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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

South African captain Jean de Villiers felt his team took a step in the right direction, despite another loss against New Zealand.

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw expressed his delight at having escaped with a win against South Africa after a real arm-wrestle in Dunedin on Saturday.

New Zealand continued their stranglehold on the Rugby Championship with a 21-11 win over South Africa in Dunedin on Saturday.

The Springboks’ tactical naivety lingered on as they fell to their second successive defeat in Dunedin on Saturday.

Ulster withheld a fearsome late Munster onslaught to secure a thrilling 20-19 victory in the PRO12.

Northampton Saints' Tom May kicked a late drop-goal to secure an 18-4 victory over Bath and send his team to the top of the Premiership standings.

Bulls prop Rayno Gerber will join Italian club Rovigo with immediate effect after a frustrating stint in Pretoria.

South African-born midfielder Brad Barritt will continue his career in England after signing a long-term contract extension with Saracens.

It is another super Saturday of Rugby Championship and Currie Cup action. We have it all LIVE here.

Talented centre Johann Sadie may already have played his last game for the Blue Bulls, although coach Pine Pienaar has left the back door open.

Springbok skipper Jean de Villiers has come out in defence of misfiring flyhalf Morne Steyn ahead of their clash with the All Blacks in Dunedin.

Dave Pearson, the vastly experienced Test referee has become the first Elite Referee Coach appointed by the Six Nations. 

Argentina's first year in the expanded Rugby Championship is making an impression on Australia hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau.

Springbok assistant coach John McFarland has reaffirmed that South Africa would not alter their conservative game plan.

Watch the action, see the action, hear the decision and listen to some comments on what happens here, an action with a sad outcome.

Wallaby skipper Nathan Sharpe on Friday warned his team against complacency when they face Argentina.

The All Blacks expect to be targeted by an aerial bombardment Saturday as South Africa search for a way to break the world champions' stranglehold.

Argentina will sense a great opportunity to earn their first victory of the Rugby Championship when they face Australia on Saturday.

Are you confident? If you are a New Zealander you are confident. If you are a South African you are looking for a shelter.

The second half of the Currie Cup season gets underway with very little separating the six teams.

Champions Harlequins will be out to extend their unbeaten start to the English Premiership when they take on Sale Sharks this weekend.

After just two rounds there are only three teams left with 100 percent winning record in the Pro12, Munster, Scarlets and Ulster.

The Southern Kings are looking "far and wide" for players to make them competitive when they debut in Super Rugby next year.

All Black stalwart Ma’a Nonu says he will make a decision on his playing future in the next fortnight.

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter... like our nation's pride"

His team may be propping up the foot of the Currie Cup table, but Blue Bulls coach Pine Pienaar want to see his young charges play with more freedom.

Former Springbok technical analyst Malome Peter Maimane passed away on Wednesday evening.

The Eastern Province Kings will look to move one step closer to a possible home final when they host the third-placed Griffons in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

Forgotten Springbok hooker Pieter Dixon, lured out of retirement a few weeks ago, will front up to his former Western Province teammates in Durban on Saturday.

The club versus country debate is highlighted under the full glare of an expectant public and live television on Friday when Montpellier entertain league leaders Toulon in the French Top 14.

French coach Philippe Saint-Andre is determined to come out of November's three Tests with three wins and, as a result, a spot as one of the four seeds for the 2015 World Cup.

England's Premiership clubs and European officials were on a collision course over the validity of a new £152 million (US$245 million) domestic television deal.

All Black coach Steve Hansen said he wouldn't compromise on discipline as he benched scrumhalf Aaron Smith for breaking team rules.

South African coach Heyneke Meyer begrudgingly accepts that his team will be underdogs against New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday.

The experienced Piri Weepu has been named in the All Black starting line-up for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with the Springboks.

Kurtley Beale will have to improve his conditioning if he wants to regain his place in the Wallaby starting line-up.

Should Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer run into a second row crisis somewhere down the line, he may want to look on home soil before heading abroad again.

England Sevens have increased the size of their full-time squad to 19 and added two new faces to their management team ahead of this season’s HSBC Sevens World Series.

Despatch will have the honour of playing in the first match of this year's new-look SARU National Club Championships when they take on White River on Saturday morning.

GLRU President Kevin de Klerk believes his union could pave the way for a possible alternative competition to Super Rugby for South Africa.

Suspended Golden Lions head coach John Mitchell has broken his silence.

Discarded Springbok loose forward Keegan Daniel has replaced Jean Deysel as Sharks captain for the rest of the Currie Cup.

The Blues have signed Crusaders flank Brendon O'Connor and Southland outside back Marty McKenzie.

Free State Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské continues his search for a flyhalf to replace Springbok Johan Goosen.

Flank Tyrone Holmes replaces the injured Rynhardt Elstadt in the only change to the Western Province side for their clash with the Sharks on Saturday.

Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann stuck with continuity in his selection for his team's Currie Cup match against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Griquas coach Pote Human has made two forced changes to his side for their Currie Cup encounter against the Blue Bulls in Kimberley on Saturday.

Blue Bulls coach Pine Pienaar made three changes to his backline to play Griquas in a Currie Cup fixture Kimberley on Saturday.

World Cup-winning Springbok lock Bakkies Botha has rubbished reports suggesting he has been "banned" from joining up with South Africa.

South African coach Heyneke Meyer has earmarked the breakdown as key to his team's prospects of success in New Zealand this week.

Gerrit-Jan van Velze (Northampton Saints) was suspended for four weeks, after being found guilty of a 'tip' tackle offence.

Australian and Reds scrumhalf Will Genia's worst fears have been confirmed - he will be sidelined for six month.

The inclusion of Francois Louw is the most significant change to the Springbok team for their encounter with the All Black.

Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper says preparing for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with Argentina has been a unique experience.

Exeter Chiefs newcomer Dean Mumm says he cannot wait to get stuck into life at Sandy Park having finally arrived in Devon following his switch from Australian Super Rugby side the Waratahs.

Former Leopards captain Eugene Hare says he is living his dream as CEO of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union.

The disciplinary hearing into allegations of misconduct against the Lions' suspended coach John Mitchell has been postponed until next week.

The Cheetahs are set to be bolstered by a number of returning players for this weekend’s Currie Cup catfight against the Golden Lions.

Western Province coach Allister Coetzee may have let Burton Francis go, but he will fight a little harder to keep the services of Demetri Catrakilis.

Bakkies Botha will not be joining the Springboks in New Zealand and is expected to play for his French club Toulon this weekend.

The Wallabies injury woes have continued with the news that hooker Stephen Moore and utility back James O'Connor's return to fitness has been postponed.

Maybe it doesn’t look that way on the Team stats table, but 2012 in the Boland was the Year of the Blackies.

Springbok defence coach John McFarland believes the enclosed Foryth-Barr stadium in Dunedin is going to make for a fast-paced game on Saturday.

Tygerberg Hoërskool have one of the most crack Sevens teams in South Africa and they showed it again on Friday night when they beat Wynberg Boys' High in the Final of the Villager Sevens.

New Zealand and Leicester flank Craig Newby was forced to retire on Monday after losing his battle to recover from a serious knee injury.

Former Lions captain Joshua Strauss has signed with Scottish Pro12 club Glasgow Warriors on a three year contract.

Argentina coach Santiago Phelan has made two changes to his backline for the clash with the Wallabies at the Gold Coast this weekend.

Young Western Province tighthead prop Frans Malherbe will join the Springbok squad in New Zealand as injury cover for the clash with the All Blacks.

The changes to the Currie Cup format has resulted in one of the most exciting and eagerly contested competitions in years.

Sharks centre Paul Jordaan will miss the clash with Western Province this weekend, but might be replaced by fit-again Tim Whitehead.

Nathan Sharpe will become the Wallabies' fourth captain this year while Kurtley Beale has been dropped for their clash with Argentina on Saturday.

The new Rugby Championship holds centre stage. In Sydney we have the finals of the club competition with Steve Walsh to referee the main Finall.. And in South Africa and New Zealand the domestic competitions get tough.

The All Blacks are wary of a Springbok backlash when the two great rivals clash at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday.

Following Ulster’s narrow 13-16 win over Ospreys, scrumhalf Paul Marshall has called for a step up in performance ahead of the Munster tie at Ravenhill on Friday night.

Edinburgh centre John Houston believes that the club will be clued up on new Italian outfit Zebre ahead of their arrival in Scotland for the first time this Friday.

Northampton Saints ace Gerrit-Jan van Velze will appear at an RFU disciplinary hearing on Tuesday after being cited for an alleged tip tackle.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer says he will largely stick with the side that lost to Australia for Saturday’s clash with the All Blacks.

The defending champion Golden Lions are sweating over the fitness of two of their Springboks, as the Currie Cup competition moves past the halfway mark.

Having recently returned from injury, Western Province flank Rynhardt Elstadt faces another three weeks on the sidelines after suffering a rib injury.

The Nelson Mandela Bay South African Sevens tournament in Port Elizabeth has moved to a weekend format due to popular demand.

The 'cheap' seats for the Springboks versus All Black Test in Soweto will go on sale on Tuesday.

The Western Force signed powerful inside centre Chris Tuatara-Morrison for two years.

The Golden Lions roared back into life and Western Province marched to the top of the standings.

The unbeaten All Blacks dominate the Team of the Week yet again, but Rugby Championship newcomers Argentina also left their mark in Round Three.

Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has been suspended for two weeks for his altercation with Wallaby counterpart Nathan Sharpe in Perth on Saturday.

French-based World Cup-winning veteran lock Bakkies Botha is set to join the Springboks in New Zealand.

The Wallabies passed a test of character with their first win in the Rugby Championship, but are suffering from "captain's curse".

Sydney's talented young club players have everything to play for this month as the Waratahs coaching team bid to fill the two remaining places in the 2013 squad.

South Africa arrived in New Zealand ahead of the most difficult rugby assignment on the planet - still putting forward a united and positive front.

Powerhouse centre Luther Burrell scored his first Premiership try in Northampton colours, as Saints withstood an impressive Exeter Chiefs comeback at Franklin's Gardens to maintain their 100 percent start to the season.

Paul Dobson takes a look at the oldest provincial rugby competition in the world.

All Black ace Sonny Bill Williams made a quiet debut for Japanese club the Wild Knights on Sunday.

He may have picked up a few grey hairs, but WP coach Allister Coetzee was very pleased with his young team's 29-22 Currie Cup victory over the Cheetahs.

Reality has hit Blue Bulls coach Pine Pienaar like a ton of bricks, who has admitted that his team is under pressure in the 2012 Currie Cup.

Any suggestion the Pumas would be pushovers in their Rugby Championship debut was squashed for good on Saturday.

Golden Lions interim coach Johan Ackermann believes the tries his side scored on either side of the half-time break gave them the confidence they needed.

Sharks coach John Plumtree admitted Griquas were simply "more hungry", following his team's 15-22 loss in their Currie Cup encounter.

Star-studded Toulon went top of the Top 14 table with a bonus-point 42-12 rout of Bordeaux-Begles seeing them edge one point ahead of similarly unbeaten Biarritz, who beat Montpellier 27-8.

The Springboks’ woes are set to continue for the remainder of the year due to the severity of their shortcomings, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

All Black and Blues veteran prop Tony Woodcock will play for the Highlanders next season.

The Griffons all but ended the reign of the Boland Cavaliers as First Division champions.

Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has been formally charged to appear before a SANZAR judicial hearing.

Captain Jean de Villiers insists the Boks are on the right track despite a narrow loss to a resurgent Australia.

Australia's stand-in captain Will Genia is expected to be sidelined for up to six months after rupturing knee ligaments.

There was a glimmer of hope for the Boks, as New Zealand said they would wrap ace flyhalf Dan Carter in cotton wool.

Replacement Paul Marshall was the last-gasp hero as Ulster inflicted a second-straight defeat on defending PRO12 champions Ospreys with a 16-13 win.

Leicester boss Richard Cockerill urged his side to up their game despite seeing his side start the season with back-to-back wins in the English Premiership.

Western Province moved to the top of the Currie Cup standings with a hard-fought 29-22 victory over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

A late try from Lionel Mapoe secured a 32-23 bonus-point victory for the Golden Lions over the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The All Blacks were always confident of victory against the Pumas despite an error-riddled performance that saw them pushed right to the end.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans was full of praise for the character his side showed in their tense victory over the Springboks in Perth.  

Griquas struck a vital blow by beating the Sharks 22-15, keeping the Durban side tryless in Kimberley on Saturday.  

Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has been cited following an allegation of foul play in his team's 26-19 defeat to the Wallabies in Perth on Saturday.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer believes that his side's defeat to the Wallabies can be put down to a few crucial lapses in concentration.

South Africa suffered their first defeat under the guidance of Heyneke Meyer, but it also represented a record fifth loss at the hands of Australia.

Australia produced a great come-from-behind win over South Africa in Perth on Saturday, which stretched their run over the Springboks to a record five wins.

The Wallabies produced a convincing second-half performance to claim a hard-fought 26-19 victory over the Springboks in Perth on Saturday.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw was especially pleased with his side's second-half performance against the Pumas in difficult conditions in Wellington.

Key players came to the fore for Argentina in their Rugby Championship clash against the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday.

South African fullback Greg Goosen returned for a third spell in France's Top 14 on Saturday as he signed for struggling Agen as a replacement for the injured former All Black Ben Blair.

The All Blacks needed a late surge to secure a shaky 21-5 victory over a fiery Pumas side in a wet and windy Wellington on Saturday.

The All Blacks negotiated a passionate Pumas side and atrocious conditions to consolidate their position atop the Rugby Championship log on Saturday.

Wales starlet George North made it three tries as the Scarlets ensured Glasgow Warriors' new life at Scotstoun began with an 18-13 defeat.

Harlequins handed Premiership newcomers London Welsh another rude awakening.

Mike Catt has been appointed as England's new attacking skills coach, the Rugby Football Union announced Friday.

The Currie Cup is 120 years old this year, the oldest provincial competition in the world. Paul Dobson asks if interest in the Currie Cup is waning?

Wales prop Gethin Jenkins could be blocked from taking part in the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.

Catalan giants Perpignan go into the fourth weekend of Top 14 action on Saturday still without a win and facing the tricky challenge against Bayonne.

Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper has confirmed he is mulling over a move to Rugby League to link up with good friend Sonny Bill Williams.

The View from the Couch returns after a gap wider than the holes in a Sonny Bill contract.

Western Province head to Bloemfontein in confident mood, but they know it will take another polished performance to beat the Cheetahs on their home turf.

No stone will be left unturned by Lions coach Warren Gatland in his pursuit of a series win over the Wallabies next year.

It is a super Saturday of Rugby Championship and Currie Cup action. We have it all LIVE here!

It quickly became obvious that Outeniqua were going to be the top team in the South Western Districts this year. What did surprise some was just how far behind their local competition lagged.

Ospreys lock Ian Evans has escaped suspension after being red-carded in the PRO12 match against Benetton Treviso last Friday.

Springbok captain Jean de Villiers is hoping to see his team take a big step up when they face the under-fire Wallabies in Perth on Saturday.

Captain Richie McCaw says that the All Black pack are relishing the prospect of wet conditions during their clash with Argentina in Wellington on Saturday.

The Wallabies might be under serious pressure, but their captain Will Genia is trying to focus on the positives ahead of their clash with the Springboks.

The Pumas will be out to cause one of the great upsets when they take on the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday.

It will be a moment of truth for both teams when the Wallabies take on the Springboks at Patersons Stadium in Perth on Saturday.

SA's premier domestic competition, the Currie Cup Premier, reaches the halfway stage in what remains a hotly contested race.

All Black flyhalf Aaron Cruden plans to make the most of his rare starting opportunity in Saturday's Test against Argentina at Westpac Stadium.

Round Two of the PRO12 sees the introduction of two new grounds into the competition, and the return to an old favourite.

It may only be Round Two, but Saracens have laid down an early marker in the 2012/13 Premiership season.

Sharks coach John Plumtree has hailed the versatile skills of Meyer Bosman as crucial to his side's Currie Cup success so far this season.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer believes his charges will have to weather an early storm when they collide with the Wallabies in Perth on Saturday.

We take a look at some of the stats and facts regarding the Test match in Perth on Saturday.

The SWD Eagles will look to keep their First Division play-off hopes alive when they host the Leopards at Outeniqua Park in George on Friday.

Springbok scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar believes disrupting Wallaby captain Will Genia will be the key to victory on Saturday.

The All Blacks have one eye on the future and one on the past as the Graham Henry factor looms large in the run-up to Saturday's clash with Argentina.

Argentina coach Santiago Phelan has announced his replacements for Saturday's Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand in Wellington.

Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann has made eight changes to his side as they look to bounce back from defeat to Griquas against the Blue Bulls this weekend.

Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore has been ruled out of the Rugby Championship clash with the Springboks due to a hamstring strain.

The situation in the match will be the determining factor, but Cheetahs prodigy Johan Goosen may well be unleashed on the unsuspecting Wallabies.

The reveiew will be in three parts. Tis part deals with the Western Province Premier A League plus Outeniqua of South Western Districts.

The only unforced change to the Western Province team to face the Cheetahs is at prop as Allister Coetzee manages his front row resources carefully.

Debbie Jevans has replaced Paul Vaughan who has stepped down from his post as Chief Executive of the England 2015 Rugby World Cup organising body.

The Blue Bulls have moved swiftly to put last week's disaster behind them, as they prepare to face the Golden Lions.

Frederic Michalak is really enjoying his return to the French Top 14 competition with Toulon but admits he and the team have room for improvement.

Dan Carter has pulled out of the All Blacks side for Saturday's Rugby Championship clash with Argentina in Wellington, forcing a sixth change.

All Black coach Steve Hansen has made five changes to his side for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with the Pumas in Wellington.

Gloucester Rugby have boosted their front row resources with the confirmation that they have signed Italian international hooker Tommaso d’Apice.

Suspicions that veteran Springbok lock Andries Bekker is still struggling to shake off injuries have proven to be spot on.

London Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Youngs says his side faces ‘a real test of character’ against Bath this weekend.

Leicester Tigers flank Ben Woods on Wednesday announced his retirement from professional rugby.

The Scarlets have added more strength to their tight five with the acquisition of Eastern Province Kings lock Johan Snyman.

Sharks coach John Plumtree has been forced to make just one change to his side for the clash with Griquas in Kimberley with lock Steven Sykes sidelined through injury.

Western Province coach Allister Coetzee was not surprised to see Duane Vermeulen named at No.8 for the Springboks.

Lions coach Warren Gatland hopes to have his backroom staff in place prior to the start of the year-end internationals.

B&I Lions coach Warren Gatland said he would travel to France on Wednesday to meet with potential squad members.

B&I Lions coach Warren Gatland has re-opened the World Cup refereeing can of worms by suggesting ARU boss John O'Neill had a role to play.

WP coach Allister Coetzee has been forced to change his winning combination for the Currie Cup clash against the Free State Cheetahs.

Blue Bulls coach Pine Pienaar included Tuks flank Warwick Tecklenburg in his starting team to play the Golden Lions.

Springbok loose forward Heinrich Brüssow will make his long-awaited return to the playing field on Saturday.

Exciting backline star Luzuko Vulindlu will face his former Sharks teammates when he runs out for Griquas on the wing in a Currie Cup Round Five match.

Australian openside star Michael Hooper is convinced South Africa could be beaten with the same tactics that worked at the World Cup last year.

Tim Fairbrother has been released from his Harlequens contract, at his request, so that he can return home to New Zealand.

The Highlanders have signed Tasman lock Joe Wheeler on a two-year contract.

Sharks' coach John Plumtree is wary of his team's next Currie Cup encounter, against the Griquas in Kimberley.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer stuck to his word and made a number of changes to his under-performing team.

The Welsh Rugby Union have given their full support the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia.

The Golden Lions need to get a better attitude on defence or face the prospect of dropping off the Currie Cup play-off pace.

Argentina wing Gonzalo Camacho says the inaugural Rugby Championship is the ultimate learning curve for the Pumas.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset believes that Wheelchair Rugby will capture the imagination of sports fans around the world when the Paralympic competition begins on Wednesday.

A disciplinary hearing for Ospreys lock Ian Evans will be held in Edinburgh on Thursday afternoon.

London Irish have snapped up exciting ex-Rondebosch Boys' High School tighthead prop Richard Palframan from the Sharks.

The All Blacks were far removed from their traditional training kit during Tuesday’s training session in Wellington.

Warren Gatland has been given the seal of approval by the king of Lions coaches, Ian McGeechan.

Having had their first taste of success, Griquas are determined to continue feasting on the big guns of the Currie Cup competition.

Sharks coach John Plumtree and young Blue Bulls points machine Louis Fouché scooped the monthly Currie Cup awards.

The All Blacks did their best to play down the role of their World Cup-winning former coach, Graham Henry, with the Pumas.

Warren Gatland said he was ready for a "hell of a challenge" after being appointed coach of the B&I Lions for next year's tour of Australia.

The Blue Bulls suffered a huge blow with the news that seasoned loose forward Deon Stegmann has been ruled out for the remainder of the Currie Cup season.

This is the final FNB Top 20 for the 2012, and the team we have ranked top is Paarl Boys' High After years of Grey dominance, there is a new team at the top.

Recalled Springbok loose forward Francois Louw has called on his teammates to "stay composed" and focussed on the job at hand.

Three boys from Kearsney College - Daniel du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez and Sandile Kubeka - returned to school this week after being awarded their SA Schools’ colours following the Four Nations U18 series.

Argentina have been bolstered by the return of first choice flyhalf Juan Martin Hernandez and flank Juan Manuel Leguizamon.

Kurtley Beale has been recalled to the Wallabies starting line-up to face South Africa in a Rugby Championship Test in Perth on Saturday.

The injury doubt hovering over Springbok hooker Adriaan Strauss could rob South Africa of more than just another No.2.

The RFU has been "forced" to apologise to former Chairman and acting Chief Executive Martyn Thomas.

Western Province coach Allister Coetzee remained upbeat after they shrugged off a chaotic week and climbed to second position in the Currie Cup standings.

Australia believe they are much closer to producing a big win than their two recent losses to New Zealand suggest.

Charlie Hodgson has become the first player to score 2000 points in the English Premiership.

The Rugby Championship gets going again and in Valencia, a city some 180km from Caracas in Venezuela, the first South American matches are played towards qualification for the 2015 World Cup.

The injury curse has struck another Springbok hooker, with Adriaan Strauss the latest South African No.2 to break down.

It has been a long time coming, but Western Province produced a sublime performance to dismiss their arch rivals in the most emphatic fashion.

The Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd on Monday revealed that Wiaan Liebenberg and William Small-Smith both extended their current contracts.

It may not be as an exciting prospect as watching Sonny Bill Williams' unique skill-sets, but the old guard of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith will be just as effective.

Pride will supersede championship points when the Springboks and the Wallabies lock horns in Perth on Saturday, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

Coach Heyneke Meyer gave the Boks a few days to 're-charge' the batteries, before pushing them very hard.

Leicester showed Premiership newboys London Welsh the standards required to thrive in the top-flight as they cruised to a 38-13 victory at the Kassam Stadium on Sunday.

WP coach Allister Coetzee stepped into the role of Colonel John 'Hannibal' Smith, the icon of the famous A-Team series.

Blue Bulls coach Pine Pienaar lambasted his side for 'not turning up' at Newlands at the weekend

Having already given South Africa a fright, Argentina are determined to prove they are not just home town performers.

The Australia media seems ready to write his rugby obit, but Wallaby coach Robbie Deans is not writing Quade Cooper off.

The unbeaten Eastern Province Kings kept their closest challengers, the Pumas, at arm's length at the top of the First Division standings.

John Plumtree was a proud man after watching his Sharks side claim a stunning come-from-behind victory over the Cheetahs.