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FRIDAY PREVIEW: Ospreys expect a fierce backlash from a Sharks team in dire need of some uplifting news.

WATCH as South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus, in his own words, explains why he took to social media and what his strategy for Twitter is.

The Bulls have been given a huge Springboks boost for their United Rugby Championship Round nine fixture against Cardiff

NEWS: A public vote has revealed the best player of the end-of-year internationals and it is someone from the north

SPOTLIGHT: The Springbok Sevens squad will start the Dubai Sevens on Friday with a healthy dose of reality, but also the expectation that the hard work done on the training field will bring some change.

England rugby coach Eddie Jones has labelled Clive Woodward "sad" after his predecessor's stinging criticism following a lacklustre Year-end campaign that left the Australian fighting to stay in his job.

SPOTLIGHT: Unless the authorities seize the problem of traumatic head injuries "by the scruff of the neck" parents will not allow their children to play the sport.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers coach John Dobson wasted no time in bringing back some serious Springbok muscle.

TRANSFER NEWS: Saracens have bolstered their scrumhalf stocks with another Springbok.

WATCH as former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers shares his thoughts on a variety of subjects - including the RassieGate saga and team selection.

The Super Rugby Pacific competition will remain intact until at least 2030 following a joint agreement between Australian and New Zealand rugby bosses announced Friday.

REACTION: Senior Springboks Siyamthanda Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth played a significant role in helping the Sharks through their tumultuous coaching revamp at Kings Park this week.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok legend Joel Stransky believes the Bulls will not have enough firepower to go all the way in the United Rugby Championship this season.

SPOTLIGHT: One of rugby's big names has reportedly emerged as the top contender for the England job if the Rugby Football Union decides to sack Eddie Jones.

INTERVIEW: Former Springboks captain Bobby Skinstad has backed the trenchant way Rassie Erasmus defended South Africa during their recent year-end Tests.

NEWS: Sharks captain and Springbok prop Thomas du Toit has been informed of the outcome of his disciplinary hearing, following his red card in the year-end Test against England this past weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: European officials refused to put a deadline on an agreement for the creation of a Club World Cup, but remain hopeful the groundbreaking plan will get off the ground.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks have welcomed back a number of returning Springboks for their United Rugby Championship clash against Ospreys at Kings Park on Friday.

INTERVIEW: Wales flyhalf Dan Biggar said that he has big ambitions with his new club Toulon, saying "I want to be champion of France".

SPOTLIGHT: Handre Pollard believes England has left it too late to sack Eddie Jones.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok legend Joel Stransky believes the relationship between Neil Powell and Sean Everitt at the Sharks was always destined for failure.

SPOTLIGHT: Wearing the mantle of defending champions and nine-time winners of the Dubai Sevens is one thing, but arriving at The Sevens Stadium bereft of top form, playing in a tough pool and with a number of new players, is something else.

NEWS: World Rugby has revealed a new framework for the future of the Sevens World Series.

WORLD SEVENS SERIES ROUND TWO: It's the second event in this season's World Rugby Sevens Series calendar and it all takes on the pitch at The Sevens Stadium.

NEWS: The match officials for the United Rugby Championship Round Nine fixtures have been confirmed.

Rugby officials have defended the manner in which Australia scrumhalf Nic White was allowed to play on after he was concussed against Ireland this month.

NEWS: Former Highlanders' co-captains Nasi Manu and Ben Smith have joined the 2023 Highlanders' management team.

WATCH as retired refereeing legend Nigel Owens unpacks some of the refereeing howlers of the past weekend - including why South Africa's controversial try should not have stood.

The Cheetahs will make their EPCR Challenge Cup debut this season and announced their squad for the Rounds one and two matches played in December 2022.

Bulls assistant coach Pine Pienaar revealed the South African franchise face a real test at home against Cardiff on Saturday.

YEAR-END REVIEW: Tournament hosts France head into next year's Rugby World Cup as favourites but an enthralling series of November internationals suggests the 2023 edition could be the most competitive yet.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok flyhalf Damian Willemse has opened up on some of his moments of brilliance against England at Twickenham.

The Springboks have been reaping the rewards since South African teams opted to swap Super Rugby for the United Rugby Championship. 

OPINION: The year-end Tests have come and gone, with some interesting and intriguing results. Jan de Koning names his Team of the Month for November!

NEWS: Springbok prop Thomas du Toit will attend a disciplinary hearing for an act of foul play against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

UPDATE: Kenya's Rugby Sevens players, who launched an appeal for donations to pay their bills, will be paid their overdue salaries this week ahead of the season-opening Dubai series, the country's sports minister said Monday.

NEWS: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has stepped down from his role with immediate effect.

The Springboks crushed England into submission with a demoralising 27-13 win at Twickenham but the manner in which they constructed their win was largely the same for the most part.

REACTION: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen is a happy man after his team's United Rugby Championship Round Eight win over the Dragons on Sunday.

Sunday's United Rugby Championship Round Eight fixture against Cardiff was a dark and gloomy one for the Sharks.

Ieuan Evans promised to "strive for more" after being appointed chair of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

SPOTLIGHT: Former England coach Clive Woodward said Saturday's defeat by South Africa had rounded off the "worst week in English rugby history".

NEWS: Six Nations Rugby announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Ben Morel, has decided to step down at the end of the current 2022/23 rugby season.

SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers are hoping that one of their Boks will not be on the sidelines for a lengthy period.

REACTION: David Kriel is slowly but surely hitting his strides with every Bulls outing.

REPORT: Warren Gatland is in line to return as Wales coach should Welsh rugby chiefs decide Wayne Pivac has to be replaced ahead of next year's World Cup, according to media reports.

REACTION: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has paid tribute to the "huge legacy" left by Doddie Weir following his former teammate's death from Motor Neurone Disease.

TOP 14 WRAP: Top 14 leaders Toulouse slipped to a 14-21 defeat at Lyon on Sunday as their French national skipper Antoine Dupont began a four-week suspension.

SPOTLIGHT: At the start of the year, as Ricardo Duarttee walked back to his car after a meeting Philip Snyman – then still the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport Sevens Academy coach – his mind was racing.

REACTION: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi believes that his team's win over England at Twickenham was more proof that they are not one-trick ponies.

Thomas Young starred for Cardiff as they thrived in the Durban rain to claim a famous 35-0 victory over the Sharks.

REACTION: Cardiff boss Dai Young says his team need to back up their "outstanding" United Rugby Championship victory away to the Sharks when they take on the high-flying Bulls on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT:  The Lions recorded their first home win, beating Dragons 33-25 at Ellis Park on Sunday. 

SPOTLIGHT: The Rugby Football Union will conduct a review following England's dismal year-end series. 

Kenya's Rugby Sevens launched a public appeal for donations on Sunday, claiming the team has not been paid in months and players badly needed money ahead of several international matches.

ROUND EIGHT REVIEW:: After another interesting weekend of URC action, the top four began to draw away from the rest as Leinster, Ulster, the Bulls and the Stormers put daylight between themselves and the chasing pack.

REACTION: Wales head coach Wayne Pivac did not sound like a man whose job is under extreme pressure.

REACTION: Dave Rennie has hailed the Wallabies' rollercoaster end-of-year tour a success after watching his brave, makeshift outfit complete an epic 39-34 comeback win over Wales.

OPINION: The end-of-year international series produced some sparkling rugby auguring well for next year's World Cup in France.

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

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

MATCH REPORT: Munster ended a run of five interprovincial derby defeats as their pack powered them to a 24-17 bonus-point victory over Connacht at Thomond Park.

REPORT: Australia came from 13-34  down to beat Wales 39-34 in an extraordinary Test in Cardiff on Saturday.

REACTION: Eddie Jones has again faulted himself after his England team subsided to a dispiriting 13-27 defeat by South Africa at Twickenham and most fans would for once agree.

REPORT: World champions South Africa ended 2022 with a 27-13 win over England in their concluding November series international at Twickenham on Saturday.

Rob Russell scored a hat-trick of tries as Leinster eased to a 40-5  United Rugby Championship victory over Glasgow Warriors.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber admitted that his team's 27-13 win over England on Saturday will rank high among the "special results" his team has achieved.

OPINION: The Springboks ended 2022 on a high with an emphatic 27-13 win over England at Twickenham on Saturday.

OPINION: A deja vu scenario, but with quite a damaging outcome for England on this occasion.

OPINION: The Wallabies had a point to prove against Wales on Saturday, as they looked to avoid a four-match losing streak to end their season.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Sale Sharks’ fine start to the Premiership season continued with a resilient 25-20 victory over Bristol Bears at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Benetton climbed into the top half of the United Rugby Championship table after a hard-fought 24-17 win over Edinburgh Rugby.

OPINION: It’s a difficult time to back Wales. Their brilliant win over Argentina feels like a lifetime ago because, as Wayne Pivac says, seven days is a long time in rugby.

FRIDAY WRAP: Danny Care produced a man-of-the-match performance as Harlequins sent Gloucester crashing to a third consecutive league defeat with a 21-12 victory at the Stoop.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end international between England and South Africa at Twickenham in London.

Former Scottish rugby international Doddie Weir has died at the age of 52 after a long battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), his family announced on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end international between Wales and Australia in Cardiff.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach John Dobson was a proud man after his team recorded a big win over an experienced Scarlets side in Cape Town on Friday.

The United Rugby Championship Round eight clash between the Bulls and Ospreys has been pushed back by 30 minutes.

MATCH REPORT:  Ruan Nortje kicked off his reign as Bulls captain with a comfortable 43-26 win over Ospreys on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld. 

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

REACTION: World Cup-winning former Springbok coach Jake White believes it will take a while for South Africa's battered image to recover from the RassieGate sage.

NEWS: It has been revealed that World Rugby has had "constructive discussions" with Rassie Erasmus after he received a ban for criticising refereeing decisions on social media recently.

SPOTLIGHT: Dave Rennie is confident Wallabies steam-roller Taniela Tupou will be back from injury in time for next year's World Cup while promising a review into the causes of Rugby Australia's colossal casualty list.

SUNDAY PREVIEW: It is all about South Africa versus Wales during Sunday's United Rugby Championship Round eight clashes.

SPOTLIGHT: England's leading administrators were in the firing line on Thursday as a committee of UK lawmakers took aim at their "shambolic" response to the chaotic collapse of Worcester and Wasps.

SPOTLIGHT: With a big clash at Twickenham looming, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi was again asked for his opinion on the whole Rassie Erasmus saga.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: You will not find a single bookmaker making a Welsh region favourite in any round-eight match this weekend.

MATCH REPORT: The defending United Rugby Championship team, the Stormers, restarted their campaign with an impressive 36-19 win over a willing Scarlets outfit in Cape Town on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs will be heading to Welkom on Friday, November 25, for their second warm-up match against the Griffons.

PREVIEW: Wales host Australia in the two teams' final rugby Test of the year on Saturday with both badly in need of a win.

MATCH REPORT: Two tries from hooker Tom Stewart helped Ulster to a six-try bonus-point victory, as they defeated bottom team Zebre 36-15 at Ravenhill Stadium on Friday.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok Bob Skinstad gives his informed opinion about how to solve the chaos that erupted around referees in the game.

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

PREVIEW: Ahead of Saturday's big clash at Twickenham, Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber described England as a team that just "doesn't go away".

FRIDAY PREVIEW: Unloading his 'young guns' on a seasoned Scarlets outfit is a risk John Dobson is prepared to take.

NEWS: Englishman Wayne Barnes, the man at the heart of the RassieGate saga, will be involved when South African teams make their debut in the European Cup next month.

INTERVIEW: England coach Eddie Jones said referees had to be treated with respect ahead of his team's meeting with a South African side who will be without Rassie Erasmus at Twickenham.

NEWS: The Bulls have revealed their new captain as the European season resumes after the international window.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions have named their team to face the Dragons in a United Rugby Championship Round Eight clash at Ellis Park on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has revealed his team to face Ospreys in a United Rugby Championship Round Eight clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: James Venter will lead the Sharks against Cardiff Rugby on Sunday at Kings Park as they return to United Rugby Championship action following the November test window.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has revealed his team to face the Wallabies in Cardiff on Saturday.

WATCH as Former Springbok captain Bobby Skinstad confirms his interest in the Stormers and unpacks the qualities of the URC.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx will have some extra motivation heading into Saturday’s clash against England in London.

WATCH as Sharks flank Vincent Tshituka chats to @king365ed about the double threat of facing top European opponents in the URC and Champions Cup.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok centre Damian de Allende is ready to put his body on the line again at Twickenham on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Eddie Jones has named the 23-player England team that will take on South Africa this weekend.

INTERVIEW: Len Ikitau says the Wallabies players need to be better to end their lean year-end tour on a happier note against an equally desperate Wales.

INJURY UPDATE: The Stormers will be without the services of their Junior Springbok captain and flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu for a considerable period of time.

NEWS: A group of former players, including England World Cup winner Steve Thompson and All Black Carl Hayman, are to file legal action in France against the national rugby bodies over concussion.

NEWS: La Rochelle coach Ronan O'Gara has been suspended for 10 weeks for "harming the best interests of rugby", the French Rugby Union league (LNR) said on Wednesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: After a difficult Test debut from the bench, Ben Donaldson has earnt his first start.

WATCH as Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber explains the values that flyhalves Damian Willemse and Manie Libbok bring to the team.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales newcomer Josh Macleod believes they are ready for Australia's challenge after some "very honest" conversations following a humiliating defeat against Georgia.

SPOTLIGHT: Portugal will not travel to next year's Rugby World Cup in France as "pushovers" despite being the 20th and last team to qualify for the tournament, according to coach Patrice Lagisquet.

SPOTLIGHT: Jamie George believes a match against South Africa represents the "perfect test" for an England pack still "hurting" after their display in last week's thrilling 25-25 draw with New Zealand.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers head coach John Dobson has revealed his team to face Scarlets in Round Eight of the United Rugby Championship in Cape Town.

SPOTLIGHT: England forward coach Matt Proudfoot has opened up on the "mindset challenge" his team will face in the scrums against the Springboks.

SPOTLIGHT: There should be high levels of discomfort and an element of desperation in several teams when the next phase of the United Rugby Championship gets underway at the weekend.

SQUAD UPDATE: The Wallabies have issued another injury update ahead of their clash against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

The Bulls forwards coach Russell Winter provided a very positive assessment as the team resume their United Rugby Championship campaign without some key players.

SPOTLIGHT: The disappointment of three tight losses is driving the decimated Wallabies to finish their marathon end-of-year on a high as they prepare to take on Wales.

OPINION: Ben Smith gives his rather brutal take on the real damage RassieGate is doing to South African rugby.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England have retained a 26-player squad for their match against South Africa this weekend.

REACTION: RassieGate, or rather the social media firestorm created by South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus, could soon settle down.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Highlanders have added their last player to their 2023 squad with the signing of Argentinian, Martin Bogado.

NEWS: The match officials appointments of the United Rugby Championship Round 8 fixtures have been confirmed

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber made eight changes and one positional switch to his matchday squad to face England at Twickenham on Saturday. 

SPOTLIGHT: Wales' four regional teams face tough assignments when they travel 13,000 kilometres south to tackle South African franchises at the resumption of the URC.

REACTION: The South African team and management have been skilful in their attempts to tap dance their way around the RassieGate saga, working in an environment shrouded in secrecy.

INJURY UPDATE: All Blacks veteran Thomas Perenara ruptured his Achilles tendon in last weekend's draw with England,

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Neil Jenkins has insisted "there is no hiding place" for Wales as they conclude their final year-end Test against Australia in Cardiff on Saturday, a week after a shock defeat to Georgia.

REACTION: Japan's Dylan Riley said his side need to play more Test matches to "keep building" before next year's Rugby World Cup.

ONE-ON-ONE: @king365ed sat down with Jordan Hendrikse for a chat about rugby and to get some insights into the Hendrikse brothers.

France No.8 Gregory Alldritt said on Sunday his side are "keeping their feet on the ground" despite a record unbeaten run less than 10 months out from hosting the Rugby World Cup.

INJURY UPDATE: The Wallabies' loss to Ireland has ended in carnage, with six injured players sent home from the year-end tour, missing their final Test against Wales.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers' flyhalf depth will be put to the test against the Scarlets, when they resume their United Rugby Championship title defence in Cape Town on Friday.

Springboks could be without another 2019 World Cup-winning star when they face England on Saturday at Twickenham.

SQUAD UPDATE: Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber called up six players to his squad for Saturday's final Year-end Tour Test against England.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Eddie Jones has named an unchanged squad for England's final year-end Test against South Africa this weekend.

WATCH AS Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber unpacks the values that 'rookie' flyhalf Manie Libbok brings to the team. @king365ed reports.

WATCH as we bring you an insightful video that shows six simple changes that could save the game.

OPINION: Finn Morton rates the Australian players after their heartbreaking 10-13 loss to Ireland at the weekend!

World Rugby announced the Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year on Sunday at Monaco. However, the absence of two international superstars has left fans shocked and confused.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones has already turned his sights on South Africa, after his team produced an astonishing fightback from 6-25 down with nine minutes left against New Zealand.

NEWS: France and Montpellier prop forward Mohamed Haouas will be back in court in January charged with "willful violence" in an incident on New Year's Day 2015.

WATCH as Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi speaks about overcoming the Rassie Erasmus saga and focussing on the game.

REACTION: Springbok hooker Mbongeni Mbonabi has come under fire for his comments towards English referee Matthew Carley in South Africa's 63-21 demolition of Italy at the weekend.

TRANSFER NEWS: South African international flyhalf Elton Jantjies has joined French second-division side Agen, the club announced.

REACTION: Jamie Roberts has pointed the finger firmly at Wayne Pivac following Wales' shock 13-12 loss to Georgia in Cardiff.

REACTION: Another five Wallabies have joined the injury list - with prop Taniela Tupou possibly in danger of missing the World Cup after a suspected Achilles tendon injury.

Ireland flank Josh van der Flier was named men's World Rugby Player of the Year

MATCH REPORT: Ireland beat Australia 13-10 to secure a record-equalling 12th home Test success at Lansdowne Road on Saturday despite missing talismanic captain Johnny Sexton.

Maro Itoje has insisted that the year-end match against South Africa can not come soon enough given England's dramatic draw with New Zealand at the weekend.

MATCH REPORT: Wing Damian Penaud scored twice as France beat Japan 35-17 in the year-end Nations Series on Sunday to continue their winning run before next year's Rugby World Cup on home soil.

REACTION: Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi did his most eloquent tap-dance to suggest it won't be a distraction, but the Rassie Erasmus-saga is not going to go away quietly.

PREVIEW: Next year's World Cup hosts France finish their year-end campaign on Sunday by facing Japan in Toulouse with head coach Fabien Galthié's mind already turned towards the tournament.

REPORT: Georgia came from nine points down at half-time to beat Wales for the first time in a dramatic 13-12 year-end upset in Cardiff on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT:  England scored three late tries to snatch a dramatic 25-all draw with New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday. 

OPINION: Daniel Gallan rates the Ireland players after their narrow (13-10) escape against Australia!

REPORT: South Africa made the perfect statement to World Rugby two days after Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus was banned ... again.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end Test between Ireland and Australia at Lansdowne Road in Dublin.

OPINION: Another November Saturday, another intriguing England versus New Zealand collision.

OPINION: After mixed seasons, both England and the All Blacks entered their final Test of 2022 with points to prove.

SPOTLIGHT: Kyle Sinckler said he was "raring to go" in England's latest "massive occasion" clash with New Zealand.

REPORT: Darcy Graham scored a hat-trick of tries as Scotland thrashed Argentina 52-29 in a bad-tempered clash at Murrayfield littered with ill-discipline from the visitors.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end Test between England and New Zealand at Twickenham in London

QUALIFICATION WRAP: Portugal became the 20th team to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2023 as they secured a 16-16 draw in a nail-biting deciding match of the Final Qualification Tournament against USA.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end Test between Scotland and Argentina at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

OPINION: South Africa produced a second-half masterclass to blow Italy away in Genoa on Saturday. Jan de Koning rates the Springbok players!

SPOTLIGHT: Dan Carter has warned England that New Zealand will be fuelled by revenge when the nations clash for the first time since their dramatic 2019 World Cup semifinal.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end Test between Italy and South Africa.

WATCH as Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi uses all his guile to void getting caught up in the media maelstrom swirling around the head of South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus.

Wales take on Georgia for just the fourth time in history on Saturday as Wayne Pivac’s side bid for back-to-back year-end Nations Series wins.

SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby has published the ranking permutations for the men's internationals in Europe this weekend.

PREVIEW: England coach Eddie Jones compared playing New Zealand to climbing Everest as he urged his side to scale a mountainous challenge against the All Blacks at Twickenham on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Sam Whitelock had some important words to say to his team ahead of their clash against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scrumhalf Maxime Lucu will replace World Rugby player of the year Antoine Dupont in France's side to face Japan in the year-end Nations Series this weekend, Les Bleus head coach Fabien Galthie said on Friday.

Japan head coach Jamie Joseph said on Friday he had dropped former Clermont wing Kotara Matsushima to the bench for this weekend's year-end Nations Series Test with France for "physicality reasons".

Ireland host Australia in their final international of the year bidding for a record-equalling 12th successive home Test success on Saturday and frank their status as the top-ranked rugby team in the world.

NEWS: Springboks Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has been suspended by World Rugby.

URC SPOTLIGHT: When Jacques du Toit left the Cheetahs to join Bath last year, little could he have known he would be back facing South African opposition so soon.

MATCH REPORT: South Africa 'A' side suffered a disappointing 18-26 defeat against the Bristol Bears at a packed Ashton Gate Stadium on Thursday.

PREVIEW: Before South Africa's year-end journey got underway, most - if not all - would have listed November 19 as the least challenging of the Springboks' Tests.

TRANSFER NEWS: England international Joe Launchbury is joining Verblitz in Japan for the upcoming season, the latest big signing as the country's League One strives to attract global talent.

WATCH as South Africa 'A' coach Mzwandile Stick unpacks the reasons for his team's dismal and winless tour of Ireland and England.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Ireland coaching group have named the final Ireland matchday squad of 2022 for Saturday’s clash against Australia at Aviva Stadium.

PREVIEW: Scotland and Argentina will face off for the fourth time this year, when they meet at Murrayfield on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Owen Farrell will become only the third English rugby player to reach a century of caps for his country when he leads out the team against New Zealand on Saturday at Twickenham.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jack Dempsey is set to make his first start for Scotland after being named in the run-on XV to play Argentina at Murrayfield on Saturday.

OPINION: It was another hard lesson in cohesiveness handed to the South Africa ‘A’ side at the Ashton Gate on Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Michael Cheika has revealed his team to face Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday.

NEWS: Springbok superstar Pieter-Steph du Tout and France captain Antoine Dupont both received their suspensions on Thursday after acts of foul play last weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Buoyant Italy have made two changes to their starting line-up for their clash with South Africa in Genoa.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end mid-week tour match between Bristol Bears and South Africa 'A' at Bristol Bears v South Africa 'A'.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named Brodie Retallick for his 100th All Blacks Test against England at Twickenham.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby's Head of Match officials Joël Jutge has been left confused with Rassie Erasmus' attitude towards referees.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wales prop Harri O’Connor will head back to South Africa next week having benefited hugely from his “unreal” experience out there earlier this year.

SPOTLIGHT: Hopes in Scotland that Richie Gray would escape a ban following the citing that arose from last Sunday’s defeat to the All Blacks have been dashed.

SPOTLIGHT: Evan Roos is heading into Saturday's clash against Italy full of confidence after he got a message of support from his childhood hero.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Dave Rennie is demanding the Wallabies hit back after naming a full-strength line-up to face the top-ranked Irish in Dublin.

WATCH as South Africa Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus opens up about Grant Williams' chances of making the Springbok cut.

MIDWEEK PREVIEW: A stadium-record crowd is expected when Bristol Bears host South Africa 'A' at Ashton Gate on Thursday.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok utility back Manie Libbok has opened up on his Bok debut against France last weekend.

REACTION: South African rugby authorities should have a word in Springbok Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus's ear and tell him to stop criticising match referees, says former Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

SPOTLIGHT: Ireland captain Johnny Sexton insists he would rather beat Australia than be crowned World Player of the Year.

SPOTLIGHT: In-form Ireland wing Mack Hansen is looking forward to "going to war" against his native Australia and has no concerns about receiving on-field stick as the Wallabies squad "can't sledge for sh*t".

WATCH: Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies finally broke his silence on his recent exclusion from the international side.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs head coach Hawies Fourie has revealed his team for their match against the Sharks in Durban on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand hooker Codie Taylor has insisted the All Blacks' dramatic 2019 World Cup semifinal defeat by England will count for little at Twickenham on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Lions have boosted their front row stock with the signing of hooker Michael van Vuuren.

REACTION: Former referee Nigel Owens is the latest high-profile name to step into the debate around Springboks Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus and his methods of social media use.

SPOTLIGHT: Ireland captain Johnny Sexton paid tribute on Wednesday to Owen Farrell who is set to become only the third English player to reach the 100 cap milestone saying "his leadership is outstanding".

WATCH as Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber unpacks the selection decisions in the team to face Italy in Genoa on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: The Wallabies are pledging to perform against Ireland as they look to help extend the contract of their "phenomenal coach" Dave Rennie past next year's Rugby World Cup.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Japan wing Akihito Yamada said he hopes his country can "check themselves to see where they are" as they play France on Sunday.

TEAM UPDATE: Two key players are missing from the England team ahead of their year-end encounter with New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday.

WATCH as South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus gives the reasons for his increased activity on social media and dispel some myths about the motivation behind his many posts on Twitter.

TRANSFER NEWS: England scrumhalf Dan Robson has joined Pau after being made redundant by the crisis English club Wasps.

OPINION: Once again All Blacks No.8 Ardie Savea has been unequivocally snubbed for the second year in a row after World Rugby announced their four nominees for Player of the Year: Lukhanyo Am, Josh van der Flier, Johnny Sexton and Antoine Dupont.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber has revealed his team to face Italy on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Joe Joyce will captain Bristol Bears against South Africa 'A' in front of a record Ashton Gate crowd.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scarlets loose forward Josh Macleod is set to make his long-awaited Wales debut after being named in a much-changed starting XV to face Georgia in Cardiff on Saturday.

TEAM NEWS: Charles Ollivon will captain France in the Six Nations champions' final Test of the year against Japan on Sunday in the absence of the suspended Antoine Dupont.

TEAM NEWS: Saracens lock Callum Hunter-Hill was called into the Scotland squad ahead of this weekend's year-end Test against Argentina at Murrayfield.

SPOTLIGHT: The Wallabies have vowed to wield the axe on serial penalty offenders in a bid to defy the doomsayers by winning next year's Rugby World Cup in France.

SPOTLIGHT: Kyle Sinckler heads into this Saturday's Test with New Zealand buoyed by the memory of how coach Eddie Jones's novel use of a samurai sword and a kiwi fruit paved the way for a remarkable win at the 2019 World Cup.

REACTION: South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus is not taking a step back in his latest 'stand-off' with critics on social media.

AWARDS: World Rugby has unveiled the nominees for the prestigious Player of the Year award, which will be presented in Monaco on Sunday.

NEWS: The Cheetahs will face the Sharks in a pre-season warm-up game on Friday, November 18.

SQUAD UPDATE: The French Rugby Federation have issued a press release on Jonathan Danty.

REACTION: South Africa, while sweating over the outcome of a disciplinary hearing for veteran loose forward Pieter-Steph du Toit, has staunchly defended their spotty disciplinary record this year.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: South Africa ‘A’ head coach Mzwandile Stick made five changes to his starting team to face the Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate Stadium on Thursday.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa 'A' head coach Mzwandile Stick explained some of his selections for the clash against Bristol on Thursday.

POST-MATCH ANALYSIS: South Africa is within a single score of the two top teams in the world and making significant progress on their year-end tour.

SQUAD UPDATE: Adam Radwan and Will Stuart have been recalled to a 36-man squad for England's Test against New Zealand at Twickenham this weekend, the Rugby Football Union said on Monday.

SQUAD UPDATE: Ireland could face a selection crisis at flyhalf for their final Test of the year against Australia on Saturday.

AWARDS: World Rugby has unveiled the shortlist for the World Rugby Coach of the Year award, which will be presented in Monaco on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: Damning statistics have revealed the Wallabies' discipline is worsening despite repeated warnings.

REACTION: Hong Kong's government reacted with fury on Monday after a popular democracy protest song was played instead of the Chinese national anthem.

SPOTLIGHT: England's rising star Freddie Steward is determined his boyhood admiration for the All Blacks will not distract him from rising to the challenge of playing New Zealand for the first time.

REACTION: New Zealand coach Ian Foster hailed a hard-fought 31-23 win over Scotland on Sunday as a sign of his side's progress over the past 12 months.

REPORT: Saracens captain Ben Earl hailed his side's character after they staged a remarkable rally to beat Northampton 45-39 on Sunday and preserve their unbeaten start to the English Premiership season.

AWARDS: Fans can cast their vote and select their winners for the two International Rugby Players Men’s and Women’s Try of the Year categories until Thursday.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber praised his team's fighting spirit in their 26-30 loss to France in Marseille on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: New Zealand held out for almost an hour of fierce Scottish raids, but two late tries saw them score a deserved 31-23 win at Murrayfield on Sunday.

REACTION: South Africa may be winless on their year-end tour, but they continue to back themselves to be a force at next year's World Cup in France.

SQUAD UPDATE: The South Africa 'A' squad lost one of the big names ahead of their clash against Bristol.

REACTION: France fullback Thomas Ramos said it was "too early" to claim his side were favourites for next year's Rugby World Cup after Saturday’s win over holders South Africa in Marseille.

REACTION: Fed-up former World Cup captain Stirling Mortlock says Rugby Australia must draw a line in the sand after the Wallabies' "train wreck" loss to Italy.

SPOTLIGHT: Rugby bosses hope a show-stopping end to the women's Rugby World Cup will spur much-needed investment in the women's game after decades of neglect.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones insisted defeating New Zealand was far from a "mission impossible" as he promised his side would "go after" the All Blacks following a 52-13 win over Japan at Twickenham.

OPINION: Tom Vinicombe rates the New Zealand players after their 31-23 win over Scotland on Sunday.

OPINION: Gavin Harper rates the Scotland players after their heartbreaking 23-31 loss to New Zealand.

WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION WRAP: Portugal and the United States have set up a Rugby World Cup 2023 Final Qualification Tournament decider after both teams made it two wins from two at The Sevens Stadium.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end Test between Scotland and New Zealand at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa'sDirector of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has released a series of videos on social media that hint at some issues with the refereeing in his side's clash against France.

SATURDAY WRAP: Newcastle turned the form-book on its head with a thrilling 27-21 victory in a remarkable game at Gloucester.

REPORT: Wales bounced back from their huge defeat to the All Blacks with a morale-boosting 20-13 win over Argentina in Cardiff on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: France stretched their winning streak to 12 consecutive matches when they edged South Africa 30-26 in a game where both teams lost players with red cards.

WATCH as South Africa 'A'-team coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Thomas du Toit speak about their loss to Munster and the game against Bristol Bears next week.

MATCH REPORT: Nick Timoney scored two tries as Andy Farrell's fresh-faced Ireland beat a defiant Fiji 35-17 at the Aviva Stadium.

REACTION: Kieran Crowley said he is trying to build an Italian team that the game's big guns respect after the Azzurri claimed a landmark 28-27 win over Australia on Saturday.

REACTION: France head coach Fabien Galthie said on Saturday his side "are on the right path" for next year's Rugby World Cup after edging Webb Ellis trophy holders South Africa 30-26 in Marseille.

OPINION: France stretched their winning streak to 12 consecutive matches when they edged South Africa 30-26 in a game where both teams lost players with red cards. Jan de Koning rates the Springbok players!

OPINION: Another week, another heartbreaking loss for the Wallabies, who were beaten by Italy for the first time ever in Florence on Saturday.

OPINION: Wales put their year-end campaign back on track by beating Argentina 20-13 in an arm-wrestle of a Test match in Cardiff on Saturday. Tom Vinicombe rates the Welsh players!

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end Test between France and South Africa at Stade Vélodrome in Marseille.

REPORT: Guy Porter scored his first two Test tries as England revived their end-of-year campaign with a 52-13 win over Japan at Twickenham on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end Test between Wales and Argentina in Cardiff.

OPINION: I got a sense of deja vu in the wake of the South African 'A' side's defeat to an under-strength Munster side in Cork on Thursday.

MATCH REPORT: Italy recorded their first-ever win over Australia, beating the Wallabies  28-27 in Florence.

OPINION: Eddie Jones’ England tuned up for next weekend’s showdown with the All Blacks with an encouraging seven-try demolition of an out-of sorts Japan to draw a line under last Sunday’s loss to Argentina.

INJURY UPDATE: Argentina captain Julian Montoya has been ruled out of Saturday's match against Wales with a rib injury, the Pumas have announced.

WATCH as Ben Donaldson makes a horror start to his international career.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end Test between England and Japan at Twickenham in London.

PREVIEW: Scotland will "throw the kitchen sink" at New Zealand as they go in search of a first win over the All Blacks.

OPINION: Fiji entered their Saturday fixture with Ireland on the back of a 12-28 loss to Scotland.

OPINION: A lot of the pre-game chat was around Fiji coach Vern Cotter’s remarks that Ireland would treat the game like a training session and it looked like the opposite was the truth when the Fijians strolled over the try line after just two minutes.

TEAM UPDATE: Injury and illness have hit Wallabies camp in Florence, forcing Nick Frost out of Dave Rennie's inexperienced side to face Italy.

New Zealand's running game trumped  14-player England's power to win a thrilling final of the women's World Cup 34-31 in Auckland on Saturday and clinch a sixth world title.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the year-end Test between Italy and Australia at Stadio Artemio Franchi, in Florence.

SPOTLIGHT: We are set for another interesting weekend of end-of-year internationals and World Rugby has published a new batch of ranking permutations.

PREVIEW: England captain Owen Farrell has urged his side to shed their fear of failure when they try to revive their November campaign against Japan at Twickenham on Saturday.

PREVIEW: Michael Cheika may have orchestrated a famous win for Argentina at Twickenham, but the Pumas' Australian coach is adamant that his men are the underdogs against Wales.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Co-coaches Scott Robertson and Ronan O’Gara have named their Barbarians team for Sunday’s match versus an All Blacks XV in London.

NEWS: South Africa has been forced into a late change ahead of their year-end Test against France at Stade Vélodrome in Marseille on Saturday.

PREVIEW: Australia are already looking ahead to next year's Rugby World Cup as they prepare to face in-form Italy in their third end-of-year Test on Saturday.

NEWS: Ireland's governing body remains optimistic the country's four professional provinces won't fall victim to the financial crisis engulfing the English club game, despite forecasting turbulent times ahead.

WATCH as South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus unpacks the value of a year-end tour, especially with the World Cup just 10 months away.

PREVIEW: Ireland will be out to continue their winning streak when they host Fiji on Saturday in Dublin.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has made seven changes to the side that will face Scotland on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: French prosecutors are scrutinising the use of company cars by the sacked former boss of the 2023 World Cup organisers as well as the ticketing system for the competition.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Finn Russell has been summoned straight back into Scotland's starting line-up to play New Zealand at Murrayfield on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks XV head coach Leon MacDonald has named a strong team to challenge the Barbarians in their closing match at Tottenham Spur Stadium this Sunday.

PREVIEW: France may be keen to play down their 'favourites' tag, but South Africa is a team in desperate need of some remodelling.

MATCH REPORT: Munster ended a 50-year wait to get their first win over a South African representative team.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina named an unchanged side to play Wales in a year-end Test in Cardiff on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland named Tadhg Furlong to captain the team as they take on Fiji at Lansdowne Road Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Dave Rennie has made 11 changes to his team for their encounter with Italy at Stadio Artemio Franchi, in Florence, on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France have revealed their team to face the Springboks on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Monty Ioane will face his home country for the first time in his career after being selected for the Italy team taking on Australia in the Nations Series this weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Eddie Jones has named the team for England’s match against Japan at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

One of the first things you learn on coaching courses is that there are certain prerequisites you need in a successful team.

OPINION: South Africa 'A' were given a lesson in team cohesion and determination by a second-string Munster team in Cork on Thursday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the mid-week tour match between Munster and South Africa 'A' at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, in Cork.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Black scrumhalf TJ Perenara believes he’s “ready” to bring his unique approach to rugby back to the Test arena if called upon to play against Scotland.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Japan coach Jamie Joseph has announced the Brave Blossoms team to take on England at Twickenham on Saturday.

"Captain Grumpy" Allan Alaalatoa will lead the Wallabies for the first time after being rushed straight back in for Australia's spring tour clash with Italy in Florence.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Wayne Pivac had made three changes to the side that will take on Argentina on Saturday.

Regarded as the favourites for the 2023 World Cup, France has shown very few signs of weakness in the last year.

TRANSFER NEWS: Steven Kitshoff will continue playing for the Stormers for the rest of the 2022/23 season before heading to Ireland to join Ulster.

The Welsh Rugby Union and Principality Stadium are supporting South Wales Police’s appeal for witnesses to an incident which occurred during the Wales rugby match against New Zealand at Principality Stadium last weekend.

WATCH as seasoned Springbok Francois de Klerk explains to @king365ed the progress the Boks have made since 2018 and his face-off with French rival Antoine Dupont.

INTERVIEW: Stormers flyhalf Manie Libbok has an opportunity to showcase his talent on the international stage this Saturday when South Africa faces France.

Organisers of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France said police raided their offices Wednesday as part of a legal probe into the management of the competition under former chief executive Claude Atcher.

PREVIEW: Favourites England will refuse to be intimidated by an anticipated sell-out crowd at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday as they face hosts New Zealand in the women's World Cup Final.

MATCH OFFICIAL NEWS: French referee Mathieu Raynal has been handed a reprieve following the fallout from his controversial time-wasting penalty in the final minute of last September’s Rugby Championship match between the Wallabies and the All Blacks in Melbourne.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks assistant coach Jason Ryan said that his team are “never satisfied” after a big win, as they prepare to take another step up against Scotland this weekend.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England boss Eddie Jones has trimmed his 36-strong squad down to 25 and has included the fit-again Jamie George.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Munster team has been named for Thursday’s historic clash against South Africa 'A' at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

MIDWEEK PREVIEW: It has been more than five decades since Munster had the opportunity to host a South African national team.

SPOTLIGHT: With an unbeaten record that stretches 18 Tests, the Wallabies have identified their clash with Italy in Florence this weekend as a dangerous game.

REACTION: Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber has shed light on his bold team selection for Saturday's Test against France.

All Blacks back-row Ardie Savea has revealed the one thing he would love to change about rugby, predicting that the popularity of the sport should explode in the coming years.

INJURY NEWS: Highlanders and All Black scrumhalf Folau Fakatava has elected a non-operative approach initially for his injured knee.

OPINION: The world's No.1 ranked team, Ireland, are moving on from their gritty win over world champions South Africa to take on crowd-pleasing Fiji next Saturday while the Springboks face Six Nations Grand Slam champions France.

SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones has urged his England players to bounce back from Sunday's shock loss to Argentina, but says he will continue to use the November internationals to experiment with an eye on next year's World Cup.

INJURY UPDATE: England boss Eddie Jones will put Courtney Lawes' health first after hinting his captain will not return from a concussion during the current November Nations Series.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Former SA Under-20 flyhalf Manie Libbok has been included on the Springbok bench for Saturday’s Test against France in Marseille as head coach Jacques Nienaber named a team showing five changes and two positional switches from the side that ran out against Ireland last weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: Utility back Johan Goosen believes he is in the right mindset to fight for a spot in the Springbok team.

SPOTLIGHT: Having previously delivered under pressure against Italy, Wallabies scrumhalf Jake Gordon is relishing another crack in the No.9 jersey.

NEWS: England have appointed Brett Hodgson as defence coach to start after the Nation Series.

The Bulls confirmed that Walt Steenkamp will bid farewell to the franchise after two years.

SQUAD UPDATE: Finn Russell is back in the Scotland squad for Sunday's Test against New Zealand.

South Africa ‘A’ coach Mzwandile Stick has included 14 capped Springbok players in his match-day squad to face Munster at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork on Thursday

SQUAD UPDATE: Scrumhalf Conor Murray has been ruled out of Ireland's remaining two November Test matches.

SQUAD UPDATE: France have called up 15 extra players ahead of their Test against South Africa, including a replacement for injured lock Killian Geraci.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa 'A' coach Mzwandile Stick had some explaining to do after he revealed his team to face Munster on Thursday.

SPOTLIGHT: Prop Cyril Baille said France are "on alert" before facing world champions South Africa in Marseille on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids is confident that he has world-class replacements for lock Lodewyk de Jager.

SQUAD UPDATE: All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has called up an experienced player from the All Blacks XV squad.

ENGLAND REACTION: Eddie Jones says England has no real, big, structural issues within their game after the heartbreaking 29-30 loss to Argentina.

SPOTLIGHT: Argentina have been rewarded for their 30-29 win over England at Twickenham on Sunday with a two-place rise in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings.

REACTION: Working with Lebanon in the Rugby League World Cup in the days leading up to the Pumas beating England 30-29 at Twickenham on Sunday has energized Argentina coach Michael Cheika.

SQUAD UPDATE: Hooker Jamie George has been named in the England squad to face Japan at Twickenham on Saturday despite initially being expected to miss the entire November campaign.

NEWS: The Wallabies have suffered a setback with the news that try scorer Lalakai Foketi has suffered a suspected leg fracture and will be returning home.

REPORT: Argentina ended a 10-match losing streak against England with a dramatic 30-29 victory in their November series opener at Twickenham on Sunday.

REACTION: New Zealand coach Ian Foster hailed Ardie Savea's performance as "icing on the cake" as the All Blacks crushed Wales 55-23 in a comprehensive eight tries to two victory in Cardiff.

WRAP: Australia clinched a thrilling final 20-17 to claim the Hong Kong Sevens crown and bring to an end Fiji’s dominance that had seen them take the last five titles in Hong Kong.

REACTION: Ireland captain Johnny Sexton said beating world champions South Africa on Saturday was "right up there" with other memorable victories but said he wants trophies to round off his career.

REACTION: South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has tweeted about the ‘small margins’ in Ireland’s victory over South Africa on Saturday.

REACTION: Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber and captain Siya Kolisi rued a number of missed opportunities following their heart-breaking 16-19 defeat against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Barbarians have named a star-studded panel of players for their upcoming match with an All Blacks XV at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

NEWS: Wayne Smith says the Black Ferns have nothing to lose and will throw everything into their Rugby World Cup final against the "frightening" English next Saturday.

REPORT: Wing Damian Penaud scored in the 76th minute as France beat Australia 30-29 in Paris on Saturday.

REACTION: Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber refused to blame his goal-kickers for Saturday's defeat to Ireland on Saturday.

OPINION: England’s November Test series is being billed as a dress rehearsal for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Test between England and Argentina at Twickenham in London.

REPORT: Ireland, the number one ranked team in the world, edged world champions South Africa 19-16 in a thrilling Test at Lansdowne Road on Saturday for a 10th successive home win.

WRAP: Saracens remain unbeaten in the Premiership and remain well ahead of the rest after a convincing win over the Bristol Bears away from home on Saturday.

NEWS: The Blizboks crashed out of the Hong Kong Sevens when they were defeated 12-7 by Fiji in the quarter-final on Sunday.

WRAP: Italy recorded their fourth victory in five Tests with a thumping 49-17 win over Samoa on Saturday.

OPINION: The Springboks will be kicking themselves after they fell to a 16-19 defeat to Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

REPORT: Ardie Savea delivered a back row masterclass to help New Zealand extend their winning streak over Wales to 33 matches with a comprehensive 55-23 victory at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

OPINION: The Wallabies took on France in front of a boisterous Stade de France crowd.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Test between France and Australia at Stade de France in Paris.

OPINION: Ireland player ratings live from Aviva Stadium: This was a humdinger to warm the Irish hearts. It was four years ago, just after the Springboks were shellacked on their last visit to Dublin, that Rassie Erasmus hatched his grand plan to return home from Munster and gloriously revive the World Cup-winning South Africa.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Test between Ireland and South Africa at Lansdowne Road in Dublin.

SPOTLIGHT: Lebanon coach Michael Cheika says he's open to coaching the Cedars at the next Rugby League World Cup after bowing out to Australia.

REPORT: It was unconvincing, but Scotland got the job done and recorded their first win of this year's Autumn Nations campaign by beating Fiji 28-12 at Murrayfield on Saturday.

OPINION: Wales’ autumn campaign began with Wayne Pivac’s side playing a mildly off-colour All Blacks side – but an All Blacks side nonetheless. No matter the form of New Zealand, for Wales to put a score past them is always an uphill climb.

OPINION: The All Blacks travelled to Cardiff looking to kick off the European leg of their end-of-year tour on a positive note.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Test between Wales and New Zealand in Cardiff.

INTERVIEW: No quarter will be asked, nor given when world No.1 Ireland hosts South Africa in what is set to be a brutal game of patience at Lansdowne Road in Dublin on Saturday.

SQUAD UPDATE: The Springbok management team have forced to bring in reinforcements for injured players.

INTERVIEW: Conor Murray admits he does not "really like the attention" he receives due to his stellar exploits for Ireland and Munster.

OPINION: Scotland bounced back from defeat to Australia a week ago to record their first win of this Autumn Nations Series campaign against a stubborn Fiji at Murrayfield.

INTERVIEW: England coach Eddie Jones lauded Owen Farrell's "unbelievable desire" to win after restoring the centre to the captaincy for Sunday's match against Argentina at Twickenham.

INTERVIEW: Australia captain James Slipper said on Friday his side will face world rugby's "form" team in France in Paris this weekend.

WRAP: The Blitzboks produced a disappointing performance on the second day of the Hong Kong Sevens as they suffered a 12-10 defeat to Great Britain and also lost to France 17-19.

THE BIG HOODOO: New Zealand will seek to extend their 32-match winning streak over Wales when the two sides clash at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

NEWS: Exeter Chiefs have issued a statement clarifying their financial situation amid concerns regarding the loans they took to get the club through the pandemic.

PREVIEW: Fiji coach Vern Cotter is set to hand debuts to three players in their Test against his former side Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

RWC SEMIFINALS WRAP: England and New Zealand won gripping semifinals in Auckland on Saturday to set up a women's Rugby World Cup decider between the two top-ranked teams.

SPOTLIGHT: There are plenty of ranking permutations for the internationals in the Northern Hemisphere this weekend.

WRAP: The Blitzboks, under the tutelage of new coaches Sandile Ngcobo and Philip Snyman, rang in their new era with a strong 21-0 win over Uruguay in their Pool B encounter of the Hong Kong Sevens on Friday.

PREVIEW: We get a delectable noisette of what the World Cup will be like, when Ireland host South Africa at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

PREVIEW: Owen Farrell is adamant he will lead England on his own terms after being restored as captain for their November international opener against Argentina at Twickenham on Sunday.

TEAM UPDATE: Andy Farrell has been forced to tweak his Ireland matchday squad a day before his team's Test against the Springboks.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: A former Western Province player has been included in England's matchday squad for the clash against Argentina on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina have named a strong side to play England on Sunday as they go in search of a first win at Twickenham since 2006.

PREDICTION: Australia will have a mountain to climb against Six Nations champions France, rated by many as next year‘s World Cup favourites, when they meet at the Stade de France stadium in Paris on Saturday.

NEWS: Northampton Saints has announced that Dan Biggar will leave the club with immediate effect and not at the end of the season at the fly-half’s request.

NEWS: The Cheetahs have unveiled the new jersey they will wear when they make their debut in the European Challenge Cup next month.

NEWS: Former All Black Carlos Spencer’s son Payton has decided to follow in his famous fathers’ footsteps and signed a professional contract with New Zealand and Super Rugby franchise the Blues.

REACTION: Plans for a combined Wallabies-All Blacks 'superteam' to tackle the British & Irish Lions appear to have left Australia coach Dave Rennie somewhat underwhelmed.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Conor Murray will become the eighth Irish player to reach the 100 caps landmark when he starts against world champions South Africa in Saturday's Test match in Dublin.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend made six changes to his starting line-up for his team's encounter with Fiji at Murrayfield on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Flyhalf Romain Ntamack will start France's year-end opener with Australia this weekend despite last playing for his club in September.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scrumhalf Aaron Smith was named in New Zealand's team to play Wales on Saturday, when he will surpass Dan Carter as the most capped back in All Blacks history.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Uncapped Dragons wing Rio Dyer faces a baptism of fire after being named in the Wales team to play New Zealand in Cardiff on Saturday.

NEWS: The former coach of English crisis club Wasps has joined the staff of Welsh regional side Scarlets for the rest of the season.

OPINION: Springbok Neil de Kock looks into his crystal ball ahead of the year-end Test between Ireland and South Africa at Lansdowne Road in Dublin.

INTERVIEW: Billy Vunipola has revealed how his determination to regain a place in the England team led him to reject the offer of lucrative corporate entertaining work at Twickenham.

SPOTLIGHT: A lot has changed since the last time the Boks faced Ireland in Dublin.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Dave Rennie is pledging to "pick and stick" after making another raft of changes for the Wallabies' November tour showdown with European kings France.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stephen Varney will make his first start for Italy since the Six Nations after being named in the XV set to take on Samoa in a year-end Test this weekend.

NEWS: Following the Football Union's decisions to suspend Wasps and Worcester Warriors from the Premiership for the remainder of the season, both clubs cannot be included in Europe's Challenge Cup tournament for 2022-23.

INTERVIEW: USA head coach Gary Gold is covering all his bases ahead of the World Cup qualifying tournament in Dubai.

SPOTLIGHT: As the Springboks prepare for their tour opener in Ireland, the media in Ireland have been focussing on Rassie Erasmus' brief stint with Munster a few years ago.

PREVIEW: All-conquering England will be driven by the prospect of more women's World Cup glory when they face Canada before defending champions New Zealand look to end a losing run against France in the semifinals on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales assistant coach Jonathan Humphreys says New Zealand remain a "massive threat" despite a rollercoaster year as the teams prepare for Saturday's clash in Cardiff.

THREE-DAY FEAST: The Hong Kong Sevens kicks off on Friday for the first time since the pandemic began, but COVID controls - including compulsory face masks - threaten to dampen the tournament's hard-partying atmosphere.

SPOTLIGHT: Rassie Erasmus is ready to take in the matchday excitement at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday when the Springboks take on Ireland in their November tour opener.

NEWS: Major League Rugby will add an expansion team in Chicago for the 2023 season, giving the circuit 12 clubs for next year, one fewer than last year.

INJURY UPDATE: Destructive prop Taniela Tupou will return to the Wallabies' starting side after Allan Alaalatoa was ruled out of Saturday's showdown with France in Paris.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Owen Farrell is on course to start England's November opener against Argentina at Twickenham as he closes in on making a full recovery from concussion.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks XV head coach Leon MacDonald has named a blend of experience and rising young talent to challenge Ireland 'A'.

OPINION: Ireland heads into their clash against the Springboks as clear favourites, but whether that tag holds too much weight to carry with them will soon be answered.

INTERVIEW: France will need all the brute strength they can muster when they host South Africa at Stade Vélodrome in Marseille next week.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Ireland coaching group have named the Ireland ‘A’ matchday squad that will take on the All Blacks XV at The RDS on Friday.

INJURY UPDATE: One of South Africa's World Cup winners will have to wait a little longer before he is fit enough to return to the rugby field.

NEWS: The Wallabies and All Blacks are in talks to form a joint team to face the British and Irish Lions in a one-off Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2025, reports said Wednesday.

WATCH as Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber explains the impact the year-end tour can have on South Africa's World Cup campaign.

SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones will be out to solve his selection jigsaw ahead of next year's World Cup when they embark on a four-match November program.

SPOTLIGHT: Hoping to impress against rugby powerhouse France, giant lock Will Skelton admits he has so far under-delivered in his Wallabies career.

SPOTLIGHT: The opening weekend of the November internationals will see Ireland host South Africa for the first time in five years but a contentious pre-match decision has already caused a firestorm.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Japan coach Jamie Joseph has named a 40-man squad for their year-end tour matches.

INJURY UPDATE: Edinburgh lock Jamie Hodgson has been called up to the Scotland squad after Sam Skinner withdrew through injury.

NEWS: Wales hooker Ken Owens is ready to return to Test rugby and might face New Zealand this weekend after an 11-month injury battle that left him doubting he would make it back to the international stage.

SPOTLIGHT: Variety will be key for Ireland in their clash against the Springboks in Dublin on Saturday.

INTERVIEW: Will Skelton has joined the touring Wallabies and his teammate Jed Holloway says the giant lock has undeniable strengths as they prepare to play France.

INTERVIEW: Ireland need to emulate their opponents this weekend South Africa and win the World Cup if they are to merit being called the best team in the world.

TEAM NEWS: The Bulls moved swiftly to plug the gap left by the departure of some key forwards.

WATCH as Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber unpacks the new role World Cup-winning magician Cheslin Kolbe will have in the national team against Ireland.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheslin Kolbe is back in the Springbok jersey in a new position when he makes a return to the Springbok team for the first time since July in a settled team to face the top-ranked team in the world, Ireland, at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday.

NEWS: The All Blacks will have to make do without the services of their star lock Brodie Retallick following his red card against Japan, ruling him out of upcoming games against Wales and Scotland.

TEAM NEWS: With a fractured cheekbone ruling Sam Cane out of the All Blacks' European tour, Crusaders lock Sam Whitelock will take over as captain.

TEAM NEWS: The Bulls continue to bring back some Springbok muscle to Loftus Versfeld, after stints abroad.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby will expand a trial for tackling below the chest to all community competition next year as part of efforts to minimise the risk of concussion in the sport.

WATCH what happened the last time Ireland and South Africa met in a Test.

NEWS: His Wales team is out to claim victory in South Africa in the United Rugby Championship, says coach Sam Davies.

NEWS: While the United Rugby Championship logs, both overall and the respective Shields, have a familiar look to them at the start of the November break for the international window, one team is the missing piece.

NEWS: Ireland coach Andy Farrell received the good news that several players who were struggling with injuries, have been cleared and were included in the squad ahead of games against the All Blacks XV at The RDS and the Springboks at Aviva Stadium this weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: The Siyamthanda Kolisi-captained world champions South Africa hope to extend a winning run over France and end losing streaks against Ireland and England when they tour Europe.

REACTION: The Bulls head into their November break sitting pretty in third place on the United Rugby Championship standings, looking as impressive as the team that reached the inaugural Final.

WATCH South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus explains what the future holds for veteran Duane Vermeulen, after he was left out of the year-end tour squad.

REACTION: Former Worcester Warriors head coach Steve Diamond has pulled out of an appearance on a television programme after it was revealed that his consortium is not the preferred bidder to buy Worcester Warriors.

REACTION: Branco du Preez, South Africa's most capped Blitzbok, says the world has not seen the best of the Springbok Sevens team in Hong Kong yet.

WATCH as South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus explains the reason behind Joseph Dweba's dramatic slide down the Springbok pecking order.

NEWS: Former All Black Ma’a Nonu is returning to Major League Rugby with the announcement by San Diego Legion that the 40-year-old has re-signed a new deal with the club for the 2023 season.

TEAM NEWS: Owen Farrell and Jonny May joined the England squad on Monday ahead of this weekend's year-end Tests opener against Argentina.

INJURY UPDATE: Two Springboks were left behind in South Africa, after suffering injuries in a United Rugby Championship match at the weekend.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls cemented their place in the top four with a bonus-point (40-27) win over a willing Sharks team in an entertaining United Championship match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, in Pretoria, on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: Alex Goode produced a virtuoso performance to celebrate his entry into Saracens' history books, but it was Theo McFarland who did the most to ensure the occasion was marked by victory over Sale.

REACTION: Neil Powell, the new Director of Coaching at the Sharks, says the men from Durban missed too many opportunities and should have been more clinical in their 27-40 URC loss to the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld this past Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: Cardiff’s impressive United Rugby Championship run came to an abrupt halt as Edinburgh secured a deserved victory at the Arms Park.

REACTION: Scotland captain Jamie Ritchie took heart from his side's character following an agonising 16-15 loss to Australia in their year-end international opener at Murrayfield.

REACTION: As the chants of happy birthday rang out across Murrayfield, Michael Hooper was all smiles after making a successful return to the Test arena.

NEWS: The All Blacks were forced to bring in reinforcements after they lost two big names ahead of their matches in the United Kingdom.

REACTION: The introduction of the Stormers' bench players proved to be a game-changer in their United Rugby Championship clash against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Maritzburg College recently honoured former Springbok great Philip Nel by naming the new First Aid facility on Goldstones as the "Philip Nel Pavilion".

TOP 14 SATURDAY WRAP: Spurned by Scotland he may be, but Finn Russell again proved his worth to his French paymasters by kicking Racing 92 past Brive in the Top 14 on Saturday.

REACTION: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend said flyhalf Blair Kinghorn would be a better player for all the disappointment of his crucial missed penalty against Wallabies on Saturday.

NEWS: New Zealand lock Brodie Retallick will know on Tuesday if his year-end tour is over.

REACTION: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen believes poor execution played a big part in his team's second-half collapse against the Stormers at Ellis Park on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Jack Carty'.s second-half drop-goal proved just enough for Connacht to edge out Ospreys 22-19 in an entertaining clash in Swansea.

MATCH REPORT: Flyhalf Blair Kinghorn missed a last-minute penalty, as Scotland failed to continue a six-year winning streak against Australia.

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

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers bounced back from a disappointing European tour to record a much-needed win over the Lions in their United Rugby Championship Round Seven encounter at Ellis ark on Saturday.

WRAP: England international Ugo Monye has slammed the standard of big-decision officiating in the Premiership after London Irish were robbed of victory at the death at Harlequins on Saturday.

OPINION: The Wallabies got their five-match tour off to an ideal start, as they fought for a tough 16-15 win over Scotland at Murrayfield.

MATCH REPORT: Munster's second-half comeback was not enough as provincial rivals Ulster edged them 15-14 to win at Thomond Park for the first time since May 2014.

QUARTERFINAL SUNDAY WRAP: England and Canada made easy work of their quarterfinals at the Women's Rugby World Cup in Auckland on Sunday, ensuring the world's top four ranked teams will contest the semifinals.

MATCH REPORT: The Dragons' revival continued in emphatic fashion at Rodney Parade with a five-try 47-7 victory over Zebre in Parma.

INJURY UPDATE: England captain Courtney Lawes is still suffering symptoms after suffering a head injury five weeks ago, Northampton boss Phil Dowson has revealed.

OPINION: Daniel Gallan rates the Scotland players after their 15-16 loss to Australia at Murrayfield on Saturday!

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Test between Scotland and Australia at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.