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NEWS: Andre Esterhuizen has received the most prestigious award in the English game.

ROUND EIGHT: Argentina enter the penultimate round of the Sevens World Series in pole position - sitting at the top of the standings for the first time ever.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Province have been boosted by the inclusion of some experience for their Currie Cup encounter with the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Raymond Rhule has overcome a dislike of running, the gym and stretching to establish himself as a vital cog for La Rochelle going into Saturday's European Champions Cup Final against Leinster.

TRANSFER NEWS: Lions confirmed that utility back Gianni Lombard has returned to the Johannesburg franchise.

A LONG JOURNEY: The final round of the regular season is upon us as teams look to cement their spot in the Super Rugby Pacific finals.

INTERVIEW: England star Maro Itoje has stated he will no longer sing England Rugby’s famous ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ anthem.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok veteran Morne Steyn returned to the Bulls' starting XV for their clash against the Pumas at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: SPOTLIGHT: Ronan O'Gara held off fellow legend Johnny Sexton for several years as Ireland's number one flyhalf before finally conceding defeat - on Saturday he bids to deny his successor European club rugby's biggest prize.

SPOTLIGHT: The Bulls know that they can't afford any slip-ups in their two-horse race with the Cheetahs in the Currie Cup.

SPOTLIGHT: The call from coach Neil Powell was fairly unexpected and the reason for the call was mind-blowing for the 20-year-old Jordan Hendrikse,

REACTION: Western Province have two goals they want to achieve during the business end of this year's Currie Cup.

PLAY-OFF SPOTLIGHT: It was March 26 in Durban when doubters finally started taking notice of Edinburgh's credentials.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Bulls have will be saying their goodbyes to one of their locks.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has recalled a couple of key players for his team's trip to Pretoria and a Round 12 Currie Cup encounter with the Bulls.

NEWS: France flyhalf Romain Ntamack has signed a five-year contract extension with Toulouse which will keep him at the club until 2028, the Top 14 giants announced Wednesday.

WATCH as two of South Africa's most celebrated players reveal why they have signed on to play for the Cheetahs.

INTERVIEW: Queensland is flying out to Christchurch to take on the Crusaders uncertain of their next destination in week one of the Super Rugby Pacific finals.

SPOTLIGHT: The sudden and dazzling emergence of teenage sensation Canan Moodie in the United Rugby Championship caught everyone by surprise.

OPINION: RugbyPass writer Ben Smith takes a look at how the All Black team can be overhauled ahead of the July series against Ireland and the Rugby Championship encounters with South Africa.

INTERVIEW: They may be outright favourites in Saturday's European Cup Final, but Irish giants Leinster will not disrespect their rivals, Leinster 'respect' Stade Rochelais.

BREAKING NEWS: The Stormers have bolstered their already impressive front row resources with another Springbok hooker.

URC SPOTLIGHT: There is no monster of the deep more terrifying than the one unseen, and in Ntuthuko Mchunu the Sharks have a lurking beast.

WATCH as we bring you five of the weirdest goal-kicking stances in the game!

INJURY UPDATE: A hamstrung Blues wing Caleb Clarke is racing against the clock to feature again this Super Rugby Pacific season.

MATCH REPORT: The Western Force remain in the hunt for an unlikely Super Rugby Pacific play-off berth after a bonus-point win over Moana Pasifika in Auckland.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: This season's Currie Cup schedule has been very problematic for the Griquas management.

SPOTLIGHT: South African sides will keep a keen eye on the Champions' Cup Final this weekend.

INJURY UPDATE: The South African team has flown in some reinforcement to London, in the wake of what coach Neil Power described as their 'worst-ever' performance on the Sevens circuit.

NEWS: Injured flyhalf James O'Connor is to miss the rest of the Super Rugby season.

BREAKING NEWS: The Lions may be set to lose the services of a number of their most senior players, but retaining talented youngsters do not seem to be a problem for the franchise.

SPOTLIGHT: In the wake of the European Cup quarterfinal drama, which saw Munster eliminated in a penalty-kick shoot-out by Toulouse, many asked if this is a fair way to settle such high-profile matches?

OPINION: Rugbypass writer Ben Smith delves into the functionality of red cards regarding high tackles and player safety.

ONE-ON-ONE: Watch as retired Scotland international Josh Strauss tells @king365ed why he almost quit the game at age 21.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White chats to @king365ed about the lessons the Springbok coaching staff could learn from the weekend's URC encounters.

REACTION: The BlitzBoks will have to do some soul-searching after their horror show at the France Sevens in Toulouse.

REACTION: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen admitted that his team's defeats to fellow South African franchises was the real nail in their United Rugby Championship coffin.

INJURY UPDATE: Nic Dolly was among three forwards to have pulled out of an England training camp due to injury, the Rugby Football Union announced Sunday.

DAY THREE WRAP: Olympic champions Fiji beat final debutants Ireland 29-17 to win the Toulouse leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: The first-ever quarterfinal line-up in the United Rugby Championship has been set following the thrilling completion of Round 18.

NEWS: Wallaby great and environmental activist David Pocock was poised to win a seat in the Australian Senate Sunday and become the first independent to hold the role for the national capital Canberra.

REACTION: Captain Steven Kitshoff says a lot of sacrifices were made to get the Stormers to where they are now.

MATCH REPORT: The Waratahs snapped a 14-year losing streak in Dunedin to beat the Highlanders 32-20 in the penultimate Super Rugby Pacific round.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Bath hauled themselves off the bottom of the table with an unlikely comeback win against London Irish, after being 10 points adrift early in the second half.

MATCH REPORT: Edinburgh beat Glasgow Warriors at Murrayfield to clinch the 1872 Cup, the Scottish/Italian Shield and a place in next season's Champions Cup at their rivals' expense, winning 28-11.

INJURY UPDATE: Injured playmaker James O’Connor is expected to be sidelined for a month, ruling him out of Queensland’s Super Rugby Pacific finals campaign and racing the clock for the Wallabies Test series against England.

DAY TWO WRAP: Saturday at the France Sevens in Toulouse delivered huge upsets - as the top three sides in the men's World Series standings were all knocked out.

WATCH the most bizarre and controversial stand-off playing itself out at the Sevens World Series tournament in Toulouse at the weekend.

REACTION: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt was determined to focus on the positives after his team's defeat to Ulster in Belfast on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: The Lions ended their inaugural United Rugby Championship campaign on a high, beating the Dragons 21-11 in Newport on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Leinster's second-string selection handed Munster a rude awakening in Dublin on Saturday - a humbling 35-25 win in their Round 18 URC match.

MATCH REPORT: Departing flank Eoghan Canna scored as Connacht closed out their URC season with a 22-20 bonus-point win over Zebre Parma at the Sportsground.

SPOTLIGHT: The All Blacks received some good news from World Rugby.

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers left it late, but two second-half tries by centre Ruhan Nel ensured the Stormers clinched top spot in the South African conference of the URC.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Beauden Barrett has slotted a drop goal after the full-time siren for the Blues to steal a famous Super Rugby Pacific victory from the Brumbies in Canberra.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Substitute Lukas Ripley scored a hat-trick of tries but it wasn't enough to keep the Melbourne Rebels' finals hopes alive in a 22-45 loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington.

MATCH REPORT: Benetton ran in a stunning 10 tries on their way to a hugely impressive 69-21 victory over Cardiff in their final match of the season.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 18 encounter between Leinster and Munster in Dublin.

MATCH REPORT: Forgotten Springbok Cornal Hendricks scored a hat-trick as the Bulls kept alive their dream of a top-four finish in the United Rugby Championship.

MATCH REPORT:  Ulster's title quest got a huge boost as they secured a home United Rugby Championship quarterfinal spot with a 24-21 win over the Sharks on Friday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 18 encounter between the Scarlets and the Stormers in Llanelli.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 18 encounter between the Dragons and Lions in Newport.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: South African teams' prospects of breaking the Irish stranglehold at the top of the United Rugby Championship standings have just become a lot more complicated.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson opens up about the reports of Springbok Warrick Gelant's imminent departure to France.

NEWS: Japan will be based in Toulouse during the 2023 World Cup in France, tournament organisers announced on Friday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: James O'Connor's latest injury setback has soured a Queensland Reds win that snapped a four-game Super Rugby Pacific losing streak.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Crusaders have put their Super Rugby Pacific rivals on notice with a ruthless win over the Fijian Drua to strengthen their hold on second place.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Western Force's New Zealand horror show has continued as they suffered an embarrassing 21-54 loss to the COVID-hit Chiefs in Hamilton.

DAY ONE WRAP: The three contenders for the World Rugby Sevens Series title faced setbacks on a thrilling opening day at the France Sevens as South Africa, Argentina and Australia suffered shock defeats.

PREVIEW: La Rochelle might have qualified for their second successive European Champions Cup Final, but a week before that continental showpiece comes a crucial Top 14 match.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Sale Sharks secured their place in the European Champions Cup for next season with a hard-fought 16-7 Premiership comeback victory at the Coventry Building Society Stadium.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 18 encounter between the Ospreys and Bulls in Swansea.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 18 encounter between Ulster and the Sharks in Belfast.

CONTRACT NEWS: Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi has made a big decision on his playing future.

SPOTLIGHT: Toulon president Bernard Lemaitre has explained his January criticism of Springboks talisman Eben Etzebeth as "a handicap" for the French club.

WATCH as Scarlets coach Dwayne Peel chats to @king365ed about the URC's scheduling saga and the role South African teams play in the drama.

SPOTLIGHT: Duane Vermeulen's match-up with Phendulani Buthelezi is the spicy sideshow of a crucial URC encounter between Ulster and the Sharks at Ravenhill on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies coach Dave Rennie won't hold Tom Banks's impending move to Japan against him when it comes to selecting his team to face England in July.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are two changes to the Stormers' starting line-up for their United Rugby Championship encounter with Scarlets in Llanelli on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen selected a new-look midfield pairing ahead of his team's final United Rugby Championship match of the season.

TRANSFER NEWS: Newcastle Falcons will get some South African muscle back.

WORLD SERIES ROUND SEVEN: It is still all to play for with six of the nine rounds in the men's series completed.

WATCH as we bring you 10 of the best tries scored by South Africa this past decade!

PREVIEW: With just two rounds remaining until the playoffs, round 14 provides an opportunity for teams to lock up a home playoff or confirm their spot in the top eight.

REACTION: Wales coach Wayne Pivac understands he is in a job "where everybody is watching your every move" following a dispiriting defeat by Italy.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: Strap yourself in, it is going to be a wild ride. @king365ed gives his predictions!

INTERVIEW: There may well be many doubters who will wonder if there is another World Cup in Duane Vermeulen's ageing legs.

REACTION: World Rugby is fighting a losing battle if they think they are going to keep coaching staff from sending messages onto the field.

NEWS: Next year’s Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals won’t be taking place at the Tottenham Stadium in London as originally planned.

NEWS: Test hopefuls will have another stage to press their claims for Rugby World Cup selection with an Australia A squad competing in the Pacific Nations Cup this July in Fiji.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has revealed his team for their big United Rugby Championship clash against Ulster in Belfast on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White showed his hand for the decisive Round 18 URC encounter with Ospreys in Swansea on Friday.

NEWS: England's Wayne Barnes has been appointed as the match official of the European Champions Cup final between France's La Rochelle and Irish province Leinster in Marseille on May 28. 

CONTRACT NEWS: The Sharks have continued their latest signing spree by landing the signature of another World Cup-winning Springbok.

INJURY UPDATE: Springbok centre Damian De Allende has been ruled out of Munster’s United Rugby Championship clash against Leinster.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The final round-robin fixtures of the United Rugby Championship bring with them the winds of change at the Lions.

UPDATE: The minister of sport Nathi Mthethwa may want a 'speedier' end to the Jurie Roux saga, but SARU have to "follow the letter of the law".

SPOTLIGHT: Chris Ashton said being without a rugby club left him so frustrated he took some of his excess energy out tackling his wife in the kitchen.

TRANSFER NEWS: Scotland star Huw Jones will be returning to Scotstoun ahead of the 2022/23 season, after the 28-year-old agreed to a new multi-year contract with Glasgow Warriors.

NEWS: Saracens confirmed that Sean Maitland has signed a one-year extension at the club.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has named a 33-player squad for the three-Test series in South Africa this July.

REACTION: The fuel between South Africa Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus and World Rugby has been reignited following the new trial law.

INTERVIEW: Wales will arrive in South Africa in July as 'underdogs', but the Springboks will underestimate then at their own peril.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Highlanders have confirmed that eight-test All Blacks hooker Liam Coltman will leave the side for France after the Super Rugby Pacific season.

INJURY UPDATE: La Rochelle suffered a hammer blow Tuesday with news that key scrumhalf Tawera Kerr-Barlow will miss the European Champions Cup final against Leinster on May 28 with a hand injury.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers star Deon Fourie says the ambition to be a Springbok is still there.

SPOTLIGHT: There is a huge amount at stake in this weekend’s final round of the United Rugby Championship with three home Quarter-finals and three regional Shields all up for grabs.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: As the countdown begins in earnest to the showpiece Champions Cup final in Marseille, in-form candidates from Leinster and Stade Rochelais are not surprisingly dominating the prestigious shortlist for the 2022 EPCR European Player of the Year award.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks received a timely boost for their final week of pool games in the United Rugby Championship.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: A 28-man Bulls squad will be preparing for their crucial United Rugby Championship against Ospreys in Swansea this week.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Having already qualified for the top eight, Ulster has to overcome the star-studded Sharks to secure a home quarterfinal spot.

BREAKING NEWS: Five suspended executive members of the Western Province Rugby Football Union were cleared by a disciplinary hearing.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Louis Lynagh, son of Wallabies great Michael Lynagh, has moved a step closer to being selected for England's tour to Australia in July.

NEWS: South Africa Director of Rugby Johan Rassie Erasmus' role as the Springboks' water carrier is officially over courtesy of World Rugby's new amended rules.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have named their touring squad for their last United Rugby Championship match of the season. 

TRANSFER NEWS: The fans have been asking for it and the Sharks have done it.

NEWS: England coach Eddie Jones dropped a heavy hint on Tuesday that he had been approached by Racing 92 as speculation grows that he could join the Paris-based club following next year's World Cup.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: A 24-man Stormers squad will leave for Wales on Monday for their final league match of the United Rugby Championship campaign.

NEWS: Ireland will play two midweek matches against the Maori All Blacks on their mid-year rugby tour of New Zealand, creating an intense fixture list of five games in the space of 18 days.

SQUAD UPDATE: The Springbok Sevens squad to play in the France Sevens this weekend had a late change when Selvyn Davids was declared medically unfit to travel.

UPDATE: Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies is set to return to court next month.

NEWS: British & Irish Lions mentor Warren Gatland has been linked to the head coach role at the US Eagles.

SPOTLIGHT: The United Rugby Championship enters its final round-robin stage this weekend and there will be a few intriguing showdowns with the South African shield and home quarterfinals on the line.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has detailed how he planned the country’s first-ever wins over the All Blacks.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Sharks have been extremely busy beefing up their squad for next season.

WATCH as Bulls Currie Cup coach Gert Smal chats to @king365ed about the plans for the run-in to the play-offs.

WATCH as Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie chats to @king365ed about the lofty goals he has set for his team for the rest of the season.

NEWS: Leinster confirmed that Felipe Contepomi will leave the province at the end of the season, to join Argentina as Assistant Coach to Michael Cheika.

NEWS: Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies will appear in the Kempton Park magistrate’s court on Monday.

WATCH as Western Province coach Jerome Paarwater chats to @king365ed about the latest gem to come off the union's conveyor-belt of talent.

MATCH REPORT: New Zealand import Ihaia West scored right on the full-time hooter to seal a 20-13 win for La Rochelle over Racing 92 in their Champions Cup semifinal in Lens on Sunday.

REACTION: Sharks' play-off quest took another knock with the 15-44 defeat to the Cheetahs on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Melbourne's quest for Super Rugby Pacific redemption has fallen just short, with the Rebels going down to the Chiefs 30-33 in a Sunday thriller.

MATCH REPORT: Lions captain Burger Odendaal literally gifted the Bulls a try - and the win - in their Currie Cup Round 11 encounter at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Cheetahs reclaimed the top spot on the Currie Cup standings and a home semifinal with a 44-15 rout of the Sharks in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

WATCH as @LionsRugbyCo CEO Rudolf Straeuli talks to @king365ed about the self-control that helped them avoid the financial and administrative nightmares bedevilling the WPRFU.

MATCH REPORT:  Leinster book a place in the Champions Cup Final with a comfortable 40-17 win over Stade Toulousain in Dublin.

REACTION: The South African Rugby Union has responded to reports that World Cup-winning Springbok Elton Jantjies was arrested at OR Tambo international airport in Johannesburg on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: The Brumbies insist they have the game to match the Blues, but know execution will be key in their Super Rugby Pacific top-of-the table clash on Saturday.

CHALLENGE CUP WRAP: Two French clubs, Lyon and Toulon, will face off in the Final at the Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, Friday, May 27.

MATCH REPORT: Former Sevens star Rhyno Smith scored 29 points - including a hat-trick of tries - as Benetton claimed a 39-17 URC victory over Italian rivals Zebre.

INJURY UPDATE: Leinster were left nursing some wounds in the aftermath of defeating Toulouse in the Champions Cup semifinals.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the European Cup semifinal between Racing 92 and Stade Rochelais in Lens.

MATCH REPORT: Skipper Ardie Savea has saved the day for the Hurricanes with a late try securing a 22-18 win over the Waratahs in a pulsating Super Rugby Pacific clash in Sydney.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Pumas' play-off hopes suffered a blow when they went down 17-23 to Western Province in a Currie Cup Round 11 clash in Nelspruit on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: Fijian Drua have prevailed in their inaugural clash with Moana Pasifika, winning 34-19 in Parramatta.

INTERVIEW: There will always be a space for Eddie Jones in the Australia set-up, Wallabies legend Phil Kearns admitted.

PREVIEW: Racing 92's Finn Russell said France's success at Test level highlights the country's clubs' recent dominance in the European Champions Cup before his club host La Rochelle in the competition's last four on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: A second-half Blues' blitz has consigned the Queensland Reds to a fourth straight Super Rugby Pacific loss.

URC REPORT: Flyhalf Rhys Priestland kicked Cardiff to a dramatic 19-18 United Rugby Championship victory at Dragons.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Currie Cup Round 11 encounter between the Bulls and Lions at Loftus Versfeld.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the European Cup semifinal between Leinster and Stade Toulousain in Dublin.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Currie Cup Round 11 encounter between the Cheetahs and Sharks in Bloemfontein.

NEWS: One of France's top loose forwards will end his long career when the Top 14 season concludes.

PREVIEW: @king365ed takes a look at Saturday's Round 11 Currie Cup matches - crucial encounters in the play-off race.

With French Rugby enjoying the almost perfect year after a Six Nations victory, only the United Rugby Championship side Leinster can stop them from taking another Champions’ Cup win in Europe as well.

There was some added drama in the Currie Cup clash between the Pumas and Western Province in Nelspruit on Friday.

WATCH as @LionsRugbyCo CEO Rudolf Straeuli talks to @king365ed about the pending departure of several key players from Ellis Park and what their plans are.

MATCH REPORT: The Western Force's Super Rugby Pacific season is in tatters after a 10-61 humbling at the hands of the Highlanders.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions are using their Currie Cup Round 11 encounter with the Bulls as a 'warm-up' match for their United Rugby Championship squad.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie tweaked his unbeaten team for the Round 11 Currie Cup encounter with the Sharks.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Currie Cup Round 11 encounter between the Pumas and Western Province in Nelspruit.

TRANSFER NEWS: Italy fullback Ange Capuozzo, who lit up the Six Nations when he made his first international start in Cardiff, has joined French giants Toulouse, the Top 14 club announced on Friday.

ROUND 11 PREVIEW: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse expects 'Western Province to throw everything but the kitchen sink at them to end a seven-match losing streak.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bismarck du Plessis will make a return to play with a starting berth for the Bulls when they take on the Lions in a Currie Cup clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks have a tough Currie Cup assignment this weekend when they travel to Bloemfontein to take on the Cheetahs.

TEAM UPDATE: Pumas head coach Jimmy Stonehouse has been forced to change his team for their Currie Cup match against the Western Province on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: The Crusaders have prevailed in the Super Rugby Pacific's biggest heavyweight battle of the season so far, but it didn't come easily against the Brumbies in a GIO Stadium thriller.

INJURY UPDATE: Dragons will be without the services of Wales forward Ross Moriarty.

INTERVIEW: Leinster can beat Toulouse in Saturday's heavyweight European Champions Cup semifinal and move to within one victory of equalling the French giant's record of five titles.

NEWS: Two years after financial turmoil forced serious consideration of a return to amateurism, Australian rugby has received a major boost.

SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby confirmed that they have voted to introduce five recent trial Laws into full use across the sport as of July.

PREVIEW: There are two rearranged derby matches in the United Rugby Championship this weekend.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The most capped BlitzBok ever has been included in the 13-man Springbok Sevens squad for the next two World Rugby Sevens Series tournaments in France and England

NEWS: Ireland confirmed that they will face the Springboks ahead of their meeting at the 2023 World Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: It seems like South African franchises' move to the Northern Hemisphere is now truly having an impact on the game in New Zealand.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are four changes to the Western Province forward pack for their Currie Cup encounter with Pumas in Nelspruit on Friday.

WATCH as World Cup-winning lock Eben Etzebeth reveals how he settled his dispute with fellow Springbok Bakkies Botha.

BREAKING NEWS: Less than a week after stating they would not make a mid-season announcement, the Bulls revealed the arrival of a player from another South African franchise.

WATCH AS Springbok Sibusiso Nkosi talks about the reasons for his upstream move from the Sharks to the Bulls and his Springbok prospects.

ROAD TO THE PLAY-OFFS: With just three weeks until the finals, every game in Round 13 of Super Rugby Pacific carries further significance as teams fight for position.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Sharks' signing spree continues.

NEWS: Argentinean international veteran Agustin Creevy was given a slap on the wrist for his stunt to pull the hair of an opponent in a European Challenge Cup quarterfinal match.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has kept faith in the team that beat the Sharks last week.

SPOTLIGHT: Booted out of their home stadium by a hip hop concert, Racing 92 is trying to make the best of hosting their European Champions Cup semifinal almost 200km away in Lens.

SPOTLIGHT: The United States staging a first Rugby World Cup would be a "game-changer" for the sport in the country, according to Eagles international Nick Civetta.

TRANSFER NEWS: Scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer will rejoin the Stormers squad next week, having recently signed a two-year deal.

SPOTLIGHT: Sale Sharks Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson opened the proverbial 'can of worms' when he suggested that the Premiership salary cap is a major handicap for English clubs in Europe.

SPOTLIGHT: Two years after financial turmoil forced serious consideration of a return to amateurism, Australian rugby will be looking to the World Rugby Council to deliver a watershed moment for the game Down Under.

NEWS: The fate of New Zealand Rugby's contentious deal with a US private equity firm should be known within a month, after a special general meeting was called by the sport's bosses on Wednesday.

INTERVIEW: The winless Lions may not rank as serious Currie Cup opposition, but the Bulls are determined to avoid the obvious pitfall of complacency.

SPOTLIGHT: It has been a horrible Currie Cup campaign for Western Province.

SUPER SPOTLIGHT: Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika will put pride on the line and are promising a "cultural experience".

NEWS: A new international rugby competition will once again be the topic of discussion as World Rugby looks to shake up the global calendar.

NEWS: It seems Eddie Jones' services are in high demand.

NEWS: Champions Cup officials have confirmed that the two-legged round of 16 aggregate format that was used last month for the first time won’t be repeated in the upcoming 2022/23 season.

OPINION: Hamish Bidwell asks whether a new global rugby competition will be a solution to fan boredom.

SPOTLIGHT: England centre Manu Tuilagi says sleeping better after advice from his wife has helped his return to action but is refusing to think about July's tour to Australia.

SQUAD UPDATE: The Waratahs have received some reinforcements.

WATCH as the Lansdowne Road crowd in Dublin shows exactly what is missing from South African stadiums - SPIRIT!

UPDATE: Suspended Western Province Rugby Football Union President Zelt Marais is moving ever closer to his 'date with destiny'.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Sharks are building an impressive squad.

NEWS: London Irish hooker Agustin Creevy has been cited for allegedly pulling South African World Cup-winner Eben Etzebeth's hair during a European Challenge Cup quarterfinal away to Toulon on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: SA Rugby president Mark Alexander opens up on the way forward for rugby in South Africa.

REACTION: Griquas head coach Pieter Bergh says his team will need to play more frequently if they are to be truly competitive against the top teams in the Currie Cup.

TRANSFER NEWS: Zebre Parma have confirmed that they have signed former South African Under-20 star Dennis Visser.

NEWS: The Top 14 final for the 2023-24 season will be held in Marseille as the Stade de France will be in the process of being ready for use for the Paris Olympics, officials said Monday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has named a 63-man squad for their 2022 Test season.

WATCH as Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie explains why they are not yet ready to release seasoned hooker Wilmar Arnoldi to the Stormers.

REACTION: Ospreys boss Toby Booth has questioned the integrity of the United Rugby Championship (URC) after stating that the staging of the final round of the competition may offer a certain side an advantage.

INTERVIEW: Watch as World Cup-winning Springbok Eben Etzebeth gives his view on the emotional subject of South Africa's prospects of joining the Six Nations.

REACTION: Sale Sharks Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson has made an honest admission following his side's exit from the Champions Cup on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: The prospect of working with Wallabies flyhalf great Stephen Larkham has helped convince one of Australia's rising stars to re-commit to the Brumbies and Rugby Australia.

REACTION: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White was not a happy man after his team's Currie Cup win against Griquas.

MATCH REPORT: Finn Russell scored a superb solo effort and set up another for Teddy Thomas as Racing 92 beat Sale Sharks 41-22 on Sunday to book their place in the European Cup semifinals.

MATCH REPORT: London Irish suffered a heartbreaking 18-19 European Challenge Cup quarterfinal defeat at Toulon.

MATCH REPORT: Morgan Morris scored a hat-trick of tries as Ospreys collected a bonus-point 50-31 victory over Dragons.

WATCH as Lions coach Mziwakhe Nkosi talks to @king365ed about possible solutions to the team's horror Currie Cup run - having lost all nine games this season.

REACTION: Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has praised his team's ability to overcome adversity as the 12-time champions gear up for a season-defining clash with the Brumbies on Friday.

REACTION: Saturday won’t be the last time Johann van Graan will sit in the hot seat in the Aviva Stadium media conference room reflecting on a Munster rugby match.

SPOTLIGHT: They may be getting a little "greedy" but Waratahs coach Darren Coleman is sure they aren't getting ahead of themselves as a Super Rugby Pacific home final beckons.

CHALLENGE CUP WRAP: No.8 Alfie Barbeary's late try sent Wasps through to the European Challenge Cup semifinals with a 34-30 win at Edinburgh on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Leinster booked a home Champions Cup semifinal against reigning champions Stade Toulousain after overcoming Leicester Tigers 23-14 at Welford Road on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Bulls reclaimed the top spot in the Currie Cup standings after they survived a second-half fightback from Griquas to record a 48-38 win at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday

MATCH REPORT: french giants Toulouse advanced to the semifinals of the European Cup, following a dramatic penalty shootout with Munster in Dublin on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Leinster booked a home Champions Cup semifinal against reigning champions Stade Toulousain after overcoming Leicester Tigers 23-14 at Welford Road on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Stormers have found a replacement for Warrick Gelant.

REACTION: The WRU and the regions issued a joint statement through the PRB in an attempt to ease fears around the leaking of a report that recommended that one region is cut.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: All Blacks skipper Sam Cane hailed the Brumbies as "benchmarks" after they were outclassed in a pivotal Super Rugby Pacific encounter in Hamilton.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Hurricanes became the third side to post more than 50 points when they whipped the hapless Fijian Drua 67-5 on Sunday.

REACTION: Sharks head coach Etienne Fynn says his team were not sharp enough in their Currie Cup Round 10 clash against the Pumas in Durban on Friday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Leicester Fainga'anuku and Will Jordan both scored hat-tricks to power the Crusaders to a 53-15 bonus-point win over the Western Force in Perth.

NEWS: Samoan back row forward Kelly Meafua died on Friday after jumping from a bridge into the river Tarn during an evening of festivities.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Waratahs have dug deep to secure a vital 26-20 Super Rugby Pacific comeback win over Moana Pasifika in Auckland.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the European Cup quarterfinal encounter between Leicester Tigers and Leinster at Welford Road.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Currie Cup Round 10 encounter between the Bulls and Griquas at Loftus Versfeld.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the European Cup quarterfinal encounter between Munster and Stade Toulousain at Lansdowne Road in Dublin.

REACTION: Queensland Reds skipper Tate McDermott has ripped his team's "embarrassing" defence and complacency after surrendering another lead to hand the Highlanders just their third win of the Super Rugby Pacific season.

CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: Saracens overwhelmed English rivals Gloucester 44-15 on Friday to book their place in the last four of the European Challenge Cup.

MATCH REPORT: The Cheetahs remain unbeaten with a 35-26 win over Lions at Ellis Park on Friday.

MATCH REPORT:  The Pumas kept their play-off hopes alive with a hard-fought 20-10 win over the Sharks in Durban on Friday. 

MATCH REPORT: Cardiff scored five first-half tries on their way to a 42-14 bonus-point victory over Zebre Parma at the Arms Park.

NEWS: England great Dean Richards is to step down as Newcastle's director of rugby at the end of the season but will continue in a consultancy role, the Premiership club announced on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White provided an update on some of the big player movements at the franchise.

REPORT: The Reds lost 19-27 to the Highlanders, coughing up an early 12-0 lead - as their horror record against New Zealand opponents worsened.

MATCH REPORT: The table-topping Blues have spanked Melbourne 71-28 in a Super Rugby Pacific horror show for the Rebels.

NEWS: It started off as a 'loan' deal and it has become a permanent move from Bloemfontein to Cape Town.

PREVIEW: Montpellier's South Africa flyhalf Handre Pollard said he expects Saturday's quarterfinal at La Rochelle to be like "a chess game".

REACTION: World Rugby has taken the decision to issue the full written judgment in the case of Spain’s recent points reduction that has led to them being turfed out of the World Cup for the second time in four years.

OPINION: @rugby365 columnist and two-time World Rugby Junior Championship winner Eugene Eloff shines the spotlight on the skewed priorities of some schools.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have selected a strong team to take on Griquas in a crucial Currie Cup encounter at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Currie Cup Round 10 encounter between the Lions and Cheetahs at Ellis Park.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Currie Cup Round 10 encounter between the Sharks and Pumas at Kings Park.

SPOTLIGHT: Michael Cheika had some big things to say in his first press conference as Argentine head coach since succeeding his former colleague Mario Ledesma.

LOCAL IS LEKKER: The Currie Cup resumes on Friday and the six teams in action this weekend will be eager to make a push for the play-offs.

WATCH as the Eden Park stadium security teach a pitch invader a BRUTAL lesson.

PREVIEW: A tasty United Rugby Championship derby lies ahead in Wales, the rescheduled Round Eight fixture between Ospreys and Dragons on Sunday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Harlequins announced the signing of second row Irné Herbst ahead of the 2022/23 season

NEWS: Mark Tainton will step down as CEO of Bristol Bears at the end of the season citing personal reasons, the Premiership club revealed.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Champions Team will face Italy A in the second edition of this unique encounter, it was confirmed by SA Rugby and the Italian Rugby Federation.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Toulouse fullback Clement Poitrenaud said he regrets the likely integration of South African provinces into next season's European Cup.

NEWS: Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber expressed his satisfaction with the progress made within the national structures in the last month as they wrapped up a series of alignment camps on Thursday in preparation for the 2022 international season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Mziwakhe Nkosi has named his latest recruit, Sharks import Sanele Nohamba, on the bench for the Currie Cup Round 10 encounter with the Cheetahs at Ellis Park on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Griquas team that travels to Pretoria for a Round 10 Currie Cup encounter with the Bulls shows a few changes.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs head coach Hawies Fourie has revealed his team to face the Lions in a Currie Cup Round 10 clash in Johannesburg on Friday.

REACTION: Dragons boss Dean Ryan insists a reduction in the number of regions from four to three would be a damaging step for Welsh rugby to take.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks return to Currie Cup action on Friday, when they host the Pumas in a Currie Cup Round 10 clash at Kings Park.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Sharks have boosted their squad with another Springbok.

SPOTLIGHT: The improved results of Australian Super Rugby Pacific teams may have surprised many but not Wallabies coach Dave Rennie, who said the signs were there.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas head coach Jimmy Stonehouse has revealed his team to face the Sharks in a Currie Cup Round 10 clash in Durban on Friday.

NEWS: Namibia Rugby and the cycling community have suffered a great loss with the tragic news of Gerhard Mans.

PREVIEW: The Australian teams took the spoils in round 11 and now all eyes will be on whether they can sustain their hot form on New Zealand soil this weekend.

NEWS: Argentina wing Juan Imhoff has signed a new deal with Racing 92, the French Top 14 club announced on Wednesday despite reports claiming he would leave at the end of the season.

TRANSFER TALK: Fijian star Nemani Nadolo is reportedly set to sign a one-year deal with the Waratahs ahead of next year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok centre Damian de Allende opens up on his time with Munster.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: This weekend the South African Rugby fraternity turn their attention to the Currie Cup.

OPINION: Hamish Bidwell takes a look at the decline of New Zealand's Super Rugby franchises.

REACTION: The Springboks will play a Test in Adelaide for the first time when they line up against the Wallabies.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT:  The Bulls' one -squad for the United Rugby Championship and Currie Cup may face a major stumbling block in June. 

TRANSFER NEWS: The Sharks have obtained the services of a Varsity Cup star.

This weekend’s Champions Cup quarter-finals throw up some fascinating contrasts.

INJURY UPDATE: Second-row Paul Willemse is a doubt for France's July tour to Japan after his club Montpellier announced on Tuesday he will be out for two months with knee damage.

NEWS: Rugby Football Union (RFU) confirmed that Chief Executive Bill Sweeney has been admitted to the hospital.

SPOTLIGHT: Australia’s top-ranked Super Rugby Pacific side, the Brumbies, have some unfinished business in New Zealand starting with the Chiefs on Saturday.

WATCH as Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen and captain Burger Odendaal review the United Rugby Championship win over Benetton at the weekend.

NEWS: Melbourne Rebels centre Ray Nu'u is set to miss the remainder of the Super Rugby Pacific season after receiving a four-week suspension — his second ban of the competition.

NEWS: Scotland hooker Grant Stewart is among a number of players who will be departing Glasgow in the off-season.

WATCH as Irish supporters and former players blow up over the petulant behaviour of young Stormers star Evan Roos at the weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former All Blacks wing Jeff Wilson says he doesn’t read anything into the shock Super Rugby Pacific win by the Waratahs over the Crusaders in Sydney on Saturday.

REACTION: There is very little reason why the Sharks can not win the United Rugby Championship title believes Connacht flank Conor Oliver.

INJURY UPDATE: Taniela Tupou is the latest big-name Reds player to suffer an injury, the prop joining flyhalf James O'Connor on the sideline with a calf strain.

NEWS: French club Stade Francais announced on Tuesday that Australia hooker Tolu Latu will leave the club.

INTERVIEW: The Wallabies and All Blacks will meet in a mid-week Test in the first match of the Bledisloe Cup series, on a Thursday in Melbourne.

NEWS: The Wallabies have revealed a historic venue to host their Rugby Championship fixture against the Springboks. 

REACTION: The South African franchises have played a huge role in the reboot of European Rugby, says Leinster coach Leo Cullen.

INJURY UPDATE: Leinster will not just get back the bulk of their internationals, but also some serious muscle will be returning for their Champions Cup quarterfinal.

There were some shocking scenes at a schoolboy rugby match between Northwood High and Kearsney College on Saturday.

WACTH as the rivalry between Springboks and All Blacks reached another level. 

The Sharks, Stormers and Bulls all booked spots in the United Rugby Championship playoffs with hard-fought home victories in the penultimate round of league action.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: London Irish executed one of the most thrilling turnarounds in Premiership history on Sunday against Wasps, coming back from 14-39 down in less than 20 minutes to level scores at 42-all at full-time.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springboks Director of rugby Rassie Erasmus says he wants World Rugby to introduce two referees as part of a three-point refereeing plan to improve the sport.

REPORT: A breathtaking Rob Valetini try has helped the Brumbies take down a New Zealand opponent for a second straight week, knocking off the Hurricanes 42-25 at GIO Stadium.

TOP 14 WRAP: Five-time winners Biarritz were relegated from the French Top 14 on Saturday after their 48-13 loss to Castres and Perpignan's 27-10 victory over Brive.

REACTION: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt was proud of his speedsters in their United Rugby Championship Round 17 clash against Connacht on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT:  The Stormers kept their winning run intact with a hard-fought 20-13 win over Leinster at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday. 

REACTION: The objective of reaching the United Rugby Championship Final Eight has been accompanied by a sense of disappointment for Stormers head coach John Dobson.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks booked their spot in the Final Eight with an incredible second-half surge which saw them topple Connacht 41-21 at Kings Park on Saturday.

REPORT: Ulster withstood a late home onslaught to secure a narrow 16-10 win over Edinburgh on Saturday.

SATURDAY WRAP: Leicester coach Steve Borthwick paid tribute to Chris Ashton after the former England wing ran in a hat-trick to become the Premiership's all-time leading try-scorer on Saturday.

REACTION: Glasgow head coach Danny Wilson admitted that his team were dominated in the physical exchanges in their clash with the Bulls in Pretoria on Friday.

REPORT: The Ospreys kept their Champions Cup qualification hopes alive with a thrilling 54-36 victory over the Scarlets in Swansea.

MATCH REPORT: Zebre Parma claimed their first United Rugby Championship victory since February last year as they defeated the Dragons 23-18 at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

REACTION: The Bulls are set to use their United Rugby Championship stars in the Currie Cup over the next few weeks.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Waratahs have lit up Leichhardt Oval with a rousing 24-21 Super Rugby Pacific win over the mighty Crusaders.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Melbourne Rebels have made it a Super Saturday for Australian teams, backing up the Waratahs' shock win with a 26-22 victory over Moana Pasifika.

NEWS: Wales will have one of their stars back in action ahead of their three-Test series against the Springboks in July.

REPORT: It was a perfect Johannesburg send-off for captain  Burger Odendaal as Lions recorded a 37-29 win over Benetton at Ellis Park on Saturday. 

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 17 encounter between the Stormers and Leinster in Cape Town.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 17 encounter between the Sharks and Connacht at Kings Park.

NEWLANDS UPDATE: Despite already facing 13 charges and possible more disciplinary hearings, suspended WPRFU President Zelt Marais is unrelenting in his stand-off with SARU.

INJURY UPDATE: Stormers have been dealt a late injury blow just hours before their United Rugby Championship match against Leinster.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 17 encounter between the Lions and Benetton at Ellis Park.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls took another step closer to a play-off spot with a bonus-point (29-17) win over Glasgow Warriors at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

WRAP: South African names featured prominently on the Friday scoreboards, as Northampton Saints and Sale Sharks recorded wins.

MATCH REPORT: Munster battled to a 42-21 bonus-point victory over Cardiff in Cork to guarantee a play-off berth and bolster their bid for home advantage in the last eight.

MEWS: The President of the Spanish Rugby Federation said Friday he will step down from his post after Spain was thrown out of the 2023 World Cup.

REACTION: Mark Alexander, president of the South African Rugby Union (SARU), re-focused the organisation on game-changing off-field initiatives following his re-election to the role in Cape Town on Friday.

ROUND 17: This weekend brings the penultimate round of action in the United Rugby Championship, but there remains plenty to be decided before the regular season draws to a close.

NEWS: France international Maxime Médard said he had "no regrets" over his career as he announced he would be retiring from the game at the end of the season.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Highlanders have cruelly denied Fijian Drua a historic win in their first Super Rugby Pacific match played at home, with a full house at Suva's ANZ Stadium unable to lift their team to victory.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Blues have dealt the Western Force's finals prospects a major blow with a thrilling 22-18 Super Rugby Pacific win in Perth.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: From play-off hopes to Champions Cup qualification and a unique South African clean sweep - it is all still to play for.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks' United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign has received a major boost.

WATCH as Lions scrum guru Julian Redelinghuys talks about the way forward for the Ellis Park-based outfit.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Taniela Tupou has limped off with a calf injury and the Queensland Reds' horror record against New Zealand Super Rugby rivals worsened in a frustrating loss to the Chiefs.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 17 encounter between the Bulls and Glasgow at Loftus Versfeld.

UPDATE: Injured Wallabies playmaker James O'Connor hopes to be playing in mid-May, setting him up for Australia's blockbuster three-Test series against England.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok loose forward Rynhardt Elstadt is hungrier than ever after his recent spell on the sidelines.

TRANSFER NEWS: Northampton Saints announced the signing of Australian wing James Ramm from the Waratahs ahead of the 2022/23 season.

NEWS: Spain have been thrown out of the 2023 World Cup in France after a disciplinary hearing found that they had played an ineligible player in two recent qualifications games.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has revealed his team to face Connacht in a United Rugby Championship clash in Durban on Saturday.

NEWS: The Springboks’ return to the playing field in 2021 ensured the South African Rugby Union (SARU) was able to report a small surplus for the year, as the sport began to emerge from the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic.

PREVIEW: After a thrilling Super Round, the focus turns to play-offs, as teams look to make a late push in the home straight.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: With just two rounds left to go, it is all to play for in the United Rugby Championship as the top spot and all four home quarter-finals are still up for grabs.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls will be without one of their key players when they face Glasgow Warriors in a crucial United Rugby Championship clash on Friday.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby has posted its first profit in four years with the announcement Thursday of a NZ$5.5 million (US$3.6 million) surplus for 2021.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has revealed his team to face Benetton in a United Rugby Championship Round 17 clash in Johannesburg on Saturday.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi talks about what the future might hold for him!

NEWS: Scotland will face some of the Southern Hemisphere's best during this year's end-of-year international series.

INTERVIEW: The Sharks hope to cement their United Rugby Championship top-four position with an Irish trilogy.

WATCH as Connacht senior coach Peter Wilkins talks about the 'Irish spy' in the Sharks team, ahead of their URC Round 17 match.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: As the inaugural season of the URC heads towards its conclusion, South African sides have become more prominent.

INTERVIEW: Liam Heagney talks to Sharks boss Alex Sanderson about the 'beer and braai' they had with the Springbok coaching panel.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: There are three changes to the Stormers starting line-up to face Leinster in a table-topping United Rugby Championship clash at Stadium on Saturday.

NEWS: Tom Youngs has confirmed his retirement from professional rugby with immediate effect.

NEWS: All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has some tough decisions to make when the Test season comes around

OPINION: New Zealand-based Ben Smith takes a look at the 2022 Test season and what it holds for South Africa.

SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks coach Ian Foster expects the flurry of red cards seen in Super Rugby to continue in test matches this season.

NEWS: In advance of the remaining fixtures in the knockout stage of the 2021/22 Champions Cup, the venues for the semifinals have been confirmed.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Cheetahs’ plans of returning to the international stage will remain just a dream.

SPOTLIGHT: 'South Africa's arrival in the United Rugby Championship is already having positive spin offs for the European competition.

INTERVIEW: Leinster is determined to avoid a trip back to South Africa during the United Rugby Championship play-offs.

INTERVIEW: South African coach Jacques Nienaber is 'excited' about the World Cup next year, but admits preparation time is limited.

WATCH as Bulls skipper Marcell Coetzee talks about his team's growth, with just two rounds remaining before the inaugural United Rugby Championship play-offs.

SPOTLIGHT: With only two full rounds to come before the play-offs, the top half of the United Rugby Championship could hardly be tighter.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Western Force confirmed that Kyle Godwin will be departing the franchise at the end of the season.

OPINION: Ben Smith takes a look at the latest gimmick in Super Rugby Pacific that flopped!

FINAL REPORT: Scrumhalf Bernard van der Linde scored a try at the death as UP-Tuks edged Maties 29-23 in a dramatic final staged in Stellenbosch.

UPDATE: The Springbok star's club coach confirmed the bad news

WATCH as we bring you a video of the dramatic last moments of the Varsity Cup Final between Tuks and Maties in Stellenbosch on Monday.

NEWS: The All Blacks' home Test schedule for the 2022 season has been confirmed.

REACTION: Sharks coach Sean Everitt knows his team's place in the top four of the URC is reliant on them eliminating some of the remaining problem areas.

NEWS: Glasgow head coach Danny Wilson confirmed that star wing Kyle Steyn will not be involved in their United Rugby Championship clash against the Bulls in Pretoria on Friday.

INJURY UPDATE: Leinster will have an even more diluted squad when they arrive in Cape Town for a Round 17 United Rugby Championship meeting with the Stormers on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Edinburgh has lost the services of two of their South African props, Boan Venter and Luan de Bruin, for the rest of the season.

TRANSFER NEWS: Bath-based flyhalf Tian Schoeman is joining Newcastle Falcons on a three-year deal.

REACTION: Leinster coach Leo Cullen warned SA teams they will have an entirely new set of challenges to deal with when they compete in Europe next season.

NEWS: The Stormers have received much-needed help from one of their fellow South African franchises.

WATCH as Glasgow Warriors coach Danny Wilson gives his verdict on a Stormers team that is sitting pretty in second place on the standings.

SPOTLIGHT: In Ian Foster’s "ideal world", the All Blacks head coach would love to have South African franchises competing in Super Rugby.

TOP 14 REPORT: Maxime Lucu kicked a last-minute penalty as Bordeaux-Begles defeated French Top 14 leaders Montpellier 23-22 on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: Exeter's bitter rivalry with Saracens endured another traumatic twist as their Premiership play-off ambitions were dealt a potentially mortal blow by a 22-38 loss.

NEWS: Another sad day for the South African Rugby community.

REPORT: Melbourne Rebels have been unable to square the ledger with the Kiwi teams, crashing to a 17-42 defeat by the heavyweight Crusaders to wrap up Super Round in Melbourne.

INJURY UPDATE: Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach is reportedly set to miss the upcoming three-Test series against Wales.

REPORT: The Brumbies restored some pride in Australian rugby by claiming the first Kiwi scalp of Super Round with a hard-fought 28-17 victory over the Highlanders.

WATCH as Connacht coach Andy Friend and his Lions counterpart Ivan van Rooyen give their views on the tactics and gamesmanship employed in their URC showdown at Ellis Park at the weekend.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks cemented their top-eight position and kept their top-four dream, alive with a hard-earned win over a determined Leinster at a wet Kings Park on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The pressure on incumbent fullback Willie le Roux to hold on to his Springbok jersey seems to be building every round of the United Rugby Championship as the young stars of South African rugby shine.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Tabai Matson admitted that toppling Leicester 26-20 in their title clash at Twickenham Stoop has helped Harlequins recover from the disappointment of their European setback.

MATCH REPORTS: Connacht became only the second Northern Hemisphere side to record a United Rugby Championship win on South African soil.

TOP 14 WRAP: Toulon shrugged off the absence of injured South African star Cheslin Kolbe to beat champions Toulouse 19-15 and boost their push for a play-off spot at the weekend.

MATCH REPORT: The Ospreys pulled clear in the second half to earn a 22-6 victory over Cardiff in their Welsh derby at the Arms Park.

MATCH REPORT: The Scarlets stayed in the hunt for the United Rugby Championship play-offs with a 38-19 bonus-point win over the Dragons at Rodney Parade.

REPORT: The Queensland Reds saw a Super Rugby Pacific victory go up in smoke after blowing an early lead to crash to a painful 17-35 defeat to the Hurricanes.

REPORT: The Super Rugby Pacific ladder-leading Blues have been given a scare by battlers Fijian Drua before scrambling to a 35-18 victory in their AAMI Park clash.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls kept alive their play-off dream with a commanding second-half performance at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

TRANSFER TALK: The Wallabies and Brumbies could be set for a double-whammy of player departures following reports of interest in two of their key men from Japanese clubs.

WATCH as seasoned referee Wayne Barnes stirs up  a storm by penalising the attacking team for 'causing' a high tackle against them

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 16 encounter between the Sharks and Leinster at Kings Park.

URC REPORT: Edinburgh were pushed all the way by Zebre Parma in a 29-26 victory that strengthens their grasp on a play-off place.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 16 encounter between the Lions and Connacht at Ellis Park.

URC REPORT: The Stormers moved into the United Rugby Championship's top four after they beat Glasgow Warriors 32-7 in Cape Town on Friday.

INJURY UPDATE: Hooker has become a 'flash point' for the Stormers, after yet another injury.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 16 encounter between the Bulls and Benetton at Loftus Versfeld.

INTERVIEW: Tappe Henning, the Head of Match Officials for the URC, dismissed the notion that there is a difference in interpretation between the northern and south.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: The South African teams will be hoping for another 'clean sweep' as the United Rugby Championship moves into the home stretch.

NEWS: The England Under-20 doctor who was the subject of a concussion controversy during the junior Six Nations tournament has been suspended.

NEWS: South African Rugby is in mourning following the tragic death of former Springbok and Bulls flank Pedrie Wannenburg.

MATCH REPORT: Waratahs' hopes of claiming an early Kiwi scalp at AAMI Park were brought undone by some dumb rugby, with the Chiefs capitalising to bank a 51-27 Super Rugby Pacific victory.

NEWS: South Africa has chosen the French Riviera as the place to base themselves at next year's World Cup.

URC REPORT: Munster held off an Ulster fightback to pick up a 24-17 win in Belfast that lifts them above their opponents in the United Rugby Championship table.

PREMIERSHIP FRIDAY WRAP: Bristol Bears claimed a narrow 29-28 win over Gloucester at Ashton Gate in the Premiership on Friday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 16 encounter between the Stormers and Glasgow Warriors in Cape Town.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls made two changes to starting XV that will face Benetton Rugby in a Vodacom United Rugby Championship Round 16 match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Inspirational captain Burger Odendaal will don the number 12 jersey this Saturday as the Lions take on Irish team Connacht at Ellis Park in the United Rugby Championship.

SPOTLIGHT: With three rounds left until the first United Rugby Championship's play-off teams are confirmed, 11 teams are still in the hunt to reach the knock-out stages.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks backline received a major boost ahead of their United Rugby Championship clash against Leinster on Saturday. 

TOP 14 PREVIEW: Defending champions Toulouse head into this weekend's Top 14 clash at Toulon without their French halfback stars Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack.

NEWS: The Springbok superstar will be out of action for a lengthy period.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: The Stormers have a chance to cement their place in the play-offs - and even move into a top-four spot - when they host Glasgow Warriors in the opening match of Round 16.

NEWS: The process to determine who hosts the United Rugby Championship Final has been confirmed.

SPOTLIGHT: The number of red cards in this year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition has already reached record levels.

CONTRACT NEWS: The Irish Rugby Football Union and Leinster confirmed that Robbie Henshaw has extended his contract to July 2025.

NEWS: Conrad Smith and Jerome Kaino are just two of the well-decorated names that have been included in the Classic All Blacks squad for a one-off fixture next month.

INTERVIEW: Tappe Henning, the Head of Match Officials for the United Rugby Championship, has revealed that the role of the Television Match Official is being reviewed.

NEWS: Argentina rugby great Juan Manuel Leguizamon, the last active player of the team that finished third at the 2007 World Cup, announced his retirement.

MATCH REPORT: It’s been an emotional rollercoaster of a season for the UFH Blues.

NEWS: Former All Blacks coach Wayne Smith was appointed Thursday to head a new set-up for the New Zealand women's team following a damning review into the way the side had been handled.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are just two changes to the Stormers' starting line-up for their United Rugby Championship encounter with Glasgow Warriors at Cape Town Stadium on Friday.

NEWS: Leinster and Ireland hooker Seán Cronin has announced his decision to retire from rugby at the end of the current season.

NEWS: EPCR has published the outcome of five disciplinary hearings that took place this week,

NEWS: Scotland have confirmed that they will play a three-Test series against Argentina this July.

WATCH as Lions attack and skills coach Ricardo Laubscher talks about the successful changes in the backline over the last month.

OPINION: At the halfway stage of Super Rugby Pacific, the RugbyPass roundtable writers from New Zealand and Australia review their pre-season predictions.

NEWS: The first Test between South Africa and Wales will be a very historic career event for referee Nika Amashukel.

WATCH as the United Rugby Championship has digitally revealed the trophy that will be presented to the league champions at the first Grand Final on Saturday, June 18.

NEWS: A letter from United States President Joe Biden expressing strong support for his country's bid to host the 2031 and 2033 World Cup was part of a final bid package.

INTERVIEW: The United Rugby Championship is ready to embrace technology, including the famed Hawk-Eye system, to enhance the game.

NEWS: Treviso scrumhalf Callum Braley announced his retirement from the international game.

PREVIEW: This weekend's action sees Melbourne become the epicentre for Super Rugby Pacific with the historic Super Round 10 being played at AAMI Park.

NEWS: Following the conclusion of this year’s blockbuster Six Nations, that saw France winning their first Grand Slam since 2010, the fixtures for the 2023 Championship have been announced.

INTERVIEW: The Stormers received a timely boost ahead of the final three rounds of the United Rugby Championship.

NEWS: England could be without one of their stars for their series against the Wallabies.

SPOTLIGHT: Benetton will be up against a different beast in Pretoria this weekend than the one that they faced in last year's Rainbow Cup Final.

NEWS: EPCR has announced the exact dates and kick-off times of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup quarterfinal matches.

SPOTLIGHT: Leinster head coach Leo Cullen wants the top teams to be rewarded when it comes to the right to host the Final of the United Rugby Championship.

NEWS: Injury to James O'Connor has put a spanner in the Queensland Reds' plans to take down their New Zealand rivals and threatens to derail the playmaker's home Test campaign for a second-straight year.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Benetton revealed their 30-man travelling squad for matches against the Bulls and the Lions in the United Rugby Championship.

SQUAD UPDATE: Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has issued an injury update ahead of their United Rugby Championship clash with the Sharks at Kings Park on Saturday.

NEWS: The Lions will be able to bolster their team with some key players for their United Rugby Championship clash against Connacht in Johannesburg.

SPOTLIGHT: Rugby giant Emmanuel Meafou is set to turn his back on the Wallabies and pledge allegiance to France after being overlooked by Australian Super Rugby teams.

SPOTLIGHT: The Queensland Reds have switched gears to prepare for their Super Round clash with the Hurricanes in Melbourne this weekend, determined to learn from the mistakes of last season.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Connacht coaching team have selected a 28-man squad to travel to South Africa for the upcoming URC games against the Lions and the Sharks.

SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks are bracing themselves for one of their toughest battles of the season against Leinster, despite the Irish giants arriving in South Africa with a second-string squad.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Springbok captain and centre Jean de Villiers says the midfield is clearly a problem area for the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship.

VARSITY CUP WRAP: Maties and UP-Tuks won their respective semi-finals on Monday to advance to the Varsity Cup final.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Glasgow Warriors have named a squad of 32 players to travel to South Africa for this month’s crucial United Rugby Championship double-header, the first visit by the club to the Rainbow Nation since 2019.

SPOTLIGHT: Blues head coach Leon MacDonald has been labelled as “the future of the All Blacks coaching staff” after his team's win over Crusaders.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Glasgow Warriors will have a unique plan for the in-form Stormers revealed Pete Murchie.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Crusaders captain Scott Barrett is one of three players who were handed bans this week by SANZAAR.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Leinster revealed their squad for a two-week tour of South Africa in the United Rugby Championship.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Springbok captain Jean de Villiers would like to see South Africa in the Six Nations, but doesn't want them to completely cut ties with New Zealand and Australia.

DAY TWO WRAP: Argentina upset Olympic champions Fiji 29-10 to win the Vancouver leg of the World Rugby Sevens, their first win in the series since 2009.

SPOTLIGHT: There were shades of the old Julian Savea in Dunedin on Saturday as the Hurricanes wing bulldozed his way through the Highlanders on multiple occasions which has sparked talk of an All Black recall.

MATCH REPORT: Racing 92 weathered a first-half onslaught to eventually breeze past Stade Français at Paris La Defense Arena on Sunday and confirm a home Champions Cup quarterfinal encounter with Sale Sharks.

UPDATE: Suspended WPRFU President Zelt Marais may well be ready to play his trump card in his stand-off with SARU.

NEWS: Following the conclusion of the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16, the fixtures for the quarter-final matches on the weekend of May 6/7/8 are now confirmed.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Stade Toulousain set up a Champions Cup quarterfinal at Munster as a late Antoine Dupont try saw them beat Ulster by a solitary point on aggregate.

NEWS: Sale Sharks lock Lood de Jager has apparently turned his back on a return to South African rugby, according to reports.

WATCH as Western Province coach Jerome Paarwater talks to @king365ed about his team's goals for the remainder of the Currie Cup season.

CHALLENGE CUP SATURDAY WRAP: Emiliano Boffelli’s try double helped Edinburgh reach the Challenge Cup quarterfinals with a 41-19 victory over Bath at DAM Health Stadium on Saturday.

DAY ONE WRAP: Day one of round six on the World Rugby Sevens Series men’s circuit in Vancouver, Canada, threw up some great rugby.

REACTION: The Western Force have vowed to find a fix for their horror starts after enduring yet another early flop during Saturday's 24-41 Super Rugby loss to the Waratahs.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Leicester Tigers powered their way to a comprehensive victory over Clermont Auvergne on Saturday to set up a home Champions Cup quarterfinal against Leinster.

NEWS: Following the conclusion of the Champions Cup Round of 16, the fixtures for the quarterfinal matches on the weekend of 6/7/8 May are now confirmed.

URC REPORT: The Dragons secured only their second victory of the season as they beat the Scarlets 38-27 in Llanelli, denting the west Wales region’s hopes of reaching the United Rugby Championship play-offs.

REPORT: Wing Sean Maitland scored a try brace as Saracens beat Cardiff Rugby 40-33 on Sunday to set up a Challenge Cup quarterfinal at Gloucester.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Flyhalf Joey Carbery tallied 21 points as Munster beat Exeter Chiefs 26-10 at Thomond Park on Saturday to book their place in the Champions Cup quarterfinals.

WATCH as Francois Steyn downed a beer with fans after a Currie Cup clash in Cape Town on Friday.