All News

REACTION: One certainly can not read too much into pre-season matches, however, the Bulls' demolition of Sharks was a firm warning to their rivals.

UPDATE: American lawyer Marco V Masotti admitted he is 'ramping up' his campaign to get information through to interested parties.

REACTION: Listen as apoplectic Southern Kings Director of Rugby Robbie Kempson chats to Jan de Koning about the latest bomb to be dropped on the hapless franchise.

OPINION: Tom Vinicombe takes a look at the consequences of South Africa's move north - to a European-based competition and away from SANZAAR.

NEWS: South African Rugby plans to reveal it's 'collective' stance against racism and inequalities in society at Saturday's SuperFan day in Pretoria.

SPOTLIGHT: The impending move of SA's four main franchises to the north seems to be justified after NZ Rugby confirmed their tournament plans for the next two years.

INJURY UPDATE:  England centre Manu Tuilagi has been ruled out for six months by a torn Achilles.

TRANSFER NEWS: Brumbies scrumhalf Joe Powell has jumped ship.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Western Force is continuing to bolster its squad for 2021 with Feleti Kaitu’u, Angus Wagner and Greg Holmes all locked-in to extend their time at the club.

SPRINGBOK TRIAL: There will be winners and losers, but Saturday's Green versus Gold outing at Newlands is all about exposing talented youngsters to a Test environment.

SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand Rugby have reportedly been caught in a web of lies as the truth around the Rugby Championship schedule surfaces.

LISTEN as Springboks stars Duane Vermeulen and Elton Jantjies add their voice to South Africa’s chances at the Rugby Championship.

AUDIO: Listen as Jan de Koning chats to discarded independent director André van der Veen in an attempt to make sense of Western Province's histrionic boardroom spats.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has named a powerful team, including several Springbok veterans, to face the Pumas in a pre-season friendly at Ellis Park on Friday.

REACTION: With South African officials blaming NZ Rugby for their teams' Super Rugby exit, the Wallabies say they are laying low and staying away from the SANZAAR stoush.

REACTION: The South African Rugby Union’s member vote on Tuesday confirmed that all four Super Rugby sides, the Bulls, Stormers, Sharks and Lions, are in favour of pursuing a move to Europe to join an expanded PRO14 competition.

REACTION: New Zealand Rugby revealed they were not suprised by South Africa's departure from Super Rugby.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT:  Springboks new coach Jacques Nienaber has handed the Gold team's captaincy armband to Lukhanyo Am.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks showdown is a perfect opportunity for international hopefuls to get the first-hand experience of what it entails to be a Springbok.

SPOTLIGHT: Noah Lolesio has been told by the Wallaby coaches to play to his strengths if he gets a chance to make his Test debut in the Bledisloe Cup series.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Springboks and Worcester Warriors scrumhalf Francois Hougaard scored a brace of tries during his team's 40-27 win over Saracens on Wednesday.

BREAKING NEWS: The Cheetahs have 'reserved their rights' after being booted from the European picture by South African Rugby.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: England suffered a potentially devastating double injury blow in Sale Sharks' 34-14 Premiership victory at Northampton.

SPOTLIGHT: Injured World Cup-winning Springbok Lodewyk de Jager will be doing a bit of 'coaching' before undergoing surgery.

WATCH as we bring you a humorous take on the players in the recent Pro14 Final between Leinster and Ulster.

INTERVIEW: South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus and Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber opened up about a possible replacement for the injured Handre Pollard.

WATCH: As anticipation grows for the official release of the Springboks' 2019 World Cup-winning documentary - Chasing the Sun, we preview the brains behind the success, Rassie Erasmus.

WATCH: As anticipation grows for the official release of the Springboks’ 2019 World Cup-winning documentary – Chasing the Sun, we preview the after-party leader Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira.

NEWS: The Premiership announced the dates for the start and fixtures for the 2020-21 season.

SPOTLIGHT: Confirmation of South Africa's move to a European-based competition will raise many questions about the pros and cons.

Jaco Peyper will be the man in the middle when the much anticipated Springbok Green vs Springbok Gold gets underway at Newlands on Saturday, 3 October.

INTERVIEW: Wallabies hooker Jordan Uelese feared history was repeating itself when he hurt his shoulder in his final game of the Super Rugby AU season, jeopardising his hopes of playing in the Bledisloe Cup.

NEWS: Ulster will welcome 600 supporters to the 18,211-seater Kingspan Stadium on Friday, for the first game of the 2020/21 Pro124 season.

INTERVIEW: Listen as Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber and South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus explain the hurdles the national team must overcome to participate in the Rugby Championships.

SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks coach Ian Foster has urged SANZAAR to adjust Rugby Championship's schedule and allow his team to spend Christmas with family rather than in quarantine in New Zealand.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson and captain Siyamthanda Kolisi unpack their 34-21 win over the Lions in the SuperFan at Loftus Versfeld at the weekend.

TWO ROUNDS TO GO: The battle for a place in the semifinals looks certain to go down to the wire, with Round 21 continuing this week and the final six matches of the regular season competition following on Sunday.

NEWS: The schedule for the upcoming seven-week Super Rugby Unlocked season has been revealed.

TRANSFER NEWS: Ireland’s most decorated player, Rob Kearney, has signed with the Western Force on a one-year deal.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Wasps ruined Chris Robshaw's final Harlequins game at The Stoop with a 32-23 win on Monday.

WATCH as Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen and captain Elton Jantjies unpack the good and the bad of their team's 21-34 loss to the Stormers at the weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A special edition of the World Rugby Awards will take place on December 7.

SPOTLIGHT: Sale Sharks Director of Rugby Steve Diamond wants less overseas imports in his squad.

NEWS: New Zealand's quarantine rules will not be eased to allow the All Blacks to spend Christmas with their families after the Rugby Championship in Australia.

NEWS: The Wallabies will look to Plan B for the Rugby Championship after one of their stars fractured his forearm while playing in France.

SPOTLIGHT: Sixteen rising South African players have been named to join the Springbok Green and Gold squads for a training week in preparation for next Saturday's Springbok Showdown.

NEWS: South Africa's first weekend after a return to rugby has claimed a number of high-profile casualties.

NEWS: The wing will miss his side’s next three matches after being handed a three-week suspension for a dangerous lifting tackle.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Cheetahs have brought in a high-profile South African advocate to help protect their franchise status. 

REACTION: Losing to the new-look Bulls squad under Jake White is not the ‘end of the world’ revealed Sharks coach Sean Everitt.

Wallaby head coach, Dave Rennie, has agreed with New Zealand in the furore surrounding the scheduling of the Rugby Championship which threatens to derail the tournament

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: A raft of Springboks, BlitzBoks and Junior Boks made the cut in two 25-man matchday squads after a draft pick.

Gareth Davies has blamed WRU politics for his being overlooked in retaining his position as Chairman of the National Council

SPOTLIGHT:  Excitement filled the team hotels of the Green and Gold squads in Cape Town on Sunday as the players arrived at camp ready to begin their preparations for the Springbok Showdown.

WATCH as All Blacks World Cup winner Jerome Kaino has revealed he loves heading out on the town in Toulouse with Cheslin Kolbe.

Jordan Petaia's recovery from injury in time for the first Bledisloe test is a massive boost for Dave Rennie's Wallabies

REPORT: The Stormers held out in the face of a fast-charging Lions team to restart their campaign with a deserved 34-21 win in Pretoria on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Flyhalf Joe Simmonds scored 13 points as Exeter Chiefs reached the Final for the first time with a 28-18 victory at home against Toulouse.

Springboks Andre Esterhuizen and Wilco Louw get their first starts for their new club Harlequins while Chris Robshaw plays his 299th and last home game.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Saracens' run in Europe's top flight has come to a dramatic end in Paris on Saturday.

NEWS: Racing 92's Top 14 match against Toulon was on Sunday postponed as the two clubs appear in European finals on the same weekend.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls gave Jake White the perfect start as a coach and Director of Rugby in Pretoria.

TRANSFER NEWS: All Black centre Ma'a Nonu is to rejoin Toulon, just over two years after leaving them, the French Top 14 side announced on Saturday.

NEWS: The Wallabies marked their first day in isolation in New Zealand with news that they would return to full pay for the rest of the year according to an agreement between Rugby Australia (RA) and the Rugby Players Union Association (RUPA).

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the SuperFan showdown between the Stormers and Lions in Pretoria.

SPOTLIGHT: In a spicy Rugby Championship subplot, Michael Cheika will try to bring about the downfall of his Wallabies successor Dave Rennie as part of Argentina's coaching staff when they arrive for the November tournament.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the European Cup quarterfinal showdown between Exeter Chiefs and Toulouse in Exeter.

NEWS: Toulon's France flyhalf has had surgery on a torn knee ligament, medical sources said on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Live rugby is back on the screens and South African fans are buzzing.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the SuperFan showdown between the Bulls and Sharks in Pretoria.

SUPERFAN SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT: It is the ultimate commendation, to be compared to the legend Os du Randt.

SPOTLIGHT: Mako Vunipola has labelled Vincent Koch the best tighthead in the world when he is on his game, as was the case last Saturday in Dublin when Saracens dismantled the Leinster scrum.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the European Cup quarterfinal showdown between Racing 92 and Saracens in Paris.

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: Fiji's Semi Radradra was instrumental as "special" Bristol Bears overcame his former side Bordeaux-Begles 37-20 after extra-time to reach the Final.

NEWS: A former professional rugby player has been charged in connection with the murder of a lieutenant in South Africa.

SPOTLIGHT: With doggedness of a pit bull, Marco V Masotti is forging ahead to get a deal across the line that will provide Western Province with the lifeboats they need.

SPOTLIGHT: "Fellow South Africans, the cabinet decided that the country should move to alert Level 1."

NEWS: Ulster has received a suspended fine and been docked one point from their total for the 2019/20 season

WATCH as retired Springbok Braam van Straaten and Piet Heymans, the CEO of Sport Employees Unite combine to help the devastated Southern Kings players and staff.

SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT: There’s a fine art to Twitter – especially when you have the backing of an incredibly successful professional rugby club.

ALL OR NOTHING: Former New Zealand under-20s centre Pita Ahki said Toulouse have learnt from last season's European Champions Cup last four defeat to Leinster ahead of travelling to Exeter Chiefs on Sunday.

NEWS: French rugby federation (FFR) president Bernard Laporte broke down in tears and vowed to return with renewed strength after he was released from police custody as part of an investigation into suspicions he favoured Top 14 club Montpellier.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Two-times World Cup winner Frans Steyn will make his debut for the Cheetahs in a pre-season outing against Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Nigel Owens will become the first person to take charge of 100 Test matches when the Welsh referee takes charge of France versus Italy in the Nations Cup in November.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has named a 30-man squad to face the Sharks in the opening match of the SuperFan day in Pretoria on Saturday.

WELCOME BACK SOUTH AFRICA: The World Cup-winning Springboks are finally back on the field, following six months of COVID-19-enforced lockdown.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have revealed their team to face the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld on SuperFan Saturday.

NEWS: The French rugby league (LNR) announced on Thursday it is taking the country's federation to court over the extended year-end Test window.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks will be without the services of a host of frontline players when they tackle the Bulls in a SuperFan day in Pretoria on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Ben Smith takes a look at the alternative options for the World Cup-winning Springboks in the Rugby Championships, given their current injury crisis.

REACTION: Rugby Australia has laid the blame at the door of SA Rugby and Argentina in the latest Trans-Tasman spat.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa were included in the 2020 Rugby Championship fixtures released Thursday, but the world champions have several hurdles to clear before they can take part.

WATCH: There was a new normal to getting measured for a suit and England internationals got into the thick of things as their virtual fitting became something to behold.

SPOTLIGHT: Irish great Rob Kearney says he lived the dream of "every five-year-old" as he announced his retirement from Leinster and the national side on Thursday.

REACTION: SANZAAR boss Andy Marinos has responded to New Zealand Rugby's statement regarding the announcement of the Rugby Championship schedule in Australia.

OPINION: @rugby365 columnist and two-time World Rugby Junior Championship winner Eugene Eloff takes a look at how officials in the Eastern, Southern and Western Cape let the game down.

Rugby in South Africa returns this weekend with the return of the Super Fan Saturday at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria as Rasta Rasivhenge gets the day going to referee the match between the Blue Bulls and Sharks.

NEWS: South Africa's top franchises will soon be heading north.

REACTION: New Zealand Rugby on Thursday refused to rule out boycotting the end of this year's Rugby Championship in Australia.

EUROPEAN CUP SPOTLIGHT: When Toulouse face off with Exeter Chiefs in the Champions Cup semifinal at Sandy Park on Saturday, the smallest player will also be the most recognisable.

NEWS: The Springboks will begin their defence of the Rugby Championship with an away match against Argentina – in Brisbane.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are eight Springboks in the Stormers matchday squad for their return to rugby against the Lions at Loftus Versfeld on SuperFan Saturday.

UPDATE: French rugby federation (FFR) President Bernard Laporte was questioned for a second day in police custody.

SPOTLIGHT: Premiership players have not been afraid to voice their opinions in the wake of the UK Government decision to delay the reintroduction of fans to stadiums, Jack Nowell of Exeter and Worcester’s Ethan Waller among them.

SPOTLIGHT: The 2020 SA Rugby Under-21 Championship, featuring five provincial sides will be played at one venue in Johannesburg – SA Rugby announced.

NEWS: Former Wales coach Rob Howley will begin rebuilding his coaching career with Canada after being appointed senior assistant to Canucks boss Kingsley Jones.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After months of speculation about his future, Michael Hooper has been re-appointed as the captain of the Wallabies under Dave Rennie.

REACTION: Dave Rennie resisted the temptation to 'clean house' when he retained Michael Hooper as Wallaby captain. However, he says it is with 'good reason'.

SPOTLIGHT: The significance of Saturday's Champions Cup semifinal will not be lost on Saracens' players.

PRO14 SCHEDULE: The Pro14 will break new ground in the 2020/2021 season.

NEWS: Parc y Scarlets will host Wales's final Six Nations clash with Scotland and the Nations Cup Test with Georgia, the Wales Rugby Union announced on Wednesday.

WATCH: In anticipation of rugby returning to South Africa, we bring you a compilation of some of the most unstoppable mauls that ended in points on the board.

NEWS: Western Force's Johan Bardoul has announced the 2020 Super Rugby AU season was his last in professional rugby, as the New Zealander has decided to retire.

INTERVIEW: Warrick Gelant's move from Pretoria to Cape Town has given the Stormers a new dynamic that will test the Lions' leaky defence at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

NEWS: Saracens flank Michael Rhodes has had a citing complaint against him dismissed.

SPOTLIGHT: Duane Vermeulen could have a battle on his hands trying to keep the Springbok No.8 jersey away from his apprentice, Sikhumbuzo Notshe.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Bath staged a stunning fightback to stay on course for the play-offs, beating rivals Gloucester 31-20 at the Recreation Ground.

REACTION: Rugby Football Union Chief Executive Bill Sweeney has claimed that the newly confirmed tightened restrictions on sports events in England will massively impact on his organisation’s ability to fund the sport.

NEWS: Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie has picked his captain.

UPDATE: French rugby federation President Bernard Laporte has issued a strongly-worded response to being taken into police custody on Tuesday.

SPOTLIGHT: Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter knows that his team will have a mammoth task on their hands when they face Toulouse in their Champions Cup semifinal.

REACTION: Springbok legend Bakkies Botha has questioned the length of Owen Farrell's ban.

REACTION: Western Province officials are keeping their cards close to their chests, but admit they want a 'market related' return for their investment in players.

SPOTLIGHT: Centre Irae Simone says his parents have dug out a video of him as a youngster saying he wanted to play for the Wallabies, despite growing up in New Zealand.

PREMIERSHIP CUP REPORT: Sale Sharks produced a second-half comeback to defeat Harlequins 27-19 in the Premiership Rugby Cup Final at the AJ Bell Stadium.

NEWS: The French rugby federation proposed to the domestic league the idea of a maximum of five appearances for each player during the six Test matches.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Ireland and Leinster flyhalf Tony Ward has said he ‘hates everything Saracens stand for’ whilst admitting begrudging respect for their intensity.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Argentina international will join Tigers ahead of the 2020/21 Premiership season from Super Rugby side the Jaguares.

TRANSFER TALK: The Sharks continue to bolster their side with yet another impressive signing.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok Sevens players Selvyn Davids and JC Pretorius were honoured for their superb performances during the shortened sevens season with the ultimate accolade after being named in the 2020 World Sevens Series Dream Team.

DEVELOPING NEWS: French rugby federation President Bernard Laporte was placed in police custody for questioning on Tuesday.

NEWS: Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie might have to rethink his selections ahead of the first Bledisloe Cup match.

INTERVIEW: The Southern Kings don't know when or in what competition they will play next, but feel they have a readymade coach to take over from Robbie Kempson.

WATCH: Cheslin Kolbe is riding a wave of confidence that has never been seen before, so much so that a near two-metre tall Irish centre is no match for the World Cup winner.

WATCH: Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk has once again stolen the headlines after helping Sale Sharks lift the Premiership Cup, even selling a cameraman down the river.

SPOTLIGHT: After a whirlwind week capped by the Super Rugby AU crown, Brumbies wing Tom Wright has hardly had time to think about his Wallabies squad selection.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Brumbies have lost a star to one of their rivals.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Saracens flank Michael Rhodes has been cited for striking Robbie Henshaw with his head during Saturday’s Champions Cup quarter-final against Leinster.

NEWS: All Blacks fans can buy tickets to the first Bledisloe Cup test in Wellington next week, but Auckland may yet lose its test if COVID-19 levels don't drop in two weeks.

NEWS: Bernard Laporte is to be interviewed by the anti-fraud squad on Tuesday over his links to Montpellier owner Mohed Altrad, according to sources..

REACTION: South Africa's players, through their trade union My Players, had a go at 'amateurs' ruining the professional game in South Africa.

REACTION: World Cup-winning Springbok flyer Cheslin Kolbe was keen to deflect attention away from his own exploits and onto his teammates.

PREVIEW: The spotlight will be on the returning Ruan Ackermann.

Wallabies are warned not to be too overconfident before travelling to New Zealand to take on the All Blacks in their quest to bring the Bledisloe Cup back across the Tasman.

TRANSFER NEWS: Luther Burrell insisted he had no regrets about his brief switch to Rugby League, after sealing a return to English Premiership Rugby Union with Newcastle Falcons.

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: World Cup-winning Springbok star Cheslin Kolbe scored two tries as Toulouse cruised past Ulster in Toulouse on Sunday.

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Sunday was a good day for South African players in Europe.

After having just lost the Super Rugby AU final Brad Thorn was close lipped when questioned on his future with the Reds franchise.

Brumbies head coach Dan McKellar believes new no.10 sensation for the Brumbies, Noah Lolesio could be the next Wallaby 10.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: All 93 players in the draft squad for the Springbok showdown have been revealed.

TRANSFER NEWS: The tumult at the Southern Kings franchise in South Africa has thrown a number of players into the marketplace and Worcester Warriors could be one of the first clubs to pounce.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the European Cup quarterfinal showdown between Exeter Chiefs and Northampton Saints in Exeter.

After his continual coughing was heard over the ref's mic during the game everyone is worried Romain Poite may have an undiagnosed case COVID-19

LISTEN as injured Springbok and now Lions coach Warren Whiteley talks about his team's return to play.

NEWS: The board of SA Super Rugby (Pty) Ltd – which trades as the Southern Kings – has placed the insolvent company into voluntary liquidation.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the European Cup quarterfinal showdown between Toulouse and Ulster in Toulouse.

While Lachlan Boshier is turning in man of the decade performances will he finally pop up on Ian Foster's All Black radar?

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Michael Rhodes put in a man-of-the-match performance to help Saracens beat Leinster 25-17 in their European Champions Cup quarterfinal in Dublin on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Racing 92 proved too strong for Clermont Auvergne as they marched into the Champions Cup semifinals.

REACTION: It was an understated hit-out between the Boulders Beach Penguins and the Devil’s Peak Dassies, but it served a vital purpose.

NPC WRAP: The Ranfurly Shield is returning to Taranaki for the first time in two years.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the European Cup quarterfinal showdown between Leinster and Saracens in Dublin.

CHALLENGE CUP SATURDAY WRAP: Bordeaux-Begles reached a European semifinal for the first time after beating visiting Edinburgh 23-14 on Saturday.

CHALLENGE CUP: Castres were thrown out of the European Challenge Cup on Saturday, 24 hours before their quarterfinal in Leicester, because of four Covid-19 positives.

CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: Bristol Bears ran in seven tries as they secured the first semifinal spot after a 56-17 success over Dragons at Ashton Gate on Friday.

NEWS: There will be two trophies up for grabs when the South African rugby season resumes.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the European Cup quarterfinal showdown between Clermont Auvergne and Racing 92 in Clermont.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby AU Final between Brumbies and Reds in Canberra.

SPOTLIGHT: Irish rugby chief Philip Browne warned on Friday that the financial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic posed a "significant threat" to the existence of professional rugby in the country.

INJURY UPDATE: The Stormers will start their campaign in South Africa's revamped domestic competition without one of their biggest stars.

SUPER RUGBY AU REPORT: The Brumbies held off a powerful second-half surge by the Reds to be crowned Australia's champions.

SHOOT-OUT TIME: Stars of the global game will do battle in four compelling encounters this weekend, as the 2019/20 Champions Cup returns.

NEWS: European Challenge Cup quarter-finalists Edinburgh have confirmed one of their players has tested positive for Covid-19.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt had some ominous words for South Africa's other top teams ahead of the upcoming domestic competition.

NEWS: Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie turned to a former England lock after the Brumbies' highly regarded Dan McKellar withdrew from consideration.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok Women’s coach Stanley Raubenheimer and key players, Nolusindiso Booi and Zintle Mpupha expressed their excitement about the 2021 World Cup as they celebrated one year to go to the kick-off of the international showpiece in New Zealand.

CONTRACT NEWS: The Western Force revealed that Perth-raised centre Kyle Godwin has committed to the franchise for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson reveals his team's approach to tackling the vexed issue of racism.

OPINION: Jan de Koning takes a look at the next big decision that will pave the way for the future success or failure of Western Province rugby.

PLAY-OFF SPOTLIGHT: Leinster's pursuit of a record fifth European Champions Cup is fuelled not by splashing out on stars, but scouting players such as Johnny Sexton and James Ryan when they are still at school.

NEWS: The vice-president of Georgia's rugby union has been arrested for shooting a player and wounding him in the leg, the Caucasus nation's interior ministry said Thursday.

NEWS: Aphiwe Dyantyi will have to wait a little longer to learn his fate.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard is "ready for another test of character" as he begins the long road to recovery.

BRUMBIES V REDS: The Brumbies plan to win the Super Rugby AU title up front in Saturday's final against the Queensland Reds in Canberra.

NEWS: Tribute has been paid to Monde Temba Tabata, a member of the SA Rugby Executive Council.

WATCH as retired England internationals James Haskell and Dylan Hartley explain the brutal tally the game has taken on their bodies.

NEWS: New Zealand flyhalf Tom Taylor will take Pau to an employment tribunal after his sacking by the French club in June, sources told AFP on Thursday.

FINAL SHOWDOWN: There are plenty of subplots ahead of Saturday's Super Rugby AU Final, but Reds coach and proven winner Brad Thorn has never been one to focus on them.

VIDEO: The South Africa Sevens side took their footwork skills to a whole new level by showing off some impressive dance moves.

SPOTLIGHT: SA Rugby announced its plans to reignite an exciting four-month local season which include a unique encounter at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town. 

Angus Gardner will be the man in charge of the Super Rugby AU final as the Brumbies take on the Reds at the GIO Stadium in Canberra.

SPOTLIGHT: There may not have been any games or training sessions, but new Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has been a busy man.

NEWS: A proposed move by Sale Sharks back to their hometown in the Greater Manchester area has been shelved.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Reds have made two changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s Super Rugby AU Grand Final against the Brumbies in Canberra.

NEWS: Fiji Rugby have finally confirmed their coaching lineup for the upcoming Nations Cup competition – and it’s laden with talent from across the globe.

WATCH: World Cup-winner Damian Willemse has a valuable lesson to share with all aspiring professional players, showing that you need to go the extra mile to perform at the top level.

WATCH: Leinster, fresh off their third successive Pro14 title, shift their attention to conquering Europe but standing in their way are the defending champions.

SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has confirmed that he will be taking a much bigger squad to Australia for the Rugby Championship.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Wallabies Kurtley Beale will miss Racing 92's  European Champions Cup quarter-final against Clermont after receiving a three-week ban on Wednesday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Another Springbok will be playing in England's Premiership.

NEWS: Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill is looking for a powerful lock and he has a South African in mind.

CHAMPIONS CUP, QUARTERFINALS: European champions Saracens can partly salvage their traumatic season with a victory over Leinster on Saturday in the "only game that really means anything", according to wing Sean Maitland.

NEWS: Preparations by Argentina to be ready for the start of the Rugby Championship in Australia have suffered another setback after three new cases of Covid-19.

SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies great Toutai Kefu believes Dave Rennie should roll the dice on this player in New Zealand next month.

SUPER RUGBY AU, FINAL: Former Wallabies captain Ben Mowen says the Brumbies aren't one-trick ponies and has challenged them to play with dare in Saturday's clash with the Queensland Reds.

CONTRACT NEWS: The Western Force confirmed that captain Ian Prior has signed a new two-year deal to remain at the club.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Brumbies don't see a risk in playing Noah Lolesio in Saturday's Super Rugby Final.

SPOTLIGHT: Seems like South Africa's live rugby drought will conclude with some scintillating matches.

NEWS: It seems New Zealand has listened to Wallaby coach Dave Rennie's concerns.

SPOTLIGHT: The redemptive arc of James O'Connor's Queensland Reds' return will hit new heights this Saturday if he can guide his team to glory in the Super Rugby AU Final.

OPINION: Rugbypass writer Hamish Bidwell looks at how Dave Rennie rejuvenated Australia versus New Zealand rivalry.

SPOTLIGHT: Director of Performance Robbie Kempson has admitted that Southern Kings’s fate is solely in the hands of the South African Rugby Union.

SPOTLIGHT: Maro Itoje has clearly unsettled his opponents on the field.

REACTION: All Blacks star Richie Mo’unga has opened up on rumours him and several teammates were considering pulling out of this year’s Rugby Championship for family reasons.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Sio Tomkinson will miss six matches of Otago’s Mitre 10 Cup campaign following a dangerous tackle during their match against Auckland.

SPOTLIGHT: Newly-appointed Georgia coach Levan Maisashvili said his side's inclusion in the upcoming Nations Cup is a chance to prove their ability to be included in the Six Nations

NEWS: The Western Force has revealed some news regarding their coach.

CHAMPIONS CUP SPOTLIGHT: Saracens and Exeter expect to enter their quarterfinals with two key players available.

BREAKING NEWS: Montpellier have provided an update on Handre Pollard after the Springbok star sustained a serious knee injury on club duty last week.

SPOTLIGHT: Scotland's Finn Russell said his relationship with head coach Gregor Townsend has improved since the influential flyhalf missed the Six Nations after the pair fell out.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Gloucester coach George Skivington described it as his team's worst performance since he arrived at the club.

NEWS: Wallaby player Lopeti Timani was hit with a €10,000 fine on Monday by a court in La Rochelle.

ONE OF ONE: Jan de Koning sat down with Marco V Masotti to chat about the attempt of his consortium, MVM Holdings, to obtain a controlling share in WP Rugby and what value they bring to the table.

CHAMPIONS CUP QUARTERFINALS: Two Irish provinces will have the task of showcasing the depth of the PRO14 as the Champions Cup quarter-finals start this coming weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: Los Pumas’ legend Juan Martín Hernández has urged Jaguares to look at potentially joining the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR) amid an uncertain future for Super Rugby.

OPINION: Dave Rennie has named his first Wallabies squad as head coach, selecting just 16 of the 31 players from last year’s Rugby World Cup in favour of the next wave of talent.

SPOTLIGHT: Cheetahs looseforward Junior Pokomela stated that the enforced lockdown break has had numerous benefits for the players.

ONE-ON-ONE: Jan de Koning sat down for a chat with former Junior All Black and now Cardiff resident Nick Williams about the challenges of moving to and playing in Europe.

TOP 14 WRAP: Argentina flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez scored 14 points in a 22-16 victory over Castres, described as "extraordinary" by Stade Francais coach Gonzalo Quesada.

SEVENS SPOTLIGHT: The physical handover of their 2019/20 World Rugby Sevens Series silver medals has given the BlitzBoks some closure and finality on the interrupted season.

THREE ROUNDS TO GO: Three of the four places in the semifinals are still up for grabs.

NEWS: The Boks will be looking for new players for a key position.

REACTION: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has shut down talks of relinquishing the Bledisloe Cup hosting rights to Australia.

SPOTLIGHT: Edinburgh prop Pierre Schoeman has not played for Scotland yet, but he already has the British and Irish Lions on his mind.

SPOTLIGHT: A former Springbok captain believes it would be madness to let the Boks play in this year's Rugby Championship.

NEWS: Wallabies coach Dave Rennie did not hold back when asked about NZ Rugby's Bledisloe Cup demands.

PREMIERSHIP SUNDAY WRAP: A strong Sale Sharks side went down 22-37 at home to Bath in Round 20 of the 2019/2020 Premiership season on Sunday.

PRE-MATCH SPOTLIGHT: The Brumbies and Reds will go head-to-head for the fourth times this year. Except, this time it is for the title of being Australia's meanest team.

With the Rugby Championship set to become a lengthy two and a half month competition all ensconced in Australia it's likely that Ian Foster will be selecting an extended squad giving those fringe players who "almost" made it a second chance to travel with the All Blacks.

MATCH REPORT: Leinster secured their third successive Pro14 trophy with a 27-5 win over Ulster on Saturday.

INTERVIEW: The Boks will be boosted by one big difference from the Bok classes of 2009 and 2021.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Sixteen uncapped players were included Sunday in new coach Dave Rennie's first Wallabies squad.

WATCH: Cheslin Kolbe is back in the French news as the World Cup-winner once again stole the headlines in Toulouse's 39-23 victory over La Rochelle but former teammate Dillyn Leyds was not too happy with the birthday present he received.

SPOTLIGHT: Seems like the 2020 Rugby Championship has caused another concern in New Zealand.

TOP14 WRAP: Two first-half tries from South Africa Rugby World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe set Toulouse on the road to a 39-23 win over French Top 14 title rivals La Rochelle on Saturday.

NEWS: Handre Pollard was taken to hospital after Montpellier's 17-41 Top 14 loss at Racing 92 on Friday.

REACTION: SA Rugby has responded to Friday's Rugby Championship announcement.

SUPER RUGBY AU REPORT: The Reds will face the Brumbies in next weekend's Super Rugby AU Final.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Pro14 Final between Leinster and Ulster in Dublin.

NEWS: England's players have accepted a 25 percent pay cut for the 2020-21 season as the Rugby Football Union tries to limit the financial fall-out from the coronavirus.

OPINION: Jan de Koning takes a look at the systemic problems facing the Southern Kings and asks if they can rise like the proverbial phoenix from the ashes from what appears to be their Armageddon.

NEWS: Sale Sharks boss Steve Diamond has an extraordinary take on his star lock's latest injury.

SPOTLIGHT: The Rugby Football Union published the 10-page short-form written judgment regarding the five-match ban handed down to England captain Owen Farrell.

NEWS: The French league (LNR), backed by their English Premiership counterparts, have filed a complaint against World Rugby with the European Commission.

LEINSTER V ULSTER: Star flyhalf Jonathan Sexton has been benched for Saturday's Pro14 Final.

REACTION: The New Zealand Prime Minister's "SANZAAR politics" comment did not sit well with rugby bosses.

NEWS: The Chiefs will be searching for some coaching talent.

JUST ONE-SHOT: Queensland Reds captain Liam Wright knows his side's desperate line defence won't be enough if they are to navigate past the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday and into the Super Rugby AU final.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby AU semifinal between the Reds and the Melbourne Rebels in Brisbane.

NEWS: Australia was picked over New Zealand to host the coronavirus-affected Rugby Championship on Friday, but the pandemic may prevent world champions South Africa from even taking part.

NEWS: All Black Liam Squire’s time in Japan has come to a premature end.

NEWS: Argentina’s coaching staff and five more players have tested positive for the coronavirus, adding to the six positive tests announced last week, the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) revealed.

REACTION: The Western Province Rugby Football Union has reacted to claims that they have 'parted with logic' in their financial dealings.

NEWS: Harlequins flyhalf Marcus Smith became the second-youngest player to reach 500 Premiership points.

NEWS: Six Nations officials unveiled the eight-team year-end Nations Cup, which replaces the traditional international Test window.

WATCH: Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll has joined the numerous voices in sharing his opinion on Owen Farrell's punishment following his horrific tackle on Charlie Atkinson, labelling the England captain as a "lucky boy".

TOP14, ROUND TWO: The Top14 season continues with yet another enticing match-up as Wallabies playmaker Kurtley Beale makes his home Racing 92 debut against Handre Pollard's Montpellier.

WATCH as we take you back to Japan 2019, when South Africa scaled the top of the totem pole.

NEWS: The two most prestigious awards on offer in the Pro14 have been scooped up by Edinburgh.

SPOTLIGHT: SANZAAR officials will hold a telephone hook-up to try to finalise details of the upcoming Rugby Championship, with Australia in the running to host.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN: New Zealand's National Provincial Championship gets underway on Friday.

NEWS: Rugby Australia announced an addition to its policy regarding the eligibility and selection of overseas-based players.

OPINION: The infamous contretemps in rugby circles in the Western Cape is redoubtable for its fractionalizing effect.

NEWS: South Island second row Mitch Dunshea has a massive challenge on his hands if he’s going to clock up many minutes with the Crusaders next year.

REACTION: Jan de Koning chats to WPRFU President Zelt Marais about the latest boardroom drama.

CONTRACT NEWS: All Blacks, Crusaders and Northland midfielder Jack Goodhue has committed his long-term future to New Zealand.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Exeter suffered an injury scare when their Scotland international Stuart Hogg limped out of the Chiefs' 35-22 Premiership victory over Gloucester.

NEWS: The English Premiership confirmed that two players have tested positive in the latest round of the league's Coronavirus testing.

Andrew Brace has been appointed as the match referee for the PRO14 Final between Leinster and Ulster at the Aviva Stadium. 

REACTION: There is an outpouring of outrage over the 'slap on the wrist' treatment meted out to England captain Owen Farrell.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Melbourne Rebels head coach Dave Wessels has dropped a selection surprise for his team's Super Rugby AU semifinal against the Reds.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Reds have revealed their team to face the Melbourne Rebels in Saturday’s Super Rugby AU semifinal.

Jacob Umaga has made the English fans go into a frenzy after his exceptional performance against Leicester Tigers, with many calling for his immediate inclusion into the England squad.

PRO14 SPOTLIGHT: The tournaments Dream Team features four South Africans, even though only one actually comes from an SA franchise.

NEWS: Montpellier's France prop Mohamed Haouas is set to return for his Top 14 side this weekend after being penalised for off the field misdemeanours, coach Xavier Garbajosa said on Wednesday.

SPOTLIGHT: As that often-used sententia goes: 'Read between the lines.'

SPOTLIGHT: RugbyPass scribe Tom Vinicombe takes a look at the All Black players who returned from abroad to play in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: The Fiji Rugby Union has confirmed that a teenage loose forward has been banned from all levels of rugby in Fiji and abroad for six years.

SPOTLIGHT: Ulster may start as the odds-on underdogs this weekend against Leinster in the PRO14 final, but if they are to have a chance, much of their forward momentum will come down to their “clutch player” – Marcell Coetzee.

INTERVIEW: Former All Blacks lock Isaac Ross' rugby future in Japan looks over -  Rugbypass writer Alex McLeod reports. 

NEWS: England coach Eddie Jones has reportedly taken on a second club team consultancy, adding MLR side San Diego Legion to his commitments with Suntory Sungoliath, the Japanese Top League outfit.

SPOTLIGHT: New reports suggest that Australia might be favourites to host the Rugby Championship.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: England captain Owen Farrell has pleaded guilty to his dangerous high tackle charge.

REACTION: Toulouse President Didier Lacroix said it was a difficult decision to move this month's European Champions Cup quarterfinal with Ulster to Stade Ernest Wallon.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Highlanders have raided the Crusaders once again as they look to re-build their squad for the 2021 Super Rugby campaign, signing Tongan utility back Fetuli Paea on a two-year deal.

NEWS: The brain drain at Newlands has gone into overdrive.

INTERVIEW: Breakdown menace Fraser McReight insists international rugby is a way off, despite establishing himself in the Reds' exciting young back row in 2020.

WATCH as Springbok duo Andre Esterhuizen and Wilco Louw talk about their first training session at the Harlequins.

MATCH REPORT: Bristol reclaimed second place in the Premiership after swamping Northampton 47-10 at Ashton Gate.

SPOTLIGHT: Fresh reports out of Europe suggest that Springboks will not be included in the Eight Nations tournament.

TRANSFER NEWS: NSW Waratahs confirmed Tom Robertson will not return to the club in 2021 after pursuing a playing opportunity elsewhere.

WATCH: Bristol Bears coach Pat Lam berated the sanction handed to Siale Piutau, using the pre-match interview of his side's 47-10 victory over Northampton Saints to air his views.

SPOTLIGHT: Being a flyhalf in New Zealand isn’t easy when you’ve got Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga competing for your position at All Blacks level.

The referee appointments for the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup quarter-final matches have been announced following a selection committee meeting chaired by EPCR’s Head of Match Officials, Joel Jutge.

NEWS: The Dragons completed all negotiations with its playing squad regarding salaries.

SPOTLIGHT: RugbyPass reporter Michael Pulman takes a look at the challenges facing New Zealand's National Provincial Championship.

TRANSFER NEWS: Sale Sharks confirmed that the club has reached an agreement with Rob Webber which will see the club’s former hooker make an emphatic return to professional rugby.

FOUR ROUNDS TO GO: There are just 20 points left on the table in the race for a place in the semifinals.

NEWS: Steve Diamond has revealed Sale Sharks will be sending seven players to join the Springboks training squad – minus the injured Lood de Jager.

INJURY UPDATE: All Blacks centre Braydon Ennor faces a lengthy injury lay-off after rupturing an ACL during New Zealand's North versus South game on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Melbourne's skipper Dane Haylett-Petty says they fancy their chances against the Reds in Saturday's Super Rugby AU semifinal in Brisbane.

NEWS: The draw for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France has been moved to December.

SPOTLIGHT: The Reds are light on finals experience when you glance at the team sheet, until you scroll down to superstar coach Brad Thorn.

NEWS: Andrew Kitchener of Worcester Warriors and Siale Piutau of Bristol Bears appeared before a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel.

WATCH: Thomas Ramos is all the rage in France after his magical pass started an exceptional Toulouse counter-attack but is this pass better than All Blacks legend Carlos Spencer?

NEWS: The All Blacks find themselves in a bizarre situation after they named their squad on Sunday.

NEWS: Brumbies revealed that local pathway product Mack Hansen has committed to the franchise for next season.

TRANSFER NEWS: Another South African player has moved overseas.

REACTION: World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper said it was "unfortunate" the French league who run the Top 14 are taking legal action against the sport's global governing body.

REACTION: The appointment of Ebrahim Rasool as the new Chairman of Western Province Rugby Football Union will 'usher in an exciting era for WP' says Zelts Marais.

NEWS: Leinster expect to have James Ryan available for selection for Saturday’s Pro14 final against Ulster following his remarkable recovery from shoulder surgery.

The Premiership action continues to come thick and fast, with an enticing set of midweek fixtures to look forward to in Round 19.

NEWS: The bulk of the All Blacks squad named at the weekend will assemble with their National Provincial Championship teams this week.

Lood De Jager has injured his troublesome shoulder yet again - does this spell the beginning of the end for the Springbok star?

CONTRACT NEWS: The Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby announced the re-signing of Fraser Armstrong through until the end of 2021.

TOP 14 SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT: Kotaro Matsushima's widely-anticipated debut in the French Top 14 lasted just 16 minutes on Sunday when he was forced off the pitch with a thigh injury.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Bulls continue their trend of luring players back from abroad.

NEWS: Melbourne will host a 2022 Bledisloe Cup Test after this year's match in Victoria was cancelled due to coronavirus.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Ian Foster has rewarded Super Rugby Aotearoa form in naming the first All Blacks squad of his tenure as coach of the New Zealand national team.

NEWS: Queensland prop Ruan Smith may miss the chance to suit up against his former team Melbourne in Saturday's Super Rugby AU sudden-death final after being sent for a COVID-19 test.

SQUAD NEWS: Western Force trio Kyle Godwin, Feleti Kaitu'u and Brynard Stander have been asked to remain in Sydney and join a host of NSW Waratahs players vying for a Wallabies berth later this year.

OPINION: Former England flyhalf and Rugbypass columnist Andy Goode weighs in on Owen Farrell's latest reckless tackle incident.

WATCH: Owen Farrell's non-existent tackle technique has once again been thrust into the limelight as the England captain finally saw red for a vicious challenge on Wasps' Charlie Atkinson.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Saracens’ Owen Farrell will appear before an online disciplinary panel on Tuesday.

New All Blacks Caleb Clarke and Hoskins Sotutu share a deep connection from their Dad's being teammates at the Blues.

REACTION: The Brumbies have urged officials to wise up to the Queensland Reds at scrum time in the Super Rugby AU finals after claiming they were hard done by in their loss at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: The culling of two independent directors of the board, Johan van der Merwe and Andre van der Veen, has caused more than just a stir in Western Province circles.

REPORT: Ulster ensured next weekend's Pro14 Final will be an all-Irish affair after mounting a storming comeback to beat Edinburgh at Murrayfield.

MATCH REPORT: New Zealand and the rest of the rugby world wanted an exciting game of rugby, and the North and South Islands delivered it.

NEWS: The Western Province boardroom drama added another chapter with the appointment of a new Chairman

After struggling with travel to and from Queensland in round 7 the Rebels don't want to make the same mistake twice and want their flight schedule changed.

SPOTLIGHT: The Rugby Championship have been dealt a blow with six Argentine players testing positive to COVID-19 while in a training camp.

TOP 14 WRAP: Maori flyhalf Ihaia West scored 24 points as New Zealand back row forward Victor Vito celebrated his 100th La Rochelle match with a 29-15 victory over Toulon in the French Top 14 on Saturday.

REACTION: Owen Farrell may miss Saracens' Champions Cup quarterfinal with Leinster as a result of his flawed tackling technique, but Director of Rugby Mark McCall insists he has improved.

REACTION: England skipper Owen Farrell could be ruled out of Saracens' European Champions Cup quarterfinal against Leinster after he was sent off for a dangerous, head-high tackle in a Premiership match on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby AU Round 10 encounter between the Melbourne Rebels and Western Force in Newcastle.

MATCH REPORT:  The Melbourne Rebels left it late to claim a hard-fought 34-30 win over Western Force in Newcastle. 

NEWS: Springboks Aphiwe Dyantyi finally has a confirmed date for his long-awaited career-defining dope hearing.

PRO14 REPORT: Leinster extended their winning streak to 24 games and moved one step closer to regaining their Pro14 crown with a bruising 13-3 victory over Munster at the Aviva Stadium.

PREMIERSHIP FRIDAY WRAP: Bristol Bears scores 26 unanswered points in the second half to thump Worcester Warriors 36-13 at Sixways on Friday.

NO HOLDS BARRED: The desire to watch rugby, after a five-month 'drought', may see Loftus Versfeld packet once again.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: World Cup-winning Springbok Francois de Klerk produced another masterclass as Sale Sharks strengthened their play-off push.

SPOTLIGHT: Legendary former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has finally revealed the best athlete he ever coached - and it's not Richie McCaw.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby AU Round 10 encounter between the Reds and Brumbies Brisbane.

TOP 14 REPORT: South African World Cup winner Handre Pollard kicked 13 points, but his Montpellier side suffered a last-gasp 23-26 defeat in the opening game of the new French Top 14 season on Friday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the long-awaited North versus South match in Wellington.

MATCH REPORT: The Queensland Reds will enter next weekend's Super Rugby AU preliminary final in top gear after a slick 26-7 defeat of the Brumbies on Saturday.

NEWS: Major League Rugby said Friday an exclusive negotiating agreement with a Hawaiian group for an expansion team expired with no deal.

SPOTLIGHT: The Highlanders announced that head coach Aaron Mauger would be parting ways with the Super Rugby franchise.

NATIONAL TRIAL: As much as the All Blacks selectors have tried to downplay the glaring hints that suggest this clash is nothing more than a national trial, the inter-island spirit of the occasion hasn't been lost on two of the fixture's key players.

SPOTLIGHT: The new French Top 14 season begins on Friday with a host of international names set make their debuts for their clubs over the weekend.

WALLABY TRIAL: The Queensland Reds will host the Brumbies in what could effectively be a Wallaby trial and also a preview of a possible Final two weeks later.

PLAY-OFF CONTENDERS: With just five rounds to go in the Premiership the race for the semifinals is hotting up, just 12 points separating the sides from third to eighth.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: With rugby in South Africa earmarked to start in October, sides have been working relentlessly to get up to competition standards.

TRANSFER NEWS: Saracens have secured the loan signing of Robin Hislop until the end of the 2019/20 season.

SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones has been busy scouting players in person by attending multiple Premiership matches in recent weeks. 

SINK OR SWIM: The business end of the 2019/20 PRO14 season has arrived as four teams remain in contention to lift the title following the conclusion of a truncated regular campaign.

ROUND ONE: The new Top 14 season begins this weekend as Japan's "phenomenal" Kotaro Matsushima makes his competitive Clermont debut by hosting World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe's Toulouse.

NEWS: Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger was effectively sacked Thursday.

NEWS: England Rugby Football Union (RFU) has banned two club players from sport for anti-doping rule violations.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Wellington Lions will test their reserve strength in their first pre-season outing.

NEWS: There will be a more distinct Springbok flavour when the new European Cup season kicks off.

The referees for the Guinness Pro14 Semifinals have been announced while Angus Gardner and Nic Berry are the men in charge of the crucial Super Rugby Australia Round 10 matches.

OPINION: New Zealand's players have reacted to reports that South Africa may pack their collective bags and head north to European competitions.

SPOTLIGHT: The 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup will be the ninth edition of the prestigious event.

NEWS: The Queensland Reds have made two changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s Super Rugby AU clash against the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks' Rugby World Cup-winning flyhalf Handre Pollard has said he would welcome further South African sides joining the Pro14 in Europe.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Brumbies bolster their team with Wallabies.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: Veteran All Black flyhalf Beauden Barrett will go head-to-head with rival Richie Mo'unga in the North v South Island match on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Dane Haylett-Petty has been cleared to return for the Melbourne Rebels ahead of their final regular-season match against the Western Force in Newcastle on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Western Force has made six changes to their squad to face the Melbourne Rebels in their final 2020 Super Rugby AU match at McDonald Jones Stadium in NSW on Saturday.

NEWS: Two trophies of different eras and origins will be up for grabs during the North versus South match.

NEWS: Officials aim to welcome up to 20,000 supporters to Twickenham for England's match against the Barbarians next month.

WATCH: World Cup-winning coach Rassie Erasmus owes a lot of his success to former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers when the latter asked him to join the Springboks at the 2011 World Cup.

NEWS: Plans for a Club World Cup have been confirmed this week by the Chief Executive of the organisers of the European Champions Cup.

NEWS: Five teams from the Pro14 are celebrating the achievements of their leading stars after the first lot of 2019/20 season awards were announced.

NEWS: Montpellier announced on Wednesday an unnamed player and a member of their coaching staff had tested positive for coronavirus, just two days from opening the new French Top 14 campaign.

SPOTLIGHT: Schalk Brits has named the player he thinks should replace RG Snyman in the Springboks squad.

NEWS: The Crusaders will be saying goodbye to one of their own.

SPOTLIGHT: The Western Force may be out of the running, but they can still have a massive say in the final make-up of the Super Rugby AU play-offs.

NEWS: USA Rugby's chapter 11 reorganization plan has received court approval, allowing the national governing body to emerge from bankruptcy.

NEWS: The Blues have been given a big boost.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks' World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe has revealed why he turned down an opportunity to join the national Sevens team at the Olympic next year.

NEWS: The European Professional Club Rugby board has revealed the new Champions Cup and Challenge Cup tournament formats for the 2020/21 season.

NEWS: Sir Donald Currie's donation to South African rugby will not be up for grabs this year.

OPINION: RugbyPass scribe Hamish Bidwell takes a look at the north versus south match and explains why it might be as good as it gets for New Zealand this year.

NEWS: This weekend's opening match of French rugby's Top 14 season featuring Stade Francais against Bordeaux-Begles has been postponed.

SPOTLIGHT: South African rugby fans can expect some rugby matches soon.

REACTION: Japan fullback Kotaro Matsushima said the Brave Blossoms pulling out of a reported Eight Nations competition is a "disappointment".

SPOTLIGHT: Leinster may start as overwhelming favourites in their semifinal against Munster at the Aviva Stadium on Friday, but the danger of complacency could be their biggest foe.

NEWS: More tournaments have fallen victim to COVID-19.

SPOTLIGHT: Queensland's Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has described their final round Super Rugby AU game as a "massive grudge match" after being pipped in their clash last month.

REACTION: Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard has responded to reports linking him with a move from Montpellier to Bath at the end of the season.

SPOTLIGHT: Reece Hodge says the chance to make their first Super Rugby finals in 10 years is motivating the Rebels, but they don't expect the Western Force to make it easy.

SPOTLIGHT: SANZAAR chief executive Andy Marinos admitted Monday that Super Rugby sowed the seeds of its own demise

SPOTLIGHT: Scott Robertson has a specific role in mind to help the British and Irish Lions beat the Boks.

NEWS: SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos has responded to claims that South Africa are set to shun the Rugby Championship this year and play in the north instead.

WATCH: World Cup-winning coach Rassie Erasmus is seen being extremely emotional about the Springboks' 2019 World Cup victory in the final teaser of the 'Chasing the Sun' documentary.

WATCH: Faf de Klerk was once again in sublime form for his club and by the look of it, the Springbok scrumhalf is getting better every time he steps onto the field.

OPINION: You would struggle to find too many individual campaigns that top that of the one turned in by Pieter-Steph du Toit last year, as the gifted blindside flank set new standards at his position.

NEWS: Scotland rugby union players agreed to pay cuts on Monday in a bid to ease the financial fall-out from the coronavirus pandemic.

WRAP: Saracens continue to show their superiority as they crushed London Irish 40-12 at Twickenham Stoop on Monday.

NEWS: England players have agreed to take a 25 percent salary cut in their new one-year deal with the Rugby Football Union to make amends for the financial crisis created by the pandemic coronavirus.

SPOTLIGHT: Munster will have a huge challenge on their hands when they face Leinster in their Pro14 semifinal on Friday.

NEWS: Brumbies confirmed that wing Andy Muirhead has re-signed with the club until the end of the 2022 season.

SPOTLIGHT: Munster's World Cup-winning Springbok Rudolph Snyman will continue to make a massive contribution to the Irish province, despite being sidelined with a knee injury.

PRO14 REPORT: Munster soared into the Pro14 semifinals with a 49-12 victory against 13-man Connacht to set-up a last-four encounter against fierce rivals Leinster.

In a completely senseless action a Fijian teenger punches the ref and breaks his nose. This could well have cost him his career as he now faces a lifetime ban from the game

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Forwards Jonny Hill and Sam Simmonds both scored hat-tricks as Exeter Chiefs extended their lead at the top of the standings.

NO HOLDS BARRED: Doubt about South Africa's participation in the Rugby Championship has raised the possibility that the Currie Cup could receive an even bigger Springbok injection.

SPOTLIGHT: Amy Perrett made history Friday by becoming the first woman to referee a men's Super Rugby game, a move she hopes will open the door to other females.

After Bryn Hall found he wasn't a part of the Auckland Blues future plans he re-invented himself and his game with the Crusaders

CONTRACT NEWS: Some of South Africa's rising stars have made a decision on their future in the game.

PRO14 REPORT: Jason Harries and Josh Adams scored a try each as Cardiff Blues condemned the Ospreys to bottom place in Conference A with a comfortable 29-20 win.

With the upcoming New Zealand North vs South game sandwiched between the last round clashes of the Rebels v Force and the Brumbies v Reds Aussies will be treated to a "super" Saturday of rugby this upcoming weekend.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Sale Sharks climbed to second in the Premiership standings after they thumped Bristol Bears 40-7 at the AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday.

With Japan having now officially pulled out of the autumn tournament to be held in France this November - Bernard Laporte is looking to South Africa to fill their place.

PRO14 REPORT: Monty Ioane's two tries helped Benetton get revenge on Italian rivals Zebre for last week's defeat as they edged a low-scoring contest 16-9 in Parma to finish fifth in Conference B.

REACTION: World Cup-winning Springboks captain Siyamthanda Kolisi has been dragged into a racial spat.

PRO14 REPORT: Leinster’s mammoth unbeaten run continued as they laid down a marker ahead of the Pro14 semifinals by beating Ulster 28-10 at the Aviva Stadium.

PRO14 REPORT: Scarlets ensured they did all they could in the battle to qualify for the Pro14 semifinals as they won their Welsh derby with Dragons at Rodney Parade in an entertaining encounter.

SUPER RUGBY AU REPORT: The Waratahs stayed alive in the play-off race with a thrilling 38-32 win over the Melbourne Rebels in Sydney on Saturday.

TOP FOUR BATTLE: Karl Dickson is the referee for the first Premiership Rugby game of Round 17, in a contest that could also go a long way to helping shed more light on the race for the top four.

NEWS: The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) have dropped its sevens programme as it tries to cope with the financial impact of COVID-19.

JACO KRIEL IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After nearly six months away from the field, the Lions' players are champing at the bit.

NEWS: Two Springbok backs will make history when they battle it out in an MMA octagon.

MATCH REPORT: Danny Wilson toasted his first win as Glasgow Warriors head coach as Fraser Brown and Ratu Tagive tries beat Edinburgh in front of 700 supporters at BT Murrayfield.

NEWS: It seems like the drama in the Western Province boardroom is still far from dwindling down. 

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby AU Round Nine encounter between the Melbourne Rebels and Waratahs in Sydney.

SUPER RUGBY AU REPORT: The Brumbies advanced directly to the Final with a comprehensive 31-14 win over the Western Force in Canberra on Friday.

REACTION: South Africa's World Cup-winning replacements were nicknamed the 'bomb squad' because of the impact they made. Now the Brumbies have an equally efficient bench.

NEWS: Highlanders prop Daniel Lienert-Brown has been called into the South Island squad a week out from the highly-anticipated North v South clash.

MATCH REPORT: Canterbury have retained the Ranfurly Shield in emphatic fashion as they thumped North Otago 71-7 in their first pre-season outing in Christchurch.

NEWS: SA Rugby CEO has provided an update on South Africa's return to the rugby field.

BIG DASH FOR FINAL SPOT: Almost a year after the season began, the curtain is set to come down on the league campaign this weekend.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Blues have bolstered their squad with an All Black.

WATCH: The Pro14 has started their podcast with a bang as they bring in world-renowned referee Nigel Owens to share some funny stories of his experiences.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby AU Round Nine encounter between the Brumbies and Western Force in Canberra.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Bulls have signed an exciting and dynamic player.

NEWS: Japan have chosen against taking part in the year-end 'Eight Nations' tournament due to the coronavirus pandemic, sources told AFP on Thursday.

SPOTLIGHT: Crusaders coach Scott Robertson is more than capable of assisting British and Irish Lions and coaching Super Rugby champions Crusaders says CEO Colin Mansbridge.

NEWS: French professional clubs could lose between 30 and 35 million euros during the first two months of the season.

NEWS: South Africa's rugby players' organisation, MyPlayers, has released a statement regarding movements that have dominated the headlines recently.

SPOTLIGHT: Warren Whiteley has not given up hope of playing again and he is set to undergo surgery to give himself one last shot.

Watch: The Crusaders released an amazing highlights package of their victorious Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign where they focus on key moments that contributed to the victory.

WATCH: England's rising star Josh Hodge turned heads in his Exeter Chiefs debut and his performance has thrust him straight into the limelight for higher honours.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Canterbury is set to unleash a new crop of the region's talent.

SPOTLIGHT: Waratahs coach Rob Penney has given his side a licence to thrill in Saturday's must-win Super Rugby AU clash with the Melbourne Rebels.

The Gallagher Premiership and Guinness Pro14 are in full swing as they look to get through their respective competitions while Super Rugby Australia is edging ever closer to their business end.

TRANSFER TALK: Either Dane Haylett-Petty or Matt To’omua could join Michael Hooper on a Japan sabbatical, but not both, in a deal worked out with Rugby Australia and the Melbourne Rebels.

CONTRACT NEWS: The Sharks are continuing to secure their future with another player putting pen to paper.

PREMIERSHIP WEDNESDAY WRAP: Springbok scrumhalf Francois Hougaard was one of Worcester's four try-scorers in their 29-14 win over Harlequins at Sixways on Wednesday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Cheetahs and Southern Kings have shown the value South African teams can add to the Pro14 competition believes Edinburgh coach Richard Cockerill.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Waratahs will play out their final home fixture of Super Rugby AU this weekend, as they take on the Melbourne Rebels at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Melbourne Rebels head coach Dave Wessels has named just two changes to his starting lineup to face the Waratahs.

ROAD MAP TO SUCCESS: Melbourne feel the Brumbies may have revealed a road-map to Super Rugby AU success over the Waratahs that they can follow in Saturday's crunch match.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Centre Henry Taefu and utility back Marcel Brache will make their return to the starting line-up when the Western Force takes on the table-topping Brumbies.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Experienced scrumhalf Joe Powell has been recalled to the starting side for the Brumbies Round Nine Super Rugby AU showdown with the Western Force

NEWS: Rugby Australia and the New South Wales Rugby Union have confirmed that Michael Hooper will be leaving Australia.

NEWS: Argentina's preparations for the 2020 Rugby Championship have been thrown into disarray by six players testing positive for coronavirus in recent days.

SPOTLIGHT: Just a month after Crusaders tarnished the inaugural Super Rugby Aotearao trophy, Eden Park revealed one of its oldest secrets in regards to the North and South match.

NEWS: All Black wing Julian Savea has finally found a team.

NEWS: Wayne Pivac’s Wales have been dealt a blow ahead of the planned return of Test rugby.

NEWS: New Zealand's coronavirus-delayed North v South Island rugby showdown will now take place in Wellington without spectators.

REACTION: PRO14 officials have insisted their tournament hasn’t become the PRO13 following the announcement on Tuesday morning that Southern Kings were shutting up shop.

SPOTLIGHT: Melbourne playmaker Andrew Deegan says he hasn't done the maths on the Super Rugby AU finals machinations but does know he wants to play four more games this season.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Sale Sharks got their season back on track with a 20-11 win over Wasps on Tuesday. 

NEWS: Ospreys and Wales wing George North has been banned for four games.

SPOTLIGHT: A month after being named New Zealand’s grubbiest player, All Blacks and Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles has opened up about some of the most notable on-field altercations he’s had with players from around the world.