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The Rebels have been forced to turn to club rugby ranks in an attempt to fortify their squad which has been decimated by a spate of injuries.

The Boland Schools selectors have named their four teams to take part in the four national weeks this year.

The Australian Under-20 squad on Monday departed for South Africa, ahead of the IRB Junior World Championship being held from June 4 to June 22.

Quade Cooper may have only played 120 minutes back from knee surgery, but the Wallaby flyhalf said he was ready to start against Scotland next week.

All Black fullback Israel Dagg says that the World Cup-winners are determined to avoid the trap of complacency as they start a new chapter under coach Steve Hansen.

Australia's injuries woes worsened with confirmation that captain James Horwill will miss all the June Tests and that star back Kurtley Beale will have to undergo surgery.

Chiefs co-captain Craig Clarke has announced that he has re-signed with the Super Rugby franchise until the end of 2013.

Former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers should not be expecting any Christmas cards or dinner invitations from the Watsons in Port Elizabeth.

Injuries and a citing  for foul-play threatened to spoil England coach Stuart Lancaster's celebrations on Sunday.

Shane Williams scored a sensational late double in his final club game and Dan Biggar added a touchline conversion to hand the Ospreys the Pro12 title with a 31-30 win over Leinster at the RDS.

Glenwood beat DHS 34-9 in Saturday's FNB Classic Clash encounter on Dixon's Field at Glenwood.

Op Saterdag, 26 Mei 2012 het Hoërskool Diamantveld die Wolramme van Marlow in Kimberley verwelkom. Op 'n sonnige wintersdag het al die spanne gesorg vir harde en fisiese rugby met gemengde uitslae vir beide skole.

Outeniqua High School beat Oakdale Agricultural College 32-7 this weekend.

Itembelihle made it seven wins in a row on Friday afternoon, defeating arch rivals Ndzondelelo 20-13 in a pulsating match, played in front of about four thousand spectators at the Wolfson Stadium in Kwazakhele.

Chris Ashton scored a hat-trick as England warmed up for their South African tour with a record 57-26 win over the Barbarians.

Leinster back row forward Kevin McLaughlin has been called into the Ireland squad to tour New Zealand next month.

The big one is Paarl this week when third (Grey) met fourth (Paarl Boys' High). Despite the wet field it was a match of top quality.

They may not be in a favourable position on the log, but Cheetahs hooker and captain Adriaan Strauss was pleased with the five points his side earned in their 35-34 Super Rugby victory over the Waratahs.

Chiefs hooker Hikawera Elliot and Highlanders wing Hosea Gear have been named as replacement players to attend the All Blacks training camp.

The Hurricanes received a boost with the news that big-hitting forward Motu Matu'u has signed to stay with the franchise for another year.

England captain Chris Robshaw completed the first leg of what he hopes will be a perfect personal mid-year double by leading Harlequins to a first English title.

Wallaby coach Robbie Deans has been forced to name Quade Cooper in a 39-man training squad on Sunday.

The Lions' Springbok prop CJ van der Linde has been cited, following an allegation of biting.

Rob Horne of the Waratahs has been issued with an off-field yellow card for a dangerous shoulder charge.

On Saturday, in the new Premier Interschools initiative Paarl Boys' High became the third team to beat mighty Grey College this year when they won 28-18 on Saturday.

The Sharks proved that it is possible to breach the Stormers defence, scoring three tries to defeat the Cape Town side 25-20 in Durban on Saturday.

The Cheetahs defeated the Waratahs 35-34 in an epic Super Rugby clash in Bloemfontein that yielded nine tries and a thrilling finish to the game.

Harlequins were crowned English champions for the first time when they defeated Leicester 30-23 in the Aviva Premiership final on Saturday.

Tom Williams finally buried the Bloodgate scandal on Saturday when he scored one of Harlequins' two tries in the 30-23 Premiership final triumph over Leicester.

The Super Rugby clash between the Bulls and Stormers at Loftus Versfeld is already sold out.

Wallabies and Reds captain James Horwill left the field with an injury during the Reds win over the Brumbies, that could rule him out of the June Tests.

The Western Force stumbled their way to a 17-11 victory over the hapless Lions in a match between two of Super Rugby's whipping boys in Perth on Saturday.

The one is a young Australian rugby star. The other a young Canadian music star.

The Reds won a tough Aussie derby against the Brumbies 13-12 thanks to a missed penalty by Brumbies flyhalf Zack Holmes in the last kick of the game.

The Highlanders held off a late fightback from the Blues to claim a 27-20 bonus point triumph at Eden Park on Saturday to climb into the playoff positions.

The Hurricanes put in a storming performance to smash a rather poor Melbourne Rebels outfit 66-24 in a fast-paced Super Rugby clash in Wellington on Saturday.

Bite your nails, hold your breath, be afraid to watch. That is the sort of match it was when Hoerskool Zwartkop and Hoerskool Eldoraigne met in an FNB Classic Clash last Saturday.

Western Province Schools have chosen three teams - for Craven Week and the Academy Week for Under-18s and the Grant Khomo Week for Under-16s.

Glenwood captain Marne Coetzee is a rugby player with ambition and his next goal is to swat aside local rivals DHS in their derby clash this weekend.

The Blue Bulls Schools have chosen three teams - the Craven Week team, the Academy Week team and the Northvaal team.

Ndzondelelo have not beaten Itembelihle for six years but their captain Thabo Mlindi is confident tha their side has what it takes to finish on top this weekend.

Hoerskool Sasolburg captain Donovan Pretorius is not your average rugby player.

HTS Sasolburg captain Orgie de Beer has a lot on his plate. Not only will he lead his team into battle in Saturday's FNB Classic Clash against Sasolburg Hoerskool, but he is also his team's goalkicker.

Bellville South skipper Ralton Booysen will captain his team in a third successive FNB Classic Clash against Kasselsvlei this coming weekend.

Kasselsvlei are very excited for Saturday's FNB Classic Clash against near-neighbours, Bellville South. So says their captain - and flanker - Percy Davids.

On Saturday two of the greatest rugby schools in South Africa meet in Paarl - Paarl Boys' High and Grey College of Bloemfontein, two schools with wonderful traditions.

"There were many occasions in my four-year tenure when perception did not correspond to fact."

Ben Youngs faces a massive personal duel with Harlequins and England rival Danny Care in the Premiership Final on Saturday.

The Chiefs surged to the top of the Super Rugby ladder on Friday after a late try saw off the Bulls 28-22 in a bruising encounter in Hamilton.

There appears to be a growing philosophy that the only way to breach the Stormers' watertight defence is with an aggressive kicking game.

All the pundits will be talking up Sunday's Twickenham encounter between England and the Barbarians as the real deal.

England will face the Barbarians in Sunday's non-cap international match at Twickenham with 11 players who featured in this year's Six Nations.

Dumped Samoa captain Mahonri Schwalger has called for the Pacific nation's prime minister to be replaced as chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union (SRU) and hit out at "arrogant" rugby administrators.

The Chiefs won a tough battle against the Bulls 28-22 in an excellent match between two of the best sides in Super Rugby in Hamilton on Friday.

Reds flank Beau Robinson and fullback Luke Morahan have been selected in the Reds starting line-up for their  blockbuster encounter with the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday.

The Highlanders have changed their halfback pairing for Saturday's Super rugby clash with the Blues in Auckland.

Wallaby wing Drew Mitchell returns from his long-term injury lay-off to play for the Waratahs for the first time in over 12 months when they take on the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

The last four Super Rugby matches this weekend are all shaping as fierce contests that could go either way, we took a closer look and tried to predict the outcomes.

Leinster are bidding to become just the fifth side, and the first since London Wasps in 2004, to become European and domestic champions in the same season.

It will be a sold-out Twickenham that will bear witness to the 2012 Premiership Final - a clash between the 'rookies' and the 'veterans'.

Players and coaches found guilty of assaulting referees should expect to be banned from the game for life, according to SARU President Mr Oregan Hoskins.

Two former Test players, Louis Koen and Pieter de Villiers, have been added to the Springbok management team as consultants for the forthcoming international season.

The Bulls may thrive in playing at a packed Loftus Versfeld in front of 50,000 spectators, but they are equally comfortable in the much smaller New Zealand stadia.

The Glenwood and DHS meeting in an FNB Classic Clash is a rivalry filled with tradition and passion. The match will be televised live.

There are four schools in Potchefstroom which enjoy great rivalries - Boys High, HTS, Gim and Volkskool. This Saturday it is the turn of Gimmies and Volkies to enjoy the excitement of an FNB Classic Clash.

Hoerskool Transvalia captain Estehan Visagie will line up at No.8 for his team in Saturday's FNB Classic Clash against HTS Vereeniging.

HTS Vereeniging skipper Eddie Kirby is expecting a tough and physical tussle in Saturday's FNB Classic Clash against Hoerskool Transvalia. And the tighthead prop would love nothing more!

Two great rugby schools meet in an FNB Classic Clash in Middelburg, Mpumalanga on Saturday - Hoërskool Middelburg and HTS Middelburg.

Chiefs centre Richard Kahui is hoping to avoid going under the knife following his shoulder injury in an effort to make a speedy return to the field.

In an FNB Classic Clash on Saturday, Transvalia meet HTS Vereeniging. It is a match one would expect Transvalia to win but again it is such an enthusiastic derby that there is no pre-match certainty.

On Saturday there is an FNB Classic Clash between Hoërskool Sasolburg and HTS Sasolburg at DP de Villiers Stadium in Sasolburg.

Potch Volkies captain WJ Herbst will concentrate on two rugby matches this weekend; his team's FNB Classic Clash against Potch Gimmies and the Sharks-Stormers Super Rugby match-up in Durban.

Given their geographical proximity, it is understandable that players from Potch Gimmies and Potch Volkies would know each other well. For Gimmies skipper Janco Schutte familiarity brings something else to the party.

Last year MC Venter lost to Hoerskool Rustenberg for the first time, and the Hoerskool Brits skipper is determined to put things right this weekend.

Hoerskool Middelburg captain Seon de Jager knows that his side will be the underdogs against HTS Middelburg this weekend but he is backing them to cause an upset.

Players and coaches found guilty of assaulting referees should expect to be banned from the game for life, SARU President Mr Oregan Hoskins said.

It is always a tight encounter when Itembelihle take on Ndzondelelo and captain Lwandile Dabalele is expecting another tough FNB Classic Clashes contest.

On Friday night in Brits in the North West Province there will be a floodlit FNB Classic Clash between Brits and Rustenburg.

Springbok World Cup winning captain John Smit will lead the Barbarians when they open their mid-year matches against England at Twickenham on Sunday.

Another out-weekend having been consigned to history, there is a wide variety of intriguing contests scheduled for the Western Cape on Saturday, 26 May.

Hoerskool Rustenberg captain Bertho van Wyk knows that his team will have to be on top of their game if they want to extend their five-year winning streak against Hoerskool Brits.

Love him or hate him. Peter de Villiers is a very interesting and entertaining character! Jan de Koning reviews his autobiography: POLITICALLY INCORRECT.

Veteran Melbourne Rebels loosehead prop Nic Henderson will play his 100th Super Rugby match when his side clash with the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday.

In the trench warfare of Test match rugby Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will need a creative midfield pairing that also has the physicality to dominate the gainline.

All old cliche goes that "if it 'aint broke don't fix it" and that is the case when it comes to the centre pairing for the All Blacks.

There is no shortage of talent, but finding the right combination may prove to be the biggest headache facing Wallaby coach Robbie Deans as we look at his midfield options.

In the penultimate round of Super Rugby action before the break for the June Test matches there are some cracking encounters to spice things up at the top of the table.

Peter Kimlin moves back into the starting side as one of just two changes to the Brumbies as they fight to stay on top of the Australian Conference this Saturday at home against the Reds.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer will hold a fourth and final Planning Camp in Durban from Sunday, with 42 players across all five Super Rugby franchises invited to attend.

Wallaby coach Robbie Deans has identified Kurtley Beale as an integral part of the Australian team and indicated he wanted him at flyhalf for Australia's opening two Tests against Scotland and Wales next month.

Drew Mitchell will be looking to lift his team to a much-needed victory as he prepares to pull on an Waratahs jersey for the first time in over a year against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Ali Williams looks set to play his 100th Super Rugby game off the bench after he and fellow All Blacks Piri Weepu and Ma'a Nonu were relegated to the reserves for Saturday's match against the Highlanders at Eden Park.

A win on Saturday against the Brumbies is crucial to the Reds finals charge but will also see Queensland gain possession of the Rod Macqueen Cup for the first time.

Sharks star Pat Lambie returns to the side at fullback for the clash with the Stormers in Durban on Saturday.

Despite their last-gasp win over a brave and powerful Griquas side, WP were deserved winners of the 2012 Vodacom Cup - their first time ever.

Impressive young Hurricanes flyhalf Beauden Barrett comes back into the starting line-up for the match-up with the Rebels in Wellington on Saturday.

The Bulls are ready for a "big effort" in Hamilton on Friday, as they hope to extend their four-year unbeaten run against the Chiefs.

Despite criticism of their style of play the Stormers are happy to back the plan that has got them to the top of the standings and insist that they are developing their attacking game.

DHS have not overcome their local rivals Glenwood for quite some time and their captain Suko Nqawe is determined to put an end to that this weekend.

If the past is anything to go by, this Northern Suburbs FNB Classic Clash will again be a tense and close affair.

If the past is anything to go by, this Northern Suburbs FNB Classic Clash will again be a tense and close affair.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské has made three changes to the starting line-up for his side's Super Rugby game against the Waratahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

New Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer finally put to bed months of media speculation over the possible return of retired lock Victor Matfield.

The hapless Lions received a timely boost with the news that some of their injury concerns are clearing up ahead of their final tour match, against the Western Force in Perth on Saturday.

The FNB Classic Clash in Port Elizabeth between Itembelihle Comprehensive School and Ndzondelelo High School is the biggest event of the rugby season.

The Highlanders' All Black wing Hosea Gear has turned down an offer from Japanese club Toshiba and is staying in New Zealand.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has been forced to change his injury-ravaged team for their Super Rugby encounter with the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

Alex Corbisiero can look back with satisfaction on a 12-month period , but the 23-year-old is in no mood to get complacent ahead of the daunting trip to South Africa.

The Chiefs have brought back a few of their big guns for the crunch encounter with the Bulls in Hamilton on Friday.

The Bulls, whether they play in pink or blue, remain South Africa's most popular Super Rugby franchise.

Stormers forwards coach Matthew Proudfoot believes that it will be a case of blunt warfare when his team meet the Sharks in the their coastal derby in Durban this weekend.

This week we had the hardest time trying to sort out the lower positions on the FNB Top 20. There are so many schools sides who are so close in standard, and there is always the surprise.

Bulls skipper Pierre Spies is well aware of the influence a victory over the Chiefs this weekend could have on his team's hopes of securing home advantage in the play-offs this year.

A delegation of the SARU leadership reassured the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport on Tuesday that the Southern Kings will participate in the 2013 Super Rugby competition.

Cheetahs backline coach Hawies Fourie believes that the fact that neither his side or the Waratahs have anything to lose will make for an open, running game in Bloemfontein this weekend.

Cheetahs lock Izak van der Westhuizen is the latest player to sign for a northern hemisphere club and play for Scottish club Edinburgh next season.

Bulls lock Wilhelm Steenkamp will start at lock in his side's final Super Rugby tour match against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday.

If there are two positions where there is no, or very little, debate about who should start for Australia in the June internationals it is at halfback.

If Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are to get the better of their northern rivals in June they will need a composed halfback combination in order to control matters on home soil.

A good halfback pairing is a crucial component of any side and without them there is little hope for the success of any side, as so much of the vital decision-making is on their shoulders.

The Sharks have gathered some good momentum in the last three weeks, but they know that their accuracy and composure will be put to the test against a clinical Stormers side this weekend.

After the trials of the Meyer Sauerman tournament in Graaff-Reinet on Saturday, Eastern Province Schools have announced three squads.

Australian utility back Cameron Shepherd has signed with the Northampton Saints and will join the English Premiership club once he finishes the season with the Western Force.

Queen's College lost a nail-biting rugby fixture to archrivals, Dale College, in King William's Town this past Saturday afternoon.

As mens deesdae verby die HS Secunda se terrein ry kom jy agter dat daar gewoel en werskaf word om die skool se gronde op te gradeer en mens kan sien dat die skool besig is om 'n gedaante verwisseling te ondergaan. Net so op die rugby veld.

Happy Birthday Sharks and Springbok hooker, Bismarck du Plessis.

Ten teams made up of players selected after last week's regional trials will take part in the main KwaZulu-Natal Under-18 trials at the Woodburn stadium on Tuesday beginning at 10.00.

South Africa's enthusiasm for rugby is wonderful. We bring you all the latest schoolboy rugby results - at all levels.

The excitement of the European championships are over but there is still a big final in England and France is bursting with knock-out matches and Leinster will play their second final in eight days when they play the Ospreys in Dublin in the Pro12 Final.

Ireland and Leinster fullback Rob Kearney has been crowned as the ERC European Player of the Year, succeeding teammate Sean O'Brien as the winner of the prestigious individual accolade.

SARU revealed on Monday that they have "a number of options" for participation in the 2013 Super Rugby tournament, but failed to elaborate on what any of those options might be.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee was forced to cancel Monday's training session in an attempt to manage the physical toll on his squad ahead of their big clash with the Sharks in Durban this weekend.

Cheetahs lock George Earle will head to the Scarlets in July in the hope of representing Wales at the 2015 World Cup.

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney has left four places in the squad to tour New Zealand for a three-match Test series vacant in the hope key players can recover from injury.

Inside centre Pat McCabe says the major difference in the Brumbies backline this season has been the belief and confidence they have in one another, which they will rely on against the Reds this weekend.

It was a weekend of blow-out and borefests, but the one team that made the biggest statement was the Sharks.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen wants to put last year's World Cup triumph firmly in the past and redirect the attention on a new set of goals.

Wallabies utility back James O'Connor will not be available for the Test matches against Wales and Scotland in June as he has to wait four weeks to return to contact training due to his lacerated liver.

Neo Mehlwana's try double sealed a 19-5 victory for Muir at Victoria Park. Muir narrowly led 14-5 at the break.

A succession of head injuries have cast a shadow over the playing future of the Blues' French-bound utility back Benson Stanley.

Players from John Vorster Technical High School and Waterkloof High School, both in Pretoria, got involved in a fist fight after a match at the weekend.

On Saturday, 19 May, it was St Alban's turn to host the annual St Alban's v Menlopark FNB Classic Clash again.

A cold, windy day was host to the Glenwood v Pinetown first team match on Saturday. Glenwood beat Pinetown easily.

The Bulls received a timely boost ahead of their final tour match, against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday.

SACS secured their first premier league win of the season when they beat local rivals Diocesan College (Bishops) 21-8.

Hoërskool Diamantveld het op Saterdag, 19 Mei die boere van Hoër Landbouskool Jacobsdal, algemeen bekend as Landboudal, in die Vrystaat besoek en as oorwinnaars, met 29-12, huis toe gekom.

Waterkloof had big wins in all divisions over HTS John Vorster on Saturday. In the first team game the centres were the architects of the 70-5 victory.

There are three FNB Classic Clashes, a big Border confrontation and some surprises in this week's results.

Former Springbok coach Jake White believes that the timing is perfect for Argentina to come into a SANZAR competition as New Zealand are still suffering from their World Cup hangover.

A determined fight back was not enough for the Force to haul in the Rebels on Sunday, and although there were positives to take from the defeat at home the Perth side were left frustrated with their performance.

Irish legend Brian O'Driscoll believes Leinster can build a European dynasty after the Irish province clinched a third European Cup triumph in the space of four seasons in a 42-14 win over Ulster.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee knows that his table-topping team are in for a fierce examination in the next fortnight, but he is backing the depth in his squad to boost their chances.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee knows that his table-topping team are in for a fierce examination in the next fortnight, but he is backing the depth in his squad to boost their chances.

Japan head coach Eddie Jones has urged his squad to strengthen their scrum and boost their fitness before the Asian champions defend the Pacific Nations Cup next month.

The Sharks' victory over the Cheetahs kept them in the hunt for a spot in the play-offs, but the character they showed to perform under considerable pressure was perhaps even more significant.

Crusaders wing Zac Guildford was handed an All Black lifeline when he was recalled to the national training squad as a replacement for the injured Cory Jane.

The Rebels fell off the pace somewhat in the second half but did enough to hold on for a tense 32-31 bonus point victory over Australian rivals the Force in Perth on Sunday.

New Zealand lock Brad Thorn on Saturday became the first player to clinch a global three-title sweep of a World Cup, European Cup and Super Rugby honours.

Leinster were crowned European club kings for the third time in four seasons as they proved themselves one of the finest club sides ever at Twickenham on Saturday.

The Stormers held on for a hard-earned 19-13 win over a desperate Waratahs team in their Super Rugby encounter at Newlands on Saturday.

The Sharks continued their march up the Super Rugby table and into the play-off positions with a 34-20 win over a willing Cheetahs team in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Reds and Wallaby playmaker Quade Cooper has made a successful return from injury as the Reds collect maximum points in their 34-20 Super Rugby victory over the Lions in Brisbane on Saturday.

Gloucester Managing Director Ken Nottage has admitted the English Premiership club have a shortlist of four candidates for their head coaching post.

The Hurricanes' season went from bad to worse on Friday, with the news that two of their key players will be sidelined for several weeks.

The three-time champion Bulls were dealt another double injury blow, following their 11-16 Super Rugby loss to the Highlanders in a bruising encounter in Dunedin on Saturday.

The Crusaders returned to form with a vengeance when they crushed the Blues 59-12 in a nine-tries-to-two drubbing in their Super Rugby clash in Christchurch on Saturday.

Brumbies star Michael Hooper will have to appear before a SANZAR judicial hearing next week, after it was decided to formally charge him for a spear tackle on an opponent in his team's 37-25 win over the Hurricanes on Friday.

The Reds kept alive their play-off hopes with a workmanlike 34-20 win over the bottom-placed Lions in their Super Rugby encounter in Brisbane on Saturday.

The Crusaders dismissed the hapless Blues in emphatic fashion, recording a record 59-12 win in their Super Rugby encounter in Christchurch on Friday.

The Highlanders kept their play-off hopes alive with a hard-earned 16-11 win over a very physical Bulls side in their Super Rugby encounter in Dunedin on Saturday.

A former equity partner of the Golden Lions Rugby Union, the Guma Tac Group, is close to signing a deal with the Southern Kings.

Noord-Kaap played EG Jansen at GWK Park in Kimberley on Friday night in the main curtain-raiser for the Vodacom Cup Final between Griquas and Western Province. Northerns won the match 22-13, after trailing 8-13 at half-time.

Durban High School crosses the Umgeni River for an important clash against Northwood this weekend.

Matches like FNB Classic Clashes are always emotional affairs and the key is to remain calm. Those are the views of Eldoraigne skipper Henry Collinett ahead of Saturday's meeting with Zwartkop.

It was a glorious sunny winter's day up in Pietersburg/Polokwane on Saturday when Hoërskool Ben Vorster came down to play Hoërskool Pietersburg in their FNB Classic Clash, which the team from Tzaneen won 15-10.

The Waratahs have suffered a blow with the news that inspirational hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau has been ruled out of the Super Rugby clash with the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.

The Cheetahs will focus on protecting their possession on Saturday in order to beat a Sharks team that have proven to be especially dangerous on the counter-attack this season.

Waratahs coach Michael Foley has sung the praises of the Stormers set-piece, outstanding defence and 'shrewd' attacking approach that has set the Cape Town side apart this season.

The Lions may be fighting a survival battle on several fronts, but they remain firm in their resolve to retain their Super Rugby status.

Boland has selected three Under-18 teams and two Under-16 teams to play Western Province equivalents in a final trial before announcing the teams for the Craven Week, Academy Week and Grant Khomo Week.

Western Province claimed their first Vodacom Cup title, and the union's first major senior trophy in over a decade, when they snatched a dramatic 20-18 victory over Griquas in the Final in Kimberley on Friday.

After a sloppy start to the season St Albans have started to come right in the last few weeks, and their captain Dylan Krause is hoping to continue that trend when they take on Menlopark this weekend.

The Brumbies pulled of an impressive fightback to claim a 37-25 victory over the Hurricanes in the opening match of the weekend in Wellington on Friday.

Ben Vorster have already beaten Pietersburg this year, but their captain De Wet Botha is adamant that their rivals will be an entirely different prospect in their FNB Classic Clash this weekend.

Rob and Dave Kearney are dreaming of joining the elite band of "Brothers in Arms" who have celebrated European Cup glory fighting for the same cause.

The Blues are running out of loose forwards rapidly, with Steven Luatua called-up to make his run-on debut against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.

Menlopark captain Dean Dewinaar has never lost against St. Albans and he does not intend doing so when they meet for their FNB Classic Clash this weekend.

Howie Kahn has gone bold in the Bet.co.za Super Rugby betting challenge this weekend as he tries to catch runaway leader, Schalk Jonker.

The Melbourne Rebels on Friday boosted their forward pack with the acquisition of Wallabies flank Scott Higginbotham from defending Super Rugby champion Reds.

For the first time this season Melbourne Rebels coach Damien Hill has named an unchanged starting XV for the clash with the Western Force in Perth on Sunday.

With time running out to make a move on the Super Rugby standings there should be plenty of intensity in the last four clashes of Round Thirteen, we take a look at the match-ups.

Newcastle Falcons revealed on Friday that they have signed Scotland scrumhalf Rory Lawson on a two-year deal as the recruitment drive continues in the North East.

It is a raging debate: To win at all cost, or to entertain? The Stormers, hoping to end a decade-long trophy drought has put winning at a premium.

Highlanders coach, Jamie Joseph has made four changes to the run-on team to face the Bulls in Dunedin on Saturday, following their Super Rugby loss to the Hurricanes last week.

Pietersburg captain Sipho Siboza has not forgotten the pain of defeat to Ben Vorster last year and is determined to see his team turn the tables on home soil in their FNB Classic Clash this weekend.

New Wallabies coaching co-ordinator Tony McGahan said Friday he wanted to give the Australian side a cut-throat edge.

Wayne Barnes has been appointed to referee England's Premiership Final at Twickenham on Saturday, 26 May 2012, when Harlequins play Leicester Tigers.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) said on Thursday it had not banned firebrand Samoan Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, despite claims from the Pacific nation's coach that he was told to drop the player.

In the midst of so much unpleasantness on and next to rugby fields where schoolboys are playing, it is worth reading a letter sent to his school's community by Keith Richardson, the headmaster of Wynberg Boys' High.

After sticking with the same team in their last two outings the Western Force coaching panel has made six changes to the 22 man squad that will tackle the Rebels on Sunday.

After leading the table-topping Bulls into the closing minutes of last Friday's match, Waratahs coach Michael Foley has made four changes to the side in the hope of overcoming the second-placed Stormers.

Jonny Wilkinson will lead Toulon in their hunt for a first trophy in 20 years when they face French rivals Biarritz in the European Challenge Cup final at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday.

From neighbouring suburbs to the east of Pretoria the Afrikaans-medium, government school Menlopark meet the English-medium, prrivate school St Alban's in an FNB Classic Clash at Hoerskool Menlopark on Saturday.

There is no doubt the Australian loose forward combination will have a very different look to it in 2012.

Riaan Viljoen has returned to the Sharks team for their Super Rugby derby with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The Crusaders experiment with Dan Carter at inside centre appears to have come to an end with the star flyhalf in the No.10 jersey for the clash with the Blues in Christchurch on Saturday.

The Bulls know all about being top dogs and having a chasing pack bearing down on you. As three-time champions they have been there before.

Biarritz Olympique - the 2006 and 2010 Heineken Cup finalists - hope it is third time lucky in their pursuit of a European title when they clash with Toulon in the Amlin Challenge Cup Final at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday.

The South African Rugby Union, despite their best intentions, appear to be no closer to a resolution of the Southern Kings Super Rugby saga.

We go right to the north of South Africa for this FNB Classic Clash on Saturday - Ben Vorster of Tzaneen against Ho?rskool Pietersburg of Polokwane.

It may seem like madness for the struggling Lions to release one of their most reliable players to an overseas club, but the departure of Doppies la Grange to Italian outfit Benetton Treviso is part of a "succession plan".

Selecting a potent loose trio can be a fine balancing act, which is why we had some big calls to make when we sifted through the candidates from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

With the European Cup, Pro12 and British & Irish Cup competitions all arriving at the Sportsground next season coach Eric Elwood has been busy extending Connacht's squad with quality imports.

Reds ace Liam Gill will lead a 28-man Australian Under-20 squad, who are going through final preparations begin for the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa in June.

Two of the biggest names in Sevens, Fijian legend Waisale Serevi and United States veteran Matt Hawkins, have teamed up in a world record attempt to raise funds for a crippled player.

Northampton Saints revealed that Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder has signed a new contract with the club, which will extend his tenure at Franklin's Gardens until at least 2015.

Wallaby coach Robbie Deans has warned his players not to underestimate lowly Scotland when the two countries meet in a mid-year Test next month.

On Saturday two of the top teams in South Africa, both neighbours down on the Border, meet on the rugby field, as they first did in 1891, match played with passion and intensity twice a year. Adding spice to this Saturday's match is that it is Dale's Reunion, and Old Dalians support their Reunions and the climax of the rugby match against old foe from up in the mountains.

When Ho?rskool Eldoraigne moves across to Ho?rskool Zwartkop on Saturday it will be for another enthusiastic FNB Classic Clash.

The All Blacks loose trio have been a major strength for the World Champions and this season should be no different for the big black machine.

It may be two Irish provinces fighting at the home of English rugby for European supremacy, but the spotlight will be on All Black Brad Thorn.

The Ospreys revealed that they have secured the services of young wing Hanno Dirksen for another two years, contracting him until the end of the 2013/14 season.

With an overwhelming proportion of the Western Province trialists ? and a good few of the Boland ones, too ? enjoying the predetermined mid-term Paarl-Wellington-Worcester out-weekend or hitting the N2 to Riversdale, there are few real highlights down south on Saturday 19 May 2012.

Lucky for some they say, but who will fortune favour in Round 13 of Super Rugby this season with the jostling for log positron beginning to heat up with pride and reputation on the line.

Stormers captain Jean de Villiers is happy with the winning mentality that his side have developed this season, but admits that they are still looking for the complete performance.

The South African College High School (SACS) take on Diocesan College (Bishops) on Saturday in one of the oldest schoolboy derbies in South Africa.

The flying Dutchman, wing Tim Visser, is one of five uncapped players named in Scotland's 28-strong playing squad for their mid-year tour to Australasia.

The 2011 Craven Week ended in Kimberley on Saturday, a high-scoring Craven Week in the benign weather of the week. It was crisp in the mornings but there was no sign of rain, just a bit of wind. What a harvest of points.

The International Rugby Board has bowed to pressure and extended the jurisdiction of Television Match Officials. This is one of several law amendments that will go on trial soon.

Steven Shingler has lost his appeal against an IRB ruling and will forever be only eligible to play for Wales.

Golden Lions Rugby Union President Kevin de Klerk says he remains optimistic over the union's participation in the Super Rugby competition.

Mercurial Queensland Reds playmaker Quade Cooper will become the latest Wallabies star to return to the team from injury, after being selected at flyhalf for Saturday's match against the struggling South African outfit, the Lions.

The Dale vs Selborne College rugby clash lived up to a typical derby day encounter between these two great schools that ground out a 10-9 win for Dale.

He has achieved success at the highest level and holds a few world records, but Morn? Steyn still gets excited every time he runs out for the Bulls.

Italian international Carlo del Fava is the latest acquisition to Newcastle Falcons, as the North East outfit step up their chase for new recruits ahead of the 2012-13 season.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske on Wednesday made one change to the side to meet the Sharks in their Super Rugby clash in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Lions coach John Mitchell on Wednesday left his side unchanged for their Super Rugby clash against the defending champion Reds in Brisbane on Saturday.

SARU has welcomed the new compromise agreement between SANZAR and the IRB that will see financial compensation for national unions in World Cup years and a new kick-off date for the global showpiece.

Queen's College beat a gutsy Marlow outfit 23-9 in Cradock on Saturday afternoon.

We have some fuller results from some school matches and give them here.

Zack Holmes will make his run-on debut for the Brumbies this Friday in Wellington, when the West Australian flyer fills the No.10 jersey in his side's clash with the Hurricanes.

The Samoa Rugby Union has dropped captain Mahonri Schwalger from the national side after his stinging criticism of the team management's conduct at last year's World Cup.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has confirmed that his attempts to sign Saracens loose forward Ernst Joubert amongst others as short-term injury cover were not successful.

The might of the North and South clash on Friday evening in Kimberley in the 15th Vodacom Cup Final, when Griquas host Western Province.

The Dr EG Jansen High School first team rugby coach who shouldered the referee after a match and swore at him has apologised, the Beeld newspaper reported on Wednesday.

RugbyWA, the governing body of the Western Force, revealed that they are "well advanced" in their search for a head coach to replace Richard Graham - who was forced to resigned the role last month.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has made two changes, including a first Super Rugby start for Canadian import Jebb Sinclair, in the team to take on the Waratahs at Newlands on Saturday.

Western Province Vodacom Cup coach John Dobson has ever seen his team lose only once in two years, and this weekend in Kimberley they have the chance to bring some senior silverware back to Newlands for the first time in eleven years.

The Ireland management team have named seven uncapped player in the squad for their tour game against the Barbarians in Gloucester on Tuesday, May 29.

Our quest to identify the best options available to South Africa, Australia and New Zealand next month continues as we take a look at the different locks in the running for a call-up.

Leo Cullen knows first-hand the despair of being a losing Heineken Cup finalist at Twickenham ? and five years on the Leinster captain is wary of the threat Ulster ace Ruan Pienaar presents as the defending champions bid to make it three Heineken Cup crowns in four years.

Twickenham is the place to be this weekend - at the Stoop where two French teams play and at Twickenham itself where two Irish teams play.

While most pundits continue to debate who new Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer will pick at flyhalf next month, he is already pondering who his No.10 will be at the 2015 World Cup.

The Hurricanes have picked Samoa's World Cup flyhalf Tusi Pisi to wear the No.10 jersey against the Brumbies in Friday's Super Rugby clash in Wellington.

Italy captain Sergio Parisse will make his country's tour with hopes high he will recover from his thigh injury to be fit enough to play the second Test against Canada, the Italian rugby federation said on Tuesday.

Western Province Schools have chosen four trial teams to choose the Western Province Under-16 team to go to the Grant Khomo Week in Johannesburg in the first week of July.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is under no illusions about the threat that Grand Slam champions Wales will pose in the three Test series in Australia next month.

England have drafted in four more players for their Killik Cup clash with the Barbarians at Twickenham before the team leaves for the tour of South Africa.

The Rugby World Cup England is to host in 2015 will kick-off on the compromise date of September 18, the IRB announced.

The second row is arguably the area that will cause the most concern for All Blacks selectors, with some of the tried and trusted stalwarts too long in the tooth to make an impact.

The Bulls have recalled experienced midfielder Wynand Olivier, loose forward Dewald Potgieter and prop Dean Greyling for Saturday's Super Rugby clash against the Highlanders in Dunedin.

Sharks coach John Plumtree is breathing easier after his side entered the Super Rugby playoff positions for the first time this season, admitting he is happy that their destiny is now in their own hands.

The youngest of the four Whitelock brothers, Luke, has admitted to being as surprised as anyone by his call-up to the 35-man All Blacks squad.

Former Wallabies World Cup-winning captain Nick Farr-Jones has been confirmed as Chairman of New South Wales Rugby Union (NSWRU) by the Board at its May meeting.

As the finals weekend of the European club rugby season fast approaches, ERC have named a shortlist of five players who are in contention for the northern hemisphere's most prestigious individual accolade, ERC European Player of the Year 2012.

Star names from ten countries, including three Test cap centurions, feature in a 33-strong Barbarians squad for their three-match mid-year tour.

Hoerskool Sentraal probably went into their FNB Classic Clash with Hoerskool Jim Fouche as underdogs. They came out of it with a comfortable 33-13 victory.

Wales caretaker coach Rob Howley says the Grand Slam champions must start beating Southern Hemisphere sides away from home if they are to emerge as a genuine force in international rugby.

Newport Gwent Dragons have signed young outside backs Dan Evans and Tom Prydie in order to offset the loss of Aled Brew and Martyn Thomas.

What was expected to be a close encounter between Piketberg and Schoonspruit of Malmesbury, Schoonspruit won their FNB Classic Clash 16-3 and more easily than the score suggests.

It could be a blessing or a curse, but Australia's tight forward resources remain very limited. As is the case with the front row, the options for Wallaby coach Robbie Deans at are paper thin.

Former Gloucester player Andrew Stanley is returning to Kingsholm next season to take over the role of Academy Manager.

Former All Blacks, Fiji, Canterbury and Crusaders centre Tabai Matson has been appointed as the new head coach of the Canterbury NPC team.

World Cup-winning All Blacks coach Graham Henry has endorsed the first squad chosen by his successor, saying Steve Hansen has avoided the mistakes he made as a novice.

There are changes to the FNB Top 20 again this week, especially after last week's top four teams met on Saturday.

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke expects the Highlanders pack to offer his sides a fresh challenge in their effort to stay on top of the Super Rugby log.

SANZAR have announced the referees appointed to Super Rugby in Weeks 13 and 14, the last two weeks before the recess for June Tests.

Stormers forwards coach Matt Proudfoot expects a physical challenge from the Waratahs, who he believes play a very South African brand of rugby with their pack of forwards.

Former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said on Monday he had no knowledge of Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula earmarking him for a rugby developmental role at grass root level.

With this term's prearranged out-weekend for the Paarl, Wellington and Worcester schools on 18 May, now might be a good time to sit back and reflect on a very busy start to the 2012 Western Cape rugby season.

Reigning Super Rugby champions the Queensland Reds are taking elite-level rugby to the Sunshine Coast, following the announcement of a mid-season exhibition game against New Zealand's Hurricanes at Stockland Stadium on Friday June 15.

New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens has been inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame after his team sealed their tenth Sevens World Series title in 13 years at Twickenham on Sunday.

New All Blacks coach Steve Hansen remained loyal to several out-of-form All Blacks and tapped nine promising newcomers in naming a training squad of 35 players.

Three of the Bulls' key players have been ruled out till the latter stages of the Super Rugby season - after the inbound tests against England in June - team doctor Org Strauss confirmed.

Kearsney pulled off an upset when they came from behind to defeat Glenwood at fortress Dixons Field in a thrilling encounter. They ran out winners 20-14.

They have been written off for the better part of the season, but on Sunday the Reds made their most emphatic statement of intent this year.

Leicester captain Geordan Murphy acclaimed teenage match-winner George Ford after he helped secure Tigers' eighth successive Premiership Final appearance at Twickenham.

Ulster second row Dan Tuohy has already locked horns with Brad Thorn on the international stage and is relishing the prospect of going toe-to-toe with the 2011 World Cup winner again.

Dan Carter remains New Zealand's premier pivot and will not be starting at centre for the All Blacks next month.

Try-scoring prop Joe Marler was hailed as a "unique talent" after his man-of-the-match performance in Harlequins' Premiership semifinal victory over Northampton on Saturday.

Wales caretaker head coach Rob Howley today named four uncapped players in a 38-man squad for the Barbarians match at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, June 2, before embarking on a three-Test tour of Australia.

Cardiff Blues have further bolstered their front row resources by signing Irish-qualified Ulster hooker Andy Kyriacou on a two year contract ahead of the new season.

New Zealand playmaker Tomasi Cama was named IRB Sevens Player of the Year shortly after his team lifted their tenth World Sevens Series title at Twickenham on Sunday.

England coach Stuart Lancaster has done his homework and believes he has the formula to end his team's seven-match losing streak against the Springboks when they tour South Africa next month.

Dr EG Jansen, one of South Africa's top rugby schools, lost a match, after which EG Jansen's assistant coach charged into the referee from behind. Strong action against the coach is expected.

The Melbourne Rebels are rumoured to be courting Scott Higginbotham, as the Reds No.8 is regarded as the ideal replacement for Gareth Delve.

A determined Kirkwood side hosted Muir on the weekend resulting in a narrow victory for the visiting Muir 28-21. Kirkwood led 13-7 at the break though the boot of their flyhalf.

Six Nations Grand Slam champions Wales will play the Brumbies in a mid-week game on their tour of Australia next month.

The Stormers may be struggling to score tries, but coach Allister Coetzee believes his team is not too far away from producing a vastly improved attacking display.

Newcastle Falcons have completed the signing of former Scotland international lock Scott MacLeod who will add some grunt to their tight five from the start of next season.

Italy coach Jacques Brunel on Monday named seven new caps in a 30-strong squad for a tour that comprises Test matches against Argentina, Canada and the United States.

The Bulls moved to the top of a very congested Super Rugby table, with their depth ensuring the three-time champions could overcome a number of potentially crippling injuries.

The Rugby Lions of Sarel Cilliers High School have just returned from Zimbabwe where they enjoyed roaring success in the 14th annual Cottco Rugby Festival hosted by Prince Edward School in Harare.

South African sports minister Fikile Mbalula has confirmed that former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers will be involved in setting up development projects aimed at stimulating grassroots rugby.

Saterdag, 12 Mei was 'n rooi letter dag op die almanak vir Secunda inwoners. Dit was die eerste keer in ses jaar dat die twee buur skole, Hoerskool Secunda en Hoerskool Oosterland mekaar weer op die rugby veld gepak het.

The Cheetahs have signed prop Ross Geldenhuys from the Lions as a replacement for WP Nel in this year's Currie Cup.

Last Friday, there appeared in the Bulletin, a Tzaneen newspaper, news of the action to be taken by the Limpopo branch of the Blue Bulls Referees' Society in the event of abuse, even of the verbal kind.

Western Province Schools have chose four trial teams and some players to be included in later trials.

Richard Kahui has suffered yet another heartbreaking injury, after the powerful centre dislocated his shoulder during the Chiefs' 42-27 defeats to the Reds on Sunday.

Dublin is in line for a major economic boost next year when the Irish capital becomes the epicentre of European club rugby with the staging of both the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup finals in May 2013.

Wales Under-20 coach and Newport Gwent Dragons forwards coach, Danny Wilson will join the Scarlets' coaching set-up next season.

Former Waratahs utility back Peter Hewat has joined the Brumbies and will take part in the team's surge towards the finals subject to insurance clearance.

The South African College High School (SACS) produced a quality performance against their highly-ranked visitors from Paarl Boishaai. SACS led 7-5 at half-time before losing 19-10.

Leinster head coach Joe Schmidt admitted his side's 19-15 Pro 12 playoff win over Glasgow had left him with a number of worrying injuries to tackle as their double chase comes to a head.

A wonderful display of committed rugby saw Rondebosch almost pull off what would have been a well-merited win against Boland Landbou out at Windmeul on Saturday. The Farmers, however, eventually did just enough to run out 34-24 winners after leading 12-7 at the break.

Affies of Pretoria beat Grey of Bloemfontein 35-29 in an FNB Classic Clash played in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon. It was a wonderful match, played at great speed and intensity.

The Cheetahs took heart from their fighting second half performance on Saturday but left Newlands with yet another losing bonus point and an all too familiar sense of frustration.

Cheetahs loose forward Ashley Johnson and Stormers hooker Deon Fourie have been issued with off-field yellow cards for their parts in the brawl that broke out between the Cheetahs and Stormers on Saturday's clash at Newlands.

A Mat Turner try seconds after the final hooter gave England a dramatic 19-17 victory over South Africa in their Plate semifinal clash of the London Sevens at Twickenham on Sunday.

The Fijians stormed to the London title to cap a season of achievement for them, matching New Zealand's three Cup titles and underlining just how tight things are at the top of the Sevens game.

Departing coach Sean Lineen insists the future is bright for Glasgow Warriors after their narrow 19-15 defeat to Leinster in the Pro12 semifinals.

Sharks coach John Plumtree refused to get carried away after watching his side produce their best performance of the Super Rugby season thus far when they blew away the Force in Durban on Saturday.

Indications are that the Lions' Super Rugby franchise will run aground at the end of yet another dismal season, but head coach John Mitchell is not about to 'jump ship'.

There were big matches this weekend - as there seem to be every weekend. Three of them were FNB Classic Clashes. Two of the matches were broadcast on national TV. And all over the country there were boys playing rugby with enthusiasm cheered on by schoolmasters, parents and friends. It's a wonderful contribution to the health and happiness of the nation.

The Stormers may have churned out another win against the Cheetahs at Newlands on Saturday, but they were by no means satisfied with the way they went about it.

The defending champion Reds pulled off a thrilling 42-27 victory over the Chiefs in a wild try-fest in Brisbane on Sunday to keep the Queensland side's playoff hopes alive.

Reds fullback Luke Morahan has been issued with an off-field yellow card for his tip-tackle on Chiefs centre Sonny Bill Williams during the Reds 42-27 victory over the Chiefs on Sunday.

Reds coach Ewen McKenzie has stressed the need for variety in the gameplan, as simply running at every opportunity will get you into trouble at Super Rugby level.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has confirmed that impressive No.8 Nizaam Carr has been ruled out for the balance of the season, with a torn ACL in his right knee.

RWC Limited and the Rugby Union of Russia have announced that World Cup Sevens 2013 will take place in Moscow from June 28 to 30.

David Kearney's second-half try ensured that Leinster will have the chance to become the first team to do the European and domestic double since Wasps in 2004 as they beat Glasgow 19-15 at the RDS.

Teenager George Ford drove Leicester into a remarkable eighth successive Premiership Final as Tigers ended Saracens' reign as English champions.

Western Province advanced to the Final of the Vodacom Cup by beating the Pumas 33-20 in their semifinal at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.

It was a beautiful autumn day in the beautiful Boland town of Paarl on Saturday when Paul Roos took the short journey from Stellenbosch to play Paarl Gim, two of the very best schoolboy teams in South Africa in action and shown to the nation on television in the new Premier Interschools initiative under the direction of the former Springbok captain, Tiaan Strauss.

The Hurricanes snatched a 26-20 victory over the Highlanders with a Julian Savea try sealing the outcome in the dying minutes of their Super Rugby clash on Saturday.

The Ireland squads for the game against the Barbarians and the mid-year tour to New Zealand, to be named in the coming weeks, received a timely boost with the news that forwards coach Gert Smal is fully fit to travel.

The Hurricanes put the cat among the pigeons in the New Zealand conference when they edged the Highlanders 26-20 in a Super Rugby arm-wrestle in Dunedin on Saturday.

The Rebels produced the upset of the season when they beat the seven-time champion Crusaders in their first Super Rugby encounter, beating them 28-19 in Melbourne on Saturday.

The Rebels claimed their greatest victory in their short history with a 28-19 upset of the seven-time Super Rugby champion Crusaders in Melbourne on Saturday.

Spain won two pool matches on day one of the London leg to take their place for the first time in the Cup quarterfinals of an IRB Sevens Series event.

Harlequins reached their first Premiership Final with a nail-biting 25-23 victory over Northampton, sealed four minutes from time when Joe Marler was driven over for a converted try.

The Stormers cemented their place in the top six of the Super Rugby standings with a fortuitous 16-14 win over the Cheetahs in a brutal arm-wrestle at Newlands on Saturday.

It's Round 12 in the 2012 Super Rugby competition... Follow rugby365s Howie Kahn's latest exploits in the Bet.co.za betting challenge.

The Sharks managed to work their way into the top six on the Super Rugby standings after a 53-11, seven-tries-to-one victory over the hapless Western Force in Durban on Saturday.

Griquas secured a home final as they beat the Blue Bulls 30-17 in their Vodacom Cup semifinal in Kimberley on Friday.

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has named Andrew Hore as captain of the team to face the Hurricanes in their Super Rugby showdown in Dunedin on Saturday.

Scotland's rugby tour of the South Pacific was cut from four matches to three after the New South Wales Waratahs withdrew from a scheduled fixture on June 10 in Sydney.

The Waratahs received a timely boost ahead of their two-match tour of South Africa.

England coach Stuart Lancaster has warned scrumhalf Danny Care he is "treading a very fine line" following his recall to the Test squad for next month's tour of South Africa.

They had to battle right until the end but a late try from tighthead prop Werner Kruger gave the Bulls a dramatic 27-24 victory over the Waratahs in Sydney on Friday.

Grey College captain Pieter Jordaan will be a key man for his team when they travel to Pretoria to take on Affies in their FNB Classic Clashes encounter on Saturday afternoon.

Prop Pierre Schoeman will captain Afrikaanse Hoer Seunskool (Affies) in Saturday's home FNB Classic Clashes encounter against Grey College from Bloemfontein.

The Souther Kings will play in the 2013 Super Rugby tournament. That is a fact! However, they have no guarantee of participation in this SANZAR showpiece beyond next year.

South African back Scott Spedding is set to join French Top 14 side Bayonne on a two-year contract from Brive, a club currently on the brink of relegation from France's top flight.

John Plumtree concedes his Sharks side are already playing catch-up and admits that victory over the Force in Durban on Saturday is essential if they want to make the Super Rugby playoffs.

The Stormers clash with the Cheetahs in Cape Town on Saturday is a yin versus yang approach with a great defence to be tested by an exciting attack.

The Chiefs, who remain at the top of the Super Rugby competition, have brought back a number of their frontline stars to play the defending-champion Reds in Brisbane this Sunday.

South Africa will be determined to bounce back at Twickenham this coming weekend when they compete at the London tournament, the final leg of the 2011/12 IRB Sevens World Series.

There was a time when the Sevens game was seen mainly as a "bit of fun" and, at elite level, a handy way of giving potential Test players in 'proper' 15-a-side rugby international experience.

Tighthead prop Werner Kruger may have scored the match-winning try in the final minutes, but it was defence that won the day as the Bulls recorded a 27-24 Super Rugby win over the ailing Waratahs in Sydney on Friday.

England have called newcomer Jeff Williams and former captain Andy Vilk into their squad for this weekend's London Sevens.

Tiaan Strauss, the former Springbok captain is the general manager of Megapro Marketing and they have just announced their broadcast coverage of South Africa's top rugby schools matches in a series referred to as Premier Interschools.

Reds prop Ben Daley and flank Beau Robinson return from one-week injury lay-offs to regain their places in the matchday squad set to play the Super Rugby competition leading Chiefs in Brisbane on Sunday.

One coach from each of the 12 English Premiership clubs will be travelling to New York at the end of May to play a key role in the development and promotion of rugby in the USA.

Bulls flanker Deon Stegmann has suffered a cruel blow with a broken arm sustained in his side's 27-24 win over the Waratahs in Sydney on Friday.

The Blues' torrid run of defeats finally came to an end as they tamed the Lions 25-3 on Friday, a win that made outgoing coach Pat Lam very proud.

England coach Stuart Lancaster has told banned hooker Dylan Hartley he can forget about resuming his Test career in South Africa if he can't be trusted on the field.

Shane Williams' Ospreys swansong continues after the Welsh region romped past defending champions Munster 45-10 and into the Pro12 Final.

A clear-cut leader in the race to be crowned KwaZulu-Natal's unofficial top team is yet to emerge. Heading into this weekend four schools, namely Glenwood, Maritzburg College, Michaelhouse and Westville are still considered to be joint leaders.

The Blues ended an eight-week losing streak when they smashed a pitiful Lions team 25-3 at Eden Park, in Auckland, on Friday.

The Highlanders' England loose forward James Haskell has had his suspension for punching extended from three weeks to four weeks.

With time running out for teams to make a charge and secure a place in the play-offs there should be some hard-hitting Super Rugby action in store this weekend, we take a look at the match-ups.

Cheetahs backline coach Hawies Fourie has conjured up a few cunning plans to find a way through the Stormers' watertight defence at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.

Jim Hamilton (Gloucester) and David Paice (London Irish) were both suspended for seven weeks at an RFU disciplinary hearing on Thursday.

Jim Fouche captain JG Linde knows that nothing short of total commitment will be good enough when his side square up to local rivals Sentraal on Saturday.

Former Harlequins coach Dean Richards said on Thursday that he was ready to move on despite admitting "huge regret" over the Bloodgate scandal that rocked English rugby.

Wales hooker Huw Bennett has signed for two years with relegated Top 14 side Lyon, the French club confirmed on Thursday.

Melbourne Rebels coach Damien Hill has included English flank Michael Lipman in an effort to counter Richie McCaw in the clash against the Crusaders on Saturday.

Hoerskool Sentraal plays host to Hoerskool Jim Fouche in the week's FNB Classic Clash at Sentraal on Saturday.

There is enough beef in All Blacks front row stocks to make them formidable up front again this year, starting with their June Test series against Ireland.

Ulster on Thursday confirmed that Simon Danielli has decided to retire from the game due to a back injury which has plagued the wing throughout this last season.

After trials last weekend SWD has chosen its teams for the Craven Week, the Academy Week and the Grant Khomo Week.

Saturday may have brought the curtain down on Exeter's second season in the Aviva Premiership, but Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter is already hard at work planning for the 2012/13 campaign.

Last week's Western Cape fare appeared relatively unappetising, even if it did toss up a couple of major surprises.

The FNB Classic Clash up the West Coast when Schoonspruit of Malmesbury play Piketberg could just be a wonderful and intriguing occasion.

Sharks coach John Plumtree stuck with the recipe that gave him a workmanlike win over the Highlanders last week, for this Saturday's Super Rugby visit by the Western Force.

England's Mark Odejobi has been ruled out of the London leg of the IRB Sevens World Series, after sustaining a broken bone in a foot.

The Celtic nations will have their moment in the spotlight when the Pro12 play-offs get underway on Friday - with Ospreys hosting Munster and defending champions Leinster hosting the Glasgow Warriors a day later.

England coach Stuart Lancaster has recalled troublesome scrumhalf Danny Care and New Zealand-based loose forward James Haskell for next month's five-match tour of South Africa.

Piketburg captain Werner Louwrens knows that his team will have to dig deep when they come up against Hoerskool Schoonspruit in their FNB Classic Clash this weekend.

There is no doubt that Hoerskool Schoonspruit captain Ludio Williams is the star of his team, but he will need some staunch support when they take on Piketburg on Saturday.

Paarl Gim have just usurped Paul Roos's top spot on the FNB Top 20 and here they are playing each other in Paarl on Saturday, one of the top school matches in South Africa this weekend.

Reach the Plate Final. That is the absolute minimum requirement for New Zealand as they chase their 10th IRB Sevens World Series title.

Australia's front row stock have been threadbare for many years now, with only the occasional world class performance.

The rash of injuries that besieged the hapless Lions may have contributed to their dismal results, but there is another equally critical factor - their sloppy starts.

Basement dwellers the Blues and Lions get things started in Round Twelve of Super Rugby in another weekend filled with bumper to bumper rugby action to keep you on the edge of your seat.

England's showpiece tournament, the Premiership, is into the play-offs and four of the giants of the competition will go head-to-head on Saturday.

The Bulls and Waratahs have both made significant alterations to their midfields for their Super Rugby showdown in Sydney on Friday.

With the June Test matches rapidly approaching we have taken a closer look at the candidates for selection from South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, starting with the big boys in the front row.

This Saturday unbeaten Dale come up against rivals, Selborne College of East London.

The Western Force have named an unchanged line-up to attack the Sharks in Durban on Saturday with the side eager to finish their South African tour with a win.

The Premiership spotlight may be on semifinals - involving Harlequins versus Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers against Saracens - but there is another equally significant battle going on.

Sentraal skipper Dirk van Niekerk knows that it will take a big effort up front if his team is to emerge victorious in their FNB Classic Clash with Jim Fouche.

Here we have a clash of two top South African rugby schools - Afrikaanse Hoer Seunskool of Pretoria and Grey College of Bloemfontein. They are both doing exceptionally well this year.

Harlequins back row forward Chris Robshaw was named Premiership Player of the Season at the Aviva Awards ceremony in London.

Rocky Elsom will lead the Waratahs for the second time when the side takes on the Bulls in Sydney on Friday.

Western Province or the Pumas will be making history on Saturday when one of them qualifies for the Vodacom Cup Final in a weeks' time.

South African-born prop Reg Goodes will make his first Super Rugby start when he runs out for the Hurricanes in their Round 12 encounter be with the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday.

In an FNB Classic Clash played in Dou Location near East London on Saturday, Zweliyandila ran out 24-13 over rivals Ntsonkotha. This is Zweliyandila's third successive win.

The groin injury continuing to trouble Dan Carter may see the All Blacks ace relieved of kicking duties and shunted from flyhalf to inside centre, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen suggested Wednesday.

A quick glance at the calendar confirmed it was not April 1. So reports from Canberra that Jake White wants to lure Stephen Larkham out of retirement have to be taken seriously.

Harlequins scrumhalf Danny Care said on Wednesday that he has stopped drinking in a bid to revive his faltering England career.

Stormers skipper Jean de Villiers is back this weekend to lead a first-choice backline against the Cheetahs, and the Bok veteran has called for his side to "go to the next level" in front of the Newlands faithful.

London Irish announced on Wednesday that Wales's defence coach, Shaun Edwards, will be joining the London Irish coaching team.

World Cup-winning All Black captain Richie McCaw will lead the Crusaders for the first time this year, when they head to Melbourne to face the Rebels on Saturday.

Tony Woodcock has lost his race to overcome a calf strain in time for Friday's Super Rugby basement battle with the Lions - as more injuries continue to plague the beleaguered Blues.

Worcester Warriors confirmed the signing of hugely talented and versatile Fiji international back Josh Matavesi from French giants Racing Metro.

Canadian loose forward Jebb Sinclair has been loaned by English Premiership outfit London Irish to the Stormers as loose forward cover.

South Africa's premier poacher, Heinrich Br?ssow, will be playing in his 50th Super Rugby match when the Cheetahs take on the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday.

The Blues franchise heaped even more pressure on embattled coach Pat Lam by revealing that they are going to put his job up to tender.

The European Rugby Cup (ERC) has announced that Nigel Owens will be refereeing his third Heineken Cup Final at Twickenham on 19 May 2012.

Injured Springbok Sevens players Okkie Kruger and Stephan Dippenaar have returned home from Britain while veteran Neil Powell has made the journey in the opposite direction to join up with the Blitzbokke in London.

Munster have been dealt a massive blow ahead of their Pro 12 semifinal clash with Ospreys, with the news that Paul O'Connell won't be fit.

After joining the Western Force on a short term contract which was extended to include the remainder of the 2012 Super Rugby season David Harvey has re-signed with the club for a further year.

This is the final Top 20 for 2011 which takes into account the whole season, rather than each week's performances.

Lions centre Doppies la Grange has signed a two-year contract with Italian outfit Benetton Treviso and will join the Pro12 side at the end of June.

The Stormers are intent on capitalising on their consistent start to the season by upping the intensity over the next month, starting at Newlands on Saturday when they take on the Cheetahs.

Edinburgh have signed talented 22-year-old Worcester Warriors outside back Mike Penn on a one-year contract.

Former Springbok forwards coach Gary Gold has officially been unveiled as the new head coach of English Premiership side Bath.

The Blues have re-signed three of their key players, as Charlie Faumuina, Luke Braid and Tom McCartney have all agreed contract extensions with the Auckland franchise.

Some of rugby's biggest stars such as Quade Cooper and Sonny Bill Williams have been signed up for the new Sevens Premier League tournament to be held in George in December.

Sharks centre Tim Whitehead says he is relishing the freedom given to attack with his new team in comparison to the style of play at his previous side, the Stormers.

Stade Francais hooker Dimitri Szarzewski will be playing for cross-town rivals Racing-Metro as of next season.

Leopards Chief Executive Eugene Hare will join the Blue Bulls Rugby Union on June 15 to head up the amateur part of the union.

There have been some queries about an incident in the Queen's-Grey match last Saturday. It may be a good idea to look at what the law says.

It was a wonderful day's rugby at HTS Potchefstroom for the FNB Classic Clash between the Tech and Potchefstroom Boys High, which the latter won 26-14.

This weekend Glenwood played Northwood at home. It was a great day for Glenwood rugby and all the teams played exceptionally well making their school proud.

Sharks coach John Plumtree believes that now is the time for his team to stand up and be counted, and with a string of wins in May the Durban side will be in the hunt for the Super Rugby play-offs.

Wales caretaker coach Rob Howley has revealed that inspirational skipper Sam Warburton will be fit to lead the Grand Slam winners on their tour of Australia in June.

There are changes again in this year's rollercoaster season, some of them really hard to make.

The IRB Sevens Series ends in Twickenham, there are knockout matches in the Pro 12 and the English Premiership and the last dramatic rounds for France's competitions. It is a nerve-wracking time for many.

Unlike many of his All Blacks teammates Hurricanes star Cory Jane has shown so signs of a World Cup hangover, and is one of the form players in Super Rugby this season.

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has been forced to make four changes to his starting line-up for the clash against the Waratahs at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday.

In their FNB Classic Clash in perfect weather in Grahamstown on Saturday, St Andrew's College beat their neighbours Graeme College 10-6 in a match of just one try.

A SANZAR Judicial Hearing has found Cheetahs lock Andries Ferreira not guilty of dangerous play in the clash with the Force in Bloemfontein last week.

Scrumhalf Chris Pilgrim has become the latest player to pledge his future to relegation-threatened Newcastle Falcons after signing an extension to his contract.

Springbok scrumhalf Fourie du Preez has committed himself to seeing out his contract with Japanese champions Suntory Sungoliath but he has also declared himself available for Test duty with the Springboks.

A knee injury to Lions inside centre Alwyn Hollenbach has forced coach John Mitchell to shuffle his midfield for the basement scrap with the Blues in Auckland on Friday.

New Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer was a satisfied man after the completion of three successful planning camps over a three-week period.

It is indeed an interesting mix in our weekly Super Rugby selection, as the second half of season starts to gather pace.

An unusually green and warm Queenstown welcomed Grey PE this past weekend for their annual derby clash against their old foes Queen's College, culminating in the First XV clash on the Recreation Ground.

Munster could be without stalwarts Paul O'Connell and Damien Varley, who are rated unlikely to feature in the Pro 12 semifinal clash with Ospreys on Friday.

The Stormers have moved quickly to resolve issues regarding the payment of their players, who have reportedly raised concerns over their remuneration in comparison to other franchises.

New Zealand, who took a giant stride towards the IRB Sevens World Series title at the weekend, will have a relative easy pool run in the series decider this coming weekend.

Former Springbok forwards coach Gary Gold is set to take up a new post as Director of Rugby at English Premiership side Bath, with an announcement expected to be made on Tuesday.

The Melbourne Rebels players have expressed their admiration for the Crusaders and were more than generous in their flattery for the seven-times Super Rugby champions.

The new contracting regime in Australian rugby coupled with a Super Rugby salary cap has left several high profile players floating in limbo.

Tim Visser followed up his inclusion in the Pro12 Dream Team by being named as winner of the tournament's ?Players' Player of the Year' award.

It was a lovely day in Worcester on Saturday when Worcester Gim came across to HTS Drostdy for an exciting FNB Classic Clash that ended in a 15-all draw after a score just before the end.

The vultures are circling, hoping to pick off the carcass of a decaying Bulls team. However, the three-time champions' coach is adamant they are not ready for the slaughterhouse just yet.

A sense of unfinished business at Test level has kept Wycliff Palu in Australia until the end of 2013.

The Blues have a chance to move off the bottom of the table this weekend, but their coach Pat Lam believes that the Lions will be just as desperate after having experienced similar difficulties this season.

Some kind schools have sent in their results from matches beyond the 1st XV. Feel free to send yours too!

New Zealand stars Tomasi Cama and Frank Halai and South African-born Engand speedster Mat Turner have all been nominated for the IRB Sevens Player of the Year Award.

Afgelope Saterdag was die afskop van die Mpumalanga groot skole rugby liga. Hoerskool Generaal Hertzog het gasheer gespeel vir Hoerskool Secunda.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has denied rumours circulating in the media that Peter Grant and Francois Louw have signed contracts for next season and insists his team is focused on rugby.

WP and Namibian international openside flank Rohan Kitshoff is one of a number of players that have signed with French Top 14 side Bordeaux-Begles for next season.

Visiting Union High ran in five tries to Muir's three taking the game 41-15. Union High was leading 20-5 at the break.

Op Vrydag 4 Mei en Saterdag 5 Mei het die FNB Classic Clash tussen Hoerskool Schoonspruit en Hoerskool Wolmaranstad plaasgevind.

Paul Treu's Springbok team will have to go back to the drawing board after being handed one of their biggest defeats in history at the Glasgow leg of the IRB Sevens World Series at the weekend.

Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall praise his side's second-half performance after they saw off Exeter 40-22.

After leading by a tenuous 17-16 margin at the break, Boland Landbou surged into top gear in the latter stages of their home match against SACS to run out 43-21 winners.

Leinster, Ospreys, Munster and Glasgow all finished the regular season on a winning note to secure their spots in the Pro12 semifinals.

London Irish Director of Rugby Brian Smith believes that the club will have plenty of representation on England's mid-year tour to South Africa.

In a thrilling FNB Classic Clash played at HTS Daniel Pienaar in Uitenhage, the home side just beat Die Brandwag 28-23 when they scored in the last minute.

Leicester Director of Rugby Richard Cockerill expects England halfbacks Toby Flood and Ben Youngs to be fit for next Saturday's Premiership semi-final against Saracens.

Sale Chief Executive Steve Diamond said that the English players at the club have national ambitions after the Premiership Round 22 loss to Harlequins.

Affies secured bragging rights in the 108th interschools match against their close neighbours Pretoria Boys High on Saturday after securing a 34-11 win on their home ground. The hosts were 27-6 up at half-time in this FNB Classic Clash.

Gary Gold admitted he had "very mixed emotions" after his Newcastle team were left facing Premiership relegation despite beating Wasps at Adams Park.

Hoerskool Waterkloof het twee spanne in die stryd om 1ste plek in die NuPower Tuks kompetisie gehad. Waterkloof se 1ste span het Centurion aangevat en Klofies se Tornados (Torries) het teen die Hoer Tegniese Skool Middelburg se tweede span gespeel.