All News

SPOTLIGHT: Following the announcement of the United Rugby Championship, we learn more about the 16 powerhouse teams.

SPOTLIGHT: Speedster Rosko Specman believes his departure from the Bulls last year was the best thing that could have happened to him.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said there is a simple plan in place to help get fullback Aphelele Fassi and other youngsters ready for the rigours of Test matches.

BREAKING NEWS: On the surface, it appears to be calm, but underneath there is another volcano about to erupt at Newlands. Jan de Koning reports.

INTERVIEW: RugbyPass reporter Chris Jones chats to World Cup-winning Springbok Lodewyk de Jager about his rehabilitation.

We were lucky enough to speak to Springbok rugby legends Pierre Spies and John Smit as they recalled their memories of the 2009 British and Irish Lions series.

SPOTLIGHT: Francois Steyn and Morné Steyn have set the standards for the rest of the Bok squad ahead of the upcoming British and Irish Lions series.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber has opened up on his team's good-cop-bad-cop approach when dealing with referees on the field.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am had nothing but praise for Wandisile Simelane as they began training together in the Springbok camp in Bloemfontein this week.

MATCH REPORT: JJ Kotze scored four as Western Province cruised to a convincing 48-24 victory over a depleted  Bulls side at Loftus Versfeld.

MATCH REPORT: Benetton were a class apart as they cruised past a hapless Bulls team for the inaugural Rainbow Cup trophy in Treviso on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Harlequins staged one of the greatest comebacks in history to deprive Bristol of their first Premiership final appearance.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Blues were crowned Super Rugby Trans-Tasman champions after they beat the Highlanders 23-15 in a thrilling Final in Auckland on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP MATCH REPORT: The Pumas made a BIG statement of intent when they demolished the Lions in their opening round of South African's premier domestic competition.

SPOTLIGHT: BlitzBok coach Neil Powell returned to Cape Town with the knowledge the team's culture, game plays and confidence all received a boost during the stay in Gauteng.

TOP 14 NEWS: La Rochelle reached the French Top 14 final for the first time on Friday with a 19-6 victory over Racing 92.

REACTION: The Junior Springboks got their Under-20 campaign off to a winning start with a hard-fought 29-10 victory over Uruguay in Stellenbosch.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Rainbow Cup Final between Benetton and the Bulls in Treviso.

RETURN OF THE OLD FRIEND: South Africa's oldest premier domestic competition returns this weekend.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks defeated a spirited Griquas 30-16 in Kimberley to kick off their Currie Cup season on a positive note.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Currie Cup Round One match between the Bulls and Western Province at Loftus Versfeld.

UNCHARTED TERRITORIES: Treviso's Stadio Monigo will be the 'Coliseum' for this historic gladiatorial contest.

SPOTLIGHT: The British and Irish Lions’ incoming personnel will be playing catch-up in their quest to face South Africa, according to kicking coach Neil Jenkins.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Final between the Blues and Highlanders at Eden Park.

WATCH as South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus explains the omission of in-form utility back Cornal Hendricks. Jan de Koning reports.

NEWS: London Irish confirmed the players that will depart the Club following the conclusion of the 2020/21 campaign.

REDEMPTION: It's been an agonising 18-year wait for the Blues to reach a Final and coach Leon MacDonald admits Saturday's decider against the Highlanders will be "special".

SPOTLIGHT: Captain Michael Hooper believes new Wallabies forwards coach Dan McKellar will be "licking his lips" at the size of some of his players as he looks to bring a harder edge to the squad.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Currie Cup Round One match between the Pumas and the Lions in Nelspruit.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has named his strongest possible matchday squad to hunt for gold at the end of the rainbow.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Province coach John Dobson has named his team to challenge the Bulls in Round one of the Currie Cup on Saturday.

NEWS: Firebrand flank Lachie Swinton is free for Wallabies selection to face France after escaping a further ban after his send-off in the final round of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.

TRANSFER NEWS: French Top 14 side Montpellier said they have signed Fijian wing Masivesi Dakuwaqa on a two-year deal.

NEWS: Lock Cory Hill has been released from Wales' training camp after he informed Cardiff Blues that he was exploring the possibility of playing abroad.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls will field a team with nine players from the club ranks when they host Western Province in the opening round of the Currie Cup on Saturday.

THE TOP FOUR: With the regular season now in the books, all eyes turn to the two mouth-watering Premiership semifinals taking place this Saturday.

WATCH as World Cup-winning prop Trevor Nyakane talks about being back in the Springbok camp and the front row competition in the squad. Jan de Koning reports.

NEWS: The Lions have revealed that two of their forwards will be joining rival teams on loan for the duration of the 2021 Currie Cup tournament.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Newly appointed Sharks Currie Cup captain Phepsi Buthelezi will lead a formidable Sharks side in their Currie Cup opener against the Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday.

WATCH as we bring you the lowdown on how South African teams can qualify to play in the European Cup.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas coach Scott Mathie has made a number of changes to his team for their opening match of the Currie Cup season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions will travel to Mbombela this weekend, where they will face the Pumas in the first round of South Africa’s oldest and most prestigious competition, the Currie Cup.

NEWS: SA Rugby confirmed on Friday that the two Tests against Georgia, as a precursor to the British and Irish Lions Lions Series, will be played in Gauteng.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Pumas are planning an 'unpleasant' welcome for the Lions in Nelspruit on Friday.

INTERVIEW: Springbok enforcer Eben Etzebeth talks about his teenage switch from wing to the second row and what he most fears in life.

NEWS: Having already lost first-choice loosehead prop, Joe Moody, to a plantar fascia injury, the All Blacks will now have to also cope without their first-choice tighthead for their July Tests with Tonga and Fiji.

NEWS: Hurricanes playmaker Jordie Barrett has recommitted to the Wellington franchise for one more season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: For the first time this season, the Highlanders have named an unchanged lineup and the southerners will enter the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final with an incredibly settled team.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Leon MacDonald has made just one change to his Blues team for their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Final with the Highlanders at Eden Park.

NEWS: France will travel to Australia with an enlarged rugby squad of 42 players but without any from the two teams that play the Top 14 final.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff speaks about his long-standing rivalry with British and Irish Lions giant Tadhg Furlong.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has named his captain for the upcoming Currie Cup campaign that kicks off this Saturday with an away clash against Griquas in Kimberley.

WATCH as Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee previews his team's Rainbow Cup Final encounter with Italian side Treviso. Jan de Koning reports.

SPOTLIGHT: Did you ever wonder what World Cup-winning Springbok scrumhalf Francois de Klerk will look like without his long, flowing blond locks?

REACTION: Bemused Exeter boss Rob Baxter has hit out against the mechanics of the system that has resulted in Chiefs pair Sam Skinner and Dave Ewers each getting four-match bans.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland has been forced into a nid-year series squad change – James Hume for Garry Ringrose.

SPOTLIGHT: With South African teams moving a step closer to European inclusion, EPCR is currently finalising their formats for the 2022/23 season and beyond.

SPOTLIGHT: Western Province assistant coach Rito Hlungwani was keen for his team to claim the 'underdog' tag ahead of the Currie Cup opening round.

SPOTLIGHT: Ali Price admits the British and Irish Lions' Scottish contingent is desperate to be involved against Japan at Murrayfield.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Blues hooker James Parsons and former Highlanders lock Joe Wheeler have shut down concerns over the validity of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman title just days before the competition’s final.

INJURY UPDATE: England have been forced to revise their squad following an injury setback.

UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: A new era will kick off for South African rugby in September 2021.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Exeter Chiefs have been handed a double blow ahead of Saturday' Premiership semi-final against Sale Sharks.

SPOTLIGHT: Michael Wells says he's not in the Wallabies squad to make up the numbers and will be going all out to get picked for the first Test against France in Sydney.

SPOTLIGHT: Josh Adams is eager to develop his relationship with Stuart Hogg from Six Nations rival to British and Irish Lions teammate knowing his artistry could enhance his own strike rate.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Junior Springbok coach Bafana Nhleko named Lions flank Siyemukela Ndlovu as captain for his side.

TRANSFER NEWS: New faces, new energy and new squad for Sharks Currie Cup season says coach Sean Everitt.

INJURY UPDATE: France captain Charles Ollivon underwent surgery on Tuesday in Lyon for a ruptured knee ligament and will be out for six months, a medical source said.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Māori All Blacks Coach Clayton McMillan has named a strong squad ahead of their two-match series against Manu Samoa.

WATCH as new Springbok forwards coach Deon Davids explains why the Du Preez twins, Dan and Jean-Luc, are back in the mix after three years in the international wilderness.

INJURY UPDATE: The Highlanders may be without two of their key players in this weekend’s Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final against the Blues in Auckland.

NEWS: London Irish fullback Tom Homer has retired from playing with immediate effect following the conclusion of the 2020/21 season.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have announced a 28-man squad that will travel to Italy for the Rainbow Cup Final.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Western Force has strengthened its backline for the 2022 season with the signing of three exciting young players in Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Bayley Kuenzle and Reece Tapine on two-year contracts from the Brumbies.

NEWS: Gloucester hooker Jack Singleton has withdrawn from the England squad and is self-isolating following a COVID-19 close contact notification.

WATCH was Warren Gatland delivers his opening speech to the 2021 British and Irish Lions squad ahead of their tour to South Africa.

REACTION: Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie has painted a bleak picture regarding his team's readiness for the upcoming Currie Cup season.

CLUBS AND THEIR BOK NUMBERS: South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has hailed the Mancunian flavour to the Springbok squad. Liam Heagney reports.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: James Ryan will captain Ireland this July against Japan and the USA, as Johnny Sexton misses out on Andy Farrell’s 37-man squad.

REACTION: Japan rugby boss Jamie Joseph said he wanted his players to "feel the pressure", after warming up for the British and Irish Lions with a win over a select team on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: The Blues received a significant boost ahead of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Final.

NEWS: Blues head coach Leon MacDonald has revealed a couple of his key players are injury doubts for the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final against the Highlanders on Saturday.

OPINION: @king365ed gives you a sneak preview of just how brutal the Tests series between the Springboks and the British and Irish Lions could be.

REACTION: The Bulls found themselves in an extraordinary situation ahead of their Rainbow Cup Final in Italy.

STAT ATTACK: Makazole Mapimpi sent a warning to the British and Irish Lions with his performance against the Lions in the Rainbow Cup SA.

WATCH as South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus reveals how he deals with the tricky maze that is European clubs. Jan de Koning reports.

SPOTLIGHT: Hurricanes head coach Jason Holland has dropped a hint over whether star players Jordie Barrett and Ardie Savea will stay at the franchise beyond this season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Fiji will be without backline star Semi Radradra for their Test series against the All Blacks with uncapped halfback Mosese Sorovi among the new faces.

NEWS: Biarritz are facing an inquiry by prosecutors over a mass pitch invasion by rugby fans flouting Covid distancing rules after their derby win over Bayonne on the weekend.

REACTION: Sharks coach Sean Everitt refused to blame the pre-match drama - which forced him into withdrawing two Springboks - for their loss to the Bulls.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has gone with form over reputation, including 11 uncapped players in his 38-man squad to take on France in a three-Test series next month.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi's exit from the Stormers was another transfer that raised a couple of eyebrows.

VIDEO: Want to know what players get up to on tour? Watch as three retired Springbok unpack some of the behind the scenes events.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland has confirmed his 26-man training squad for Jersey

MATCH REPORT: Wales scrumhalf Kieran Hardy grabbed two tries but it wasn’t enough to secure victory as Edinburgh scored two converted tries in the last four minutes to earn a 28-28 draw in an entertaining finale to the season at Parc y Scarlets.

REACTION: Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika and proud club man Morgan Turinui have dissected the NSW Waratahs' season from hell.

RAINBOW CUP MATCH REPORT: The Bulls scored three tries in a 10-minute period in the second half to book their place in the Final with a 34-22 win over the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Defending champions Exeter staged an extraordinary fightback with 14 men to beat Sale 20-19 and book a home play-off against the same opponents.

MATCH REPORT: The Blues' first-half display proved enough for a 31-21 win over Western Force on Saturday.

PRE-SEASON MATCH REPORT: The Cheetahs suffered their second pre-season loss when an inspired Griquas beat them 23-19 in Kimberley.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White explains the selection that may yet unearth another world-class blindside flank for South Africa.

MATCH REPORT: The Chiefs have completed the NSW Waratahs' season from hell with a 35-7 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman beating in Sydney.

SPOTLIGHT: Jesse Kriel believes the Top League is just as intense and physical as any other top rugby competition around the world.

NEWS: Premiership Rugby confirmed that London Irish’s Premiership Rugby match against Bristol Bears - scheduled for Saturday - has been called off.

PRO14 RAINBOW CUP: Retiring duo Scott Fardy and Michael Bent bowed out on a winning note as Leinster closed out the Pro14 Rainbow Cup with a 38-7 bonus-point victory over the Dragons at the RDS.

PRO14 RAINBOW CUP REPORT: Gavin Coombes scored four tries as Munster secured second place in the northern section of the ProO14 Rainbow Cup with a convincing 54-11 victory over Zebre in Parma.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Rainbow Cup South African Round Six match between the Sharks and Bulls at Kings Park.

MATCH REPORT:  Crusaders cruised to a comfortable 52-26 win over the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday. 

SPOTLIGHT: The Springbok Sevens squad received a boost in their Olympic preparation on Friday when stalwarts Stedman Gans, Dylan Sage and Mfundo Ndhlovu all made successful returns to the team.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Junior Springboks coach Bafana Nhleko on Saturday named George Cronje to lead the team in the forthcoming Under-20 International Series.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Round Five encounter between the Blues and Western Force in Auckland.

MATCH REPORT: The Highlanders kept their hopes of reaching the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final alive with a 33-12 win over Brumbies.

NEWS: The Sharks have been forced to tweak their backline ahead of their Rainbow Cup SA decider against the Bulls in Durban.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Round Five encounter between the Melbourne Rebels and the Crusaders in Sydney.

FINAL SHOOT-OUT: An outbreak of COVID-19 cases in the Ospreys camp has gifted Italian side Benetton a place in the June 19 Final.

SPOTLIGHT: Interim coach Kevin Foote has one last chance to push his case to become Melbourne Rebels coach, when they take on the Crusaders in Sydney on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: With Duane Vermeulen’s surgery and the 'fire pit accident' dominating headlines, Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber has some much-needed positive news for Bok fans.

NEWS: World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit will make his last appearance in a Stormers jersey if he features in their Rainbow Cup outing against the Lions on Saturday.

CRASHING THE PARTY: The Highlanders should brace for a frosty reception as the Brumbies plot to eliminate New Zealand's unbeaten high-flyers from the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman title race on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: It was the perfect send-off for fifteen-Test All Black Ngani Laumape as Hurricanes secured a 43-14 win over the Reds on Friday.

THE LAST SHOT: The battle to finish top of the Premiership table and for the remaining European top tier spots will be decided this Saturday, as the regular season draws to a dramatic close.

NEWS: Australia’s quest to host the 2027 World Cup has come under threat following news that the United States has been accepted as a bid candidate.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Round Five encounter between the Brumbies and Highlanders in Canberra.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Eddie Jones has named a 34-player England squad as they begin preparations for their summer series of fixtures.

SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones will pay careful attention to soccer's European Championship in search of ideas to strengthen his own performance as England rugby coach.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sharks captain Lukhanyo Am has outlined what his team need to do in order to secure a Rainbow Cup final spot.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs have escaped unscathed from the COVID-19 scare that forced the cancellation of their pre-season outing against the Pumas.

BREAKING NEWS: The Rainbow Cup SA match between the Lions and Stormers, scheduled for Cape Town on Saturday, has been cancelled.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Round Five encounter between the Hurricanes and Reds in Wellington.

INTERVIEW: Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has a few injury concerns ahead of the three-Test series against France in July.

SPOTLIGHT: Duhan van der Merwe is a British and Irish Lions player who is set to attract plenty of focus on this year’s tour to South Africa.

TRANSFER NEWS: Newcastle Falcons have bolstered their tight-five stocks with the signing of Worcester Warriors pair Richard Palframan and George Merrick, both on two-year deals.

REACTION: Jacques Nienaber was not too worried about the burn wounds sustained by Damian de Allende and Rudolph Snyman ahead of the British and Irish Lions series.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Rebels will head into Saturday’s clash eager to end their season on a high note following a trio of stirring performances against the Hurricanes, Highlanders and the Chiefs.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blues have named a settled look to their line-up for the all-important final round of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.

TRANSFER NEWS: Connacht Rugby have further boosted their options for next season with the signing of versatile, Irish-qualified South African Shayne Bolton.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Apart from having to rest an entire front row, a rash of injuries have also forced Sharks coach Sean Everitt to delay the naming of his bench.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Western Force finish their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman campaign this Saturday against the top of the table Blues at Eden Park in Auckland.

SPOTLIGHT: Uncapped No.8 Jasper Wiese will only fly out to join up with the Springboks at the end of the Premiership season next weekend. Liam Heagney reports.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The NSW Waratahs have named their team to face the Chiefs in Round Five of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan has named his team to face the Waratahs in Sydney at Brookvale Oval for their final round-robin Super Rugby Trans-Tasman clash.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks will not be bringing in cover for Duane Vermeulen, despite the No.8 undergoing surgery on Wednesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has made a few interesting selections for the Rainbow Cup crunch match with the Sharks at Kings Park on Saturday.

NEWS: The 'northern’ representative in the Rainbow Cup Final has been revealed.

NEWS: Brumbies wing Tom Wright has re-signed with the club and Rugby Australia for a further two seasons until the end of the 2023 season.

NEWS: Sale won’t have South African lock JP du Preez available should they reach the Premiership final on June 26.

NEWS: The logistics are still being thrashed out ahead of Australia's three-Test series against France.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies Nic White, Irae Simone and Tom Wright have all been named to start for the Brumbies in their final Super Rugby Trans-Tasman fixture on Friday.

NEWS; A neck injury means skipper Matt Toomua is set to miss Melbourne's final Super Rugby Trans-Tasman round against New Zealand champions, the Crusaders.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson unpacks the reasons behind Springbok hooker Mbongeni Mbonambi's departure to the Sharks.

REACTION: Seasoned Springbok World Cup winner Duane Vermeulen underwent surgery on Wednesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Reds have made three changes to their starting XV for Friday's Super Rugby Trans-Tasman fixture against the Hurricanes in Wellington.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Crusaders are preparing for their all-important clash with the Melbourne Rebels at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Hurricanes have made four changes to their starting XV for their match against the Reds on Friday.

WATCH as Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber unpacks the decision to select veteran flyhalf Morné Steyn ahead of the talented young Curwin Bosch. Jan de Koning reports.

NEWS: The referees for the upcoming British and Irish Lions series have been revealed.

NEWS: The South African exodus from struggling French club Montpellier continues.

WATCH as WPPR (Pty) Ltd Chairman Ebrahim Rasool discusses the possibility of power-hungry and often gladiatorial clubs ceding control to an equity partner.

INJURY UPDATE: The Lions are preparing for their trip to Cape Town with an ever-growing injury list.

REACTION: Springbok centre Damian de Allende has opened up on the fire pit incident, which left him and fellow Bok RG Snyman with burns ahead of the British and Irish Lions series.

WATCH as the Springboks legend Tendai Mtawarira opens up about his journey from Zimbabwe to World Cup glory.

NEWS: The Bulls will be without one of their key players when they face the Sharks in their Rainbow Cup SA decider in Durban on Saturday.

NEWS: Gloucester's season is over after a second successive match was cancelled because of an outbreak of COVID-19 at the English Premiership club.

NEWS: Eastern Province's preparations for the upcoming season suffered a blow.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The last round of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition has arrived and with it a blanket finish at the top of the table with three unbeaten teams.

NEWS: The Wallabies' new forwards coach has been revealed ahead of the Test season.

NEWS: France received some bad news ahead of their trip to Australia.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Sharks have bolstered their squad with another big signing.

NEWS: Crusaders flyhalf Richie Mo'unga has won a second consecutive Player of the Year award, at the franchise's annual awards ceremony.

NEWS: The NSW Waratahs have 20 players on the injured list ahead of their final round Super Rugby Trans-Tasman clash against the Chiefs that will end a horror year.

NEWS: Former Tonga captain Siale Piutau will leave English Premiership side Bristol at the end of the season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Kyle Sinckler said the past month has been an emotional rollercoaster after originally missing out on selection in the British & Irish Lions squad before being called up for the tour to South Africa at the weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: An enthusiastic group of six Springbok players returned to training in Bloemfontein on Monday.

REACTION: Jake White's Bulls are on the verge of clinching their third historic accolade in South Africa.

REACTION: The Sharks will be looking to "turn the tables" on the Bulls when they meet in their Rainbow Cup SA "decider" at Kings Park on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Springboks pair Damian de Allende and RG Snyman sustained ‘substantial burns to their legs, hands and face’ over this past weekend.

NEWS: Eddie Jones has added to his coaching staff for England's series of fixtures. 

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Wayne Pivac on Monday named five uncapped players in his squad for Test matches against Canada and Argentina next month.

NEWS: All Blacks hardman Wayne 'Buck' Shelford - the player credited with injecting the fear factor into New Zealand's pre-match haka - was awarded a knighthood Monday for services to rugby.

CASTING THE NET WIDE: The decision to lift the ban on players based abroad is beginning to pay dividends for the Springboks.

NEWS: The Melbourne Rebels’ Super Rugby Trans-Tasman match against the Crusaders has been switched from Melbourne to Sydney as authorities battle to contain an outbreak of COVID-19 in Australia’s southern state of Victoria.

REACTION: Veteran Duane Vermeulen appears to be the first major injury casualty ahead of the British and Irish Lions series against the Springboks in July.

NEWS: Former France captain Guilhem Guirado said he plans to retire at the end of next season.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: Exeter Chiefs forward Sam Simmonds has dealt the British and Irish Lions an injury scare ahead of their South Africa tour.

NEWS: The touring British and Irish Lions have been forced into making their first replacement for the trip to South Africa in July.

INTERVIEW: The Cheetahs are just weeks away from making an announcement about their future.

INTERVIEW: Eddie Jones has warned the older members of his current England squad changes will be made between now and the World Cup.

SPOTLIGHT: Wallaby coach Dave Rennie says there will be changes to his training squad named in March with hooker and second row still wide open to face France.

REACTION: Highlanders coach Clarke Dermody has revealed that a half-time talk from one of his assistant coaches helped propel his side to their record-breaking win over the Waratahs in Dunedin at the weekend.

SUPER RUGBY TRANS-TASMAN REPORT: The Chiefs bounced back from an upset loss to the Reds last week by grinding down a battling Melbourne Rebels 36-26 on Sunday.

NEWS: Samoa fullback Tim Nanai-Williams said on Sunday he will leave French Top 14 club Clermont at the end of the season.

REACTION: Former title-winning coach Michael Cheika has implored the Waratahs to address their defensive issues following a record 12th consecutive Super Rugby loss.

TOP 14 WRAP: Australian lock Matt Philip scored twice to keep Pau in the French top tier with Saturday's 41-25 win over Montpellier in the final round of the regular season.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Frans Steyn and Morné Steyn are in line to experience the rare honour of facing the British & Irish Lions for a second time after being named in a dynamic Springbok squad.

REACTION: Leicester Tigers boss Steve Borthwick poured fuel on the fire that was the controversial end to their Premiership home loss to Bristol Bears.

RAINBOW CUP REPORT: The Sharks kept their hopes of qualifying for the Rainbow Cup' 'North v South' final alive with a 33-21 bonus-point win over the Lions in Johannesburg.

WATCH as WPPR (Pty) Ltd Chairman Ebrahim Rasool addresses the ongoing administrative issues surrounding the union, WPRFU, and the Newlands saga.

PRO14 RAINBOW CUP REPORT: Ian Madigan repeated his Murrayfield heroics as he nailed another last-minute kick to hand Ulster a dramatic 34-31 Pro14 Rainbow Cup victory over Edinburgh.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: Bristol Bears held off a late Leicester charge to earn a 26-23 bonus-point win at Welford Road and seal a home semifinal in the Premiership.

SUPER RUGBY TRANS-TASMAN REPORT: The Brumbies were gifted their first win of the competition, as Hurricanes fullback Jordie Barrett missed two kicks in the closing minutes.

SPOTLIGHT: British and Irish Lions guru Ian McGeechan is petitioning for the inclusion of one of Ireland’s current coaching setup, but it’s not head coach Andy Farrell.

PRO14 RAINBOW CUP REPORT: Cardiff Blues completed their Pro14 Rainbow Cup campaign with a comprehensive 37-12 bonus-point victory over Zebre at Cardiff Arms Park.

INJURY UPDATE: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White painted a bleak picture regarding Springboks No.8 Duane Vermeulen.

NEWS: Premiership Rugby confirmed that Bath have been awarded four match points and Gloucester two following the cancellation of their Premiership Round 21 match.

SUPER RUGBY TRANS-TASMAN REPORT: Australia's nightmare continued on Saturday as the Highlanders cruised past a hopelessly outclassed Waratahs team.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White gives an update on the standing of seasoned utility back Cornal Hendricks on the eve of the Springbok squad announcement.

MATCH REPORT: Sale Sharks will go into the final weekend of the Premiership season with a chance of claiming a home semi-final following a dominant 45-12 triumph over fellow title contenders Harlequins.

SPOTLIGHT: Ahead of their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman clash with the Chiefs, Melbourne's Carter Gordon says he's learning a lot playing alongside Wallabies star Matt Toomua.

WATCH the footage that emerged of the now infamous training ground punch-up between two Welsh players.

MATCH REPORT: Glasgow Warriors moved top of the PRO14 Rainbow Cup table with a 15-12 victory over Leinster at Scotstoun.

MATCH REPORT: Connacht knocked Ospreys out of the running for the PRO14 Rainbow Cup with a season-closing 26-19 bonus-point win at the Sportsground.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Rainbow Cup Round Five encounter between the Lions and Sharks at Ellis Park.

SPOTLIGHT: As Jacques Nienaber gets ready to name his Springbok squad on Saturday, several positions will be under the spotlight.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Sharks have bolstered their midfield stocks.

SPOTLIGHT: Sale boss Alex Sanderson hit the nail on the head the other week when he colourfully suggested: "Getting a tighthead that can scrum and run is as rare as teddy bear s***."

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Round Four encounter between the Brumbies and Hurricanes in Canberra.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls bounced back with a hard-fought 31-27 win over the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

SUPER RUGBY TRANS-TASMAN REPORT: The Blues reclaimed top spot on the standings, just hours after conceding it to their compatriots, the Crusaders.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Round Four encounter between the Highlanders and Waratahs in Dunedin.

SUPER RUGBY TRANS-TASMAN REPORT: The decision to rest a raft of their frontline players could come back to haunt the Crusaders.

MUST WIN: The introduction of the North-South Final has added a significant amount of merit and lodestone to the final two rounds of league action in both hemispheres.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Rainbow Cup Round Five encounter between the Bulls and Stormers at Loftus Versfeld.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson reveals the full extent of lock John Schickerling's latest injury setback.

TOP 14 PREVIEW: Japan fullback Kotaro Matsushima said he "can't wait" to return to the Test scene, after a potentially busy end to the season with Clermont - which starts by hosting La Rochelle this weekend.

WATCH as 2019 World Rugby Player of the year Pieter-Steph du Toit names his favourite players from around the globe.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Flyhalf Robert du Preez will don the centre jersey when Sales Sharks host the Harlequins on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: With all four teams confirmed for the Premiership semifinals, the battle for a home tie and a place in next season’s Champions Cup heats up in Round 21 of the regular season.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Round Four match between the Reds and Blues in Brisbane.

THE RARE DOUBLE: Brad Thorn is demanding the Queensland Reds resolve their defensive shortfalls as they chase rare back-to-back Super Rugby wins over New Zealand opposition.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan has named his team to face the Melbourne Rebels in Sydney following a disruptive week.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Round Four match between the Crusaders and Western Force in Christchurch.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Melbourne Rebels’ interim head coach, Kevin Foote, has named a strong match ahead of Sunday’s Round Four match against the Chiefs in Sydney.

NEWS: The Border Bulldogs will return to provincial rugby action for the first time in 17 months when the First Division kicks off later this month.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: In keeping with the theme of consistency, Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen opted with the same 23-man squad for their clash against Sharks.

NEWS: Dual-code international Israel Folau has applied for a Supreme Court injunction against Queensland Rugby League.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has picked a much-changed side for Saturday’s Rainbow Cup SA match against the Lions at Ellis Park.

NEWS: The Currie Cup will be back to normal this year - a double round strength-versus-strength competition.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Rosko Specman will start on the wing in one of four changes to the Stormers starting line-up for their Rainbow Cup SA crunch clash with the Bulls on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has revealed his team to face the Stormers on Friday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Exeter Chiefs have added their second new recruit ahead of the 2021/22 season with the signing of Sean O’Brien from Connacht.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Highlanders return to Forsyth Barr Stadium to face the Waratahs in their last round-robin home game of the season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea is back to lead his squad for Saturday’s crucial Super Rugby Trans-Tasman clash with the Brumbies in Canberra.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Waratahs have named their team to face the Highlanders in Round four of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has made five changes to the starting XV for the side's first home game of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman season against the Hurricanes on Saturday.

NEWS: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is to be part of the British & Irish Lions coaching team for a third time and will join up after the Irish play two Tests in July.

SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones said on Wednesday he has nothing to apologise over for using some of his holidays in April to fulfil a consultancy role with Japanese side Suntory Sungoliath.

WATCH as Springbok loose forward Uzair Cassiem set the Internet ablaze with his unique farewell message to Welsh region Scarlets.

SPOTLIGHT: Since Elton Jantjies' loan move to French club Pau, loads of focus have been placed on the Lions' leadership.

NEWS: The Chiefs v Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby Trans-Tasman match on Sunday will be moved from Hamilton to Sydney.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rosko Specman’s arrival at the Stormers has been met with loads of excitement.

SPOTLIGHT: Former All Blacks hooker James Parsons has outlined what Richie Mo’unga needs to do in order to keep Beauden Barrett out of the New Zealand No 10 jersey.

NEWS: La Rochelle's Fijian centre Levani Botia was on Wednesday suspended for four weeks after his red card in the European Champions Cup defeat by Toulouse.

NORTH V SOUTH: The Stormers coaching team have a big decision to make ahead of their crucial fixtures against the Bulls. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blues will have a full deck of cards in hand for their pivotal clash against the Reds in Brisbane in the penultimate round of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Crusaders are preparing for their last regular-season home game in Christchurch and several players are set to get an opportunity this week.

NEWS: Racing 92's Argentina wing Juan Imhoff is a doubt for the Top 14 play-offs due to a thigh issue, a source close to the French club told AFP.

TRANSFER TALK: Springboks Elton Jantjies is reportedly set to join the Japanese side NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Force head coach Tim Sampson has made four changes to the starting line-up ahead of their encounter against the Crusaders in Christchurch.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Reds have made no changes to their starting XV for Friday’s final home match at Lang Park this year against the Blues.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Interim Scotland boss Mike Blair has named 17 uncapped players in a 37-strong squad for their upcoming fixtures against England A, Romania and Georgia.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks lock Reniel Hugo says discipline remains a major issue for his team as they prepare for their clash against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Western Force prop Tom Robertson predicts Toni Pulu could be a shock Wallabies bolter following the wing’s standout performances for the Perth-based franchise.

NEWS: Damian McKenzie's Super Rugby season is over.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson opens up about the future of World Rugby player of the year Pieter-Steph du Toit.

TRANSFER NEWS: Former Lions and Montpelier prop Johannes Jonker is set to join Premiership side Bath.

SPOTLIGHT: James O'Connor is looking to celebrate a milestone he thought may never come when he leads Queensland against the Blues in their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman clash on Friday.

BlitzBok star Rosko Specman has not wasted any time in joining his new teammates at Newlands on Monday.

OPINION: RugbyPass correspondent Ben Smith wonders which version of Richie Mo'unga will arrive at the All Blacks this year.

VARSITY CUP AWARDS: Cohen Jasper drove away in a new vehicle after winning the Player That Rocks award in the 2021 Varsity Cup.

CONFIRMED: SA Rugby has stepped in to 'assist' Western Province Rugby Football Union, amidst a looming financial crisis. Jan de Koning reports.

VARSITY CUP FINAL REPORT: UP-Tuks survived a second-half fightback from UCT to claim a 34-27 victory in Pretoria on Monday.

NEWS: Gloucester have cancelled Saturday's English Premiership match against Bath and called off all training after a Covid-19 outbreak at the club.

CROSSING THE BORDER: When it was confirmed that two Pacific Island franchises will enter Super Rugby next year, it seemed the fledgling competition had turned a corner.

NEWS: Frik du Preez, Northern Transvaal Legend and South Africa's Player of the 20th Century, was honoured by the Blue Bulls Rugby Union.

NEWS: Saracens are considering appealing against the Championship disputes committee’s decision to rule their game with Hartpury as a draw without any league points awarded.

SPOTLIGHT: No player, no matter how high their entertainment value, is above the laws of the game.

REACTION: Waratahs vice-captain Alex Newsome says Australia's Super Rugby sides have wrongly put New Zealand teams on a pedestal and need to start fronting up.

INTERVIEW: The Lions, like most, if not all franchises, are feeling the financial pinch. However, unlike most, they have decided to lay their cards on the table.

NEWS: Brumbies announced the appointment of Ben Alexander to the Board of Directors as the representative of the Rugby Union Players Association.

SPOTLIGHT: It has been a while for Dylan Sage, but old habits die hard in the Springbok Sevens team.

WATCH as share some unique stories from the brutal British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 2009.

NEWS: SANZAAR confirmed that the Chiefs versus Melbourne Rebels match have been rescheduled due to the ongoing effect of Covid-19.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks camp were delivered a scare in Toulouse’s Top 14 clash against Clermont when star wing Cheslin Kolbe limped from the field after just seven minutes of play.

NEWS: Cheetahs star Rosko Specman is set to feature for the Stormers over the next few weeks.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Exeter Chiefs recorded their biggest win in the Premiership when they smashed Newcastle Falcons 74-3 at Sandy Park on Sunday.

SUPER RUGBY TRANS-TASMAN REPORT: The Melbourne Rebels have been unable to back up Queensland's breakthrough Australian Super Rugby Trans-Tasman victory.

REACTION: Cheetahs captain Ruan Pienaar admitted there were very few positives to take out of his team's shock 35-43 loss to the Invitational XV in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

WATCH as Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber unpacks his goals ahead of the international season. Jan de Koning reports.

MATCH REPORT: The Cheetahs were handed a reality check during their pre-season friendly.

MATCH REPORT: Glasgow Warriors came from behind to record a 27-16 victory over the Dragons at the Cardiff City Stadium.

REACTION: Western Force prop Tom Robertson says the players have been made to pay dearly for a poor Super Rugby Trans-Tasman defensive display against the Hurricanes.

MATCH REPORT: Benetton maintained their 100 percent record in the PRO14 Rainbow Cup with a 20-12 victory over 14-man Connacht.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP:  Harlequins guaranteed their presence in the Premiership play-offs after edging Bath 44-33 in a roller-coaster afternoon at Twickenham Stoop.

SPOTLIGHT: Unbeaten UCT will go into Monday’s decider as favourites, but UP-Tuks appear to be peaking at the right time of the tournament.

SUPER RUGBY TRANS-TASMAN REPORT: The Reds survived a late fightback from the Chiefs to secure a thrilling 40-34 win in Townsville on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY TRANS-TASMAN REPORT: The Blues climbed back to the top of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman standings after they thumped the Brumbies 38-10 at Eden Park on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY TRANS-TASMAN REPORT: The Crusaders ran in eight tries on their way to a 54-28 win over the Waratahs in Wollongong on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Rassie Erasmus, South Africa's Director of Rugby and coach of 2019 World Cup-winning Springboks, expects the touring B&I Lions to play a fast, open game.

INTERVIEW: As Eben Etzebeth nurses himself back to fitness, he is thinking of the "massive" British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

REACTION: After 13 matches between Australian and New Zealand opposition in the Trans Tasman Super Rugby competition, the Queensland Reds finally ended Aussie teams' losing streak in their 40-34 win over the Waikato Chiefs.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the pre-season friendly between the Cheetahs and an Invitation XV in Bloemfontein.

WATCH as Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie and his captain Ruan Pienaar talk about the veteran scrumhalf's Springbok prospects. Jan de Koning report.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Round Three match between the Reds and Chiefs in Townsville.

MATCH REPORT: The Western Force have been dealt a brutal reality check about rugby life in New Zealand, with the Hurricanes running in seven tries to nil in a 43-6 Napier romp.

NEWS: The RFU have taken the decision to postpone Saracens’ final game of the regular Championship season with Hartpury.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Round Three match between the Blues and Brumbies in Auckland.

NEWS: Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber will name a 'full-strength' team to face Georgia in two warm-up matches in July.

TOP 14 REPORT: Joris Segonds booted 26 points to help Stade Francais to a 46-27 victory over Lyon on Friday, a fifth consecutive Top 14 win that sees them temporarily leapfrog Toulon into sixth place in the table.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Trans_tasman Round Three match between the Waratahs and Crusaders in Wollongong.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: More than a dozen New Zealand-based players, including five from club rugby, have been named in the latest Manu Samoa squad to face the Maori All Blacks and Tonga in June and July.

NEWS: The Sharks have used the bye week to sign contract extensions with a host of their most talented young players.

NEWS: Toulouse wing Cheslin Kolbe has added the Champions Cup Try of the Season award to his Champions Cup winners’ medal.

AUSSIE STRUGGLERS: The Western Force are treating their first foray into New Zealand territory in four years as somewhat of a home affair.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Sale Sharks booked a play-off place and kept their hopes of a home semifinal alive after a 22-12 victory over league leaders Bristol on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Australia and former Reds captain Samu Kerevi is reportedly set to chase an Olympic medal in Tokyo with the sevens squad.

RAINBOW CUP PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Munster gave retiring duo Christiaan Stander and Tommy O’Donnell a winning Thomond Park send-off.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs are going to stay true to their DNA and play an expansive game in their encounter with and Invitation XV in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

VARSITY CUP SEMIFINAL WRAP: UP-Tuks dethroned Maties, before UCT dominated NWU at Tuks Stadium on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Melbourne Rebels have welcomed back Lachie Anderson to its starting XV for Sunday's clash against the Highlanders in Sydney.

MASSIVE MOVES: Several massive clashes await in the Rainbow Cup this weekend that will see teams edge closer to who will contest the final on June 19 against the South African winner.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: A tumultuous week will end with the Highlanders playing in the bustling western suburbs of Sydney rather than the tranquillity of Queenstown.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: The season has entered the home straight and we have six more mouth-watering contests to further whet the appetite.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springbok coaching staff were both satisfied and encouraged by the ongoing progress of the squad preparations ahead of the upcoming international season.

NEWS: One of Ulster's stalwarts has announced his retirement from the professional game.

NEWS: The venue for the ‘North v South’ Rainbow Cup Final on Saturday, June 19 has been confirmed.

PREVIEW: Stade Francais host Lyon on Friday seeking a fifth consecutive league win that would go a long way in helping the capital side into the Top 14 play-offs.

NEWS: British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland has named the backroom staff for the 2021 Lions Series in South Africa.

SPOTLIGHT: Wasps boss Lee Blackett has warned that Rugby Union must avoid soccer-style red card appeals to the referee by players who are the victims of high tackles.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: The Harlequins career of Mike Brown is over after the England fullback failed in his appeal to get the six-match ban he was given for a stamp reduced.

TRANSFER NEWS: Two Currie Cup-winning captains are returning to Cape Town.

WATCH as we bring you one of the most fortuitous tries ever.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Reds have made four changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s clash against the Chiefs in Townsville.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blues are under no illusions about the challenge facing them from the Brumbies in the third-round clash of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman at Eden Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan has named his team to face the Queensland Reds in Townsville, following his side's 40-19 win over the Brumbies last weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Captain Allan Alaalatoa will become just the 14th player to represent the  Brumbies in 100 Super Rugby matches when he leads the side against the Blues at Eden Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders captain Scott Barrett re-joined the team in Coogee this week and will resume the captaincy on Saturday when the team takes on the Waratahs in Wollongong.

NEWS: Melbourne's Super Rugby Trans-Tasman clash with the Highlanders will be played in Sydney on Sunday with the Rebels unable to fly to New Zealand for the match.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson and Western Province Professional Rugby Chairman Ebrahim Rasool take exception to inaccurate media reports on player salaries.

WATCH as we bring you the five finalists for the European Cup Try of the Season.

NEWS: All members of the British and Irish Lions squad have received their first coronavirus vaccinations ahead of the summer tour to South Africa.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs may not have the 'easy' practice match some thought it would be, when they face an Invitation XV in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Unwanted in Australia and on the verge of giving rugby away three years ago, Ben Gunter is now poised to realise his childhood dream and take on the British and Irish Lions.

NEWS: Quinn Tupaea has recommitted to the Chiefs, inking a new deal with the club.

TRANSFER NEWS: Northampton Saints confirmed that Reuben Bird-Tulloch, Tommy Mathews, Ryan Olowofela and Tui Uru will leave the Club at the end of the season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Waratahs have named their team to face the Crusaders in Round Three of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition.

WATCH All Blacks great Sir John Kirwan has revealed he has deep concerns about New Zealand’s upcoming test matches against Tonga and Fiji in July.

TRANSFER NEWS: France centre Geoffrey Doumayrou is to leave La Rochelle at the end of the season to return to his home town club of Montpellier, the Top 14 club announced on Wednesday.

SPOTLIGHT: Former All Blacks stars Jeff Wilson and Mils Muliaina have ranked Crusaders playmaker Richie Mo’unga as the greatest Super Rugby player of all-time.

NEWS: Melbourne Rebels versus Highlanders Super Rugby Trans-Tasman fixture will be played in Queenstown or Sydney.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Western Force continue to prepare for its first away fixture of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman season against the Hurricanes in Napier at McLean Park on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hurricanes coach Jason Holland continues to utilise his squad to create competition for positions.

SPOTLIGHT: Varsity Cup, which has earned a strong reputation for innovation, will use the Smart Ball during Friday’s semi-finals at Tuks Stadium as well as the final at the same venue on Monday.

INJURY UPDATE: New Scotland centre Cameron Redpath is unlikely to play again this year after Bath confirmed he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in their recent Premiership loss to Sale and will now undergo surgery this Wednesday.

SPOTLIGHT: France coach Fabien Galthie wants "two complete teams" for the tour to Australia in July in order to combat the twin problems of Covid quarantine and a crammed fixture list, he said in an interview with Sud-Ouest on Tuesday.

WATCH as we bring you an analysis of the World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit.

SPOTLIGHT: Western Force chief executive Tony Lewis has urged Rugby Australia to forge ties with Asia to create another competition that will better prepare players for the rigours of Super Rugby.

REACTION: The Lions are finally beginning to reap the reward for their hard work of the last six months, but the real challenge now is "consistency".

TEAM OF THE WEEK: Sean Holley takes a stab at naming the best players from 16 teams in the Rainbow Cup.

CONTRACT NEWS: The Bulls may have lost their first match at the weekend, but they have scored big in the contract department.

VARSITY CUP WRAP: NWU beat CUT 35-32 at the Tuks B-Field on Tuesday to book their place in the Varsity Cup semi-finals, while Wits finished their campaign on a high.

CONTRACT NEWS: After an outstanding rookie Super Rugby season in the backrow, Canberra-local Rory Scott has re-signed with the Brumbies until the end of 2023.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Japan boss Jamie Joseph on Monday named 19 of Japan's World Cup heroes in his first squad since their historic 2019 exploits for "huge" matches against the British and Irish Lions and Ireland.

REACTION: The Springboks may not have played for 19 months, but the form of several key players suggest they will pose a real threat to the British and Irish Lions.

NEWS: The Cheetahs will face an ‘Invitational’ team – consisting of talent from South Africa’s Rainbow Cup franchises – at the Free State Stadium on Saturday.

NEWS: Wasps announced that Academy product Charlie Atkinson has extended his contract with the Club and has been promoted to next season’s first team squad.

SPOTLIGHT: Former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has thrown his support behind one of his former Crusaders teammates to fill in for national skipper Sam Cane over the coming months.

NEWS: The Junior Springboks will make a welcome return to the international stage.

SPOTLIGHT: With their hopes of securing a second Super Rugby title dead in the water, Queensland are out to restore some pride against the Chiefs in Townsville on Saturday.

NEWS: New Zealand suspended quarantine-free travel with Australia's Victoria state over a new coronavirus cluster Tuesday, the fourth time the trans-Tasman travel bubble has been disrupted since it opened last month.

REACTION: Mining magnate Clive Palmer has given the Queensland Rugby League until Wednesday to register Israel Folau to play for a Gold Coast third-tier club.

SPOTLIGHT: Winless Melbourne say they need to throw the first punch if they want to be in the fight with the Highlanders, who they meet in Round Three of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman on Sunday.

VARSITY WRAP: CUT claimed a thrilling 41-40 victory against UP-Tuks at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday, while there were also Round 9 wins for UCT, NWU, Wits and Maties.

TRANSFER NEWS: A familiar face will be heading back to Bloemfontein.

REACTION: The Sharks' second defeat of the season has highlighted a couple of problem areas in Sean Everitt's squad.  

REACTION: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White admits his side's decision-making under pressure proved to be costly.

REACTION: Former Scotland coach Matt Williams has not held back when criticising the “over-officious” performance of the English referees in the Champions Cup Final.

REACTION: The Stormers' 25-22 win over the Sharks on Saturday was accompanied by a massive sigh of relief. 

REACTION: Jerome Kaino said it felt "unreal" to have helped Toulouse win a record fifth European Champions Cup title after a tense 22-17 victory over 14-man La Rochelle in an all-French final at Twickenham on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: All Black Beauden Barrett ended his one-season stint in Japan empty-handed after losing in Sunday's Top League final, but hinted he may return after the 2023 World Cup.

REACTION: A nine-try rout by the Crusaders over the Reds has rammed home the gulf between the Trans-Tasman nations that coach Scott Robertson admits is still easy to see.

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Toulouse beat 14-man La Rochelle 22-17 to win the Champions Cup Final in a thrilling finish at Twickenham on Saturday.

RAINBOW CUP SA MATCH REPORT: The Lions finally got their first win of the season, beating the Bulls 34-33 in a thrilling affair at Ellis Park on Saturday.

RAINBOW CUP SA MATCH REPORT: Replacement flyhalf Tim Swiel landed a penalty three minutes from time to secure the Stormers a crucial second win.

CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: Montpellier held on to edge out Leicester 18-17 in the European Challenge Cup final at Twickenham on Friday.

SUPER RUGBY TRANS-TASMAN REPORT:  Richie Mo’unga scored a hat-trick the Crusaders smash the Queensland Reds in their Super Rugby Tran-Tasman match on Saturday. 

SUPER RUGBY TRANS-TASMAN REPORT: The Chiefs have extended New Zealand’s undefeated start to Super Rugby Trans-Tasman to nine matches after they toppled the Brumbies 40-19 at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton on Saturday.

NEWS: South Africa will contest the Rugby Championship this year and co-host the Southern Hemisphere tournament with Australia and New Zealand, officials said Friday.

WATCH as we bring you Episode Two of the #SpiritofRugby series with unique stories of the iconic British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 1997.

WATCH all the action and celebration as Toulouse secured their fifth Champions Cup trophy.

REACTION: Western Force coach Tim Sampson says a 15-25 loss to the Highlanders was the reality check his team needed ahead of their three-match swing in New Zealand.

SUPER RUGBY TRANS-TASMAN REPORT: The Hurricanes kept the New Zealand teams' flawless record intact with a 35-13 win over Melbourne Rebels on Friday.

NEWS: Controversial code-hopper Israel Folau is attempting to make a comeback to Australian Rugby League via an amateur Gold Coast club.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Rainbow Cup South Africa Round Four match between the Lions and Bulls at Ellis Park.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White explains what threats the Lions pose to his team in their showdown at Ellis Park on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Rainbow Cup South Africa Round Four match between the Sharks and Stormers at Kings Park.

LA ROCHELLE V TOULOUSE: One's a beast. The other's a freak. And if one of them doesn't get you, reckons Will Skelton, the other one will.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Round Two encounter between the Reds and Crusaders in Brisbane.

WATCH as Stormers captain Steven Kitshoff opens up about his team's famed scrumming power. Jan de Koning reports.

SPOTLIGHT: The Reds have welcomed back their stars to face the Crusaders in a game former captain James Horwill anticipates could have a huge impact on the code.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Round Two encounter between the Chiefs and Brumbies in Hamilton.

INTERVIEW: La Rochelle star Dillyn Leyds sheds light on the 'disappointing call which halted his Springboks dream.

SUPER RUGBY TRANS-TASMAN REPORT:  The Blues have returned to the summit of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman table after condemning the Waratahs to their 10th successive defeat on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rugby Australia Chief Executive Andy Marinos reveals all are in good spirit following a meeting with the Member Unions.

MOMENTOUS SHOWDOWN IN SHARK TANK: It will be brutal when the Sharks and Stormers go head-to-head in a crunch match in Durban on Saturday.

NEWS: Two New Zealand rugby clubs have vowed to crack down on bad behaviour following an on-field fight.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has tweaked his team for the trip down the N1 to Johannesburg.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has been forced into making a change ahead of his team's Rainbow Cup South Africa Round Four match.

SUPER RUGBY TRANS-TASMAN REPORT: The Western Force have been made to pay dearly for their ill-discipline during a 15-25 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman loss to the Highlanders in Perth.

NEWS: Rugby Australia and the Queensland Rugby Union announced the re-signing of flyhalf James O’Connor through to the end of 2023.

NEWS: Bath Rugby confirmed that Girvan Dempsey will leave at the end of the 2020/21 season when his contract finishes.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sharks supporters will have to wait another two weeks for Springboks star Makazole Mapimpi to take to the field.

VARSITY CUP WRAP: UWC blew the Varsity Cup semi-final race wide open with a 60-19 thrashing of CUT, while there were also Round 8 wins for UFS Shimlas, Maties, UP-Tuks and UCT on Thursday.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks candidates and management staff were given a BIG "reality check" at the recent alignment caps.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson explains why they might discard their expansive approach against the Sharks this coming Saturday.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Mike Brown is to appeal against the six-match ban for stamping that threatens to bring his Harlequins career to an abrupt end, it was announced Thursday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Round Two encounter between the Hurricanes and Melbourne Rebels in Wellington.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Both the Sharks and the Stormers will run out onto Jonsson Kings Park looking for a big performance in this Saturday’s Rainbow Cup SA match when the two teams meet in the return leg of the competition.

NEWS: Australia launched its bid to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup, calling it a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" which would generate billions of dollars and return the sport to its former glories.

NEWS: Former Australia head coach Michael Cheika has been named Director of Rugby at Japanese side NEC Green Rockets, the club announced Thursday.

CHAMPS V CHAMPS: The Australian teams will be desperate to avoid another white-wash when they face the New Zealand sides this weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Reds will be bolstered by the return of seven Wallabies squad members in their starting side for the showdown with the Crusaders.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Crusaders are preparing for their first trip across the Tasman since March last year, and will travel to Brisbane on Thursday ahead of their match against the Reds on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Cheslin Kolbe admitted the tension surrounding Toulouse's quest for a fifth European Champions Cup title was affecting him.

NEWS: Perry Baker, a two-time World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, headlines a string of top-flight recruits to the new Premier Rugby Sevens pro league set to debut later this year.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Wasps prop Ben Morris and Gloucester lock Matias Alemanno will miss the remainder of the 2020/21 Premiership campaign after each player was given a three-match ban following red-carded tackles.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Waratahs have named their team to face the Blues in Round Two of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blues return to their fortress of Eden Park to host their first Australian opponents in over a year.

WATCH as the British and Irish Lions start to stir up the emotions ahead of their eight-match trip to South Africa.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Australian Capital Territories products Ryan and Lachlan Lonergan will become the first set of brothers from Canberra to start for the Brumbies.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan has named his team to face the Brumbies on home soil following their nail-biting 20-19 win over the Western Force last weekend.

WATCH as two South African players look ahead to their arm-wrestle in the European Cup Final at Twickenham on Saturday.

NEWS: Italy's new head coach has been revealed.

SPOTLIGHT: La Rochelle coach Ronan O'Gara has warned his side will be up against an attack few Test teams can match when they face the "X-factor" threat of French rivals Toulouse in this weekend's European Champions Cup final.

INJURY UPDATE: Sharks No.8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe's dream of a Springbok comeback has been shattered.

NEWS: Toulouse's Australian playmaker will likely not be fit in time for Saturday's European Champions Cup Final against La Rochelle, according to coach Ugo Mola.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Stormers have been bolstered by the return of a number of key players for their Rainbow Cup SA match against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

NEWS: The British & Irish Lions have confirmed that the 1888 Cup match against Japan at Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday, June 26 will welcome a crowd of 16 500 supporters.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Melbourne Rebels will welcome back a wave of Super Rugby experience ahead of Friday’s crucial clash against the Hurricanes in Wellington.

SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks will not be hitting the panic button after their performance against the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Western Force continue their inaugural Super Rugby Trans-Tasman campaign on Friday, when they go head-to-head with the high-flying Highlanders in Perth.

REACTION: Former World Cup-winning All Black coach Steve Hansen has broken his silence on the public feud between the NZR and the NZRPA over the ongoing Silver Lake saga.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Highlanders will welcome back two of their All Blacks stars for their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman clash against the Western Force in Perth on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Fan favourite Ngani Laumape will return to the starting line-up for the Hurricanes when they face the Rebels in the second round of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.

NEWS: The Lions, desperate to end their winless streak, was dealt another cruel blow on Tuesday.

INJURY UPDATE: The Stormers received a significant boost ahead of their crucial Rainbow Cup Round Four encounter with the Sharks.

SPOTLIGHT: Western Force veteran Jeremy Thrush says he loves getting in the face of his fellow Kiwis and he wants to do it again in Friday's clash with the Highlanders.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: Exeter Chiefs No.8 Sam Simmonds broke the record for most tries scored in a season, as his team swept aside London Irish 31-12.

CONTRACT NEWS: The Southern Hemisphere's most dominant and successful team, the Crusaders, secured their future success with a key signing.

NEWS: There was a rash of retirements from players in Europe on Tuesday - two of those very young players forced by injury to end their careers.

NEWS: World Rugby and hosts, SA Rugby, have confirmed the dates for the World Cup Sevens in Cape Town.

TRANSFER NEWS: One of the Lions' loose forwards will be heading to France.

INTERVIEW: The Western Force will look to end a seven-year drought against New Zealand opposition when they face the Highlanders in a Trans-Tasman Round Two encounter in Perth on Friday.

NEWS: The latest eye-tracking technology using Virtual Reality (VR) to help detect concussion has made its debut in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.

VARSITY CUP WRAP: Fullback Zander du Plessis kicked an 83rd-minute penalty goal to give UP-Tuks a 42-39 win against UFS Shimlas at Loftus Versfeld on Monday, while there were also Round 7 victories for Maties and UCT.

SPOTLIGHT: Plans for a club World Cup, every four years but not before 2024, are "progressing very nicely", according to Vincent Gaillard, head of the body that organises European Cup rugby.

CHAMPIONS CUP NEWS: La Rochelle's Fiji centre Levani Botia remains a doubt for this weekend's European Final, despite returning to training.

REACTION: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen was full of praise for young flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse after his team's narrow 37-39 loss to the Stormers on Saturday.

TRANSFER TALK: Former Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has reportedly been linked with the head coaching job at Italian club Rovigo Delta.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Newcastle Falcons mounted a second-half surge to claim back-to-back Premiership victories at Kingston Park Stadium on Monday.

REACTION: Rugby Australia chief Andy Marinos concedes there's a gulf in standard between Australian rugby and the might of New Zealand but remains "absolutely" confident the Wallabies will beat France in July's three-Test series.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby have confirmed that the All Blacks will host their Pacific Island neighbours in a historic Test window in July.

REACTION: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has vented his frustrations after his side had to rely on a missed conversion from Noah Lolesio to secure victory over the Brumbies on Saturday.

NEWS: Dual-code star Kyle Eastmond has hung up his boots saying he no longer has the passion "to influence the game".

SPOTLIGHT: France great Frederic Michalak warned the Wallabies that France would be at their flamboyant best as they chase a rare Test victory on Australian soil in July.

SPOTLIGHT: The Waratahs aren't ruling out sending an SOS for Wallabies captain Michael Hooper as they look to resuscitate their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman campaign.

TRANSFER NEWS: Exeter Chiefs newcomer Josh Iosefa-Scott admits he is relishing the challenge that lies ahead after officially confirming his move to the reigning Premiership champions.

REACTION: It was almost a case of men against boys at Loftus Versfeld this past weekend, as the Bulls overtook the Sharks in the race for a place in the Rainbow Cup Final.

REACTION: The Stormers finally broke their Rainbow Cup drought, but it may have come at a price.

REACTION: Jake White is renowned as a coach with a knack for motivating his players.

TOP LEAGUE WRAP: Former Wallaby coach Robbie Deans has guided Panasonic Wild Knights to Japan's Top League Final for the fifth time in eight years.

RAINBOW CUP REPORT: Ospreys maintained their interest in the competition with a bonus-point 42-26 win over Dragons in an entertaining game at Rodney Parade.

TOP 14 WRAP: Toulouse's forward coach Jean Bouilhou said his side were distracted, after being beaten 32-28 at home by struggling Bayonne.

REACTION: After a horror start to Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, the Melbourne Rebels at least have three Wallabies squad members back to face the Hurricanes.

NEWS: Loosehead prop Aidan Ross and hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho have recommitted to the Chiefs, both inking a new deal with the franchise.

PRO14 RAINBOW CUP REPORT: Glasgow Warriors bagged their second bonus-point victory over Edinburgh in successive weeks with a 31-24 Rainbow Cup win at Murrayfield.

RAINBOW CUP REPORT: The Bulls climbed to the top of the Rainbow Cup SA standings after they thumped the Sharks 43-9 in Pretoria on Saturday.

NEWS: Former All Black captain Kieran Read has officially retired from the game following Verblitz’s semifinal loss to the Wild Knights at the weekend.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Ellis Genge scored a brace and was sent to the sin-bin as Leicester Tigers held off another late Harlequins comeback to claim a thrilling 35-29 victory over the visitors at Welford Road.

PRO14 RAINBOW CUP REPORT: Benetton enhanced their status as the Pro14 Rainbow Cup’s unlikely pace-setters with a 34-27 victory over Zebre in Treviso.

PRO14 RAINBOW CUP REPORT: Jarrod Evans kicked a late penalty to secure Cardiff Blues a third victory this season over the Scarlets, winning 29-28 in Llanelli.