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Hangklip captain Armand Pieterse is determined to get revenge when his team take on Aliwal North in their Classic Clash on Saturday.

Bethlehem Voortrekker skipper Oelof Stander is aware of the pressures and emotions ahead of Saturday's FNB Classic Clashes encounter with Witteberg.

Regular Witteberg captain Christo van der Nest will not be able to lead his team into battle but he will be supporting his team from the sidelines.

Aliwal North captain Glen van Pletzen is expecting a tough physical onslaught from Hangklip in their FNB Classic Clash on Saturday.

Powerful Hurricanes loose forwards Faifili Levave and Jack Lam have both chosen to re-sign with the Wellington franchise for 2013.

The Sharks have it all to do on Saturday as they take on the defending champion Reds at their fortress in Brisbane.

The Reds have replaced star playmaker Quade Cooper with 24-year-old utility back Ben Lucas for their play-off with the Sharks in Brisbane on Saturday.

Maritzburg College will host Affies in a Premier Interschools game on Saturday, the new initiative of Megapro under ex-Bok captain Tiaan Strauss.

The Bulls will aim to scale their own Everest when they front up to the Crusaders in the first of this year's Super Rugby play-offs matches.

It's Hoërskool Hangklip's turn to travel from Queenstown to Aliwal north to play Hoërskool Aliwal-Noord in an FNB Classic Clash.

On Saturday Witteberg march two kilometres or so across Bethlehem to rivals and near-neighbours Voortrekker for an FNB Classic Clash.

Bulls centre Johann Sadie is reportedly unhappy at Loftus Versfeld and has been given permission to look for another province to play for.

Stormers loose forward Duane Vermeulen trained on Thursday and is likely to start in the semifinal next week if he is passed fit.

Defending First Division champions the Boland Kavaliers will have their work cut out for them when they tackle the unbeaten Griffons this weekend.

Nope, not the release of a new thriller, just an ominous observation regarding the major attractions for many Western Cape schools rugby aficionados.

England captain Chris Robshaw will join Martin Johnson, Pat Lam and Warren Gatland in English Rugby's first Hall of Fame.

The Sharks may be in Brisbane, but the homefires are still burning at Kings Park where one of the suites caught fire on Thursday.

The Sharks know that they will have to "get everything right" if they are to knock the defending champion Reds out in Brisbane on Saturday.

The Beeldtrofee matches are reaching the knock-out stage. We give the fixtrures for 1st XVs for 21 July 2012.

Crusaders flyhalf Dan Carter has faced the Bulls often enough in the last decade to know what it takes to down the highly repected Pretoria side.

Utility forward Deon Fourie may want to play down his role, but he has truly become the Stormers' very own 'energizer bunny'.

According to coach Ewan McKenzie the Reds are intent on taking care of business no matter who plays against the Sharks in Brisbane this weekend.

Playing knock-out rugby is about getting the basics right and winning the big moments, just like in Test matches.

It has become very clear that all of South Africa's flyhalves have their different strengths and weaknesses.

We have had it in Super Rugby of late and it seems to have caused some confusion in how a referee should act after contact in play.

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke is expecting a big impact from Springbok openside flank Deon Stegmann in Christchurch on Saturday.

Rugby365.com wishes Madiba a very happy 94th birthday.

The second rugby term is starting in parts of the country and it may be worthwhile just to recall what a group of primary school heads did to encourage good manners.

France's Top 14 kicks off inj the middle of August after several friendly matches which kick off on 20 July.

Newport Gwent Dragons loose forward Lewis Evans will be leading from the front as he takes over the captaincy of the Welsh side for the coming season.

The Sharks will deploy battering ram Willem Alberts at lock for the crucial playoff clash with the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday.

Scrumhalf Nick Runciman has re-joined Premiership newcomers London Welsh for a second spell after a season with Gloucester.

New Bulls loose forward Grant Hattingh has revealed that he turned down an offer from Western Province to sign with the Bulls.

The Reds are considering lodging an appeal against SANZAR's judicial ruling to suspend flyhalf Quade Cooper over a dangerous tackle charge.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has made three changes for the crunch clash with the Bulls, but star no.8 Kieran Read is still unavailable through injury.

Sharks coach John Plumtree believes his team can push on strongly having reached the playoffs, but playing away from home will be tough.

The Bulls have been boosted by the return of Springbok lock Flip van der Merwe for their playoff clash with the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.

Two-time Olympic medalist Darren Campbell has been hired to give advice to the players from French rugby giants Biarritz on their physical fitness.

Two issues, unknown in the distant past, have caused upset at Craven Week - the issue of performance-enhancing drugs and the issue of overage players.

New Italian Pro12 side Zebre have added South African No.8 Andries Van Schalkwyk to their squad ahead of next season.

The SARU U18 Programme gives the National U18 squads of SA, England, France and Wales a chance to meet in a beautiful, rugby-mad part of the world.

The ever reliable Peter Grant has been quietly brilliant for the Stormers this season and surely deserves a shot at the big time with the Boks.

There were some school matches during the holidays when most of the concentration was on national weeks around the country.

Everybody knows that defence wins World Cups, just ask Jake White or Allister Coetzee, but does it win Super Rugby titles?

Lions captain Josh Strauss recently remembered where he'd left his razer, but what do you think of the results?

Outgoing Blues coach Pat Lam has suggested he was hung out to dry by the powers that be at the Auckland-based franchise.

It's a long road to Brisbane for the Sharks this week, but coach John Plumtree and his team are just relieved to still be alive in the competition.

The South African Rugby Union will, hopefully, bring an end to the protracted Super Rugby participation saga next month.

SANZAR has announced the dates and times for the Super Rugby semifinals, to be played in the second week of the 2012 Super Rugby play-offs.

Former All Black winger John Kirwan has been appointed the new coach of the Blues, taking over from the embattled Pat Lam.

No Duane Vermeulen or Schalk Burger, but Eben Etzebeth will return.

EXCLUSIVE: All Black legend Dan Carter says 'living like a Crusader' is what sets them apart from their Super Rugby rivals.

It's the hunting season and the targets are the young bucks of South African rugby. It is an intense time for talent scouts and likely to grow more intense.

Eastern Province Rugby Union President Cheeky Watson has admitted that dealing with SARU is a tricky business.

It may have been too little too late, but the Hurricanes certainly contributed to an exciting finish to the Super Rugby competition's league season.

Super Rugby's regular season has ended in dramatic fashions, which decides the first round of play-offs for teams coming fourth to sixth.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has questioned how often referees are going upstairs rather than going with their gut when making a call on a try.

Wallaby tighthead prop Sekope Kepu believes that his Waratahs understudy Paddy Ryan will shine if given an opportunity at Test level.

You can accuse Stormers coach Allister Coetzee of many things, but witless he is certainly NOT!

The Reds will have to take on the Sharks in their play-off this weekend without flyhalf Quade Cooper who has been handed a one-week ban.

Both of the 2012 Super Rugby Qualifiers this Saturday will be refereed by South African referees; Jaco Peyper and Jonathan Kaplan.

Test wings Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner were named in a 27-man Australian training squad ahead of next month's inaugural Rugby Championship.

The Stormers, who have won the SA conference for a second successive year, are happy to 'win ugly' if it means they can take home the real trophy.

The Bulls are not concerned that their scrum will be exposed against the All Black-laden Crusaders.

Stirling Mortlock, one of the most durable and competitive players in the history of the sport, were as combative as ever in his final match at the weekend.

The seven-time champions Crusaders could be boosted by the return of All Black No.8 Kieran Read.

The Sharks have been dealt a double blow ahead of their long haul to Brisbane and a Super Rugby play-off date with the Reds.

SARU dismissed as 'speculation' reports that they offered the Southern Kings a cash payment to get out of the Super Rugby race.

In 2013 the 50th Craven Week will take place and it will be - for the first time - in Polokwane at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

The Brumbies were left pondering how their runaway Super Rugby train derailed in the last regular season stop at the weekend.

A beautiful clear sky and a slightly less intimidating temperature greeted players and spectators to the second day of the Swartland Winter Festival.

The Griffons remain the surprise early front-runners in the expanded First Division competition, after picking up their third successive five-point haul.

The Reds will know on Monday if their Wallaby playmaker Quade Cooper will be available for the Super Rugby play-offs.

The defending champion Reds will have 'revenge' on their minds when they take on the Sharks on Saturday.

Waratahs coach Michael Foley believes that it will take "significant sacrifice" for his team to become competitive in Super Rugby.

Reds coach Ewan McKenzie cited his side's fighting spirit as the most crucial factor in securing a home play-off match.

The Hurricanes and Brumbies were left heartbroken as the top three South African teams came up with the goods on Saturday to book play-off spots.

The Bulls scored four tries on their way to a 37-20 victory over a brave Lions side which earned them a spot in the Super Rugby play-offs.

The South African Schools selectors on Saturday announced a group of 50 players to take part in a trial match on 28 July, 2012.

The Sharks scored 28 unanswered second-half points to beat the Cheetahs 34-15 in Durban and secure a Super Rugby play-off spot.

Reds flyhalf Quade Cooper has been cited for his dangerous tackle on Waratahs inside centre Berrick Barnes in their Super Rugby clash on Saturday.

The Stormers saw off the challenge of a spirited Rebels side who they edged out 26-21 at Newlands to finish on top of the Super Rugby standings.

The Blue Bulls marched to an emphatic 47-0 victory over the Golden Lions in the final match of the 2012 Craven Week on Saturday.

The Reds dramatically secured top spot in the Australian conference with a 32-16 bonus-point victory over the Waratahs in Brisbane on Saturday.

The final day of Craven Week in Port Elizabeth saw victories for the Griffons, Namibia, SWD, Limpopo and Western Province with the final still to come.

The Crusaders scored four first-half tries on their way to a 38-24 victory over the Force in Christchurch on Saturday.

The Blues produced their best performance of the season to beat the Brumbies 30-16 in Canberra on Saturday.

Instead of appointment by the SA Schools executive committee, as happened in the past, those wanting management posts with SA Schools are to apply.

From time to time you hear somebody say how many Springboks Craven Week has 'produced', as if it were part of an assembly line.

Australian great Michael Lynagh said Friday he expected the Crusaders would win the Super Rugby tournament.

With the Under-19 and U21 provincial competitions kicking-off this weekend, Western Province have announced a raft of new junior signings.

On Saturday the main match to end the 2012 Craven Week is between the Blue Bulls and the Golden Lions - both unbeaten and both in good form.

Hooker Dane Coles is adamant he did score the try that secured the Hurricanes an upset 28-25 win over the Chiefs on Friday.

Newport Gwent Dragons revealed the signing of back row forward Hywel Stoddart on a one-year contract for the 2012/2013 season.

England scrumhalf Danny Care was a relieved man after being informed he will not face prosecution over an alleged sexual assault.

The IRB is investigating a verbal broadside from Samoa's prime minister in which he accused "idiot" referees of racial bias.

The Fiji Rugby Union said Friday that the national team's northern hemisphere tour would go ahead in November.

There were several surprising results to liven up the spirits of those spectators who braved the Arctic conditions on the first day of the Swartland Winter Festival in Malmesbury on Thursday 12 July 2012.

The struggling Western Force will be allowed an additional foreign player next season to help them become more competitive.

A last-minute try from hooker Dane Coles earned the Hurricanes a dramatic 28-25 victory over the Chiefs in a classic derby in Wellington on Friday.

The Stormers are determined to find their killer instinct and start putting teams away.

The Rebels have recalled big loosehead prop Rodney Blake for their clash with the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.

South Africa's play-off contenders all face teams with nothing to lose in the final three games of the regular season on Saturday.

It is Round 18, the final week of Super Rugby league action before the play-offs, and we bring you every minute LIVE!

The climax of the 2012 Craven Week will see the Blue Bulls and the Golden Lions go head-to-head in the tournament decider on Saturday.

England scrumhalf Danny Care has been cleared on a charge of sexual assault.

SARU CEO Jurie Roux has outlined the process and road ahead in the Kings Super Rugby saga.

To win one of the most competitive and demanding Super Rugby seasons yet will require good old-fashioned blood, sweat and tears.

The Blue Bulls made it two from two at the 2012 Craven Week, as they claimed a comfortable 36-10 win over the Pumas in Day Four action in PE.

Blues loose forward Luke Braid believes he has gained valuable experience from his teams' awful season.

EXCLUSIVE: Departing utility forward Grant Hattingh is sorry to be leaving the Lions, but feels he had no other choice but to move to the Bulls.

Josh Tatupu says he is looking to put his recent injury woes firmly behind him and make a big impression when the Exeter Chiefs resume competitive action next month.

The Sharks have golden boy Patrick Lambie back for this weekend's crucial Super Rugby encounter with the Cheetahs in Durban on Saturday.

The table-topping Griffons will be looking to make it three wins from three in this year's First Division.

The Lions have suffered a huge blow ahead of their final Super Rugby clash of the seasonagainst the Bulls, with lock Franco van der Merwe ruled of the clash through injury.

The Bulls have signed another one of the country's most promising forwards, Lions utility Grant Hattingh.

WP scored a 39-33 Craven Week win over SWD on Thursday - adding to earlier Day Four wins for Griquas CD, Limpopo and the Griffons.

Reds wing Digby Ioane and flank Liam Gill return from injury in a major boost ahead of Saturday's crucial clash with the Waratahs.

Lock Nathan Sharpe will return to the starting line-up as captain for his final match with the Western Force against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.

Flying wing Joe Tomane returns to the Brumbies in the only change to their starting line-up to face the Blues at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.

The final round of the regular Super Rugby season is upon us and there is everything to play for with so many teams still in the race for the playoffs.

The Golden Lions turned on the power and beat KZN 17-8 in the main match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on the third day of the 2012 Craven Week.

Italian newcomers Zebre will face the Newport Gwent Dragons in their first Pro12 match next season.

Bulls prop Frik Kirsten extended his contract with the franchise, the Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd confirmed on Wednesday.

Experienced wing James Bailey has joined London Wasps from French Top 14 side Lyon ahead of the forthcoming season.

Cardiff Blues stalwart Xavier Rush is set to take up a role as defence coach with the region following his retirement from playing rugby.

Springbok match-winner Morné Steyn is set to continue his record-breaking form on Saturday.

Waratahs wing Drew Mitchell will become the 25th Australian to celebrate his Super Rugby century.

Brumbies fans can expect a typical whole-hearted performance from star hooker Stephen Moore this Saturday in his 100th Super Rugby appearance.

Stormers captain Jean de Villiers is not interested in taking risks without building a significant advantage on the scoreboard first.

The Sharks have not given up hope that World Cup-winning Springbok Frans Steyn could feature in the Super Rugby play-offs later this month.

The only way is Ashley-Cooper for the Wallabies. The Only Way is Essex for Mark Wright.

Blues prop Charlie Faumuina is back to full fitness and will start against the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday.

The Chiefs have benched their Tongan torpedo, prop Sona Taumalolo for their crucial Super Rugby encounter with the Hurricanes on Friday.

Twenty-seven touring parties are set to invade the Cape over the next few weeks, as local schools rugby gets its annual dose of international flavour.

The Bulls confirmed on Wednesday that Kenyan-born player Daniel Adongo would be taking up an offer in New Zealand.

Stormers hooker Deon Fourie will start at No.8 in a main selection bolter ahead of their final Super Rugby league fixture.

Wilhelm Steenkamp has replaced injured Springbok Flip van der Merwe in the only change to the Bulls starting XV.

The seven-time champion Crusaders, one of six teams battling for four play-off spots, are comfortable at being in a 'must-win' scenario.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has again been forced to move one of his most influential players.

The inclusion of Sitaleki Timani is the only change to the Waratahs' starting team for this Saturday's season finale against the Reds in Brisbane.

Day Three at the 2012 Craven Week in Port Elizabeth saw wins for EP, Free State, the Valke and Namibia, with just the main match to come.

The Hurricanes have been boosted by the return of All Black loose forward Victor Vito for their decisive Super Rugby encounter with the table-topping Chiefs.

The Sharks are sweating over the fitness of Springbok hooker Bismarck du Plessis ahead of their Super Rugby crunch match with the Cheetahs.

Sevens star Johannes Prinsloo has raced past established Springbok Ashley Johnson to get his first start for the Cheetahs.

It's the last round of Super Rugby's league season, to be followed by the knock-out rounds for the top six teams.

In today's law discussion, we look at a situation from the Blues-Force Super Rugby match... and a free kick - an ancient part of the game.

Lions coach Johan Ackermann faces an anxious wait to see whether experienced lock Franco van der Merwe will be fit in time to face the Bulls.

Springbok stars Willem Alberts and Pat Lambie are expected to be available for the Sharks' crucial clash with the Cheetahs this weekend.

The Stormers know that their forward pack have to step up if they are to follow through in the play-offs this season.

On Day 4 of the 2012 Craven Week, involving as it does the same teams as played on Day 2, the Blue Bulls will play the Pumas.

The Cheetahs will need to make a decision on a new loose forward for their final Super Rugby match of the year with the news that Justin Downey is out.

The Blue Bulls claimed a 47-27 Craven Week win over Western Province in Day Two action from Port Elizabeth on Tuesday.

Bulls strongman Daniel Adongo has given up waiting for an opportunity in Pretoria and will be jetting of to New Zealand.

The Bulls have finally confirmed one of South African rugby's worst kept secrets - Wynand Olivier will join Japanese club Ricoh Black Rams at the end of the Super Rugby season.

On today's Ballz Radio Rugby Panel, Blades talks Wimbledon, the July & some rugby.

Some interesting trends have emerged as we continue our stats-based feature of the leading candidates for the Bok No.10 jersey.

London Wasps have boosted their backline with the addition of potent attacking Italian ace Andrea Masi.

The Waratahs could find themselves with too many scrumhalves on their books, with Australia U20 ace Matt Lucas set to move to Sydney.

Veteran loose forward Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe will captain Argentina in their debut season in the Rugby Championship.

Day Two at the 2012 Craven Week saw wins for Zimbabwe, EPCD, SWD and the Pumas, with the match between WP and the Bulls to come.

Jamie Joseph has re-signed as head coach of the Highlanders for a further two years, the NZRU and the Highlanders.

As the Greek philosopher Aristotle once said: 'The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.'

Australian Rugby Union high performance scrum coach Patricio Noriega has annaounced he will be leaving to take up a coaching position with French club Racing Metro.

The Craven Week organisers have announced the fixtures for Day 3, Wednesday, which have been drawn up after the outcome of the Day 1 matches.

French rugby giants Stade Francais' fullback Djibril Camara was slapped with a year long ban on Monday for missing three doping tests in the past 18 months.

The Hurricanes are expecting star duo Cory Jane and Victor Vito to return for the crucial clash with the Chiefs on Friday.

Eastern Province ran in five tries on their way to a convincing 41-17 victory over the Valke in the final match of the opening day of Craven Week.

Experienced Italian hooker Carlo Festuccia has signed a two-year deal with new Pro12 outfit Zebre.

The Stormers might have to wait a little longer before lock Eben Etzebeth is back on the park, with the big man still struggling to shake off an ankle injury.

Controversial Welsh utility back Gavin Henson has signed with Premiership newcomers London Welsh.

Bulls lock Flip van der Merwe has been ruled out of the clash with the Lions at Loftus Versfeld this weekend due to a hip injury.

With the play-offs approaching we took a look at the history books to see how important home ground advantage is in Super Rugby knock-out matches.

The Sharks made a statement of intent with their 32-10 demolition of the Bulls at the weekend and they were richly rewarded.

Brumbies speedster Joe Tomane is nearing a return to action, but will he be fit for the vital clash this weekend?

Craven Week is important for players, especially ambitious players; so it is important for match officials, their first chance of exposure.

The defending Super Rugby champion Reds are determined to keep their slim play-off hopes alive.

There is just one round left in the regular season of Super Rugby and eight teams are still in the hunt for a berth in the top six.

With pressure mounting for Michael Foley to be replaced as Waratahs coach, the embattled team is struggling with injuries.

KZN produced possibly the best-ever opening half in recent Craven Week history, as they over-powered Free State by 48-24 on Monday.

All Black centre Sonny Bill Williams announced he will quit New Zealand to play in Japan, then return to the Australian Rugby League.

The Sharks can take heart from their big win over the Bulls, but they have not done the Lions any favours.

Craven Week, the greatest schoolboy rugby tournament in the world, seems to have been around forever. But like all things, it had a birth.

Bill Beaumont has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the RFU following the union's annual general meeting on Sunday.

South Africa seems to be losing a lot of players to the overseas rugby market. But just how many of its actual top players is the country losing?

Brumbies coach Jake White has put his teams success this season down to some old school hard work and a tight-knit group of players.

Lions interim coach Johan Ackermann believes his substitutes snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in their 37-32 win over the Melbourne Rebels.

Stormers captain Jean de Villiers has expressed his delight with the victory over the Cheetahs in trying conditions in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The Bulls are waiting anxiously to discover the severity of lock Flip van der Merwe's injury that forced him to leave the field on the weekend.

Craven Week starts in Port Elizabeth on Monday, 9 July 2012. There are 20 teams of hopefuls taking part in the greatest schools tournament in the world.

The EP Kings continue to look strong in the national first division and are one point behind the Griffons following their 38-15 win over the SWD Eagles.

New Zealand star Sonny Bill Williams is preparing to finally put the rumour mill to rest when he announces his future plans with Japan a likely destination.

The 2012 Craven Week starts in Port Elizabeth on Monday, 9 July. The fixtures for the first two days are laid down.

Saturday, 7 July was the last day of the Independent Schools Rugby Festival which took place at Penryn College in Nelspruit.

The Lions managed to edge the Rebels 37-32 in an eight-try Super Rugby feast in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The Stormers managed to edge the Cheetahs 13-6 in a scrappy Super Rugby encounter in Bloemfontein on Saturday to secure a spot in the play-offs.

The Crusaders' inspirational All Black No.8, Kieran Read, is in danger of missing the team's final Super Rugby league match of the season.

Sharks coach John Plumtree lauded the impact of Frans Steyn upon his return to Super Rugby action on Friday.

The Brumbies ended a 10-year drought in Sydney when they edged the Waratahs 19-15 in their Super Rugby encounter on Saturday.

The Blues ensured they will avoid the basement of the Super Rugby table when they eased past a sloppy Western Force team on Saturday.

Star Blues back Isaia Toeava has become the latest All Black to succumb to the lure of the Yen.

Enigmatic Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper has been given rich praise for his role in the Reds' late revival in the 2012 Super Rugby season.

There must be something in the climate, because yet again a Western Province side has taken the honours at a South African rugby youth week.

The Sharks handed the Bulls a harsh lesson, and a reality check, in their Super Rugby derby in Durban on Friday.

Argentina will be without veteran captain Felipe Contepomi when they make their debut in the new Rugby Championship next month.

The IRB announced the appointment of match officials for the inaugural Rugby Championship, which begins on 18 August, 2012.

The Reds continued their charge towards a possible place in the Super Rugby play-offs after recording a gutsy 19-13 victory over the Highlanders on Friday.

Young wing Eli Walker will miss the start of the 2012/13 season after it was confirmed that he will undergo surgery this weekend to repair shoulder ligaments.

The Crusaders kept their Super Rugby play-off aspirations alive, but the Chiefs feel they gained more from the encounter.

The High Performance Department of the South African Rugby Union will be attending the Under-18 Craven Week in Port Elizabeth next week.

The Reds were able to hold off a late Highlanders assault to record a 19-13 victory that keeps their Super Rugby title defence alive.

The Ospreys will welcome Bath to the Liberty Stadium for a pre-season fixture on Saturday, August 18.

The Crusaders showed plenty of fight to beat the Chiefs 28-21 in a fiercely-contested New Zealand derby in Hamilton on Friday.

It is not something that will go down well in the Western Cape, but the Stormers' suffocate and strangle tactics are here to stay.

There are a few interesting games lined up for what seems set to be another big Super Rugby Saturday. We take a closer look at the match-ups.

Stirling Mortlock will lead out the Melbourne Rebels against the Lions with five changes to the side that went down to the Reds last weekend.

With the 2012 Craven Week tournament a few days away, we give details of the KwaZulu-Natal Craven Week side.

Amidst the hype and drama of the Sharks versus Bulls Super Rugby derby in Durban on Friday, there is an intriguing sideshow.

There were some big scores on Day 2 of the 16th biennial Independent Rugby Schools Festival for first teams at Penryn College in Nelspruit.

The Bulls may be second on the try-scorers' list, but they will go back to basics for their Super Rugby derby with the Sharks.

The Lions' hope of speedy resolution to the protracted 2013 Super Rugby participation saga has been dashed.

The Lions are investigating the formation of a new tournament that will incorporate South American and Japanese teams.

Yet another WP junior team has come out on top. This time it is the Academy team which beat the Bulls in the main match on Day 3.

Miss any Super Rugby action this past weekend? Check out all our match reports and live coverage.

London Wasps centre Dom Waldouck is to depart the Club to join Northampton Saints.

World Cup winner and three-time British & Irish Lions tourist Neil Back has been appointed Edinburgh forwards coach on a two-year deal.

Danny Cipriani is ready to hit the ground running when he reports for duty with Sale Sharks next week.

Day 3 of the Grant Khomo Week for Under-16 provincial teams ended with a 'skin of the teeth' victory for Western Province over Free State.

England coach Stuart Lancaster has left wing David Strettle and flank James Haskell out of the senior squad, while the pair have received Saxons call-ups.

Defending First Division champions the Boland Cavaliers will look to put their home defeat to arch-rivals the EP Kings behind them in Round Two.

The Lions have made four injury enforced changes and included centre Waylon Murray in the starting line-up to take on the Rebels.

The Brumbies have named an unchanged team to face the Waratahs this weekend in Sydney after the side came through its clash with the Force unscathed.

rugby365 brings you some fascinating facts from the Super Rugby competition!

Blues captain Keven Mealamu will lead out his side for the first time in almost three months when they face the Western Force at Eden Park on Saturday.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee is backing his team's defensive system to put the Cheetahs under pressure in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The Waratahs have had to make some last minute changes to their front row for the clash with the Brumbies on Saturday, with prop Sekope Kepu and replacement hooker Josh Mann-Rea ruled out.

The Western Force have suffered a major setback with the loss of skipper David Pocock for their clash with the Blues at Eden Park on Saturday.

The Reds have made just one change from last week with Beau Robinson starting on the flank instead of injured Australia Under-20 skipper Liam Gill.

The return of Rynhardt Elstadt from suspension is one of several changes to the Stormers team for their Super Rugby derby with the Cheetahs.

The Highlanders have made a couple of late changes to their team to tackle the Reds with a scrumhalf switch.

It's the penultimate round of Super Rugby's regular season and it starts with two duels between some of the top gunslingers.

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has brought back two international stars for his team's Super Rugby encounter with the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday.

The Sharks are playing a Super Rugby version of 'Russian roulette', according to coach John Plumtree.

The eight matches of the 16th biennial Independent Rugby Schools Festival for first teams started at Penryn College in Nelspruit on Wednesday, 4 July.

Premiership newcomers London Welsh will face nine-time champions Leicester Tigers at home on the opening weekend of the new season.

It was the final day of the XV-Tal Week for Under-13 teams at the DP De Villiers Stadium in Sasolburg on Wednesday, 4 July, 2012.

World Cup-winning Springbok utility back Frans Steyn will make his first appearance in a Sharks jersey - since 2009 - on Friday.

The 2012 Under-16 National Rugby Week Tournament for Girls continued in brisk but fine winter's weather at AR Abass Stadium in Kimberley on Wednesday.

The 'John Mitchell versus the Lions saga' could drag on for a fair while, with no exact date set for the hearing as yet.

The seven-time champion Crusaders are being driven by the 'fear of failure' as the Super Rugby play-offs draw ever closer.

It is a New Year and a World Cup year. We start it by including some great features in our first newsletter of 2015! The rugby365 newsletter has all the latest news and views.

Klerksdorp player André Esterhuizen landed in hot water after racially insulting the coach of Potchefstroom Gim when the two schools met recently.

As far as apprenticeships for aspiring midfielders go, it doesn't get much better than having All Blacks star Ma'a Nonu showing you the ropes.

Western Province did everything within their power to retain teenage flyhalf Handre Pollard, but still lost the tug-o'-war with the Bulls.

Two years ago Boland went through Craven Week unbeaten, crushing, inter alia, Natal en route.

rugby365 would like to advise our readers that there is a scam doing the rounds at present.

Australia could be without a number of their key players when the new Rugby Championship gets underway next month.

The Cheetahs are intent on taking the game to the Stormers on Saturday in an attempt to unlock their stingy defensive system.

The table-topping Chiefs have made significant changes to their team for the Super Rugby crunch derby against the Crusaders on Friday.

Three All Blacks, who have recovered from injuries this week, return to the Crusaders starting line-up to play the Chiefs in Hamilton this Friday.

The 2012 Independent (private) Schools Rugby Festival starts at Penryn College near Nelspruit in the Lowveld, a school founded in 1991.

On a pleasant and sunny winter's day the Under-13 boys from the 12 unions represented at the XV-Tal Week in Sasolburg dished up exciting rugby.

Willem Alberts is in doubt for the Sharks in their crucial match against the Bulls, but Frans Steyn is expected to feature.

In the main match of the Academy Week being played in Wellington, Western Province gave the Free State a hiding, winning 51-8.

As the team name would suggest the Cheetahs thrive on doing things fast and Stormers forwards coach Matt Proudfoot is planning to slow them down.

On Day 2 of the Grant Khomo Week for Under-16 provincial teams, Western Province shocked the powerhouse of the North, beating them 36-5.

Nigel Davies has put one more piece of his Gloucester coaching jigsaw in place with the news that Paul Moriarty has been named Defence Coach.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has made a few key changes to his team for their clash against the Stormers on Saturday.

The biannual Cambridge Sports festival kicked-off during the June/July holidays and Muir’s first fixture was against Stirling High School.

Menlopark se Jacques Oostehuizen is ingesluit in die Noordelike Bonde rugbyspan wat later hierdie jaar na Italië toer.

Much like they did last season the Bulls and Sharks will clash in a match that could end their Super Rugby playoffs hopes.

Lions caretaker coach Johan Ackermann desperately wants a victory to galvanise the team and move in a positive direction.

South African flyer Danie Poolman has his sights set on running out for Ireland by the time he finishes his three-year contract with Connacht.

The WP 2012 Craven Week side does look very much like the finished product in the light of a 69-19 win over their Namibian counterparts.

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has stuck with the identical 22 that outclassed the Cheetahs last weekend for the clash with the Sharks in Durban on Friday.

The 2012 Girls Under-16 Rugby Week, being played at the AR Abass Stadium, Kimberley, continues on Wednesday, 4 July.

The Fiji Rugby Union has placed all Secondary Schools and all Provincial Unions under a Scrum Moratorium that has been implemented as of 1 July, 2012.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder was not happy with the performance of referee Bryce Lawrence in his team's loss to the Hurricanes last week.

We take a look at how the Springbok flyhalf contenders measured up statistically in Super Rugby this past weekend.

Former New Zealand Under-20 scrumhalf Grayson Hart will make his Waratahs debut when they take on the Brumbies in Sydney on Saturday.

It's a big Saturday for Francisco Pastrana of Argentina who becomes the first 'foreign' referee to referee a match in Super Rugby.

SACS completed a clean sweep of three wins on tour in Zimbabwe, with victories over Churchill (67-12) and Prince Edward (38-7).

The 2012 National Under-18 Academy Week kicked off in Wellington on Monday, 2 July.

The 2012 Under-13 Week started at the DP de Villiers Stadium in Sasolburg on Monday, 2 July, with 12 provincial unions taking part.

The Lions have been dealt further injuries to their difficult season with the news that Andries Coetzee and Deon van Rensburg will miss the remaining two Super Rugby matches.

Winter has struck the Stormers squad with a number of trying to shake off illness and stars Bryan Habana and Juan de Jongh sent home to recover.

The 2012 Grant Khomo Week for Under-16 provincial teams started at the University of Johannesburg on Monday, 2 July.

Today, on the Ballz Radio Rugby Panel, Super Rugby is back on the agenda.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder is confident he will have Kieran Read and Israel Dagg back this weekend, but Dan Carter's fitness will be "touch and go".

The Blue Bulls have won the race to sign Baby Boks flyhalf Handrè Pollard after a two-year chase for his signature.

The battling Blues have suffered another backline blow with the news that wing Rudi Wulf is set to undergo shoulder surgery on Wednesday.

Wales loose forward Rob McCusker has been selected by coach Simon Easterby as the man to skipper the Welsh province next season.

In a warm-up match for Craven Week, Western Province Schools beat the visiting Namibia Schools 69-19 at Newlands on Saturday.

The Chiefs booked their place in the Super Rugby play-offs, but there is an even bigger prize for them on Monday.

The USA Under-20 side claimed the Junior World Rugby Trophy on home soil with a victory over Japan in the final to earn a place in next year's Junior World Championship in France.

With just two rounds left before the Super Rugby play-offs there are still nine teams in with a shout of making the top six.

Bulls centre Johann Sadie will miss the remainder of the Super Rugby season through injury, while there is good news for flank Deon Stegmann.

The 2012 Under-16 Rugby Week for Girls starts in Kimberley on Monday, 2 July, the third such week after George and Nelspruit.

Former Bok captain Bobby Skinstad is not always as sharp in front of the microphone as he was on the playing field.

Wallaby fullback Kurtley Beale will not know until Tuesday whether he will play for the Melbourne Rebels in their final two Super Rugby games in South Africa.

Having displayed their lethal counter-attacking ability against the Cheetahs, the Bulls will look to reproduce those first 60 minutes in the weeks to come.

Lions President Kevin de Klerk describes the financial implications of exclusion from Super Rugby as 'very, very severe'.

According to reports in the New Zealand media, Sonny Bill Williams is poised to take up a contract in Japan and may only play for the All Blacks again in 2014.

The EP Kings struck a blow in the opening round of the national first division when they beat the defending champion Boland Kavaliers in Wellington.

The annual Under-19 tournament for northern schools, organised by the PUK Institute of North West University, has just ended.  

The IRB has inducted the ground-breaking USA Olympic rugby teams from the 1920 and 1924 Olympic Games into the IRB Hall of Fame.

SACS ended their trip to Zimbabwe on winning note with a solid victory over Prince Edward in the inaugural Leabridge Rugby Challenge.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee believes that his team's 27-17 victory over the Lions at Newlands on Saturday was their 'best win of the season'.

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke highlighted his team's commitment and accuracy on defence as the key to their victory over the Cheetahs.

The 2012 Grant Khomo week for Under-16 provincial teams starts at the University of Johannesburg on Monday, 2 July. There are 20 teams taking part.

The 2012 Under-18 Academy Week starts in Wellington on Monday, 2 July.

Lions' captain Josh Strauss was not all that happy with referee Mark Lawrence's performance at Newlands on Saturday.

Brumbies coach Jake White is hoping to lure Wallaby skipper David Pocock to Canberra once he finishes his contract with the Western Force.

In the most thrilling of circumstances, the United States won the Junior World Rugby Trophy in front of its home crowd on Saturday, beating Japan 37-33.

Brumbies captain Ben Mowen admitted that his team can't afford to lose their momentum the way they did against the Western Force.

The Bulls completed a 40-24 triumph over the Cheetahs in a thriller that yielded no fewer than ten tries in Pretoria.

The Stormers were pushed all the way by the Lions in a tightly contested 27-17 Super Rugby triumph at Newlands.

The Western Force were unable to provide inaugural captain Nathan Sharpe with a winning home farewell, despite a spirited second-half comeback.

Experienced Rebels back Mark Gerrard has revealed that he's off to Japan and won't be staying on for another season in Melbourne.

The Brumbies march back to the top of the Australian conference with a 28-17 victory over the Western Force in Perth.

The Hurricanes clinched a nail-biting 23-22 victory over the Crusaders in Christchurch in a thrilling Super Rugby clash to keep the 'Canes in the hunt.

On Day 2 of the inaugural Leabridge Rugby Challenge, SACS again had a big win, beating Churchill 67-12.

In the main match on Friday, the final day of the 2012 Under-13 Craven Week played in Bloemfontein, the Blue Bulls beat Western Province.

The Cheetahs might be out of the play-off race, but they have a lot to play for when they meet the Bulls.

A well-drilled SACS started the Zimbabwe tour in on a high note, thumping St John’s College 62-10 on the opening day of the inaugural Leabridge Rugby Challenge.

London Welsh are set to play in the English Premiership next season after winning an appeal against a RFU decision to block their promotion.

Young Vlad Iordachescu has been appointed to referee the final of the Junior World Rugby Trophy in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Western Force were dealt a cruel blow ahead of the farewell match for veteran Nathan Sharpe.

English Premiership club Wasps have been sold to the highest bidder - a consortium led by former Wasps player Ken Moss.

Stormers backline coach Robbie Fleck believes that it's tough to know what to expect from the Lions following the departure of coach John Mitchell.

France will soon be playing Test matches at a new 82,000-seater stadium in Evry Centre-Essonne.

It has been a big week for James O'Connor who returned from injury and spent some time at his local salon.

The defending champions Reds are making a late push for the Super Rugby play-offs.

The Reds took their opportunities well to secure a vital 32-17 bonus-point victory over the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday.

The Chiefs secured their place at the top of the Super Rugby standings with a hard-fought 27-21 victory over the Highlanders in Dunedin.

The feast of Super Rugby derbies continues on Saturday, with a couple of banana skin fixtures wrapping up the weekend's action.

Desire and passion! These were the key words at the Bulls' training sessions this week, ahead of the resumption of the Super Rugby season.

Former Wallabies skipper Rocky Elsom has signed a deal to join Japanese club Kobe Steel and is unlikely to play any more Super Rugby this year.

GLRU President Kevin de Klerk on Thursday denied that the suspension of coach John Mitchell was based purely on players' complaints.

Golden Lions Rugby Union President Kevin de Klerk says he is optimistic that the Lions will participate in next year's Super Rugby competition.

Western Province and the Blue Bulls, both unbeaten, will meet in the main match on the final day of the 2012 Under-13 Craven Week.

Welsh giants, Cardiff Blues, will field South African-born flanker Andries Pretorius against the Cheetahs next month.

In the main match on Thursday, the third day of the 2012 Under-13 Craven Week in Bloemfontein, WP beat the Valke 17-0.

The first match of the new-look First Division will kick off at Boland Stadium in Wellington on Frida

Lions skipper Josh Strauss believes his team can build on their surprise victory over the Sharks by causing an upset against the Stormers on Saturday.

Saturday's Super Rugby encounter with the Hurricanes is this season's biggest game yet for the Crusaders, according to coach Todd Blackadder.

Western Province beat the Blue Bulls on the final day of the 2012 LSEN Craven Week, played at UJ. In the main match on the final day they beat the Blue Bulls 25-15.

Veterans Charlie Hodgson (Saracens) and Lee Mears (Bath) are no longer available to play international rugby for England.

New Zealand's Chiefs will be looking to consolidate top spot on the Super Rugby table when the series resumes this weekend, after the June Test window break.

Wales U18 head coach Allan Lewis will take a development squad to SA in August in a new initiative to further enhance rugby development in Wales.

Lions caretaker head coach Johan Ackermann has decided to stick with continuity in his first team selection to take on the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday.

Andy Farrell will rejoin the England coaching team from July 2. This follows after he initially turned down the chance to turn his sabbatical from Saracens into a full-time deal.

Brumbies coach Jake White has rushed back a mob of Wallabies into the team to take on Western the Force in Perth on Saturday.

The Hoerskool Swartland hosts its third rugby festival in Malmesbury on Thursday, 12 July and Saturday, 14 July.

For the first time this season the Rebels will field all of their three biggest names in the starting XV when they tackle the Reds in Melbourne on Friday.

The Western Force have made two changes to their side that will farewell inaugural captain Nathan Sharpe, when they face the Brumbies on Saturday.

Scrumhalf Will Genia will captain the Reds for the rest of the season with a strong team behind him for the clash with the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday.

The Highlanders have resisted the temptation to throw all their international players back into the mix with Andrew Hore and James Haskell rested.

The New Zealand Under-20 player accused of raping a South African woman publicly identified himself on Thursday and denied the alleged sexual assault.

The international Test window has opened and closed again so it's time to get our teeth sunk into some more Super Rugby action.

The Bulls have closed ranks around misfiring Springbok flyhalf Morné Steyn, as they head into the business-end of the season.

We take a look at the quick throw-in, as law discussions make a comeback on our site after an absence of some time.

The Hurricanes will be without All Blacks Cory Jane and Victor Vito when they take on the Crusaders in Christchurch this weekend.

Springbok training squad member CJ Stander may be heading abroad soon, but he still has a crucial role to play for the Bulls.

SACS enjoyed a big win on the opening day of the inaugural Leabridge Rugby Challenge being played at Bushman Rock near Harare.

The one is a well-known rugby pundit. The other is a well-known wrestler.

The one is a young-looking actor. The other is a young-looking Springbok.

Just a week ago he was being mentored by Wallaby captain David Pocock. This week Michael Hooper hopes to teach him a lesson.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee is confident that Quinn Roux will return from Leinster next year a much better player for the experience.

The Sharks, heading into what they have termed 'unchartered territory', have decided to place all their Springboks on ice.

Lock Phoenix Battye has become the latest player to express his loyalty to the Western Force, having signed on for the 2013 and 2014 Super Rugby seasons.

Siya Kolisi will be in a new role for the Stormers when they host the hapless Lions in Super Rugby action on Saturday.

Dan Carter heads the list of All Blacks that won't feature when the Crusaders resume their Super Rugby campaign on Saturday.

There is a good-news story emerging in the Cape in the form of new Stormers loose forward Tyrone Holmes.

The Bulls have named 14 Springboks in the starting XV to face the Cheetahs in Pretoria on Saturday.

The Cheetahs will blood another 'new' prop when they face the Bulls at  Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Ireland have nicked another talented, young SA forward, with Stormers lock Quinn Roux set to join the exodus to the Emerald Isle.

SANZAR have revealed that all three territories were tracking beyond comparative Super Rugby numbers from this time last year.

This year's final of the Junior World Trophy, being played in Salt Lake City, Utah, is between Japan and the USA. It is Japan's third successive final.

With an ultru-modern indoor stadium at their disposal, it was no surprise the Highlanders were fuming when force to train outdoors.

The Chiefs received a timely boost ahead of their showdown with the Highlanders in Dunedin on Sunday.

The Stormers forwards have been impressive all season, but they face their biggest test yet when they take on the lowly Lions this weekend.

Western Province and the Blue Bulls found the going much tougher on Day 2 of the LSEN Craven Week at the University of Johannesburg on Tuesday, 26 June.

Experienced Rebels flank Michael Lipman has decided it's not worth rebelling against medical opinion and has retired with immediate effect.

On Day 2 of the Under-13 Craven Week taking place at Grey College in Bloemfontein, the Blue Bulls recorded their second big win over Eastern Cape opposition.

The so-called international window has closed now and Europe's international teams have gone back home, lots with tails between legs.

Ireland could run into problems with star flank Sean O'Brien unlikely to be available for the year-end Test matches.

Lourens van der Merwe has been appointed to his very first Test in a year of exciting developments for the Bloemfontein schoolmaster.

The IRB have expanded the World Sevens Series by adding La Plata in Argentina as the tenth venue for the upcoming 2012/13 season.

Timmy Hancox thinks Heinrich Brussow could be the missing link for the Springboks ahead of the upcoming Rugby Championship. What do you think?

Pumas outside back Horacio Agulla has parted ways with Leicester Tigers and will join their Premiership rivals Bath next season.

The Ballz Radio Rugby Panel looks back at the third Test between England & SA in PE.

Gloucester veteran Mike Tindall has extended his stay at Kingsholm by signing a one-year contract as a player/coach at the Premiership club next season.

Talented back Cory Jane has admitted he is still a doubtful starter for Saturday's Super Rugby clash with the Crusaders in Christchurch.

A large crowd of close to 10,000 was treated to some top-class schoolboy rugby as Hilton beat Michaelhouse 26-22 on Saturday.

Under-fire Waratahs coach Michael Foley was called into an NSW board meeting to present a review of his team's Super Rugby season to date.

The NZRU have pledged to fully co-operate with a South African police investigation following a rape allegation agaist one of the Baby Blacks.

Saia Faingaa will celebrate his milestone 50th game for the Reds on Friday against the Rebels in Melbourne.

On Friday, 22 June, 2012 Dolf Bekker, one of the family of Springboks, died at the age of 85.

The 2012 LSEN Craven Week opened at the University of Johannesburg on Monday, 25 June.

SWD caused a major upset at the 41st Under-13 Craven Week when they beat hosts Free State 15-10 in the main match of the opening day.

Former Springbok lock Johan Ackermann has been entrusted with the unenviable task of taking over as head coach of the Lions.

Beaten in Port Elizabeth by the EP Kings, the South African Students beat Namibia 34-24 at the National Rugby Stadium in Windhoek on Saturday.

The Lions, still reeling from losing their head coach last week, may well be without their two top props when the Super Rugby season resumes this week.

The next six weeks of Super Rugby should be particularly intriguing after having had a look at Heyneke Meyer's opening hand against England.

The return of Super Rugby brings with it a fresh batch of injury woes for the Stormers, with star lock Eben Etzebeth in doubt for Saturday's clash.

Sonny Bill Williams has made up his mind about what the future holds for him. Only he is not telling anybody.

Thirteen Springboks will return to the Bulls fold this week as they start preparations for the final leg of their Super Rugby league fixtures.

St John's won a thrilling FNB Classic Clash 32-31 against Stithians. It was one of those games which is a thrill to win and so disappointing to lose.

The All Blacks are currently the best team in the world with the rest playing catch-up and that is apparent in our latest Team of the Week.

Australian Rugby Union CEO John O'Neill will have to find a new cash cow.

The Wallabies may be celebrating a whitewash over Wales, but their deficiencies will be punished by the All Blacks and Springboks.

The one was a Bulls superhero. The other is the actual daughter of a superhero.

The one scared a few Englishmen this last week. The other has ruffled feathers in Hollywood.

The possibility of first-choice captain Schalk Burger featuring in the Stormers team again this season is becoming more remote with each passing day.

The movement of players, and coaches, in and out of French clubs has some surprises all right.

Police are investigating rape charges against members of NZ's U20 team after they lost to South Africa in the Junior World Championship Final.

All Black Richard Kahui's run of back luck is set to keep him on the sidelines for the rest of the year.

Springbok veteran Pierre Spies said the side let themselves down in their 14-all draw with England in Port Elizabeth at the weekend.

The 2012 Craven Week for learners with special educational needs (LSEN) starts in Johannesburg on 25 June.

Australian coach Robbie Deans expects Wales to become an even bigger threat as they continue to evolve.

The 2012 Under-13 Craven Week kicks-off at Grey College in Bloemfontein on Monday. It is the 41st such week, having started in 1972 in Potchefstroom.

New Zealand's Super Rugby franchises will pay a price for their national team's dominant form in the three-Test series against Ireland.

Rebels vice-captain Gareth Delve has re-signed with the franchise and will remain in Melbourne for 2013.

It's holiday time and so there are few school results. There was a big one in Johannesburg, a thrilling FNB Classic Clash.

England coach Stuart Lancaster, who said he was "gutted" not to win in Port Elizabeth, also spoke of the progress his team had made.

New Springbok coach Heyneke bemoaned the 'step backwards' his team took against England at the weekend.

Three current players have showed their commitment to the table-topping Chiefs by re-signing with the franchise until the end of 2014.

Wales' caretaker coach Rob Howley was disappointed that his side came up short in their Test series against the Wallabies.

Ireland were smarting after their humiliating record 0-60 whitewash at the hands of the All Blacks at the weekend.

Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer is worried about the poor form of flyhalf Morné Steyn ahead of the new Rugby Championship.

The drums have started beating in New Zealand for All Blacks great Richie McCaw to yield his cherished No.7 jersey to Sam Cane.

Fullback James Pritchard scored 21 points as Canada defeated Georgia 31-12 in an international match.

Riccardo Bocchino kicked three penalties and two conversions as Italy beat the United States 30-10.

France ran in six tries to crush Argentina 49-10 in the second Test and record their biggest ever win over the Pumas.

England coach Stuart Lancaster believes that the fighting draw his team earned in Port Elizabeth is proof of their positive development.

England showed plenty of character in a committed defensive display to share the spoils in a 14-14 draw with the Springboks in Port Elizabeth.

The Springboks were left frustrated after they were shut down by a determined England team who forced a draw in the final Test in Port Elizabeth.

England showed a determined attitude to hold on for a 14-14 draw with an underwhelming Springbok side in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

Varsity Cup champions Tuks beat College Rovers 23-21 in Durban on Friday to claim the inaugural Champions Challenge.

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll was left stunned by a punishing performance from the All Blacks who showed no mercy in Hamilton on Saturday.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was particularly pleased with the contribution the young guns in his team made to the 60-0 demolition of Ireland on Saturday.

Junior Springbok coach Dawie Theron believes the key to his team's World Championship victory was the way they hardened up under pressure.

The All Blacks might have been disappointed with their performance last weekend, but they were incredible in their 60-0 win over Ireland.

Wallaby coach Robbie Deans believes that the composure his team showed to edge Wales out again bodes well for the future of the team.

Ireland have been left red-faced after leaving with no points on the board in a 60-0 drubbing.

New Zealand put together a breathtaking display as they demolished Ireland 60-0 to claim a series whitewash in Hamilton on Saturday.

Wales produced another determined effort only to come up agonisingly short once again, going down 20-19 to Australia in Sydney.

The Wallabies were made to work hard, but they did enough to scrape another win over Wales and claim a series whitewash.

Robert Harley came off the bench to score the winning try for Scotland as they scraped home 17-16 in a one-off Test against Samoa on Saturday.

The Wallabies were stretched right until the end, but they did enough to hang on for a tense 20-19 victory over Wales in Sydney on Saturday.

Junior Springbok inside centre Jan Serfontein has become the first South African to be named as the IRB Junior Player of the Year.

It was meant to be a fund-raising affair to launch World Cup-winning former Springbok captain John Smit's new charity.

South Africa dethroned New Zealand as the IRB Junior World champions at a packed Newlands on Friday.

Wales held on in the face of a strong second-half charge by Argentina to finish third at the IRB Junior Championships.

A loss against England in Port Elizabeth on Saturday would curb precious momentum the Springboks have accumulated, captain Jean de Villiers said on Friday.

The International Rugby Board appointed eight referees to the 2012 Junior World Championships. We give short profiles of each of them.

Sharks flyhalf Frederic Michalak will make his first start for France in almost five years in Saturday's clash against Argentina in Tucumán.

New Ulster coach Mark Anscombe has brought Kiwi loose forward Nick Williams to the Irish club on a two-year contract.

The Golden Lions Rugby Union have suspended their head coach John Mitchell. Jan de Koning brings you this exclusive report.

Exeter Chiefs newcomer Dean Mumm has admitted it was the "ambition" of the Devon club that persuaded him to swap life in Super Rugby for that of the Premiership.

Wales know that if they are to secure their first Test victory over the Wallabies on Australian soil since 1969, then they will have to neutralise fullback Kurtley Beale.

Can the Boks make it a series whitewash? We look at the numbers ahead of the third Test.

Just before the mid-year holidays came down on schools rugby, Mpumalanga got in several of its knock-out matches, playing them on Tuesday.

Ireland backline coach Les Kiss believes his side can target All Blacks flyhalf Aaron Cruden in a effort to unsettle the team.

England coach Stuart Lancaster has been forced to make a late change to his starting front row with Joe Marler coming in for the injured Alex Corbisiero.

St. Johns skipper NJ Maree is expecting a physical onslaught from their local rivals St. Stithians in their FNB Classic Clash on Saturday.

Scotland will look to secure an unprecedented Southern Hemisphere clean sweep in a one-off Test against Samoa on Saturday.

Argentina captain Felipe Contepomi could close out his international career on Saturday, when they take on France in the second Test.

Last week was surprisingly tight, but can Ireland lift themselves once again and pick up a victory over the All Blacks in Hamilton?

Wales will have a final chance to claim a Wallaby scalp on their tour when they run out at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Saturday.

South Africa and England meet in the third and last Test of the 2012 series in Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

St Stithians of Randburg go across to St John's of Houghton for this week's FNB Classic Clash, two teams likely to play rugby in a creative and honourable way.

England want to end a long, turbulent season on a high by winning the final Test against the Springboks.

Lions coach John Mitchell may face yet another player revolt.

St. Stithians captain Jonty Bredell is proud of his record against St. Johns over the years and is keen to notch another victory in their derby on Saturday.

Pierre Spies will hope his 50th Test for the Springboks against England in Port Elizabeth on Saturday will have a more favourable result than his 2006 debut.

SARU announced on Thursday that more than 30 000 tickets have already been sold for the IRB Junior World Championship final on Friday at Newlands.

Aaron Cruden, with a World Cup-winner's medal in his back pocket, feels he is now mature enough to fill the gap left by Dan Carter with confidence.

Heyneke Meyer's quest for Springbok perfection could lead to 'coach burn-out', but will make the team a more consistently competitive outfit.