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The previously injured trio of Wycliff Palu, Sekope Kepu and Drew Mitchell return to the Australian squad.

Bayonne began their challenge for Amlin Challenge Cup glory with a 71-7 thrashing of Mogliano.

Ruan Pienaar grabbed a late bonus-point try for Ulster in their 41-17 European Cup victory over Castres on Friday.  

Italy coach Jacques Brunel on Friday included two new faces as he named a 30-man squad for upcoming international rugby Tests against Tonga, New Zealand and Australia.

The Sharks secured top spot in the Currie Cup standings with a comprehensive 42-3 victory over a sloppy Griquas side at Kings Park.

Wallaby Luke Morahan has been confirmed in the Australia squad for the opening round of the IRB Sevens World Series.

With a 14th series about to begin this weekend at the Gold Coast Sevens, a very different All Black Sevens squad is looking to kick-start their defence.

We bring you all the drama from the weekend's Currie Cup action LIVE here!

At a recent in Johannesburg just before the Soweto Test meeting of the IRB match official selection committee affirmed its commitment to the “Big Five”.

More consistency is the key for England as they prepare to kick off the IRB Sevens World Series on the Gold Coast in Queensland.

The IRB has now made known a protocol for the two match officials on the side of the field who monitor the coming and going of players during a match.

Australia on Friday won the right to host the world gay rugby championships in Sydney in 2014, with organisers hoping the event will help address homophobia in sport.

Veteran lock Jason Eaton, scrumhalf Chris Smylie and new recruit James Marshall have all signed with the Hurricanes for 2013.

New Zealand's World Cup-winning All Blacks will emblazon a sponsor's logo on their jerseys for only the second time in their 107-year history.

Following the confusion about the use of substitutes/replacements in the Pretoria Test when South Africa played Australia, the IRB has clarified the relevant law and issued a protocol for those in charge of the coming and going of players during a match.

For the second time in the past year Cape Town had the door shut on them when it seemed the city would host a European Cup game involving Saracens.

Australian Rugby Union CEO John O'Neill will stand down at the end of the month, the ARU said on Friday.

Jason Jaftha has been appointed to referee the Final of the First Division of the Currie Cup - Eastern Province Kings vs Pumas.

The new order of setting a scrum will apply at the IRB's Gold Coast Sevens over the weekend.

View from the Couch this week begins the promised analysis how rugby is run in SA and NZ

Jaco Taute may be seen as a 'utility back' in the Springbok set-up, but he has been guaranteed a starting spot in his preferred position of fullback at the Stormers.

The European club season got underway on Thursday when Gloucester won a tight tussle with Mont de Marsan in the Challenge Cup.

The result of the revamped strength-versus-strength Currie Cup competition is there for all to see!

The Biltzbokke are determined to secure a good kick-off to the new Sevens World Series at the Gold Coast Sevens this weekend.

Leinster will target an unprecedented hat-trick of back-to-back European Cup titles when the showpiece club tournament gets underway on Friday.

Ospreys backline coach Gruff Rees says he has immense respect for Italian club Treviso ahead of the teams’ Heineken Cup opener on Friday night.

Wallaby coach Robbie Deans believes their clash against a Wales team at the ‘peak of its powers’ will be the greatest challenge of their end-of-year tour.

The Eastern Province Kings will face the Pumas in the First Division Final on Saturday knowing.

A new-look Fiji side will be determined to defend their Gold Coast Sevens title at the first of nine rounds on the 2012/13 IRB Sevens World Series this weekend.

France and Bayonne prop Renaud Boyoud has received a 30-day ban for "brutality" during his club match against Toulouse in Top 14 action.

There are several fresh faces on the appointments of referees to the November Tests involving Northern Hemisphere countries.

Veteran Springbok Butch James will lead a severely depleted Golden Lions team into battle against the Blue Bulls in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The most important step SARU can take to bridge the gap between the Springboks and the All Blacks is to review the current contracting system.

Former England captain Bill Beaumont was on Wednesday elected as chairman of the Six Nations Council.

Talented youngsters Matt Lucas, Sam Lane, Jed Holloway and Luke Holmes have joined the Waratahs.

Suggestions that other franchises will be able to freely plunder the Lions' resources have been dismissed by the union's bosses.

Nathan Sharpe has agreed to postpone his retirement again, after a mayday call from Robbie Deans to keep going for the four-Test tour of Europe.

England Sevens coach Ben Ryan reports from Australia on the eve of the Sevens World Series which starts on the Gold Coast this Saturday.

Edinburgh on Wednesday secured the services of one the country’s leading young talents on a new two-year deal.

Veteran prop Gethin Jenkins has warned that Wales’ unbeaten home record of 2012 will not be given up lightly.

The only returning Springbok in the Sharks' starting line-up against the Griquas on Friday will be Pat Lambie who has been named at flyhalf.

The Australian Rugby Union is desperate to convince veteran lock Nathan Sharpe to 'postpone' his retirement for a third time this year.

Western Province coach Allister Coetzee has admitted that his decision to play all his Boks this weekend was motivated primarily by the threat of relegation.  

Griquas coach Pote Human was forced to change his victorious team for the Currie Cup encounter with the Sharks on Friday.

Western Province coach Allister Coetzee brought back all his Springboks for Saturday's must-win Currie Cup clash against the Free State Cheetahs at Newlands.

Blue Bulls coach Pine Pienaar named all his returning Springboks in the matchday 22 for Saturday's crucial Currie Cup clash against the Lions in Johannesburg.

The Rebels have appointed four senior former Wallabies and foundation Rebels players to their off field staff for 2013.

The Hurricanes have revealed  that 18-year-old Ardie Savea will join older brother Julian in the Super Rugby ranks next season.

Fifty of the best young rugby players in South Africa concluded an intense week of elite coaching in Paarl on Saturday, starting their pathway to becoming fully fledged professional rugby players.

The @lantic Sevens series for schools moves to Hoërskool Kempton Park on Saturday, 13 October. It is the 14th of 16 tournaments.

The Highlanders have signed two 'young guns' from the domestic competition.

Rugby is a school in Warwickshire, England. It gave its name to a game they played, a game that, to many, is best played at schools. But why did they play it?

Rugby is a school in Warwickshire, England. It gave its name to a game they played, a game that, to many, is best played at schools. But why did they play it?

The NZRUput on public display all the trophies in the All Blacks' bulging trophy cabinet.

Springbok prop Coenie Oosthuizen returns to the Free State Cheetahs team for their decisive Currie Cup encounter with Western Province at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.

The Lions continue to confound critics who predicted a 'mass exodus' and expected the Johannesburg-based franchise to collapse in a heap of misery.

Griquas, the Cinderella team of the Currie Cup competition, will hope to continue their giant killing act when they take on the Sharks.

The Lions will not be short on first class competition when they play in a Super Rugby promotion-relegation game after the conclusion of the 2013 season.

England’s South African-born speedster Mat Turner is happy to be a marked man going into the start of the Sevens World Series.

England Rugby 2015 has announced the long list of 17 potential match venues for consideration to host the 48 Rugby World Cup 2015 matches.

Argentina lock Tomás Vallejos hit the ground running when he joined his Scarlets teammates at training at Parc y Scarlets on Tuesday.

There will be no rest for Ruan Pienaar after the Springbok scrumhalf was on Tuesday included in a 27-man Ulster squad ahead of the opening round of the Heineken Cup this weekend.

Having had under an hour of game-time since the Super Rugby Final, Pat Lambie cannot wait to get a full game against Griquas on Friday.

Wales international scrumhalf Mike Phillips has had his suspension for "intolerable" behaviour lifted by his French club Bayonne.

Richie McCaw has revealed that he was in constant pain during the World Cup last year.

Sharks wing JP Pietersen is anxious to get back to full match-fitness as soon as possible with the knock-out phase of the Currie Cup approaching.

The Bulls have rallied around out-of-form Bok flyhalf Morné Steyn, whom they believe will soon show his 'true class'.

Springbok flyhalf Johan Goosen will undergo knee surgery on Tuesday which will rule him out of action for the rest of the year.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has admitted that he regrets letting his on-field feud with Quade Cooper last year become personal.

Negotiations over a new deal for the European Cup and Challenge competitions from the 2014/15 season will continue in Dublin later this month after a "comprehensive" meeting in Rome on Monday.

Australian Schools turned it on to beat New Zealand Schools 16-14 at Auckland Grammar School on Saturday.

Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann may hold back some of his big guns when they go into battle against the Blue Bulls.

Sharks coach John Plumtree was encouraged by his team's performance against the Cheetahs, but has urged them to raise the bar even higher this weekend.

South African utility forward Danie Rossouw has signed for French Top 14 club Toulon, according to club president Mourad Boudjellal.

Western Province coach Allister Coetzee is set to include all seven of his returning Springboks in the team for the clash with the Cheetahs on Saturday.

Springbok flyhalf Johan Goosen's injured knee may require surgery which would rule him out of action for the rest of the year.

The unexpected return of the Springboks will add another dimension to an intriguing final round of fixtures in the Currie Cup this weekend.

Europe bursts out with lots of international matches this weekend - the Heineken Cup, the Amlin Cup and the British & Irish Cup.

Griquas retained their place in the Currie Cup play-off race by toppling the defending champions and they were richly rewarded in our weekly selection.

There was good news for Blue Bulls coach Pine Pienaar on Monday with all players returning from the Springboks squad declared fit and available to play the Golden Lions on Saturday.

Leicester Tigers were left surprised and disappointed by the decision not to include Welford Road among potential venues for the World Cup in England in 2015.  

The All Blacks swept all before them in the inaugural Rugby Championship, so it is no surprise that they dominate our Team of the Tournament.

The weakened Wallabies pulled off one of Australian's most courageous triumphs in defeating Argentina at intimidating Rosario, newspapers said Monday.

The All Blacks have applauded the off field yellow card handed down to lock Brodie Retallick as a 'good decision'.

The Western Force have recruited former Bath head coach Steve Meehan to their coaching staff for next year's Super Rugby season.

Celebrated All Black and Kangaroo star Brad Thorn could be playing in New Zealand as early as next year.

The defending champion Chiefs have thrown Blues discard Gareth Anscombe a Super Rugby lifeline

SANZAR will raise with the Argentine Rugby Union the issue of lasers targeting Australia's kickers during the Test against the Pumas.

Losses are never easy to deal with, especially with a team like Western Province that boasts such high standards.

The Rugby Championship-winning All Blacks are currently on a 16-match winning streak.

Believe it or not, all six teams can still qualify for the Currie Cup play-offs.

Charlie Hodgson went from villain to hero as he recovered from a shaky start to score all of Saracens' points.

Cheetahs captain Robert Ebersohn hopes the return of the Boks to the domestic scene will help his team turn around their season.

Suspended Lions coach John Mitchell has been linked with a return to the Sale Sharks.

Sharks captain Keegan Daniel has lauded his side for their effort after they climbed to the top of the standings.

The defending champion Golden Lions bemoaned their unfortunate slump, which saw them lose 21-37 to Griquas.

Kurtley Beale quelled the Wallabies’ flyhalf concerns with a polished performance against the Pumas in Rosario on Saturday.

Griquas coach Pote Human hopes his side can overcome one last hurdle as they target a place in the Currie Cup semifinals.

Francois Hougaard has become the latest victim of the utility player tag, leaving his Springbok future in jeopardy.

Laser beams were shone at Australian kickers Mike Harris and Kurtley Beale during a gutsy 25-19 triumph over Argentina.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer admitted that while his team improved, they are still a distant third.

The Eastern Province Kings will play the Pumas for the right to be called First Division champions.

All Black captain Richie McCaw admitted Sunday that the bruise below his left eye came from teammate Owen Franks.

Australia managed to end their Rugby Championship campaign on a winning note, but the 25-19 triumph.

All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick has been issued with an off-field yellow card for his dangerous tackle on Adries Bekker.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen issued an ominous warning when he said that the runaway Rugby Championship winners can improve.

Brian O'Driscoll's try proved to be the difference as Leinster got back to winning ways by holding on for a 30-21 PRO12 win against a battling Munster.

Argentina ended their debut in the Rugby Championship on a disappointing note, a 19-25 loss to Australia in Rosario.

The Wallabies did just enough to record a 25-19 victory over the Pumas in a scrappy match in Rosario on Saturday.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw praised his team's composure in their victory over the Springboks in Soweto on Saturday.

Jason Shoemark's second-half double saw Exeter Chiefs make it two defeats on the spin for reigning Premiership champions Harlequins on Saturday.

Springbok captain Jean de Villiers admitted that his team have 'a long way to go' before they can seriously challenge the All Blacks.

The Sharks moved to the top of the Currie Cup standings with a 37-30 bonus-point victory over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The All Blacks outplayed the Springboks in Soweto on Saturday to hand skipper Richie McCaw an unprecedented 100th Test victory.

The All Blacks made it 16 consecutive Test victories by beating the Springboks 32-16 in a dominant performance in Soweto on Saturday.

Griquas showed great character to secure a season double over the Golden Lions with a 37-21 victory in a sweltering Kimberley on Saturday.

The Springboks were given a reality check by a vastly superior All Black outfit in Soweto on Saturday.

Blue Bulls coach Pine Pienaar knows that his team have to take every chance they get if they want to win the Currie Cup, even if it does not please the fans.

Ben Youngs' try on his Premiership return heaped more misery on Sale Sharks as Leicester Tigers came from behind to claim a win 20-8 at Salford City Stadium.

Dan Biggar's 24-point haul maintained the Ospreys' Pro12 charge at the expense of lowly Zebre, whom they beat 34-16  on Friday.

The Blue Bulls kept their Currie Cup play-off hopes alive with a deserved 26-13 win over Western Province in Pretoria on Friday.

Free State beat the Valke in the high-scoring Final of the @lantic Provincial Sevens played at  LC de Villiers Stadium in Pretoria on Friday.

We bring all the weekend's Rugby Championship and Currie Cup drama LIVE right here. It is just a click away!

The South African Rugby Union have effectively shut the door on the Southern Kings' drive to field more than two overseas players in their Super Rugby squad.

The team of 22 Springboks to play the All Blacks in Soweto on Saturday has seven Old Boys of Grey College in Bloemfontein. And yet it is not a record!

President of the Border Rugby Union, Buntu Ondala was attacked by a group of unhappy players at a tournament in Tsholomnqa.

All Black fullback Israel Dagg will on Saturday return to the scene where he announced himself on the global stage two years ago.

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has signed a one-year extension with the European champions that will keep him in Dublin until the end of the 2013/14 campaign.

Although the pressure is on as the play-offs approach, Western Province will not abandon their more attacking approach in the Currie Cup.  

After weeks of silence, two Wallabies have aired their views on the controversy surrounding outspoken flyhalf Quade Cooper.

The Springboks will be out to erase the scars of 2010 when they take on an All Black team chasing history in Soweto on Saturday.  

The Kings may have acted prematurely when they unveiled Bandise Maku as one of their big pre-season coups.

France will be without influential backs David Marty and Alexis Palisson for their year-end Tests against Australia, Argentina and Samoa.

Argentina will have their last and best chance to record their first Rugby Championship win when they take on Australia in Rosario.

It will be far from a dead rubber when the greatest rivalry in international rugby is reignited in Soweto on Saturday.

Seasoned Springbok lock Andries Bekker is confident that South Africa's youthful forwards can mature into one of the best packs in world rugby.

View from the Couch this week reminisces on the All Black/Bok rivalry.

It would be stating the all too obvious to say South Africa's premier domestic competition, the Currie Cup, has reached the business end.

Wing Mark Cueto admits it is easy for Sale Sharks to get bogged down with the negatives of their start to the Premiership season.

Argentina coach Santiago Phelan has named an unchanged starting line-up for Saturday's Rugby Championship clash with Australia in Rosario.

In what will be the final round of Pro12 games before the start of the European competitions, Ulster sit one point clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.

The Cheetahs have a challenging run-in to the Currie Cup play-offs and it will require of them to remain 'switched on' for a full 80 minutes in each game.

Former England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson is eyeing one last tour with the British and Irish Lions.

Wallaby wing Digby Ioane is determined to run the Pumas ragged this weekend after his stuttering performance against the Springboks.

WP put up a proverbial 'cricket score' the last time they played the Blue Bulls. In their return match on Friday, the Bulls will be satisfied with a soccer score.

The race for First Division honours reaches the do-or-die stage on Friday when the best four teams in this year's expanded eight-team competition meet in the semifinals.

The Cheetahs have found a suitable replacement for Western Force-bound flyhalf Sias Ebersohn.

The All Blacks may be unbeaten this year and on a 15-match winning streak, but the Springboks have a plan to halt the wave in Soweto on Saturday.

Coach Paul Treu has included two new caps in his 12-man Springbok Sevens squad for round one of the Sevens World Series at the Gold Coast on 13 and 14 October in Australia.

Force wing Nick Cummins will become the 11th new cap, and the 38th player to represent Australia in what is the 10th Test of a challenging year.

Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann wants his team to play their rugby in Griquas' territory as they seek revenge in Kimberley this weekend.

The Blue Bulls may be in the midst of one of their worst Currie Cup seasons in decades, but a trip to Loftus Versfeld remains a huge challenge.

The Sharks will welcome back Springbok flyer JP Pietersen when they travel to Bloemfontein to take on the Free State Cheetahs in a Currie Cup crunch match.

Rookie flyhalf Johan Goosen will be South Africa's first-choice goal-kicker against New Zealand in Soweto on Saturday.

It's not quite the murder of a Scottish king, but it does open the Laws of the Game and commonsense to mockery.

New Zealand have made two changes to their starting XV for the final round Rugby Championship Test against South Africa in Soweto on Saturday.

Newport Gwent Dragons No. 8 Toby Faletau's return to form will provide a welcome boost to Wales following the loss of Dan Lydiate.

Scotland captain Ross Ford says they have started working on a plan to upset the All Blacks at Murrayfield on November 11.

Connacht coach Eric Elwood is to leave his position at the end of the season.

After their great escape on the Gold Coast, Wallaby forwards coach Andrew Blades says Australia will earn the right to go wide against the Pumas on Saturday.

A reinvigorated Ruan Pienaar is ready to step out of Fourie du Preez‘s shadow and make the Springbok number nine jersey his own.

The Southern Kings have sent a formal request to the Lions to speak to their players about joining the Eastern Cape franchise next year.

The Australians cried foul when the referee's ruling on replacements reduced their team to just 14 men.

Golden Lions mentor Johan Ackermann and flyhalf Elton Jantjies have been named as the Currie Cup Coach of the Month and Player of the Month for September.

Bok coach Heyneke Meyer has yet to make a call on his first-choice goal-kicker, but he expects an 80 percent strike rate against the All Blacks.

The Griquas will be without injured prop Janro van Niekerk and flank Wesley Wilkins for their clash with the Golden Lions in Kimberley on Saturday.

Free State Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has shifted lock Francois Uys to flank for their match with the Sharks in Bloemfontein this weekend.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer on Wednesday named the same starting line-up for Saturday's Test in the Rugby Championship against New Zealand.

The Golden Lions have had to shuffle their backline for their Currie Cup encounter with Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday.

Injury-prone Stormers loose forward Nick Koster is on the verge of joining Springbok flank Francois Louw at Bath in England.

Wales flank Dan Lydiate could make an appearance in the Six Nations, club coach Darren Edwards said after the Dragons forward underwent successful surgery on a broken ankle.

The Cheetahs have been dealt a major blow with the news that Heinrich Brüssow will undergo shoulder surgery that will sideline him for six months.

A picture is worth a thousand words...

Elton Jantjies may not have signed on the dotted line yet, but two other big-name Lions players will feature ion the Stormers squad in 2013.

The Australian Rugby Union confirmed the Wallabies would undertake a four-Test year-end tour to Europe during November and December.

The Under-13 interprovincial tournament was played at Curro College in Pretoria on Tuesday. Western Province won the main trophy.

The Sale Sharks received good and bad news regarding forwards Andy Powell and Tom Brady who were cited after Saturday’s clash with Bath.

Wales forward coach Robin McBryde is backing Argentina to beat Australia in Rosario this weekend.

Retired New Zealand flyhalf Carlos Spencer believes the Springboks will be no match for the All Blacks in Soweto on Saturday.

Leicester flank Tom Croft will not push for a place in the England squad for the end-of-year Tests in November.

The All Blacks expect the Springboks to play with more width in their return Rugby Championship clash in Soweto on Saturday.

Griquas did nobody any favours when they beat the Golden Lions in Johannesburg just over a month ago.

Fiji coaching director Franck Boivert is fuming after two backline players picked French club rugby over national duty.

Springbok prop Coenie Oosthuizen has been cleared to play after an examination by a neurosurgeon in Durban on Tuesday.

London Wasps prop Tim Payne has been suspended for two weeks after pleading guilty to a charge of striking with the knee during the Premiership match against Northampton Saints.

For the second time on their five-match tour to Fiji and New Zealand, the Australian schools side was beaten. This time, in the third match of their tour,  the New Zealand Barbarians beat them 24-5 at Sacred Heart College in Auckland.

Reports that Springbok Elton Jantjies has signed with the Stormers are not only premature, they may be well wide of the mark.

Although much of the focus has been on the backline, the most important selection Heyneke Meyer has made has been to recall Francois Louw.

Springbok wing JP Pietersen returned to training with the Sharks this week and could make his return from a hand injury against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.  

WP have been dealt another blow, with a recurring rib cartilage injury likely to rule Rynhardt Elstadt out for the rest of the season.

Springbok wing Bjorn Basson has been included in the starting line-up for the Blue Bulls' clash with Western Province in Pretoria on Friday.

Springbok kicking consultant Louis Koen is convinced that Morne Steyn's Test career is not over and has backed the flyhalf to boot his critics into touch.

Although the Wallabies' injury woes have improved slightly, there is still a question mark over who will play at fullback against Argentina this weekend.

Sharks hooker Pieter Dixon will not be punished further for kicking Blue Bulls flank Arno Botha in the face in Durban on Friday night.

The dreaded loose forward injury curse has struck the Free State Cheetahs' Springbok flank Heinrich Brüssow again.

WP coach Allister Coetzee cracked the whip to ensure his team does not drop out of the Currie Cup play-off race.

Bok coach Heyneke Meyer believes that his players are beginning to understand what he wants from them.

Lions back Lionel Mapoe's career stalled almost before it started. On Monday it unexpectedly got a boost.

Argentina have injury concerns of their own ahead of their clash with Australia in Rosario this weekend.

With the Rugby Championship trophy in the bag, the All Blacks have set their sights on the Springboks.

The All Blacks believe the Pumas can pounce on a wounded Wallaby side and record their maiden Rugby Championship win in Rosario this weekend.

The Australian Rugby Union will wait until the conclusion of the Rugby Championship to address the Quade Cooper saga.

The Blue Bulls will be able to call on the services of three additional Springboks for their Currie Cup crunch match against Western Province in Pretoria on Friday.

Harlequins lock George Merrick has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him with the West London club until the end of the 2014-15 season.

Sale Sharks duo Andy Powell and Tom Brady are to appear at an RFU disciplinary hearing in Leeds on Tuesday following Saturday’s Premiership match at Bath.

The Lions have responded to the exodus of players from Johannesburg by signing Bulls flank Warwick Tecklenburg on a two-year contract.

The new Rugby Championship ends this weekend. In fact as a competition it ended last weekend with New Zealand the winners. But South Africa and Australia would prefer to come second and Argentina would prefer not to come last.

Young Springbok prop Coenie Oosthuizen's career has been cast into doubt after it was confirmed that there is renewed concern over his neck injury.

London Wasps' Tim Payne is to appear at an RFU disciplinary hearing on Tuesday after being cited following Friday's Premiership match against Northampton Saints.

London Wasps scrumhalf Nic Berry has been forced into retirement following a series of concussions.

With just two rounds of league action remaining the first team has booked a spot in the Currie Cup play-offs.

South Africa's emphatic win over Australia caused a stir on the IRB World rankings.

The Rugby Championship may have already been decided, but judging by our Team of the Week the clash in Soweto this weekend should still be a classic.

The Golden Lions cemented their place at the top of the Currie Cup standings and were rewarded in our weekly selection.

NZRU Chairman Mike Eagle and board director Gerard van Tilborg have been mugged in Argentina.

The Australian media said Monday coach Robbie Deans's future was on the line after the Wallabies' shambolic loss to the Springboks.

Saracens flyhalf Owen Farrell scored all of his side's points to condemn Harlequins to their first Premeirship defeat this season.

The Wallabies on Sunday took stock of their walking wounded in the wake of their brutal battering at the hands of the Springboks in Pretoria.

Despite losing to the EP Kings, a bonus point saw the Leopards set up a rematch with the Eastern Cape side in the First Division semifinals.

Springbok captain Jean de Villiers said they took an important step towards building depth for the future on Saturday.

Luke McAlister scored 27 points as defending champions Toulouse handed Toulon their first defeat of the French Top 14 season on Saturday in a 32-9 romp.

An emotional Johan Goosen repaid the faith bestowed in him by Heyneke Meyer and proved that he is the real deal in his run-on debut at the weekend.

Sharks coach John Plumtree does not believe that hooker Pieter Dixon deserved a red card for kicking Arno Botha in the face.

Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann is hoping to get one of his Bok props back this week to ease his front row worries.

Western Province coach Allister Coetzee admitted that his side have only themselves to blame for their loss to the Lions.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw believes his team's Rugby Championship victory has proved that they are worthy world champions.

Coach Heyneke Meyer believes South Africa must be more ruthless on attack if they hope to beat New Zealand in Soweto.

Argentina were left deflated after suffering a 54-15 demolition at the hands of the All Blacks in front of their home crowd.

The All Blacks produced some scintillating rugby on their way to a convincing 54-15 victory over Argentina on Saturday.

New Zealand showed their true championship qualities with an emphatic 54-15 win over Argentina.

Alberto Di Bernardo showed the required nerves of steel to kick a last-minute 50-metre penalty to beat Scarlets 22-20 and record Treviso's second PRO12 win of the season.

Olly Barkley capped off his final match for Bath with a 31-10 win as Gary Gold's side handed Sale Sharks a fifth straight Premiership defeat.

Worcester opened their Premiership account in style with a bonus point 35-11 success over London Irish at Sixways.

South Africa did not change tactics, they simply executed better. This was the message of both coach Heyneke Meyer and Jean de Villiers.

An injury plague swept through the Wallaby squad and compounded their woes at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Australia will be forced to fly in reinforcements for their trip to Argentina next week, after what coach Robbie Deans described as "carnage" in Pretoria.

South Africa ran rampant at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, scoring a deserved 31-8 win over Australia in their Rugby Championship match.

The Free State Cheetahs  moved from last place to fourth on the Currie Cup standings with a deserved 35-20 win over Griquas on Saturday.

The Golden Lions defended like Trojans and scored the only try of the match to beat a frustrated Western Province 22-9 at Newlands on Saturday.

The core group of senior Springboks stood up at Loftus Versfeld to guide the hosts to a much-needed win over the Wallabies on Saturday.

Much has been made of the youthful inexperience of the current Springboks team, but is it really so?

Six Nations champions Wales were dealt a cruel blow with the news that loose forward Dan Lydiate is likely to miss the year-end internationals through injury.

Controversial Welsh scrumhalf Mike Phillips and French fullback Cedric Heymans have been suspended by Bayonne.

Quade Cooper's outbursts against the Wallabies and ARU has drawn criticism from All Black captain Richie McCaw.

Connacht ran in five tries for a shock 34-6 bonus-point humbling of European champions Leinster at the Sportsground on Friday.

James Wilson showed that Ben Foden's time out for injury might not be so bad after all with a fantastic double-try showing in his side's 24-6 win over London Wasps.

Despite a late red card the Sharks held on to secure a tough 13-12 victory over the Blue Bulls at a rain-drenched Kings Park on Friday.

As if Western Province's flyhalf concerns were not bad enough, Demetri Catrakilis will have to square up to the physical Butch James on Saturday.

He may have lost the services of Frans Steyn, but veteran Springbok captain Jean de Villiers feels 'invigorated' by the presence of two rookies on either side of him.

We bring you all of the action from the Rugby Championship and Currie Cup this weekend, catch all the previews, live coverage and match reports here.

Wallaby captain Nathan Sharpe’s patience is running increasingly thin regarding the ongoing Quade Cooper saga.

South African police have dropped their investigation into an allegation of rape made against New Zealand Under-20 player Nathan Harris.

Wallaby utility forward Scott Higginbotham’s horror run in South Africa continued when he suffered an injury during Thursday’s training session.

Argentina must ditch a habit of fading in the final stages of Rugby Championship Tests if they are to prevent New Zealand clinching the title in La Plata Saturday.

The second @lantic Provincial Under-18 sevens tournament will take place on 4 and 5 October at the LC de Villiers Stadium at Tukkies.  Sixteen provincial Under-18 teams will participate in the tournament.

Springbok scrum doctor Pieter de Villiers is confident the hosts will have ascendency up front in Saturday’s Test against the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has been forced into making late changes to his team for the Rugby Championship encounter with Australia.

Stuart Berry, one of South Africa's top referees, was involved in a head-on collision on his way to Durban Airport and was taken to hospital.

England on Friday announced their 12-man squad for the first leg of this season’s Sevens World Series.

The New Zealand capital's number one scrumhalf, TJ Perenara, has signed a two-year deal with both the Wellington Lions and the Hurricanes beginning in 2013.

The View from the Couch this week taps into the sense of unease pervading Bok fans.

Talented Australian flyhalf Quade Cooper has left himself totally isolated with his latest public rant.

The All Blacks have their work cut out for them if they are going to extend their unbeaten streak against Argentina in La Plata on Saturday.

Both sides have a mathematical chance of winning the Rugby Championships. Paul Dobson previews the Test between the Springboks and Wallabies.

The race, for play-off spots and home-ground advantage, in the six-team Currie Cup competition has distinct groups.

Despite their defeat by Ospreys last time out, and in the process the loss of the only remaining unbeaten record in this season’s PRO12, Scarlets still sit atop of the table.

It is the fifth round of Premiership action and it sees Saracens make the trip across London to Harlequins.

It might be hard to believe, but tickets are still available for Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test between the Springboks and the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld.

Griquas need to avoid 'soft moments' in the next three weeks or risk slipping out of the Currie Cup play-off race.

World Cup-winning Springbok flank Juan Smith will reportedly see out his illustrious career in France.

Springbok eighthman Pierre Spies will not recover from injury in time for the end-of-year tour of Europe.  

Springbok vice-captain Adriaan Strauss is banking on playing at altitude to help snap their five-match losing streak against Australia on Saturday.

The Blue Bulls may have given themselves a shot at reaching the Currie Cup play-offs, but they are a long way off from securing a spot in the semifinals.

Argentina coach Santiago Phelan is in two minds over who to entrust with the goal-kicking duties against the All Blacks on Saturday.

Three teams, separated by just five log points, will be playing for two semi-final spots on Friday when the First Division round-robin reaches its climax.

A flagrant contravention of rugby rules that resulted in a serious injury could attract legal liability, the Supreme Court of Appeal held on Thursday.

Two of the most exciting young players on the planet, Johan Goosen and Kurtley Beale, will go head-to-head in a galvanic stand-off at Loftus Versfeld.

Quade Cooper has effectively ended his Test career when he repeated his claims that the Wallaby environment is 'toxic'.

Clermont have warned that they are ready for a resurgent Stade Francais in Top 14 action this weekend.

Three games, two defeats, one try and a fair bit of frustration: Sonny Bill Williams hasn't made the smoothest of starts to life in Japan's Top League.

Dan Carter has been cleared to start in his 90th Test, when New Zealand play Argentina in a Rugby Championship match on Saturday.

The Springboks host the Wallabies on Saturday. We take a look at some historical notes.

Sharks coach John Plumtree has been forced to make changes to his team for the Currie Cup crunch match with the Blue Bulls in Durban on Friday.

The ARU broke their silence over the public rants of controversial flyhalf Quade Cooper, confirming they have placed the volatile player on notice.

A new flyhalf and two notable individual career milestones mark the Wallabies line-up for Saturday's fifth Test of the Rugby Championship.

Plans are afoot in Australia to host a Four-Nations tournament for national school teams in 2013.

Argentina centre Santiago Fernandez says a sustained 80-minute performance would be required to upset the All Blacks in La Plata on Saturday.

Star flyhalf Dan Carter is set to return for the All Blacks after coming through Wednesday’s training session unscathed.

Wallaby coach Robbie Deans says controversial flyhalf Quade Cooper would be welcome to return to the Australian squad.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer admitted it was a difficult decision to axe match-winning flyhalf Morné Steyn, but felt it was in the interest of the team.

Ospreys loose forward George Stowers was cleared of foul play at a disciplinary hearing in Dublin on Wednesday.

Match officials have been appointed to the first two rounds of the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup, starting on 12 October 2012.

Former Lions captain Josh Strauss will make his Glasgow Warriors debut against Zebre at Scotstoun Stadium on Friday.  

The Golden Lions may have lost the services of free-running Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies, but that won't cramp their Currie Cup style.

Australian Schools had a strong 29-12 win over Fijian Schools in the heat of Churchill Park, Lautoka on Tuesday. This win comes after the Australians lost their opening match 18-9 to the Fijian President’s XV on Saturday.

Assistant coach Grant Bashford has warned that the Sharks cannot afford any more slip-ups over the final three rounds if they want to guarantee themselves top spot in the Currie Cup.

Gary van Aswegen's latest injury has left Allister Coetzee facing a flyhalf crisis with Kings-bound Demetri Catrakilis the last man standing.

The Ebersohn twins, Sias and Robert, will play side-by-side for the first time since their school days when the Free State Cheetahs host Griquas.

Western Province will be without outside back Gio Aplon when they take on the Golden Lions in their Currie Cup clash at Newlands on Saturday.

Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann has made three changes to his starting line-up for the Currie Cup encounter with Western Province in Cape Town on Saturday.

Griquas coach Pote Human made a number of changes, some injury related, to his side for their Currie Cup derby against the Free State Cheetahs.

Johan Goosen will start his first Test for the Springboks when he runs out at flyhalf against Australia in Rugby Championship at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Argentina coach Santiago Phelan showed faith in his team, despite still searching for their first win, naming an unchanged starting XV.

Stuart Lancaster has announced that Bath prop David Wilson is to replace Matt Stevens in his senior player elite squad

Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal has hit back at critics of his unbeaten side as the Top 14 leaders get set to play defending champions Toulouse.

The Reds dismissed as "nonsense" speculation that Quade Cooper could defect to Rugby League.

The citings of Bath duo Dan Hipkiss and Michael Claassens, for foul play, have been dismissed.

Three years after making his professional debut in Currie Cup as a teenager for the Lions, Jaco Taute could finally make his first appearance for the Boks.

Former World Cup-winning Springbok coach Jake White ended weeks of speculation by confirming he had signed a talented young South African.

In Pretoria Garsfontein played host to the 13th @lantic Sevens this year and beat Affies in the high-scoring final.

On Saturday at Newlands a referee was taken off on a stretcher - a mobile one. One wonders if that had ever happened at the great old ground before.

Chiefs lock James Hanks was on Tuesday cleared of foul play after being cited during Sunday’s Premiership match against Saracens at Sandy Park.

Australian utility-back Berrick Barnes has come out in support of under fire Springbok flyhalf Morne Steyn ahead of their clash at Loftus Versfeld.

Former Eastern Province Kings lock Johan Snyman joined English club Scarlets on Monday and says he is pleased to be “hitting the ground running.”

Hooker Keven Mealamu says the All Black pack will face their biggest challenge of the year against Argentina on Saturday.

Springbok centre Frans Steyn's chances of playing against the Wallabies look better after he responded well to treatment on his injured right ankle.

Kurtley Beale appears set to start at flyhalf this weekend for a Wallabies side that have had their preparations seriously disrupted.

Sharks coach John Plumtree has called for his team to earn a home semifinal by winning both of their remaining matches at Kings Park.  

The Boks are intent on being less predictable against Australia this weekend.

Blue Bulls coach Pine Pienaar named CJ Stander at No.8 in a reshuffled loose trio combination for his side's Currie Cup match against the Sharks in Durban on Friday.

Springbok forwards coach Johan van Graan believes that his pack have found their feet and are ready to start dominating as a unit at Test level.

The Cheetahs believe that the only way to save their Currie Cup campaign is to play a positive and attacking brand of rugby in the coming weeks.

Toulouse president Jean-Rene Bouscatel said that the champions are not intimidated as they prepare to take on runaway Top 14 leaders Toulon at the weekend.

Richie McCaw's six-month break next year is intended to extend his All Black career as far as possible, and perhaps even to the next World Cup.

The Springboks could be without inside centre Frans Steyn for Saturday's Rugby Championship clash with Australia at Loftus Versfeld.

Griquas received a timely boost with the news that three of their most seasoned players will be back for the trip to Bloemfontein this week.

Like fine wine, veteran All Black lock Ali Williams believes he will only get better with age.

Reds chief executive Jim Carmichael says he is fed up with controversial flyhalf Quade Cooper’s constant ramblings on Twitter.

Springbok wing Bjorn Basson could be back in the Blue Bulls team this week as they look to push for a place in the Currie Cup play-offs.

It's the penultimate round of the new Rugby Championship. Alain Rolland is in South Africa and Jaco Peyper down South America way.

London Irish have re-signed midfielder Guy Armitage on loan from French Top 14 club Toulon for the remainder of the season.

The finals of the European Cup and the Challenge Cup in the 2013/14 season will take place in France, the president of competition organisers European Rugby Cup (ERC), Jean-Pierre Lux, announced on Monday.

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland is to undergo another minor operation following his foot injury earlier in the year.

Blues coach John Kirwan on Monday revealed that he had signed four players who have yet to sample Super Rugby, including two from the Hurricanes region.

The defending champion Golden Lions are being rewarded for their impressive come-from-behind win over their closest rivals, the Sharks.

New Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has made his first move by confirming that Greg Mumm will not be part of his coaching team.

Bath's Springbok scrumhalf Michael Claasens has been cited for kicking London Irish's Matthew Garvey in their match on Saturday.

Ospreys wing George Stowers has been cited for foul play in his team's clash with the Scarlets on Friday.

On a hot afternoon at Prince Charles Park, Nadi, Fiji, the Fijian president's XV beat the Australian Schools team 18-9 in the opening match of the Australians' five-match tour.

All Black coach Steven Hansen remains hopeful that ace flyhalf Dan Carter will be available for his team's Rugby Championship Test against Argentina.

Western Province coach Allister Coetzee will have a few more loose forwards to choose from as the Currie Cup reaches its climax in the next few weeks.  

The silence from the ARU and Wallabies has been deafening, but other pundits feel Quade Cooper has effectively announced his "retirement" from Test rugby.

The All Blacks were met by muted scenes upon their arrival in Buenos Aires on Sunday.

Sireli Naqelevuki's second-half try proved enough for the Chiefs to send Saracens crashing to their first Premiership defeat of the season at Sandy Park on Sunday.

The Sale Sharks have sacked their forwards coach Steve Scott after a poor start to the season.

Tonga have signed prominent international coaches Tim Lane, Dave Ellis and Mark Bakewell to help guide the islanders' build up to the next World Cup.

The embattled Springboks could not have hoped for a more fitting homecoming venue for Saturday’s clash with the Wallabies than Loftus Versfeld.

Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper has spoken out against the 'toxic' environment under coach Robbie Deans and has hinted at a switch to Rugby League.

The EP Kings sealed the top spot on the First Division on a dramatic penultimate weekend of action which saw a number of remarkable results.

The loss of three frontline players to the Springbok squad will be a serious test for the table-topping Lions as they seek to defend their Currie Cup title.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske admitted that his side's flyhalf issues have been central to their struggles in the Currie Cup this season.

Blue Bulls coach Pine Pienaar was a relieved man after his side broke a losing spell against the Free State Cheetahs in Pretoria on Saturday.

Western Province made a "great comeback" after their defeat to the Sharks in Durban last weekend to beat the high-riding Griquas convincingly.

A faultless kicking display by Jonny Wilkinson provided the backbone to Toulon's sixth win in six Top 14 matches on Saturday as they ran out 33-12 winners over high-flying Castres.

Former All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams showed some of his worth by scoring his first try in three games after a high-priced move to Japanese rugby.

Griquas coach Pote Human was impressed with his players' effort level against Western Province at Newlands on Saturday, but lamented the decision-making which gifted the home team tries.

Jamie Roberts made a winning return to the Cardiff Blues starting line-up with a try in his side's 34-18 PRO12 win over Treviso.

Nick Easter was backed for a return to England duty by Harlequins boss Conor O'Shea after leading the Premiership champions to a 22-9 win away to Leicester on Saturday.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will take a six-month break from rugby at the end of the year.

The Lions fought back well in the second half to secure a tense 28-22 victory over the Sharks and claim top spot in the Currie Cup standings.

Lions utility back Jaco Taute is one of four players called up to the Springbok squad of 30 for the final two Tests of the Rugby Championship.

Despite a late charge from the Cheetahs the Blue Bulls did enough to hold on for a 34-30 victory in their clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Western Province took their opportunities well to secure a 45-21 bonus point victory over Griquas at Newlands on Saturday.

The Hurricanes have boosted their front row resources by signing versatile All Blacks prop Ben Franks on a three-year deal.

We bring you all of the Currie Cup action, catch all the previews, live coverage and match reports right here.

London Welsh made it back-to-back Premiership wins with a 29-19 success at Salford City Stadium to hand Sale Sharks a fourth defeat in as many games this season.

Flying wing DTH Van der Merwe was at the double for Glasgow Warriors as they recorded their first ever PRO12 victory at Scotstoun by beating Connacht 27-17.

College Rovers claimed the 2012 SARU National Club Championship title with a 23-10 victory over Pretoria Police at the Rustenburg Impala Rugby Club on Friday.

The International Rugby Board's trial laws could add an extra dimension of intrigue to the third and final Bledisloe Cup clash in Brisbane on October 20.

Australian coach Robbie Deans called criticism of him "part of the territory" on Friday and surprisingly praised Heyneke Meyer's Springboks as "innovative".

At Prince Charles Park in Nadi of Saturday afternoon Australian Schools open their tour with a match against the Fiji President's Under-18 XV.

Bath have been bolstered by the return of Springbok flank Francois Louw for Saturday’s Premiership clash with London Irish at the Madejski Stadium.

Rassie Erasmus says Bok coach Heyneke Meyer is tweaking his game plan ahead of next weekend’s clash with the Wallabies in Pretoria.

Super Rugby rookies the Southern Kings have spat the dummy, claiming their ability to recruit players for 2013 has been "severely hampered".

Flyhalf Quade Cooper may be forced to miss Australia's end-of-year tour of Europe after scheduled surgery to repair a knee injury was delayed for at least a week.

Super Rugby makes its long-awaited return to the Eastern Cape on February 23, when the Southern Kings host Australia's Western Force.

England fullback Ben Foden has been ruled out of his country's forthcoming internationals.

All Black playmaker Dan Carter has recovered enough from his injury to travel, but coach Steve Hansen has taken out insurance.

Crunch time! Those two words perfectly sum up Week Seven's Currie Cup action.

As Round Four of the Pro12 opens, a Welsh region still tops the table. However, it is not last season’s winners, Ospreys, but their opponents on Friday night, Scarlets, setting the pace.

All Black coach Steve Hansen has included Beauden Barrett in his 28-man squad for the two-match tour of Argentina and South Africa.

England captain Chris Robshaw hopes the camaraderie between players and supporters continues in the wake of the recent incident involving wing Chris Ashton.

The South African Rugby Football Union will soon have to make another crucial call on the Southern Kings, ahead of their Super Rugby debut in 2013.

New Zealand has named two teams for the three matches against the Australian touring team and against Samoa. All three matches will be played in Auckland.

Australian Schools have chosen a squad of 28 players for their tour of Fiji and New Zealand in September and October. The team will play three internationals - against Fiji, Samoa and New Zealand.

As the Premiership starts gaining momentum, the spotlight will shine much brighter on newcomers London Welsh, who opened their account with a fine win last week.

London Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young has tasked his side with showing a consistent 80-minute performance this weekend at Gloucester.

Argentina coach Santiago Phelan has named a 27-man squad for the upcoming home Tests against the All Blacks and Wallabies.

Injured Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper has urged his teammates to revert to a more traditional attacking style of play.

In the 12th of 16 @lantic Sevens, hosted in Heidelberg by Volkskool Heidelberg, Kempton Park ran out winners.

French Top 14 club Toulouse have requested that the league grant a players' licence to forwards coach William Servat as the team struggle with injuries.

The Blue Bulls Rugby Union has dismissed rumours of a possible 'takeover'.

Bath on Thursday confirmed that Olly Barkley will leave the club to join French club Racing Metro.

Scotland and Glasgow Warriors scrumhalf Chris Cusiter has received mixed news on the severity of his shoulder injury.

Wing Charlie Ingall has signed a one-year contract with the Sale Sharks.

Champions Toulouse will bid to get the defence of their Top 14 title back on track when they travel to Bayonne in French league action on Friday.

Western Province's commitment to developing their attacking game will be put to the test against the Griquas this weekend.

All eyes will be on the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday night when the unbeaten EP Kings host the Pumas in a top-of-the-table clash.

Wales international prop Craig Mitchell has penned a new one-year contract with Premiership club Exeter, while English wing Matt Jess agreed new terms on a two-year deal.

Lions coach Johan Ackermann has made one change to his side that will play the Sharks in a Currie Cup crunch match at Ellis Park on Saturday.

The Varsity Cup will soon have a rival. It was revealed that the top 20 open clubs in South Africa will play in a World Cup-style tournament.

Chiefs No.8 Fritz Lee has re-signed with the 2012 Super Rugby winners for the 2013 season.

The Wallabies left for SA with coach Robbie Deans keeping secret the identity of his new flyhalf for next week's Rugby Championship Test against the Boks.

The critics are ready to write their obit, but Blue Bulls coach Pine Pienaar believes there is plenty of fight left in the men from Pretoria.

The equation is simple: win or forget about featuring in the Currie Cup play-offs.

Pretoria Police will play College Rovers in the 2012 SARU National Club Championship final on Friday.  

All Black coach Steve Hansen says his squad for the away leg of the Rugby Championship is unlikely to include any surprise call-ups.

The Golden Lions' Springbok utility forward Wikus van Heerden, who won the World Cup with South Africa in 2007, has retired.

The Sharks have been boosted by the return of Craig Burden and Lwazi Mvovo for the clash with the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Griquas coach Pote Human included hooker and captain Ryno Barnes as the only change to his side for their Currie Cup encounter against WP.

Although he has signed with the Kings for next year Demetri Catrakilis should still have a vital role to play for Western Province in the Currie Cup.

Despite the Stormers' best attempts to retain him, the Kings on Wednesday named WP flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis among a batch of high-profile signings.

The South African Rugby Union named a Springbok Sevens squad of 16 players for the warm-up tournament in Middelburg.

Springbok prop Coenie Oosthuizen will make his comeback from injury via the Free State Cheetahs' bench.

Western Province coach Allister Coetzee made seven changes to his team for Saturday's Currie Cup clash against Griquas at Newlands.

Returning Springboks Jano Vermaak and Jacques Potgieter has been included in the Blue Bulls team that will play the Free State Cheetahs.

Don't expect wholesale changes, but a few 'tweaks' could help Heyneke Meyer turn the Springboks an 'almost' team into real winners.

Lions coach Johan Ackermann knows his side have to dictate matters if they want to get the better of the Sharks in their table-topping clash on Saturday.

London Welsh captain Jonathan Mills is prepared to sacrifice more teeth, if it means his team retain their Premiership status.

The Reds feel they have been 'strengthened' in their pursuit of further Super Rugby success now that Richard Graham began his tenure.

Injured trio Stephen Moore, Sitaleki Timani and Dominic Shipperley were passed fit Wednesday to travel with the Wallabies squad to SA.

Negotiations over a new deal for the European Cup and Challenge competitions from the 2014/15 season will continue next month after "productive discussions" on Tuesday.

John Mitchell has hinted at a possible move to another leading South African union once his legal battle with the Lions is resolved.

There could be a scientific explanation for the poor goal-kicking at Dunedin's enclosed Stadium.  

England fullback Ben Foden will be sidelined for several weeks after suffering an ankle injury during Northampton's victory over Bath last week.

Springbok utility back Patrick Lambie's unavailability for Currie Cup duty this week has left Sharks coach John Plumtree a frustrated man.

There have been times when the weather has been too bad for rugby - even worse than it was in the Currie Cup match in Durban last Saturday.

The return of Lwazi Mvovo and Craig Burden comes as a timely boost for the Sharks ahead of their trip to Johannesburg to face the Lions this weekend.

Sydney University lock Ollie Atkins has been added to the Waratahs squad for next season after impressing in the recent Shute Shield finals series.

Western Province loose forwards Jebb Sinclair and Tyrone Holmes have almost completely escaped further punishment for their foul play at Kings Park.

Former Sevens star Timoci Wainiqolo has been named Fiji's interim coach for the Australia and New Zealand legs of the world series.

French champions Toulouse are not a team in crisis despite their second defeat of the season at the weekend according to their legendary coach Guy Noves.

Five members of the Springbok squad that returned from New Zealand on Monday have been released to their provinces to play in the Currie Cup.

The Wallabies have suffered another blow with the news that flyhalf Quade Cooper has been ruled out of the remainder of the Rugby Championship.

French clubs have no intention of quitting the European Cup and Challenge competitions and playing in an alternative tournament just with English clubs.

Hosts Rustenburg Impala will face Blue Bulls champions Pretoria Police in a heavyweight northern-union semifinal at the National Club Championships.

Another front row injury has left the Free State Cheetahs decidedly thin in one of the most critical departments of the game.

Former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has had a somewhat hypocritical dig at the lack of black players currently in the Bok side.  

Former Leinster coach Michael Cheika has been appointed as coach of the Waratahs and tasked with resurrecting the battling franchise's fortunes.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer remains positive about his team's future and is adamant that they can beat any side in the world.

All Black eighthman Kieran Read says the world champions will have to be at the top of their game to clinch the Rugby Championship crown on the road.

Griquas, determined to reach the play-offs for the first time in more than a decade, will have to break a 100-year Currie Cup drought.

Injured Wallaby captain James Horwill hopes to return to full fitness in time for the end-of-year tour of Europe.

Western Province's injury woes continued with the news that flyhalf Kurt Coleman will miss the rest of the season with a broken jaw.

The Golden Lions have suffered an injury setback with the news that lock Hendrik Roodt is likely to miss the rest of the season.

The South African Rugby Union is doubling the fun for Soweto residents when the Springboks hit town later this month with a special BokTown at Orlando Stadium

There is no Test match this week. There was one scheduled in the Viking Tri-Nations, but that has been cancelled. The Shute Shield has ended in Australia, won by Sydney University, but the Eccellenza starts up in Italy.

Glasgow Warriors on Monday confirmed the signing of Tonga international loosehead prop Ofa Fainga'anuku on a short-term contract.

WPs brawling loose forwards, Jebb Sinclair and Tyrone Holmes, will appear before a SAFU disciplinary hearing on Tuesday.

Griquas continued their march up the standings, after a slow start to the season and they are being rewarded in our famous Team of the Week.

Both Rugby Championship matches last weekend were competitive affairs, which is reflected in the even representation in our Team of the Week.

Hosts Australian have been drawn for a showdown with 2011 champions Fiji on day one of the Gold Coast Sevens.

Title favourites Durbanville-Bellville will play Pretoria Police in a heavyweight SARU National Club Championships quarterfinal clash on Monday.

Australia may have fought off Argentina to claim a four-point victory at the weekend, but by their own admission it should have been a defeat.

London Welsh head coach Lyn Jones was delighted as the Exiles clinched their first English Premiership win with a nailbiting 25-24 victory over Exeter on Sunday.

Western Province coach Allister Coetzee is determined to snuff out the ill-discipline that saw his team reduced to 12 players against the Sharks.

The Leopards, Griffons and SWD Eagles will be engaged in a three-way tussle over the coming fortnight for two spots in the First Division semifinals.

Western Province’s performance against the Sharks was one the most disgraceful displays in Currie Cup history, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

Golden Lions captain JC Janse van Rensburg wants his team to build on the momentum they have created in the last two weeks.

Morne Steyn's indifferent performance against the All Blacks has increased the pressure on Bok coach Heyneke Meyer to start Johan Goosen at flyhalf.

Sharks' coach John Plumtree admitted that Western Province's two red cards were the decisive factor in his team's victory on Saturday.

Griquas coach Pote Human believes that a home semifinal is within reach for his team who have hit some great form in recent weeks.

Promising Ulster player Nevin Spence died alongside his father and brother late on Saturday after they fell into a slurry tank at their farm in Northern Ireland.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is confident that Dan Carter will be fit to travel to Argentina, where they will look to wrap up the Rugby Championship.

Springbok prop Dean Greyling has been suspended for two weeks for striking All Blacks captain Richie McCaw in the face.

Argentina were left frustrated after seeing a golden opportunity to beat Australia slip through their grasp on Saturday.

Jonny Sexton's last-gasp drop-goal helped Leinster edge past Treviso 19-18 at the Stadio Monigo to move into the top half of the Pro12 table.

Harlequins flyhalf Nick Evans showed his opposite number Danny Cipriani exactly what it takes to win the Premiership.

The Sharks managed to score a season double, two Currie Cup victories, after beating an ill-disciplined Western Province 43-27 in Durban on Saturday.

The defending champion Lions secured their second consecutive bonus-point win away from home when they beat the Cheetahs  38-23 on Saturday.

Wallaby coach Robbie Deans said his team is looking forward to taking on the Springboks in  Pretoria in a fortnight.

Griquas claimed their third scalp in as many matches when they slaughtered the Blue Bulls, winning 49-34 in their Currie Cup match in Kimberley on Saturday.

Argentina saw a famous victory slip through their grasp as Australia came from behind to secure a 23-19 victory on the Gold Coast.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer offered a public apology to All Black captain Richie McCaw for prop Dean Greyling's brutal attack on his face.

The Wallabies were made to work hard for their 23-19 victory but showed good composure in the closing stages to secure a tense win over Argentina.

Dean Greyling of South Africa has been cited for foul play during the Springboks's 11-21 loss to New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday.

The attacking potency of the All Black backs stifled the Springboks’ surge in Dunedin on Saturday.

Australia scored back-to-back Rugby Championship wins with a fortuitous 23-19 victory over Argentina on the Gold Coast on Saturday.