in Dublin.

WATCH as Stade Rochelais celebrated their second successive Champions Cup title.

MATCH REPORT: La Rochelle beat Leinster 27-26 in Dublin on Saturday to retain the Champions Cup.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the European Cup Final between Leinster and Stade Rochelais in Dublin.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls have won a closely contested Currie Cup affair when they beat the Lions 33-32 at Ellis Park on Saturday.

SUPER WRAP: The Melbourne Rebels' slim hopes of making the Super Rugby Pacific finals have suffered a hammer blow after their clash with the Highlanders ended in heartbreaking fashion in Dunedin.

MATCH REPORT: It was a try-fest of note when the Griquas disposed of the nuggety Griffons by 47-21 in round eleven of the Currie Cup in Welkom on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round 11 encounter between the Lions and Bulls at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round 11 encounter between the Griffons and Griquas in Welkom.

REACTION: Flyhalf Dan Biggar said on Friday Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric's shock Test retirements are a huge blow for Wales.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Sharks moved level on points with the Cheetahs at the top of the Currie Cup standings after they beat Hawies Fourie's side 35-23 at Kings Park on Friday.

WRAP: Japan Rugby League One has a new champion after Kubota Spears deposed the defending champion Wild Knights in a tense final at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

NEWS: Mathieu Bastareaud will retire at the end of the season.

REACTION: A tearful Cheslin Kolbe said it was a "massive honour" to win the Challenge Cup with Toulon after the French side fell short at the final hurdle on previous occasions.

EXCLUSIVE: The injury status of Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard has been a major concern for the South African camp.

NEWS: The Stormers are set to be without one of their playmakers for the United Rugby Championship Final against Munster next weekend.

CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: Cheslin Kolbe produced a man-of-the-match performance as Toulon crushed Glasgow Warriors 43-19 in the Challenge Cup Final on Friday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Challenge Cup Final between Glasgow Warriors and Toulon in Dublin.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round 11 encounter between the Sharks and Cheetahs at Kings Park in Durban.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: Western Province boosted their play-off hopes with a 22-14 win over the Pumas in their Round 11 clash at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round 11 encounter between Western Province and the Pumas at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.

NEWS: Wales flank Justin Tipuric said Friday he had retired from international rugby with immediate effect.

NEWS: The city of Cape Town could host the grand final of Europe’s two most prized events – the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup – in 2025 or 2026.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: The Trans-Jukskei Derby on Saturday between Bulls and Lions will be particularly important as both teams are fighting for a play-off with just four rounds remaining.

NEWS: Three South Africans have been included in the Barbarian squad and two in the World XV ahead of their match at Twickenham Stadium next weekend.

FRIDAY WRAP: Beauden Barrett spun a web around the Queensland Reds before limping off as the Blues inflicted a 45-26 win in Brad Thorn's last game as coach at Suncorp Stadium.

NEWS: The Springboks will have a Rugby World Cup training camp in Bastia, Corsica after their last warm-up fixture against New Zealand at Twickenham on Friday 25 August.

NEWS: The South African Rugby Union announced the appointment of experienced sport and government executive Max Fuzani as the new administrator of the Western Province Rugby Football Union.

Leinster 'host' holders Stade Rochelais in the Champions Cup final on Saturday with the Irish province playing at Lansdowne Road for the eighth time this season.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: Seven teams are juggling to reach the final four of the Currie Cup and with four rounds left and very little that separates the three sides at top of the log, it is an open race to the end.

NEWS: Wasps have finally lost all hope of a quick return to England's top flight, following a ruling by the Rugby Football Union.

NEWS: Western Force hooker Folau Fainga'a deserves a gold medal for trash talk after launching a series of humorous taunts at his former Brumbies teammates leading into their Super Rugby Pacific clash in Perth.

NEWS: The fans are well and truly back in stadiums at Champions Cup venues.

PREVIEW: Glasgow Warriors will be looking to cap off a revitalised season under Franco Smith with some silverware on Friday

NEWS: The SA Rugby Academy squad concluded its tour of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal with the bulk of the players returning to their respective homes before setting their sights on the World Rugby Under-20 Championship.

AWARDS: Springbok strongman Jasper Wiese has put down another big marker ahead of the World Cup in France.

NEWS: One of Wales' United Rugby Championship teams has set their sights on a South African playmaker for next season, but the Welsh Rugby Union is standing in their way.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks made the big switch to Test mode on Wednesday, as they returned to the training field in Durban at the first of two preparation camps to kick into gear for the international season.

NEWS: The United Rugby Championship Final between the Stormers and Munster will produce a record attendance.

PREVIEW: While New Zealand secured their 13th Series title last weekend in France, there's still plenty to be decided in England's capital on the weekend.

JAPAN LEAGUE PREVIEW: Springbok internationals and Rugby World Cup certainties, Malcolm Marx, Damien de Allende and Lood de Jager will be on show when Kubota Spears aim for their first national championship in the 2022-23 Japan Rugby League One final.

SPOTLIGHT: The Queensland Reds are closing in on a deal to retain James O'Connor, who wants to remain at Ballymore and be the mentor he never had access to as rugby's prodigal son.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Sharks have put their recruitment campaign into overdrive.

SPOTLIGHT: The Queensland Reds will seek answers in a meeting with World Rugby, fed up by a lack of action following numerous incidents that left their players concussed or injured.

NEWS: Saracens and Sale will wear their away kits at Twickenham for the Premiership final on May 27 to help colour-blind fans get a better grasp of the action.

NEWS: Rugby's world governing body said on Wednesday it has suspended Sri Lanka and banned it from all tournaments until the island's government ends "interference" in the game's administration.

SPOTLIGHT: Glasgow Warriors have their first chance to create history and win a European Cup title for Scotland on Friday, but only if they can tame the chaos that is normally created by Springbok Cheslin Kolbe.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok wing Dillyn Leyds has opened up on Ronan O'Gara's influence on his career while playing in France.

SPOTLIGHT: To use players from the United Rugby Championship in the Currie Cup or not, that is the question.

WATCH as Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi shares an update on his rehabilitation progress.

AWARDS: Manie Libbok has been recognised in the United Rugby Championship Awards by being voted the Fans’ Player of the Season.

SPOTLIGHT: Their quest for automatic qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games may be out of their hands, but the South African Sevens team will leave no stone unturned at the London leg of the World Series this weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby has announced the Under-20 World Cup in South Africa will feature new smart ball technology to aid officials in ruling on incidents during a game.

NEWS: The Bulls’ Johan Goosen has kicked sand in the eyes of his competitors with a near perfect kicking performance, winning him the URC Golden Boot award for 2022/2023.

SPOTLIGHT: Ireland and Leinster legend Brian O'Driscoll says South African referee Jaco Peyper has "earned the right' to officiate this season's Champions Cup Final.

WATCH as Western Province defence coach Norman Laker explains to @king365ed what they expect from their move to the Athlone Stadium - the 'Home of Football'

SPOTLIGHT: Hunter Paisami has resisted domestic and international offers to re-sign with the Queensland Reds and hopes to return from a knee injury in what looms as a crunch final-round Super Rugby fixture.

NEWS: Eddie Jones is apparently willing to give Samu Kerevi and the ageing Quade Cooper a chance to prove themselves in the Barbarian side against a World XV later this month at Twickenham.

NEWS: Five referees who have been included on the World Cup 2023 match official panel have been appointed to take charge of the Springboks' Rugby Championship and RWC warm-up Tests.

NEWS: The latest transfer news from the Cheetahs camp is that flank George Cronje is heading to the Sharks and veteran lock Carl Wegner returns after a two year stint at Benetton.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Dillyn Leyds and his Top 14 club Stade Rochelais have become accustomed to the Champions Cup Grand Final.

SPOTLIGHT: Benetton centre Joaquin Riera and Lions fullback Quan Horn have added their names to the United Rugby Championship Awards list.

WATCH as we take a look at a list of players who are likely to feature in their last World Cup in France during the months of September and October.

REACTION: Messages and phone calls from Western Province forwards coach Rito Hlungwani from Cape Town were needed to help the Currie Cup side over the line during their 25-21 win over Griffons in Welkom last weekend.

NEWS: The Rugby Football Union has given London Irish a deadline to finalise the takeover deal or face suspension from the Premiership next season.

NEWS: Friday’s Currie Cup match between Western Province and Pumas will not take place at the Cape Town Stadium as the pitch is being preserved for the Stormers’ United Rugby Championship Final on May 27.

NEWS: Australia's women's rugby union captain Shannon Parry announced her retirement Monday after a long career that saw her play in four World Cups and win Olympic gold.

NEWS: The ex-captain of Italy, Sergio Parisse, has been left out of the 46-man pre-Rugby World Cup training squad as he seeks a record sixth appearance at the global event.

TRANSFER NEWS: All Black centre Anton Lienert-Brown said there was a sense of unfinished business when he put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) until the end of 2026.

INJURY UPDATE: Leinster has been handed a timely boost ahead of Saturday's Champions Cup Final against La Rochelle in Dublin.

INJURY UPDATE: Stormers will be at full-strength when they face Munster in the United Rugby Championship Grand Final on May 27 in Cape Town.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Free State Cheetahs confirmed the signing of three new players, on the same day that it was revealed one of their stars is heading to the Sharks.

WATCH as URC Chief Executive Martin Anayi unpacks some of the most significant data for season two and we reveal the records Cape Town is setting.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: 'It would be wrong for him not to be pushing for that South African 10 jersey.'

REACTION: Munster returns to Cape Town just a month after they ended the Stormers' 21-match

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson explains what really drives his team ahead of their second-consecutive URC Final appearance and how they have players 'lining up' to play in Cape Town.

TRANSFER NEWS: Tonga star Charles Piutau will head to Japan after the 2023 World Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach Joey Mongalo found it very challenging to identify the positives during his team's 24-22 win over Pumas in Nelspruit.

INJURY UPDATE: Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber will be keen to get an update on the injury status of flyhalf Handre Pollard.

DAY THREE WRAP: New Zealand wrapped up a 13th men's Sevens World Series title in Toulouse and followed that up with a come-from-behind 24-19 extra-time win against Argentina in the Cup Final on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: Sale Sharks reached their first Premiership final for 17 years as they ended Leicester's hopes of back-to-back titles with a 21-13 victory at the Salford City Stadium.

REACTION: The South African Rugby Union has dismissed as 'incorrect' reports that Chris Swift has been appointed as administrator of the Western Province Rugby Football Union.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Brumbies have dug deep to protect their perfect home record this Super Rugby Pacific season and return to second on the ladder with a 48-32 win over the Highlanders in Canberra.

WATCH the wild scenes as Steven Kitshoff and his Stormers teammates celebrated Munster's win over Leinster in the United Rugby Championship semifinal.

JAPAN LEAGUE ONE, SEMIFINAL WRAP: Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx was the star of the show during Kubota Spears' 24-18 win over Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath in the semifinals of the Japan League One.

REACTION: The Connacht head coach Andy Friend admitted his team's late slump proved costly during the semifinal 25-43 defeat to Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.

WATCH as the Stormers secured a comfortable victory over Connacht before Munster stun Leinster to set up another United Rugby Championship Grand Final at the Cape Town Stadium.

URC REPORT: The Stormers will host another URC Final after Munster edged Leinster 16-15 in a bruising semifinal in Dublin on Saturday.

DAY TWO WRAP: Argentina qualified for Paris 2024 and Canada reached its first semifinal of the season, after Day Two of the Paris leg of the Sevens World Series.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship semifinal encounter between Leinster and Munster in Dublin.

MATCH REPORT: Saracens surged into the Premiership Final, but their 38-15 victory over Northampton was tinged with controversy after Sean Maitland plundered two tries having escaped an early card.

URC REPORT: The Stormers advanced to another United Rugby Championship Final after they beat Connacht 43-25 in their semifinal in Cape Town on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls put themselves firmly back in the Currie Cup play-off race with a bonus-point 40-20 win over a willing Griquas team in Kimberley on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Lions outplayed the Cheetahs to record an important 33-26 Currie Cup Round 10 win in Bloemfontein on Saturday.