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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.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The 2007 World Cup-winning Springboks coach Jake White has stated it would be ‘unfair’ to send the Springbosk to this year’s Rugby Championship.

OPINION: @rugby365 columnist and two-time World Rugby Junior Championship winner Eugene Eloff takes a look at the dramatic decline in refereeing standards in South Africa.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok Handre Pollard opens up about his life, injury and reports of his 'big' income.

OPINION: RugbyPass scribe Hamish Bidwell takes a look at how easy - or difficult - it is to beat the All Blacks.

SEPARATING THE FACTS FROM THE FLUFF: The Western Province Rugby Football Union is keen on a face-to-face meeting with Marco V Masotti.

OPINION: Dave Rennie’s Wallabies were handsomely defeated 7-27 at Eden Park, Auckland by a disciplined All Black outfit who revelled in the mistake-riddled Wallaby performance.

OPINION: The All Blacks were looking for a better performance against the Wallabies after the 16-all draw last weekend in Wellington.

WATCH as the new Chairman of the board of Western Province Professional Rugby (Pty) Ltd fronts up to the media for the first time since his appointment last month.

SUPER RUGBY UNLOCKED SPOTLIGHT: 'They will terrorise teams for years to come.' This is the verdict of Stormers coach Rito Hlungwani on his team's lock pairing.

SPOTLIGHT: The Cheetahs have been proactive since there recent expulsion from Pro14.

REACTION: A lot can change in seven days, especially when it comes to Test rugby. 

INJURY UPDATE: Leinster have confirmed that Jordan Larmour is set to be out of action for up to 16 weeks following a procedure on a shoulder injury.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England prop Ellis Genge has called for rugby’s archaic contracts to be updated as a matter of urgency.

INJURY UPDATE: New Zealand will get some serious muscle back for the next leg of the Bledisloe Cup series.

REACTION: Lions captain and flyhalf Elton Jantjies caused plenty of problems for the Stormers in their Super Rugby Unlocked clash at Newlands on Saturday.

UNDER-21 WRAP: The Blue Bulls were in rampant form as they scored 10 tries to book their spot in the SA Rugby Under-21 Championship Final with an impressive 72-26 win over the Sharks at Emirates Airline Park on Sunday.

REACTION: All Blacks wing Caleb Clarke had some unusual information for reporters after Sunday's Bledisloe Cup match.

WATCH as we bring you some of the best tries by South African players in the French Top 14.

REACTION: Stormers head coach John Dobson has given an update on two of his players who left the field injured during his team's 23-17 win over the Lions at Newlands.

REACTION: Wallaby prop James Slipper promised that his side will improve on an error-strewn display in Auckland when they next face arch-rivals New Zealand in the Bledisloe Cup.

Nigel Owens involved in bizarre timekeeping exchange as the Champions Cup final runs out of time.

REACTION: Bristol Bears head coach Pat Lam said his team will be ready to play in the Premiership Final if Wasps are kicked out due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

WATCH: This player cam of Caleb Clarke shows exactly why the 21-year-old is the talk of the town.

BLEDISLOE CUP II REPORT: A rollicking second half by an aggressive All Blacks downed Australia 27-7 in Auckland on Sunday to answer their critics.

SUPER RUGBY UNLOCKED REPORT: The Stormers started their campaign in South Africa's new domestic competition with a win.

TRANSFER NEWS: Another All Blacks has taken up an option for a sabbatical in Japan.

SUPER RUGBY UNLOCKED REPORT: The Pumas opened their account with a hard-fought 27-21 win over Griquas in a very hot Kimberley.

REACTION: Wallabies coach Dave Rennie had a direct message for his squad about their high error rate, particularly missing 40 tackles in their Bledisloe Cup match on Sunday.

REACTION: South Africa's coaches are wrestling with the same poser that puzzled their counterparts in New Zealand and Australia in the early stages of their domestic competitions.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Bledisloe Cup Round Two encounter between New Zealand and Australia in Auckland.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Unlocked Round Two encounter between the Stormers and Lions in Cape Town.

REACTION: A former England scrumhalf has slammed Eddie Jones’s treatment of Ben Spencer as a "publicity stunt"

TOP 14 WRAP: France squad member Arthur Retiere scored three tries as La Rochelle trounced Castres 62-3 on Saturday.

EUROPEAN CUP REPORT: Exeter Chiefs beat Racing 92 31-27 in a dramatic Champions Cup Final in Bristol on Saturday.

REACTION: The Cheetahs may have claimed the points, but - like the Bulls - may have paid a dear price.

NEWS: Former Wallabies hooker Adam Freier was named general manager of the Los Angeles Giltinis ahead of their scheduled Major League Rugby debut next March.

CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: Bristol won their first piece of silverware since 1983 on Friday when they defeated Toulon in a European Final.

REACTION: In only his second Test match, Caleb Clarke has well and truly announced himself to the world.

OPINION: Rugbypass columnist Campbell Burnes looks at why All Blacks refused to utilise the drop gaol during the draw against the Wallabies.

JAKE'S JUDGMENT: In his first column for TheXV World Cup-winning coach Jake White believes a broken game can be fixed with a return to old-school values.

NEWS: The All Blacks and Wallabies were sweating over fitness issues on Saturday, the eve of their second Bledisloe Cup clash.

BLEDISLOE CUP ROUND TWO: The "hurting" All Blacks will look to restore pride against Australia at their Eden Park fortress on Sunday.

OPINION: It is not new to South African rugby, but some players just seem to polarise opinion. Damian Willemse is certainly a polarising figure.

STATEMENT: The Cheetahs' battle for a place in rugby's spotlight has become a painfully slow process.

EUROPEAN CUP AWARDS: Exeter forward Sam Simmonds was named Player of the Year shortly after starring in the Chiefs' Champions Cup final win over Racing 92 in Bristol on Saturday.

REACTION: Rassie Erasmus opens up on the decision to withdraw from the Rugby Championship.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the European Cup Final between Exeter Chiefs and Racing 92 at Ashton Gate.

SUPER RUGBY UNLOCKED REPORT: The Cheetahs cemented their place at the top of the standings with a thrilling 19-17 win over a hard-charging Bulls team in Bloemfontein on Friday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Unlocked Round Two encounter between Griquas and the Pumas in Kimberley.

NEWS: Ryan Jones has surprisingly quit his role as Welsh Rugby Union Performance Director.

NEWS: Bristol will play in the Premiership Final against Exeter next week if Wasps are ruled out due to a clutch of coronavirus cases.

NEW KINGS OF EUROPE: Racing 92, having seen off the threat of Covid-19, will hope it's a case of third time lucky when they take on Exeter Chiefs in Saturday's Champions Cup final.

STORMING INTO ACTION: The introduction of Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi and his Stormers team adds a new dimension to South Africa's domestic game.

TEAM NEWS: A host of star names from Saracens will be joining the Barbarians camp on Monday, as the famous club begins preparations for their encounter with England.

CHAMPIONS CUP SPOTLIGHT: Exeter Chiefs coach Rob Baxter says it is vital that his side do not let up as they seek to cap a "fantastic journey" by winning Europe's Grand Finale against Racing 92.

CONTRACT NEWS: Bordeaux-Begles approved an early contract release for All Black centre Seta Tamanivalu.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Injuries and form have forced the All Blacks to make five changes.

TEAM UPDATE: Lions will be without the services of Springbok Willem Alberts for their Super Rugby Unlocked clash against the Stormers.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Unlocked Round Two encounter between the Cheetahs and Bulls in Bloemfontein.

NEWS: The Rugby Championship has turned into the Tr-Nations.

SQUAD NEWS: England boss Eddie Jones has confirmed the 26-man training squad that has convened for a second three-day camp at the Lensbury from Thursday until Saturday, October 17.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Australia coach Dave Rennie has made two changes to his starting line-up to face New Zealand in the second Bledisloe Cup Test in Auckland on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok flank Pieter-Steph du Toit will go up against three-time World Cup winners Dan Carter and Richie McCaw for the Player of the Decade award.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has named a 26-man training squad to convene for a second three-day camp from Thursday until Saturday.

NEWS: Title-chasing Ireland will have to do without Iain Henderson in the upcoming Six Nations games against Italy and France.

WATCH: There's nothing quite like a perfectly timed tackle to get pumped up for the weekend's plethora of matches.

NEWS: French rugby chiefs on Thursday reached a compromise which will allow the national side to play all six games of the extended end-of-year Test window.

REACTION: Renowned 2007 World Cup-winning scrumhalf Fourie Du Preez will play a valuable role in the Bulls' Super Rugby unlocked season.

EUROPEAN RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: This season’s European Rugby Challenge Cup final on Friday will feature two sides in Bristol Bears and RC Toulon who go in search of a first success in the competition.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has made only one change to the team that will face the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: The All Blacks have suffered another injury blow ahead of their second Bledisloe Cup Test on Sunday.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: The New Zealand media has gone into speculation overdrive over South Africa's participation in the SANZAAR championship.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are seven Springboks in the Stormers starting line-up for their Super Rugby Unlocked encounter with the Lions on Saturday.

NEWS: A former Wales star has joined his national team's coaching staff as technical coach for the breakdown and defence.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas revealed their team to face the Pumas in Kimberley on Saturday.

NEWS: SA Rugby advised amateur clubs, universities, and schools that their COVID-19 Committee had approved a proposal to allow teams to return to training under certain strict conditions.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse revealed the captain that will lead his young team into battle against Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: The Wallabies are preparing themselves for their chief tormentor in Sunday's second Bledisloe Cup fixture.

SPOTLIGHT: South African Rugby is in a race against time to come up with some answers for their SANZAAR partners.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Hurricanes have re-signed loose-forward, Gareth Evans through until the end of 2021.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Sam Lousi of Scarlets has been banned for a period of four weeks.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White, has made five changes to his starting line-up for their Round two Super Rugby Unlocked match against the Cheetahs.

SPOTLIGHT: The body that represents the employers of South Africa’s professional rugby players elected Veda Manie (South Western Districts CEO) as its first female executive committee member at its annual meeting on Monday.

BLEDISLOE CUP SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks assistant coach John Plumtree has warned match officials to keep a closer eye on Wallabies' off-the-ball tactics.

NEWS: Wasps' preparations for this month's Premiership final against Exeter Chiefs have been hit by an outbreak of coronavirus at the club.

SPOTLIGHT: Jonathan Davies feared he would never play for Wales again following the injury which sidelined him for almost a year.

NEWS: The NSW Waratahs have secured Chris Whitaker and Jason Gilmore for the next two seasons as Rob Penney finalises his management group ahead of the 2021 Vodafone Super Rugby season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs has made just one change to their matchday squad for their Round Two Super Rugby Unlocked encounter.

INJURY UPDATE: Lock Sam Whitelock is an injury doubt for the second Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia in Auckland, the All Blacks said Wednesday, while Josh Ioane has been called up as flyhalf cover.

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

SPOTLIGHT: Prop Allan Alaalatoa said Wednesday that an outpouring of support in Australia had buoyed the Wallabies after last weekend's thrilling Bledisloe Cup draw in Wellington.

BREAKING NEWS: South Africa's participation in the Southern Hemisphere's Rugby Championship was thrown into more doubt Wednesday.

NEWS: Peter O’Mahony and Chris Farell have not been allowed to join the Ireland squad this week at Carton House after the two Munster players were identified as close contacts of a recent Covid-19 case at their province.

NEWS: The truculent and fractious Westerns Province Rugby Football Union boardroom saga has taken another dramatic turn.

The vastly-experienced Nigel Owens will be taking charge of his seventh Champions Cup final, and his ninth European club decider in all, when Exeter Chiefs go head-to-head with Racing 92 at Ashton Gate on Saturday, 17 October 2020.

INJURY UPDATE: The Lions have provided an update on scrumhalf Dillon Smit and it is far worse than expected.

SQUAD UPDATE: Saracens trio are the latest names to be added to the Barbarians squad for the Quilter Cup match with England at the end of this month.

BLEDISLOE TWO SPOTLIGHT: It’s one of the sport’s most dominant records, but might sail right over the heads of the fresh-faced Wallabies preparing for their first Eden Park experience against the All Blacks on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers coach Dawie Snyman is hoping Rikus Pretorius can fully develop in the senior team after a disrupted year.

REACTION: The Sharks' dual playmaker tactic with Curwin Bosch and Manie Libbok could grow into a lethal weapon as the South African domestic season progresses.

CONTRACT NEWS: The Western Force has extended the stay of two All Blacks in Perth.

OPINION: The Wallabies have announced themselves as a side of the future after working themselves to exhaustion in their 16-all draw with the All Blacks in Wellington. Nick Turnbull rates the Australian players.

OPINION: International rugby made a welcome return as the All Blacks took on Australia in Wellington. Mike Rehu rates the New Zealand players!

BLEDISLOE TWO: Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan delivered a broadside against his New Zealand counterparts Tuesday.

NEWS: South Africa's Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus, and former Springbok World Cup winner Bryan Habana have earned themselves high-profile positions on World Rugby committees.

TRANSFER NEWS: The widespread change in personnel over the Super Rugby offseason has continued at the Highlanders, with the franchise signing Japan star Kazuko Himeno for the 2021 season.

NEWS: Italy's Gloucester scrumhalf Stephen Varney has tested positive for COVID-19.

NEWS: Queensland's long-held ambition to revitalise Ballymore is a step closer after the state government's pre-election AU$15 million promise.

NEWS: The Western Force has further strengthened its forward pack for 2021 with Chris Heiberg and Andrew Ready signing contract extensions with the club.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: European officials plan to welcome a 1 000 supported to the Challenge Cup final on Friday.

WATCH: This video showing a player being sent off in an Under-8 rugby league match is going viral.

INJURY UPDATE: Pumas' already challenging Super Rugby Unlocked campaign has been dealt a cruel blow.

REACTION: There is a lot of doubt over South Africa’s readiness for possible participation in the Rugby Championship but one player who would definitely be ready to front any Springbok challenge, Marcell Coetzee.

NEWS: A key player will miss Ireland's remaining Six Nations matches and the Nations Cup campaign after suffering a dislocated shoulder, his province said Monday.

REACTION: The kick that almost made history for the Wallabies has kept Reece Hodge awake for much of the night following Australia's Bledisloe Cup draw.

NEWS: The Welsh Rugby Union has detailed the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and issued a warning for the year ahead as games continue behind closed doors.

NEWS: The Stade de France will host 10 matches at the 2023 World Cup, the tournament's organising committee announced.

INJURY UPDATE: Lions have only one casualty following their 16-19 defeat to the Sharks in Durban on Friday.

NEWS: Veteran flyhalf Jono Lance has become the latest player to re-sign with the Western Force.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Fiji unveiled their squad for the upcoming Nations Cup.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: More South Africans will be wearing the Scotland jersey soon.

REACTION: The Cheetahs cleared their first hurdle, but now they face a much tougher test - a Jake White-coached Bulls team.

REACTION: Lions captain Elton Jantjies dismissed the notion that 'poor decision-making' is what cost his team a win in Durban.

NEWS: The NSW Waratahs have secured experienced second row, Sam Wykes for the upcoming Super Rugby season – signing a one-year deal to join Rob Penney’s squad.

TOP 14 WRAP: South African World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe scored his sixth try in as many games this season.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Glasgow Warriors picked up their first win of the 2020/21 season, as they overcame 14-man Scarlets 20-7 in an eventful game at Scotstoun.

REACTION: Match officials took centre stage, for all the wrong reasons, after the dramatic 16-all draw between New Zealand and Australia in Wellington on Sunday.

Steve Diamond, Sale Sharks Dir of Rugby is mystified as to why tighthead prop WillGriff John hasn't been selected for the Welsh Autumn campaign?

Robbie Coetzee former Bok hooker has decided to make his way to play rugby in America. He's setting up camp in Austin, Texas with the intention of running out for the Gigronis Club in next years USA Major League Rugby tournament.

MATCH REPORT:  Bulls opened their Super Rugby Unlocked campaign with a hard-fought 30-23 win over a spirited Griquas team at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.  

REACTION: It is a scary thought, but new coach Dave Rennie wants to see more from his Wallabies and promised they 'will get a lot better'.

MATCH REPORT:  Malcolm Jaer showed how lethal he can be during the Cheetahs 53-31 win over the Pumas at the Free State Stadium on Saturday.

REACTION: All Black coach Ian Foster does not blame Rieko Ioane at all for the draw after Ioane dropped the ball in scoring what would have been a sure try.

MATCH REPORT: Exeter Chiefs edged closer to the Premiership/Champions Cup double by cutting loose in the second half at Sandy Park to crush Bath 35-6 and set-up an English league final against Wasps.

MATCH REPORT: CJ Stander's late try and Ben Healy's crucial conversion maintained Munster's unbeaten start to the PRO14 season with a tense 25-23 victory over Edinburgh.

BLEDISLOE CUP REPORT: It required 90 minutes of bone-crunching and thrilling rugby, but nothing could separate New Zealand and Australia in a wet Wellington on Sunday.

REACTION: Although they didn't win, James O'Connor performed superbly at flyhalf for the Wallabies in their 16-all draw with the All Blacks in Bledisloe Cup Round One.

BREAKING NEWS: Springbok fans will have to wait a while longer before hearing if the world champions will take part in the Rugby Championship.

SPOTLIGHT: Is the Western Province Rugby Football Union about to walk away from yet another deal with a company that provided them with a 'loan' to pay off debts?

WATCH all the highlights, including that dramatic kick of almost 60 metres in pouring rain, that could have won the match for the Wallabies.

Exeter's Johnny Hill's clearout of Baths Taulupe Faletau had fans divided. Some howling for a red card and others saying it was just a yellow. See for yourself and make up your own mind.

MATCH REPORT:  Wasps booked their spot in the final with comfortable 47-24 win over Bristol Bears on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Marcell Coetzee and Jacob Stockdale ran Ospreys ragged as Ulster recorded just their second away win of 2020 with an impressive 24-12 win at the Liberty Stadium.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Bledisloe Cup match between New Zealand and Australia in Wellington.

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.

South Africa has lost an incredible rugby giant.

MATCH REPORT: Cardiff Blues continued their excellent start to the 2020/21 PRO14 season with a bonus-point 29-7 win over Connacht at Rodney Parade.

SUPER RUGBY UNLOCKED REPORT: The Sharks held on for a 19-16 win over the Lions in Durban in Round One of Super Rugby Unlocked on Friday.

WATCH as we bring you all the highlight of Super Rugby Unlocked Highlights.  

TOP 14 REPORT: La Rochelle ran out clear winners over Bayonne in Top 14 action on Friday, picking up a bonus point in a 36-19 mauling of the Basque side.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Unlocked Round One encounter between the Bulls and Griquas in Pretoria.

MATCH REPORT: Leinster scored four tries in a hard-fought 37-25 victory at Benetton to make it two wins from their opening two PRO14 games.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Premiership semifinal between Wasps and Bristol Bears in Coventry.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Unlocked Round One encounter between the Cheetahs and Pumas in Bloemfontein.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Premiership semifinal between Exeter Chiefs and Bath in Exeter.

BREAKING NEWS: New Zealand suffered a cruel injury blow Saturday, on the eve of the opening Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia.

SUPER RUGBY UNLOCKED SPOTLIGHT: The Cheetahs know nothing they say or do will change the minds of South African Rugby bosses.

UNDER-21 WRAP: The Blue Bulls scored an impressive 19-0 bonus-point win over the Free State at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Thursday.

PREDICTION TIME: For those armchair critics who feel they know their rugby, pit your skills (or knowledge) against @rugby365com editor Jan de Koning.

WATCH as new All Black coach Ian Foster explains some of his more surprising selections ahead of Bledisloe One.

COMPETITION TIME: Win one of two copies of Lloyd Burnard's latest book, Miracle Men on How Rassie's Springboks Won The World Cup.

REACTION: Dave Rennie said Friday he had no regrets about becoming Wallabies coach and plotting the downfall of his native New Zealand.

BLEDISLOE CUP ROUND ONE: New Zealand and Australia will play the first Test since the pandemic, when they go head-to-head in Wellington on Sunday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Unlocked Round One encounter between the Sharks and Lions in Durban.

NON-STOP ENTERTAINMENT: The opening exchanges of the 2020/21 PRO14 season certainly lived up to expectation as all six games provided a feast of stunning tries, individual brilliance and late drama.

CURRIE CUP IN DISGUISE: There will be a trophy up for grabs on November 21, after seven rounds of the reformatted domestic tournament in South Africa.

BEST OF THE BEST: After 22 rounds of the Premiership action, we reach the semifinal stage with compelling, back-to-back, matches at the Ricoh Arena and Sandy Park.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New All Black coach Ian Foster described his team selection as an 'an exciting blend of experience and rising, young talent'.

PRO14 REPORT: Jordan Williams crossed for a brace as Dragons beat Zebre 26-18 at Rodney Parade to claim their first win of the season.

CONTRACT NEWS: The Hurricanes are working hard at building a powerful team for next year's Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign.

NEWS: France's top administrative court on Friday dismissed an appeal by the French rugby league (LNR) against the country's federation over the extended November Test window.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Wallaby coach Dave Rennie named three debutants Friday in a revamped team to play the All Blacks in the first Bledisloe Cup Test in Wellington this weekend.

NEWS: The Western Force revealed backs Brad Lacey, Jack McGregor and Byron Ralston have signed on for another two years with the club.

TRANSFER NEWS: The NSW Waratahs have re-signed Charlie Gamble for a further season, with the backrow putting pen-to-paper on a one-year deal for the 2021 Super Rugby season.

STATS ATTACK: A look at the who has dominated the South African derbies over the years. 

NEWS: England's Rugby Football Union continues to crack down on doping offenders.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Experienced loose forward Arno Botha will lead a Bulls team jam-packed with Springboks, BlitzBoks and Junior Springbok talent this week.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs will rely on a couple of Springbok veterans when they start their campaign in the new Super Rugby Unlocked competition.

WATCH as All Blacks Coach Ian Foster gives his feelings on the revised Rugby Championship match schedule.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas will head into their Super Rugby Unlocked opener against the Bulls without star recruit CJ Velleman.

TRANSFER TALK: Another All Black is set to spend a season in Japan, according to reports out of New Zealand.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealander James Lowe could soon be wearing the Ireland jersey.

NEWS: World Rugby has announced the appointment of Joe Schmidt as the organisation’s Director of Rugby and High Performance.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Josh Turnbull of Cardiff Blues has been banned for a period of three weeks, following the Pro14 Round 1 fixture against Zebre last weekend.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers head coach John Dobson has confirmed a 47-man squad for the upcoming Super Rugby Unlocked campaign.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springboks wing Cheslin Kolbe can't put a foot wrong in France.

SPOTLIGHT: Rynhardt Elstadt says he is ready to help the Springboks should they need him for the upcoming Rugby Championship.

REACTION: With key outside backs missing, Yaw Penxe will be a valuable addition to the Sharks' squad.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Pumas will have a new leader when they start their campaign in the newly-formed Super Rugby Unlocked competition.

TRANSFER NEWS: Glasgow Warriors have strengthened their back-row depth for the 2020/21 campaign, after agreeing to a loan deal for flank TJ Ioane.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Western Force has added some South American flavour to their 2021 squad with the signing of two Argentinian international players.

WATCH: You have got to feel bad for these defenders who were completely sold by their opponents' dummies.

WATCH: Former England teammates James Haskell and Joe Marler are currently going head to head in a war of words to see who will come out on top.

REACTION: It is certainly going to be an unusual occurrence of having live rugby over the holidays.

NEWS: England will be without another star for their the six-game end-of-year schedule.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks have revealed their team to face the Lions in their opening match of Super Rugby Unlocked in Durban on Friday.

UPDATE: After days of uncertainty Premiership Rugby confirmed that Wednesday's  Premiership match between Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors has been cancelled.

BREAKING NEWS: New Zealand struck a big blow in their petulant board-room standoff with Australia.

SPOTLIGHT: The All Blacks are set to bring in some new faces for their Bledisloe Cup clash against the Wallabies in Wellington on Sunday.

NEWS: A Top 14 club, who have already had to forfeit one game and postpone another because of coronavirus, on Wednesday reported 11 new cases of COVID-19 in their squad.

INJURY UPDATE: Wales star Gareth Anscombe is expected to miss rest of new season,  Wales coach Wayne Pivac reveals.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Lions flyhalf Elton Jantjies will be a marked man during his side match against the Sharks on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Lukhan Salakaia-Loto feels the upside of coronavirus is the fast-tracking of the Wallabies' new culture under coach Dave Rennie.

SPOTLIGHT: England must find a new attacking "focal point" without injured talisman Manu Tuilagi.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: France coach Fabien Galthie on Wednesday named five uncapped players in his 31-man squad to face Wales later this month.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have revealed their team to face the Sharks in the opening round of Super Rugby Unlocked in Durban on Friday.

NEWS: Racing 92's star wing has tested positive for Coronavirus, his wife Natacha Eguia has revealed.

PREVIEW: Sale Sharks have named their side to face Worcester Warriors in the clubs' rearranged Premiership final round fixture scheduled for Wednesday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: To play or not to play

WATCH: Sanele Nohamba's performance in the Springboks' Green vs Gold match was one of a very few positives to emerge from that game.

SQUAD UPDATE: Last week’s appearance off the Northampton bench by Piers Francis has seemingly cost him his England training squad spot as the midfielder has tested positive for Covid-19. 

NEWS: The All Blacks have added two players to their squad for upcoming Rugby Championship.

Rugby in South Africa is well and truly back as Super Rugby Unlocked gets underway in Durban on Friday, 9 October 2020.

NEWS: Eddie Jones has revealed that his three-day England camp hasn’t got off to the best of starts on Tuesday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has named seven uncapped players in his 38-man squad for Wales’ upcoming Tests.

NEWS: Forwards Fergus Lee-Warner, Kane Koteka and Ollie Callan have committed to the Western Force for a further two years, with the trio signing new contract extensions.

NEWS: Munster’s preparations for Saturday’s Pro14 game against Edinburgh in Thomond Park have been interrupted after a senior player tested positive for Covid-19.

SPOTLIGHT: Premiership Rugby have announced that Premiership semi-finals will take place on Saturday, a decision that will please both Exeter Chiefs and Bristol Bears as they have European finals the following week to prepare for. 

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Welsh-born Gloucester scrumhalf Stephen Varney has been called up for the first time by Italy for Six Nations games against Ireland and England later this month, coach Franco Smith said on Tuesday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Another Rugby League star has made the move to Super Rugby.

BLEDISLOE SPOTLIGHT: Coach Dave Rennie is keeping his Wallabies on edge ahead of the opening Bledisloe Cup clash against New Zealand in Wellington, with the players in the dark on his starting line-up.

SPOTLIGHT: World Cup-winning Springbok Lodewyk de Jager's race to recover in time for the British and Irish Lions tour has started.

SPOTLIGHT: The Cheetahs made their first statement in an Under-21 match at the weekend, but they are determined to put their mark on senior rugby.

NEWS: Ireland coach Andy Farrell is facing an anxious wait on the fitness of Johnny Sexton.

REACTION: Sale Sharks have released a strong statement in response to rumours regarding the source of the high number of positive COVID-19 cases at the club.

UNDER-21 WRAP: The Cheetahs' Under-21 team achieved a glorious victory over their Lions counterparts at Ellispark in Johannesburg at the weekend.

TOP 14 WRAP: South African World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe kept up his impressive early-season try-scoring record by crossing in Toulouse's French Top 14 win over Toulon.

REACTION: Questions have again been raised over Damian Willemse's ability to command the flyhalf role after his poor performance in Saturday's Springbok Showdown.

SPOTLIGHT: The last man to captain the Wallabies to a win at Eden Park has urged selectors to be daring as the "new era" get their first taste of Bledisloe Cup action on Sunday.

BLEDISLOE CUP ONE: Alex McLeod takes a look at the key selection posers facing new All Black coach Ian Foster.

REACTION: South Africa's depth at scrumhalf is bursting at the seams, especially after the performance from one of the country’s most promising players.

NEWS: The Rugby Football Union will launch a probe into how Premiership club Sale Sharks returned 16 positive COVID-19 tests among their playing group on Saturday

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby issued an update Monday on the second Bledisloe Cup Test in Auckland.

REACTION: Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick believes exciting wing Yaw Penxe will heading to one of South Africa's bigger teams soon.

PREMIERSHIP SUNDAY WRAP: Sale Sharks have been pushed out of the top four in the Premiership table.

96 test veteran prop James Slipper is keen to play a role in the new look Wallaby side that features 16 uncapped players.

NEWS: France will head into the upcoming Tests without one of their stars.

NEWS: Sam Burgess to be investigated by a New South Wales organized crime unit for domestic violence, drug abuse and gambling

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Eddie Jones on Monday has named a 28-man squad to convene for a three-day training camp at The Lensbury from Tuesday, October 6 until Thursday, October 8.

MATCH REPORT: The Green Team claim bragging rights with a hard-fought 25-9 win over the Gold team at Newlands on Saturday. 

NEWS: The highly debated Premiership match between Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors has been postponed.

A 9 minute video of aerial mayhem showing some of the most brutal and dangerous collisions in the air

SPOTLIGHT: The Southern Kings are no more and the emotions are running high.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby and the France Organising Committee have announced that the World Cup 2023 Draw will take place in Paris at Palais Brongniart on December 14, 2020.

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.

MATCH REPORT: A brace of tries from Ospreys new signing Mat Protheroe ensured Toby Booth’s first full season in charge got off to the perfect start with a 25-10 win over 2019/20 semi-finalists Edinburgh.

MATCH REPORT: Bundee Aki scored two tries as Connacht beat Glasgow Warriors 28-24 in a thrilling match at the Sportsground.

SPOTLIGHT: Former England Captain Chris Robshaw tells us that his final circuit of his long time homeground, The Stoop, felt "like I was being walked to my death" as he prepares to play his final game for the club.

MATCH REPORT: Fourteen-man Munster staged a superb fightback to claim a dramatic late victory against Scarlets despite having captain Peter O’Mahony sent off.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Springboks trial match - Green versus Gold - at Newlands in Cape Town.

THE LAST SHOT: The final round-robin phase of the Premiership is nothing sort of dramatic.

UPDATE: Premiership Rugby confirmed that it is carrying out an urgent review ahead of Sunday's final round of Premiership matches.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby has been slammed for not including a Pasifika side in next year's Super Rugby Aotearoa competition.

NEWS: Bernard Laporte was narrowly re-elected president of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) on Saturday, edging challenger Florian Grill.

SPOTLIGHT: Scrumhalf Joe Powell says he's better prepared for another crack with the Wallabies if he wins selection for next week's opening Bledisloe Cup Test.

TRANSFER NEWS: San Diego Legion have dipped into the player market to fill the void Ma’a Nonu has left.

GREEN v GOLD: Saturday's Springbok Showdown could be a brutal one in terms of physicality as players aim to impress the national coaching team.

UPDATE: Sale Sharks have insisted their crucial Premiership game at home to Worcester on Sunday will go ahead as planned – despite the Covid-19 outbreak in their squad.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Mario Ledesma has named a 45-strong squad for next month’s Rugby Championship in Australia.

SPOTLIGHT: The final round of the Premiership season has been thrown into chaos after an outbreak of COVID-19 amongst the players at Sale Sharks

INTERVIEW: RugbyPass writer Jamie Lyall chatted to Free State Cheetahs Managing Director Harold Verster on his union's fight for survival.

TOP 14, FRIDAY WRAP: Stade Francais went down on Friday after one of their players was sent off for a headbutt.

INTERVIEW: South Africa's new entries into Europe's expanded Pro16 competition run the risk of being left in the starting blocks.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Ireland may have suffered a major injury blow during Leinster's 35-5 win over Dragons.

NEWS: An outbreak of COVID-19 at French club Castres forced the postponement on Friday of their game with Montpellier.

MATCH REPORT: Ulster survived a spirited Benetton fightback to kick off their 2020/21 PRO14 season with a bonus-point victory in a high-scoring thriller in Belfast.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Brumbies have secured 28 of the Super Rugby AU championship squad for the 2021 season, the highest retention of the group in a decade.

MATCH REPORT: An opportunist try from Josh Adams and a heroic defensive effort from Cardiff Blues ensured they began the new season with a 16-6 victory at Zebre despite playing the second half with 14 men.

BLOCKBUSTER START: All eyes will once again be on Leinster, following their third consecutive title recently.

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.

REACTION: New Zealand maintained Thursday it was "blindsided" by the Rugby Championship schedule that would leave All Blacks players stranded in quarantine at Christmas

WATCH: Counties Manukau flyhalf Baden Kerr got the internet all fired up when he's failure to slot a conversion ended in him catching the rebound.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs were forced to make several changes for their second warm-up match against Griquas on Friday.

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

SPRINGBOK TRIAL: It is not often you get a second bite of the apple, just a week after your first encounter.

NEWS: Racing 92 said Thursday that tests at the French rugby club had produced "several" positive cases of COVID-19.

NEWS: Elia Elia of Harlequins has appeared before an online disciplinary panel for foul play.

TRANSFER NEWS: With his former Reds teammates Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott and Hunter Paisami all earning maiden Wallabies call-ups this year, it’s not a wild suggestion to say that Isaac Lucas was possibly destined for the gold jersey in 2020 too.

BIG DEBATE: Wallabies attack coach Scott Wisemantel says who will start in the backline against the All Blacks has been a topic of hot debate among the coaches.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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.

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

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: 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.