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Guinness Premiership leaders Bristol were made to work hard to get the better of European minnows Bucuresti in Romania on Saturday in the Challenge Cup.

We have had in successive weeks two massive finals - the Currie Cup Final in Bloemfontein and the Air New Zealand Cup Final in Hamilton - both grand occasions with packed stadiums, and cheerful, colourful spectators in festive mood.

Guinness Premiership leaders Bristol were made to work hard to get the better of European minnows Bucuresti in Romania on Saturday in the Challenge Cup.

Guinness Premiership leaders Bristol were made to work hard to get the better of European minnows Bucuresti in Romania on Saturday in the Challenge Cup.

The European Challenge Cup kicks off in South West France this evening, when Montauban host Brive in the intimidating Stade Sapiac.

An injury-time penalty goal from Adrian Jarvis gave Harlequins a nail-biting 19-18 European Challenge Cup win over Connacht in Galway on Friday.

An injury-time penalty goal from Adrian Jarvis gave Harlequins a nail-biting 19-18 European Challenge Cup win over Connacht in Galway on Friday.

The European Challenge Cup kicks off in South West France this evening, when Montauban host Brive in the intimidating Stade Sapiac.

An injury-time penalty goal from Adrian Jarvis gave Harlequins a nail-biting 19-18 European Challenge Cup win over Connacht in Galway on Friday.

The European Challenge Cup kicks off in South West France this evening, when Montauban host Brive in the intimidating Stade Sapiac.

An injury-time penalty goal from Adrian Jarvis gave Harlequins a nail-biting 19-18 European Challenge Cup win over Connacht in Galway on Friday.

The European Challenge Cup kicks off in South West France this evening, when Montauban host Brive in the intimidating Stade Sapiac.

Glasgow Warriors and Saracens have a bit of European Challenge Cup history going on, and Warriors coach Sean Lineen is keen to start making amends for their near miss three years ago when Saracens edged them out of the knock-out stages.

Glasgow Warriors and Saracens have a bit of European Challenge Cup history going on, and Warriors coach Sean Lineen is keen to start making amends for their near miss three years ago when Saracens edged them out of the knock-out stages.

Glasgow Warriors and Saracens have a bit of European Challenge Cup history going on, and Warriors coach Sean Lineen is keen to start making amends for their near miss three years ago when Saracens edged them out of the knock-out stages.

Bryce Lawrence of Bay of Plenty has been appointed to referee the first Air New Zealand Cup Final. He has high hopes of a great match.

Geoff Miller, one of the great historians and statisticians of the rugby world, has written down some titbits about New Zealand's provincial competition as the final of the Air New Zealand Cup between Waikato and Wellington approaches.

Glasgow Warriors and Saracens have a bit of European Challenge Cup history going on, and Warriors coach Sean Lineen is keen to start making amends for their near miss three years ago when Saracens edged them out of the knock-out stages.

Bryce Lawrence of the Bay of Plenty has been appointed to referee the first Air New Zealand Cup Final, the lineal descendant of the NPC finals.

While illustrious Top 14 counterparts like Toulouse are battling it out at the summit of the Heineken action, Albi, new to France's top flight and with a tenth of the budget of Toulouse, will take their first cautious steps in European competition when they line-up in the European Challenge Cup against Clermont on Saturday.

While illustrious Top 14 counterparts like Toulouse are battling it out at the summit of the Heineken action, Albi, new to France's top flight and with a tenth of the budget of Toulouse, will take their first cautious steps in European competition when they line-up in the European Challenge Cup against Clermont on Saturday.

It's also the weekend of finals in New Zealand, and - can you believe it? - it's the first round of the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup already.

While illustrious Top 14 counterparts like Toulouse are battling it out at the summit of the Heineken action, Albi, new to France's top flight and with a tenth of the budget of Toulouse, will take their first cautious steps in European competition when they line-up in the European Challenge Cup against Clermont on Saturday.

Bryce Lawrence will referee the Air New Zealand Cup finals between Waikato and Wellington in Waikato Stadium on Saturday evening.

While illustrious Top 14 counterparts like Toulouse are battling it out at the summit of the Heineken action, Albi, new to France's top flight and with a tenth of the budget of Toulouse, will take their first cautious steps in European competition when they line-up in the European Challenge Cup against Clermont on Saturday.

All referees who have refereed a Currie Cup final will say that it was a, if not the, highlight of their refereeing career, even those who have refereed Test matches. And Jonathan Kaplan talks about the excitement of it all.

We have received quite a response to the announcement of the proposed IRB scrum and breakdown law changes, with particular attention given to the scrum and the likely introduction of the word 'touch' between 'hold' and 'engage'.

Malcolm Changleng of Scotland will referee Spain versus Romania in Madrid this Saturday as the Rugby World Cup Qualifiers continue to produce the finalists for France 2007. After their victory in Georgia, if they win at the University of Madrid Stadium, the Romanian Oaks will qualify and join New Zealand and Scotland in Pool C.

Paul Honiss and Bryce Lawrence have been appointed to referee the Air New Zealand Cup semi-finals.

The Cheetahs (née Orange Free State) have played the Blue Bulls (née Northern Transvaal) seven times in finals. The score is 6-1 to the Blue Bulls.

The first Currie Cup Final was played in 1939, at Newlands when Transvaal beat Western Province. That was the last time Western Province lost a final at Newlands.

The International Rugby Board (IRB), whose primary function is to formulate the Laws of the Game, is concerned about player welfare and is looking at possible law changes in the interests of player welfare.

Jonathan Kaplan becomes just the fifth referee in South Africa's rugby history to have refereed more than two Currie Cup Finals. Only 22 referees have refereed finals. But then there have been only 45 finals.

In South Africa there is all the excitement of the Currie Cup final this weekend, still a great occasion, still the hardest match to get tickets for in South Africa. After all it has been in competition for 114 years.

Unsurprisingly Jonathan Kaplan is to referee Saturday's Currie Cup final in Bloemfontein when the Cheetahs, the holders of the Currie Cup, play the Blue Bulls.

Wayne Barnes of England will referee the World Cup qualifier between Romania and Georgia in Bucharest on Saturday, a Round 5 European qualifier for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.

On Saturday the USA play Uruguay in Stanford in the second leg of their World Cup qualifier, and the referee is Rob Debney of England.

Tension does not abate this weekend as a great Currie Cup season goes into the semi-finals. Semi-finals have not always been with us - not by a long chalk. In fact they are not even 40 years old.

The International Rugby Board's selection committee to appoint match officials met in Dublin and announced the match officials for 29 Tests between 28 October and 26 November.

Following a meeting of the Match Official Selection Committee in Dublin the IRB has announced the match official panels. There are no changes to the panel of referees.

As spring springs higher in the south, the Air New Zealand Cup heads for quarter-finals and South Africa's Currie Cup heads for the semi-finals. It is a tense time when the difference between victory and defeat is so dramatic.

Here we go again - back to lines and line-outs. It is astonishing how often it comes up.

The New Zealand RFU has appointed the referees for the quarter-finals of the Air New Zealand Cup. The top referees are in action.

George Clancy of Ireland is in Ururguay where he will referee his first Test and it is a World Cup qualifier between Uruguay and the USA, the first leg of a qualifier which will decide which of the two will head straight for France in 2007.

There have been some disturbing statistics over the past couple of weeks, which show more clearly than ever that rugby's media bubble is apparently bursting. But it is not the fans who are deserting the game, as some would have you believe, merely that they are not interested in artificial realities, according to Danny Stephens.

Romania kicked off the European Under-20 Championship with a big win over Spain in Sopot, Poland. The reigning champions, Georgia, had a tough time against Russia.

Russia and Spain carry good wins from their first legs which were away. The match in Montevideo is crucial. This is an exciting time for the teams as the carrot of France 2007 dangles in front of them.

Former Australia captain Andrew Slack believes there needs to be a rule change in rugby to allow for more exciting play.

The IRB has made known the referes for its Sevens Series which starts in Dubai in December. Taizo Hirabayashi, the impressive Japanese referee, will referee at all eight tournaments.

The number of Tests has dwindled to just a few in Africa.

The South African panel of referees' selectors has chosen the referees for the semi-finals and finals of the three main SA Rugby Union's competitions.

The Tri-Nations has now run its long, cumbersome course. Sadly it lost its competitive edge when New Zealand won so early.

Andrew Small, rugby referee, enjoys travelling, and this weekend he is off to Ricany, a small town in Central Bohemia, to referee a World Cup qualifier between Spain and the Czech Republic.

Ireland's Simon McDowell will referee the final of the Women's World Cup being played in Edmonton Canada.

"Go West, young man." That was the American exhortation as the country opened up. Port Elizabeth could not go east as it would then tumble down the hill and into Algoa Bay. Instead it went west along the Cape Road, and where the Cape Road meets the Kragga Kamma Road is the upmarket suburb of Framesby.

The Women's World Cup reaches its knock-out stages this week, with semi-finals on Tuesday and the winner to be decided on Saturday. Simon McDowell of Ireland will referee the final.

There are the stats from the match between South Africa and Australia at Ellis Park, plus some totals for all nine weeks of the Tri-Nations including the most penalised player for Tri-Nations 2006, and he is not a "fetcher".

The big match of the pool section of the Women's World Cup, taking place in Edmonton, is between England and France this Friday.

In this year when we celebrated the centenary of the first team to be called the Springboks, the team captained by Paul Roos, Paul Roos end the season as the No.1 team in the FNB Top 20.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced the nominees in three of the twelve categories ahead of the ceremony to be held on 26 November at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, Scotland.

The penultimate match of the big 2006 Tri-Nations was played in remote Rustenburg between South Africa and New Zealand.

Hosts Wynberg gave their fans plenty to cheer about when they won the annual Wynberg Under-15 Sevens tournament at the weekend, with a comprehensive 47-17 win over Bishops in the Final.

As expected Bishops won the 2006 Villager Sevens title on Friday night. In front of a small but enthusiastic crowd Diocesan College beat the South African College School (SACS) 19-14 in the final.

Just before half-time in the match between New Zealand and South Africa at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace outside the mining town of Rustenburg, with the All Blacks trailing 13-10, New Zealand hooker Andrew Hore dives under the South African posts and clearly grounds the ball. But the referee asks the television match official for his advice.

The 2006 Tri-Nations ends at Ellis Park on Saturday with the last match for 2006 between South Africa and Australia.

The second round of the Women's World Cup, being played in Canada, takes place on Monday, 4 September in Edmonton.

What a great comeback by South Africa! It's a long journey from 49-0 in Brisbane to 21-20 in Rustenburg.

The Cionfederation of African Rugby's Under-18 tournament is taking place in Casablanca from 25 August to 3 September.

This opens in Edmonton on Thursday, 31 August 2006.

Only three of the teams in the FNB Top 20 played this last weekend - Paul Roos, Bishops and Marlow. Two of those teams met.

It is not often that a scholar from a so-called “smaller” school finds himself in the company of the very best players from the top rugby schools in his province. One has to be a special player to reach the top of such a distinguished bunch of schoolboys, and that is exactly what Johan van Wyk of Hoërskool Gelofte has achieved.

The Tri-Nations goes on, this week in the unusual town of Rustenburg in South Africa's northwest. In England the Premiership starts.

Paul Roos, ranked top of the FNB Top 20, beat Marlow of Cradock 50-12 in the Big Schools final of Die Burger's competition which stretches from Western Province to Eastern Province.

Yet again the cool All Blacks came from behind for a convincing victory, this time beating South Africa 45-26 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria..

The results this weekend have dwindled down to a precious few, and then they will stop altogether. In one of them Wynberg won the last FNB Classic Clash of 2006.

Earlier this season Bishops beat Rondebosch 71-3 in an FNB Classic Clash at Rondebosch. This time they won 75-22 at Bishops.

Wynberg beat SACS 42-3 in the final FNB Classic Clash of the year - and they had a lot to thank SACS for.

Paul Roos Gymnasium and Marlow Agricultural School meet on the Markötter Field in Stellenbosch on Saturday in the final of Die Burger's competition for schools.

The two oldest schools in South Africa meet on the rugby field on Saturday when Wynberg Boys' High host the South African College School (SACS) in a FNB Classic Clash. The match will be televised live on Supersport 1 and MNET (kick-off: 12.25)

The oldest school in South Africa, the South African College School (SACS), plays the second oldest, Wynberg Boy’s High, on Saturday in an FNB Classic Clash. The match will be played at Wynberg and will be televised live on Supersport. Zack Beukman has the honour of leading SACS.

A loose forward who was an instant hit as a prop, big, strong Frik Kirsten is our FNB Player of the Week.

The season is drawing to a close but even in these dying embers there is the bright spark of great matches which have affected the FNB Top 20.

The Tri-Nations match between New Zealand and Australia in Auckland certainly produced drama - and lots and lots of emotional argument - all of claiming impartiality of course!

Adelaide Gimnasium just beat Winterberg Agricultural 10-7 in Fort Beaufort on Saturday, an FNB Classic Clash.

England's referees have urged the International Rugby Board (IRB) to confirm whether they can implement proposed new laws designed to discourage teams from deliberately forcing uncontested scrums.

In Saturday's dramatic match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies, Lote Tuqiri tackled Richie McCaw in what is often called a spear-tackle. Even the New Zealand Prime Minister has had her say about it.

The Tri-Nations moves to South Africa this week. The winner may have been decided but there is still a lot of pride and rivalry at stake.

There were two incidents in Saturday's gripping encounter between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Auckland that have whipped up lots of emotion.

The Queen’s 1st XV ended their 2006 season with a convincing 24-3 victory over Dale College on the Rec on Saturday afternoon, bringing to a close a season which will be remembered as one of the finest in many years.

Affies beat Waterkloof 17-7 in the final of the Beeld Trophy, played at Waterkloof on Saturday.

It was cold and wet in George on Saturday, putting a literal damper on the Pukke/Kwagga Sports Day.

Paul Roos, the top team on the FNB Top 20, won their FNB Classic Clash in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

On a fine but chilly morning at Rondebosch, SACS were full value for their win if only by virtue of the fact that they scored the only two tries of the match. The final score was a bit closer than in the first game, SACS eventually beating their hosts 16-9.

The big All Black second half decided the outcome of the 2006 Tri-Nations. It was a match with controversial parts - the Elsom try and the Tuqiri tackle, amongst other things.

At the Outeniqua Sports day, in the rain and the cold, Daniël Pienaar of Uitenhage beat Worcester Gim 10-0.

Paul Roos travelled up to Bloemfontein and beat Grey College 16-11 in their FNB Classic Clash on Saturday. The match was televised.

There was not the fluency in Bishops play that there had been the week before against SACS as Wynberg competed with zest, but they still won 45-8.

Adelaide Gimnasium play Winterberg Agricultural in Fort Beaufort on Saturday, an FNB Classic Clash.

Waterkloof play host to Affies in the Beeld Trophy Big Schools Final on Saturday. Waterkloof are ranked 2nd on the FNB Top 20, Affies 3rd.

Winterberg Agricultural College host Adelaide Gimnasium in a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday. Gerhard Strydom captains the hosts from the side of the scrum.

Adelaide Gimnasium travel 30 kilometres out of town on Saturday to face local rivals Winterberg Agricultural College in a FNB Classic Clash. Ricky de Gouveia captains Adelaide.

Two of South Africa’s great rugby schools meet on Saturday when Grey College of Bloemfontein play host to their traditional rivals Paul Roos Gimnasium from Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. The match is a televised FNB Classic Clash and centre Wayne Stevens captains the hosts.

The harmony Sports Academy is a school with a difference - a school and yet not a school. It contracts out the academic side of school life and gets on with the sporting side.

Scott Young, the top referee, has decided to call active refereeing a day and get on with business.

With the Springboks in the throws of a very disappointing season, David Morris beseeches South Africa's selectors to open their eyes to alternatives...

Marlow Landbou of Cradock beat Daniël Pienaar of Uitenhage by the narrowest of margins on Tuesday.

This is a big one - Grey against Paul Roos in an FNB Classic Clash - the lion and the unicorn battling it out all over Bloemfontein top see who will wear the crown.

There are fewer matches now but there have also been some top flight matches - great schools going head to head with each other with a few surprising results which have produced changes in our FNB Top 20, where so many great rugby schools run each other so close.

Against SACS on Saturday Mathew Turner, the Bishops left wing, scored six tries. He is the FNB Player of the Week.

Gill College of Somerset East, overwhelming favourites in their FNB Classic Clash against Cradock High won 10-9 with a penalty a minute before the end.

In their FNB Clash in Malmesbury on Saturday Schoonspruit beat Wesbank 36-10, a record score for this derby.

Paul Roos are the No.1 ranked team in the country and captaining them is a real honour. Stephan van der Merwe has that honour.

In their FNB Classic Clash with Klein Nederburg New Orleans won again but just 7-5.

After a great career as an international referee, Scott Young of Australia has decided to end his refereeing career at the end of the current domestic season in Australia.

Outeniqua’s annual sports day takes place kin George on Saturday. 16 rugby teams will take part

The Queen's 1st XV continued on their winning way but made heavy weather of their 34-19 victory over Cambridge un East London on Saturday afternoon.

In an exciting clash of the youngsters, the New Pretenders to the senior rugby thrones of Kenya and Uganda faced off against each other in the second Elgon Cup curtain-raiser match at the famous Harlequins ground in Nairobi last Saturday. The hosts emerged convincing victors, scoring 29 points to Uganda’s 10.

New Zealand play Australia in Auckland. They could well decide the fate of the Tri-Nations by winning the match, even though there are three matches still to be played.

The Springbok rugby team has not had a great year, certainly one of the worst since the return from isolation in 1992 - with a four-match losing streak. Dave Morris takes a look at what is available in terms of player power.

Union High beat near neighbours Volkskool 30-3 in an FNB Classic Clash in Graaff-Reinet on Saturday.

In cold, windy Uitenhage, Daniël Pienaar beat Port Rex 48-13 on Saturday after leading 19-6 at half-time.

Bishops beat SACS 76-14 on the Piley Rees Field at Bishops on Saturday.

Graeme captain and flyhalf Lorenzo Southey dominated against Muir on Saturday to give Graeme a surprise but convincing 29-13 victory.

Saving their best for last, Glenwood's 'Green Machine' produced a champions look about it’s 14-10 victory over highly ranked Grey College on Dixons Field in Durban on Saturday.

There were few matches this weekend but some big ones, including four FNB Classic Clashes.

Schoonspruit and Wesbank, both keen rugby schools in Malmesbury, meet in an FNB Classic Clash on Saturday afternoon.

Klein Nederburg and New Orleans meet in an FNB Classic Clash at the Faure Street ground in Paarl on Saturday.

Malmesbury plays host to a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday when Wesbank and Schoonspruit meet. Talented loose forward Vincent Roberts will lead out Schoonspruit.

Union High and Volkskool are just down the road from each other, and the rivalry between the two has been great down the years.

Cradock High travel the 110 km across to Somerset East for their FNB Classic Clash with Gill on Saturday.

Union High and Volkskool, near neighbours, play in an FNB Classic Clash on Saturday, a match which will be televised.

Elrich Kroutz leads Klein Nederburg against New Orleans in the second successive week of big Paarl Derbies at the Faure Street Sportsground, another FNB Classic Clash.

Wesbank Sekondere Skool is a big school in Malmesbury, a keen rugby school.

The original inter-schools derby between Gim and Boishaai may have taken place in Paarl last week but an equally important FNB Classic Clash takes place in the town this week as New Orleans and Klein Nederburg do battle. For the second year in a row Herschall Collins captains New Orleans. 

Nottingham High School from England, founded in1513, are touring South Africa and in the third game of their tour they faced the South African College High School (SACS), the oldest school in South Africa. Founded in 1829 SACS may give away more than 300 years in history to Nottingham but the hosts were more than a match for their visitors on the rugby field. SACS running out comprehensive winners by 48 points to five.

The Graaff–Reinet derby between Volkskool and Union High is another FNB Classic Clash. Gareth Light will lead out Union High.

Malmesbury plays host to a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday as local schools Schoonspruit and Wesbank face each other in the town derby. Melvin Lazarus captains the underdogs on their big day out.

Possibly the outstanding result of the weekend was Waterkloof' victory over Monument, a big turnabout from what happened earlier in the season and ending Monnas' reign as Beeld champions.

In the wet South Western Districts Marlow Landbou of Cradock beat Oakdale Landbou of Riversdale 25-18 un a close FNB Classic Clash on Saturday.

France's Top 14 starts on 18 August wuith the match between Biarritz and Clermont Ferrand.

The Beeld Trophy for big Schools is building to a climax and will crown a new winner this hear after Waterkloof knocked out Monument.

Cradock High School travel to Somerset-East on Saturday to face Gill College in a FNB Classic Clash. Hannes Lombard will lead out the visitors in what is his forty-seventh game for the 1st XV.

Graaff-Reinet hosts a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday as Volkskool and Union High meet in the local derby. Iaan Fourie captains Volkskool from the scrumhalf position.

Gill College of Somerset East host Cradock High in a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday. Hlanga Nodongwe captains the host team.

It is quieter this weekend without Tri-Nations matches, but there is an important World Cup qualifier in Newfoundland.

Despite a spirited performance from the plucky young Hangklip side, they were no match for the superior Queen’s 1st XV who dominated the match from start to finish and ran out worthy winners by 44 points to nil, playing some entertaining rugby in the process.

There were some big results this weekend including two FNB Classic Clashes-in Riversdale and Paarl.

SACS produced their best performance of the season in outplaying the highly rated Strand outfit by 41 points to three in Newlands on Saturday. The field may have been wet from the week's rain but the weather and the SACS team were hot.

Beaten in Pietermaritzburg Glenwood turned the tables on College by beating them 19-14 in Durban.

It was a strange match in Sydney when Australia beat South Africa 20-18 - mostly drab but with a thrilling finish.

Paarl Gim duly won their great Interschools in Paarl, beating Paarl Boys' High 23-17 in their FNB Classic Clash.

Hilton received DHS on Saturday and beat them 26-15.

Australia played New Zealand in Brisbane and lost. For the first time this Tri-Nations there were no post-match complaints about the refereeing. A mercy!

In an attractive FNB Classic Clash played at Boland Stadium on Saturday, Bergrivier beat Wellington rivals Weltevrede 14-0.

Gill College of Somerset East is one of the grand old schools of South Africa. As with several great schools, like SACS, Bishops and St Andrew's it was part university. In Somerset East!

There is only really one true Interschools, although many have tried to adopt the name, and that is Boishaai against Gimnasium in Paarl. Thys-Koch Burden will lead out the men in blue at Faure Street on Saturday afternoon.

Muir College of Uitenhage defeated Despatch 20-17 in an entertaining schools rugby match played in dampish conditions in Uitenhage on Tuesday, 1 August 2006.

Oakdale Agricultural High School of Riversdale host Marlow of Cradock in a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday. Johan Mõller captains the hosts.

On Saturday there will be the usual massive turn-out at the Faure Street ground in Paarl when Gim play Boys' High in Interschools, an FNB Classic Clash. Super-captain Jean Rossouw captains Gim.

 It is the Interschools in Paarl on Saturday when Bloedwors and Galpil meet and it is an FNB Classic Clash - the grandest and most intense schools match of the year in South Africa.

Lots of people speak of Interschools but really there is only one called the *Interschools - when Gim and Boys' High meet in Paarl in the third term each year.

Die Burger has a rugby competition in its main distribution area. Two of those competitions are complete and third is due soon for a final.

More and more fewer and fewer schools are playing but still there were some big ones in action this last weekend, enough to produce some jostling on the FNB Top 20.

In what turned out to be a lovely afternoon in Stellenbosch, Paul Roos put on a wonderful display of total rugby in beating SACS 52-10.

Bishops and Paarl Gim played to a thrilling 15-all draw on the Piley Rees Field at Bishops on Saturday. It was a wonderful advertisement for schoolboy rugby by teams who had been ranked equal on the FNB Top 20..

The Tri-Nations rattles on - in Sydney this week. In Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa provincial championships carry on.

Welkom Gimnasium are well ahead of Goudveld in derby victories dating back to 1963.

Oakdale of Riversdale is one of South Africa's top rugby schools, situated in the green and beautiful South Western Districts, where the Garden Route gets going.

In an FNB Clkassic Clash in Welkom on Saturday, hosts Welkom Gimnasioum were much too strong for Goudveld and won 45-11.

Outeniqua won the FNB Classic Clash 29-7 on Struisiesdag, showing too much skill and speed for willing Oudtshoorn.

Daniël Pienaar have come on leaps and bounds this season and follow their victories over Framesby and Grey with a 33-21 over Dale, an attractive match played at a high tempo.

There were three FNB Classic Clashes this weekend, a battle between the Greys, an upset in KwaZulu Natal, a close affair in Pretoria and a great match in the Cape.

Australia vs New Zealand in Brisbane - what a great Test - an old-fashioned one where every bit of nerve and sinew was harnessed with absolute concentration and determination as two great sides met.

On Saturday Graeme College beat Kingswood for the first time since 1996.  Played in damp and cold conditions, the game was not the biggest spectacle, and was thus a low scoring affair, the final score 14-7.

In the third match of their South African tour Italy Under-18 beat the Golden Lions 43-24 at the Roodepoort Rugby Club on Wednesday afternoon.

In Week 1, there were complaints by the losing side about the referee - hefty ones. In Week 2, the complaints by the losing side were there, insistent though quieter. In Week 3, the complaints were by the winning side and much, much quieter.

South African Schools B beat the touring Italian Under-18 side 22-5 in Witbank on Friday evening, a curtainraiser to the Currie Cup match between the Pumas and the Valke.

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has honoured 21 Australian Test Referees at ceremony in Brisbane, with a further 17 referees being honoured in Sydney tomorrow.

Bergrivier face off against local rivals Weltevrede in the Wellington derby on Saturday afternoon. The match is a FNB Classic Clash and Jameson Jones captains Bergrivier from the eighth-man position.

The small Boland town of Wellington comes to a stand still on Saturday afternoon as Weltevrede and Bergrivier meet in a FNB Classic Clash. Weazel Zealand captains Weltevrede from the back of the scrum.

This Saturday, Welkom Gimnasium, the favourites, play arch rivals Goudveld in an FNB Classic Clash, and Wynand Pienaar is their captain.

There is always great enthusiasm when the Kwaggas and the Struisies meet, as they do this Saturday in an FNB Classic Clash. Schoeman Laubscher captains the Struisies.

Noord-Kaap of Kimberley won the big one on the Saturday and were again on the winning side on the Monday. They beat Diamantveld on Saturday and Dulwich from South London on Monday.

On Saturday Goudveld play arch rivals in an FNB Classic Clash, the great Welkom derby which attracts some 10 000 spectators - ardent spectators.

Cecil Afrika comes as a breath of fresh air in the stifling biff-bang of modern rugby. He is an exciting young player of verve and infinite promise.

The Queen’s 1st XV went on a try scoring spree in the first half of their match against the visiting Port Rex, to record a convincing 36-7 victory, after leading 24-0 at halftime.

The name says it all. Welkom is built because of gold and Goudveld is in Welkom because the Goldfields grew so rapidly and needed schools.

The holidays are over, Craven Week has come and gone, and many of South Africa's top rugby schools are at it again, hammer and tongs.

NEC Harlequins - double winners of the European Challenge Cup title - will kick-off their bid for a tournament treble with a challenging Pool Four trip to Galway to take on Connacht on the opening weekend.

We profile Welkom Gimnasium of the Goldfields.

NEC Harlequins - double winners of the European Challenge Cup title - will kick-off their bid for a tournament treble with a challenging Pool Four trip to Galway to take on Connacht on the opening weekend.

The big match is the rematch between Australia and New Zealand in Brisbane. New Zealand one the first one in New Zealand and since both have had comfortable wins over South Africa.

NEC Harlequins - double winners of the European Challenge Cup title - will kick-off their bid for a tournament treble with a challenging Pool Four trip to Galway to take on Connacht on the opening weekend.

Westville Boys’ High School’s 1st XV lived up to their reputation by winning both games at the DHS 140th Anniversary Rugby Festival over the past weekend.

Durban High School is celebrating 140 years of its foundation. art of its birthday fun was a rugby festival over the weekend.

NEC Harlequins - double winners of the European Challenge Cup title - will kick-off their bid for a tournament treble with a challenging Pool Four trip to Galway to take on Connacht on the opening weekend.

On Goldstone's on Saturday Maritzburg College beat visitors Kearsney 20-10.

France's Top 14 season kicks off on 18 August when Biarritz play Clermont Auvergne in Biarritz. It ends with the final on 9 June 2007.

Pau and Toulon are down from the Top 145 and into Pro D2 this season. Gaillac is up from the Federal leagues. The matches start on the first weekend of September

At Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein on Saturday afternoon, South African Schools beat Italy Under-18 39-13. At half-time the home side led 8-3.

Craven Week is over, the term has started gain and lots of schools are again in action. Some schools have taken off rugby till next year, which must leave boys wondering what on earth to do! And in Bloemfontein SA Schools beat Italy Under-18 39-13.

Daniël Pienaar of Uitenhage pulled off a thrilling, narrow victory over Grey of Port Elizabeth which was far greater than a one-point difference would suggest. They won 19-18 after leading 6-5 at half-time.

SACS beat Paarl Boys' High 12-10 in an enthralling encounter at SACS on Saturday. The game was played in overcast conditions and underfoot conditions were difficult for both sides but the teams still managed to produce entertaining and enterprising rugby.

Kicks counted when New Zealand beat South Africa 35-17 at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday night, but then kicks are very often the result of pressure.

Bernd Gabbei of Berlin has decided that the time has come to hang up his whistle after 13 years as a Test referee.

The 2006 South African Schools side will play against Italy Under-18 in Bloemfontein on Saturday - a match the South Africans would be expected to win.

It is only the second week of Tri-Nations and for the second time the coach of the well-beaten team has complained about the referee. This could easily become a boring weekly occurrence.

At Newlands on Saturday, Rassie Erasmus, the Cheetahs' coach, was twice told to leave the playing enclosure and twice he refused. He led to an exchange of unpleasantries.

Australia broke records in beating South Africa 49-0 and the score could have been even bigger. Australia were actually over the line on ?? occasions while the South Africans seldom threatened.

New Zealand thumped Australia, and then Australia thrashed South Africa. What will happen this week? And in Montevideo there is an important 2007 Rugby World Cup qualifier.

The final day of the Independent Schools Festival was played at Kearsney College, Botha's Hill on Saturday.

Let's compare, by province,  the standings of the FNB Top 20, the results from Craven Week and the Academy Week and the number of players in the two national teams..

The 43rd Craven Week ended ion Johannesburg after five playing days of rugby with lots of tries. On the final day the Blue Bulls proved their worth by beating the Golden Lions in the prestigious final match of the tournament.

The Blue Bulls are the undisputed kings of Craven Week 2006 after their big win over the Golden Lions, an even bigger win than the score suggests.

At the end of the 2006 Craven Week which ended in Johannesburg on Saturday two representative schools teams were announced - a South African Schools team and a South African Schools A team.

There were two interesting decisions in which the television match official gave advice. They are interesting because they talk about two important facets of scoring a try.

The 43rd Coca-Cola Craven Week for Under-18 players been held at the University of Johannesburg has once again produced rugby fitting of the man after whom the tournament is named. The schoolboys have tried their best to play attacking rugby at all times and there has been lots of talent on display.

Not at all surprisingly, the Blue Bulls and the Golden Lions play the final fixture of the 2006 Craven Week. They have been the outstanding teams.

It was sunny but windy in Johannesburg for the fourth day of the 2006 Craven Week and it started with a mismatch as Griquas blew away Border Country Districts. In fact it was a day with only one close match out of five.

Bob Dwyer, coach of that last remaining bastion of amateur principles, The Barbarians, said of last Saturday's man-in-the-middle Jonathan Kaplan: "If he is a good referee, then I have never coached a rugby team in my life. He is a joke. Rocky Elsom's sin-binning wasn't even an offence."

The rain was pelting down in the south of the country but up in Johannesburg the weather was calm and perfect for rugby as the 2006 Craven Week went into Day 3.

On Tuesday evening Victor Vermeulen spoke to nearly 400 schoolboy rugby players taking part in Craven Week and at the end of his inspirational address, they rose to applaud the young man who spends much of his life in a wheelchair.

Paul Honiss is set to break the record of Tests for a New Zealand referee, presently held by the great Paddy O'Brien.

Argentina captain Agustín Pichot is looking to next year's Rugby World Cup in France as an opportunity to erase some painful memories.

If you did not watch the Griffons play the Valke on the second day of Craven Week you missed getting a taste one of the great individual performances of the 43 Craven Weeks. Cecil Afrika of the Griffons is magnificent. You also missed a wodnerful rugby match.

So much controversy in the first week of the Tri-Nations. Let's hope for a more peaceful conclusion to this week's match.

As Stuart Dickinson was to South Africans, so Jonathan Kaplan is to Australians - or so it seems. Let's have a look at the latest outburst following Australia's 32-12 defeat at the hands of the All Blacks in Christchurch on Saturday.

Towards the end of April, Jan Preuyt, generally considered the father of Craven Week, died in Cathcart in the Eastern Cape. He was 83.

The fixtures for the first two days of Craven Week have been made. The other three days' fixtures depend on what has gone before.

The 2006 Craven Week takes place at the University of Johannesburg from Monday, 11 July. Nine referees have been appointed to the week.

Danie Craven has been dead for 13 years. Lest anybody forget the greatest man in South Africa's rugby history and in case some do not know why the Craven Week is named after him, we give a short biography.

This year's Craven Week will be the third held in Johannesburg. Its centre of activities will be the University of Johannesburg, where the old RAU used to play its rugby.

Craven Week, the greatest schoolboy rugby tournament in the world, seems to have been around forever. But like all things, it had a birth. It was a healthy birth but not universally welcomed. There were those who thought it a bad idea.

Craven Week 2006 opened at the University of Johannesburg on Monday with a trans-border match between Limpopo and Zimbabwe - on a sunny, slightly windy day.

Tri-Nations broke our in Christchurch on the South Island of New Zealand on Saturday, and again there is much to interest referees.

The Under-18 Craven Week starts at the Univeristy of Johannesburg on Monday, 10 July.

Cooler conditions descended on the Klein Karroo after overnight rain and players in the opening matches on the final day were greeted by a cold, damp and frosty field. The laurels in the Week's final match went to the Golden Lions, who scored a 14-10 win over a brave Mpumalanga side.

Thursday was Day 3 of the Under-13 Craven Week taking place in Oudtshoorn, and there was a surprise result.

The IRB have announced the names of 12 women referees to take part in the Women's Rugby World Cup to be played in Edmonton, Canada, from 29 August.

The Under-13 Craven Week continued in Oudtshoorn on Tuesday with Mpulamanga, the Leopards, Golden Lions, Blue Bulls and Western Province winning their matches.

New Zealand has announced a new panel of 20 referees to handle Air New Zealand Cup and Heartland Championship matches. Four of the two are new to the panel.

Top Welsh referee Nigel Whitehouse has cast an officious eye over proceedings in Germany and has urged soccer to take a leaf or two out of rugby's book of laws.

The new Tri-Nations starts this month at Jade Stadium in Christchurch. It's new as now each country plays each other three times. Tests get more and more;  the wear and tear on players gets more and more.

The ostriches are not the only ones running barefooted in Oudtshoorn this week for the Under-13 Craven Week is on the go.

After the Currie Cup match between Western Province and Natal at Newlands on Saturday there was a press conference with a slight difference as the referees were also there.

The first of the warm-up matches before the restructured NPC will be played in Whangarei on Saturday when Northland play Manawatu.

The Academy Week for provincial schools ended in the Humansdorp area of the Eastern Cape on Thursday.

The Grant Khomo Week for provincial Under-16 teams ended in Wellington on Thursday afternoon with a victory for KwaZulu Natal, thus crowning them the unofficial Under-16 champions for 2006.

Fiji coach Wayne Pivac has made three changes to his XV ahead of Saturday's Pacific Five Nations encounter with Japan in Osaka.

Tonga coach Adam Leach has named his side's for Ikale Tahi's final Pacific Five Nations game - Saturday's encounter with Samoa in Gosford, Australia.

There are World Cup qualifiers and there are matches in a new competition - an Asian 6th Division tournament in Cambodia. Again there are sides playing Test rugby for the first time.

This week we have the statistics for three Tests - Australia vs Ireland, South Africa vs France, and Argentina vs Australia.

France made it a weekend of 2-0 in victories over South Africa, when the French beat the Baby Boks 24-13 in the Final of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 World Championship at Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin, Clermont-Ferrand, in France on Sunday.

The All Blacks managed to hold on in the face of a strong late charge to beat Argentina 25-19 in their one-off Test at Vélez Sársfield Stadium in Buenos Aires on Saturday. The visitors outscored the Pumas by three tries to one to maintain their unbeaten record against the South Americans.

The All Blacks managed to hold on in the face of a strong late charge to beat Argentina 25-19 in their one-off Test at Vélez Sársfield Stadium in Buenos Aires on Saturday. The visitors outscored the Pumas by three tries to one to maintain their unbeaten record against the South Americans.

Springbok coach Jake White has once again pledged his commitment to South African rugby - but he wants the assurance of being able to call upon his big-name players after the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

The All Blacks managed to hold on in the face of a strong late charge to beat Argentina 25-19 in their one-off Test at Vélez Sársfield Stadium in Buenos Aires on Saturday. The visitors outscored the Pumas by three tries to one to maintain their unbeaten record against the South Americans.

The All Blacks managed to hold on in the face of a strong late charge to beat Argentina 25-19 in their one-off Test at Vélez Sársfield Stadium in Buenos Aires on Saturday. The visitors outscored the Pumas by three tries to one to maintain their unbeaten record against the South Americans.

New Zealand coach Greg Cooper has made six changes, including two positional switches, to the starting line-up for his team's third-place play-off match against Australia at the International Rugby Board Under-21 World Championship in France on Sunday.

It could have been a scene from a holiday programme - bronzed figures relaxing beside a hotel swimming pool under the Auvergne sun.

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll accepted fatigue had got the better of his side in their 37-15 defeat to Australia in Perth.

The Springboks and Jake White's unbeaten run at home has come to an end. France sent the Boks packing by recording an impressive 36-26 victory in Saturday's one-off Test at Newlands in Cape Town - a margin that belies the superiority of the visitors.

Australia continued their impressive mid-year form when they smashed Ireland, recording a 37-15 win in their one-off Test at the Subiaco Oval in Perth on Saturday. The Wallabies outscored the Irish by five tries to two and were in command of the game for all but 10 minutes.

The Springboks and Jake White's unbeaten run at home has come to an end. France sent the Boks packing by recording an impressive 36-26 victory in Saturday's one-off Test at Newlands in Cape Town - a margin that belies the superiority of the visitors.

Australia continued their impressive mid-year form when they smashed Ireland, recording a 37-15 win in their one-off Test at the Subiaco Oval in Perth on Saturday. The Wallabies outscored the Irish by five tries to two and were in command of the game for all but 10 minutes.

Australia continued their impressive mid-year form when they smashed Ireland, recording a 37-15 win in their one-off Test at the Subiaco Oval in Perth on Saturday. The Wallabies outscored the Irish by five tries to two and were in command of the game for all but 10 minutes.

The Springboks and Jake White's unbeaten run at home has come to an end. France sent the Boks packing by recording an impressive 36-26 victory in Saturday's one-off Test at Newlands in Cape Town - a margin that belies the superiority of the visitors.

The Springboks and Jake White's unbeaten run at home has come to an end. France sent the Boks packing by recording an impressive 36-26 victory in Saturday's one-off Test at Newlands in Cape Town - a margin that belies the superiority of the visitors.

A year out from the Rugby World Cup, to be staged in France from September next year, the French signalled their intentions with an empathic four-try to one (36-26) win over South Africa at Newlands on Saturday.

Springbok captain John Smit feels the reason why his team can't score tries and has to rely on penalties to win or stay in games, is not because of poor backline play. It is simply the forwards that are not doing their work.

Fiji gave their Pacific Five Nations campaign a shot in the arm with a tense 23-20 victory over Samoa in Suva on Saturday.

Australia continued their impressive mid-year form when they smashed Ireland, recording a 37-15 win in their one-off Test at the Subiaco Oval in Perth on Saturday. The Wallabies outscored the Irish by five tries to two and were in command of the game for all but 10 minutes.

Stuart Dickinson, Australia's experienced referee, is back in South Africa. He is there to referee the match between South Africa and France at Newlands. It may just be possible that antagonism towards him is on the wane - just possible.

The IRB has appointed referees and touch judges to the final round of matches at the IRB's Under-21 World Championship. The plums have gone to Chris Pollock of New Zealand and Taizo Hirabayashi of Japan,.

Springbok captain John Smit wants the team's tight forwards to produce a performance that will earn them full marks when they face France in a one-off Test at Newlands on Saturday.

South African coach Peter de Villiers has made two changes to his team that will face hosts France in the Final of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 World Championship at Stadium Marcel Michelin, Clermont Ferrand, France on Sunday.

It could be a long afternoon for France winger Vincent Clerc at Newlands on Saturday, as the French set about neutralising the Springbok pack before spinning the ball as we know they can do.

Bulls forward Danie Rossouw has revealed how a stern chat with Springbok coach Jake White revived his flagging Bok career.

Veteran prop Omar Hasan makes a welcome return to the Argentine front row for their one-off Test against New Zealand at the Vélez Sársfield stadium in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

A rampant Muir recorded a resounding 57-3 defeat over a keen  Pearson side in Uitenhage. The half-time score was 31-3 to Muir.

The 'Baby Boks', of South Africa, received a timely boost with the news that coach Peter de Villiers will be able to pick his best team to play France in the final of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 World Championship at Marcel Michelin, Clermond-Ferrand, in France on Sunday.

The IRB has appointed referees and touch judges to the final round of matches at the IRB's Under-21 World Championship. The plums have gone to Chris Pollock of New Zealand and Taizo Hirabayashi of Japan,.

It is time for the Pumas to finish their case, and have it listened to. The long wait for a decisive and just verdict on their exclusion from the world's rugby stage drags on and on, with the team pleading to more and more different courts as their case gathers both weight of evidence and public support.

It may sound like a cliché, but it will the Springboks' brutal force against French flair in the one-off Test at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.

The Junior All Black team, to play Japan in its final IRB Pacific Five Nations match in Dunedin on Saturday, shows nine changes, including one positional switch. The Kiwis are unbeaten and have already clinched the competition.

Dimitri Szarzewski and Damien Traille will face similar yet very different kinds of opposition at Newlands against the Springboks on Saturday.

Ireland make a slight detour on their return home from the two-Test tour of New Zealand, stopping to take in the sights and sounds of Perth - and to take on a Wallaby side that looks ready to reclaim its place in the upper echelons of world rugby.

The draw for the 2006/07 European Challenge Cup has been made. pitting together twenty teams from seven nations. 

The draw for the 2006/07 European Challenge Cup has been made. pitting together twenty teams from seven nations. 

Western Province centre De Wet Barry could have an extra spring in his step on Saturday when he lines up at inside centre for the Springboks against France at Newlands.

The All Blacks were warned to keep their cool in the face of what will be most likely the most hostile reception they will face at any away venue this year - when they face Argentina at the Velez Sarsfield stadium in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

There is something distinctly French about quicksilver Springbok back Brent Russell. Speedy, daring and with the potential to unlock even the tighest of defences, his unpredictability on attack could turn Saturday's one-off clash with Les Bleus on its head.

Manu Samoa coach La'auli Michael Jones has named his side for Saturday's encounter with Fiji in Suva, handing Chiefs star Loki Crichton, 30, a long-awaited Test debut.

Argentina are gearing themselves for a massive defensive effort when they face the world's top-ranked team, New Zealand, at the Vélez Sársfield stadium in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

Recalled Springbok inside centre De Wet Barry believes new French flyhalf Damien Traille has similar traits to former Bok No.10 Henry Honiball - a key man during South Africa's fantastic 17-match winning streak in 1997/98.

We have a little incident here and there but mostly we are giving readers their say.

Australia fly-half Stephen Larkham can't wait to feel the force of the Irish assault after confessing to his disappointment at England's tame surrender over the last fortnight.

Springbok utility back Brent Russell - restored to the wing, and the South African starting line-up - is hoping that Newlands will once again provide him with happy Test match memories come Saturday.

The draw for the 2006/07 European Challenge Cup has been made. pitting together twenty teams from seven nations. 

The draw for the 2006/07 European Challenge Cup has been made. pitting together twenty teams from seven nations. 

Springbok coach Jake White will be cursing his bad luck. Another of his key players has succumbed to injury ahead of the crucial Test match against France at Newlands on Saturday.

Springbok coach Jake White has revealed what he would like to achieve from Saturday's one-off Test clash with France in Cape Town.

Springbok coach Jake White will be cursing his bad luck. Another of his key players has succumbed to injury ahead of the crucial Test match against France at Newlands on Saturday.

France coach Bernard Laporte has named his side for Saturday's clash with South Africa in Cape Town, handing Biarritz star Damien Traille his first Test start at fly-half after Thomas Castaignède was found wanting at pivot during the tourists' 62-14 victory over Romania in Bucharest last weekend.

The whole world, it seems, knows what a knock-on is. It's been part of the laws for years and years, but suddenly there were three decisions, made by top referees in top matches, which have caused top people to be critical.

Springbok coach Jake White will be cursing his bad luck. Another of his key players has succumbed to injury ahead of the crucial Test match against France at Newlands on Saturday.

Hosts France will play defending champions South Africa in this Final of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 World Championship in France on Sunday.

Luke Watson, it seems, will never play a Test under Jake White, with the Springbok coach stressing once again that he does not believe in playing a specialist 'fetcher' in his starting line-up.

Australia coach John Connolly will blood yet another rookie at prop when Australia face Ireland in a one-off Test at Subiaco Oval in Perth on Saturday.

 Again we have four Tests - Round 2 of Week 1 - New Zealand vs Ireland, South Africa vs Scotland, Australia vs Australia, and Argentina vs South Africa.

From now on, at Currie Cup matches in South Africa, referees will attend the post-match press conferences.

Springbok coach Jake White will be cursing his bad luck. Another of his key players has succumbed to injury ahead of the crucial Test match against France at Newlands on Saturday.

France prop Pieter de Villiers is a doubt for the Test against South Africa on Saturday after the death of his brother.

Johan van Deventer is fast, first, strong and hard and he loves the tough stuff. He is a fetcher flank for Monnas, Golden Lions and South Africa Under-19. He is our FNB Player of the Week.

South African coach Peter de Villiers has named his team to play the New Zealand in the semi-final of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 World Championship at Stadium Marcel Michelin, Clermont Ferrand, France on Wednesday.

Tests continue this weekend, and in South Africa the Currie Cup gets going again, a trophy in competition since 1892.

Springbok coach Jake White is on the brink of setting a new benchmark in South African rugby - the longest unbeaten home run. If the Boks beat France at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday it will be the 14th consecutive match at home the Boks have not lost.

The All Blacks have come through a light first training session in Buenos Aires ahead of their one-off test against the Pumas on Saturday.

When the Springboks take to the field against France on Saturday (at 3pm - local time), many of the players' thoughts will be with star flanker Schalk Burger, who will undergo career-threatening neck surgery on the same day.

New Zealand coach Greg Cooper has made seven changes, including three positional switches, to the starting line-up for his team's International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 World Championship semi-final against South Africa in France on Wednesday.

A starting berth for Girvan Dempsey is one of just two changes made by Eddie O'Sullivan for the test against Australia in Perth on Saturday.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry confirmed the team to play Argentina in a one-off test at Vélez Sarsfield stadium in Buenos Aires on Saturday and there is no sign of regular AB captain Richie McCaw.

Springbok coach Jake White, in anticipation of rain in Cape Town, will name a much bulkier team to face the French in a one-off test at Newlands on Saturday. In short, White is going for a wet-weather team.

Qantas Wallabies hooker Adam Freier will be out of rugby for up to eight weeks, after rupturing the medial ligament in his left foot during the first half of Australia's Cook Cup triumph over England last Saturday. But there was also further bad news for the Wallabies over the availability of man mountain Rodney Blake.

It would seem that Middelburg is the rugby capital of Mpumalanga with help from the Lowveld -- that is if you judge by the teams for Craven Week, the Academy Week and the Under-19 tournament.

Few of the top teams played this week. In fact some of the top sides have not played for a while. We have made changes to the FNB Top 20, not to punish those who have not played for a while but to reward those who have.

Jeugland of Kempton Park have most players in the Valke side for the 2006 Craven Week in Johannesburg.

Ireland's Paul O'Connell was once again rueing his and his team-mates' failure to kick opponents when they were down after the 2-0 series loss to the All Blacks.

Australian prop sensation Rodney Blake has been ruled out of the one-off Test against Ireland, in Perth on Saturday, with an ankle injury.

Not surprisingly, Grey College of Bloemfontein dominate all three Free State teams for high school tournaments.

Three tries in the last 10 minutes gave Graeme a 36-17 victory over Union High in Grahamstown on Youth Day.

Australian prop sensation Rodney Blake has been ruled out of the one-off Test against Ireland, in Perth on Saturday, with an ankle injury.

Springbok coach Jake White will not be playing Bulls try-scoring sensation Bryan Habana at centre against France, prompting speculation that hard-hitting local man De Wet Barry could earn a recall to the Bok starting XV for Saturday's clash against Les Bleus at Newlands.

England veteran Mike Catt offered a brutally honest assessment of England's latest demoralising defeat Down Under, but has asked fans to give the new coaching set-up a little time to impose a new structure on England's game-plan.

France team manager Jo Maso is convinced that he has brought their strongest team - with one or two exceptions - to Cape Town for the one-off Test match against South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday.

In the last match of the second term SACS surprisingly lost 13-7 to Wynberg.

South African coach Peter de Villiers will again be able to pick his best team to play New Zealand in the semi-finals of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 World Championship at the Marcel Michelin stadium, in Clermont, France on Wednesday.

Kim Smit has been appointed to referee the second women's Test between South Africa and the Netherlands in Durban on Saturday. It will be her first Test.

Australian prop sensation Rodney Blake has been ruled out of the one-off Test against Ireland, in Perth on Saturday, with an ankle injury.

A visibly shattered Jake White has compared star flank Schalk Burger's season-ending injury to having 'three players' ruled out. Burger was on Monday ruled out of action until January of next year, having suffered a very serious neck injury during Saturday's disjointed 29-15 win over Scotland in Port Elizabeth.

Agustin Pichot has once again asked for his Argentina team to be included in a major tournament after his team's 2-0 series win over Wales.

Springbok talisman Schalk Burger will miss the entire Tri-Nations series - and South Africa's end-of-season tour - after suffering a serious neck injury during South Africa's 29-15 victory over Scotland at the weekend.

All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen has told his team that they must keep their discipline at all times, after witnessing videos of Federico Todeschini's punishing boot against Wales.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan claims that he and match citing commissioner Peter Brown were denied access to television footage that could have shed light on the injury that befell Shane Horgan during the tourists' 27-17 defeat to New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday.

Australian prop sensation Rodney Blake has been ruled out of the one-off Test against Ireland, in Perth on Saturday, with an ankle injury.

Pretoria has three top schools - Affies, Pretoria Boys High and Waterkloof, schools whose rugby teams are world class. Not surprisingly their players dominated the Craven Week and Academy Week teams.

KwaZulu Natal has chosen its four teams for the schools weeks - Craven Week, the Academy Week (two teams) and the Grant Khomo Week (for Under-16s).

Wales and Ospreys lock Ian Evans has received a six-week suspension after being cited and found guilty of foul play, following an incident in the second Test between Argentina and Wales in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

Australia's star inside centre Matt Giteau will not be facing Ireland in Perth on Saturday, despite making good progress on the road to full recovery from minor knee surgery.

Following a day of high drama at the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under 21 World Championship in France, the match schedule for the first knockout round, on 21 June, has been announced.

Queensland Reds hooker Sean Hardman will join the Qantas Wallabies in Perth tonight after starting hooker Adam Freier sustained ligament damage to his left foot during Saturday’s 43-18 victory over England at Telstra Dome.

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll left New Zealand for Australia on Sunday confident of a strong performance against the Wallabies in Perth next weekend.

Eastern Province have chosen their four teams - the Craven Week side, two teams for the Academy Week and the team for the Grant Khomo Week for Under-16s.

There were again fewer matches this weekend with the long weekend, exams and Craven Week imminent, but there was an FNB Classic Clash in the Cape with a record victory for Bishops over neighbours Rondebosch.

Hard-hitting Stormers captain and centre De Wet Barry has been called into the Springbok squad ahead of next Saturday's clash against France at Newlands.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has named his extended squad for Saturday's one-off test against Argentina in Buenos Aires. But the big questionmark is the role of All Black captain Richie McCaw.

Wales coach Gareth Jenkins insisted his young side will benefit from their tour to Argentina despite their 45-27 second Test defeat in Buenos Aires.

England coach Andy Robinson has reacted to his side's resounding Test series whitewash in Australia by claiming they can still win next year's Rugby World Cup.

Canada beat the USA 33-18 in the final of the Churchill Cup bowl played before some 8,000 spectators at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton on Saturday.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden took a pop at referee Tony Spreadbury over a number of incidents that he felt decided the second Test in Port Elizabeth on Saturday - a game won 29-15 by South Africa. Captain Jason White also felt aggrieved about the match official's performance, but at least the Scottish skipper was mature enough to acknowledge that his team was not good enough to win.

Italy were handed a lesson in island rugby on Saturday, going down 29-18 to Fiji in Lautoka.

Ireland 'A' snatched the Churchill Cup plate and a worthy third-place finish in the tournament with a dramatic injury-time 30-27 victory over England Saxons in Edmonton on Saturday - a result that piles more misery on English rugby.

Australia coach John Connolly made it two wins out of two as the Wallabies recorded a 43-18 victory over England in Melbourne in - but the new boss admitted he was less the satisfied with his side's performance in the first half of the game at Telstra Stadium.

Scotland 'A' were overwhelmed by a dazzling try-scoring display as the New Zealand Maori regained the Churchill Cup in Edmonton on Saturday.

Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll said that the feeling after the 27-17 defeat to New Zealand on Saturday was just the same as after the 34-23 defeat last week.

Japan conceded more than fifty points for the third time in just three weeks on Saturday, finding themselves on the receiving end of a 53-9 defeat to Samoa in the Pacific Five Nations double-header in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw admitted his side were again knocked out of rhythm during the 27-17 win over Ireland on Saturday.

The All Blacks completed a 2-0 series win over Ireland with a 27-17 win over Ireland in Auckland on Saturday, but it was an uneasy win in which Ireland had the home team lost for ideas for much of the second half.

Australia gave England nightmares to last the whole of the European close-season by punctuated the tourists' year with a crushing 43-18 defeat at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne on Saturday.

Defending champions South Africa and Australia recorded vital victories to ensure they advance into the semi-finals as the top qualifiers after Day Three of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under 21 World Championship in France on Saturday.

The Springboks readily admitted they were underdone in their somewhat fortuitous 29-15 win over Scotland in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, a win that gave South Africa a 2-0 series win.

Scotland supremo Frank Hadden could not disguise his anger and frustration in the wake of his side's second controversial defeat at the hands of the Springboks in as many weeks.

England boss Andy Robinson insists positive elements can be taken from his side's dismal two-Test tour of Australia.

New Zealand coach Greg Cooper has made two changes to the team for their final pool match against Australia in the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 World Championship at Stade Darragon, Vichy, France, on Saturday.

Australian coach Chris Hickey has named a heavyweight team to muscle up against New Zealand, in what promises to be a challenging match in their final pool match of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 World Championship at Stade Darragon, Vichy, France, on Saturday.

Ally Kellock, who has come into the Scotland second row for the second test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, has told his teammates to get into the Springboks' faces.

Record-breaking Argentina winger Jose Maria Nuñez Piossek is expecting another tough encounter against Wales in the second and final Test in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

It was a remarkable effort by Bishops and yet there seemed something out of joint in their record-breaking 70-3 victory over Rondebosch in an FNB Classic Clash at Rondebosch on Friday, Youth Day.

Wales will get a double dose of international action against Argentina this weekend with Wales Under-21 taking on the young Pumas in the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 World Championship in France just a few hours before Duncan Jones' men go into battle in the second Test of their South American tour in Buenos Aires.

It’s all change for Scotland A who are psyching themselves up to face the Haka this Saturday as they come up against the mighty New Zealand Maori in the final of the Barclays Churchill Cup in Edmonton.

After the rustic country delight of Puerto Madryn, the rugby heads back to its capital in Argentina on Saturday, as the Pumas aim for a whitewash-claiming win over Wales at Velez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. This is the situation Springbok coach Jake White, and in fact the entire team, find themselves in ahead of the second test against Scotland in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

Scotland international Jon Petrie admits he was the most stunned man in the touring party when he was called up to the starting XV for the second Test against South Africa.

Eddie O'Sullivan insists he will not abandon Ireland's running philosophy and may even expand on it if circumstances require in the second Test against New Zealand on Saturday in Auckland.

Veteran prop Newfoundland's Rod Snow comes back into the Canada side after a three-year hiatus for the game against the US Eagles in the Bowl Final of the Barclays Churchill Cup in Edmonton on Saturday.

Leinster fly-half Felipe Contepomi returns to the Argentina side for the second Test against Wales, which takes place in Buenos Aires on Saturday, but only at inside centre.

The strength in depth of the All Blacks was given another public display on Thursday as the bulk of the team to play Argentina in Buenos Aires next weekend departed before their compatriots had even kicked-off the second Test against Ireland.

Springbok centre Jaque Fourie could have played in the second Test against Scotland in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, but Bok coach Jake White and his medical staff opted for the cautious route, deciding not to risk aggravating his rib injury.

Australia may have outscored England by three tries to none in their 34-3 victory in the first test in Sydney last week, but Wallaby stand-in captain Stirling Mortlock has warned his teammates to be wary of England's pace in Saturday's rematch at Melbourne's Telstra Dome.

Australia may have outscored England by three tries to none in their 34-3 victory in the first test in Sydney last week, but Wallaby stand-in captain Stirling Mortlock has warned his teammates to be wary of England's pace in Saturday's rematch at Melbourne's Telstra Dome.

Australia may have outscored England by three tries to none in their 34-3 victory in the first test in Sydney last week, but Wallaby stand-in captain Stirling Mortlock has warned his teammates to be wary of England's pace in Saturday's rematch at Melbourne's Telstra Dome.

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll has pin-pointed the way to beat New Zealand in Saturday's second Test in Auckland - dominance in the breakdown.

England have dismissed Australian claims of underhand tactics in their attempts to stop tearaway flanker George Smith during the world champions' 34-3 first Test defeat.

Last week in Hamilton you would have expected the Irish to crack after the ease with which Mils Muliaina got past Ronan O'Gara to set up the All Blacks' 43-second try. But it did not happen.

The words breakdown and All Black captain Richie McCaw are synonymous with rugby. Whether you think his actions are illegally or not, McCaw is generally regarded as the premier openside flank in the world and will again be in the thick of things when the All Blacks face Ireland in a rematch at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.

Biarritz wing Sereli Bobo has not been considered for selection for Fiji's one-off Test against Italy on Saturday after he apparently failed to turn up for training on Wednesday.

We discuss here a few incidents taken from four tests in early June - New Zealand vs Ireland, South Africa vs Scotland, Australia vs England and Argentina vs Wales.

Australia may have outscored England by three tries to none in their 34-3 victory in the first test in Sydney last week, but Wallaby stand-in captain Stirling Mortlock has warned his teammates to be wary of England's pace in Saturday's rematch at Melbourne's Telstra Dome.

South African coach Pieter de Villiers has recalled all his big guns, including captain Chilliboy Ralepelle, for his team's crucial match against France in Round Three of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 World Championship in Issoire, France, on Saturday.

Springbok coach Jake White issued the challenge and Scotland counterpart Frank Hadden immediately accepted. When the two sides go head-to-head in the second test in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, the contest will be decided between the forwards.

Referees at the top are a peripatetic lot, none quite as peripatetic as Jonathan Kaplan who lives in Cape Town occasionally and now is in Auckland.

It's the last Saturday of the term and so it's the Bishops-Rondebosch match, always a great match between the two schools just 400 metres apart. This year it's an FNB Classic Clash.

Rondebosch Boys' High host neighbours and fierce rivals Diocesan College (Bishops) in an FNB Classic Clash on Friday morning. Jarryd Buratovich, as Headboy of Rondebosch, leads his school and its 1st XV into battle.

Injuries played a major role when Springbok coach Jake White named his team to face Scotland in the second of the two Test against Scotland in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. As predicted the Boks will field a new centre pairing and a new left-wing.

Wallabies Coach John Connolly on Wednesday named his team for Saturday's second Test against England at Melbourne's Telstra Dome. Stirling Mortlock will become the 73rd player to captain the Wallabies with regular skipper George Gregan named on the reserve bench.

Wallabies Coach John Connolly on Wednesday named his team for Saturday's second Test against England at Melbourne's Telstra Dome. Stirling Mortlock will become the 73rd player to captain the Wallabies with regular skipper George Gregan named on the reserve bench.

Wallabies Coach John Connolly on Wednesday named his team for Saturday's second Test against England at Melbourne's Telstra Dome. Stirling Mortlock will become the 73rd player to captain the Wallabies with regular skipper George Gregan named on the reserve bench.

Thomas Castaignède has been named as France's fly-half for the first French June Test against Romania on Saturday in Bucharest.

Ireland's players and journalists have fallen out after the players reacted angrily to coverage of their defeat to New Zealand in Hamilton last weekend.

Injuries played a major role when Springbok coach Jake White named his team to face Scotland in the second of the two Test against Scotland in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. As predicted the Boks will field a new centre pairing and a new left-wing.

Injuries played a major role when Springbok coach Jake White named his team to face Scotland in the second of the two Test against Scotland in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. As predicted the Boks will field a new centre pairing and a new left-wing.

Argentina back-row forward Juan Manuel Leguizamon has revealed his surprise at how Wales approached the first Test last Sunday.

The Springboks may be on the verge of equaling the record for the most consecutive victories against Scotland, coming off the back of their record 36-16 demolition of the Scots in Durban last week, but veteran fullback Percy Montgomery has warned about a Scottish backlash in the second test in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

England boss Andy Robinson has made sweeping changes for Saturday's second Test against Australia at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne.

Wallabies Coach John Connolly on Wednesday named his team for Saturday's second Test against England at Melbourne's Telstra Dome. Stirling Mortlock will become the 73rd player to captain the Wallabies with regular skipper George Gregan named on the reserve bench.

Injuries played a major role when Springbok coach Jake White named his team to face Scotland in the second of the two Test against Scotland in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. As predicted the Boks will field a new centre pairing and a new left-wing.

Hosts France top the overall standings after the second round of matches at the IRB Under 21 World Championship 2006. Home fans in Cournon were treated to a 32-3 victory over Wales, which ensured that the French collected their second bonus point from two matches.

Scotland head coach Frank Hadden has made six changes and one positional switch for the second Test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

Wales coach Gareth Jenkins has made two changes to his starting line-up for the second Test against Argentina at Velez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires on Saturday - Ospreys duo James Hook and Huw Bennett have both been handed places in the starting XV.

Wales' management has apparently handed a video of alleged Argentina dirty tricks to the referee for the second Test in Buenos Aires on Saturday, Dave Pearson.

Not for the first time the Australian rugby team cried foul over the opponents' tactics ahead of a major international. This time the "culprits" are England, who apparently resorted to eye-poking and hair-pulling to stop loose forward George Smith from winning the battle at the breakdown.

June is bursting out with Tests all over the place. We are going to look at four this weekend - New Zealand vs Ireland, South Africa vs Scotland, Australia vs Australia, and Argentina vs South Africa.

Scotland international Simon Webster has said that safer ball at the breakdown is the key to progress in the wake of the 36-16 defeat in Durban last Saturday.

England will put a strong emphasis on composure and execution this week as they target an unlikely victory over Australia in the second Test.

DHS took on Kearsney at Van Heerdens at 12.00 on Saturday.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has named an unchanged XV to face the All Blacks in the second test at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday. But there could be a late change to the team due to doubts surrounding the fitness of fullback Geordan Murphy.

All Black coach Graham Henry made three changes to his team to play Ireland in the second Test at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday. Lock Troy Flavell, flank Jerome Kaino and centre Casey Laulala all come into the line-up.

Following an assault on one of their members and a couple of other unpleasant matches, the Golden Lions Referees' Society has decided to withdraw its services from club rugby for a week.

All Black coach Graham Henry made three changes to his team to play Ireland in the second Test at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday. Lock Troy Flavell, flank Jerome Kaino and centre Casey Laulala all come into the line-up.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has named an unchanged XV to face the All Blacks in the second test at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday. But there could be a late change to the team due to doubts surrounding the fitness of fullback Geordan Murphy.

Hoêrskool Monument of Krugersdorp dominate the Golden Lions Craven Week team in the way Grey College usually do to the Free State team. Monnas had ten players in the side.

We have received plenty of feedback following England's 34-3 defeat to Australia on Sunday. Here are just some of your views...

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has named an unchanged XV to face the All Blacks in the second test at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday. But there could be a late change to the team due to doubts surrounding the fitness of fullback Geordan Murphy.

All Black coach Graham Henry made three changes to his team to play Ireland in the second Test at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday. Lock Troy Flavell, flank Jerome Kaino and centre Casey Laulala all come into the line-up.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has named an unchanged XV to face the All Blacks in the second test at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday. But there could be a late change to the team due to doubts surrounding the fitness of fullback Geordan Murphy.

Wales captain Duncan Jones has received good news about the hand injury which forced him to leave the field during the narrow 27-25 defeat to Argentina in Puerto Madryn on Sunday - scan results today revealed his thumb is not broken.

The Springbok backline may not exactly be world beaters right now, but they believe they have taken a step in the right direction and will continue to work on a more expansive game in the second test against Scotland in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

The Springboks will field a new centre pairing in the second test against Scotland in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, after Jaque Fourie joined teammate Jean de Villiers on the sideline - ironically also with a rib injury.

Clive Stuart-Smith will end his England exile on Saturday after being named as Saxons skipper for the Barclays Churchill Cup Plate final against Ireland A.

Scotland's beleaguered squad on Tuesday completed the first training session since the 36-16 defeat to South Africa last Saturday.

All Black coach Graham Henry made three changes to his team to play Ireland in the second Test at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday. Lock Troy Flavell, flank Jerome Kaino and centre Casey Laulala all come into the line-up.

Life on the Test circuit remains June busy. It's hard to keep up. But for referees it is a window of opportunity, opening wide.

Springbok coach Jake White will continue to broaden his selection base when he names the team to face Scotland in the second test at the EPRFU Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

The All Blacks were given an injury scare on Monday, as they stepped up preparations for the second test against Ireland, at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday. The All Blacks were made to work hard for their 34-23 win in the first test in Hamilton last Saturday.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden, fearing a major injury crisis in the touring party, on Monday abandoned a training session in Durban as his team started planning for the second test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

New Zealand Under-21 coach Greg Cooper has made 10 changes to the starting line-up for the second match of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 World Championship, against England in Vichy on Tuesday.

More than 100 people were detained in the southern Russian city of Rostov-On-Don after police mistook an innocent game of rugby for a mass brawl.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan believes he was justified in being confident ahead of Ireland's loss to the All Blacks on Saturday night, but admits the team has plenty of work to do before the second Test.

England headed to Melbourne on Monday with tour captain Pat Sanderson defiantly declaring that the tourist can make an impact in next weekend's second Test.

The sheer power of Paarl Gim overcame a gallant SACS 1st XV, 47-12, in Newlands on Saturday morning.

On Saturday Westville’s 1st XV extended their winning streak to 11 games when they crushed Richards Bay 1st XV 87-5.

In an FNB Classic Clash in Pietermaritzburg between two of South Africa's top-ranked teams Maritzburg College won a handsome 24-0.

This is one of those perennials it seems - double movement, and it comes from an incident in the match between South Africa and Scotland in Durban on Saturday. Whoever invented the term "double movement" should be condemned to watch nothing but soccer for the rest of his mindless life!

South African coach Pieter de Villiers has made eight changes, including naming a new captain, when he announced the side to face Georgia in a Round Two match at the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 World Championship at Stade Antonin Chastel in Thiers, France, on Tuesday.

New Wales coach Gareth Jenkins was defiant in defeat in Puerto Madryn and claimed his side will bounce back in Buenos Aires in Saturday's second Test.

Muir captain, Brendon Meyer, capped another solid performance by contributing 16 of Muir’s points as they beat Itembelihle 31-12 in Uitenhage on Saturday after leading 16-5 at half-time.

Unlike the hapless kudu that was struck by one of the Springbok Atlas busses on the way to Grahamstown early on Saturday morning, the Queen’s kudu stood proud after the 1st XV’s comprehensive thumping of St Andrew’s  by 38 points to nil, in Grahamstown on Saturday afternoon.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden is refusing to be downbeat as he begins preparations for the second Test against South Africa after the 36-16 defeat in Durban.

Australia captain George Gregan refuses to get carried away with his side's 34-3 victory over England and believes both teams are in a rebuilding stage with a long way to go before they reach the peak of their powers.

With a few injury concerns, following his team's emphatic 34-3 demolition of England in Sydney at the weekend, Wallaby coach John Connolly is likely to go to his fringe players for the return match in Melbourne on Saturday.

Argentina recorded a narrow 27-25 win over Wales at Estadio Raúl Conti, in Puerto Madryn, Chubut, on Sunday. But the first-ever Test in Patagonia was a drab affair with far more penalties, yellow cards and handling errors than any real constructive rugby.

England coach Andy Robinson insists his side is "moving forward" despite the crushing 34-3 loss to Australia in Sydney on Sunday.

Australia got their 2006 test season off to the perfect start, when they monstered the new-look England team - recording an emphatic 34-3 win at the Telstra Stadium, in Sydney, on Sunday. The Wallabies outscored their rival by three tries to none in this Cook Cup encounter.

Argentina recorded a narrow 27-25 win over Wales at Estadio Raúl Conti, in Puerto Madryn, Chubut, on Sunday. But the first-ever Test in Patagonia was a drab affair with far more penalties, yellow cards and handling errors than any real constructive rugby.

Tonga remain in contention for the IRB Pacific Five Nations spoils after recording a tense 24-23 victory over Fiji in Australia on Saturday.

Australia got their 2006 test season off to the perfect start, when they monstered the new-look England team - recording an emphatic 34-3 win at the Telstra Stadium, in Sydney, on Sunday. The Wallabies outscored their rival by three tries to none in this Cook Cup encounter.