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VIDEO: The Bulls won't be chasing tries when they host Benetton in the quarterfinal of the United Rugby Championship. 

UPDATE: @king365ed brings you the latest in the protracted Zelt Marais saga - which includes a new disciplinary hearing.

OPINION: The Springboks look set to benefit from the Sharks and Lions' exit from the United Rugby Championship, as preparations for the one-off Test against Wales gather momentum.

SPOTLIGHT: The Glasgow Warriors made no secret of their intention for Stormers flyhalf Manie Libbok when the two teams meet this Saturday during the United Rugby Championship quarterfinal fixture.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Warren Gatland has named a 36-player training squad for the 2024 Test season.

SPOTLIGHT: Melbourne Rebels coach Kevin Foote said his doomed Super Rugby team can do "something special" by delaying their demise with an upset quarterfinal win at the Hurricanes.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Steve Borthwick has ramped up preparations for England's tour to Japan and New Zealand by unveiling a 33-strong squad.

SPOTLIGHT: Benetton is flying the Italian flag having qualified for the quarterfinals of the United Rugby Championship, where they face the Bulls at Loftus on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers star Evan Roos said he has broadened his knowledge of the game by playing in different positions in the back row for the Stormers this season.

TRANSFER NEWS: Lions centre Tyler Bocks has revealed the next chapter in his career.

SQUAD UPDATE: Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has issued an injury update ahead of Saturday’s United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against Ulster in Dublin.

INJURY UPDATE: Munster head coach Graham Rowntree will be forced to make some changes to his matchday squad for Friday's United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against the Ospreys.

NEWS: The South African Rugby Football Union and SAREO face a dilemma, after the arbitration verdict significantly favoured the players' union, MyPlayers.

REACTION: The South African Rugby Union said it has noted the outcome of the proceedings of an arbitration hearing in respect of the rest periods for contracted provincial players.

SPOTLIGHT: Two Springbok stalwarts, Ruan Pienaar and Willem Alberts, recently announced their retirement from the game, having amassed a total of more than 800 first-class matches between them for teams in South Africa and Europe, as well as in the green and gold.

WATCH as Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson talks about their first URC away play-off game since the inception of the tournament.

VIDEO: The Bulls’ Marco van Staden could miss out on his team’s United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against Benetton on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Flyhalf Curwin Bosch has officially said goodbye to the Sharks.

SPOTLIGHT: The deciding round of the United Rugby Champions league season ran according to script by having everyone on the edge of their seats from beginning to end and the play-offs that kick off this weekend promise to do the same.

SPOTLIGHT: Melbourne captain Rob Leota has vowed his side will push through the heartbreak of their franchise's demise to shine in their first Super Rugby finals appearance.

WEEKEND WRAP: Rondebosch, Waterkloof and Durban High have strengthened their respective positions in the unofficial school rankings ahead of the second phase of the season.

REACTION: South African women's Sevens coach Renfred Dazel said they will have to take their SVNS relegation on the chin, regroup and give their season a fitting finish at their first appearance at the Olympic Games later this year.

LIVE UPDATES: Join us as we bring you LIVE updates on Day Three of the HSBC SVNS winner-takes all Grand Final.

LIVE UPDATES: Join us as we bring you LIVE updates on Day Three of the HSBC SVNS winner-takes-all Grand Final.

REACTION: It was not the result they had hoped for, but the South African Sevens team will take away valuable lessons from Madrid this weekend, after they finished sixth in the SVNS Grand Finale in Spain.

WATCH as Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen chats about his team's season and the possibility of some new Springboks.

WEEKEND RESULTS: It was a more subdues weekend on the school scene, with a number of the top schools taking a break.

NEWS: Bath reached the English Premiership final with a tense 31-23 win against Sale that was marred by Sharks star Jonny Hill's alleged clash with a fan after the final whistle on Saturday.

AUDIO: Sharks Head Coach John Plumtree will reflect on the season that was during his flight back to New Zealand next week.

MATCH REPORT: A brace of tries by Akker van der Merwe helped the Bulls claim the South African Shield and secure a top-two finish in the United Rugby Championship.

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers overcame a red card to record a hard-fourth 29-24 win over the Lions in the Round 18 match of the United Rugby Championship at Cape Town Stadium.

MATCH REPORT: Champions Munster produced a superb second-half fightback to beat Ulster 29-24 at Thomond Park and ensure they will go into the United Rugby Championship play-offs as the number one seeds.

MATCH REPORT: Ospreys are in the play-offs after a nailbiting 33-29 win over Cardiff at Cardiff City Stadium in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday.

LIVE UPDATES: Join us as we bring you LIVE updates on Day Two of the HSBC SVNS winner-takes all Grand Final - involving the top eight placed men's teams after the regular season.

NEWS: After a dramatic ending to the most competitive regular season of the United Rugby Championship the line-up for next weekend’s quarter-finals can be confirmed.

LIVE UPDATES: Join us as we bring you LIVE updates on Day Two of the HSBC SVNS winner-takes all Grand Final - involving the top eight placed women's teams after the regular season.

MATCH REPORT: Johann van Graan's Bath ended a nine-year wait for a Twickenham final with a sensational 31-23 win over Sale Sharks.

MATCH REPORT: Scarlets ended a disappointing season in style with a convincing 32-15 bonus-point victory over fellow-struggles Dragons at the Cardiff City Stadium.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Premiership semifinal between Bath and Sale Sharks a\t The Rec.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 18 encounter between the Sharks and Bulls at Kings Park in Durban.

MATCH REPORT: Benetton booked their place in the United Rugby Championship play-offs after a 31-6 home win over Edinburgh ended the Scottish side's hopes.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 18 encounter between the Stormers and Lions in Cape Town.

SATURDAY WRAP: The Fijian Drua overwhelmed the Melbourne Rebels 40-19 to snatch the last Super Rugby quarterfinal berth and end the play-off hopes of perennial champions the Crusaders.

URC REPORT: Jonny Matthews scored a pair of tries as Glasgow Warriors overcame a scare against Zebre Parma to end their regulation United Rugby Championship campaign with a 38-26 victory at Scotstoun.

URC REPORT: Leinster boosted their hopes of a top-two finish in the United Rugby Championship with a 33-7 bonus point win over Connacht at the RDS Arena.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Owen Farrell signed off from his Saracens career with a 20-22 defeat by Northampton that extends Courtney Lawes’ own stay in English rugby for one last week.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Premiership semifinal between Northampton Saints and Saracens at Franklin's Gardens.

LIVE UPDATES: Join us as we bring you LIVE updates on Day One of the HSBC SVNS winner-takes all Grand Final - involving the top eight placed men's teams after the regular season.

LIVE UPDATES: Join us as we bring you LIVE updates on Day One of the HSBC SVNS winner-takes all Grand Final - involving the top eight placed women's teams after the regular season.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: It is all to play for when the 2023/24 United Rugby Championship regular league phase concludes.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The 2023/24 United Rugby Championship season comes to a close for the Sharks when they host the Bulls at Kings Park on Saturday.

NEWS: Former Springbok Victor Matfield has been confirmed as the Technical Advisor for Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms as they start preparations for next month's test match against England.

NEWS: World Rugby has confirmed the Match Officials for five women’s Test matches in June and July.

FRIDAY WRAP: The defending Super Rugby Pacific champion Crusaders remain in the playoffs race for another day after a 43-10, bonus-point win over Moana Pasifika.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions named their team to face the Stormers in the Round 18 clash of the United Rugby Championship at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has named his team to face the Sharks in Round 18 of the 2023/24 season on Saturday at the Kings Park Stadium in Durban.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Flank Ben-Jason Dixon will make his 50th appearance for the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship clash with the Lions at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

NEWS: The full United Rugby Championship schedule for the 2024/25 campaign is now available thanks to the first-ever in-season launch of the following seasons’ fixtures.

SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks great Dan Carter believes England have it in them to move beyond a safety-first style of tournament rugby during an upcoming tour of New Zealand.

NEWS: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is part of 10 stars from around the world who come together to launch a new charity, the Global Rugby Players Foundation.

NEWS: Suleiman Hartzenberg is the latest star to extend his contract with the Stormers.

NEWS: One of the most exciting scrumhalves in the country has put pen to paper and extended his contract with the Bulls.

REACTION: A legal battle looms between Rugby Australia and the consortium who planned to save the Melbourne Rebels, with the Super Rugby Pacific franchise to be shut down after 14 seasons.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: Bonus points and even in some cases points differential will be chased as hard as match results as the 2023/2024 United Rugby Championship regular season comes to a tense and exciting conclusion in the final round of competition at the weekend.

NEWS: A bid for wholesale reform of New Zealand Rugby's governing body was rejected by heartland unions on Thursday, threatening to throw the game into disarray in the rugby-mad nation.

PREVIEW: Rondebosch will fancy their chances against a battling Bishops outfit, while Waterkloof, Durban High School and others will go into their respective local clashes as favourites.

SPOTLIGHT: Bobby Skinstad believes the criticism levelled at South African teams over their participation in European competitions has been 'unfounded'.

SPOTLIGHT: Bobby Skinstad has explained the least disruptive path to selecting a Springbok captain should Siya Kolisi not be available.

SPOTLIGHT: Having made his return from injury on tour, Stormers loosehead prop Sti Sithole is preparing to face his former team for the first time this season when the Lions visit Cape Town on Saturday.

NEWS: Rugby Australia on Thursday rejected a consortium's bid to take over the debt-laden Melbourne Rebels and shut down the franchise after 14 seasons in Super Rugby.

TRANSFER NEWS: Munster and the IRFU confirmed the signing of 25-year-old back Thaakir Abrahams on a two-year deal.

PREVIEW: With their Super Rugby Pacific play-off opponents already locked in, the Reds are determined not to be derailed by the Waratahs in their last-round clash in Sydney.

WATCH as Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell previews the Challenge Cup Final face-off against Gloucester.

NEWS: The Stormers have made sure that they are secure when it comes to their playmaker stocks.

PREVIEW: Affies will cross the Jukskei to tackle one of Joburg’s in-form teams this weekend, while Rondebosch will head to Paarl in search of a big scalp.

SPOTLIGHT: France flyhalf Romain Ntamack has put the disappointment of missing the World Cup behind him and is focussing on Saturday's "dream" Champions Cup Final in London.

SPOTLIGHT: Four South African players are featured in the Premiership Team of the Season.

REACTION: Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge has apologised for Rob Penney's foul-mouthed insult about a TV reporter at a heated press conference.

NEWS: Henry Slade may have missed out on England's World Cup squad last year but his performance for Exeter Chiefs has earned him the Premiership Player of the Season.

Sharks and Springbok World Cup hero Retshegofaditswe Nché talks about facing a Russian wrestler in the Challenge Cup Final.

NEWS: One of Ireland's key players is set to miss the upcoming two-Test series against the Springboks in July.

AWARDS: Five South Africans feature in the nominations for the 2023/2024 United Rugby Championship Try of the Season award.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White addresses the enigma that his team has become - the vast contrasts between attack and defence.

NEWS: South African flank Chris Cloete has announced his plan to retire at the end of the season and will do so in dramatic fashion on a trek through Africa back to his country of birth.

SPOTLIGHT: Toulouse do not want their past results against Leinster to play on their minds ahead of this weekend's Champions Cup Final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

NEWS: The Irish Rugby Football Union announced that - following a review of its existing funding model - a number of changes will be implemented from the start of next season.

NEWS: Transfer news out of the Lions camp revealed that a promising Bulls flank and a hooker out of Japan are on their way to the Den..

SPOTLIGHT: @RugbyPass columnist Daniel Gallan looks at why some Springboks don't seem to perform at the same level for their domestic outfits as they do for the national team.

SPOTLIGHT: Gloucester Director of Rugby George Skivington said there is no escaping the huge physical battle that his team will encounter in the Challenge Cup Final

PREVIEW: The Hurricanes will be without captain Brad Shields and fellow livewire loose forward Du'Plessis Kirifi for the crunch Super Rugby clash at the Chiefs on Friday.

INJURY UPDATE: South Africa may be without the services of one of their key backline players when they tackle Ireland in a two-Test series in July.

SPOTLIGHT: If a Champions Cup or Challenge Cup Final is drawn at the end of normal time, there is a series of tiebreakers.

SPOTLIGHT: Gloucester and the Sharks are gearing up for their Challenge Cup Final face-off on Friday.

NEWS: The Springboks will kick off their second in-person alignment camp in Cape Town on Wednesday – a month before their opening Test of the season against Wales in London on June 22 – with a group of 38 players assembling for the two-day camp.

REACTION: South Africa will not compromise their performance standards to meet 'transformation targets'.

NEWS: South African Johann van Graan has been nominated for Premiership Director of Rugby of the 2023/24 Premiership season.

NEWS: Ireland and Munster star Simon Zebo has announced that he will retire from rugby at the end of the season.

SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks star Beauden Barrett could make an early Super Rugby Pacific return following his stint with Japanese League One side Toyota Verblitz.

INJURY UPDATE: The Sharks will be without the services of their captain and double World Cup winner Lukhanyo Am for the rest of the season.

SPOTLIGHT: If statistics are anything to go by, the Sharks might have a slight edge over Gloucester when they face off in the Final of the Challenge Cup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: The Lions believe they have turned a corner after their excellent win against Glasgow Warriors at Ellis Park over the weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: Leinster flyhalf Ross Byrne has labelled the Champions Cup 'an incredibly special competition' as the Irish province bid for a record-equalling fifth EPCR elite crown at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.

REACTION: Stormers coach John Dobson has implored his players to play to their true potential, rather than rely on 'guts-and-glory' to win matches,

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Not only could there be three South African franchises in the United Rugby Championship play-offs, but there might be four local teams in the Champions Cup next season.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Reds wing Suliasi Vunivalu will miss his team's derby clash against the Western Force after copping a one-game suspension after his pair of trips earned him a red card in the defeat to Fijian Drua.

INJURY UPDATE: Head coach Leo Cullen confirmed Garry Ringrose is in a race to full fitness for Leinster's Champions Cup Final against Toulouse at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: A historic weekend has resulted in New Zealand falling outside of the top two in the World Rugby Women’s Rankings for the first time in history.

REACTION: With just one round of matches to go, reigning United Rugby Championship champions Munster have gone top of the table for the first time this season - talk about timing your run to perfection!

VIDEO: Glasgow Warriors coach Franco Smith was adamant his side was beaten by a Lions side who played extremely well with just 14 players.

SPOTLIGHT: And then there was one - just one more round of the 2023/24 United Rugby Championship to go, but with so much still to play for.

WEEKEND WRAP: Paul Roos made yet another statement when they beat Paarl Gym to secure their 10th consecutive win of the season.

NEWS: Coach Darren Coleman has been sacked by the Waratahs but will see out the Super Rugby Pacific season.

REACTION: The back-to-back World Cup champion Springboks may have fallen short of the government's 'transformation targets', but the pathway to a 'fully transformed' team is getting better.

SPOTLIGHT: As we reflect on the weekend that was, we highlight the players who went above and beyond for their teams in the United Rugby Championship. 

REACTION: Bath Head of Rugby Johann van Graan described his side's achievement in securing a home semifinal in the Premiership play-offs as a "humbling experience".

WEEKEND WRAP: Griquas will host the SA Cup Final next weekend and face Pumas in Kimberley following this weekend’s conclusion of the league phase.

WATCH as we bring you some of the momentous highlights from Round 17 of the United Rugby Championship matches at the weekend!

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White reveals the off-the-wall reason why one of his star players failed his HIA.

JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE WRAP: The Wild Knights will meet Brave Lupus Tokyo in the Final of the third edition of Japan Rugby League One next weekend at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

REACTION: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen lauded his team for not hitting the panic button during their United Rugby Championship Round 17 clash against Glasgow at Ellis Park on Saturday.

ALL THE WEEKEND RESULTS: It has not been a perfect season, but some of South Africa's most prom,inent school teams are bdginning to show some ominous form.

NEWS: Tony O'Reilly, one of Irish rugby's greatest players and later a successful businessman, was lauded as a "trailblazer" by the Republic of Ireland's prime minister after his death aged 88.

REACTION: The Sharks are busy tweaking some travel arrangements ahead of their Challenge Cup Final against Gloucester at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: Cardiff ended their South African tour on a high with a 36-14 win over the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: John Cooney slotted over a last-gasp long-range penalty to earn Ulster a 23-21 win over Leinster and guarantee them a place in the United Rugby Championship play-offs.

SATURDAY WRAP: A red card for departing back row forward Jasper Wiese will leave Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus with a few sleepless nights.

MATCH REPORT: Manie Libbok kicked three penalties as the Stormers edged Connacht 16-12 in a United Rugby Championship arm-wrestle in Galway on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 17 encounter between Connacht and the Stormers at the Sportsground in Galway.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 17 encounter between the Sharks and Cardiff at Kings Park in Durban.

MATCH REPORT: The Lions not only kept their United Rugby Championship play-off dream alive, but also did the Bulls a massive favour on Saturday.

URC REPORT: Ospreys kept alive their United Rugby Championship play-off hopes by beating the Dragons 26-13 in bonus-point fashion.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 17 encounter between the Lions and Glasgow Warriors at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

WATCH as Stade Toulousain-based England international Jack Willis talks about life in France and looks forward to the Champions Cup Final.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 17 encounter between the Bulls and Benetton at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria

MATCH REPORT: World Cup-winning Springbok Canan Moodie scored a hat-trick as the Bulls eased to a 56-35 win over a willing Benetton in their URC match at Loftus Versfeld.

SATURDAY WRAP: The Brumbies ended a 15-year winless streak against the Crusaders on Saturday.

NEWS: All Black great Sid Going has died at the age of 80, New Zealand Rugby said Saturday.

REPORT: A brace of tries by Antoine Frisch helped Munster climb to the top of the United Rugby Championship table as they held on for a 29-26 win at Edinburgh.

REPORT: Gareth Davies ran in two of Scarlets’ four tries as they picked up a fourth win of the season with a 32-18 bonus-point victory over Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

NEWS: Saracens revealed that Sean Maitland will retire at the end of the season.

PREVIEW: With just two rounds left in this season's United Rugby Championship, teams have been closely monitoring the different permutations for play-off places.

FRIDAY WRAP: The Hurricanes regained top spot in the Super Rugby table with a hard-fought 32-24 home win over Moana Pasifika.

FEATURE: He has the same Sevens pedigree, but admits he may not be up to par in the 15-a-side code just yet.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Stormers added a considerable amount of experience to their starting XV for the United Rugby Championship crunch match on Galway on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Three players could be making their last appearances in Lions colours at Ellis Park, when the Johannesburg-based franchise face the table-topping Glasgow Warriors.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have been bolstered by the return of Johan Goosen from suspension.

NEWS: JF van Heerden has signed his first senior professional contract with the Bulls after an impressive 2023/24 debut season with the Tshwane-based outfit.

SEMIFINAL PREVIEW: We look ahead to this weekend's semifinals and the Raplcement Battle in this season's Japan Rugby League One.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks have named a decidedly second-string team to face Cardiff in a United Rugby Championship Round 17 encounter at Kings Park on Saturday.

PREVIEW: Affies and Paarl Gym will look to stall their Grey College and Paul Roos counterparts this weekend, while a plucky Milnerton outfit will chase a rare southern suburbs 'Triple Crown'.

OPINION: @rugby365com contributor Angus Opperman dissects the importance of Manie Libbok in the Stormers set-up amid scrutiny.

SPOTLIGHT: All Black legend Ma'a Nonu believes Super Rugby has fallen further behind the pack when it comes to the toughest leagues in the world.

WATCH as two-time World Cup-winning Springbok Frans Steyn reveals what is the most enduring characteristic of retiring Springbok legend Ruan Pienaar.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Sharks centre Murray Koster has received a five-game suspension for foul play in his team's 24-25 defeat to Benetton in Durban last weekend.

VIDEO: Gianni Lombard has been ready to help the Lions make it into the Top Eight of the Challenge Cup since his injury in January and his time is now to help out his team.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: The United Rugby Championship is in for an entertaining conclusion as just six points separate sixth and 10th place in the table. 

SPOTLIGHT: As his four seasons with Leicester Tigers draws to an end, World Cup winner Jasper Wiese looks set to head to Japan next season.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Toulouse centre Santiago Chocobares has been suspended for three weeks for a dangerous tackle in the Champions Cup semifinal against Harlequins.

LISTEN as Sharks defence coach Joey Mongalo gives an update on their injured World Cup winners ahead of the big Euro Final.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland will be without one of their key leaders when they head to South Africa to take on the Springboks in July.  

WATCH as Stormers defence coach Norman Laker explains to @king365ed who are the biggest threats in the Connacht team.

NEWS: The Stormers have locked in the services of Evan Roos until at least 2027.

SPOTLIGHT: Bulls loose forward Elrigh Louw admitted it will be costly to underestimate Benetton when the two sides meet this weekend at Loftus Versfeld.

SPOTLIGHT: Hurricanes captain Brad Shields is backing teammate TJ Perenara to regain his All Black place after coming back this season from a ruptured Achilles.

PREVIEW: The SA Cup will reach a decisive juncture this weekend – with Friday’s two clashes in Bloemfontein and Nelspruit crucial in determining the two finalists – as the last round of group matches unfold.

PREVIEW: Melbourne doesn't know if Friday's Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Chiefs will be their last ever home game, but they intend playing like it is to cement a maiden finals berth.

NEWS: The French referee Mathieu Raynal will take charge of the Challenge Cup Final between Sharks and Gloucester in London on May 24

VIDEO: Jaque Fourie, defence coach of the Lions, is adamant that his team cannot rely on the altitude against a tough side like Glasgow Warriors at Ellis Park this weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Benetton flyhalf Jacob Umaga did not downplay the immense challenge of facing the Bulls at their fortress Loftus Versfeld.

WATCH as Bulls lock Ruan Vermaak identifies the reason behind his improved form at the Pretoria franchise.

SPOTLIGHT: In the ballyhoo over the United Rugby Championship play-off race, one significant fact appears to have escaped the attention of pundits.

NEWS: England international Billy Vunipola will leave Saracens at the end of the season, the Premiership club announced.

VIDEO: Lions wing Edwill van der Merwe has been tearing up the fields with sterling tries, but the Springbok invite still eludes him.

NEWS: The match officials appointments of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Round 17 fixtures have been confirmed.

WATCH as two-time World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi gives some insights into the mental fortitude of the world champions.

WATCH as Cheetahs and Springbok legend Ruan Pienaar talks about finally ending his playing career - two decades after it started.

NEWS: It is a last chance saloon for the Waratahs and perhaps Western Force in Round 13 of Super Rugby Pacific, as they battle to make the play-offs.

VIDEO: Unlike Rugby League, in Rugby Union every player has a role to play and one part of that is the scrum - a weapon to gain dominance.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White pours cold water on 'conspiracy theories' that suggest World Rugby's recent law changes target the Springboks' strengths

While the plans to develop and grow the women’s game in South Africa have yet to be disclosed, one thing has been made clear: change is needed.

NEWS: The Bristol Bears will host Australia in a friendly at Ashton Gate on November 8 this year.

WEEKEND WRAP: The penultimate round of the SA Cup brought forth a series of high-calibre matches, with the top four teams all keeping their final hopes alive with the conclusion of the group stage in sight.

AUDIO: The Sharks have one massive game ahead to achieve something this year and that will be their focus in the next two weeks.

REACTION: Bulls star Wilco Louw said that teams with powerful scrums won't be too discouraged by one of World Rugby's latest law changes.

REACTION: The Springboks' first test series since their 2023 World Cup triumph in France has been overshadowed by some daunting allegations.

REACTION: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White admitted his team’s United Rugby Championship home play-off mission has become difficult, but certainly not impossible.

SPOTLIGHT: Things are heating up as the United Rugby Championship enters the penultimate round this weekend.

WEEKEND UPDATE: Grey College tamed fiery Paarl Boys’ High 40-28 in an epic Interschools encounter in the City of Roses on Saturday.

REACTION: Glasgow Warriors Franco Smith knows his side has no space to slip up with Leinster and Munster hot on their trail in the United Rugby Championship race for the top spot.

SPOTLIGHT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen believes that his team will need another six points from their final two games to qualify for the play-offs of the United Rugby Championship.

WRAP: Paul Roos tightened their grip on the unofficial No. 1 ranking, while Waterkloof and Stellenberg recorded statement wins on another dramatic weekend for South African schoolboy rugby.

NEWS: New Zealand captain Sam Cane will retire from Test rugby at the end of 2024, the side said Monday, calling time on a World Cup-winning 12-year international career.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Springboks skipper Bobby Skinstad has named his hardest man in rugby.

REACTION: Head coach Bafana Nhleko praised the character and fighting spirit of the Junior Springboks after they staged a successful comeback to beat Argentina in a pulsating Under-20 Rugby Championship match at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Bokarina, Queensland in Australia on Sunday.

INJURY UPDATE: Less than a fortnight before their big European Final, the Sharks are sweating over the fitness of three key World Cup-winning Springboks.

MATCH REPORT: Benetton replacement Jacob Umaga scored a try and conversion in the 78th minute to snatch an unlikely United Rugby Championsip win over the Sharks at Kings Park, in Durban, on Saturday.

REPORT: The Springbok Women successfully defended their title as African champions, but they were made to work very hard for a 46-17 victory over a never-say-die Madagascar side at Stade Makis in Antananarivo on Sunday.

SPITLIGHT: With just two games left in the round-robin phase of the United Rugby Championship, Stormers head coach Dobson said his team will be going all out to try and secure a home quarterfinal.

ROUND THREE WRAP: The New Zealand Under-20 side won the inaugural Rugby Championship U20 title on Sunday after a 36-25 win over Australia in Bokarina.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach John Dobson admitted that his players displayed more confidence than his coaching team during Friday's United Rugby Championship Round 16 match against the Dragons in Newport.

REPORT: Jordan Larmour scored his first senior hat-trick for Leinster as the Irish province produced a second-half masterclass to hammer Ospreys 61-14 at the RDS Arena.

SATURDAY WRAP: Leaders Northampton secured a home semifinal in the Premiership with a 90-0 annihilation of an under-strength Gloucester, their record win in the competition.

MATCH REPORT: Munster are within reach of a home quarterfinal in the United Rugby Championship following a runaway 47-12 derby win over Connacht at Thomond Park.

MATCH REPORT: Replacement Emmanuel Tshituka scored two late tries - the second on the stroke of full-time - as the Lions scored a 34-13 bonus-point United Rugby Championship win over Cardiff at Ellis Park on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Ulster strengthened their play-off hopes with a 31-20 bonus-point win over Scarlets on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 16 encounter between the Sharks and Benetton at Kings Park in Durban.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 16 encounter between the Bulls and Glasgow Warriors at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls bagged five points, but they almost let it slip against the table-topping Glasgow Warriors in a thrilling United Rugby Championship encounter at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY SATURDAY WRAP: Harry Plummer's perfect goal-kicking proved the difference as the Blues beat the Hurricanes 31-27 on Saturday to take over as Super Rugby competition leaders.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springbok Women will run out against Madagascar at Stade Makis in Antananarivo on Sunday with clear focus and clarity on the job at hand and if they can execute, there will be reason to celebrate at the final whistle.

UPDATE: A broken arm for Harry Wilson has soured the Queensland Reds' gritty and crucial 26-22 win over an injury-hit Melbourne Rebels.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok Jasper Wiese joins the Behind the Ruck team to talk about his future plans.

FRIDAY WRAP: Sale Sharks kept their Premiership play-off hopes alive with a 31-22 bonus-point victory over Leicester Tigers on Friday.

WATCH the video trailer of an interview when Pieter-Steph du Toit, Man of the Match in the World Cup Final, goes on a Walk-&-Talk with Jim Hamilton.

MATCH REPORT: Edinburgh had to fight against a spirited Zebre Parma side but in the end, they secured a 40-14 bonus-point victory to give their United Rugby Championship play-off hopes a considerable boost.

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers, ignited by a brilliant second-half performance, marched on in their United Rugby Championship quest after a successful outing against Dragons at Rodney Parade in Newport.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 16 encounter between the Dragons and Stormers at Rodney Parade, in Newport.

PREVIEW: It is all to play for in the final round of the inaugural Under-20 Rugby Championship at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Bokarina on Sunday.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: It is being billed as the 'game of the weekend' - and with good reason - when the fourth-placed Bulls host the table-topping Glasgow Warriors at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

REACTION: With last year's World Cup Final defeat still fresh in his mind, Joe Schmidt will now be planning to knock South Africa off their perch in Australia.

PREVIEW: The Stormers are aware that Chris Hollis might want to prove a point in Newport on Friday.

FRIDAY WRAP: All Black centre Anton Lienert-Brown grabbed a second-half try as the Chiefs thumped Moana Pasifika 43-7 in a bonus-point win Friday to go third on the Super Rugby table.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has made five changes to his side that will take on the Glasgow Warriors in Round 16 United Rugby Championship crunch match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions take on Welsh side Cardiff in a crucial Round 16 United Rugby Championship match at Ellis Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks are not going to hold anything back at Kings Park on Saturday, when they host Italian outfit Benetton a United Rugby Championship Round 16 encounter.

AUDIO: Springbok and Bulls stalwart Marco van Staden will remain a Bull for the next three years following an extension of his contract.

UPDATE: World Rugby has announced further details of a revised red card sanction process trial featuring automatic off-field sanctions for players shown red cards.

NEWS: Leicester forward Ollie Chessum will miss England's tour of Japan and New Zealand after being ruled out for the rest of the season with an injury.

NEWS: France's match against a World XV featuring former England captain Owen Farrell in June has been cancelled, the organisers told AFP in a statement on Thursday.

NEWS: The evolution of the game we love has continued with the World Rugby Council approving a package of law amendments that will come into effect from July 1.

VIDEO: Desperate times call for desperate measures and the Lions might spring a surprise on the visiting Cardiff at home at Ellis Park on Saturday.

UPDATE: Saracens and England star Billy Vunipola has been given a 'slap on the wrist' following his arrest in Mallorca last month.

INTERVIEW: The Sharks are on the verge of achieving one of their main goals - winning one of Europe's premier competitions.

PREVIEW: Paarl Boys' defence will be put to the ultimate test when they face a rampant Grey College in Bloemfontein this Saturday.

WATCH as England-born and Scotland-capped loose forward Ryan Wilson explains what the future of Springbok Franco Smith looks like.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has revealed his team for their United Rugby Championship Round of 16 match against the Dragons on Friday.

PREVIEW: Several teams will striving to keep alive their dreams of reaching the SA Cup Final.

SPOTLIGHT: Glasgow Warriors will be "one of the fittest teams to go to Loftus Versfeld".

VIDEO: The four years spent playing for the Exeter Chiefs came back to bite Bulls flank Jannes Kirsten when he returned to the playing field for the Bulls against Ospreys at Loftus Versfeld a fortnight ago.

REACTION: Springbok Women head coach Louis Koen praised his squad for transferring the work they’ve done on the training field to match day in their big victory over Kenya in Madagascar on Wednesday, something they have not always mastered in the past.

While there is no doubt that he is an icon at the Stormers, Brok Harris' legendary status will be taken to another level when the South African franchise faces the Dragons this Friday.

VIDEO: Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabkanye is a big unit who doesn't shy away from contact, but when a scrum penalty is awarded against his pack, it really hurts him.

WATCH as two retired players - World Cup winner Schalk Brits and Scotland veteran Ryan Wilson - analyse the URC chances of the two leading South African franchises.

NEWS: Bulls utility back David Kriel has extended his stay at the franchise by a further three years.

NEWS: Harlequins confirmed Danny Care has signed a new contract with the club ahead of the 2024/25 season.

NEWS: Six Nations Rugby is introducing the first of its kind Six Nations Women’s Series, which will debut this July, in Parma, Italy.

PREVIEW: The Hurricanes beefed up their starting side for Saturday's top-of-the-table Super Rugby showdown at the Blues, adding captain Brad Shields, as well ass All Blacks Jordie Barrett and TJ Perenara.

WATCH as @rugby365com brings you all the highlights of the inaugural Under-20 Rugby Championship Round Two action.

VIDEO: The Bulls will welcome back captain Ruan Nortjé to lead the herd against table-toppers Glasgow Warriors in Round 16 of the United Rugby Championship at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

VIDEO: The Lions’ top-eight dream is still alive and kicking despite the gargantuan task ahead in the next three rounds of the United Rugby Championship to move up from their 11th spot on the table.

The first hurdle has been overcome and Leinster will face Toulouse in a battle of the giants for the Champions Cup later this month, but they are far from where they need to be.

REACTION: A disappointed South African coach Bafana Nhleko bemoaned his team's error-rate in their humbling 19-24 loss to Australia in Round Two of the Under-20 Rugby Championship.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Stormers hooker Joseph Dweba identified a couple of key areas that require attention in his effort to reclaim a Springboks spot.

NEWS: The Bulls continue to resign key players on long-term contracts.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok Schalk Brits talks about the 'real story' behind his decision to sign for the Bulls and not the Stormers. as well as which South African team he now supports.

ROUND TWO WRAP: New Zealand raced clear in the inaugural Under-20 Rugby Championship, following another day of monsoon-like conditions on Australia's Sunshine Coast.

NEWS: History will be made in South Africa in more than one way when the Springboks meet Portugal for the first time in a Test in Bloemfontein in July.

SPOTLIGHT: Varsity Cup rugby aside, chances are the name Ruan Swiegers has not come up in real rugby conversations around braaivleis fires in South Africa much.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: A 27-man Stormers squad will leave Cape Town on Tuesday for a crucial two-match United Rugby Championship tour.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Hooker Johan Grobbelaar committed to the Bulls, predicting the franchise will secure some silverware in the near future.

NEWS: The match officials appointments of the United Rugby Championship Round 16 fixtures have been confirmed.

RUGBY AFRICA WRAP: South Africa and Madagascar got off to winning starts in their bid to win the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup 2024 and qualify for WXV 2 and Women’s World Cup 2025.

PREVIEW: The Springbok Women’s head coach Louis Koen made nine changes to his starting team and 11 overall when he named his squad to play Kenya in the Africa Women’s Cup at Stade Makis in Antananarivo on Wednesday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Forwards coach Rito Hlungwani confirmed that the Stormers received a much-needed loosehead boost ahead of their United Rugby Championship European tour.

NEWS: Byron Kelleher, All Black and Toulouse scrumhalf, was found guilty of domestic violence by a Paris court on Monday.

NEWS: With his appearance off the bench against Northampton Saints, Leinster prop Cian Healy surpassed Munster legend Ronan O’Gara to set the all-time Champions Cup appearance record.

JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE, ROUND 16 WRAP: Times, dates, teams are confirmed for the semifinals of Japan Rugby League One after the weekend’s final round of the regular season.

PREVIEW: The Junior Springboks will be looking to punish Australia up front when they meet in Round Two of the Rugby Championship Under-20 tournament in Bokarina on Tuesday.

NEWS: The Springboks and some of their superstars were the headline winners at this year's SA Sport Awards.

WRAP: The Bulls Daisies and Boland Dames continued to make their presence felt in the Women’s Premier Division on Saturday, stretching their winning streaks to four matches to remain at the top of the table.

SPOTLIGHT: Elton Jantjies has vowed to return to the rugby field in the future.

WRAP: In an exhilarating back-and-forth tussle between SA Cup frontrunners, Griquas and the Pumas, the team from Kimberley managed to snatch a late victory in their game and cemented their spot at the top of the log.

REACTION: Hat-trick hero James Lowe accepts Leinster must raise their game if they are to end an agonising wait for a fifth European Champions Cup title.

REACTION: Toulouse flank Jack Willis braces himself for a challenging Champions Cup Final against Leinster. 

WRAP: Affies claimed two convincing wins against top opposition at the recent festival at Kimberley, while Rondebosch ended Wynberg’s unbeaten run down in Cape Town.

WRAP: A thrilling final day awaits fans at the Singapore National Stadium, as the men's HSBC SVNS league title races go to the wire.

WRAP: A thrilling final day awaits fans at the Singapore National Stadium, as the women's HSBC SVNS league title races go to the wire.

REACTION: Veteran England prop Joe Marler has done his already battered reputation more harm with another 'petulant' brainfade.

WATCH as Sharks coach John Plumtree gives his verdict on rising star, flyhalf Siyabonga Masuku.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: JF van Heerden will captain a Junior Springbok side showing several changes when they take on Australia in the second round of the Under-20 Rugby Championship.

MATCH REPORT: The two most successful teams in the history of Europe's premier competition, the Champions Cup, will meet in the Final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 25.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Champions Cup semi-final face-off between Stade Toulousain and Harlequins at Stadium de Toulouse.

REACTION: George Skivington says that Gloucester will be braced for "a massive challenge" when they tackle South African heavyweight Sharks in this season's Challenge Cup Final.

WEEKEND UPDATE: Schools results continued to throw up some big surprises.

MATCH REPORT: Argentina, playing for the HSBC SVNS league title, came back hard in the second half of their fifth-place playoff to edge the Springbok Sevens by 14-10 in the teams’ final clash in Singapore this weekend.

NEWS: One try was enough for the Springbok Women’s Sevens team as they finished the HSBC SVNS Singapore on a winning note and secured ninth position with their second victory of the weekend over the USA.

REACTION: Northampton Saints' Director of Rugby Phil Dowson is "incredibly proud" of his side despite their 17-20 loss to Leinster in their Champions Cup semifinal at Croke Park on Saturday.

REACTION: Leo Cullen was relieved to see his Leinster side "get over the line" as the Irish province survived a Northampton fightback in a 20-17 European Champions Cup semifinal win at Croke Park on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Leinster managed to scrape through to the Final of the Champions Cup after beating Northampton 20-17 at Croke Park in Dublin on Saturday night.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Champions Cup semi-final face-off between Leinster and Northampton Saints at Croke Park in Dublin.

WATCH as Sharks coach John Plumtree gives his view of a nailbiting one-point win over Clermont Auvergne in a Challenge Cup semifinal.

MATCH REPORT: Gloucester booked their place in the Final of the Challenge Cup after defeating Benetton 40-23 at Kingsholm on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Challenge Cup semi-final face-off between Gloucester and Benetton at Kingsholm.

SUNDAY PREVIEW: In Sunday's Champions Cup semifinal, record five-time European kings Toulouse host English Premiership side Harlequins at Le Stadium in Toulouse.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks produced a sensational comeback to become the first South African team to appear in a European Professional Club Rugby Final.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Challenge Cup semi-final face-off between the Sharks and Clermont Auvergne at The Stoop in London.

MATCH REPORT: The Springbok Women cut loose in the second half of their Africa Women's Cup opener against Cameroon in Madagascar, winning the clash by 55-0 (half-time 19-0) at Stade Makis in Antananarivo on Saturday afternoon.

WRAP: We bring you Day Two of the men's action at the Singapore leg of the HSBC SVNS World Series on Saturday.

SATURDAY WRAP: Fraser McReight has led a Queensland Reds charge in Christchurch to snap his side's 25-year losing streak against the Crusaders in New Zealand.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: Leinster and Northampton Saints harbour realistic dreams of a domestic and EPCR double when they front up in the semifinal of the Champions Cup at a sold-out Croke Park in Dublin on Saturday, in short: it’s on!

WATCH as Springbok Cobus Reinach shared his experiences with horrific online abuse following South Africa's win over France in the 2023 World Cup.

WRAP: We bring you Day Two of the women's action at the Singapore leg of the HSBC SVNS World Series on Saturday.

REACTION: Melbourne Rebels coach Kevin Foote says his team feel abandoned by Rugby Australia with their future in the Super Rugby Pacific competition still to be decided.

NEWS: England rugby international Billy Vunipola accepted he had a problem "knowing when to stop" as he explained the circumstances behind his alcohol-fuelled arrest in Mallorca.

SPOTLIGHT: In an international career spanning 14 years, Springbok Women captain Nolusindiso Booi has probably seen everything that women’s rugby at the highest level can deliver.

NEWS: Leicester Tigers’ fullback Mike Brown was handed a suspension of two weeks for swearing at match officials following his red card in their 19-21 home defeat by Bristol Bears.

PREVIEW: The Sharks are ready to turn the Stoop into their 'Stoep'.

NEWS: Bulls front row Jan-Hendrik Wessels has extended his stay at Loftus Versfeld to June 2026.

MATCH REPORT: The BlitzBoks got their HSBC SVNS campaign in Singapore off to a winning start with victories over Spain and Samoa on Friday, effectively booking their spot in the quarterfinals.

WRAP: We bring you Day One of the men's action at the Singapore leg of the HSBC SVNS World Series on Friday.

FRIDAY WRAP: The  Waratahs' finals hopes remain in tatters following yet another Super Rugby Pacific flop.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach John Plumtree has revealed his team to face Clermont Auvergne in Saturday's Challenge Cup semifinal at Twickenham Stoop in London.

NEWS: Lock Ruben van Heerden has committed to the Stormers until at least 2027.

WRAP: We bring you Day One of the women's action at the Singapore leg of the HSBC SVNS World Series on Friday.

NEWS: A vote to save the Melbourne Rebels may prove to be only a stay of execution, with the debt-ridden Super Rugby Pacific franchise facing further hurdles in its bid to stay alive.

In the latest episode of Fresh Start, host and former Scotland international Johnnie Beattie sits down with South Africa and Montpellier scrumhalf Cobus Reinach as he delves into everything Springboks.

REACTION: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White confirmed that "versatility' was the magic word when he made the decision to sign Sharks utility back Boeta Chamberlain.

In an exclusive interview, Rugbypass contributor Jamie Lyall sits down with World Cup-winning prop Ox Nche to dissect the intricacies of a solid Springbok scrum.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Champions Cup semifinal weekend has arrived and with that the start of a period of immense pressure for Leinster.

NEWS: The Bulls have won the tug-of-war with the Sharks and landed the signature of Boeta Chamberlain.

REACTION: Junior Springbok coach Bafana Nhleko said he is happy with his team's effort and learnings from their Under-20 Rugby Championship opener played in very difficult conditions against a strong New Zealand U20 side in Australia.

Tyrone Green’s dancing feet aren’t yet at a crossroads, but they’re getting there fast.

ROUND ONE WRAP: The Junior Springboks and New Zealand played to a 13-all draw in their Rugby Championship Under-20 opener at the Sunshine coast Stadium on Thursday.

PREVIEW: Saturday’s match between fourth-placed Eagles and unbeaten top-of-the-table Saitama Knights is notable for the various approaches the combatants adopt, as it will for the outcome.

ROUND SEVEN: Singapore National Stadium is set to host the hotly anticipated seventh and final regular season round of HSBC SVNS 2024 on May 3-5 as the World SVNS League winner will be crowned.

NEWS: Head of Rugby Johann van Graan has signed a new contract with Bath, committing his long-term future to the club until the end of the 2029/30 campaign.

WATCH as Sharks captain Lukhanyo Am and wing Werner Kok front up to the media ahead of the Challenge Cup semifinal on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sizophila Solontsi and Nomawethu Mabenge will make welcome returns to Test rugby after being named in the Springbok Women’s starting team to face Cameroon in the Africa Women’s Cup opener in Madagascar on Saturday.

PREVIEW: The SA Cup will kick into a higher gear this weekend when the two top teams on the table, Griquas and the Pumas, will battle it out for the top spot in Kimberley on Friday afternoon.

SPOTLIGHT: The "big names" in the Sharks squad will be giving French club Clermont Auvergne extra motivation to push themselves to a higher level this week.

SPOTLIGHT: Eben Etzebeth said he was annoyed by Courtney Lawes' comments about the Bulls' approach for last month’s Champions Cup quarterfinal against Northampton Saints.

NEWS: Dragons lock Ben Carter has been slapped with a three-match ban, after his foul play red card in 27-34 United Rugby Championship loss to Connacht last Saturday.

PREVIEW: Affies and Boishaai will look to make a statement in Kimberley this week, while Wynberg will have their hands full when they host Rondebosch on Saturday.

PREVIEW: The Rugby Championship for Under-20 teams, to be played at the Sunshine Coast Stadium, Bokarina on Australia’s eastern seaboard, kicks off on Thursday.

CHAMPOIONS CUP SPOTLIGHT: Leinster flyhalf Ross Byrne has labelled Saturday’s sell-out Champions Cup semifinal against Premiership leaders Northampton Saints at the 82,300-capacity Croke Park as “huge”.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Prop Zachary Porthen will lead the Junior Springboks against New Zealand on Thursday, in the opening round of the inaugural Under-20 Rugby Championship in Queensland, Australia.

NEWS: The Griqualand West Rugby Union has suspended a professional player arrested for violence earlier this week.

DISCIPLANRY NEWS: Saracens lock Maro Itoje will be available for his side's Premiership matches after having his citing for a dangerous tackle against Bath dismissed.

PREVIEW: Madibaz coach David Manuel is encouraging his troops to play 'without fear' in their Varsity Cup promotion-relegation match against CUT this week.

TRANSFER NEWS: Cardiff confirmed Owen Lane will leave the club at the end of the season to join Valance Romans in France.

WATCH Leinster's contact and skills coach Seán O'Brien defends the decision to send a two-bit squad to South Africa.

SPOTLIGHT: As the Bok captaincy debate rages on, Springbok superstar Eben Etzebeth would "love" it if his longtime friend gets the role in this new World Cup cycle.

PREVIEW: The race to the finals begins as teams enter the final month of the Super Rugby Pacific regular season.

SPOTLIGHT: Coach Joe Schmidt admits he probably won't know his best Wallabies starting side until December, as he builds towards next year's British and Irish Lions series.

SPOTLIGHT: When the Sharks 'host' French outfit Clermont Auvergne in a Challenge Cup semifinal at Twickenham Stoop on Saturday, it will be a clash of teams with contrasting réclame.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok superstar Eben Etzebeth said he was surprised by Ireland's arrogance after the two sides' World Cup pool match in France last year.

NEWS: Three members of the Springboks’ World Cup squad will accompany the Webb Ellis Cup on the third stop of the RWC Trophy Blitz, which heads to Kimberley on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers young gun Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu admitted his sporting career could have taken a different path at junior level.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springbok Women are well aware of the potential reward at the end of their next journey to Madagascar, but they will not make the mistake of focusing only on the ultimate prize and to then be tripped up by something unexpected because they look too far ahead.

SPOTLIGHT: The exposure of playing in the HSBC SVNS 2024 season has benefitted the South Africa Women's Sevens team tremendously and although it has not always shown in the results, the improvement of the team has been real and heartwarming.

NEWS: A surprise bidder has emerged for the Nations Championship finals.

SPOTLIGHT: It isn’t only crowd figures that have ballooned since the inception of the United Rugby Championship - South African franchises have also given the tournament some of its biggest scorelines.

SPOTLIGHT: They have 'been there and done that' in their BlitzBoks careers of close to a decade, but for Dylan Sage and Siviwe Soyizwapi, a return to the familiar HSBC SVNS circuit is almost like a new beginning and an experience they are embracing with a broad smile on their faces.

REACTION: The Lions conceded that they were outsmarted by Munster during their United Rugby Championship Round 15 clash in Johannesburg.

SPOTLIGHT: After their defeat to Munster at home last weekend, the Lions will have it all to do to qualify for the United Rugby Championship play-offs.

INTERVIEW: @rugby365com & RugbyPass columnist Jon Cardinelli chats to Albertus Stephanus Smith about the journey that took him to two World Cup titles.

NEWS: The Hurricanes face a front row injury crisis ahead of Friday's home game against the Waratahs.

NEWS: Experienced Springbok Women’s players Nomawethu Mabenge, Lusanda Dumke and Sizophila Solontsi have been included in the national squad for the Africa Women’s Cup in Madagascar next month, where qualification for the 2025 World Cup in England is at stake.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Dragons have bolstered their backline stocks with a Stormer.

NEWS: Leinster’s Garry Ringrose and Jimmy O’Brien will both be fit to face Northampton in the Champions Cup semifinal at Croke Park this weekend.

INTERVIEW: When the Junior Springboks open their Under-20 Rugby Championship campaign against New Zealand at the Sunshine Coast Stadium on Thursday, they will have the benefit of calling on the calmness of towering lock JF van Heerden.

REACTION: England star Billy Vunipola has revealed his side of the Majorca story.

WEEKEND WRAP: A yellow card shown to Springbok Franco Mostert sent Heat into sleepmode leading to a dramatic 24-61 loss at the hands of Spears in Japan Rugby League One on the weekend.

NEWS: England star Billy Vunipola was reportedly arrested in Majorca after displaying violent behaviour in a pub over the weekend.

WEEKEND WRAP: Paul Roos have strengthened their claim to the unofficial No.1 ranking in the school game, after securing their sixth-consecutive win.

SPOTLIGHT: Glasgow Warriors are the new leaders of the United Rugby Championship having jumped above Leinster at the top of the table.

NEWS:Rugby Australia has announced a AU$9.2 million deficit for the 2023 financial year.

REACTION: The Stormers will rely heavily on their Springboks for their upcoming two-match United Rugby Championship tour.

WEEKEND RESULTS: It was another weekend of intriguing matches on the school scene.

SPOTLIGHT: Last season one of the reasons the Munster success in the United Rugby Championship was seen as a fairytale was because they had to play all their play-off games at home, but it looks likely they will have a much easier route to this year’s final if they get there.

WRAP: There is no stopping the leaders on the SA Cup log, Griquas and the Pumas, as they continued with their unbeaten run in the sixth round of the competition, while the Griffons and Cheetahs recorded good victories to remain in touch with the frontrunners.

SUNDAY WRAP: Exeter Chiefs kept alive their Premiership play-off hopes by brushing aside West Country rivals Gloucester 38-17 at Kingsholm.

VIDEO: Ospreys head coach Toby Booth said he was looking for four tries after it became evident that the Bulls were running away with the score in their Round 15 encounter of the United Rugby Championship at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The Bulls' Director of Rugby, Jake White, had a plan up his sleeve which caught Ospreys, and the referee, completely off guard and resulted in a convincing victory at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

SATURDAY WRAP: Harlequins scored six tries in a thrilling 41-32 victory against English Premiership leaders Northampton on Saturday, boosting their play-off hopes with two games left.

URC REPORT: The Bulls got their United Rugby Championship campaign back on track with a 61-24 win over the Ospreys in Round 15 on Saturday.

URC REPORT: Munster made it two wins from two matches on their South African tour after they beat the Lions 33-13 in Johannesburg on Saturday.

URC REPORT: The Stormers returned to winning ways in the United Rugby Championship with a 42-12 win over an understrength Leinster side in Round 15 on Saturday.

URC REPORT: URC REPORT: Edinburgh kept their play-off hopes alive after a hard-fought 24-7 win at Cardiff.

URC REPORT: Connacht kept in contention for a United Rugby Championship play-off spot with a thrilling 34-27 victory against Dragons at Rodney Parade.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 15 encounter between the Stormers and Leinster in Cape Town.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 15 encounter between the Lions and Munster at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

OPINION: The Ospreys have been a shining light in an abysmal time for Welsh Rugby as of late.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 15 encounter between the Bulls and the Ospreys at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

MATCH REPORT: Glasgow Warriors maintained their bid to finish top of the United Rugby Championship with a bonus point 40-9 win over Zebre on Saturday. 

EWS: Cardiff's head coach Matt Sherratt will serve a one-game sideline ban for their game against Edinburgh on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Ireland legend Gordon D'Arcy believes fatigue might be a factor when Ireland head to South Africa later this year.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: The South Africa's top two franchises - the Bulls and Stormers - are under immense pressure to bounce back from their disappointing results last weekend.

SUPER RUGBY WRAP: The Brumbies have breathed new life into their Super Rugby Pacific title charge, knocking off the league-leading Hurricanes 27-19 on Saturday.

REPORT: Reigning champions Saracens put one foot in the Premiership play-offs after Owen Farrell’s late penalty sunk title rivals Bath 15-12 at the Recreation Ground.

MATCH REPORT: Scoring 15 tries to three, UP-Tuks ran rampant and beat Varsity College 95-21 in the Final of the 2024 Varsity Shield in Pretoria.

SPOTLIGHT: @AngyboyJ looks at the provocative subject of where players originated from and who are the biggest 'poachers'.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks hung on for a nervous 32-27 win over the Scarlets in their United Rugby Championship Round 15 encounter at Parc Y Scarlets, in Llanelli, on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: John Cooney's kicking proved the different as Ulster made it consecutive home wins with a 38-34 United Rugby Championship victory over Benetton in a exciting 10-try thriller at Ravenhill Stadium.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 15 encounter between the Scarlets and Sharks at Parc Y Scarlets in Llanelli.

SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC, FRIDAY WRAP: The Chiefs have delivered a blow to the Waratahs' Super Rugby Pacific finals hopes, coming from behind for a 38-22 win in Sydney.

NEWS: The Lions’ Henco van Wyk has gone under the knife and is expected to be out of action for at least four months, ruling him out of contention for Springbok selection this year.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has named his team to face Leinster in the United Rugby Championship Round 15 match at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has made several changes to the team that will face Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship Round 15 match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions host current title-holders Munster in Round 15 of the United Rugby Championship at Ellis Park this Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Recently a group of renowned Springboks clowned around about their lack of academic performances.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The significance of World Cup-winning coach Jacques Nienaber's value on a team and the sport itself cannot be amplified enough.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Springbok captain Corné Krige reckons a young Stormers star has what it takes to lead the Springboks one day.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: The Sharks have done their level best to avoid talking about next week's Challenge Cup semifinal, but the subject remains a sideshow ahead of the URC Round 15 encounter with the Scarlets.

NEWS: The administrator for the financially stricken Melbourne Rebels has recommended creditors accept a proposed deal to save the franchise, adding it may have been trading while insolvent for the last five years.

PREVIEW: Paul Roos will be favourites when they tackle Grey High this Saturday, while Wynberg and Jeppe should fancy their chances against local rivals.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lukhanyo Am leads a vastly experienced and Springbok-laden Sharks side for their United Rugby Championship Round 15 clash with Scarlets on Friday evening.

NEWS: The Stormers will have a talented midfielder in their ranks until at least 2026.

WATCH as Sharks loose forward Phendulani Buthelezi explains how they manage to focus on the URC with a #BIG Europe date looming.

PREVIEW: David will hard pressed to live with Goliath when Varsity College tackle a rampant and undefeated Tuks side in the Varsity Shield Final this Friday.

JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE, ROUND 15 PREVIEW: Brave Lupus Tokyo and Tokyo Sungoliath might both have qualified for next month’s Japan Rugby League One semifinals, but don’t be fooled.

VIDEO: The Bulls can expect more of the same physical onslaught Ospreys displayed in their triumph over the Stormers last weekend, reckons lock Janko Swanepoel.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: The Bulls will be without their chief playmaker at a crucial stage of the United Rugby Championship season.

PREVIEW: With just four rounds of league action remaining in the SA Cup – including this weekend’s sixth round – the two frontrunners, Griquas and the Pumas, will no doubt target their next matches to put more distance between them and the chasing pack.

NEWS: Ruan Pienaar will officially take his first steps in his coaching career when he joins the Free State Under-21 coaching staff.

PREVIEW: The door is ajar for Australia's Super Rugby Pacific teams to tip the win-loss ledger against New Zealand sides in their favour in the race to win that trans-Tasman battle for the first time.

NEWS: Leicester Tigers centre Solomone Kata has been suspended for three games for a red card incident in the game against Northampton.

WATCH as Munster coach Graham Rowntree gives an insightful update on World Cup-winning Springbok Jean Kleyn's eye injury.

SPOTLIGHT: The Junior Springboks wrapped up their preparations for the forthcoming Under-20 Rugby Championship with a training session against the Golden Lions Under-21 squad in Sandton on Tuesday.

VIDEO: With four games left, the Bulls are now in a must-win situation going into their United Rugby Championship encounter with Ospreys at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, says scrumhalf Zak Burger.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Dylan Sage will return to the Springbok Sevens team for the first time in four years and Siviwe Soyizwapi for the first time this season when the BlitzBoks contest next weekend’s HSBC SVNS tournament in Singapore.

SPOTLIGHT: Lions scrumhalf Morné van den Berg is relishing the opportunity to play against one of the leading No. 9's in the business when the Lions host Munster in the United Rugby Championship at Ellis Park on Saturday.

NEWS: Ahead of the much-anticipated semifinals of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, EPCR announced the officials.

SPOTLIGHT: There will be a very special father and son reunion in the United Rugby Championship this weekend.

NEWS: SA Rugby has praised referees, coaches, and players in the Varsity Cup for their positive approach to the new tackle height laws that were introduced to the community game in South Africa this year.

SPOTLIGHT: Being successful in the Test arena requires a certain amount of luck.

NEWS: Jack Mesley has been appointed as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Super Rugby Pacific (SRP). 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Don't expect a low-risk safety-first approach when Stormers take on Leinster in the United Rugby Championship Round 15 clash on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Ulster have confirmed that Steven Kitshoff will not be appearing for them again this season and he is set to return to South Africa this week.

REACTION: Asssitant coach Julian Redelinghuys believes the Lions have developed their own 'Bomb Squad' with their depth in the front row.

WATCH as Leinster coach Leo Cullen makes some startling revelations after his team's 12-44 loss to the Lions.

REACTION: Shimlas coach André Tredoux has revealed how a shift in mindset and conditioning contributed to Ethan Wentzel's winning penalty in what was a thrilling Varsity Cup Final against UCT.

NEWS: The match officials appointments of the United Rugby Championship Round 15 fixtures have been confirmed.

WATCH as Leinster coach Leo Cullen explains what type of response they expect from the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.

NEWS: Jordan Petaia may have played his last game of Rugby Union, with the off-contract Queensland Reds and Wallaby back likely needing season-ending shoulder surgery.

REACTION: Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge rejected "childish" calls to sack coach Rob Penney with the defending champions languishing at the bottom of the Super Rugby table.

SPOTLIGHT: All twenty-one fixtures of the 2024 Nations Series have been revealed, setting the stage for the ultimate spectacle of international rugby for fans to look forward to later this year.

MATCH REPORT: Ethan Wentzel kicked a clutch penalty in extra time, as UFS Shimlas won the Varsity Cup for the first time in nearly a decade with a 45-42 victory over UCT Ikeys in Bloemfontein on Monday.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks will line up against World Cup opponents, Scotland and England, before taking on Wales in the year-end tour in November, with the last Tests confirmed on Monday.

VIDEO: The Bulls missed the calm heads of experienced captains to navigate the wily tactics of Munster at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

SCHOOL WRAP: Milnerton claimed their second big scalp of the season when they beat Bishops, while Grey College made a statement of their own at Paarl Gymnasium.

VIDEO: Respect. That is how title holders Munster remain unbeaten in their last eight matches against South African teams, says head coach Graham Rowntree.

WRAP: Griquas and the Pumas maintained their unbeaten record in the SA Cup when both again scored important away wins during the weekend’s fifth-round action.

WEEKEND REVIEW: The Lions made a strong statement but the Bulls and Stormers stole the show and not in a good way.

WATCH as Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen looks ahead to facing another Irish team - an impressive and inform Munster.

SUNDAY WRAP: Newcastle boss Steve Diamond admitted his team "did not get off the bus" after they suffered a crushing 14-85 Premiership loss to Bristol at Ashton Gate.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White drops some selection hints after the team's loss to Munster at the weekend.

JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE WRAP: Springbok centre Jesse Kriel made an encouraging return to duty on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Ospreys head coach Toby Booth applauded his team for not getting drawn into the Stormers; high-risk style of play in Saturday's United Rugby Championship Round 14 clash in Cape Town.

WEEKEND RESULTS: It was another weekend of intrigue on the school scene.

REACTION: Stormers head coach John Dobson admitted that he received a big "wake-up" call in what was arguably the Stormers' "worst performance" in the defeat to Ospreys on Saturday

REACTION: The Crusaders insist they have the firepower to go from last place in the Super Rugby Pacific standings to challenge for another title but concede a vast improvement is needed.

TOP 14 WRAP: Stade Rochelais captain Will Skelton said his side "weren't good enough" after they were beaten 24-25 at Castres in the French Top 14 on Saturday a week after being knocked out of the Champions Cup quarterfinals.

SATURDAY WRAP: Northampton Saints marched to a 40-17 Premiership bonus-point win over 14-man Leicester Tigers as they reinforced their status as table-toppers on derby day. 

MATCH REPORT: Academy graduate Matthew Devine scored a brace of tries as Connacht eased to a 54-16 United Rugby Championship victory over Zebre Parma at The Sportsground.

MATCH REPORT: Edinburgh enhanced their United Rugby Championship play-off prospects as they ran in six tries to claim a 43-18 bonus-point victory over Scarlets.

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers' hopes of claiming a home play-off spot suffered a big setback on Saturday at the Cape Town Stadium. 

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 14 encounter between the Stormers and Ospreys in Cape Town.

MATCH REPORT: The Lions stunned the world and did other South African teams a huge favour with a huge 44-12 upset win over the table-topping Leinster side in their URC match at Ellis Park.

MATCH REPORT: Defending champions Munster overtook the Bulls on the United Championship standings with a 27-22 win in a bruising encounter at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Benetton kept themselves firmly on course for the United Rugby Championship play-offs by claiming a 36-19 bonus-point victory over the Dragons in Treviso.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 14 encounter between the Bulls and Munster at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 14 encounter between the Lions and Leinster at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

SATURDAY SUPER WRAP: The Western Force added another chapter to peculiar Super Rugby Pacific season, which also saw the Blues make a statement of intent.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Western Force's signing spree has continued with the capture of one-cap England international Nic Dolly for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok legend Victor Matfield is backing Jason Jenkins to take over the Springbok No.4 jersey from Eben Etzebeth one day.

REPORT: A last-gasp penalty from John Cooney saw Ulster keep their United Rugby Championship play-off hopes on track with a 19-17 win over Cardiff after being behind for most of the game on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: Glasgow Warriors kept their winning home run intact with a hard-fought 21-10 win over the Sharks at the Scotstoun Stadium.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 14 encounter between Glasgow Warriors and the Sharks at the Scotstoun Stadium.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: Strap yourself in. It is going to be a wild ride. @king365ed looks at URC Round 14.

SEMIFINAL WRAP: All roads lead to Pretoria on Friday, April 26 as UP-Tuks will host Varsity College in the 2024 Varsity Shield Final.

SPOTLIGHT: All available tickets for the Champions Cup semifinals have been sold.

INJURY UPDATE: The Bulls have lost one of their key players, most likely for the rest of the season.

ROUND FIVE PREVIEW: The three teams at the top of the SA Cup log – Griquas, the Pumas and Cheetahs – will have their credentials as frontrunners tested when they hit the road for tricky away fixtures this weekend in Round Five of the competition.

SUPER RUGBY FRIDAY WRAP: The Hurricanes made it eight wins from eight at the top of the Super Rugby table on Friday with a hard-fought 38-15 victory over Fijian Drua in Suva.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has made several changes to his team for Saturday's United Rugby Championship clash against Ospreys in Cape Town.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has revealed his team for Saturday's United Rugby Championship Round 14 clash against Leinster in Johannesburg.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has named a powerful matchday squad for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash against Munster in Pretoria.

WATCH as the Behind the Ruck crew - Springboks Rudy Paige & Juan De Jongh - sit down with World Cup winner Ruan Pienaar.

NEWS: The Stormers are busy planning for the future and they have released a statement on one of their most promising players.