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OPINION: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White, in his latest RugbyPass column addresses the perception that he is 'disrespectful' to Euro's premier event.

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.

VIDEO: Loftus Versfeld is a special place and it’s a huge advantage to play at home, but that alone will not win the game for the Bulls, says prop Gerhard Steenekamp.

NEWS: Bulls flanker Cameron Hanekom is available to play after the citing complaint against him was dismissed by the citing complaint against him was dismissed by an EPCR Disciplinary Committee panel on Thursday.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: As the United Rugby Championship returns this weekend, the pressure to secure the best possible position is mounting with just five rounds remaining before the quarterfinals.

NEWS: Established world-class performers and rising stars of the game are included in a list of eight outstanding nominees for the 2024 EPCR Cup Player of the Year award.

It’s a story for the ages – a team battered and bruised, with very little prospect of victory at an international championship, rises from the ashes to take the coveted crown.

ROUND 14 PREVIEW: It’s been quite a year for Rikiya Matsuda.

NEWS: Men’s SVNS standings leaders Argentina have been drawn in a tough Pool A together with recent Hong Kong winners New Zealand, Australia and Canada ahead of the Singapore HSBC SVNS taking place from May 3-5 at the Singapore National Stadium.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks head coach John Plumtree has revealed his team to face Glasgow Warriors in Round 14 of the 2024 United Rugby Championship season.

VIDEO: Bulls prop Wilco Louw echoed the same sentiments as his coach Jake White that young players need game time in tough encounters to improve.

SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks assistant coach Dave Williams believes the two-week URC tour is a big advantage for the European Challenge Cup semifinal.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks continue to dominate the sports landscape following their impressive achievement in 2023.

VARSITY SHIELD PREVIEW: Tuks are determined to finish their stint in the Varsity Shield with a title as well as a perfect record.

PREVIEW: The battle for top spot will come to a head this weekend when Paarl Gym host Grey College, while the clash between Paul Roos and Paarl Boys may also be one to savour.

WATCH as Munster attack coach Mike Prendergast explains the role Springbok RG Snyman will play for his team in the Loftus Versfeld face-off against the Bulls.

NEWS: Geoff Parling became the final member of Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt's backroom team Thursday, the former England lock joining ahead of two Tests against Wales in July.

REACTION: Two-time World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siya Kolisi describes as 'humbling' the honour of being named on TIME Magazine's list for the 100 most influential people of the year.

NEWS: Wales hooker Ken Owens announced his retirement on Wednesday after failing to recover from a persistent back injury.

INJURY UPDATE: A new question mark hangs over two-time World Cup-winning Springbok Steven Kitshoff's stint with Ulster.

NEWS: Ospreys arrived in South Africa for a two-match United Rugby Championship safari, boosted by the news that three Cheetahs players have rejoined them.

WATCH as Lions defence coach Jaque Fourie reveals his team's ambitious plans for the URC.

TRANSFER NEWS: Bath confirmed the signing of loosehead prop Francois van Wyk on a two-year deal.

SPOTLIGHT: Victor Matfield is expecting Handre Pollard's successor to come from Cape Town, and it is not Manie Libbok.

NEWS: Tyler Bleyendaal has agreed to join Leinster ahead of the start of the 2024/25 season as assistant coach in place of the departing Andrew Goodman.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: The South African loose forward sensation Cameron Hanekom has been cited following his yellow card during the European Champions Cup match against Northampton Saints on Saturday.

NEWS: Disgraced France prop Mohamed Haouas will return to Montpellier from Biarritz in July with the Top 14 side saying that his one-year contract was "conditional on exemplary behaviour".

INJURY UPDATE: Finn Russell could struggle to play again this season.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok legend Victor Matfield said the Bulls are starting to reap the rewards of Jake White's planning, including the development of some future Springboks.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: This year's Rugby Championship returns to its 12-match tour format following an abbreviated tournament in 2023 due to the World Cup in France.

WATCH as Leinster assistant coach Andrew Goodman explains what their plans are for the two-match URC tour to South Africa.

NEWS: Bath announced the signing of Ross Molony from Leinster ahead of the 2024/25 season.

NEWS: The match officials appointments of the United Rugby Championship Round 14 fixtures have been confirmed.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White talks about the long-term project he is busy with at Loftus Versfeld.

VARSITY CUP PREVIEW: The Ikeys are relishing the prospect of facing a like-minded Shimlas side in what should be a thrilling Varsity Cup final in Bloemfontein next week.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Stormers have bolstered their forward pack once again.

TRANSFER NEWS: Newcastle Falcons have added experience to their forward pack with the signing of Edinburgh prop Luan de Bruin.

NEWS: Australian Mick Byrne has been unveiled as Fiji's new head coach on Tuesday.

NEWS: An investigation into alleged racial abuse of Fijian Drua’s Frank Lomani by a Rebels fan during a Super Rugby Pacific match has found the claim could not be substantiated.

NEWS: Josh Turnbull has played his last game of professional rugby after agreeing to take up a coaching position within the Cardiff academy set-up.

NEWS: Former All Black head coach Ian Foster will be reunited with Steve Hansen in Japan.

VARSITY CUP SEMIFINALS: The 2024 Varsity Cup will be decided in Bloemfontein on Monday, April 22 when UFS Shimlas host UCT Ikeys in this year’s Final.

TRANSFER NEWS: All Black star Jordie Barrett will be joining Irish province Leinster on a short-term deal.

URC SPOTLIGHT: After achieving their objective of qualifying for the last four of the Champions Cup, Leinster are now heading to South Africa.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers assistant coach Dawie Snyman has provided updates on some of the injured players in his squad as they prepare for their United Rugby Championship Round 14 clash against Ospreys in Cape Town on Saturday.

REACTION: Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt expressed his disappointment with his side's second-half capitulation against his former team the Sharks in their Challenge Cup quarterfinal in Durban.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Munster head coach Graham Rowntree has revealed a 30-man squad for their South African tour.

NEWS: With Europe's Champions Cup and Challenge Cup quarterfinals having drawn to a close, we look ahead to what the semifinal matches will look like this season.

NEWS: Leinster fullback Hugo Keenan not be available for selection for the United Rugby Championship match against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks flyhalf Siya Masuku is one of the toughest flyhalves in South Africa and currently finds himself in an ecosystem at the Sharks where his talent can grow.

NEWS: Dan Sheehan has signed a new two-year contract with Ireland and Leinster.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATES: Reds duo Tate McDermott and Fraser McReight both received three-week suspensions for foul play in their team's Super Rugby Pacific defeat to Moana Pasifika last weekend.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White pushes back over suggestions he has 'disrespected' the Champions Cup.

SCHOOLS WRAP: Wynberg recorded a monumental win in Paarl while Gimmies survived their first big test in another dramatic round of schoolboy rugby.

NEWS: Auckland Blues forward Cameron Suafoa has cancer and will take a break from playing after suffering fatigue from radiotherapy.

WEEKEND WRAP: The Pumas, Griquas, Cheetahs and Leopards again made it a profitable weekend for home teams in the SA Cup.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White uses some cunning explanations to avoid giving insights into his team's injury status.

MATCH REPORT: Stade Toulousain took another step towards an unprecedented sixth European title with an emphatic 64-26 Champions Cup demolition of Exeter Chiefs at Stade Ernest Wallon on Sunday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Champions Cup quarterfinal encounter between Stade Toulousain and Exeter Chiefs in Toulouse.

MATCH REPORT: Benetton reached the EPCR Challenge Cup semifinal stage for the second year in a row after a 39-14 win over Connacht at the Stadio Monigo.

WEEKEND WRAP: Paarl Gimnasium sneaked past Affies 20-19 after a tightly contested Premier Interschools North versus South derby in Pretoria on Saturday.

ROUND 13 WRAP: A failed conversion attempt in the 86th minute by flyhalf Bryn Gatland has left the semifinal hopes of former Wallaby coach Dave Rennie's Kobe Steelers hanging by a thread after a thrilling 40-40 draw with Brave Lupus Tokyo in Japan Rugby League One.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Champions Cup quarterfinal encounter between Leinster and Stade Rochelais in Dublin.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Champions Cup quarterfinal encounter between Northampton Saints and the Bulls At Franklin's Gardens.

MATCH REPORT: Northampton Saints have reached the Champions Cup semifinals for the first time in 13 years - putting a half-ton past a travel-wary Bulls team at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Leinster hammered two-time Champions Cup winners Stade Rochelais 40-13 on Saturday to claim a spot in the semifinals.

REACTION: Sharks head coach John Plumtree said many sacrifices were made behind the scenes as his team secured a Challenge Cup semifinal set to be played in England.

MATCH REPORT: Harlequins reached their first Champions Cup semifinal, edging a highly-fancied Bordeaux-Begles 42-41 in a breathtaking game in France on Saturday.

CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: The Sharks advanced to the Challenge Cup semifinals after they beat a plucky Edinburgh side 36-30 in their quarterfinal in Durban on Saturday.

NEWS: A little-know political party, the African Restoration Alliance, is at the forefront in the latest coup de main on SARU over its decision to place the WPRFU under administration.

CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: ASM Clermont Auvergne ran Ulster ragged in the second-half of their EPCR Challenge Cup quarterfinal, defeating the Irish province 53-14.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY PREVIEW: Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell says his team does not deserve the favourites tag for the Challenge Cup title even if they are successful in their quarterfinal this weekend.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Challenge Cup quarterfinal encounter between the Sharks and Edinburgh at Kings Park in Durban.

SATURDAY WRAP: Scrumhalf TJ Perenara moved level as the most prolific try-scorer in Super Rugby history as his competition-leading Hurricanes beat the Chiefs 36-23 on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Fullback Santiago Carreras kicked six penalties as he led Gloucester to a 23-13 win over Ospreys in their EPCR Challenge Cup quarterfinal.

ROUND SEVEN WRAP: The line-up of the semifinals of the 2024 Varsity Shield has been determined after some scintillating action in the last round-robin matches.

PREVIEW: The bulk of the week's spotlight will be on Dublin's Lansdowne Road, where the two-time defending champions Stade Rochelais face off against four-time champions Leinster.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White pushed back strongly against suggestions he is deliberately fielding a 'B-Team'.

MATCH REPORT: The Reds were beaten by Super Rugby Pacific strugglers Moana Pasifika in Whangarei, with two star talents sent off for serious foul play.

SPOTLIGHT: Peter O’Mahony has finally signed on the dotted line

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach John Plumtree has revealed his team for Saturday's Challenge Cup quarterfinal against Edinburgh in Durban.

OPINION: Two-time World Cup-winning Springbok RG Snyman was branded the worst signing ever, following Munster's Champions Cup exit at the hands of Northampton Saints last weekend.

INTERVIEWS: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White received a lot of push-back - even from the South African Rugby Union - when he raised the issues of his team's travelling challenges in the Champions Cup.

TRANSFER NEWS: Australia hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa is heading back to Super Rugby Pacific after signing a long-term deal with the Western Force.

SA CUP PREVIEW: With the SA Cup fast approaching the halfway mark of the league phase, pace-setting Griquas will face their most difficult outing when they host third-placed Griffons in Kimberley.

INTERVIEW: The Saints will have some real insights on the Bulls, when the men in Black, Green and Gold tackle the visitors from Pretoria in a Champions Cup quarterfinal at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday.

NEWS: The Free State Stadium, the iconic home of the Cheetahs, is set to undergo the yearly re-sowing of its playing surface starting Monday, April 15.

CHALLENGE CUP QUARTERFINAL PREVIEW: Ospreys head coach Toby Booth has demanded that his players lift their game for their Challenge Cup quarterfinal at Gloucester on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks are proving that they can build depth with the youngsters they have in the system.

NEWS: The European Professional Club Rugby organisation confirmed that Rugby Union could make a return to Dublin's iconic Croke Park.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Five members of last year’s Junior Springbok squad were included in the 31-player touring group for the inaugural Under-20 Rugby Championship in Australia, that was announced by SA U20 head coach Bafana Nhleko on Thursday.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White talks about the selection conundrum he faces ahead of the Champions Cup quarterfinal face-off with Northampton Saints.

A strong Affies side will host an unbeaten Paarl Gymnasium outfit this weekend, while Grey College will be back in action against Outeniqua.

PREVIEW: Madibaz coach David Manuel believes that his plucky charges have what it takes to beat Tuks in Pretoria and automatically qualify for next season's Varsity Cup.

JAPAN LEAGUE ONE PREVIEW: A couple of double World Cup-winning Springboks are topping the charts in some stat categories as Japan Rugby League One enters Round 13 this weekend.

NEWS: The Cheetahs and Ospreys have revealed the next stage in their player development partnership

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Montpellier lock Paul Willemse has been suspended for five weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing arising from his club’s EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 match against Ulster last weekend.

PREVIEW: Record-seeking TJ Perenara was named to start at scrumhalf in place of the injured Cam Roigard for the Hurricanes who face a huge challenge to their unbeaten Super Rugby record against the Chiefs at the weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: England women's coach John Mitchell believes smaller balls could be a valuable recruitment tool for women's rugby.

VIDEO: Springbok and Bulls loose forward Nizaam Carr says one has to show toughness when playing Northampton Saints. 

SPOTLIGHT: Wales star Louis Rees-Zammit accepts his ambition to forge an American football career with NFL champions Kansas City Chiefs could see him "cut at any point".

SPOTLIGHT: SA Rugby has explained the Bulls' travel arrangements for the Bulls Champions Cup quarterfinal after Jake White expressed his dissatisfaction with the process.

VIDEO: Cheetahs coach Izak van der Westhuizen will use the SA Cup to get a settled side ready for the Currie Cup after their disappointing loss against Clermont in the Challenge Cup last weekend. 

SPOTLIGHT: Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt says his team's Challenge Cup quarterfinal against the Sharks presents an opportunity to right the wrongs of their United Rugby Championship defeat against the same opponents..

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks star Bongi Mbonambi believes Edinburgh will be a much stronger unit this weekend in the Challenge Cup quarterfinals than when his team faced them in the United Rugby Championship not too long ago.

SPOTLIGHT: Jacques Nienaber has provided some insight into the Springboks' play-off formula as he aims to help Leinster progress further in this season's Champions Cup.

WATCH AS new Stormers CEO Johan le Roux explains what his biggest beef with the SARU financial model is.

SPOTLIGHT: Northampton boss Phil Dowson has refused to rule out George Furbank from Saturday's Champions Cup quarterfinal at home to the Bulls.

NEWS: Rugby Football Union CEO Bill Sweeney said there were no plans to alter rules banning overseas-based players from England duty despite several internationals joining French clubs.

NEWS: All Black loose forward Ethan Blackadder will make a cautious return for the Crusaders on Friday after a horror run of injuries, head coach Rob Penney said Wednesday.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Frank Lomani has been slapped with a six-game ban for his shocking elbow against his former side at the weekend.

VIDEO: Eight different airlines and destinations await the Bulls en route to their Champions Cup quarterfinal encounter with Northampton Saints at Franklin Gardens on Saturday evening. 

WATCH as Springbok scrumhalf Embrose Cheldon Papier speaks about the challenge of facing the Premiership's leading light on their home ground.

SPOTLIGHT: The recent defeat in Potchefstroom has only strengthened UCT’s resolve ahead of a rematch with the NWU Eagles in the Varsity Cup semifinals.

WATCH as new Stormers CEO Johan le Roux explains the reasoning behind the name change of the professional arm of the franchise - from Western Province Professional Rugby to Stormers Rugby.

ANALYSES: The Lions are the ultimate enigma of the game - showing plenty of promise, but also lack consistency.

NEWS: Montpellier's Paul Willemse and Benetton's Giacomo Nicotera will be facing the music after they received red cards in the Challenge Cup over the weekend.

NEWS: France will take on a World XV featuring England's Vunipola brothers Mako and Billy and Fijian centre Semi Radradra in Bilbao ahead of their tour to South America.

NEWS: The professional arm of Western Province Rugby is undergoing a name change as part of the new chapter under the recent equity deal.

WATCH as Stade Rochelais' giant lock Will Skelton shows an extraordinary act of kindness in the midst of a brutal battle.

NEWS: Andrew Strawbridge will join Steve Borthwick’s management team as an assistant coach and coaching advisor ahead of England’s tour to Japan and New Zealand.

NEWS: Dragons centre Jack Dixon has retired at the age of 29.

ROUND SEVEN WRAP: Ahead of next week’s semifinals, it was all-out action in the last round-robin encounters of the 2024 Varsity Cup.

NEWS: The outcome of a prosecution case for online hate has been hailed as ‘a landmark’ after a man in Australia was prosecuted for targeting a match official and his family online during last year's World Cup in France.

MATCH OFFICIAL APPOINTMENTS: Following a compelling start to the knock-out stages of the tournaments, EPCR announceD the referees for this weekend's quarterfinals of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.

REACTION: Super Rugby Pacific has been clouded by an allegation of racism.

NEWS: Andre Boniface, one of French rugby's greatest players in the 1950s and 1960s, died in Bayonne on Monday at the age of 89, his family told AFP.

WRAP: The Griquas, Pumas and Griffons continued their winning streak in the third round of SA Cup, while there were also important wins for the Boland Cavaliers and the SWD Eagles.

WRAP: A try-scoring return by Wallaby Bernard Foley was not enough to keep the semifinal light flickering for Kubota Spear Tokyo Bay, who fell to their seventh loss of the season in a dramatic 20-22 defeat by Brave Lupus Tokyo in Japan's top tier rugby competition.

NEWS: South Africa’s Springbok captain Siya Kolisi was forced off after just 22 minutes in his comeback game for Racing 92 in their Champions Cup round of 16 match in Toulouse on Sunday.

WRAP: Milnerton's never-say-die attitude earned them a memorable win over Rondebosch while the Paarl schools flexed their muscles on a big weekend for the schoolboy game.

NEWS: The quarterfinal line-ups for Europe's premier competition has been confirmed.

NEWS: The quarterfinal line-ups for the EPCR Challenge Cup have been confirmed.

MATCH REPORT: In a thrilling final EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 game, flank Cian Prendergast settled the score in Connacht’s favour, as they ran out 40-30 winners over Section Paloise.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks marched into the quarterfinals of the Challenge Cup with a resounding victory over Zebre Parma 47-3 at Kingspark on Sunday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Challenge Cup Round of 16 encounter between the Sharks and Zebre at Kings Park in Durban.

MATCH REPORT: Stade Toulousain eased past French rivals Racing 92, as they triumphed 31-7 in the Champions Cup Round of 16.

MATCH REPORT: Replacement George Hendy scored two second-half tries as Northampton Saints booked their place in the Champions Cup quarterfinals.

MATCH REPORT: Ulster overcame a 14-point deficit to earn a place in the EPCR Challenge Cup quarterfinal stage with a 40-17 victory over Montpellier on Sunday.

WATCH as former Irish and Connacht utility forward Ultan Dillane and compatriot Donnacha Ryan review Stade Rochelais' win over the Stormers and a rematch with Leinster.

LIVE UPDATES: We bring you all the men's drama on Day Three at Hong Kong, Round Six of the SVNS World Series.

LIVE UPDATES: We bring you all the women's drama on Day Three at Hong Kong, Round Six of the SVNS World Series.

WEEKEND RESULTS: Following the Easter weekend, the schools action produced a number of interesting derby results.

REACTION: The Cheetahs took three-time Challenge Cup winners Clermont close to a dark place in their Challenge Cup Round of 16 encounter in France on Saturday but the sands of time caught up with them. 

NEWS: Michael Hooper's debut sevens tournament continues to prove a success with the Olympics-hunting Wallabies great enjoying cameo roles as both Australian sides marched to the semifinals in Hong Kong.

REACTION: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White admits that he is frustrated with SA Rugby over their lack of communication around travel arrangements for the Champions Cup.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Jamison Gibson-Park led Leinster to a 36-22 victory over Leicester Tigers in the Champions Cup Round of 16.

MATCH REPORT: Ospreys continued to fly the flag for Wales beating Sale Sharks 20-15 to reach the quarterfinals of the EPCR Challenge Cup.

MATCH REPORT: A quick-fire brace from Ben Vellacott helped to power Edinburgh past Aviron Bayonnais 33-15 and into the EPCR Challenge Cup quarterfinal.

WATCH as Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson gives the kind of injury update no team wants.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Union Bordeaux-Bègles, led by halfback pair Maxime Lucu and Matéo Garcia, were exquisite as they defeated Saracens 45-12 in the Champions Cup Round of 16.

MATCH REPORT: The Lions were booted out of the Challenge Cup by Benetton with 14 players as they were beaten 27-17 in Treviso on Saturday evening.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Challenge Cup Round of 16 encounter between Benetton and the Lions in Treviso.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: A trio of tries took Exeter Chiefs into the quarterfinal of the Champions Cup, as they beat Bath 21-15 in windy conditions at Sandy Park.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: It was another thriller between the Stormers and Stade Rochelais, but this time it was the visitors who edged the match 22-21.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Champions Cup Round of 16 encounter between the Stormers and Stade Rochelais in Cape Town.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: The Bulls secured their place in the last eight of this season's Champions Cup after they thumped Lyon 59-19 in Pretoria on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Cheetahs bid a sad farewell to legend Ruan Pienaar as they suffered a 22-27 loss at the hands of Clermont in their Challenge Cup Round of 16 clash and made their exit from the competition on Saturday afternoon.

SATURDAY WRAP: The Chiefs cantered over for 10 tries in a 68-12 drubbing of Moana Pasifika on Saturday - the most lop-sided Super Rugby scoreline in more than a year.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Challenge Cup Round of 16 encounter between Clermont and the Cheetahs.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Champions Cup Round of 16 encounter between the Bulls and Lyon Olympique Universitair at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

LIVE UPDATES: We bring you all the men's drama on Day Two at Hong Kong, Round Six of the SVNS World Series.

LIVE UPDATES: We bring you all the women's drama on Day Two at Hong Kong, Round Six of the SVNS World Series.

PREVIEW: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson readily accepted the 'underdog' tag as his team faces what he describes as "one of the best team teams in the world."

NEWS: Wallaby utility back Kurtley Beale has joined Super Rugby strugglers Western Force, as he resumes his career after being cleared of sexual assault.

ROUND SIX WRAP: With one round to go in the 2024 Varsity Shield competition, the teams for play-offs have now been decided.

MATCH REPORT: Fullback Santiago Carreras kicked Gloucester to a 30-25 win over Castres Olympique in their Challenge Cup Round of 16 clash.

MATCH REPORT: Harlequins survived another second-half wobble as they beat Glasgow 28-24 in a European Champions Cup last-16 tie in the London rain on Friday.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Munster's John Ryan will miss three games after an Appeal Panel upheld the original disciplinary panel decision following an appeal by Munster.

NEWS: Saracens star Owen Farrell has been ruled out for several weeks with a hamstring problem, with the flyhalf now set to miss a key part of the club's season.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY PREVIEW: It is do or die for the three South African franchises in the Round of 16 of the Challenge Cup on Saturday.

NEWS: Steven Kitshoff will be coming home to Cape Town next season, having signed a two-year deal to return to the fold.

NEWS: Flip van der Merwe was revealed as the new president of struggling second-division side Biarritz on Friday as part of a takeover that also includes the club's former players Shaun Hegarty and Marc Baget.

LIVE UPDATES: We bring you all the men's drama on Day One at Hong Kong, Round Six of the SVNS World Series.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs hooker Louis van der Westhuizen will run out in his 50th game for the Bloemfontein side when they face Clermont for their round of 16 clash in the Challenge Cup at Stade Marcel Michelin in France on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hooker Jaco Visagie will lead the Lions against Italian outfit Benetton in a Challenge Cup Round of 16 clash at the Stadio Monigo on Saturday.

LIVE UPDATES: We bring you all the women's drama on Day One at Hong Kong, Round Six of the SVNS World Series.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks coach John Plumtree has made two changes to the side that will host Zebre Parma for their Challenge Cup Round of 16 clash at Kingspark in Durban on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has revealed his team for their Champions Cup Round of 16 clash against Lyon Olympique Universitaire in Pretoria on Saturday.

WATCH as Cheetahs captain Victor Sekekete speaks about giving Ruan Pienaar a 'fitting send-off'.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Experienced flank Deon Fourie will make his return from injury in one of four changes to the Stormers' starting XV for the Round of 16 clash with Stade Rochelais at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

NEWS: Fans have named the 21-year-old Italy and Benetton centre, Tommaso Menoncello, as the 2024 Six Nations Player of the Championship.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby tries to 'put into perspective' the current status of his team, after a heavy loss and ahead of a crucial European Cup outing.

SUPER RUGBY FRIDAY WRAP: Scrumhalf Taufa Funaki grabbed two tries Friday as the Blues romped to a 50-3 home thrashing of Super Rugby bottom side the Western Force.

NEWS: A number of kick-off times have been adjusted for Round 18 of the United Rugby Championship on Saturday, June 1.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby has issued a statement responding to the New Zealand Rugby Players Association’s (NZRPA) calls for the NZR board to stand down with immediate effect.

PREVIEW: The Super Rugby Pacific competition prepares for the first wave of byes as teams start to build towards the Finals.

REACTION: The shake-up of the Sharks' management structures has been described as 'game changing' by owner Marco Masotti.

PREVIEW: The Paarl heavyweights will host the two biggest schoolboy clashes of the weekend, as normal service resumes in the wake of several action-packed Easter festivals.

NEWS: Michael Hooper is ready to launch the late-career switch to sevens from the international 15-a-side game that proved beyond at least one rugby great - but Bryan Habana is convinced the Aussie workhorse will succeed where he failed.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: The Champions Cup Round of 16 kicks off on Friday with a mouth-watering tie at Twickenham Stoop between Harlequins and Glasgow Warriors.

ROUND 12 PREVIEW: Lose on Sunday against Brave Lupus in Round 12 of the Japan Rugby League Open and the defending champions’ title defence is realistically no more for coach Frans Ludeke's Kubota Spears.

REACTION: South Africa's two-time World Cup-winning skipper Siya Kolisi said he accepts he will lose the Springbok captaincy as he is based abroad.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: Gloucester head coach George Skivington has demanded a return to winning ways in his club’s Challenge Cup Round of 16 tie with Castres Olympique at Kingsholm on Friday.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Prop John Ryan will miss Munster's Champions Cup match against Northampton Saints after he was handed a suspension.

ROUND THREE PREVIEW: Two of the highlights of the third round SA Cup involve repeats of last year’s Currie Cup Premier and First Division finals, with the Cheetahs hosting the Pumas in Bloemfontein, while the Falcons travel to Wellington to take on the Boland Kavaliers.

PREVIEW: WSU coach Thembani Mkhokheli has called on his attack-minded charges to produce a sharper defensive showing in the Varsity Shield ‘quarterfinal’ against CPUT on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: BlitzBoks coaches can hardly ask for a more daunting start to their HSBC SVNS career than what is facing Philip Snyman, the South Africa Sevens’ new interim head coach, this weekend, but the 37-year-old will take it in his stride.

ONE-ON-ONE AUDIENCE: Aphelele Onke Okuhle Fassi is once again producing the form that saw him appear on the Springbok radar in 2021.

NEWS: France prop Wilfrid Hounkpatin received a 12-month suspended prison sentence for domestic violence after attacking his partner.

NEWS: Two schoolboy rugby powerhouses continue their rivalry that started back in 1921 when Glenwood High and Maritzburg College face off in the Premier Interschools this weekend.

NEWS: Bath confirmed that Sam Underhill has renewed his contract at the club, keeping him at The Rec until 2026.

INJURY UPDATE: Munster provided a positive update on Springbok lock RG Snyman on Wednesday.

REACTION: Saracens loose forward forward Andy Christie said on Wednesday he is "devastated" he will miss the rest of the season with a broken arm.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White gives an injury update at the start of their build-up to their Champions Cup Round of 16 encounter with Lyon Olympique Universitaire.

SPOTLIGHT: You can take the man out of South Africa, but you can't take the braai out of the South African man.

SPOTLIGHT: The reunions will continue for the Stormers this weekend when they welcome Stade Rochelais to Cape Town Stadium for their Champions Cup Round of 16 match.

ROUND SIX: The famous Hong Kong Stadium atmosphere is set to welcome the world’s best men’s and women’s Sevens teams.

SPOTLIGHT: As the top South African franchises gear up for Champions Cup action, this weekend will also be a perfect opportunity for players to impress the Springboks' management.

WATCH as new Cheetahs coach Izak van der Westhuizen explains the value of having played and lost to a star-studded Toulon in a Challenge Cup Round of 16 encounter last year.

SPOTLIGHT: After facing Stade Rochelais in a Champions Cup pool match in December, the Stormers are well aware of the threats that the French juggernauts pose ahead of Saturday's Round of 16 tie in Cape Town.

INJURY NEWS: Munster have a major concern as Springbok lock RG Snyman might be a doubt for the upcoming Champions Cup round of 16 match against Northampton Saints on Sunday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Saracens announced the signing of Fergus Burke from the Crusaders on a long-term deal.

NEWS: The most-capped All Black in history has made a decision on his future.

INJURY UPDATE: All Black scrumhalf Cam Roigard is set to be sidelined for at least six months after rupturing a knee ligament, his Super Rugby team the Hurricanes said Wednesday.

SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers will be one of the elite clubs in the world, newly-appointed Director of Rugby John Dobson stated.

SPOTLIGHT: A brutally competitive Varsity Cup campaign will come to a head next Monday when the playoff qualifiers joust for a top-two finish to the league phase.

SPOTLIGHT: Watching from the sidelines wasn’t easy for Dewald Human, but now that the BlitzBok playmaker is back from injury, he is ready to help and make a difference to the Springbok Sevens’ fortunes in Hong Kong.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Champions Cup returns with the Round of 16, as the world’s best clubs do battle in the hopes of making this year’s final on May 25 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

SPOTLIGHT: BlitzBok captain Selvyn Davids says his team can't be scared of making mistakes as they play their first tournament under new head coach Philip Snyman.

NEWS: Former Samoa captain Mase Mahonri Schwalger has been appointed head coach of the national side through to the end of the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

NEWS: Wallaby coach Joe Schmidt has enticed another vastly experienced New Zealander to join his support team.

NEWS: Leicester Tigers have paid an 'over-run tax' from Premiership Rugby relating to a breach of salary cap regulations during the 2019/20 season.

TEAM UPDATE: The Cheetahs suffered a significant setback ahead of their trip to France for a Challenge Cup Round of 16 face-off with Clermont at Stade Marcel Michelin on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Some big statements were made in the United Rugby Challenge over the weekend as the bulk of the teams head into the knock-out stages of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, with the last 16 and quarterfinal ties on successive weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: Star loose forward Ardie Savea believes New Zealand Rugby (NZR) should consider changing their eligibility rules for the All Blacks.

REACTION: Sharks owner Marco Masotti and former Springbok captain John Smit are playing down the social media fall-out over Smit's Ferrari jibe last week.

INJURY UPDATE: The Sharks look set to be without the services of one of their World Cup Springboks when they resume their European Challenge Cup campaign next week.

REACTION: The Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson admitted he finds himself in a tricky position following his team's hard-fought 13-7 win over Ulster in the United Rugby Championship Round 13 clash.

EURO SPOTLIGHT: It will be an ameliorated Stade Rochelais that will arrive in Cape Town on Saturday, for their Champions Cup Round 16 face-off with the Stormers.

MATCH REPORT: Tom Roebuck scored a hat-trick of tries as Sale Sharks kept their hopes alive of claiming a Premiership play-off spot by blowing away Exeter Chiefs 41-5 in a breathtaking display at the AJ Bell Stadium.

SCHOOLS SPOTLIGHT: The long Easter Weekend means it is FESTIVAL time for talented young players in South Africa.

REACTION: Just a week after a very controversial decision during Saracens' win over Harlequins, the Rugby Football Union found themselves in another Premiership match saga.

ROUND TWO WRAP: The four Currie Cup sides continued their strong start in the SA Cup when all of them registered convincing victories in this weekend’s second-round matches, while there was also a good win for the SWD Eagles.

VIDEO: Jake White, the Bulls' Director of Rugby, said his side was not in pieces after their disappointing loss at the hands of Leinster in their United Rugby Championship clash at the RDS Arena in Dublin this past Friday.

REACTION: A desponded Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen used the words ‘bitterly disappointed’ and ‘need to be better’ in his post-match interview after his sides’ 21-36 loss to Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Scotland wing Kyle Rowe scored a hat-trick of tries as Glasgow Warriors climbed into second place in the United Rugby Championship by blowing away the ill-disciplined Scarlets 45-3 in Llanelli.

MATCH REPORT: Jack Crowley scored a second half try and kicked the clinching 74th-minute penalty in Munster's 20-15 United Rugby Championship win over Cardiff at Thomond Park.

NEWS: Dual-code international Israel Folau has taken just four minutes to put himself on the scoresheet in Japan Rugby League One on his return after a nine-month absence.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 13 encounter between the Stormers and Ulster in Cape Town.

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers came from behind to record a gritty 13-7 win over Ulster in a United Rugby Championship arm-wrestle in Cape Town on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks continued their climb away from the United Rugby Championship basement, with a 23-13 win over Edinburgh at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 13 encounter between Ospreys and the Lions in Swansea.

SATURDAY WRAP: André Esterhuizen scored a brace in Harlequins’ victory over Bath at Twickenham on Saturday after the visitors fought back from 37 points down to set up a momentous finish.

MATCH REPORT: The Ospreys moved into the top eight of the United Rugby Championship with a 36-21 bonus-point victory over thwe Lions in Swansea on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Benetton boosted their United Rugby Championship play-off hopes with a dramatic 18-14 win over Connacht at Stadio Monigo.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 13 encounter between the Sharks and Edinburgh at Kings Park in Durban.

SUPER SATURDAY WRAP: Cam Roigard scored a try, set up two others and limped off injured as the Hurricanes crushed the Highlanders 47-12 to maintain their dominant start to the Super Rugby Pacific season.

MATCH REPORT: Irish powerhouse Leinster made a serious statement of intent with a comprehensive 47-14 United Rugby Championship win over the Bulls at the RDS Arena in Dublin on Friday.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White gives an injury update after the Bulls' URC loss to Leinster on Friday.

WATCH as two-time World Cup winner Steven Kitshoff joins fellow Springboks Rudy Paige and Juan De Jongh for a very enjoyable and informative chat about all matters rugby - on and off the field.

PREMIERSHIP FRIDAY WRAP: Northampton Saints showed why they are top of the Premiership table, producing a special performance to beat champions Saracens 41-30.

MATCH REPORT: Dragons moved off the bottom of the United Rugby Championship table with a comfortable 20-13 win over fellow strugglers Zebre at Rodney Parade.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 13 encounter between Leinster and the Bulls at the RDS Arena in Dublin.

NEWS: Wales star Louis Rees-Zammit has signed a deal with the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs.

ROUND TWO PREVIEW: Four teams that started on the losing side in the opening round of the new SA Cup competition will be looking to make their home-ground advantage count in the second round this weekend.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: Steven Kitshoff's return to Cape Town in the colours of Ulster has dominated the build-up to Saturday's United Rugby Championship clash against the Stormers.

SUPER RUGBY WRAP: Wing Johnny McNicholl grabbed two tries Friday as defending Super Rugby Pacific champions Crusaders snapped a five-game losing streak with a 37-26 home win over the Chiefs to claim their first victory this season.

SPOTLIGHT: Star loose forward Ardie Savea has sent a warning to his All Black teammates about a "scarier" Springbok team that awaits them later this year.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wing Edwill van der Merwe will earn his 50th Lions cap when his team take on Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship Round 13 match on Saturday.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White explains how his team will deal with the Jacques Nienaber factor when they face Leinster at the RDS on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach John Plumtree said he is eager to test Ethan Hooker at outside centre at some stage during Saturday’s United Rugby Championship Round 13 clash against Edinburgh.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has revealed his team to face Ulster in a United Rugby Championship Round 13 match on Saturday.

TOP 14 PREVIEW: The Racing 92 supporters will be hoping for some good news as their team takes Clermont in the Top 14 clash on Saturday.

UPDATE: Welsh star Louis Rees-Zammit has agreed to terms of a deal with the reigning NFL champion Kansas City Chiefs, according to multiple US and European reports.

SPOTLIGHT: All Black legend Ardie Savea says he is using the experience of losing a World Cup Final to the Boks to better himself as he sets his sights on the two-Test series in South Africa later this year.

NEWS: England forwards Kyle Sinckler and Lewis Ludlam will join Toulon on three-year deals next season, the French club's president Bernard Lemaitre said on Thursday.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: The Bulls are relishing the opportunity to 'measure themselves' against one of the greatest teams in the game, Leinster, in a top-of-the-table face-off in Dublin on Friday.

NEWS: The Lions will be without gargantuan prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye for at least the next two games.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White made a number of changes to the match day, for a top-of-the-table United Rugby Championship encounter with Leinster at the RDS Arena on Friday.

WATCH as retired Springbok and former Sharks CEO John Smit makes a bold statement about the status of the Sharks.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach John Plumtree has made a number of changes to his starting XV for Saturday's United Rugby Championship Round 13 match against Edinburgh in Durban.

SPOTLIGHT: The Cheetahs received a timely boost as they ramp up their preparations for their Challenge Cup Round of 16 tie against Clermont next week.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Philip Snyman, interim coach of the South African team, has made four changes to the squad for the next HSBC SVNS tournament - next weekend in Hong Kong.

PREVIEW: Coach Alastair Theys says that the two-time Varsity Shield champions have identified the clash against WSU as a potential turning point in their season.

VIDEO: It will almost be déjà vu for Johan Grobbelaar when they take on Irish giants Leinster in a cold Dublin in the United Rugby Championship on Friday.

PREVIEW: Round Six of Super Rugby Pacific throws up some great match-ups as teams start to make their push towards the play-offs.

NEWS: Michael Hooper is set to make his Sevens debut for Australia at the prestigious Hong Kong tournament, it was announced Thursday, as the Wallabies Test veteran bids for a place at the Paris Olympics.

VIDEO: Bulls captain Ruan Nortje reckons Jacques Nienaber, senior coach at Leinster, will use his knowledge of the South African players to prepare his team for the big United Rugby Championship clash in Dublin on Friday.

EXCLUSIVE: In part three of his one-on-one with @king365ed Fynbos Ekwiteit boss and new Stormers CEO Johan le Roux reveals how he will assist the franchise in remaining a leading light in the game, including servicing existing debts.

UPDATE: Broken promises and an about turn are at the centre of an arbitration hearing between the national players' union, MyPlayers, and the South African Rugby Union.

REACTION: The Rugby Football Union has issued a statement on the controversy surrounding the TMO's decision not to review potential foul play on Owen Farrell during Saracens' win over the Harlequins.

NEWS: Veteran prop James Slipper will etch his name in the history books when he returns to the Brumbies' starting XV for Saturday night's pivotal Super Rugby Pacific derby against the Reds.

The Springbok Women are determined to finish their European tour on a high and deliver a commanding performance when they face the USA on Saturday.

NEWS: Scotland and Edinburgh tighthead prop WP Nel will retire at the end of the season.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby proposed a "once-in-a-generation" overhaul of its leadership structure Wednesday, setting the stage for a power struggle at the top of the country's most popular sport.

SPOTLIGHT: SANZAAR has announced the match schedule and venue for the inaugural Rugby Championship Under-20 tournament.

NEWS: The Stormers have taken the next steps in their goal of being a "global rugby powerhouse".

REACTION: The Springboks will continue to fly the national flag on the global stage following the approval of the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) Amendment Bill by the National Assembly.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White does not doubt that Canan Moodie will rectify his errors following his first performance at outside centre for the franchise.

SPOTLIGHT: Jordan Larmour has hailed Willie le Roux as a player who “ticks all the boxes as a 15” as the two international fullbacks prepare to meet this weekend.

NEWS: The match officials appointments of the United Rugby Championship Round 13 fixtures have been confirmed,

SPOTLIGHT: Coach Jonathan Mokuena believes that UJ have what it takes to beat UWC next week and avoid a promotion-relegation battle with the Varsity Shield runners-up.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks prop Vincent Koch says Edinburgh Sean Everitt will be heading to Durban with some "extra motivation".

NEWS: French international referee Mathieu Raynal asked for fewer replacement thus taking aim at the Springboks with their 7-1 split as he announced his retirement from rugby.

SPOTLIGHT: As the third edition of the United Rugby Championship starts to move towards the business end of the tournament, South African coaches are flexing their muscles in the race for the top eight and Champions Cup qualification.

NEWS: Highlanders centre Tanielu Tele’a has been suspended for three weeks after his red card during the defeat to the Chiefs on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers find themselves in a very complex scenario. They are in the middle of a loosehead crisis while their two-time World Cup-winning prop Steven Kitshoff returns to Cape Town this weekend.

NEWS: France’s Mathieu Raynal will retire from refereeing following the July international window.

EXCLUSIVE: In part two of his one-on-one with @king365ed Fynbos Ekwiteit’s Johan le Roux elucidates the split between WPPR and WPRFU, as well as commercial chaos that once lingered in Cape Town.

ROUND SIX WRAP: Defending champions NWU Eagles survived a late onslaught by CUT Ixias away from home to reclaim the top spot after Round Six of the 2024 Varsity Cup.

REACTION: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has hailed Leinster as the benchmark as the two teams prepare for the top-of-the-table United Rugby Championship clash.

NEWS: Scrumhalf Danny Care said on Monday playing for England "meant an awful lot" to him after announcing his retirement from Test rugby.

SPOTLIGHT: After leaving Cape Town Stadium empty-handed, Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt is now turning his attention to his former team in Durban.

INJURY UPDATE: Ulster could be forced to make some changes to their matchday squad for Saturday's United Rugby Championship Round 13 clash against the Stormers in Cape Town.

REACTION: Bath boss Johann van Graan warned "we've won nothing yet" after his side went second in the English Premiership with a 42-24 victory at home to Sale Sharks.

ROUND 19 WRAP: Toulouse welcomed back star scrumhalf Antoine Dupont on Sunday, but the French champions still slipped to a roller-coaster 28-31 loss to Bordeaux in the Top 14.

ROUND ONE WRAP: The four Currie Cup sides all reigned supreme in the first round of the inaugural SA Cup, which was played over the weekend, while Eastern Province won a thrilling contest against the Falcons in Gqeberha.

PREVIEW: The Lions produced what must surely rank as the performance of Round 12 by thrashing the proud Irish province in Galway.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach John Dobson admitted that he has some good selection headaches to contend with when it comes to his backline players.

REACTION: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen says his side will be riding a wave of confidence after they recorded 38-14 win over Connacht in Galway on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Bath powered into second place on their return to Premiership action with a bonus-point 42-24 victory over struggling Sale Sharks.

NEWS: Springbok loose forward Willem Alberts is reportedly set to retire at the end of the current United Rugby Championship (URC) season.

The double World Cup winner Willie Le Roux may be 34 now, but there are no signs of his powers waning.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson gives an update on the status of injured utility star Deon Fourie ahead of a crucial European outing.

REACTION: It is all smiles and happiness in Durban after the Sharks ended their five-match losing streak in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday.

JAPAN LEAGUE ONE WRAP: Sungoliath remained third in the Japan League One standings after a remarkable match against the Eagles mirrored their dramatic victory over Verblitz a week ago, only in reverse.

REACTION: Coach Rob Penney said the Crusaders' season could "spiral uncontrollably" after New Zealand's traditional Super Rugby powerhouses slumped to the bottom of the competition standings.

REACTION: Stormers head coach John Dobson confirmed that his team will be in the market for a loosehead prop in the coming days.

WRAP: Mark McCall has admitted even he was surprised by the scale of Saracens' dominance in a crushing 52-7 victory over Harlequins.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls cemented second place on the United Rugby Championship standings with a 31-10 bonus-point win over the hapless Dragons at Rodney Parade in Newport on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: United Rugby Championship leaders Leinster continued their relentless play-off push by beating Zebre 31-7 in Parma.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 12 encounter between the Dragons and Bulls at Rodney Parade in Newport.

MATCH REPORT: Despite playing with a man down for 65 minutes, the Lions produced their best performance of the season to become the first South African team to win at Galway's Sportsground.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 12 encounter between Connacht and the Lions at the Sportsground in Galway.

MATCH REPORT: Replacement hooker Eduan Swart scored a last-minute try to rejuvenate Scarlets’ United Rugby Championship season with only their third win of their league campaign – a 16-13 comeback victory over Benetton.

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers bounced back in fine fashion, beating Edinburgh 43-21 in Round 12 of the United Rugby Championship.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 12 encounter between the Stormers and Edinburgh in Cape Town.

MATCH REPORT: A full-strength Sharks made a big statement, recording their first-ever United Rugby Championship win over Ulster at Kings Park on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 12 encounter between the Sharks and Ulster at Kings Park in Durban.

SUPER RUGBY SATURDAY WRAP: The hapless Crusaders sunk to a new Super Rugby low on Saturday with the Blues handing them their fifth successive defeat.

ROUND FIVE WRAP: For the second week in a row, UP-Tuks swept past their opponents when they thoroughly beat UKZN in Round Five of the Varsity Shield competition.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Springbok centre Robbie Fleck believes the Springboks will spring a few surprises on attack against Ireland in July.

REACTION: Six Nations flops Wales gave a coy reply on Friday to a cheeky challenge from Georgia to a rugby Test later this year, saying only "we'll be in touch".

WATCH as Boks Office guest Robbie Fleck weighs in on the "best team in the world" debate.

PREMIERSHIP FRIDAY WRAP: English Premiership leaders Northampton suffered a shock 21-52 thrashing against Bristol on Friday to end their six-match unbeaten run.

URC REPORT: Glasgow Warriors fought back from a 0-13 half-time deficit to claim a hard-fought 17-13 home victory over Cardiff and move joint top of the United Rugby Championship.

URC REPORT: Munster wing Sean O’Brien scored two tries to put a huge dent in Ospreys’ hopes of an end-of-season play-off spot with a 27-17 win.

WATCH as @king365ed sits down with Fynbos Ekwiteit's Johan le Roux to find out who and what the Red Disa consortium is!

SATURDAY PREVIEW: The Bulls are at the start of a crucial fortnight of United Rugby Championship matches, as they look to cement their place in the top two on the standings.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks coach John Plumtree is banking on some of the youngsters in his team to deliver a much-needed URC win against Ulster at Kingspark this weekend.

FRIDAY WRAP: The Rebels have been left to rue another slow start in crashing to the table-topping Hurricanes, who piled on the points in their Super Rugby Pacific clash in Palmerston North.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has made a number of changes to his team to face the Dragons in Newport on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Salmaan Moerat makes his first start since returning from injury and will lead the Stormers in their United Rugby Championship encounter with Edinburgh at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies hopes to regain his best form in his quest to return to the international scene.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions’ potent halfback combination of Jordan Hendrikse and Sanele Nohamba will join forces once more as the men from Johannesburg face Connacht in Round 12 of the United Rugby Championship in Galway, Ireland on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach John Plumtree has revealed his team for Saturday's United Rugby Championship Round 12 clash against Ulster in Durban.

PREVIEW: After four rounds the Super Rugby Pacific table is starting to take shape with a few surprises towards the top and at the bottom.

SPOTLIGHT: Veteran Edinburgh and Scotland prop WP Nel insists he would have no problem retiring tomorrow as he mulls over whether to extend his career beyond the end of the season.

TRANSFER NEWS: English club Bath confirmed the signing of powerful forward Jacques du Plessis following the completion of a successful rehabilitation period with the club.

NEWS: England captain Marlie Packer will make her 100th Test appearance when she leads the reigning champions in their Women's Six Nations opener in Italy on Sunday.

NEWS: Wales centre George North confirmed on Thursday that he had ruptured an Achilles tendon in his final Test appearance.

OPINION: The Six Nations has given me bit of head space to reflect about rugby and its direction of travel. It’s funny, I remember Frik du Preez, the great Springbok captain was once asked, ‘Would your team of the 1960s beat the current South Africa team? And he quipped, ‘Only by 20 points’. When they asked him why, he said, ‘Well, because we’re all in our Eighties,’ writes Jake White in his RugbyPass column.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales and British & Irish Lions flyer Louis Rees-Zammit is on the brink of an official NFL offer, after code hopping from Rugby Union to America's National Football League.

OPINION: The United Rugby Championship returns this weekend and with just FIVE points separating fourth and 11th place in the table – every game counts more than ever.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: The United Rugby Championship returns this weekend and with just seven rounds to go the battle for playoffs are reaching its boiling point.

WATCH as new Cheetahs coach Izak van der Westhuizen explains to @king365ed how they will use the SA Cup as preparation for their Challenge Cup Round of 16 trip to France.

TRANSFER NEWS: Leicester Tigers announced Australian international back Izaia Perese will join the club on a multi-year agreement ahead of the 2024/25 season.

PREVIEW ROUND 11: Fresh off their 10th loss in a row, and from a match they were expected to win against Mie Heat, the last thing Hanazono Liners probably needed was the Kansai derby, which is traditionally the biggest game of their regular season.

ROUND FIVE PREVIEW: The Madibaz will have the opportunity to extend their winning run and strengthen their position in the Varsity Shield standings when they battle TUT on Friday.

WATCH as Jaco Peyper opens up on the state of South African refereeing after his retirement.

VIDEO: Jake White, the Bulls' Director of Rugby, has called him the coach on the field and fullback Willie le Roux might just pursue that as a career one day.

INTERVIEW: France coach Fabien Galthie appears to still be harbouring some ill will towards the referee and a Springbok - five months after their World Cup loss to South Africa.

INTERVIEW: Owen Farrell has left open the possibility of returning to the international game, be it with England or the 2025 British and Irish Lions, after calling a halt to his Test career.

INTERVIEW: The storyline for the first round of the inaugural SA Cup is intriguing, especially in Bloemfontein - where Hawies Fourie returns to his old stomping ground. 

NEWS: Ahead of what is certain to be another world-class series of knockout fixtures on the road to the 2024 London finals, EPCR can announce the referees for the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup Rounds of 16.

NEWS: Despite the best efforts of the supporters of Zelt Marais' War Room to stop the process, the Stormers' equity deal has finally been dragged over the line.

WATCH as refereeing legend Nigel Owens explains to @king365ed how technology and knee-jerk law changes could ruin the game.

PREVIEW: The inaugural SA Cup will kick off on Human Rights Day on Thursday, March 21 with an exciting clash between Griquas and the Leopards in Kimberley, while last year’s Currie Cup Premier and First Division champions collide in Bloemfontein on Friday.

VIDEO: Bulls pivot Johan Goosen calls it like it is and says everyone expects them to beat the Dragons in Round 12 of the United Rugby Championship in Newport this weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: Crusaders head coach Rob Penney compared his new team to a misfiring engine as the defending champions look to snap their horror start to the Super Rugby Pacific season.

TRANSFER NEWS: England centre Manu Tuilagi will leave Sale Sharks at the end of the season to join French side Bayonne on a two-year deal, the clubs announced.

NEWS: Celimpilo 'Mpilo' Gumede has signed a new contract with the Bulls, committing his long-term future with the Tshwane-based outfit.

SPOTLIGHT: Wits coach Hugo van As has called for a sharper performance against local rivals UJ following an inconsistent and ultimately disappointing showing against UCT.

ROUND FIVE WRAP: UFS Shimlas safely navigated their way past city neighbours CUT in Round Five of the 2024 Varsity Cup and are now almost assured of a home semifinal.

NEWS: Bundee Aki was the only member of the Ireland side that won back-to-back Six Nations championships to be nominated for the tournament's Player of the Year award on Tuesday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Ulster coaching team have named a 30-man squad that will travel to South Africa to play the Sharks and the Stormers over the next two weekends in the United Rugby Championship.

SPOTLIGH: Get ready to witness unparalleled skills, fierce competition, and unforgettable moments in the 11th edition of the Premier Interschools competition.

NEWS: Another fixture has been confirmed for the Springboks' end-year-of year tour in November.

NEWS: The match officials appointments of the United Rugby Championship Round 12 fixtures have been confirmed.

VIDEO: Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth took a candid and forthright look at the problems in the embattled Sharks camp and said there were no excuses for the poor performances that have been dished up by John Plumtree's side.

SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby has outlined the next steps in the process of reimagining the game's entertainment factor, part of a wider mission to grow audience share over the next decade.

VIDEO: The Bulls’ destiny is now in their hand as two semifinals in two competitions loom in the distance, says Jake White, Director of Rugby at the Bulls.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers will look to lay the ghost of Loftus Versfeld to rest as the United Rugby Championship returns this weekend.

WATCH as Tony Brown explains the 'scary prospect' awaiting the Springboks in the Rugby Championship later this year.

TRANSFER NEWS: English club Leicester Tigers have announced that one of South Africa's best prospects will be joining them.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has revealed a 28-man squad for his side's upcoming tour.

UPDATE: Filipo Daugunu missed cash-strapped Melbourne's last Super Rugby match due to an outstanding payment and while he's back at training, won't face the Hurricanes.

VIDEO: Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee is not too concerned about his side facing one of the strongest and weakest teams in the United Rugby Champions on their upcoming tour.

NEWS: Veteran All Black prop Owen Franks has been given a proverbial 'slap on the wrist' for his reckless behaviour in a Super Rugby Pacific match.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt named a 30-player squad for the club’s two-week tour to South Africa to face Stormers and Sharks in Rounds 12 and 13 in the United Rugby Championship.

SPOTLIGHT: Georgia have outgrown Europe's second-tier competition and need "stronger opposition".

NEWS: Italy have matched their previous all-time best of eighth in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings following their 24-21 win over Wales in Cardiff.

SPOTLIGHT: James O'Connor has called for a "Reds-heavy" Wallabies squad and new national coach Joe Schmidt to pick and stick ahead of next year's British and Irish Lions visit.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Life after Scott Robertson has been accompanied by loads of troubles for the Crusaders.

NEWS: Joe Schmidt admits a competitive showing against the touring British and Irish Lions next year will be a key factor in whether or not he stays on to coach the Wallabies at the 2027 World Cup.

PREVIEW: With the Six Nations now behind us, the United Rugby Championship takes centre stage again, and there is a crucial fortnight of riveting matches to look forward to.

SPOTLIGHT: After winning another Six Nations championship, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is now turning his attention firmly on winning a Test series in South Africa.

SPOTLIGHT: The South African women's national team arrived in Spain on Sunday empowered by good learnings from their training sessions with Scotland and Wales.

REACTION: French players, coaches and fans suffered heavily after last year's World Cup heartbreak, but their clinical end to the Six Nations will do wonders to their grieving process.

SPOTLIGHT: One of the most competitive Six Nations championships of recent times ended with Ireland retaining their title after a hard-fought victory over Scotland at the weekend.

WATCH as celebrated flyhalf Tony Eion Brown explains why he accepted an offer to coach the Springboks against the All Blacks and the style he sees South Africa playing.

NEWS: Andy Farrell has raised Irish rugby's profile in the same way fellow Englishman Jack Charlton did for Irish soccer.

ROUND 10 WRAP: Mie Heat has given former Italy coach Kieran Crowley his maiden win in Japan Rugby League One after a courageous 20-19 victory over fellow winless side, Hanazono Liners, in Osaka.

England player ratings live from Groupama Stadium in Lyon: This was yet another Six Nations classic, a seven-try, 64-point thriller in which England commendably played their part, but that will be of cruel consolation as they agonisingly lost out 31-33 to a last-minute Thomas Ramos penalty stroked over from the halfway line.

SPOTLIGHT: We take a look at who said what after the final round of the Six Nations and Ireland was crowned the champions. 

WATCH as Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus explains Hacjivah Dayimani's omission from the recent alignment camp in Cape Town.

MATCH REPORT: Flyhalf Thomas Ramos kicked a dramatic late penalty as France ended their Six Nations campaign with a 33-31 victory over England in Lyon on Saturday.

REACTION: Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony has spoken out about reports that he has played his last Test.

OPINION: Ian Cameron rates the Ireland players after their 17-13 Six Nations-clinching win over Scotland.

OPINION: Bryn Palmer rates the Scotland players after their 13-17 loss to Ireland in a Six Nations finale in Dublin.

REACTION: Warren Gatland offered to resign after Wales finished bottom of the Six Nations for the first time since 2003.

MATCH REPORT: Ireland retained their six Nations crown, but not before they were given a massive scare by Scotland in Dublin on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales' disastrous Six Nations season may have an unsavoury aftermath.

OPINION: It is the wooden spoon for Wales, and rightfully so after a match where a losing bonus point in a 21-24 loss to Italy flattered them.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: Wales have ended their 2024 Six Nations campaign winless after they suffered a 21-24 defeat to Italy in Cardiff on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of Saturday’s Six Nations Round Five and Super Rugby Round Four matches.

WATCH as SARU CEO Rian Oberholzer fronts up to the media to answer some questions surrounding the proposed equity deal with an American company, the ASG group.

NEWS: South Africa’s Player of the Year for 2023, Eben Etzebeth, hopes to be back on the field for the Sharks as soon as next week.

NEWS: Stormers Head Coach John Dobson will step in to assume the duties of Head of Rugby with the departure of Dave Wessels.

REACTION: Stormers coach John Dobson has admitted it is a 'challenge' to manage the expectations of his substantial number of outstanding loose forwards.

ROUND FOUR WRAP: The experience of UP-Tuks proved too much for debutants Varsity College in their Round Four encounter of the Varsity Shield competition.

NEWS: Dave Wessels has been appointed as General Manager for High Performance Rugby at SA Rugby.

SUPER RUGBY SATURDAY WRAP: The Waratahs are losing touch with the Super Rugby Pacific frontrunners after falling 10-12 to their bogey side the Blues in an ugly encounter in Sydney.

NEWS: Wallaby star star Kurtley Beale played his first match in more than a year on Saturday, resuming his career after being cleared of sexual assault last month.

REACTION: Western Force coach Simon Cron has apologised after the struggling Super Rugby team crashed to a fourth straight defeat, describing their 14-22 loss to Moana Pasifika as "horrendous".

SPOTLIGHT: Ireland head into the "Super Saturday" final round of the Six Nations as firm favourites to retain their title where a surprise slip-up could result in the trophy heading elsewhere.

NEWS: France forward coach Laurent Sempere said flank Charles Ollivon was missing from Friday's training session before this weekend's Six Nations game with England for "personal reasons".

NEWS: Scotland on Friday announced a four-game tour of North and South America, with matches against emerging nations Canada, the United States, Chile and Uruguay in July.

SPOTLIGHT: England centre Manu Tuilagi said on Friday he is unsure if this weekend's Six Nations finale with France will be his final game for his country.

WATCH as SARU CEO Rian Oberholzer talks about the proposal that a 20-minute red card trial be introduced in the Rugby Championship.

SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby has released the ranking permutations ahead of this weekend’s final round of matches in the Six Nations and the Rugby Europe Men’s Championship.

NEWS: Double World Cup-winning Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has scored another double.

SUPER RUGBY FRIDAY WRAP: For the first time ever, the Crusaders have started a Super Rugby season with four defeats from as many starts after a late Justin Sangster try snatched a 14-10 win for the Hurricanes in Christchurch.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of Friday’s Super Rugby Round Four matches.

ROUND FIVE PREVIEW: Ireland seek to make up for their frustration on missing out on historic back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams by being crowned tournament champions in beating Scotland at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Rassie Erasmus says he will always pick winning a World Cup over a higher win percentage between tournaments.

ROUND FIVE PREVIEW: England head to Lyon to face an equally resurgent France on Saturday, holding an outside chance of pipping Ireland to the Six Nations title.

ROUND FIVE PREVIEW: George North is set for an emotional farewell to the international game against Italy in Cardiff on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Sharks continued their big signing spree with the confirmation that Andre Esterhuizen will be returning to Durban

NEWS: Wallaby coach Joe Schmidt has added the first staff member to his coaching group.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus says he didn't pay too much attention to Sam Warburton’s comments about Ireland being the best team in the world.

MATCH REPORT: The Lions, resting the bulk of the first-team starters, came from behind to record a 22-19 win over the Pumas in a pre-season outing at Ellis Park on Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England have recalled Elliot Daly for their final-round Six Nations clash away to France on Saturday in the lone change to the side that denied Ireland successive Grand Slams.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Andy Farrell has kept faith with the Ireland starting XV from the 22-23 defeat to England last weekend hoping they redeem themselves by beating Scotland on Saturday to secure back-to-back Six Nations titles.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stafford McDowall is set to make just his second Scotland appearance after being selected to start in their Six Nations match against leaders Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

ROUND 10 PREVIEW: Time is running out for the Tokyo Bay-based Spears and Kwagga Smith's Black Rams.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ange Capuozzo will miss Italy's attempt to avoid a ninth straight wooden spoon in the Six Nations after a finger fracture ruled him out of the Azzurri's clash with Wales in Cardiff.

REACTION: Gregor Townsend's observation that Ireland could dominate the game for "the next five, 10 years" is in no small part due to the schools system.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France coach Fabien Galthie said on Thursday it was "ideal" to be able to name an unchanged side to face England in a potential Six Nations decider this weekend.

NEWS: The Springbok Sevens coaching team has been reformatted and a review of the Sevens department’s structure is being undertaken as a response to disappointing results, SA Rugby announced on Wednesday.

ROUND FOUR PREVIEW: Tuks coach Dewey Swartbooi has highlighted the all-round threat of the Varsity Shield newcomers ahead of the top-of-the table clash in Pretoria this Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Jerry Flannery says he will be a "poor imitation" if he tries to copy Jacques Nienaber's style of coaching.

NEWS: The Sharks have landed another big signing with confirmation that World Cup winning prop Trevor Nyakane will trade Paris for Durban next season.

SPOTLIGHT: Jake White, the Bulls’ Director of Rugby, did it with Pieter-Steph du Toit and is now waving his magic wand again - this time with young Bulls lock Reinhardt Ludwig.

PREVIEW: Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou has vowed not to let a clash with the Queensland Reds get personal this weekend as the Melbourne Rebels look to equal their longest win streak in Super Rugby.

SPOTLIGHT: New Springbok assistant coach Tony Brown says he tried to model his own game style on a Springbok legend during his playing days.

NEWS: Wales centre George North announced on Wednesday he will retire from international rugby following this weekend's Six Nations match against Italy, when both teams will be battling to avoid the wooden spoon.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: Andries Coetzee and Shane Kirkwood will lead a Lions XV and Pumas side respectively in a friendly at Ellis Park on Thursday afternoon.

TRANSFER NEWS: Sharks wing and former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Werner Kok will be heading to Ireland later this year.

WATCH as SARU President Mark Alexander blows off some steam over the franchise officials who leaked confidential information to the media.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: George North has been recalled to the Wales team for Saturday's Six Nations wooden spoon decider against Italy.

SPOTLIGHT: As dream debuts go, Louis Lynagh’s first outing in an Italian shirt was as close to one as you are likely to find.

SPOTLIGHT: Rassie Erasmus has shed some light on his selection plan for the Springboks' season opener against Wales at Twickenham.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok Lood de Jager is well and truly back after a heart condition kept him on the sidelines during the World Cup and he is now formulating plans to stay in Japan longer than his original three seasons.

NEWS: Marcus Smith's "best time is to come", former England head coach Eddie Jones said on Wednesday, following the flyhalf's Twickenham heroics.

UWC’s quest to retain their Varsity Cup status may hinge on the outcome of the next two matches against Stellenbosch and UCT.

NEWS: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus says he prefers his Springbok captain to be based locally as question marks were raised over Siya Kolisi's future with the Springboks.

NEWS: All Blacks lock Scott Barrett is expected to miss the next six weeks with a fractured finger, the Crusaders said Wednesday, adding to the woes of the winless Super Rugby champions.

NEWS: The Reds have suffered a blow ahead of Friday's clash with the Rebels with prop Sef Fa'agase suspended for four games.

NEWS: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will miss England's Six Nations clash with France on Saturday after reporting symptoms of a concussion.

NEWS: Jason Jenkins is on his way back to South Africa after it was confirmed that the giant lock has signed on the dotted line.

REACTION: The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport has poured cold water on recent rumours linking banned Springbok Elton Jantjies to a comeback.

NEWS: Rassie Erasmus confirmed a re-purposed Springbok coaching and management team on Tuesday, as the newly re-appointed head coach began putting in place the building blocks for a 13-Test season in 2024 at the start of a new Rugby World Cup cycle.

ROUND FOUR WRAP: After a tough first half, defending champions NWU Eagles ran away for a thorough victory over Wits in round four of the 2024 Varsity Cup. UFS Shimlas continued their fine form beating UWC while Maties were victorious over UWC. UCT Ikeys had too much firepower for CUT.

NEWS: The World Rugby rankings will make for an interesting topic of conversation in the Lynagh household this week.

NEWS: Reds coach Les Kiss has called for greater protection off the ball for Super Rugby Pacific's playmakers.

REACTION: Ireland coach Andy Farrell insisted retaining the Six Nations title would be anything but an "anti-climax", after his side's bid for back-to-back Grand Slams ended with a dramatic defeat to England.

SPOTLIGHT: England scuppered Ireland's dream of back-to-back Grand Slams with a thrilling win, Italy defeated Scotland and France added to the pressure on Wales as the Six Nations sparked into life.

SPOTLIGHT: The 33-year-old Julian Savea is the undisputed try-scoring king of the Super Rugby, but the list still includes a Springbok wing.