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WATCH as Bulls Currie Cup coach Gert Smal opens up about the value of seasoned Springboks like Bismarck du Plessis for the Pretoria franchise.

NEWLANDS UPDATE: Suspended WPRFU President Zelt Marais may be thumbing his nose at SARU, but the net of retribution is fast closing in around the polemical official.

NEWLANDS LATEST: Suspended WPFUP Zelt Marais has fired back at the SARU, saying he no longer recognises them as the custodians of the game.

SPOTLIGHT: The Lions will be out to "find that balance" in their game when they come up against Cardiff in a United Rugby Championship clash in Johannesburg on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Damian Willemse will celebrate a half-century of Stormers caps in the United Rugby Championship clash with Zebre Parma in Stellenbosch on Sunday.

REACTION: The South African Rugby Union has responded swiftly to suspended Western Province Rugby Football Union President Zelt Marais' latest claims.

BREAKING NEWS: Zelt Marais has gone on the offensive - reclaiming his position as the head of the WPRFU and dismissing SARU.

SIX NATIONS, ROUND FOUR: Grand Slam-hunting France head to Wales for a crunch match on Friday on the back of their best Test-winning streak since 2006.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Talk about a game of two halves.

ROUND SIX RESCHEDULED: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt says his team will be wary of the Scarlets' attacking threats when they meet in a rescheduled United Rugby Championship Round Six clash in Durban on Friday.

SIX NATIONS, ROUND FOUR: Eddie Jones has promised England will play with a "physicality" unknown to Ireland in what he has billed a "semifinal".

SPOTLIGHT: Tappe Henning has his work cut out for him as the debate around refereeing interpretations continues to pop up ahead of matchdays.

NEWS: Super Rugby new boys Moana Pasifika will twice have turnarounds of only four days between fixtures in late March and early April.

OPINION: All Blacks legends Jeff Wilson and John Kirwan have called for a reduction in the number of Australian teams in Super Rugby Pacific.

NEWS: Georgia have secured their place at World Cup 2023 after all remaining games involving Russia in the Rugby Europe Championship 2022 were abandoned.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Glasgow Warriors' scrumhalf Ali Price is in line to make his 50th appearance for Scotland having been named in the starting XV to face Italy.

MAKE OR BREAK: The stakes keep getting higher in Super Rugby Pacific with round four set to bring more grudge matches, pivotal clashes, and the start of new rivalries.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has revealed his team to face Cardiff in Johannesburg on Sunday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Exeter Chiefs have bolstered their ranks for the 2022/23 season with the double signing of Leinster duo, Jack Dunne and Rory O’Loughlin.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named his matchday squad to take on England at Twickenham this coming Saturday in Round Four of the 2022 Six Nations Championships.

INTERVIEW: Welsh thoughts are not so focused on halting a French Grand Slam as much as putting in a performance of which they can be proud.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks wing Sibusiso Nkosi believes his team is close to becoming the full package after questions have been raised about their performances in the United Rugby Championship.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Antoine Dupont will skipper France against Wales in the Six Nations in Cardiff on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Kieran Crowley has named an Italy team to face Scotland this Saturday in Rome.

WATCH as two-time World Cup-winning Springbok Frans Steyn has a light-hearted chat with the referee, before calmly slotting a touchline conversion.

WATCH Whistle Watch returns after a controversial week in the Six Nations.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales coach Wayne Pivac has named Josh Navidi at openside flank for the Six Nations match against France in Cardiff on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Eddie Jones has named his England side for their Six Nations match against Ireland on Saturday.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White explains to @king365ed why the Irish model is what could save the game in South Africa.

NEWS: Discarded former Wallaby coach Michael Cheika has reportedly been appointed coach of Argentina until next year's World Cup.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has revealed his team for their rescheduled United Rugby Championship Round Six clash against Scarlets in Durban on Friday.

NEWS: Duhan van der Merwe has been banned from Scotland's final two games of this season's Six Nations Championship after the wing was sent off in an English Premiership match.

INTERVIEW: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse will never lose his passion for the game, but he is ready to 'tone down' on emotion as he works on ending his team's losing streak.

TRANSFER NEWS: Bath will have a Springbok scrumhalf on their books at the start of the 2022/2023 season.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok centre Damian De Allende will have a huge target on his back when Munster take on the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

NEWS: France suffered a scare ahead of Friday's Six Nations clash with Wales as captain Antoine Dupont left training with his left arm bandaged and an ice pack wrapped round it.

SPOTLIGHT: England boss Eddie Jones says Ireland are "the most cohesive side in the world", installing Andy Farrell's men as favourites for Saturday's Six Nations showdown at Twickenham.

REACTION: Ireland captain Johnny Sexton said he hopes to go out on "a high, not a whimper" after he signed a contract extension through to the 2023 World Cup.

SPOTLIGHT: Winning a Rugby World Cup is the end goal but repaying the Waratahs for their "huge gamble" was the overriding factor in Izaia Perese's decision to remain in Sydney long-term.

NEWS: Johnny Sexton has made a decision on his playing future.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales say prop Tomas Francis is available for selection against France in the Six Nations on Friday despite a strong warning from a surgeon that he risks "serious harm" after suffering a head injury against England.

NEWS: Louis Lynagh's Test aspirations have been put on hold with the Harlequins wing forced to withdraw from England's extended Six Nations squad after testing positive for COVID-19.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies has opened up on his decision to stay in with Stormers and not chase the money overseas.

WATCH as Lions coach Mziwakhe Nkosi and captain Asenathi Ntlabakanye answer some probing questions about the winless team's future.

SPOTLIGHT: Rassie Erasmus has shared his opinion surrounding the talk about the Springboks joining the Six Nations in the future.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Munster travelling party departed Ireland for South Africa ahead of the province’s upcoming two-game tour in the United Rugby Championship.

SQUAD NEWS: Scotland have called up Adam Hastings for Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Italy in Rome.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Springbok flyhalf Morné Steyn and Sharks scrumhalf Grant Williams have completed their respective bans following their World Rugby coaching intervention courses.

INJURY UPDATE: Matthieu Jalibert's injury issues continued when the young flyhalf pulled out of France's squad to face Wales in the Six Nations.

Christian Wade believes the sport of rugby union is holding back its stars. 

WORLD RANKINGS UPDATE: The third round of the Six Nations resulted in some changes to the top 10 World Rugby pecking order.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has revealed why Wales are such a challenging opponent.

NEWS: South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus and Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi are among six nominees from rugby for the 15th annual SA Sport Awards.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Ireland squad reassembled on Sunday at Carton House following last week’s Open Session at Aviva Stadium and a number of players featuring for their provinces in URC fixtures at the weekend.

SQUAD NEWS: Josh Navidi has been added to the Wales squad for the rest of the Six Nations, with fellow back-row Ellis Jenkins released to play for regional side Cardiff, the Welsh Rugby Union announced on Sunday.

WATCH as Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie and captain Ruan Pienaar speak out about the 'narrow escape' in their weather-interrupted Currie Cup win over the Lions.

VARSITY CUP WRAP: NWU Eagles fired late to claim a 17-8 win over four-time title winners, UP-Tuks in Potchefstroom in Round 4 of the Varsity Cup on Monday.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa's Director Rassie Erasmus has revealed the amount of flak he copped for appointing Siyamthanda Kolisi as the Springbok captain.

TEAM UPDATE: Eddie Jones has named a 36-player England squad ahead of this coming weekend's Six Nations match against Ireland.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa Director of rugby Johan Erasmus has finally opened up on the drama surrounding the 2021 British and Irish Lions.

VARSITY SHIELD WRAP: DUT claimed their first victory when they edged Rhodes 8-5 in Makhanda on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks are reportedly hard at work trying to seal the signature of another big name.

REACTION: The next two rounds could be decisive in the Sharks' Currie Cup campaign.

MATCH REPORT: Ospreys picked up a fourth successive home victory in the United Rugby Championship, but were made to work for their 27-22 win by a spirited Zebre outfit.

REACTION: The Waratahs have just one win in three starts - losing to the Brumbies at the weekend. However, their coach and captain believe they're heading in the right direction.

Leinster retain the top spot in the United Rugby Championship with a 61-17 victory over Benetton in Treviso.

NEWS: The Queensland Reds face a tricky month navigating key injuries, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto the latest to join the list.

MATCH REPORT: The Cheetahs went top of the Currie Cup table with a 66-14 bonus-point victory over hapless Lions in Bloemfontein. 

URC REPORT: The Scarlets triumphed 35-10 over Glasgow Warriors in Llanelli to bring the visitors' five-match winning run to an end.

MATCH REPORT: Exeter moved back into the Premiership play-off zone with a 19-12 victory over Sale Sharks at Sandy Park.

MATCH REPORT:  The Bulls amplified their status as Currie Cup contenders with a 53-27 win over Griquas on Saturday in Kimberley. 

WATCH as South African players leave their mark on a game in the United States Major League Rugby.

UPDATE: Stormers centre Ruhan Nel learnt his fate after he appeared before a disciplinary panel on Friday.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: Agustin Creevy crossed for two tries as London Irish ran riot against an ill-disciplined Worcester Warriors in a 43-12 home win in the Premiership.

MATCH REPORT: Ulster hit the top spot in the URC after running in seven tries to ease past Cardiff 48-12 at the Kingspan Stadium and register their sixth straight win in all competitions.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: Flyhalf Henry Chamberlain produced a kicking masterclass as the Sharks recorded a 24-10 win over the Pumas at Nelspruit on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: The Brumbies claimed bragging rights over the Waratahs, winning 27-20 in their Super Rugby Pacific showdown at Canberra Stadium.

URC REPORT: Munster racked up 10 tries as they cruised to a 64-3 victory over the Dragons in Limerick.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Currie Cup Round Five encounter between the Cheetahs and Lions ion Bloemfontein.

WATCH as Bulls coach Gert Smal explains why they have loaded their Currie Cup team with URC players for the Kimberley trip.

SPOTLIGHT: Ireland forwards coach Paul O’Connell fears Six Nations title rivals England are “on the verge of a big performance”.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Currie Cup Round Five encounter between Griquas and the Bulls in Kimberley.

CRUNCH TIME: It might only be Round Five of 14, but for a few of the teams another defeat will be a massive blow to their play-off dreams.

MATCH REPORT: Stand-in captain James O'Connor has produced a playmaking masterclass to lead the injury-hit Queensland Reds to a 29-16 win over the Western Force in Perth.

WATCH as we bring you a collection of fake injuries - rugby players behaving like soccer clowns.

MATCH REPORT: The Highlanders remain winless in Super Rugby Pacific, after falling to the Hurricanes 14-21 in dire encounter in Wellington on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Fijian Drua have trampled the Melbourne Rebels' season further into the ground, coming from behind to claim their first Super Rugby Pacific victory.

MATCH REPORT: Cadan Murley scored two tries as Premiership champions Harlequins defeated Newcastle Falcons 24-10 to record their third win in a row.

REPORT: Moana Pasifika have shown they belong with a tight loss against 12-time champions the Crusaders in their belated Super Rugby Pacific debut.

MATCH REPORT: Edinburgh ended their three-game losing run in some style against Connacht, scoring eight tries in a 56-8 United Rugby Championship victory.

MATCH REPORT: The Blues watched in relief as Bryn Gatland's would-be match-winning penalty kick for the Chiefs sailed wide in a 24-22 thriller at Eden Park on Saturday.

NEWS: Ireland suffered a blow to their Six Nations title hopes on Thursday.

South Africa’s involvement with New Zealand and Australia long predates the existence of the Rugby Championship

NEWS: The Sharks will be losing their captain next week.

ROUND ONE WRAP: The UKZN Impi rebounded from a 14-point deficit as well as a red card to beat WSU 23-22 in the opening round of the Varsity Shield on Friday.

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

NEWS UPDATE: After days of stony silence United Rugby Championship officials finally confirmed the citing of a Stormers star.

EUROPEAN ACTION: Leinster will look to maintain pole position as United Rugby Championship leaders during the latest round of action this week.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls coach Gert Smal leaned heavily on the franchise's United Rugby Championship resources for their Currie Cup[ Round Five encounter with Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok legend JP Pietersen says it has not been all plain sailing in his transition from a player to a coach.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has rung the changes for the team's Currie Cup Round Five encounter with the Sharks.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Mziwakhe Nkosi has revealed his team to face the Cheetahs on Saturday in Bloemfontein.

NEWS: Wallabies prop Greg Holmes is among three players at the Western Force who have gone into the bad books for drinking alcohol on the team's flight from Melbourne last weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs Coach Hawies Fourie made six changes to the team to take on the Lions in a Currie Cup Round Five encounter in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

OPINION: England inflicted a fifth consecutive Six Nations defeat at Twickenham on fierce rivals Wales thanks to a gritty 23-19 success.

NEWS: England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie has been ruled out of the final two rounds of the Six Nations with a knee injury he suffered in last weekend's 23-19 win over Wales.

NEWS: Bulls club teams will have the opportunity to test their mettle against quality international opposition when the Israeli side, the Tel Aviv Heat, tour South Africa in March 2022.

REACTION: Former All Blacks hooker James Parsons has leapt to the defence of Scotland stars Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell after they became the subjects of harsh criticism.

SPOTLIGHT: Fresh from a successful United Rugby Championship trip to Italy, the Bulls turn their attention to the Currie Cup.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas coach Pieter Bergh has kept faith in his team's winning formula for their encounter with the Bulls on Saturday.

NEWS: Italy hooker Hame Faiva will miss his country's final two Six Nations matches against Scotland and Wales.

WATCH as Lions forwards coach Wessel Roux look ahead to his team's upcoming Currie Cup match against the Cheetahs on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South Africa Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus revealed that only verbally committing to growing women's rugby is a thing of the past.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head coach of the Sharks Currie Cup team, Etienne Fynn, has revealed his team to face the Pumas in a Currie Cup Round Five clash in Nelspruit on Friday.

SQUAD UPDATE: Manu Tuilagi was missing Wednesday from an England training squad selected for this week's three-day training camp in Bristol ahead of their next Six Nations match against Ireland.

SPOTLIGHT: Sale are keen to meet with the England rugby management after the Six Nations to ensure injury-prone Manu Tuilagi spends more time on the field than the treatment table.

NEWS: World Cup-winning scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies has signed a two-year contract extension with the  Stormers which will keep him at home in the Cape until at least 2024.

TIME TO SHINE: Round Three of Super Rugby Pacific is set to be a historic occasion as the Moana Pasifika play their inaugural game.

NEWS: Alun Wyn Jones will join the Wales camp this week as he continues his rehabilitation following a shoulder injury, the Welsh Rugby Union said on Tuesday.

WATCH as Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen and captain Jaco Kriel unpack their loss to Leinster at the weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: Munster forwards coach Graham Rowntree is expecting the Bulls and Lions to be different beasts at home.

NEWS: Russia’s hopes of attending a second successive World Cup next year appears to be in tatters following a World Rugby statement on Tuesday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White's son Wesley White will join Premiership side Bath for the 2022 season.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: The Stormers have suffered another setback following their defeat to Connacht last weekend.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White chats to @king365ed and unpacks his team's impressive 45-7 win in Parma at the weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Scotland head coach Matt Williams has berated World Rugby following Ireland's win over Italy on Sunday.

OPINION: Eight points behind France with an inferior 36-points difference coming into this Six Nations Round Three fixture in Dublin, Ireland knew what they needed to do on Sunday at Aviva Stadium – win and win well.

NEWS: Wallabies star Izack Rodda has signed a two-year contract extension with Rugby Australia [RA] and the Western Force.

OPINION: Paul Smith takes a look at England's Six Nations campaign and asks if Eddie Jones has overplayed his hand.

VARSITY CUP WRAP: UP-Tuks managed to overcome the wet and windy conditions to claim yet another win against the Ikey Tigers - edging them 38-30 in Pretoria on Monday.

NEWS: Italy hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi has been ruled out of the rest of the Six Nations with a dislocated left elbow.

SPOTLIGHT: France stayed on course for a Grand Slam with a commanding 36-17 win away to Scotland, as England and Ireland remained in Six Nations title contention.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Andy Farrell has named a 27-man Ireland squad for this week’s Six Nations camp in Dublin which includes a first training session that will be open to the public in two years.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones raised a couple of eyebrows with his admission following his team's 23-19 Six Nations win over Wales on Saturday.

NEWS: Japan's Brave Blossoms will take on France in two fixtures in July when the teams meet for the first time since 2017, Japan's Rugby Football Union announced Monday.

REACTION: It was a successful trip to Italy for the Sharks. However, head coach Sean Everitt admitted there is still room for improvement.

OPINION: France’s hopes of claiming a first Six Nations title in 12 years and a fourth Grand Slam since 2000 are very much alive following their 36-17 round three win at Murrayfield.

OPINION: Scotland were unable to derail France’s dreams of a Grand Slam as the visitors recorded a bonus-point win at Murrayfield.

NEWS: The decision to let Wales prop Tomas Francis play on during Saturday'match against England has been castigated as a "clear and flagrant breach" of Rugby Union's head injury assessment procedure by a pressure group.

NEWS: The Reds have had to shift training to a Brisbane high school gym due to Brisbane's flood emergency, with their base at Ballymore inundated.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: Michael Lowry scored two tries on his Test debut as Ireland crushed Italy 57-6 in the Six Nations on Sunday in a game which saw the visitors playing with just 13 men for an hour.

REACTION: Stormers captain Steven Kitshoff says his team is frustrated they didn’t get the rewards they deserved for their maul dominance against Connacht in Galway.

SPOTLIGHT: Former British and Irish Lions skipper Sam Warburton has let rip on the idea of South Africa joining the Six Nations.

REACTION: Wales coach Wayne Pivac is very frustrated with the officiating during his team's 19-23 defeat to England at the Twickenham.

URC REPORT: The Sharks will return to South Africa with five points in the bag after a 29-7 win over Benetton in Treviso on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: France kept their bid for a  Grand Slam intact with an impressive 36-17 win over Scotland at the Murrayfield.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: England beat Wales 23-19 in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday to all but end the reigning champions' hopes of a successful title defence.

URC REPORT: A late try from wing Peter Sullivan helped Connacht edge the Stormers 19-17 in a United Rugby Championship Round 10 clash in Galway on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: Leicester Tigers claimed a bonus-point win in a 35-23 success against Gloucester at Welford Road on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Exeter Chiefs breathed new life into their push for the Premiership play-offs, recording another priceless victory on the road.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Six Nations Round Three encounter between Ireland and Italy in Dublin.

REACTION: The SARU-appointed administrator, Rian Oberholzer, would not have expected the WPRU saga to be an easy fix.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Western Force have left Melbourne Rebels as the only winless Australian Super Rugby Pacific team, securing a 28-3 win in a disappointing homecoming for the Rebels.

REACTION: France captain Antoine Dupont urged his side to guard against complacency after they moved within two matches of a first Six Nations title and Grand Slam since 2010. 

URC MATCH REPORT: The Bulls overcame a slow start to record a commanding (45-7) bonus-point win over a hapless Zebre team in Parma on Friday.

REACTION: Flyt, holding all the trump cards, are standing quietly on the sidelines as the latest developments in the Newlands saga plays out.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Six Nations Round Three encounter between England and Wales at Twickenham.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has revealed his team to face Italy on Sunday.

REACTION: Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has opened up on his decision to sign for the Sharks.

URC NEWS: South African sides in the United Rugby Championship will have to contend with neutral referees when they finally take on overseas opposition on their home turf.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the rescheduled United Rugby Championship Round 10 match between Benetton and the Sharks in Treviso.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Six Nations Round Three encounter between Scotland and France at Murrayfield.

SIX NATIONS ROUND THREE: Andy Farrell vowed Ireland would learn from their defeat to France and their recovery mission starts here, with Italy the visitors to the Aviva Stadium on Sunday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the rescheduled United Rugby Championship Round 10 match between Connacht and the Stormers in Galway.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are three changes and a positional switch in the Stormers' starting line-up for their United Rugby Championship encounter with Connacht in Galway on Saturday.

URC MATCH REPORT: Leinster cemented their place at the top of the standings with a hard-earned 21-13 win over a willing Lions team in Dublin on Friday.

UPDATE: England remain hopeful that Manu Tuilagi could yet feature in this season's Six Nations.

SIX NATIONS ROUND THREE: Northampton Saints teammates Courtney Lawes and Dan Biggar will achieve a rare feat in the Six Nations Championship when they captain England and Wales respectively at Twickenham on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: It took about 70 minutes for them to hit top gear, but the Crusaders have flexed their muscles with a 34-19 South Island derby victory over the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday

SIX NATIONS ROUND THREE: Unbeaten France head to Murrayfield with an underdog mentality and a point to prove against bogey-side Scotland on Saturday as they continue their bid for a Six Nations Championship clean sweep.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Captain Ardie Savea has scored a sensational match-winning try in the final minute to lift the Hurricanes to a 33-32 win over the Blues in their Super Rugby Pacific clash in Dunedin.

NEWS: Australia's rivalry with the All Blacks will be scaled back to two Tests each year from three, officials confirmed Friday, as the Wallabies seek to play other countries.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Brumbies have turned on a ruthless display to crush newcomers Fijian Drua 42-3 in a Super Rugby Pacific blowout at Canberra Stadium.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the rescheduled United Rugby Championship Round 10 match between Leinster and the Lions in Dublin.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the rescheduled United Rugby Championship Round 10 match between Zebre and the Bulls in Parma.

RESCHEDULED: South Africa's teams head back to the Northern Hemisphere for the first time since mid-October, as they feature in a series of catch-up matches.

INSPIRATION: The Waratahs are drawing inspiration from wheelchair-bound former Wallaby Richard Tombs as they strive to rise again.

NEWS: Rugby Australia (RA) has announced an update to their Overseas Player Selection Policy for national teams.

NEWS: Rugby Europe has taken the decision to postpone the upcoming Georgia versus Russia fixture in the Rugby Europe Championship.

NEWS: England will be without one of their stars when they face Wales on Saturday.

NEWS: Wallabies loose forward Pete Samu has added an extra year to his Brumbies and Rugby Australia contract ahead of his side's match against Fijian Drua on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Kieran Crowley on Friday made three changes to his Italy team for their Six Nations clash against Ireland in Dublin, as the Azzurri again try to end their run of defeats in the competition.

TRANSFER NEWS: Leinster has lured a Springbok away from fellow Irish province Munster.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Queensland Reds have burst the Waratahs' bubble in a wet and wild Super Rugby Pacific derby in Sydney.

SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers' four-match unbeaten run may be abruptly halted this weekend.

NEWS: Former All Blacks and Fiji wing Joeli Vidiri has died aged 48, his Super Rugby franchise the Blues announced Friday.

NEWS: Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards has admitted his comments about the refereeing during his side’s loss to Exeter Chiefs at the weekend were ‘ill considered’.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks have left the warm climate of Durban and headed north to chilly Treviso in Italy for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash with Benetton.

NEWS: Va'aiga Tuigamala, affectionately known as 'Inga the winger' to fans of both Rugby Union and Rugby League, has died at the age of 52, his former club Wigan announced Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has named his side for this weekend’s Six Nations match against Wales.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France coach Fabien Galthie kept changes to a minimum to his starting XV for Saturday's Six Nations clash with Scotland.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Ireland's talismanic flyhalf Johnny Sexton says he welcomes the challenge to his number one spot from Joey Carbery adding he is "well used to competition".

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has named his team to face England at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen is set to unleash the Junior Springbok duo of Ruan Venter and Quan Horn when his side takes on Leinster.

SPOTLIGHT: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has said Saturday's Six Nations Championship match against Grand Slam-chasing France at Murrayfield on Saturday represents a "last opportunity" for his side's title ambitions.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have made three changes to their team that will take on Zebre Parma in a United Rugby Championship Round 10 match at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on Friday.

NEWS: The historic Blesidloe Cup Series between New Zealand and Australia will undergo significant change according to reports.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has revealed his team to face France at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Wallabies stalwart Quade Cooper is finally an Australian citizen following a five-year battle with immigration authorities.

REACTION: Reds coach Brad Thorn doesn't begrudge the departure of Wallabies forward Lukhan Salakaia-Loto to the English Premiership next season.

WATCH as Lions backline, attack and skills coach Ricardo Loubscher unpacks his team's next challenge - facing European and Irish giants Leinster in Dublin.

SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks hope to avoid the ignominy that befell the Bulls and Stormers on their first ventures to Italy.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former All Black hooker James Parsons says he would be ‘devastated’ to see the Springboks leave the Rugby Championship for the Six Nations in 2025

WATCH as Roc Nation President Michael R. Yormark and retired Springbok Tendai Mtawarira unpacks the advantage of South Africa's big trek from Super Rugby to the URC.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: England’s Callum Chick and Australia’s Adam Coleman have had very different outcomes following their virtually held disciplinary hearings.

NEWS: Ireland have been dealt a Covid-19 setback ahead of their Six Nations match against Italy.

TEAM NEWS: A 26-man Stormers squad arrive in Galway on Wednesday for their United Rugby Championship encounter with Connacht on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS ANALYSES: Nick Bishop takes a look at the impact Shaun Edwards has had on the French team since his arrival in 2020.

NEWS: Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit has been dropped from the match-day 23 to play England in the Six Nations Championship at Twickenham this weekend.

BEYOND THE FIELD: When Keagan Johannes opened his eyes, and the anaesthetic slowly wore off, and he was still coming to grips with the first major surgery of his rugby career in Matric, there were a lot of questions on his mind.

TEAM UPDATE: England coach Eddie Jones has cut his Test week squad from 35 to 25.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Lions have lost the services of another senior player.

INTERVIEW: France's South African-born fullback Scott Spedding feels the time has come to add the Springboks to the Six Nations.

TEAM UPDATE: Leinster wing James Lowe has been added to the Ireland squad after his remarkable performance for the province at the weekend.

NEWS: Sale Sharks face the prospect of losing Springboks duo Francois de Klerk and Lodewyk de Jager revealed Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson.

NEWS: Newcastle Falcons Director of Rugby Dean Richards has been charged with ‘conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union’ for a post-game rant.

SPOTLIGHT: England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie’s tackle technique has been put under the spotlight.

INTERVIEW: South African teams have not exactly covered themselves in glory in the opening half of the United Rugby Championship season.

INTERVIEW: Highlanders scrumhalf  Folau Fakatava has outlined his ambition to play for the All Blacks.

SPOTLIGHT: Hacjivah Dayimani says he has no intentions of returning to the backline as he continues to build his repertoire as a loose forward in the Stormers set-up.

SPOTLIGHT: No hiding his desire to wear the Wallabies gold, emerging playmaker Ben Donaldson is relishing the chance to lock horns with veteran Test star James O'Connor on Friday.

NEWS: England forward George Kruis has announced his retirement from rugby on his 32nd birthday in order to focus on his business commitments.

ROUND TWO WRAP: UFS Shimlas produced an attacking masterclass to thrash Maties 50-28 in Bloemfontein and end a seven-game drought against the Cape-based side.

SPOTLIGHT: Former England coach Clive Woodward has vehemently opposed the idea of South Africa joining the Six Nations in Europe.

WATCH as Roc Nation President Michael R. Yormark chats to @king365ed about the need to stop the mass player exodus facing South Africa.

REACTION: Springbok superstar Eben Etzebeth has responded to criticism from Bok legend Bakkies Botha.

WATCH as the Pretoria-born loose forward Riekert Hattingh goes on the rampage for his Major League Rugby club the Seattle Seawolves.

PLAYER IN FOCUS: The United Rugby Championship and Roc Nation combined to produce a series shining the spotlight on off-field endeavours, telling unique stories.

INTERVIEW: The Fijian Drua learnt quickly on debut how teams will attempt to stifle their strengths in Super Rugby Pacific and say they're already adapting.

TEAM NEWS: The Bulls named their squad that will travel to Parma, Italy, where they will take on Zebre in a United Rugby Championship clash on Friday.

NEWS: SA Rugby announced the confirmed competition structure for the remainder of the 2022 season.

NEWS: Moana Pasifika’s Round Two Super Rugby Pacific match against the Chiefs has been postponed due to player welfare concerns New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has announced.

NEWS: The Lions will be without Vincent and Emmanuel Tshituka for their clash against Leinster in Dublin.

REACTION: The Sharks already has a proverbial gold mine of international IP and the arrival of Eben Etzebeth will add even more to the growth of young players.

NEWS: Bulls flyhalf Morne Steyn will miss his team's next three games.

TEAM UPDATE: Gregor Townsend has added six players to his Six Nations Squad ahead of Scotland taking on France this Saturday at Murrayfield.

NEWS: It's official: A veteran is returning home to Sydney and will be available for the Wallabies' blockbuster three-Test series with England in June-July.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Bulls are reportedly set to lose Arno Both to Lyon, two years after he returned to Pretoria.

NEWS: Wales have recalled Bath No.8 Taulupe Faletau, who hasn’t featured for his country in nearly a year.

NEWS: The United Rugby Championship confirmed the rescheduling of three outstanding Welsh derbies that were postponed over the Christmas and New Year period.

NEWS: Ebrahim Patel, the first president of the South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU) and one of the driving forces behind the movement to rugby unity towards the end of the 20th century, passed away early on Monday.

NEWS: Rugby Legend Steve Roach looms as a secret weapon as the Waratahs strive to turn Leichhardt Oval into their own fortress this year.

REACTION: The Currie Cup's new schedule has an impact on the quality of rugby delivered by players admits Cheetahs head coach Hawies Fourie.

SPOTLIGHT: Springboks great John Phillip 'Bakkies' Botha could not contain his disappointment with Eben Etzebeth's early exit from France and Top 14 strugglers Toulon.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has called up a number of Currie Cup players for their United Rugby Championship rescheduled Round 10 trip to Ireland.

TEAM UPDATE: Coach Eddie Jones has named a 35-man England squad for next weekend’s Six Nations match against Wales at Twickenham.

RIP: Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, lead the tributes for former Springbok fullback Henry Oswald de Villiers, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 76.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Exeter made hard work of beating 14-man Newcastle as a late penalty from Joe Simmonds ensured they won 15-14 on Sunday.

URC REPORT: Ulster moved back up to second in the table with a 12-0 victory over the Dragons at a wet and windswept Rodney Parade.

NEWS: The Super Rugby Pacific Round Two draw has been reshuffled in New Zealand to give Moana Pasifika the best chance of being able to play their scheduled match against the Chiefs.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Lachie Lonergan has downplayed his role in a last-ditch try that helped the Brumbies steal a 29-23 Super Rugby Pacific win over the Western Force at Canberra Stadium.

MATCH REPORT: James Lowe was back with a bang as his electric 56th-minute try lit up Leinster’s 29-7 United Rugby Championship win over the Ospreys at the RDS.

MATCH REPORT:  Sharks kept their winning run intact with a 43-31 win over a spirited Lions team at Ellis Park on Saturday. 

MATCH REPORT:  Cheetahs enhanced their status as Currie Cup contenders with a 28-17 win over Pumas in Nelspruit on Saturday.

NEWS: The Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth will spend another spell on the sidelines following his latest injury.

MATCH REPORT: Glasgow Warriors overcame the rain and some determined opposition to pick up a hard-fought 13-3 victory over Benetton which lifts them to second in the United Rugby Championship table.

MATCH REPORT: Connacht pulled off a historic first-ever win at Parc y Scarlets by beating the Welsh region 29-23 on Saturday.

WATCH Sharks centre Lukhanyo Am's sublime try against the Bulls on Saturday.

WATCH as we bring you the highlights from the weekend's Round Four Currie Cup matches - all the drama!

SUPER RUGBY MATCH REPORT: The Crusaders have survived an early-season fright from the Hurricanes to kick their 2022 campaign off with a 42-32 win in Dunedin.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: A Rohan Janse van Rensburg try helped Sale Sharks secure a narrow 22-21 win over Northampton Saints on Saturday.

REACTION: Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea has expressed player welfare concerns regarding the four-hour bus trips between Queenstown and Dunedin for the opening rounds of Super Rugby Pacific.

OPINION: RugbyPass writers tackle the big talking points ahead of the start of Super Rugby Pacific - the format, the play-offs and the value of the competition.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: Griquas held on for a tense 22-20 win over Western Province in a Round Four Currie Cup encounter in Kimberley on Friday.

SUPER RUGBY MATCH REPORT: The Chiefs put down an early marker when they beat the Highlanders 26-16 in the opening New Zealand derby match in Queenstown on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: The Six Nations have issued a statement confirming that they have no intention of adding or replacing any team in the competition.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: Worcester ended a run of five successive defeats and gave Steve Diamond his first win in charge as they toppled Bristol 19-14 at Sixways.

NEWS: Courtney Lawes has resumed full training with England after recovering from concussion and is in contention to face Wales in next week's Six Nations match at Twickenham.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Currie Cup Round Four match between the Lions and Sharks at Ellis Park.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Currie Cup Round Four match between the Pumas and Cheetahs in Nelspruit.

SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC REPORT: The Waratahs gave newcomers Fijian Drua a rude awakening in their first venture into the Trans-Tasman competition.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Reds kicked off their season with a grinding 23-5 defeat of the Melbourne Rebels in Brisbane on Saturday.

BREAKING NEWS: The WPRFU and SARU confirmed that the Newlands Rugby Stadium was to be placed on the market in a sealed bidding process.

NEWS: Former All Black coach and England assistant coach John Mitchell is on the move again.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks’ Currie Cup campaign shifts to Johannesburg when they take on the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday following a two-week break.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland hooker Ronan Kelleher has been ruled out of the remainder of the Six Nations due to a shoulder issue.

MATCH REPORT: Simon Zebo stole the show with a hat-trick of tries in Munster's 34-20 United Rugby Championship win over Edinburgh at Thomond Park.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Currie Cup Round Four match between Griquas and Western Province in Kimberley.

SPOTLIGHT: Speculation continued to mount this week regarding an eventual accession of South Africa into the Six Nations.

WATCH as South African coach Jacques Nienaber runs the rule over his team's opposition this year.

NEWS: France have overtaken Ireland in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings as a result of their 30-24 win at a raucous Stade de France on Saturday.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Sharks scrumhalf Grant Williams has been suspended for a month.

SUPER SATURDAY: It is going to be a significant weekend for the Irish provinces.

REACTION: The news of South Africa potentially joining the Six Nations has been met with widespread anger in the Northern Hemisphere.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Mziwakhe Nkosi has revealed his team for their Currie Cup encounter against the Sharks at Ellis Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Province have been bolstered by the inclusion of a few key players for their Currie Cup clash with Griquas in Kimberley on Friday.

BATTLE FOR THE THRONE: There could be a new team at the top of the Currie Cup standings after Round four this weekend.

MAKING NEW WAVES: The latest version of the Southern Hemisphere's much-hyped franchise championship kicks off a new era this week.

BREAKING NEWS: New Zealand Rugby confirmed they had secured a NZ$200-million (US$134-million) investment from US private equity firm.

NEWS: Eben Etzebeth's new team has finally been confirmed.

FRIDAY FRENZY: Munster faces another tough Scottish hurdle when they host Edinburgh in Limerick on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has made a number of significant changes to his team for their Currie Cup Round Four encounter with the Cheetahs.

INTERVIEW: The Lions do not need reminding that 2022 is threatening to become their annus horribilis.

SCORE CORRECTION: The result in the Varsity Cup Round one fixture between CUT and UJ, played at the CUT Stadium, has been corrected.

NEWS: Former World Cup-winning Springbok captain Francois Pienaar and Sharks owner Marco V. Masotti have teamed up in a consortium that has obtained a controlling share in Saracens.

SPOTLIGHT: The Lions might be sitting at the bottom of the Currie Cup standings, but they are still a team the Sharks will not take lightly in Johannesburg on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: SA Rugby’s commitment to its SANZAAR partners seems to be waning after the release of a new "joint venture agreement".

NEWS: Stormers co-captain Salmaan Moerat has revealed his decision on his playing future.

SPOTLIGHT: England flyhalf Marcus Smith says he learned valuable lessons from Dan Biggar during last year's British and Irish Lions tour as he prepares to go head to head with the Wales stand-off in the Six Nations.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas have lost their inspirational captain for a substantial period.

NEWS: Golden try will become golden point for the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific season, and a simple coin toss could play a key role in a team's chances of success.

NEWS: Top-flight clubs in England are to pause a programme of routine weekly COVID tests and concentrate their efforts on players and management showing symptoms of COVID.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: At the back of a commanding 38-25 win over the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, the Cheetahs travel to Nelspruit to take on the Pumas on Saturday.

NEWS: The Western Force have cut ties with Sitaleki Timani after the former Wallabies lock opted against having the COVID-19 vaccine.

SPOTLIGHT: It seems Western Province are still hurting after their last meeting with Griquas in the Currie Cup.

SQUAD UPDATE: Two big names have been included in Eddie Jones' 25-man England squad for a Six Nations training camp in London.

OPINION: This Richie Mo’unga situation sums up so much about what’s so wrong with rugby in New Zealand.

NEWS: France wing Gabin Villiere will miss this month's Six Nations visit to Scotland with a facial injury, sources told AFP on Tuesday.

NEWS: The Stormers' United Rugby Championship match against Zebre Parma on Sunday, March 13 will be played at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.

OPINION: Paul Smith rates the England players after their 33-0 Six Nations shut-out of Italy.

OPINION: Paul Smith rates the French players after their 30-24 win over Ireland on Saturday!

TRANSFER NEWS: London Irish have bolstered their squad with some South African muscle.

NEWS: Tadhg Beirne has signed an IRFU contract which will see him play his rugby in this country until at least July 2025.

ROUND ONE WRAP: UCT scored a last-minute try to beat NWU in the opening round of the Varsity Cup, while there were also wins for Maties, UFS Shimlas, Wits and UJ.

SPOTLIGHT: It's an old cliche that what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger.

REACTION: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White knows that his team will have to reach the United Rugby Championship play-offs the hard way after they lost another home game to local rivals.

SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers will have several players returning from injury ahead of their match against Connacht in Ireland on February 26.

REACTION: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt is hoping scrumhalf Grant Williams doesn't get a heavy sanction for his red card against Bulls in Pretoria over the weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: France put themselves in pole position for Six Nations glory, while Scotland were brought back down to earth with a bang.

NEWS: Wales centre Uilisi Halaholo has been given a chance to prove his match fitness ahead of next week's Six Nations trip to England.

NEWS: Newcastle Falcons captain Mark Wilson has retired from rugby with immediate effect.

NEWS: The Stormers are reportedly set to lose Springbok Warrick Gelant at the end of the season.

NEWS: The Hurricanes have revealed their captain for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.

NEWS: Toulon announced that Springbok superstar Eben Etzebeth will be leaving the club at the end of the season.

OPINION: Liam Heagney rates the Ireland players after their 24-30 loss to France on Saturday!

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson speaks about how Manie Libbok is growing in confidence with each game due to the support he is getting.

REACTION: Referee Damon Murphy has joined the growing list of match officials under fire for their brain explosions in the game.

REACTION: The Lions players will have a hard look at themselves in the mirror after their latest defeat in the United Rugby Championship.

REACTION: Eddie Jones said there's no limit to how good Marcus Smith can be after the England flyhalf starred in Sunday's 33-0 thumping of Italy in Rome.

REACTION: Wales coach Wayne Pivac praised captain Dan Biggar as "someone who fights for every last inch" after the flyhalf played through the pain barrier to revive his side's Six Nations title hopes against Scotland.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: England bounced back from their Murrayfield disappointment to record a bonus-point win over Italy in Rome on Sunday.

REACTION: France captain Antoine Dupont said the squad are not talking about their chances of a Six Nations Grand Slam yet despite Saturday's impressive victory over Ireland.

REACTION: Dan Biggar hailed Wales' 20-17 win over Scotland in Cardiff on Saturday as one of the "best victories" of his career.

REACTION: Ireland coach Andy Farrell praised the "spirit" and "character" of his side after they came from 7-22 down early in the second half to agonisingly lose 24-30 to France.

REACTION: France coach Fabien Galthie said he is not thinking about winning the Six Nations despite Saturday's impressive 30-24 victory over Ireland.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Six Nations Round Two encounter between Italy and England in Rome.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: Dan Biggar's drop-goal 10 minutes from time proved decisive as Wales revived their title defence with a 20-17 win over Scotland in Cardiff on Saturday.

OPINION: Will Owen rates the Welsh players after their 20-17 Six Nations win over Scotland.

OPINION: Gavin Harper rates the Scottish players after their 17-20 Six Nations loss to Wales.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: France kept their Grand Slam dream alive with a hard-fought 30-24 win over Ireland in a thrilling encounter in Paris on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Harlequins continued their miserable record on visits to Saracens as they suffered a 10-19 loss on Sunday.

URC REPORT: The Sharks got back to winning ways in the United Rugby Championship with a thrilling 29-22 victory over the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.

URC REPORT: The Stormers continued their upward trajectory in the United Rugby Championship with a 32-10 win over the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: The upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season shapes as career-defining for Josh Ioane.

REPORT: The Crusaders are not putting much value on their pre-season Super Rugby loss to the Hurricanes.

NEWS: Sharks CEO Eduard Coetzee has announced a new change to their rugby structure that will be effective from the 2022/2023 season.

WATCH as we bring you 20 of the most controversial moments in the game - from blatant cheating to just plain daft brain explosions.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Nemani Nadolo scored two tries as tournament leaders Leicester did the double over East Midlands rivals Northampton.

PRE-SEASON WRAP: The Chiefs have finished their build-up to the 2022 season undefeated, after beating the Blues and Highlanders in a game of three halves match in Queenstown on Saturday.

URC WRAP: Leinster and Glasgow Warriors moved to within a point of the table-topping Ulster side on the standings.

REACTION: Michele Lamaro said Italy should be inspired by their Under-20 team's historic win over England as the senior team await the Six Nations visit of the 2019 World Cup finalists.

NEWS: The Moana Pasifika Super Rugby Pacific squad continue to isolate in their Queenstown hotel after seven players were confirmed by Ministry of Health on Friday as positive COVID-19 cases.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Ospreys confirmed that attack coach, Brock James, will leave the regional rugby franchise at the end of the United Rugby Championship campaign.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok prop Tendai Mtawarira and Roc Nation President Michael R. Yormark dish out some sage advice to young players making their way in the professional game.

NEWLANDS SPOTLIGHT: @king365ed brings to light the latest developments in the attempts to resurrect their ailing WPRFU

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Six Nations Round Two encounter between France and Ireland in Paris.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 12 encounter between the Bulls and Sharks at Loftus Versfeld.

SIX NATIONS, ROUND TWO: Eddie Jones says England "want to light up Rome" as they bid to bounce back from the narrow opening defeat by Scotland when they face Italy on Sunday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Six Nations Round Two encounter between Wales and Scotland in Cardiff.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 12 encounter between the Lions and Stormers at Ellis Park.

NEWS: South African World Cup winner Eben Etzebeth could give last-place Toulon a lift by making his first Top 14 appearance of the season as they host Bordeaux-Begles on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS ROUND TWO: Wales may be the reigning champions, but it is easy to forget that fact as they prepare for Saturday's match against Scotland in Cardiff.

LOCAL SUPREMACY: It's another Saturday of local derbies in South Africa with the Stormers currently sitting at the top of the South African Shield conference by two points.

SPOTLIGHT: England's Six Nations defeat to Scotland has cost them third place in the World Rugby Rankings.

SIX NATIONS ROUND TWO: Former Ireland flyhalf Ronan Gara said France are "building something special" ahead of next year's World Cup.

REACTION: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has explained his midfield selection for Saturday's United Rugby Championship clash against the Bulls in Pretoria.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Italy have made three changes for this Sunday’s Six Nations match against England.

INTERVIEW: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend believes his side have the tools to end their 20-year wait for a win in Cardiff as they look to build on their positive start to this season's Six Nations.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jake White has revealed his Bulls team to face the Sharks in Pretoria on Saturday.

NEWS: The Crusaders are set to be without two key All Blacks players for the opening three rounds of the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are three changes to the Stormers backline for their United Rugby Championship encounter with the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

NEWS: England will play the Barbarians at Twickenham on June 19 as part of their preparations for a tour of Australia.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Eddie Jones has named his England team to face Italy in the Six Nations this weekend.

NEWS: The Hurricanes will begin their 2022 Super Rugby Pacific campaign without TJ Perenara after the veteran scrumhalf sustained a knee injury that will keep him sidelined for about a month.

SPOTLIGHT: Joey Carbery has long been seen as Ireland playmaker Johnny Sexton's successor at flyhalf and on Saturday he gets his chance to rubberstamp his credentials against a vibrant France in the Six Nations.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland's talismanic captain Johnny Sexton will miss this weekend's Six Nations clash with France in Paris due to a hamstring injury, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said on Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France head coach Fabien Galthie made two changes on Friday to his side for this weekend's Six Nations game with Ireland.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has revealed his team to face the Stormers in Johannesburg on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jac Morgan is set to make his Wales debut after being named in the reigning champions' starting XV to face Scotland in the Six Nations in Cardiff on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Gregor Townsend has named his squad to face Wales on Saturday in Cardiff in the second round of the 2022 Six Nations, where Grant Gilchrist will make his 50th appearance for Scotland.

CATCH-UP: Leinster host Edinburgh on a blockbuster of United Rugby Championship action on Friday, with four of the competition's top five taking to the field.

NEWS: Argentina rugby coach Mario Ledesma said Wednesday he was quitting his job for personal reasons, missing out on the chance to lead the team at the 2023 World Cup in France.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks and Bulls go head-to-head in an important United Rugby Championship clash at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.

Fiji Rugby Union chiefs have warned that “sneaky” agents are looking for players to launch a professional league in China and are targeting the country’s players with some already preparing to fly to Beijing.

SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers are not letting all the praise get to their heads as they prepare for an important United Rugby Championship derby against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

PRE-SEASON PREVIEW: The Waratahs and Reds are taking the same approach into their final pre-season Super Rugby hit-out on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: France lock Cameron Woki said head coach Fabien Galthie has the squad "right into" preparation for Ireland's trip to Paris in the Six Nations this weekend after returning to the set-up.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Crusaders are currently preparing for their final pre-season hit out against the Hurricanes before the Super Rugby Pacific season officially kicks off next weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Springbok prop and current Lions scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys has warned that rugby should be wary of going soft.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers coach John Dobson first lifted the lid on the challenges being faced by South African franchises - an adulterated currency against robust foreign capital.

SPOTLIGHT: From being mobbed by his teammates after his last-gasp winning drop goal in 2018 to the shake of the head on being replaced in the defeat by France two years later.

SQUAD UPDATE: Courtney Lawes will miss England's Six Nations clash with Italy this weekend as he remains under concussion protocols.

SPOTLIGHT: Dewi Lake says Wales must be more physical in Saturday's Six Nations clash against an in-form Scotland after their hammering by Ireland in their tournament opener.

SPOTLIGHT: Johnny Sexton says France present a different challenge to other Six Nations opponents because he and his Irish teammates have to brush up on the skills of individual players rather than a team system.

SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies coach Dave Rennie is not a fan of uncontested scrums in professional rugby - and he's not the only one.

SPOTLIGHT: Rugby Australia Chief Executive Andy Marinos says the expanded Super Rugby competition is imperative to developing pathways in the Pacific.

NEWS: Rugby authorities in New Zealand have confirmed the bubble safety in Queenstown ahead of the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific has been breached by covid and measures have been taken to control the potential for spread

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England have called up lock Joe Launchbury to replace injured Lewis Ludlam for Sunday's Six Nations Test against Italy as coach Eddie Jones says his side will "light up Rome" after their loss to Scotland.

NEWS: South Africa's United Rugby Championship Player of the Month for January has been revealed.

SPOTLIGHT: Taniela Tupou has cheekily challenged Rugby Australia to "show me the money" as the rampaging Queensland Reds prop switches gears and begins to ponder his future.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks are not fazed by external criticism ahead of their United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against the Bulls on Saturday.

Bulls take on the Sharks in what is set to be a gruelling contest between the two sides in the United Rugby Championship at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

BREAKING: The Springboks are scheduled to face Wales in three Test matches in the Incoming Series in July, before hosting the All Blacks and Argentina in the Rugby Championship in August and September, SA Rugby confirmed on Tuesday.

NEWS: History will be made in early April when the eagerly-anticipated Champions Cup round of 16 fixtures will be played over two legs for the first time.

NEWS: South Africa’s four United Rugby Championship teams will host Scarlets, Munster, Cardiff and Zebre Parma next month in two rescheduled rounds of the competition, which had to be postponed late last year.

SQUAD UPDATE: England boss Eddie Jones has recalled fit-again Joe Launchbury to his squad for next Sunday’s round two Six Nations match away to Italy in Rome.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Springbok wing Aphiwe Dyantyi has revealed he will make a return to rugby in 2023.

REACTION: Clive Woodward, England’s World Cup-winning coach claims Eddie Jones is getting an easy ride because of a “massive weakness” at the RFU.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson opens up about the biggest challenge facing South African teams in the URC.

WATCH as 2021 South Africa Sevens Player of the year Ronald Brown breaks down his story from his unexpected battle with cancer to his dream of playing rugby again.

WATCH as Springboks utility back Jesse Kriel scored a double in the latest round of Japan Rugby League One action.

SPOTLIGHT: This weekend, the six New Zealand-based Super Rugby squads will head to Queenstown as a means of ensuring the opening rounds of the inaugural Pacific season can go ahead as planned.

INJURY UPDATE: Scotland have called up Dave Cherry after confirming Jamie Ritchie will miss this weekend's Six Nations clash against Wales with an injury.

IRELAND INJURY UPDATE: Andy Farrell has called up Connacht forward Dave Heffernan as injury cover as Ireland emerged from their Six Nations opener against Wales all but unscathed.

NEWS: Kieran Crowley has picked another young gun in his Italy squad for this weekend's Six Nations clash with England.

INJURY UPDATE: France centre Jonathan Danty will miss this weekend's Six Nations match with Ireland due to an ankle injury.

France cemented their status as pre-tournament favourites by launching their Six Nations campaign with a comprehensive 37-10 home win over perennial strugglers Italy on Sunday.

OPINION: Ireland have beaten Wales 29 – 7 in their opening Six Nations match at the Aviva Stadium.

OPINION: Scotland recorded consecutive wins over England for the first time since 1984 as a late Finn Russell penalty ensured they retained the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield.

OPINION: Scotland won consecutive Calcutta Cups for the first time since 1984 by claiming a tense 20-17 win at rainy Murrayfield.

OPINION: Six Nations favourites France launched their 2022 campaign with a comfortable 37-10 home win over perennial strugglers Italy.

SQUAD UPDATE: Fabien Galthie has called up to players to his Six Nations squad, but there’s no room for Montpellier bad boy Mohamed Haouas.

NEWS: Wallaby prop James Slipper has signed a contract extension through to the end of 2023, giving him the chance of appearing at his fourth World Cup.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White speaks about finding the balance between bringing young players through and having the experience to call on.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: Six Nations title favourites France beat Italy 37-10 in Paris on Sunday with wing Gabin Villiere scoring three tries.

REACTION: Luke Cowan-Dickie has apologised to England supporters for conceding a penalty try in a 17-20 defeat by Scotland as Red Rose coach Eddie Jones accepted the blame for the Calcutta Cup loss at Murrayfield.

REACTION: Bulls head coach Jake White was not too disappointed after failing to secure a bonus-point win over Lions on Saturday in Pretoria.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Tom Roebuck and Robert Du Preez scored two tries each as Sale crushed English Premiership champions Harlequins 36-14 on Sunday.

An in-depth look at experienced South African official Jaco Peyper's contribution during Ireland's win over Wales on Saturday

OPINION: Fronted by new skipper Dan Biggar, Wayne Pivac’s men were given the tough task of chasing an away scalp in Dublin to open their Six Nations campaign.

NEWS: The Lions are reportedly set to lose two of their senior centres.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok Duane Vermeulen arrives for a post-match interview barefooted and in shorts ... in sub-zero temperatures.

REACTION: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt says his team played into the Stormers hands during their 10-20 defeat in a United Rugby Championship clash in Cape Town on Saturday.

NEWS: Andrew Hore, CEO of the Auckland-based Blues, has expressed frustration at New Zealand's COVID-19 restrictions, saying they are getting "a bit silly".

Marcus Smith’s first start in the Six Nations as England’s flyhalf looked on course to be a successful one after he had scored all 17 of his side’s points with a quarter of the game to go.

With a record fourth John Eales Medal in his pocket, Michael Hooper can argue he has earned the strategic rest that will rule him out of the early rounds of the Super Rugby Pacific season.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Six Nations Round One encounter between France and Italy in Paris.

URC REPORT: The Stormers recorded their first home win in the United Rugby Championship when they beat the Sharks 20-10 in their Round Nine fixture in Cape Town on Saturday.

URC REPORT: The Bulls made it back-to-back wins over the Lions with a 21-13 victory in their Round Nine encounter in Pretoria on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT:  Scotland have retained the Calcutta Cup with a hard-fought 20-17 win over England at Murrayfield on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS REPORT:  Ireland made a huge statement as they recorded a comfortable 29-7 bonus-point win over Wales on Saturday in Dublin. 

WATCH as Sharks coach Etienne Fynn talks about two amazing comebacks in his team's impressive Currie Cup win over Western Province.

SIX NATIONS ROUND ONE: France host Italy on Sunday in both sides' opening game of this year's Six Nations.

REACTION: Ireland captain Johnny Sexton said there is a lot to "brush up on" for next weekend's tricky Six Nations visit to France despite their impressive bonus-point win over champions Wales.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Gloucester swept into second place in the English Premiership with a 24-7 victory against London Irish at Kingsholm on Friday.

URC REPORT: Ulster put in a commanding performance as they claimed a 32-12 bonus-point victory over Connacht at a chilly Kingspan Stadium on Friday.

WRAP: A Paolo Odogwu try deep into stoppage time plundered a 27-26 victory for Wasps who had been outplayed for much of the Premiership match by injury-ravaged Exeter Chiefs.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: The 2022 championship gets underway this weekend with Ireland at home to Wales, Scotland taking on arch-rivals England and favourites France facing Italy in Paris.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Six Nations Round One encounter between Scotland and England at Murrayfield

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round Nine encounter between the Stormers and Sharks in Cape Town.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Six Nations Round One encounter between Ireland and Wales in Dublin.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round Nine encounter between the Bulls and Lions at Loftus Versfeld.

INTERVIEW: Dan Biggar says he will be very surprised if he has to deliver a rousing captain's talk prior to the titleholders' Six Nations opener with Ireland on Saturday.

NEWS: France prop Mohamed Haouas was convicted on Friday for his role in burglaries worth tens of thousands of euros at tobacco vendors in France in 2014.

DEJA VU: Round Nine's South African derbies have arrived and it's the same fixtures as last weekend, but at different venues.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen named a new-look matchday 23 ahead of his side's return leg trip to Loftus in Round Nine of the United Rugby Championship.

NEWS: Star playmaker James O'Connor and coach Brad Thorn are in isolation after a second COVID-19 outbreak swept through Queensland Reds camp on the eve of the Super Rugby Pacific season.

NEWS: Leicester Tigers have agreed on a new deal with back-row Hanro Liebenberg.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Former Hurricanes back row forward Toa Halafihi will make his Italy debut in this weekend's Six Nations trip to France.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have opted for continuity, making only one change to the starting XV that will take on the Lions in a United Rugby Championship match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS ROUND ONE: England coach Eddie Jones labelling Scotland "red-hot favourites" for the old rivals' Six Nations opener at Murrayfield on Saturday may be a familiar ploy, but he might have a point.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Coach Fabien Galthie is set to miss France’s opening Six Nations rugby match against Italy after testing positive for COVID-19.

SIX NATIONS ROUND ONE: Ireland goes into their season opener on Saturday against injury-hit holders Wales in a "good place".

PRE-SEASON REPORT: Moana Pasifika have been dealt a tough introduction to life in Super Rugby Pacific after being thrashed by the Chiefs in their first pre-season clash.

PRE-SEASON REPORT: The Highlanders have opened New Zealand’s Super Rugby Pacific pre-season with a tense 20-19 victory over the Crusaders in Weston.

SPOTLIGHT: Before Josh Ioane’s first season of Super Rugby away from the Highlanders even kicks off, the All Black is heading back to New Zealand’s deep south.

WATCH as Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie talks about one of the brightest prospects in his squad.

REACTION: Gregor Townsend said on Thursday England coach Eddie Jones' suggestion that Scotland are "red-hot favourites" for this weekend's Calcutta Cup clash was just a "song and dance" routine.

SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies wing Andrew Kellaway concedes he was a "passenger" while playing at the Waratahs and he already feels like the time is ticking on his career.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers coach John Dobson has made two changes to the team that will face the Sharks on Saturday at the Cape Town stadium.

IRISH DERBY: Ulster will be boosted by the availability of three of their Ireland stars as they aim to go top of the United Rugby Championship by beating Connacht on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Tom Curry will captain England in their Six Nations opener away to Scotland on Saturday after Eddie Jones' first two choices as skipper were ruled out through injury.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks have revealed their team to face the Stormers on Saturday at the Cape Town Stadium. 

SPOTLIGHT: France's head of performance Thibault Giroud said on Thursday he expects captain Antoine Dupont to feature against Italy in the Six Nations this weekend despite playing just once in the past seven weeks.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jonny Gray has been recalled by Scotland for their Six Nations opener at home to England on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has named his team to face Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin in the opening round of the 2022 Six Nations on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Andy Farrell has named the matchday 23 to kick start Ireland’s 2022 Six Nations Championship campaign against Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: While the global pandemic has been a major disrupter at all levels of the game, it’s the teams who are still vying for spots at the 2023 World Cup who have arguably been most affected.

SPOTLIGHT: Prop Brok Harris never thought he would be getting the opportunity to play his 100th match for the Stormers after he left the franchise in 2014.

SPOTLIGHT: Without their internationals and playing a rescheduled derby, there has been plenty of war talk from both Connacht and Ulster as the sides head into their clash in Belfast on Friday.