All News

Gloucester wing James Simpson-Daniel is out of England's Australia tour. Simpson-Daniel had been due to start when England tackle the Wallabies at Telstra Stadium on Sunday, but he was admitted to hospital in Sydney earlier this week.

When South Africa and Scotland go head-to-head at the ABSA Stadium in Durban on Saturday, the first game of a two-Test series, they will tackle each other - literally and figuratively.

The 2007 Rugby World Cup effectively starts for England exactly how the last one finished - against the Wallabies at Telstra Stadium in Sydney. But the contrast between that November evening and what awaits a new-look team and coaching staff on Sunday could hardly be more pronounced.

Scotland centre Marcus Di Rollo is convinced that they have found the perfect foil for South Africa's tactics. The two countries go head-to-head in the first of two tests, at the ABSA Stadium in Durban on Saturday.

When South Africa and Scotland go head-to-head at the ABSA Stadium in Durban on Saturday, the first game of a two-Test series, they will tackle each other - literally and figuratively.

There is an amount of novelty in this first game of the two-Test series between the Pumas and Wales in Argentina. There is the novelty of venue above all - down in Patagonia in the south of South America, just into Patagonia and on the Atlantic coast.

Italy coach Pierre Berbizier has named his side for Sunday's encounter with Japan in Tokyo, selecting a mix of experienced forwards and fresh-faced backs.

When South Africa and Scotland go head-to-head at the ABSA Stadium in Durban on Saturday, the first game of a two-Test series, they will tackle each other - literally and figuratively.

Ireland's players who were in New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions last year must be wondering if passion for rugby has died among All Blacks fans.

Regardless of the outcome of the match, a new chapter in New Zealand's rugby history will be written when they play Ireland at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday.

New Zealand have included five players who were involved in last year's tournament in the starting line-up to face Italy in their opening match of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 World Championship in Riom on Friday.

Regardless of the outcome of the match, a new chapter in New Zealand's rugby history will be written when they play Ireland at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday.

South Africa suffered a setback on the eve of their opening match at the International Rugby Board (UIRB) Under-21 World Championship, against Argentina at Riom Rugby Club in France on Friday.

Regardless of the outcome of the match, a new chapter in New Zealand's rugby history will be written when they play Ireland at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday.

Wallabies coach John Connolly has selected a brand new front row for Sunday's encounter with England at Telstra Stadium in Sydney.

Regardless of the outcome of the match, a new chapter in New Zealand's rugby history will be written when they play Ireland at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday.

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll claims he has no axe to grind with Keven Mealamu in the forthcoming Test series against New Zealand.

Leicester Tigers wing Tom Varndell will make his first Test start, in a side containing three new caps, when England face Australia at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney on Sunday.

Retired referee Tappe Henning has come in for some severe censure from many people, both players and fans alike, after his handling of the Springboks' fortuitous 30-27 win over a World XV in Johannesburg last week.

Springbok coach Jake White on Wednesday named veteran prop Os du Randt in the starting XV of the team to face Scotland in the first of two tests, in Durban on Saturday.

Cardiff Blues fly-half Nick Macleod has linked up with the Wales squad in Argentina after answered an SOS from Wales coach Gareth Jenkins - a call that cut short the 23-year-old's romantic holiday in France.

Wallabies prop Greg Holmes is looking to redress the balance when Australia face World Cup holders England in the first of two test in Sydney on Sunday.

The New Zealand Maori underlined their Churchill Cup intentions by crushing the USA at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara on Wednesday evening, running in a dozen tries as they notched up a highly accomplish 74-6 victory over their hosts.

Leicester Tigers wing Tom Varndell will make his first Test start, in a side containing three new caps, when England face Australia at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney on Sunday.

Scotland star Chris Cusiter has warned Mike Blair that he will be looking for a return to the starting line-up during the Test series in November.

Wales captain Duncan Jones has expressed his delight with the welcome given to the squad in Argentina ahead of Sunday's encounter with the Pumas in Puerto Madryn, Patagonia.

Gloucester star Peter Richards is ready to stake an early claim for Rugby World Cup recognition on Sunday - eight years after his grisly eyewitness view of England's darkest hour.

Gareth Jenkins has named his first Test side as Wales coach, with Ospreys youngsters Ian Evans and Alun Wyn Jones set to make their Test debuts against Argentina in Puerto Madryn on Sunday.

Goldstones, the legendary fortress, of Maritzburg College plays host to another rousing encounter this Saturday as Glenwood of Durban travel north for a FNB Classic Clash. Leon Stevens captains College from the side of the scrum.

Leicester Tigers wing Tom Varndell will make his first Test start, in a side containing three new caps, when England face Australia at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney on Sunday.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden has backed Donnie Macfadyen to prove he is "the man for the occasion" after handing the little Glasgow Warriors flank a berth in the XV to face South Africa in Durban on Saturday.

Leicester Tigers wing Tom Varndell will make his first Test start, in a side containing three new caps, when England face Australia at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney on Sunday.

Scotland 'A' booked their place in the final of the Churchill Cup courtesy of a hard-fought 15-10 victory over Canada at Twin Elm Park in Ottawa on Wednesday.

There were really tough decisions to be made this week in the FNB Top 20. After all the top two sides lost and the third side did not play.

Tests start in earnest this week, mainly south of the equator.

England Sevens stats Richard Haughton and James Narraway have been pitched straight into the England Saxons side to play Canada in Toronto on Saturday.

Scotland 'A' coach Steve Bates has made eight changes for Wednesday's Churchill Cup clash with Canada in Ottawa.

Veteran Springbok prop Os du Randt remains on ice, as the medical staff carefully manage his groin injury, but the mood in the Bok camp took a dramatic upward swing on Tuesday after an impressive early-morning training session.

All Black coach Graham Henry on Tuesday announced the team to play Ireland at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday, with the team including two new caps.

Donal Courtney has been to South Africa before, once in dramatic circumstances in a match which he still regards as the highlight of his career. He is back in South Africa to referee the Durban Test between South Africa and Scotland.

Five players will make their debut for the New Zealand Maori when the side kicks off its Churchill Cup campaign against the US Eagles at Santa Clara Stadium in San Francisco on Wednesday.

Ireland made two changes to the starting XV which helped clinch the Triple Crown, by beating England in March, for Saturday's first of two Test against New Zealand at Waikato Stadium.

Zweliyandila beat Ntsonkotha 9-5 on Dou Grounds in Chalumna, south of East London, on Saturday in an FNB Classic Clash.

All Black coach Graham Henry on Tuesday announced the team to play Ireland at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday, with the team including two new caps.

All Black coach Graham Henry on Tuesday announced the team to play Ireland at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday, with the team including two new caps.

All Black coach Graham Henry on Tuesday announced the team to play Ireland at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday, with the team including two new caps.

Western Province schools' selectors have chosen their three high school teams for Craven Week, the Academy Week and the Grant Khomo Week.

Junior All Blacks coaches Colin Cooper and Ian Foster have made seven changes from the XV that beat Fiji, naming a strong line-up for this Friday's IRB Pacific Five Nations match against Samoa in North Harbour.

The Ireland 'A' team to take on the New Zealand Maori in Saturday's Churchill Cup Pool crucial clash shows four changes to the side that beat the USA last weekend.

England's new defence coach Mike Ford admits there is a chance the world champions will "get busted" by a star-studded Australian back division at Telstra Stadium on Sunday.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden is convinced his team can record their first victory over the Springboks on South African soil, when the two sides meet at ABSA Stadium in Durban on Saturday in the first of two Test matches.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden is convinced his team can record their first victory over the Springboks on South African soil, when the two sides meet at ABSA Stadium in Durban on Saturday in the first of two Test matches.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden is convinced his team can record their first victory over the Springboks on South African soil, when the two sides meet at ABSA Stadium in Durban on Saturday in the first of two Test matches.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden is convinced his team can record their first victory over the Springboks on South African soil, when the two sides meet at ABSA Stadium in Durban on Saturday in the first of two Test matches.

A rampant Muir recorded a resounding 24-3 defeat over Nico Malan in Humansdorp on Saturday. Muir led 12-0 at half-time.

With pressure mounting for Jake White's Springboks to atone for their poor showing against the World XV at Ellis Park last Saturday, the dreaded injury bogey has also visited the camp again. Lock Albert van den Berg could be out of the two-match test series against Scotland.

In a one-sided encounter played on the Rec on Saturday afternoon, the Queen’s College 1st XV trounced the visiting Stirling 1st XV, by 39-3 in a game played in bitterly cold conditions.

All Black coach Graham Henry has formally named Crusaders lock Chris Jack in the squad for the two-Test series against Ireland - in Hamilton on Saturday and Auckland next week.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan will not employ a rotation policy on his team's tour of New Zealand and Australia.

Westville continued their fine run of form with a convincing 31-16 win over visitors, Parktown.

SACS beat Brackenfell 12-5 on a lovely winter's morning in Newlands on Saturday. It was a game of two halves.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden is "very happy" that the substantial bulk and uncompromising approach of Nathan Hines is available for the two-match test series against South Africa.

Argentina captain Agustín Pichot has taken time out of an impossibly hectic schedule to chat to Planet Rugby about the current problems striking at the heart of Argentine rugby.

On Saturday Glenwood travel to the sleepy hollow of Pietermaritzburg for a FNB Classic Clash that looks set to bring fireworks to the town. Not only is it Maritzburg College’s Old Boys' weekend, but two of the form teams in KwaZulu Natal go head-to-head on the legendary Goldstones field.

Grey High beat Graeme College 43-19 in Grahamstown on Saturday.

Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda has named the 22-man squad for Sunday's Test against Wales in Puerto Madryn.

Before some 10,000 spectators the Barbarians beat Georgia 28-19 in Tbilisi on Sunday afternoon. There was more than just a rugby match.

Australia fly-half Stephen Larkham has admitted he still suffers mental torture from Australia's agonising extra-time defeat to England in the final of Rugby World Cup 2003.

Maritzburg College beat Affies of Pretoria 19-15 in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday.

The strong Strand side beat the brave Bellville side 12-9 on Saturday.

Argentina players' spokesman Mario Ledesma has accused the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) of selling out the Pumas.

England Saxons coach Jon Callard put his side's 13-7 Barclays Churchill Cup defeat to Scotland 'A' down to a lack of experience.

The cat got right amongst the pigeons this weekend. To start with the top two teams on the FNB Top 20 bit the dust.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden has drafted uncapped John Beattie into his squad for the tour of South Africa.

Australia coach John Connolly has laid down the law to his players ahead of the two-Test series with England by warning them to respect the Wallaby jersey or face the consequences.

The Springbok XV edged out the World XV to maintain their unbeaten record over the star-studded visitors, but Saturday's drab 30-27 victory at a half-empty Ellis Park wasn't quite the celebration of rugby that the overpriced match-tickets had promised.

The New Zealand Maori limbered up for their participation in the Churchill Cup with a thrilling 20-16 victory over a depleted Waratahs side in Sydney on Friday night.

The Junior All Blacks opened the inaugural Pacific Five Nations tournament with a well-taken 35-17 victory over Fiji in Suva on Saturday.

Bishops were at home to Paul Roos on Saturday and won  a highly skilled thriller 18-16. It was one of the great matches on the historic Piley Rees Field.

Mtobeli Kweliti, coach of Zweliyandila school near East London, an ardent rugby man, has great praise for his captain Akhona Myokwana as his team prepares to play Ntsonkotha in an FNB Classic Clash in Chalumna on Saturday.

Veteran England centre Mike Catt has tipped young backs Tom Varndell and Matthew Tait to make a major impact on the upcoming Test series against Australia.

Bulelani Litye captains Ntsonkotha in their FNB Classic Clash with Zweliyandila, a daunting tack if last year's match is anything to go by.

England Saxons fly-half Dave Walder is determined to "ram a few rods down a few people's throats" and prove that Newcastle Falcons boss Rob Andrew was wrong to dump him.

Ireland lock Paul O'Connell toured New Zealand with his country in 2002 just after losing a Heineken Cup final. The Munster star is bound for All Black country again - but this time as a European champion.

Munster wing Anthony Horgan will join Ireland's tour to New Zealand and Australia following John Kelly's withdrawal through injury.

On Saturday Monument host Marais Viljoen from Alberton in a FNB Classic Clash. Stand-in skipper Gary Collins leads Monnas.

Marais Viljoen face the daunting task of travelling to Monument on Saturday afternoon to play in a FNB Classic Clash. Grant Victor captains Marais Viljoen.

England coach Andy Robinson has dismissed the view that he has assembled a development side for the forthcoming tour of Australia and is convinced that his troops can get the better of the Wallabies.

London Wasps speedster Paul Sackey has failed to overcome a toe injury and will be replaced in the England Saxons squad for the Churchill Cup by Bath wing Andrew Higgins.

Boland have chosen their teams for the Craven Week, the Academy Week and the Grant Khomo Week for Under-16s.

Scotland star Chris Paterson has warned there is still a lot of work to do following his country's 66-19 triumph over the Barbarians at Murrayfield on Wednesday.

After an encouraging first season with Ulster, Isaac Boss could be about to top it all off by making his Ireland debut against the country of his birth.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced the reintroduction of Technical Zones for all Test matches. The new zones, which are designed to aid game management for match officials, will return ahead of matches in the June Test window.

Canada and the USA - the host nations - England, Ireland, New Zealand and Scotland have teams and referees taking part in the Churchill Cup this month.

Marc Colia’s story is one full of inspiration and determination. Marc has overcome a potentially career ending disorder, to emerge as an inspirational captain to one of KwaZulu Natal’s most successful 1st XVs, Westville Boys’ High.

Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma has confirmed that the Pumas will give their all in their scheduled Test matches against Wales and New Zealand but reiterated that their dispute with the Argentina Rugby Union (UAR) has yet to be resolved.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced the reintroduction of Technical Zones for all Test matches. The new zones, which are designed to aid game management for match officials, will return ahead of matches in the June Test window.

The Super 14 final at Jade Stadium was dominated by the fog. It was the biggest talking point after the match. We shall also talk about it - for the last time!

Scotland limbered up for their two-Test tour of South Africa with an impressive 66-19 victory over the Barbarians at Murrayfield on Wednesday evening, topping England's efforts against the same opponents by a full 20 points.

Bath playmaker Olly Barkley sees his England call-up for the Australia tour as an opportunity to establish himself in the 1st XV rather than simply challenge the likes of Charlie Hodgson and Jonny Wilkinson for the fly-half berth.

There are 13 players from Outeniqua in the South Western Districts Craven Week side - and another seven in the Academy side and another dozen in the Under-16 side.

Springs Technical High School's first rugby team suffered a 43-0 thrashing at the hands of Brandwag High School in the FNB Clash on Saturday.

St John's travelled down to Balgowan to play Michaelhouse and won 34-27 on Saturday, 27 May.

Glenwood High School celebrated their Old Boys Day in the best possible way last Saturday by shutting out DHS 34-9 in an FNB Classic clash on their Dixon Field.

South African Under-21 hooker Chilliboy Ralepelle has immense promise. First Springbok coach Jake White wanted him to train with the senior national team and now he has been chosen to captain his country at the International Rugby Board (IRB) U21 World Cup in France, according to Afrikaans daily newspaper, Die Burger.

Glenwood and Framesby come into the FNB Top 20 this week for the first time this year, two sides who have been playing well.

Muir College of Uitenhage have been having a really good season and on Saturday made good use of opportunities in beating a valiant Westering High 45-12 in Uitenhage. At half-time Muir led 38-7.

Winston Williams of Hoërskool Florida west of Johannesburg is a star in the making. He is slight of build, remarkably fast with an intuitive understanding of rugby.

The window for Tests starts opening a crack this weekend before flinging itself wide to the world.

Queen's College continued their dominance of schoolboy rugby in the Eastern Cape when they outplayed Hudson Park in East London on Saturday. Despite a determined challenge from a committed Hudson Park side, Queen's outscored their opposition by five tries to two and were full value for their 29-15 victory.

Potchefstroom Boys' High beat Parktown 15-10 in Potchefstroom on Saturday.

Here we give stats concerning getting possession, mainly at scrums and line-outs for the Super 14 Final - the Crusaders against the Hurricanes.

The Affies first rugby team is alive and well, and once again has bragging rights in Pretoria. This they achieved by beating the much-vaunted Waterkloof side by 28-24 at Affies on Saturday.

In a windy Grahamstown on Saturday, St Andrew's were good value for their 31-17 victory over Daniël Pienaar of Uitenhage.

After their victory over Bishops everybody expected Bellville to beat Durbanville with ease. Bellville shattered the expectations and astonished all by losing 23-12 against a determined Durbanville side.

After beating Grey College last week, Affies won another big scalp this week when they beat the Blue Tornados.

Selborne College scored six tries to beat Graeme College 44-5 in East London on Saturday.  The match was played in warm, dry conditions in front of a sizeable and appreciative crowd who were treated to an impressive Selborne performance.

Maritzburg went down to Westville 13-6 on Saturday.

In wet and muddy conditions Bishops proved too strong and to skilful for their hosts SACS, winning 20-10. The match was an entertaining affair, enjoyed by a large crowd, with both teams trying to play attacking rugby in difficult underfoot conditions. 

The FNB Classic Clash in Potchefstroom between Gimnasium and Volkskool at the Gimnasium Mooivallei sports grounds resulted in a 20-0 victory for Volkskool.

Brits, the bigger school with the bigger pack won this FNB Classic Clash 31-7 against neighbours Wagpos on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Wagpos.

Potchestroom Gimnamsium hosts the second Potch derby in as many weeks. The game is also a FNB Classic Clash and Andries Dreyer captains Gimnasium from the outside centre position.

This weekend's Super 14 final is the 14th final in Super rugby with, naturally, the 14th appointment of a referee - Jonathan Kaplan of South Africa.

All referees are used to prematch efforts at garnering sympathy for one side or the other. Mostly they listen without yawning.

Experienced international referee Tony Spreadbury has been forced by illness to withdraw from Saturday's Guinness Premiership final at Twickenham.

Brandwag head down the East Rand to play HTS Springs in a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday. Janco Bronkhorst captains Brandwag of Benoni from the flank position.

HTS Springs host near neighbours and rivals Brandwag in a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday. Flank Marthines du Preez will lead out the hosts.

Seven Super 14 players have been included in the New Zealand team for next month's International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 World Championships in France.

Liam Slatem is the form player in the SACS backline and is the individual the team looks to for attacking inspiration. On Saturday SACS host local rivals Bishops, who are renowned for the adventurous back play. Slatem will be up against arguably the best schoolboy centre in the Western Cape Adrian Kritzinger and is relishing the challenge. 

Hoërskool Ermelo beat HTS Middelburg 23-27 in an FNB Classic Clash in Ermelo on Saturday. This leaves them unbeaten in the Mpumalanga league

This week we have another Potchestroom derby as Volkskool travel to Gimnasium for a FNB Classic Clash. Volkskool will be led out by their No.6 flank Stephe Viljoen.

Wagpos of Brits host neighbours and rivals Brits High School in a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday. Eighthman Cornel du Plessis captains Wagpos.

Hoërskool Brits travel to Hoërskool Wagpos on Saturday for a FNB Classic Clash. Rickus Theron captains Brits from the loosehead position.

Durban High School (DHS) travel down the Ridge Road to Glenwood on Saturday for an eagerly awaited FNB Classic Clash. Of Italian decent Max - he was christened Massimo - Tripepi captains DHS from the back of the scrum.

Glenwood host Durban High School in a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday. Warren Whiteley captains Glenwood from the openside flank position.

The Super 12 is the world's premier provincial rugby union tournament in the world with the best of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand going head to head for 13 frenetic weeks.

Tappe Henning, recently retired from international refereeing, has been appointed to referee the match at Ellis Park on 3 June between a Springbok XV and a star-studded World XV.

It's tough at the top! Grey Bloem have been toppled and Paul Roos have marched to the top of the FNB Top 20.

It is often claimed that referees give more penalties against the away team than the home team, and people then start to theorise as to why this should be. However Planet-Rugby kindly publishes statistics about penalties in the Super14, and so I decided to see if the initial premise was true.

In the rain and the wind in Upington, Carlton-Van Heerden beat AJ Ferreira 3-0 in their FNB Classic Clash on Saturday.

On a cold, wet Saturday, a penalty from Man of the Match Chris van der Meulen in the dying minutes gave Graeme an 8-6 victory over hosts Woodridge.

An all-South African match official team will officiate in the Super 14 Final between the Crusaders and the Hurricanes at Jade Stadium, Christchurch, on Saturday.

There was all the drama of the semi-finals in the Super 14 this weekend. One was cut-and-dried, the other touch-and-go. Touch-and-go produced controversy. We shall look at some incidents, including that one at the scrum and two at the line-out.

Soundsure have sent a summary of the statistics for all 91 matches in the round robin of the Super 14. We shall give just some of them.

The first big final to be played will be at Jade Stadium in Christchurch, the second at Twickenham in London - the finals of the Super 14 and England's Premiership. It's final time in Italy and a vital Test in Madrid.

Australia will field a heavyweight line-up for the 2006 International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 World Championship in France next month, with a team that includes nine players who have played Super 14 Rugby and over 20 players who have previously represented Australia at the Under-21 or Under-19 level.

In a match played in cold and blustery conditions SACS managed to defeat their hosts HTS Bellville, 15-8. The game was punctuated by penalties as both sides battled to come to terms with the referee's interpretation of the tackle ball.

A moment of magic from Jamie Forrester handed Gloucester the European Challenge Cup after a 36-34 extra-time victory over London Irish in a pulsating match at the Stoop on Sunday.

Dean Ryan believes Sunday's dramatic 36-34 European Challenge Cup final victory over London Irish can be the start of a successful era for Gloucester.

A moment of magic from Jamie Forrester handed Gloucester the European Challenge Cup after a 36-34 extra-time victory over London Irish in a pulsating match at the Stoop on Sunday.

Belville sprung a big surprise when they beat the strong Bishops side 6-0 in the rain and the wind at Bellville on Saturday.

To beat Grey College on the rugby field is an impressive and nigh impossible feat. To do it in consecutive years is almost unheard of, but this is exactly what Affies achieved in Pretoria on Saturday when they defeated their Free State visitors 18-13.

Here we give stats concerning getting possession, mainly at scrums and line-outs for the two Super 14 semi-finals - the Hurricanes against the Waratahs and the Crusaders against the Bulls.

Affies beat Grey Bloem, which is always an achievement, in the wet Western Cape Bellville beat Bishops, and in an FNB Classic Clash Ermelo beat HTS Middelburg.. Even in Kimberley it was wet and cold. It rained in Upington when Carlton-Van Heerden just won their FNB Classic Clash.

A moment of magic from Jamie Forrester handed Gloucester the European Challenge Cup after a 36-34 extra-time victory over London Irish in a pulsating match at the Stoop on Sunday.

A moment of magic from Jamie Forrester handed Gloucester the European Challenge Cup after a 36-34 extra-time victory over London Irish in a pulsating match at the Stoop on Sunday.

There is a new King of Europe and he wears the triple crown of Munster. But what an intense affair in Millennium Stadium with the roof closed.

In this section we deal with some aspects of the laws in action and comment on what readers have to say.

It might be a sideshow to the real thing, but - for Andy Robinson at least - Sunday's Challenge Cup final between Gloucester and London Irish at the Stoop is very much a main event.

AJ Ferreira are up against local rivals Carlton-Van Heerden on Saturday in an FNB Classic Clash. Hanri Snyders captains a committed AJ Ferreira team from fullback.

Hoërskool Ermelo host HTS Middelburg in a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday. Luan Oostuizen captains Ermelo.

It might be a sideshow to the real thing, but - for Andy Robinson at least - Sunday's Challenge Cup final between Gloucester and London Irish at the Stoop is very much a main event.

It might be a sideshow to the real thing, but - for Andy Robinson at least - Sunday's Challenge Cup final between Gloucester and London Irish at the Stoop is very much a main event.

Perhaps the timing of this column will give away what it is likely to be about, but then again, many of you may be surprised to see something about soccer here at all.

It might be a sideshow to the real thing, but - for Andy Robinson at least - Sunday's Challenge Cup final between Gloucester and London Irish at the Stoop is very much a main event.

Three unanswered second-half tries gave St Andrew's a hard fought 26-19 victory over visitors Hudson Park on Wednesday. Hudson capitalised on St Andrew's mistakes in the first half to take a 19-7 lead at half-time.

Here we give stats concerning getting possession, mainly at scrums and line-outs for the last week of the regular Super 14.

At Newlands when the Bulls beat the Stormers 43-10, their last try was scored by Bryan Habana. We have had some comment from readers on the matter and thought it fit to do it separately from other incidents in the last week of Super 14's round robin.

On Saturday Ermelo host HTS Middelburg in a FNB Classic Clash. Robbie la Grange captains HTS Middelburg from the No.8 position.

DHS 1st XV had a tough fixture against St Charles on Saturday the 13 May, which they won 23-6.

The Queen's College 1st XV turned on the charm to record a comprehensive 34-7 victory over the visiting Selborne team on the Rec on Saturday afternoon. While Queen's played with confidence and composure, Selborne struggled to find their rhythm and seldom crossed the advantage line.

SANZAR has appointed the referees for the semi-finals of the Super 14. It has taken a group of referees from South Africa for one and another group of referees from Australia for the other.

Belfast has been chosen as the host city of the IRB U19 World Championship 2007.

Cardiff will be the focus of attention for millions this weekend as the Heineken Cup final is played. It is not the only big match.

Tony Spreadbury has been appointed to referee the final of England's Premiership at Twickenham on 27 May 2006.

It's not easy to go to Paarl Boys' High and win, but Grey Bloem did so on Saturday when they won 20-5. For that reason we have put them on their own at the top of the FNB Top 20 this week.

Transvalia beat HTS Vereeniging 23-0 in their FNB Classic clash at Transvalia on Saturday.

Westville took to the road over the Drakensberg to play KES and won 20-8, scoring all their points kin the first half.

Maritzburg College went up the hill and beat Hilton 32-14 on Saturday.

Coach Pieter De Villiers has named a very powerful and experienced South African team to compete at the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 World Championship in France next month.

St Andrew's beat Graeme College 17-11 in a tense FNB Classic Clash in Grahamstown on Saturday. 

There were four FNB Classic Clashes this weekend with victories for St Andrew's in Grahamstown, Daniël Pienaar in Uitenhage, HTS in Potchefstroom and Transvalia.

Hoërskool Bellville continued on their winning ways, beating Stellenberg 17-7 on Saturday.

The first ever FNB Classic Clash between old rivals, the only two boys' schools in Potchefstroom, the Technical High School (HTS) and Potch Boys' High, ended in a one point victory for the hosts, HTS.

HTS Daniël Pienaar beat Die Brandwag 34-16 in an FNB Classic Clash in Uitenhage on Saturday.

Played as usual on a Wednesday, Maritzburg College had a big 48-0 over neighbours Voortrekker at Goldstone's.

Maritzburg College beat Pretoria Boys High 24-5 at College, 6 May 2006.

The DHS 1st XV had their second domestic game against Richardsbay on Saturday the 6 May. It was game where DHS had everything to lose and Richardsbay could have taken away the DHS good record so far.

Due to fixture congestion in the Boland, SACS hosted Hugenote of Wellington on Wednesday afternoon. The teams kicked off just as the hot sun dipped below Devil's Peak and the match was played in near-perfect conditions. The match proved to be a tense affair, with both teams benefiting from intercept tries.

As headboy of HTS Vereeniging, Stiaan Smith leads his school and his team on Saturday against Transvalia in an FNB Classic Clash.

HTS Potchefstroom are hosting Potchstroom Boys High in the local town derby on Saturday. On his birthday, Cor Steyn will be leading his team against the closest rivals. The match is another FNB Classic Clash.

James Hatting, playing in his second year for St Andrew's College first team, will captain his school when they run in out in this Saturday's FNB Classic Clash against neighbours, Graeme College.

There was plenty of movement in the FNB Top 20 this week, partly because of some surprising results, but once again we have Outeniqua and Grey Bloem at the top.

Lorenzo Southey, playing in his third year for the First XV, will captain Graeme College in this Saturday's FNB Classic Clash against local rivals St. Andrews College. Lorenzo marks this special day where Grahamstown's two boys schools meet with a rare individual feat - this will be the flyhalf's 50th match for the First Team.

In a fiercely-contested 'FNB Classic Clashes' inter-schools fixture between long-standing traditional rivals, Queen's and Dale (on the occasion of the Dale Reunion), the visiting Queen's team deservedly beat their opposition by 20 points to 10 after a narrow 10-7 lead at half-time.

Hoerskool Transvalia of Van der Bijl Park host HTS Vereeniging in an FNB Classic Clash on Saturday. Born in Vereeniging on 30 September 1988 and having attended Laerskool Kollegepark, LeRoi le Roux has the honour of captaining Transvalia from the No.8 position.

HTS Daniel Pienaar host Brandwag on Saturday in a FNB Classic Clash. HTS Daniel Pienaar captain Cornel Ferreira is a big boy who is looking forward to a big game on Saturday. Having looked forward to the local Uitenhage derby since last season already, he is fired up for this week's FNB Classic Clash.

Thilip Marole is captain of Potch Boys High, who play local rivals HTS Potchestroom in an FNB Classic Clash on Saturday.

Two tries in the last five minutes from wing Dylan Fetting gave Graeme College a 28-12 victory over visitors Cambridge High School in an inter-schools rugby match.

College won a hard match against Jeppe 17-8 on Saturday. In a match of two halves, College came out fighting and dominated possession, and scored two great tries through T Molefi and captain T Marole, both of which were converted by Calvin van Rensburg to lead 14-3 at half-time.

Brandwag and Daniel Pienaar play each other in the Uitenhage derby on Saturday. The fixture is only played once per annum and Saturday is D-day in Uitenhage. Which Grade 12 class of 2006 will have the bragging rights for the rest of their days? We find out Saturday when they meet in an FNB Classic Clash.

Boland Landbou and Maritzburg College struck back and Waterkloof struck with a vengeance in this week's results which include the two FNB Classic Clashes, one won by Queen's, the other by Itembelihle.

Here we give stats concerning getting possession, mainly at scrums and line-outs.

There are semi-finals in England's Premiership and it is the last round of Super 14, which means the semi-finalists will be decided with their venues. It is a time for decisions, but then decisions are what referees do.

It was such an interesting round, as all Super 14 rounds are. And we have some things to talk briefly about.

In an exciting match played out in front of a sizable crowd, SACS overcame near neighbours and rivals Rondebosch Boys' High in a hard fought match, winning 22-14. Despite the heavy overnight rain the surface was good and the teams were able to entertain the crowd with some expansive rugby.

In typical Cape Town winter weather - cold, windy and raining, Bellville went up the N1 to Brackenfell and beat the home side 25-24 in a thriller. A try at the death won the match.

Hoërskool Monument , South Africa's representatives at the Sanix Youth Rugby Tournament in Japan, lost 34-20 in the final to Christchurch Boys' High, the 2005 winners. It is for boys who had not yet turned 17 after 31 March 2006.

Outeniqua of George beat Oakdale Landbou of Riversdale 44-10 on Saturday.

Itembelihle Comprehensive School beat Ndzondelelo High 15-5 in an FNB Classic Clash at Wolfson Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Thursday.

Potchefstroom on the banks of the Mooi River is the oldest town in the old Transvaal, in the world of Sarie Marais and the struggles if the Afrikaner people, and this is reflected in the history of HTS Potchefstroom.

St John's of Johannesburg went down to Wynberg Boys' High for their 165th birthday rugby festival over the last long weekend, and won both of their matches.

Westville Boys’ High School’s 1st XV travelled to Cape Town to participate in the Wynberg Boys’ High School’s 165th Celebration Rugby Festival from Thursday 27 April to Saturday 29 April

As the FNB Classic Clash with Queen's approaches, Dale captain and outside centre Maphelo Mpondo is a focussed man.

Queen's College 1st XV Captain and head boy Lisle Clark like his school, has serious pedigree.

Hoërskool Monument of Krugersdorp are South Africa's representatives at the 7th Sanix Youth Rugby Tournament in Japan and are through to the final in which they will play against Christchurch Boys' High of New Zealand.

Ayanda Jam-Jam, Itembelihle's star back and captain, is looking forward to the FNB Classic Clash between his school and nearby Ndzondelelo High at Wolfson Stadium.

Eddie Rululu is the captain of Ndzondelelo High School of Zwide Township in Port Elizabeth, and they are playing great rivals Itembelihle Comprehensive School of Kwazakhele in New Brighton.

Graeme College of Grahamstown in the City of Saints and Scholars was founded in 1873 to provide for scholars but not quite as denominationally saintly as the other schools.

Just recently the FIRA-AER Women's European Championship ended in Northern Italy. For the first time ever all the referees were women.

Hoërskool Monument are South Africa's representative at the seventh Sanix Youth Rugby Tournament in the Global Arena in Munakata City in Fukuoka, Japan during Japan's Golden Week when there are public holidays. So far Monnas are doing well.

There were not as many matches as usual as long-weekenditis laid schools rugby low - yet again. But amongst the matches played there were performances warranting changes to our FNB Top 20 yet again.

The FNB Gauteng-KwaZulu Natal Festival, played at Rand Park  School between schools from Gauteng and schools from over the Berg, ended on Monday.

This is a decisive time for teams in Europe and Super 14, when the spotlight shines even more brightly on the referee and his decisions.

There are always interesting things on the rugby field. It must be tedious to have a simple game where everything is cut-and-dried. Rugby is dynamic and multi-faceted, and so there is always room for debate and discussion.

Referees have been appointed to the last rounds of the first Super 14's Round Robin. in all likelihood it will be Tappe Henning's last Super 14 match when he goes down to Kimberley for the match between the Cheetahs and the Cats.

The 2006 Sanix World Rugby Youth Invitational Tournament is taking place in Fukuoka, Japan. Hoërskool Monument of Krugersdorp is taking part.

Here we give stats concerning getting possession, mainly at scrums and line-outs.

There was another short week for the schools this week with another short week to come. But there was still time for some schools to play and for Boland Landbou to get an unexpected defeat.

We have just a few incidents to talk about but one, the first one, that is serious.

The first day of the two-day FNB Gauteng-KwaZulu Natal Rugby Festival was played at Fourways School on Saturday. The second playing day is Labour Day on Monday.

In brilliant sunshine on a perfect field with autumn colours marching up the hill and the side of Table Mountain in clear splendour, the Wynberg Boys' High 165 Rugby Festival kicked off on the afternoon of Freedom Day.

The advantage law, Law  8, is a short law but not an easy one to apply effectively - the one that does most to grade referees, for it is in playing advantage that a referee best shows his understanding of the game and his artistry in adding to the game.

Our columnist Duncan Bech reflects on what he makes of England's coaching shake-up and gives us his views on the possible return of a certain knight of the realm...

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced a radical restructuring of its panels of Test referees.

The IRB has appointed referees for the mid-year Tests in the Southern Hemisphere, the first appointments from the new panel of referees and the new support panel of touch judges and television match officials.

On a hot Wednesday afternoon out in Durbanville SACS held on to beat their hosts Stellenberg 21-20. The first half was a scrappy affair with both teams guilty of numerous basic errors. Consequently neither team was able to impose its pattern on the game.

King Edward VII School (KES) are in the middle of a promising season. They have lost two close games (to Pretoria Boys High and Grey (PE) but their spirit remains high and with key players returning and others in good form they don’t intend slipping up again. One of their most influential players so far this season has been flank Vaughn Meyer. He is this week’s FNB Player of the Week.

Westville Boys’ High School’s 1st XV started their domestic rugby season on a very positive note.  The local lads repeated last year’s 17-7 win over their Midlands opponents with an emphatic 35-3 victory on Saturday.

It's tough at the top all right, and it has affected the FNB Top 20 this week in a big way.

Weren't the referees in the two tense semi-finals great? Not that this weekend's matches will be entirely free of tension as the Super 14 and the competitions in Europe reach their climaxes.

DHS beat Glenwood 28-21 in a close encounter in Durban on Saturday. DHS won the 1st XV match, but Glenwood dominated most of the other matches.

Here we give stats concerning getting possession, mainly at scrums and line-outs.

Wynberg Boys' High are making the most of the approaching long weekend with two days of good rugby at the school.

The Queen's College 1st XV provided the climax to a successful reunion weekend by beating the visiting Grey High School 21-10 in front of a huge crowd of jubilant Old Boys and other Queen's College supporters on the Rec on Saturday afternoon.

There was a surprise for Grey Bloem this week when Jim Fouché held them to a draw in wet Bloemfontein. For Grey a draw is like defeat; for Jim Fouché drawing with Grey is like victory.

London Irish booked a date with Gloucester in the European Challenge Cup final courtesy of a dramatic 27-22 victory over the slow-starting Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park on Sunday.

London Irish booked a date with Gloucester in the European Challenge Cup final courtesy of a dramatic 27-22 victory over the slow-starting Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park on Sunday.

London Irish booked a date with Gloucester in the European Challenge Cup final courtesy of a dramatic 27-22 victory over the slow-starting Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park on Sunday.

Graeme College recorded a resounding 25-0 victory over Alexander Road in an interschools rugby match in Grahamstown on Saturday.  The half time score was 8-0.

London Irish booked a date with Gloucester in the European Challenge Cup final courtesy of a dramatic 27-22 victory over the slow-starting Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park on Sunday.

Maritzburg College went up from Pietermaritzburg to Balgowan and beat Michaelhouse 24-10.

Gloucester took the first available place in the European Challenge Cup semi-finals with a magnificent win over Worcester on Saturday, fighting back from 15-23 down with half an hour to go to win 31-23.

Gloucester took the first available place in the European Challenge Cup semi-finals with a magnificent win over Worcester on Saturday, fighting back from 15-23 down with half an hour to go to win 31-23.

Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan has blasted the decision to stage the European Challenge Cup final at the Twickenham Stoop because he feels its is too small for the prestige event.

Gloucester took the first available place in the European Challenge Cup semi-finals with a magnificent win over Worcester on Saturday, fighting back from 15-23 down with half an hour to go to win 31-23.

Gloucester took the first available place in the European Challenge Cup semi-finals with a magnificent win over Worcester on Saturday, fighting back from 15-23 down with half an hour to go to win 31-23.

In wet conditions Boland Landbou’s heavier pack laid the platform for an unconvincing 8-5 win against visitors SACS. The teams were evenly matched in most facets of play but Landbou’s superior pack kept SACS on the back foot.

Australia's U19 team won its first-ever World Championship with a tense 17-13 win over New Zealand in Dubai on Friday.

London Irish are a team in form with six wins from their last eight starts but Director of Rugby Brian Smith insists that home advantage in their European Challenge Cup semi-final at Kingston Park on Sunday must make Newcastle Falcons favourites for the game.

London Irish are a team in form with six wins from their last eight starts but Director of Rugby Brian Smith insists that home advantage in their European Challenge Cup semi-final at Kingston Park on Sunday must make Newcastle Falcons favourites for the game.

London Irish are a team in form with six wins from their last eight starts but Director of Rugby Brian Smith insists that home advantage in their European Challenge Cup semi-final at Kingston Park on Sunday must make Newcastle Falcons favourites for the game.

London Irish are a team in form with six wins from their last eight starts but Director of Rugby Brian Smith insists that home advantage in their European Challenge Cup semi-final at Kingston Park on Sunday must make Newcastle Falcons favourites for the game.

Gloucester captain Adam Balding is anxious to avoid an unwanted first when the Cherry-and-whites clash with Worcester Warriors in their European Challenge Cup semi-final at Kingsholm on Saturday.

Gloucester captain Adam Balding is anxious to avoid an unwanted first when the Cherry-and-whites clash with Worcester Warriors in their European Challenge Cup semi-final at Kingsholm on Saturday.

With England poised to make management changes, regular columnist Andrew Baldock throws his weight behind the campaign to reinstall Bath boss Brian Ashton.

Gloucester captain Adam Balding is anxious to avoid an unwanted first when the Cherry-and-whites clash with Worcester Warriors in their European Challenge Cup semi-final at Kingsholm on Saturday.

HTS Middelburg have climbed gradually into the Top 20 schools in South Africa over the last few seasons. In testament to their growing stature they play Affies on Saturday in the quarterfinal of the Michelin Series. Janus Terblanche is the key player in the HTS Middelburg team, having last week been selected as the best scrumhalf on show at the Oakdale Rugby Week. He is our FNB Player of the Week.

Gloucester captain Adam Balding is anxious to avoid an unwanted first when the Cherry-and-whites clash with Worcester Warriors in their European Challenge Cup semi-final at Kingsholm on Saturday.

The national weeks for schoolboys are development opportunities not only for schoolboy players but also for referees.

The final matches of Division B of the IRB's Under-19 World Championship were played in Dubai on Thursday. Fiji will play in Division A next year after their 22-14 win over Tonga. They will replace either Japan or Romania in the top division.

Newcastle gear up for their European Challenge Cup semi-final against London Irish on Sunday, fresh in the knowledge that their Premiership status is secure for another season after a morale-boosting win over Premiership leaders Sale last weekend.

These are little issues which may well be of interest. Tomorrow we shall also give two contributions by readers which are, perhaps, too extensive to include here.

Last we discussed various aspects of the law and its application. Here Peter Shortell reacts to what was said.

Newcastle gear up for their European Challenge Cup semi-final against London Irish on Sunday, fresh in the knowledge that their Premiership status is secure for another season after a morale-boosting win over Premiership leaders Sale last weekend.

Newcastle gear up for their European Challenge Cup semi-final against London Irish on Sunday, fresh in the knowledge that their Premiership status is secure for another season after a morale-boosting win over Premiership leaders Sale last weekend.

Newcastle gear up for their European Challenge Cup semi-final against London Irish on Sunday, fresh in the knowledge that their Premiership status is secure for another season after a morale-boosting win over Premiership leaders Sale last weekend.

Newcastle Falcons have made four changes to their side as they prepare for Sunday’s European Challenge Cup semi-final against London Irish at Kingston Park.

Since our initial FNB Top 20 for 2006, there have been holidays in many parts of South Africa, but during those holidays there were many tournaments to give top schools a chance to show their worth.

Gloucester coach Dean Ryan has kept faith with the XV that beat Worcester in the Guinness Premiership last weekend for Saturday's European Challenge Cup semi-final against the very same side.

Newcastle Falcons have made four changes to their side as they prepare for Sunday’s European Challenge Cup semi-final against London Irish at Kingston Park.

Gloucester coach Dean Ryan has kept faith with the XV that beat Worcester in the Guinness Premiership last weekend for Saturday's European Challenge Cup semi-final against the very same side.

Newcastle Falcons have made four changes to their side as they prepare for Sunday’s European Challenge Cup semi-final against London Irish at Kingston Park.

Newcastle Falcons have made four changes to their side as they prepare for Sunday’s European Challenge Cup semi-final against London Irish at Kingston Park.

Andy McPherson of Scotland has been appointed to the IRB's Under-19 World Championship final between Australia and New Zealand.

Gloucester coach Dean Ryan has kept faith with the XV that beat Worcester in the Guinness Premiership last weekend for Saturday's European Challenge Cup semi-final against the very same side.

Here we give stats concerning getting possession, mainly at scrums and line-outs.

Gloucester coach Dean Ryan has kept faith with the XV that beat Worcester in the Guinness Premiership last weekend for Saturday's European Challenge Cup semi-final against the very same side.

Andy McPherson of Scotland has been appointed to the IRB's Under-19 World Championship final between Australia and New Zealand.

New Zealand will face Australia in the Final of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 Word Championship after they won their respective semi-finals in Dubai on Monday. The Final will take place at the Exiles RFC on Friday.

It was a cold Easter Monday at St John's for Day 3 of the Easter Festival, backed by FNB.

King Edward VII School's Easter Rugby Festival, sponsored by FNB, ended on Easter Monday with a surprise defeat for Pretoria Boys High.

It was overcast and chilly on Eastern Monday, the last day of the St Stithians Easter festival which has the backing of FNB.

The matches most likely to attract attention this weekend are the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup in Dublin and San Sebastian, Spain.

The referees have been appointed to the matches in the semi-finals of the two divisions at the IRB’s Under-19 World Championship in Dubai.

The hosts and HTS Rustenburg performed strongly on the second day of Potchefstroom Boys' High's Easter Tournament.

Some schools played ordinary fixtures in the short week prior to the Easter Weekend and some will again in the short week which follows it but most of our results are from the five Easter Festivals in Northvaal.

Day Four of the B Division of the IRB Under-19 World Championship was semi-final day. Victories for Fiji and Tonga means that the Pacific Island countries will contest the final with promotion to Division A as a reward.

The referees have been appointed to the matches in the semi-finals of the two divisions at the IRB’s Under-19 World Championship in Dubai.

St Charles of Pietermaritzburg and Monnas of Krugersdorp again did well on the second day of Krugersdorp High School's Easter Rugby Festival.

On the second day of the Saints' Easter Festival for 2006, supported by FNB, the stern encounter was that between Affies of Pretoria and Paarl Gim, which ended in a draw.

In perfect weather yet again, within an even bigger crowd than Thursday's record crowd at St John's, the great School's Easter Festival went into its second day.

Viadana has been slapped with a hefty fine after a disciplinary committee ruled that the Italian club was guilty of both failing to prepare their pitch and fulfilling a fixture during the European Challenge Cup.

There have been changes to the originally announced schedule for the Easter Rugby Festival at Potchefstroom Boys' High.

King Edward VII School's Easter Festival began in Houghton on Maundy Thursday with sponsorship from FNB.

In perfect weather the St John's Easter Festival, supported by FNB, went into action on Thursday morning, down on Burger Field looking up the steep koppie  crowned with the stonework of the great school.

The Krugersdorp High School's Easter Festival kicked off on Thursday.

Queen's College of Queenstown, again a strong side this year, pulled off a double victory on Wednesday when they beat Aliwal North and Burgersdorp.

South Africa have failed to reach the semi-finals of the 2006 International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-19 championships and thus failed to defend the title they won on home soil last year.

We have some serious incidents to discuss seriously and we have some serious questions about the maul. The maul is especially interesting.

The IRB's Under-19 World Championship being played in Dubai heads into its last round of pool matches before the knock-out matches. For countries with one win it is their last chance to be contenders for the crown.

Adrian Kritzinger is the playmaker in a potent Diocesan College (Bishops) outfit this season. Playing at outside centre he models himself on the great Irish assassin Brian O'Driscoll. He will be hoping to create the same sort of magic as his hero did on the 2001 Lions Tour as Bishops face another uncompromising Cape season.

We are going to go to incidents from Week 8 of the Super 14 but we have several readers' queries and comments which should be treated separately lest we become too cumbersome.

Fiji and Tonga finished first and second in the Division B table of the U19 World Championship in Dubai after wins over Russia and Georgia respectively on day five of the action.

The IRB's Under-19 World Championship being played in Dubai heads into its last round of pool matches before the knock-out matches. For countries with one win it is their last chance to be contenders for the crown.

The first FNB Top 20- of 2006 is making its appearance. There should be fanfare. There is also much trepidation.

Viadana will appear before an independent Disciplinary Committee in Dublin on Thursday, 13 April to hear misconduct complaints lodged against the club by the ERC Disciplinary Officer.

Here we give stats concerning getting possession, mainly at scrums and line-outs.

There are World Cup 2007 qualifiers in Europe and Asia this week while the Super 14 nears the end of its round-robin course.

Australia and New Zealand continued with their dominant performances on Matchday Two of Division A at the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-19 World Championship on Sunday.

Easter is coming, and rugby festivals spring into life in Gauteng - five of them big ones. Three of them are supported by FNB - St John's, KES and St Stithians.

Schools in many parts have been on holiday recently but there have been festivals, especially in the Cape.

The second day of the A Division matches will be decisive for the ambitions of some sides at the IRB's Under-19 World Championship in Dubai. We give the match officials appointed to these matches.

Fiji, Tonga, Georgia and Uruguay are the four teams still unbeaten after the second round of fixtures in Division B of the U19 World Championship in Dubai on Saturday.

The second day of the A Division matches will be decisive for the ambitions of some sides at the IRB's Under-19 World Championship in Dubai. We give the match officials appointed to these matches.

The referees have been appointed to for the third day of the IRB's Under-19 Championship being played in Dubai.The third day sees the Division B sides in action again.

The Super 14 has gone beyond the half-way mark already and it is still running. In this section we are going to use a few incidents to remind ourselves of the Laws of the Game.

There are several internal struggles in this set of matches as the end of the round-robin part of the Super 14 approaches, sometimes the hardest of the lot for referees, as civil wars tend to be the bitterest of all! But the match between the Brumbies and the Hurricanes could be special.

The second day of the IRB's Under-19 World Championship brings the big guns of Division A into action.

The opening Division A match day in this year's International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-19 World Championship in Dubai on Wednesday produced a string of surprise results, the most prominent of which was defending champions South Africa's 42-3 loss to France.

Oakdale Landbouskool of Riversdale closed its 23rd Annual Rugby Week with several close matches on Day 3.

After all the fun of the week, the presence of several legends of the rugby world and lots of enthusiastic support the curtain has come down on the 150th birthday Grey High Schools Rugby Festival which FNB helped to fund. The hosts ended their tournament with a fine win over the Pretoria Boys' High side while their Bloemfontein namesakes had a big win over the impressive Queen's side.

The second day of the IRB's Under-19 World Championship brings the big guns of Division A into action.

The Heineken Cup quarter-finals have come and gone. The fanfare may not have lasted the duration of the matches but the winning fans seemed delighted without concern for the quality of the rugby, which in three-quarters of the matches was not generous.

Georgia, relegated from last year's U19 World Championship division A, kicked off their 2006 campaign with an impressive 57-3 win over Korea in Sharjah on Tuesday.

Union High of Graaff-Reinet hosted a rugby festival in the school holidays, which was attended by twelve teams. The majority of teams were from the region but Port Alfred, Stirling, Muir and Cambridge came inland from the coast, Stellenbosch High School made the trip up from the Cape and Willowridge High came all the way down from Pretoria to sample some Karroo hospitality. 

It probably doesn't get much tougher than kicking-off a World Cup against New Zealand, but that is what U19 Grand Slam winners Wales must do in the U19 Rugby World Cup in Dubai on Wednesday.

Hoërskool Volksrust  are hosting the 23rd Annual Voermol Amajuba Sports Weeks. The event takes place over two weeks and there will be 38 rugby teams from north and south of the Vaal River in attendance. The tournament is a season highlight for many of the teams.

Paloma Loza will make history this weekend - the first woman to referee in Spain's top league, the División de Honor.

Richard Parks of Leeds Tykes has been suspended for three weeks following a Rugby Football Union (RFU) disciplinary hearing at the Bristol Filton Holiday Inn on Tuesday.

On the final day of Die Brandwag's annual rugby tournament, the hosts just beat the Strand in a great battle, while Daniël Pienaar played to a generous draw with Hoërskool Middelburg.

Here we give stats concerning getting possession, mainly at scrums and line-outs.

Spain's top league, the División de Honor, has a woman referee there for the first time - Paloma Loza of Madrid. Last week she refereed a quarter-final of the División de Honor B. She may just be making history.

The 27th Oakdale Rugby Week started on Saturday, 1 April 2006 in Riversdale where the first two days were exceedingly hot.

The U19 teams of Canada and Namibia will get the 2006 Under-19 World Cup underway in Dubai on Tuesday.

The ‘All-Ireland’ Heineken Cup semi-final between Leinster and Munster will round off a fantastic weekend of European rugby action on 22 and 23 April.

There were some great matches on the second day of Greys' Rugby Festival, in association with FNB, in Port Elizabeth. Most notable was DHS's victory over the strong home team - a tiny 6-0 win but a big one for the Durban side.

Die Brandwag Hoërskool of Uitenhage held the first day of its annual three-day Rugby Festival on 31 March. These are the results for the first two days.

London Irish booked a date with Newcastle Falcons in the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup by romping to a 48-5 victory over Bayonne at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday.

London Irish booked a date with Newcastle Falcons in the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup by romping to a 48-5 victory over Bayonne at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday.

London Irish booked a date with Newcastle Falcons in the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup by romping to a 48-5 victory over Bayonne at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday.

HTS Bellville's tournament for technical schools started on 1 April with matches on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday.

London Irish booked a date with Newcastle Falcons in the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup by romping to a 48-5 victory over Bayonne at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday.

There were Festivals all over the place - Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage, Despatch, Durbanville, Riversdale and Bellville, amongst others.

Gloucester exorcised their domestic demons by booking a place in the European Challenge Cup semi-finals courtesy of an empathic seven-try 46-13 victory over Brive on Saturday - albeit in front of Kingsholm's second lowest crowd of the season.

Gloucester exorcised their domestic demons by booking a place in the European Challenge Cup semi-finals courtesy of an empathic seven-try 46-13 victory over Brive on Saturday - albeit in front of Kingsholm's second lowest crowd of the season.

Gloucester exorcised their domestic demons by booking a place in the European Challenge Cup semi-finals courtesy of an empathic seven-try 46-13 victory over Brive on Saturday - albeit in front of Kingsholm's second lowest crowd of the season.

Our first FNB Player of the Week for 2006 is Jean Rossouw of Paarl Gim, one of South Africa's greatest rugby schools.

Die Brandwag Hoërskool of Uitenhage held the first day of its annual three-day Rugby Festival on 31 March. These are the results.

Worcester wing Aisea Havili scored a hat-trick of tries as his side recorded a manful 34-25 over Northampton at Franklin's Garden on Saturday - a result that take the Warriors through to the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup.

Gloucester exorcised their domestic demons by booking a place in the European Challenge Cup semi-finals courtesy of an empathic seven-try 46-13 victory over Brive on Saturday - albeit in front of Kingsholm's second lowest crowd of the season.

The Grey High Schools Rugby Festival in association with FNB, a part of the great school's 150th birthday celebrations, kicked off in Port Elizabeth today with seven great matches. The hoists added to the occasion by beating Maritzburg College, always formidable opposition.

Newcastle progressed to the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup with a comfortable win over Connacht on Friday, thanks to a commanding performance from 20-year-old fly-half Toby Flood.

Newcastle progressed to the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup with a comfortable win over Connacht on Friday, thanks to a commanding performance from 20-year-old fly-half Toby Flood.

Newcastle progressed to the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup with a comfortable win over Connacht on Friday, thanks to a commanding performance from 20-year-old fly-half Toby Flood.

Kokstad College are holding their annual rugby festival on 31 March and 1 April. There will be 14 matches over the two days.

Newcastle progressed to the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup with a comfortable win over Connacht on Friday, thanks to a commanding performance from 20-year-old fly-half Toby Flood.

Rugby referees in the Arabian Gulf are taking centre stage in a series of prestigious events in different countries over the next few weeks. And the high profile being enjoyed by officials has led sponsors Power Development International (PDI) to extend its support of the Arabian Gulf Rugby Referees' Society through to the end of the 2006/07 season and also back the Asian RFU's elite referees panel.

The Super 14 certainly is racketing along past half way, and we shall be using incidents from the matches for our law discussion this week. There is one really difficult one, again concerning the maul.

Marais Viljoen of Alberton marched on Jeppe and beat the home side 48-11 on Wednesday.

Hoërskool Durbanville are kicking off April with their second rugby festival with some teams that have come from afar.

Ten senior schools and two primary schools took part in the annual Western Province Rugby Day for Schools held at Newlands on Tuesday 27 March. The games were contested over two twenty-minute halves, with no conversions.

The Challenge Cup has entered the business end of proceeding with eight sides - five English, two French and one Irish - striving to fill the four semi-final berths. We preview all the action...

It has not always been an easy ride for Bayonne this season, but as they travel to meet in-form London Irish on Saturday, coach Gilbert Doucet says his team must be proud of their achievements.

It has not always been an easy ride for Bayonne this season, but as they travel to meet in-form London Irish on Saturday, coach Gilbert Doucet says his team must be proud of their achievements.

SANZAR has announced the appointment of match officials for Weeks 9 & 10 of Super 14. Jonathan Kaplan seems to have the most desirable match – Crusaders vs Waratahs in Christchurch.

Northampton Saints fly-half Carlos Spencer may miss Saturday’s European Challenge Cup game against Worcester Warriors as a result of a knock to his leg against Newcastle Falcons in the Premiership last Sunday.

Hoërskool Merensky of Tzaneen is hosting its 21st Annual Festival in early April.

The Michel Series for 16 top schools is nearing the knock-out stages with strong performances by some

It has not always been an easy ride for Bayonne this season, but as they travel to meet in-form London Irish on Saturday, coach Gilbert Doucet says his team must be proud of their achievements.

Rugby festivals have mushroomed all over South Africa. Here we give the fixtures for several of them.

Voortrekker Hoërskool of Pietermaritzburg held its 15th annual Rugby Day, part of a more general sports festival, again attracting a large crowd to the school near the river.

Here we give stats concerning getting possession, mainly at scrums and line-outs.

The Heineken is back in town and rushing into the cut-throat quarter-finals.

Gloucester welcome Brive in the Challenge Cup on Saturday facing a front-row crisis after the sending-off of Terry Sigley during their Guinness Premiership defeat to Bristol last weekend.

It has not always been an easy ride for Bayonne this season, but as they travel to meet in-form London Irish on Saturday, coach Gilbert Doucet says his team must be proud of their achievements.

Union High of Graaff-Reinet is holding its annual rugby Festival on Saturday 1 April and Monday 3 April.

Die Brandwag of Uitenhage, a keen rugby school, is again hosting its rugby festival and again there is a strong group of schools attending.

Referees have been accused of killing a game or blowing game to death, but an Italian referee has been honoured for rescuing two young children from drowning off a Sicilian beach.

The fourth annual Western Province Schools Rugby Festival takes place at Newlands on Tuesday afternoon and evening, 28 March 2006. In the main match Paarl Gim play Paul Roos.

After two pleasing wins on a mini-tour to Pretoria, 29-15 against John Vorster and 20-16 against Menlo Park, College played their first match of the season in Pietermaritzburg, at the Voortrekker Festival, now in its fifteenth year, and beat Pionier of Vryheid 24-0.

KES went over to Jeppe for the first FNB Classic Clash of 2006 and won 31-0.

The games played at the Graeme College Rugby Day in Grahamstown on Saturday produced some surprises, some runaway victories, as well as some tight matches which ensured that this was an entertaining day’s rugby.

Oakdale’s annual rugby festival in Riversdale will take place on 1 and 3 April 2006 with 22 schools taking part.

It is March and almost winter but already schools rugby is in full swing. The first FNB Classic Clash has happened already, won handsomely by KES in the Johannesburg wet.

Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool managed to beat the new kids on the block, Eldoraigne, by 23-16 in a Michelin Series match in Pretoria on Saturday, although they were made to work much harder for this victory than they would have expected.

The annual Voortrekker Hoërskool Rugby Day takes place in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday with 22 matches.

Jeppe are at home to KES in the first FNB Classic Clash of 2006. Sifisa Vilikazi will be capatining and hoping to inspire the Jeppe side.

The Six Nations has ended, for some with shouts of joy, for others with a deflation of air. And there was also the spice of controversy.

KES go across Johannesburg to face old rivals Jeppe in the first FNB Classic Clash of 2006. In general and especially recently KES have dominated the 1st XV matches.

Schools rugby is well on the god in the northern regions of South Africa, which may be part of the reason why they pack up in mid winter!

Gareth Simmonds of Cardiff is a highly experienced referee - one of Wales's international referees and still active, though mainly on the touch-line. He speaks about the maul. It is good to listen to a man of his calibre.

After all the hectic activity and criticism on match officials on both sides of the equator, let's hope this weekend is a quiet and gentle one.

Peter Shortell of Cheltenham who takes a keen interest in the laws, their history and workings,, has sent us his reaction to the suggested law changes that emerged from experimentation done at the University of Stellenbosch recently.

The combined Gauteng-KwaZulu Natal Rugby Festival take place at Fourways High School over the two days of 29 April and 1 May this year. In it Gauteng Schools play against KwaZulu Natal schools, ten schools from each province. There are 11 on the first day.

Hoërskool Strand held its programme of shortened matches recently. Each match lasted just 20 minutes. But each team plays three matches, giving them an hour's rugby but against different opponents.

Grey High Schools turns 150 this year and, like Grey Bloem last year, has rugby as a part of its celebrations at the beginning of April. Many of the schools are old friends - as happens at birthday parties. FNB are coming to the party as well.

King Edward VII School of Houghton, Johannesburg, are hosting their annual Easter Rugby and Hockey Festival again this year.

As a born and bred Johannesburg boy who has attended KES from Grade 1 to 11, Josh Carstens is well aware of the magnitude of the task facing his team on Saturday when Jeppe host KES in an FNB Classic Clash.

Wales beat all five of their Six Nations opponents at Under-19 level, thus ending with a Grand Slam.

Here we give stats concerning getting possession, mainly at scrums and line-outs.

The defending Michelin Series champion, Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool of Pretoria, is still in line to qualify for the quarter-final of this competition after beating Ermelo Hoërskool 33 -16 in Pretoria on Friday afternoon.

Suddenly the Six Nations with all its hurly burly, is done. Anticlimax is upon is. Just to mop up, we shall give the stats, some of which add up to totals for the Six Nations on 2006.

Linston Manuels, the controversial television match official that came in for severe censure for his blunder in the Bulls versus Hurricanes Super 14 match at the weekend, have been "axed" from the Super 14 TMO panel. But he is to remain on the panel as a touch judge - a considerably more important position.

England Under-21 were comfortable winners of the 2006 U21 Six Nations and did so with a Grand Slam.

The psalmist said: The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. The Irish would probably agree, the English vehemently disagree after three incidents in the Six Nations match between England and Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.

Sarel Cilliers High School held its annual rugby festival on 10-11 March at the school in Glencoe.

The non-try by Akona Ndungane of the Bulls in the match with the Hurricanes was the big talking point in South Africa on Friday evening and the talk was angry.

Joël Jutge, the French referee appointed to referee the Twickenham clash between England and Ireland, has had to withdraw because of injury. His place is taken by Nigel Whitehouse of Wales.

The fourth round of the Six Nations has flown by, just the last round remaining. We are going to look at three little line-out incidents and a straightforward off-side.

Wales have won four with one to play. The Grand Slam is within their grasp.

England Under-21 are poised to win the Under-21 Six Nations Championship with a Grand Slam They have played four and won four Just the Irish challenge remains.

Here we give stats concerning getting possession, mainly at scrums and line-outs.

In the third week of the Six Nations, there was France's massive victory over England in Paris, one of record proportions. Ireland beat the dogged Scots in the Dublin wet and Wales managed a draw against Italy in Cardiff though the Italians had the better of the second half.

Recently there was a workshop on the laws of the game from which there emanated a series of proposals which could have a radical effect on the way the game is played.

Ezio Galon played fullback for Italy against Wales at Millennium Stadium on Saturday. The big, fast 27-year-old plays for Overmach Parma and was first capped for Italy in 2001. None of that explains how close he was to one of international rugby's most bizarre occurrences.

The Six Nations reaches its denoument. Four teams could win the Championship with France the most likely. There are some interesting "other" matches.

With just Ireland to play England Under-21 are set fair to win the Under-21 Six Nations with a Grand Slam.

Their seniors may not be unbeaten but France and England are undefeated at Under-21 level and they meet this week in a match which will determine who the Under-21 Champions of the Six Nations will be. All the teams will have an eye on the IRB Under-21 World Championship later this year.

The Super 14 has already reached week 14 as it rushes on its way. There are few tiny matters to talk about, including this business of the deliberate wheel, and we shall bring forward some comment/questions from readers. One is a really difficult one from Sydney.

The Six Nations bursts out again this weekend with the big crunch at Stade de France in Paris. In fact, there are several matches between French teams and English teams.

Wales have beaten England, Scotland and Ireland at Under-19 level this season and are in line to add a Grand Slam to their Triple Crown.

Much has been said and argued about stamping on players on the ground this year - as in Ireland's matches with Italy and Wales and as in the match between the Hurricanes and the Cats. Compared to the hacking of old, stamping is a pastime of innocents.

Here we give stats concerning getting possession, mainly at scrums and line-outs.

This is a progressive records of the tries each team has scored in the 2006 Super 14 and the number of times they have kicked the ball.

In this section we give the progessive record of penalties and sanctions in the 2006 Super 14.

Argentina's Under-19 side, the Pumitas, are set to take the South American Under-19 Championship yet again.

In this section we discuss some incidents from Super 14 matches last weekend and answer a reader's question.

SANZAR has announced the appointments of match officials for Weeks 6-8 of the Super 14. Chris Pollock gets his first taste of refereeing Super rugby abroad when he heads for Sydney.

Australia have announced their squad of 26 players for the World Under-19 tournament to be played in Dubai in April. Two of the players have made their Super 14 debuts.

We discuss some incidents involving the television match official from the match between Ireland and Wales in Dublin in last weekend's Six Nations matches.

Here we give stats concerning getting possession, mainly at scrums and line-outs.

Almost astonishingly there are no senior Tests this weekend but there are big regional and club matches as the Powergen Cup goes to its semi-finals and the Super 14 and the Celtic League speed on.

In this section we give a running table of the number of tries each team scores and the number of times it kicks the ball

In this part we give a progressive table of penalties conceded and sanctions - yellow cards, red cards and citings with suspension - received.

In the third week of the Six Nations, France beat Italy in Paris, Ireland beat Wales in Dublin and then, in their second surprise this championship, Scotland beat England at Murrayfield, which will soon be dubbed Fortress Murrayfield. In this section we give some statistics from the matches.

Just because they are of immediate interest we shall discuss two refereeing decisions from Round Three of the Six nations - one in Edinburgh and one in Dublin.

Following their victories over England and Scotland Wales have become the Under-19 Triple Crown winners with their big victory over Ireland in Ireland.

In Round 3 of the Six Nations for Under-21s, England and France had big and expected victories while in Ireland Wales got home by just one point.

We have dealt with some statistics and with the red card given to Thys Stoltz. Now we are going to look at more general incidents, including some comment by the commentators which may not have been helpful.

If Wales beat Ireland at Blackrock College on Saturday afternoon, they will win the Under-19 Triple Crown.

The Six Nations Under-21 matches continue this weekend. A glance suggests that England and France will win easily but the Ireland-Wales match could be close.

Readers have asked several questions or statements concerning the laws of the game. We give them below with some comment.

In the match between the Cats and the Chiefs at Ellis Park on Friday, the referee gave Willem Stoltz of the Cats a red card for use of the boot on a player's neck. That was just before half-time.

Here we give stats concerning getting possession, mainly at scrums and line-outs. We also give some tables to show accumulation of penalties and sanctions, and tries and kicks.

The Six Nations is back in action with only England unbeaten as they go to Murrayfield for the Calcutta Cup match.

As we did last week we give tables which we will run accumulatively each week throughout the Super 14. The tables in this section have a record of penalties and sanctions, i.e. red and yellow cards and citings with suspension.

In this section of statistics we give tables reflecting the number of tries a team has scored and the number of times a team kicked the ball.

There has been so much to talk about this week after the ten big matches last weekend that we shall keep this one short. After all we did discuss the big issues of the penalty try and the sending off at length.

It's a little over 36 hours since WRU Chief Executive Steve Lewis ruined most of Britain's Rugby journalists' Valentine's dinners by announcing the departure of Mike Ruddock.

Mercifully, the first week of Super 14 passed almost without controversy - apart from an advantage in Bloemfontein and an early tackle in Christchurch - but there are still some points of law worth discussing, as we shall do here. It has indeed been a busy week with three RBS Six Nations matches and seven Super 14 matches.

We give tables here which will be updated each week. The first table has penalties and sanctionary cards, the second table tries and kicks.

There is a breather in the RBS Six Nations this weekend but the marathon Super 14 rumbles on, and the clubs are back in action.

The big talking point of Week 2 of the RBS Six Nations was the sending off of Scott Murray of Scotland. This overshadowed even the penalty try against Scotland earlier in the match. We shall look at both of these issues.

We give tables here which will be updated each week. This table gives a record of tries and kicks.

In the second week of the Six Nations, France beat Ireland in Paris, England beat Italy in Rome and Wales beat Scotland in Cardiff. In this section we give some statistics from the matches. Later we shall discuss incidents, firstly the penalty try and the sending off, and then other incidents.

Rugby Tests have been played since 1871. Over a century later the first player was sent off in a match in the International Championship - now called the Six Nations. The most recent was Scott Murray of Scotland.

Here we give stats concerning getting possession, mainly at scrums and line-outs. We shall also give some tables in Stats 2 and shall discuss some incidents in Part 2.

In cold Biella up near the Alps England beat Italy 48-3 in an Under-21 encounter on Thursday. Topsy Ojo scored four tries for the winners

South African referees are fit and well prepared for the season ahead - the top ones at least after several courses around the country.

SANZAR has issued a statement of key factors in its dealings with disciplinary matters in Super 14. We have added the IRB's recommended tariff of penalties for foul play.