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NEWS: Lions flyhalf Sanele Nohamba scooped the coveted Player of the Year award for his outstanding performances throughout the 2023/24 season, covering both halfback positions during the campaign.

SPOTLIGHT: Warren Gatland has received some support from Rassie Erasmus ahead of the clash between the Springboks and Wales at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

NEWS: Wales coach Warren Gatland has insisted he is focused solely on Saturday's daunting Test against South Africa and not talk of his future as he stares down the barrel of a win-less calendar year.

SPOTLIGHT: Cameron Hanekom is learning from the best in the business and Rassie Erasmus believes he has all the qualities to become a loose forward maestro.

NEWS: Ulster hooker Rob Herring and captain Iain Henderson has commited to the Irish province for one and two years respectively.

NEWS: New Zealand flyhalf Harry Plummer will join Clermont next season on a three-year deal, the French Top 14 club announced on Wednesday.

NEWS: Tyrone Green has made his decision on where he will ply his trade next season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France head coach Fabien Galthie has omitted the experienced No.8 Gregory Alldritt from the team that will face Argentina this weekend.

NEWS: A team with Indigenous and Pacific heritage is set to fill the gap in the British and Irish Lions tour schedule that was left when the Rebels went into administration.

NEWS: Leinster have confirmed a contract extension for a crucial coaching staff member until at least 2027.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Warren Gatland has revealed his side to face the Springboks in Cardiff this weekend.

NEWS: New Zealand's first weight-restricted team will soon go on their first tour.

SPOTLIGHT: After being nominated for the Breakthrough Player of the Year World Rugby Award, Wallace Sititi said his family had kept him grounded in a big first year.

NEWS: Wallaby centre Samu Kerevi, appeared before an Independent Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday evening. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has made a solitary change to the starting side that narrowly went down to Ireland this past weekend to tackle the French in Paris.

NEWS: Rugby Sevens legend Emilee Barton (née Cherry) is set to receive the highest honour by being inducted into World Rugby’s Hall of Fame at the annual awards ceremony in Monaco on Sunday evening.

OPINION: The balance of the Springbok selections points to a big victory against Wales this Saturday as well as another win for Rassie Erasmus' development plan.

NEWS: History will be up for grabs in 2025 with an inaugural Women’s Super Rugby Champions Final to be played between the respective Super Rugby Aupiki and Super W winners.

OPINION: As we prepare to close out the 2024 season, @rugby365com examines the bedrock of the game in South Africa.

SPOTLIGHT: The Fijiana 7s team to Dubai is expected to be named on Thursday, and many new players are expected to don the white jersey for the first time.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks will be looking to clean up their act in crucial areas of the game when they face Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Rassie Erasmus does not want emotions to get the better of brothers Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse in Saturday's clash against Wales in Cardiff.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has explained his squad dynamics heading into their clash against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

WATCH as two-time World Cup-winning prop Steven Kitshoff speaks about the neck surgery that will hopefully save his career.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Rassie Erasmus produced a number of surprises when he named his team to face Wales in South Africa's final match of the year.

NEWS: A training ground injury has forced Steve Borthwick to make a change to his squad ahead of England's clash with Japan. 

STAT ATTACK: Wales and South Africa share a great history between the two rugby-loving countries, and maybe another chapter will be written this weekend when they go head-to-head in Cardiff. 

NEWS: The British and Irish Lions could face a team with indigenous and Pacific heritage during their 2025 tour, according to the chief executive of Rugby Australia.

Tom Wright wouldn't dream of entertaining the idea yet, but the flying fullback is the Wallaby who could emulate the great Mark Ella's 'grand slam of tries'.

NEWS: The Western Force has appointed a former Sevens star onto their revamped coaching roster.

INTERVIEW: Australia coach Joe Schmidt recognises Scotland - and their Melburnian leader Sione Tuipulotu - as a huge threat to his resurgent Wallabies.

SPOTLIGHT: As World Rugby confirmed the 2024 World Rugby Awards nominations, we look at the women leading the charge in a year that saw people waking up to the quality of women’s rugby.

NEWS: Australia centre Samu Kerevi will attend an independent disciplinary hearing on Tuesday.

INJURY NEWS: Wales will be without lock Adam Beard for their final match of the Nations Series, against South Africa in Cardiff on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Seven players from the win over Portugal will play for Scotland 'A' against Chile at Edinburgh Stadium on Saturday.

NEWS: Springbok prop Ox Nche is available for selection this week despite the huge gash he sustained above his knee in the Test against England last weekend. 

NEWS: Sale Sharks have confirmed that Defence Coach Jamie Langley has left the club by mutual consent to pursue another opportunity. 

NEWS: Argentina has been bolstered by the return of wing Mateo Carreras and flank Marcos Kremer for their international against France in Paris on Friday.

NEWS: All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said there would be no change in the selection policy for their final Test of the year against Italy in Turin on Saturday.

NEWS: South Africa’s advantage at the top of the World Rugby's Rankings has been increased to two points after Saturday’s 29-20 win over England.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Four Springboks received recognition for their impressive and consistent performances during the 2024 season after being nominated for the World Rugby Awards.

MATCH REPORT: The USA Eagles claimed their first win over Tonga in 25 years with a convincing 36-17 victory at the neutral venue of Chambéry on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok lock RG Snyman is already a beast when it comes to his offloading game and now he is aiming to get even better under attack coach Tony Brown.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Coach Cory Sweeney has selected Black Ferns wing Katelyn Vahaakolo, Justine McGregor and Olive Watherston as three debutants, while Dhys Faleafaga returns for her first SVNS Series tournaments since the birth of her twin boys.

NEWS: Wales suffered a national record 11th straight Test defeat with a thumping 20-52 loss to Australia in Cardiff on Sunday.

NEWS: The Wallabies will battle to ensure Samu Kerevi's tour isn't over after the returning centre was left "distraught" by his red card for a dangerous tackle, the one sour note in their record-shattering win over Wales.

REACTION: Australia coach Joe Schmidt said he was not getting carried away about thoughts of a Grand Slam sweep of the home nations after his team thrashed Wales 52-20 in Cardiff on Sunday.

REACTION: Warren Gatland insisted he still had the fight to continue as Wales coach.

SPOTLIGHT: Cheslin Kolbe dominated headlines after his man-of the match performance against England in London.

MATCH REPORT: They may have lost 19-33, but a battling performance from Spain who, despite missing a selection of French based players, pushed Fiji further than many expected and perhaps many Spanish fans could have hoped.

MATCH REPORT: Australia handed Wales their 11th straight loss the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the international match between Wales and Australia at the Millennium Stadium in France.

MATCH REPORT: Italy had to hang tough against a desperate Georgia team, claiming a hard-earned 20-17 win at Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa on Sunday.

ANALYSIS: England suffered a fifth straight defeat as world champions South Africa won 29-20 at Twickenham at the weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: Freddy Douglas admitted his emotions got the better of him as he became the youngest Scotland debutant in more than 60 years when he came off the bench in Saturday’s nine-try 59-21 victory over Portugal.

REACTION: France's hangover from last year's World Cup included a chastening defeat to Ireland, a drab draw with Italy, and a scandal-hit tour of South America.

NEWS: The Springboks will be keeping a close eye on Ox Nche in the coming days.

SPOTLIGHT - LONDON: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has explained his decision to replace Manie Libbok early in the second half  against England at Twickenham Stadium

REACTION: The 21-year-old All Blacks flank Peter Lakai has been praised for his performance against the French after being thrust into the Test off the bench in just the first minute when Samipeni Finau suffered a head knock.

NEWS: After the delightful infusion of new talent provided by Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, it's the experience of some rugged old hands that the Wallabies will put their trust in against Wales as they welcome Rob Valetini and Samu Kerevi into Australia's elite 50-cap club.

REACTION: England head coach Steve Borthwick is confident he has the backing of the Rugby Football Union despite presiding over a fifth successive defeat after South Africa triumphed 29-20 at Twickenham.

NEWS: Friendly New Zealand foes and international coaching duellists, the Wallabies' Joe Schmidt and Wales' Warren Gatland have been battling for years - yet rarely has the pressure been ramped up quite so high than for their crunch Cardiff Test.

REACTION: France captain Antoine Dupont praised his side's "pragmatism" after the 30-29 victory over New Zealand on Saturday in Paris.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus did not want to sound "arrogant" when describing his team's win against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

OPINION: Just one point separated the mighty All Blacks and France on Saturday evening, as the impressive hosts took a 30-29 victory over their rivals.

OPINION: ben Smith rates the New Zealand players after their one-point, 29-30, loss to France at Stade de France in Paris on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: France produced an incredible second-half display, as they edged New Zealand 30-29 at the Stade de France on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the international match between France and New Zealand at Stade de France in Paris.

MATCH REPORT: South Africa scored their third-successive win over England, and their fourth in the last five matches, as they kept alive their dream of an unbeaten year-end tour.

PLAYER RATINGS: England player ratings live from Twickenham Stadium: What a belter of a spectacle under the south-west London lights.

PLAYER RATINGS: South Africa earned a hard-fought 29-20 win against England at twickkenham, which was an arm-wrestle until the end.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the international match between England and South Africa at Twickenham in London.

MATCH REPORT: Japan overcame a second-half red card to secure a 36-20 victory over Uruguay at Chambéry Savoie Stadium on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Scotland bounced back in fine style, beating Portugal 59-21 at Murrayfield on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok fullback Aphelele Fassi is the perfect example of hard work paying off.

REACTION: Ireland may have boumnced back from the loss to New Zealand by edging Argentina 22-19 in a nailbiting Test at Lansdowne Road this past Friday, but coach Andy Farrell admitted his team has issues to resolve.

NEWS: Four women were amongst a delegation of 28 coaches from across Africa who successfully completed World Rugby’s Level 3 coaching course, facilitated by SA Rugby in Cape Town this week.

OPINION: Argentina player ratings: It wasn’t to be for Los Pumas who, after pushing Ireland to the limit, lost by three points in Dublin, a city they have never been able to celebrate in.

NEWS: Egypt, Guatemala, and Lesotho have been elevated to World Rugby full member status following approval by the international federation’s Council on November 14, having achieved all the necessary criteria.

PREVIEW: Italy will look to bounce back from their heavy defeat to Argentina last weekend when they entertain an up-and-coming Georgia side on Sunday.

PREVIEW: Under-pressure Wales take on a resurgent Australia in Cardiff on Sunday desperate to avoid becoming a footnote in Welsh rugby history for all the wrong reasons.

OPINION: Ireland were once again afflicted by unforced errors in a hard-fought 22-19 win, but there were enough reserves of resolve to save the day.

MATCH REPORT: Ireland conceded 10 second-half points and went scoreless themselves in that stanza to hang on for a 22-19 win against a plucky Argentina outfit in Dublin.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the international match between Ireland and Argentina at Lansdowne Road in Dublin.

SPOTLIGHT: France captain Antoine Dupont believes "legendary" New Zealand are back to their best ahead of the two side's clash on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT - LONDON: The Springboks might have inside knowledge of Marcus Smith's "strengths and weaknesses", but they must be street-smart in dealing with the unpredictable playmaker.

SPOTLIGHT: England fullback Freddie Steward claims there is more to his game than being good under the high-ball, but understands that's why he's selected to face the world champions South Africa on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Rassie Erasmus says no two coaching set-ups are the same as he asked for his opinion on Felix Jones' absence from the England group.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales players need to unshackle themselves and 'get back on the horse' when they face the Wallabies on Sunday, according to assistant coach Neil Jenkins.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has made some changes to his team for the second of their year-end tour matches, against Wales in Cardiff on Sunday.

PREVIEW: coach Mark Mapletoft has confirmed the England A side to take on Australia A at the Twickenham Stoop on Sunday.

NEWS: Scrumhalf Tomos Williams has been released from the Wales squad for the remaining November internationals due to a shoulder injury, with Kieran Hardy replacing him.

SPOTLIGHT: All Black centre Anton Lienert-Brown described France scrumhalf as a 'freakish' player ahead of the teams' showdown in Paris on Saturday. 

TRANSFER NEWS: Wallabies wing Suliasi Vunivalu has put pen to paper to join Top 14 side La Rochelle, saying that he feels the time is right to move overseas. 

NEWS: SA Rugby confirmed on Friday that 58 players have been invited to the Under-17 Elite Player Development camp, which kicks off at Boland Landbou after the year-end exams.

SPOTLIGHT: Newly elected World Rugby Chairman Brett Robinson said it was a 'proud moment' for him after becoming the first in his position from the southern hemisphere on Thursday and vowed to unify all the different factions. 

SPOTLIGHT: Wales head coach Warren Gatland believes 'the game needs superstars' as his struggling outfit prepare to face Wallaby wonder Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on Sunday.

UPDATE: The South African Rugby Union has changed its mind over the decision to end the 'administration' the Western Province Rugby Football Union.

SPOTLIGHT: A new law directive to create fairer aerial contests is in danger of turning rugby union into Australian Rules football fears England coach Steve Borthwick. 

NEWS: Minister of sport, arts and culture, Gayton McKenzie is set to consult with the South African Rugby Union leadership and the US based Ackerley Sports Group in London. 

INJURY UPDATE: Former England captain Owen Farrell will be sidelined for 'several weeks' after undergoing surgery for a groin injury Racing 92 announced on Thursday. 

PRVIEW: Fabien Galthie's France welcome in-form New Zealand on Saturday to Paris with the hosts hoping to build on the victories they chalked up in the their two most recent meetings with the All Blacks.

PREVIEW - LONDON: England will be going back to the basics for their clash against the Springboks at Twickenham Stadium

SPOTLIGHT - LONDON: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus said Saturday's clash against England at Twickenham Stadium will provide Manie Libbok with an opportunity to right the wrongs of last year's World Cup semifinal.

PREVIEW: World Cup 2023 surprise package Portugal head to Murrayfield to face Gregor Townsend's Scotland who is looking to bounce back from their defeat to world champions South Africa. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Fullback Freddie Steward and scrumhalf Jack Van Poortvliet got the nod to start against South Africa as England coach Steve Borthwick announced his side.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa could relinquish the #1 spot as Ireland and New Zealand could climb to the top after this weekend's Test matches.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks have an effective way to deal with really "aggressive defences".

OPINION: Former Springbok coach and current Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White shared his views on the state of England and the Springboks' famous seven-one bench split tactic ahead of the crucial Test at Twickenham.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Scotland flyhalf Finn Russell expressed his frustration on how his side couldn't capitalise on the opportunities they had in South Africa's red-zone and England scrumhalf Ben Youngs gave his verdict on the number of forwards that should be allowed on the bench.

SPOTLIGHT: Ireland rugby captain Caelan Doris says Argentina has "gone up to another level" under head coach Felipe Contepomi and will be "a proper test" in Friday's match at Lansdowne Road.

NEWS: Four new laws are set to go on trial globally next year as World Rugby continues in its endeavors to enhance the pace of the game pace and player protection.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has named centre Stafford McDowall as captain ahead of their clash with Portugal, with Sione Tuipulotu falling out of the matchday squad. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has revealed his team to face England at Twickenham on Saturday. 

NEWS: Sir Bill Beaumont's successor has been elected with the news that Australian Brett Robinson will take up the seat as the new Chair of World Rugby.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has named his team to play France at Stade de France, Paris.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Experienced centre Gael Fickou is among four changes made by Fabien Galthie ahead of France's Test against New Zealand this Saturday in Paris. 

WATCH as Springbok attack coach Tony Brown speaks about the team's evolution on attack.

SPOTLIGHT: The World Cup 2025, which kicks off at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland on Friday, August 22 and runs until September 27, 2025, is set to be the biggest ever.

SPOTLIGHT - LONDON: Springbok team doctor Jerome Mampane has provided an update on injured Springboks Steven Kitshoff and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

PREVIEW: Ireland will be hoping to bounce back from a disappointing loss against New Zealand when Felipe Contepomi’s Los Pumas come to Dublin.

NEWS: The Wallabies must make at least two enforced team changes after wing Dylan Pietsch was forced out of the Nations Series tour of Europe with a calf injury.

SPOTLIGHT: Henry Slade has insisted that England will resist the temptation to strip back their game plan in a quest to rescue their year-end campaign.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Coach Andy Farrell has named his Ireland team for Friday's sold-out year-end Test against Argentina in Dublin.

SPOTLIGHT: Warren Gatland says he would probably head to the beach with a glass of wine “away from some of the pressure” if it was decided he should not continue in his role as Wales head coach.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Warren Gatland has named his team to face Australia at Principality Stadium on Sunday.

REACTION: Argentina's impressive set of results in the Rugby Championship breeds confidence, but for Felipe Contepomi it is more about the performance.

REACTION: The defending champions Bulls Daisies can't wait to kick of their Women's Premier Division against EP Queens.

SPOTLIGHT: Wasps' hopes of hosting professional rugby back in the south east of England have taken a positive step with the news that land has been secured to build a new stadium in Kent.

SPOTLIGHT: Cornal Hendricks thought he would be fine saying goodbye - but when he stepped into the changeroom and looked at his Bulls teammates, and his coach Jake White, Hendricks remembered that when doctors told him his career was over because his heart couldn’t handle it, this team gave him back his rugby heart.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has made three changes to the side that dispatched Italy by 50-18 which sees the return of former skipper Pablo Matera.

NEWS: France assistant coach William Servat said on Tuesday that captain Antoine Dupont sat out full training earlier in the day with an illness but will be fit for his country's upcoming clash with New Zealand.

NEWS: Scotland lock Scott Cummings has escaped with a slap on the wrist for his dangerous croc roll on South African counterpart Franco Mostert.

NEWS: The Bulls Daisies have been shortlisted as finalists in the 2024 Gauteng Sport Awards, which celebrate the best of the best from the province of champions.

SPOTLIGHT: The race to succeed Bill Beaumont as Chairman of World Rugby comes to a conclusion in a vote in Dublin at the governing body's headquarters on Thursday.

SPOTLIGHT: @Rugby365com reporter Angus Opperman spoke to former Springbok and Namibia head coach Allister Coetzee on his appointment as Eastern Province mentor and his vision for the struggling union. 

NEWS: Women’s rugby will take centre stage in 2025, with back-to-back international tournaments offering box office entertainment for fans.

NEWS: Star centre Semi Radradra will miss Fiji's remaining internationals this month after receiving a two-week ban on Tuesday for a high tackle in last weekend's win over Wales.

OPINION: Rassie Erasmus' selections at scrumhalf and flyhalf will have a bearing on the result at Twickenham this Saturday, and on South Africa's three-match tour as a whole.

WATCH as Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach previews the face-off against England.

SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand defence coach Scott Hansen said on Tuesday the All Blacks' inexperienced scrumhalves will be motivated to face France superstar Antoine Dupont this weekend.

INJURY NEWS: France will be without flank Francois Cros and wing Damian Penaud for their clash with the All Blacks on Saturday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Head coach Mark Mapletoft has confirmed his squad for England A’s encounter with Australia A this Sunday at the Twickenham Stoop.

STAT ATTACK: With no Bongi Mbonambi versus Tom Curry narrative to keep us amused this week, we look at the statistics to whet your appetite for the England versus South Africa Test at Twickenham on Saturday.

NEWS: SA Rugby has announced some changes to the original group of 48 Under-19 players to attend the camp from November 18-30 at the Stellenbosch Academy Sports (SAS).

NEWS: Welsh wing Mason Grady will undergo surgery and is set to miss out on the rest of Wales’ Nation Series matches.

NEWS: Springbok prop Jannie du Plessis has been appointed as Head of Coaching at Monument High School in Johannesburg.

NEWS: A Dunedin club rugby player has been suspended for importing a banned substance.

NEWS: A bumper women’s season kicks off unusually early in January next year as all eyes turn towards the World Cup in England in August and September.

SPOTLIGHT: All 11 Super Rugby Pacific squads are locked in and among the 428 contracted players, 14 players have transferred clubs with 37 rookies set to join Super Rugby squads for the first time.

Suliasi Vunivalu has not been included in the Queensland Reds' Super Rugby Pacific squad as the code-hopping wing eyes a French move.

OPINION: As a sports science graduate with a deep appreciation for Rugby Union, I find the current landscape of the international game fascinating.

INJURY UPDATE: The All Blacks have brought in three additional All Blacks XV players to serve as injury cover in preparation for their Test against France this weekend. 

Match Report: After two agonising removals from previous World Cups due to off the field matters, which would be worthy of a book in itself - the Spanish Rugby Union found itself back at the start of a World Cup cycle hoping to get to their first Men´s Rugby World Cup this millennium.

SPOTLIGHT: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was hailed as a 'freak' on monday by his Wallaby centre partner Len Ikitau after an eye-catching Test debut performance against England.

NEWS: Fiji wing Semi Radradra and Scotland lock Scott Cummings are set to learn their fate following foul play in their respective matches this past weekend.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland prop Tom O'Toole has been ruled out of Friday's clash against Los Pumas due to a head injury he suffered during the 13-23 loss to New Zealand. 

SPOTLIGHT: Wales flyhalf Gareth Anscombe says they will be "hard on ourselves" as they regroup following a 10th successive Test defeat, against Fiji. 

NEWS: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend was forced to call up two replacements as cover for the injuries his side incurred following their loss to world champions South Africa on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok loose forward Kwagga Smith is still pinching himself after he reached 50 caps for South Africa.

NEWS: The World Rugby Rankings has undergone multiple changes after a dramatic weekend of ups and downs in the Nations Series and beyond.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus admitted that his team produced a shaky performance in their 32-15 victory over Scotland on Sunday.

NEWS: Three BlitzBoks will miss out on the start of South Africa’s 2025 HSBC SVNS campaign.

NEWS: Ewan Ashman believes Scotland can draw plenty of encouragement from their valiant effort against South Africa on Sunday as they build towards next year’s Six Nations.

REACTION: It was an overwhelming array of emotions for South Africa Women's Sevens coach Renfred Dazel in Accra, Ghana on Sunday after his squad bagged another Africa Sevens title and secured qualification for the World Rugby Challenger Series next year.

NEWS: The Bulls Daisies have appointed Owethu Sityata as the lead strength and conditioning coach on an initial 2-year deal.

STAT ATTACK: Merely two Springboks with 10 plus Tests to their name have a 100 percent winning success rate during their careers, with one being a current Bok rookie. 

NEWS: Former Wales lock Jake Ball has called time on his professional career at the end of the upcoming Japan League One season. 

OPINION: South Africa not only returned to the top of the world rankings, they have now gone more than 180 minutes without conceding a try against Scotland.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks will be bracing themselves for huge showdown against an England team desperate to right the wrongs after suffering back-to-back home defeats.

NEWS: South Africa Women's star Zeenay Jordan has joined the Bulls Daisies as an assistant coach on an initial 2-year deal.

NEWS: After the record-breaking Olympic Games in Paris, the stars of rugby Sevens are set to make a thrilling return to HSBC SVNS 2025.

WRAP: South Africa Women's Sevens have beaten Kenya 19-10 in a thrilling final to retain their Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens title and conclude a stellar tournament.

OPINION: Japan was defeated 12-52 by a dominant France side at the Stade de France in Paris.

REACTION: England head coach Steve Borthwick has revealed that Tom Curry will miss next week's Nations Series against South Africa.

REACTION: Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend believes his team had some "bad luck" in their 15-32 defeat to the Springboks at Murrayfield on Sunday.

NEWS: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been left buoyed with emotion by his uplifting Wallabies debut, declaring the "amazing" experience of his Twickenham tour de force as the very reason he switched rugby codes.

MATCH REPORT: South Africa outscored Scotland by four tries to zero for a 32-15 victory in their opening November tour match at Murrayfield. 

REACTION: Warren Gatland said he was unconcerned about his future as Wales coach, after watching his team lose 19-24 to Fiji on Sunday.

REACTION: Maro Itoje insists England are eager "to do the fans proud" when they face world champions South Africa next weekend, following consecutive November losses to New Zealand and Australia.

OPINION: Bryn Palmer rates the Scotland players after their 15-32 loss to South Africa at Murrayfield in Edinburgh on Sunday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the international match between Scotland and South Africa at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

MATCH REPORT: Fiji beat Wales 24-19 in their year-end Test in Cardiff on Sunday, heaping more pressure on coach Warren Gatland.

SPOTLIGHT: France scrumhalf Antoine Dupont said he was cautious of New Zealand's 'threat' before the in-form All Blacks head to Paris this coming Saturday. 

SPOTLIGHT: Zelt Marais, despite his 10-year ban, may insist he is still the Western Province Rugby Football Union President, but his name is not on the list of nominees for an election later this month.

SPOTLIGHT: Canan Moodie is a player who is perfectly suited to deal with Scotland's backline threats, according to assistant coach Mzwandile Stick.

INTERVIEW: Sunday will be another Springboks fixture Evan Roos will unfortunately have to make do with watching on television.

OPINION: Despite a late withdrawal from wing Damian Penaud, France’s star power was unmatched in the contest as they ran out to a 31-0 lead by halftime and never looked in doubt of securing the result.

SPOTLIGHT: Handre Pollard admits that he is leaning a lot from the other flyhalves in the Bok squad, but he won't be trying any of their eye-catching plays.

REACTION: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been hailed as "freak" and "great" with his Wallabies' teammates in awe of his striking debut in the gold shirt following the gilded code-hopper's incredible display against England at Twickenham.

MATCH REPORT: Olympic sevens gold medallist Antoine Dupont set up two tries as France eased past Japan 52-12 in Paris on Saturday.

REACTION: Australia coach Joe Schmidt hailed Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii as an "aerial freak" after the cross-code capture marked his first senior game of rugby union by starring in the Wallabies' thrilling 42-37 win over England at Twickenham on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Argentina enhanced their reputation as one of the most improved teams of the year with a 50-18 rout of Italy at Stadio Friuli, in Udine, on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the international match between Italy and Argentina aT Stadio Friuli, IN Udine.

OPINION: Australia player ratings: Australia snatched a try at the death to beat England 37-42 at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium in a match for the ages on Saturday.

OPINION: England player ratings live from Twickenham: After successive one, seven, and two-point defeats to New Zealand, this was a Saturday afternoon ripe for Steve Borthwick’s team to take their many All Blacks frustrations out on a wounded Wallabies XV.

The Springbok Women's Sevens team will play Senegal in the quarterfinals of the Africa Women's Sevens at the University of Ghana's Rugby Stadium in Accra on Sunday after a clean sweep of their Pool A opponents on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Australia have done the near impossible and beaten England 42-37 at Twickenham on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the international match between England and Australia at Twickenham in London.

SPOTLIGHT: Sione Tuipulotu has challenged Scotland to signal their intent to move to the next level with a landmark victory over world champions South Africa.

SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand travells to France for this coming Saturday's Test on the back of an impressive 23-13 victory over Six Nations champions Ireland. 

SPOTLIGHT: Ireland’s players have vowed there will be 'no sulking' during their efforts to bounce back from the disappointment of a first Dublin defeat in more than three years.

SPOTLIGHT: Harry Wilson has already hit Marnus Labuschagne for six - and now the Wallabies' cricket-mad skipper would love nothing more than to dish out the same to England in 'rugby's Ashes'.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Ireland wing Shane Horgan believes South Africa would've smashed the Kiwi outfit that beat Ireland by 23-13 at Landsdowne Road on Friday. 

INJURY UPDATE: Injured lock Sam Darry's northern tour is over having being ruled out on Saturday, with centurion Sam Cane in doubt for the All Blacks' next Test against France. 

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus is keen to see how his squad deals with different scenarios after he revealed a seven-one bench split between forwards and backs for Sunday's clash against Scotland.

SPOTLIGHT: Rassie Erasmus concedes that the seven-one bench split tactic will always attract the critics.

REACTION: Andy Farrell said there were "no excuses" and the best team won after New Zealand beat Six Nations champions Ireland 23-13 to end their 19-match winning streak at Lansdowne Road on Friday.

WATCH as we bring you all the Africa Women Sevens action from Ghana.

NEWS: Ioan Cunningham has left his position with the Wales Women coaching team by mutual agreement after three years at the helm.

PREVIEW: The Springboks will kick off their three-match end-of-year tour against a Scottish side that has added more strings to their bow over the last 12 months.

PREVIEW: Wales and Fiji will face off this Sunday at the Millennium Stadium in the Nations Series.

WATCH as Scotland centre Huw Jones sits down the Behind The Ruck crew of Rudy Paige and Juan de Jongh for some insights into the Scottish camp.

OPINION: Ben Smith rates the New Zealand players after their 23-13 win over Ireland at Lansdowne Road on Friday.

OPINION: Ian Cameron rates the Ireland players after their 13-23 loss to New Zealand at Lansdowne Road on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: Ireland is certain to lose their No.1 position on the world rankings, after a 13-23 loss to New Zealand in Dublin on Friday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the international match between Ireland and New Zealand at Lansdowne Road in Dublin.

REACTION: Warren Gatland insists he is "relishing the pressure" even though Wales are on the brink of equalling their all-time record losing streak ahead of their November opener against Fiji in Cardiff on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok loose forward Kwagga Smith will earn his 50th Test cap on Sunday when the Springboks line up against Scotland at Murrayfield in their opening Outoging Tour clash.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Fresh from his debut against Fiji last weekend, Tom Jordan has been selected at fullback to take on world champions South Africa this Sunday.

LIVING WITH THE LIONS: Remember the drama surrounding the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

PREVIEW: New Zealand XV coach Clayton McMillan has named his playing 23 to challenge Georgia in their second and final match of the 2024 year-end tour.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales coach Warren Gatland has named his team to face Fiji in the opening match of the year-end series at Millennium Stadium on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: When Tevita Tatafu left Tonga for France for an academy contract with Bayonne five years ago, not many people tipped him for Les Bleus honours.

PREVIEW: Evolving France face Eddie Jones' struggling Japan in the November internationals on Saturday with superstar Antoine Dupont making his first 15-a-side appearance for the hosts in more than a year.

NEWS: Three of the All Blacks Sevens' most capped and successful players are hanging up their boots, with Tim Mikkelson, Scott Curry, and Sam Dickson all calling time on their stellar international careers.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: She has achieved more than any other Springbok Women’s Sevens player, but for team captain Mathrin Simmers, the job is not yet done, and she will only relax once they have qualified for the HSBC SVNS Series again.

SQUAD UPDATE: World Cup winning lock Jean Kleyn will link up with the Springbok squad on Friday as a replacement for Ruan Nortje who suffered a leg injury in training on Wednesday.

SPOTLIGHT: It's been close but no cigar for Andre Esterhuizen when it comes to crossing the tryline for the Boks.

PREVIEW: Gonzalo Quesada expects his Italy team to be ring rusty when they take on his home nation Argentina in the Azzurri's opening November Test match on Saturday, hoping to end a positive year on a high.

PREVIEW: Australia is back on English soil for the first time since 2021 when England beat them in that Nations Series.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Rugby League convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will make his Australia debut without having played a game of senior club rugby union after being named in the Wallabies team to play England at Twickenham on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi was forced into a major reshuffle among the backs due to injury for Saturday’s test against Italy in Udine.

OPINION: The Springboks must avoid an attacking shootout with a dangerous Scotland side this Sunday.

NEWS: All Black captain Scott Barrett said his side are expecting an 'intense' Test against Ireland in Dublin as the All Blacks targets Ireland's No.1 world ranking. 

NEWS: World Cup winner Bobby Skinstad and former All Black flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens have combined with an Irish investment fund to take control of French second-division side Beziers, the town's mayor announced on Thursday. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Japan head coach Eddie Jones has made six changes to the side that will face France in Paris on Saturday. 

CONTRACT EXTENSION: Glasgow Warriors and Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu has signed a deal that will keep him at Scotstoun stadium until 2028. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Former Argentina flyhalf, Italy's head coach Gonzalo Quesada, will face off against his home nation this Saturday when the Azzurri welcomes Los Pumas to Udine.

SPOTLIGHT: The 30th season of the Champions Cup returns next month with 24 teams competing to lift the trophy at the Principality Stadium in May next year.

NEWS: Defending SA Rugby Women's Premier Division champions, the Bulls daisies have bid farewell to six squad members by mutual consent.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Antoine Dupont is back for France as they gear up for their first Nations Series encounter against Japan at Stade de France on Saturday.

NEWS: The pool and match schedule for the new 2025 HSBC SVNS Series, set to get underway in a matter of weeks, has been announced for the opening Dubai 7s.

PREVIEW: Ireland meet New Zealand on Friday at Lansdowne Road in what is a highly anticipated rematch of the 2023 World Cup quarterfinal which crushed Irish dreams of lifting the trophy.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Force recruit Darcy Swain will lead the Australia XV side out against Bristol in the opening game of their two-match tour of the UK.

SPOTLIGHT: France superstar Antoine Dupont is set to make his return to the Test scene on Saturday for the first time since France's heartbreaking home World Cup quarterfinal exit at the hands of the eventual champion Springboks. 

NEWS: Caelan Doris, the son of psychotherapists and armed with a psychology degree, would appear to be ideal captain material for Ireland and as his status has grown, he has shown leadership over the sensitive issues of mental health and concussion.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks are bracing themselves for a midfield battle of epic proportions when they come up against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: A Springbok stalwart accepts that his time on the playing field is nearing an end.

NEWS: The best teams in Test rugby clash this weekend as the November internationals get into full swing with the likes of World Cup winners South Africa heading to Scotland and Ireland hosting New Zealand.

SPOTLIGHT: For a proud northern Englishman whose goal was to tame the Wallabies on their own soil in Lions' red - Geoff Parling has felt right at home 'back in the motherland, revisiting old friends and family in London. 

WATCH as former Springbok coach and now television analyst Nick Mallett reveals what makes Rassie Erasmus so special.

Jack Dempsey is keen to show how much Scotland have improved since their last meeting with world champions South Africa when they face the Springboks in the "ultimate test" at Murrayfield on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand has opted for consistency and made two injury-enforced changes in the starting line-up from last week's outfit that defeated England at Twickenham. 

NEWS: Former Springbok and Namibia head coach Allister Coetzee has returned to South Africa to take up a new coaching position. 

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok centre Andre Esterhuizen turned 30 earlier this year, but he only has 18 Test caps to his name.

SPOTLIGHT: Former England World Cup winner Jason Robinson backs Exeter Chiefs wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso for the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named his troops that will face New Zealand at Lansdowne Road on Friday. 

SPOTLIGHT: Ireland, South Africa and New Zealand could all be ranked #1 in the world in a few days' time, adding another fascinating sub-plot to what should be a brilliant weekend of Test matches.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENTS: South Africa’s Women’s Sevens team will defend their Africa Women’s Seven's title in Ghana this weekend, coming up against Burkina Faso in their opening match, before taking on Zimbabwe and Tunisia in Pool A of the tournament.

Touted as one of South Africa's next women's rugby stars, Leigh Fortuin is more than eager to prove herself this weekend on the international stage.

JERSEY LAUNCH: The British & Irish Lions unveiled their new jersey ahead of the 2025 tour to Australia. 

SPOTLIGHT: There was a curious moment ahead of the All Blacks’ clash with the Springboks at the 2019 World Cup – one in which Rassie Erasmus, as only he could, went on a four-minute rant about how New Zealand had, for the last 10 years, won favourable treatment from referees as a result of their number one status.

INTERVIEW: Former captain Will Skelton is back in Wallaby gold and determined to exorcise the demons of a World Cup campaign that left him "hurt" in France.

NEWS: Scotland suffered a significant injury setback ahead of their year-end face-off with World Champions South Africa.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Steve Borthwick has named an unchanged side for their clash with Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.

INTERVIEW: It has been nearly a year since Daniel Johannes Vermeulen exchanged his playing gear for a coaching costume.

NEWS: England and Sale Sharks forward Jonny Hill will resume his playing career with Sale in early December despite originally facing a 20-week suspension at his Rugby Football Union (RFU) disciplinary hearing.

NEWS: Former Saracens and Namibia loose forward Jacques Burger has been appointed as the Welwitschias' Director of Rugby and will take the reigns from former Springbok head coach Allister Coetzee. 

SPOTLIGHT: The South Africa Women's Sevens squad will travel to Ghana on Wednesday well aware of the pressure the Africa Women's Sevens tournament will bring, alongside expectations for the team to perform in Accra on Saturday and Sunday.

NEWS: With a little under 300 days to go until Women’s World Cup 2025 kicks off in England and with more than 130,000 tickets already sold, fans can now apply for tickets across all matches in what promises to be the biggest celebration of women’s rugby.

WATCH as former Springbok coach Nick Mallett explains why he once turned down an offer to coach England.

STAT ATTACK: The upcoming clash between the World Champion Springboks and their 2023 World Cup opening clash opponents Scotland has all the ingredients to be a try fest when the two sides meet this Sunday at Murrayfield. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: One of the SVNS's most prolific players, Maddison Levi, has revealed that it would be "pretty special" to play in next year's World Cup for the Wallaroos.

SPOTLIGHT: Controversy magnet Eddie Jones can still somehow manage to be a topic of pre-match interest, even when he's not coaching England or Australia this weekend.

NEWS: Britain's Prince William played rugby with students and met young environmentalists Monday at the start of a visit to South Africa for the awards of his Earthshot Prize for solutions to climate change.

NEWS: Australia centre Samu Kerevi has defended Eddie Jones after claims the coach ruled by fear during his seven-year spell in charge of England.

NEWS: South Africa’s four United Rugby Championship fixtures for Round One have been confirmed for the weekend of February 8, 2025.

Former Scotland captain Stuart Hogg has admitted abusing his estranged wife over the course of five years.

SQUAD UPDATE: Giant France prop Uini Atonio has been added to the international squad despite suffering a calf injury, the French Rugby Federation announced on Monday.

NEWS: England and Sale Sharks forward Jonny Hill is due to appear before an independent disciplinary panel on Monday.

NEWS: New Zealand have significantly closed the gap on South Africa in the World Rugby Rankings after their win over England.

NEWS: SA Rugby has concluded a restructuring process that will ensure greater emphasis on participation at amateur level, as part of a wide-ranging reorganisation, with its impact already felt after changes in coaching teams and the creation of two new fit-for-purpose departments.

NEWS: Wilco Louw says the Springboks are in the right frame of mind going into the Outgoing Tour against Scotland next Sunday after a tough training camp in Jersey.

It is truly a case of 'hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie' when it comes to the Springboks' recent injury replacements.

NEWS: Rugby Australia announced the appointment of Liam Barry as head coach of the Australian Men’s Sevens team.

NEWS: Peter O’Mahony has joined Ireland’s training camp in Portugal after proving his fitness for Munster against an All Blacks XV on Saturday.

NEWS: The 20-year-old Asher Opoku-Fordjour will replace veteran prop Marler who announced his retirement from international rugby on Sunday ahead of their clash against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.

NEWS: The All Blacks have brought in cover for the injured Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett following their victory over England this weekend.

NEWS: New Zealand's rising star Wallace Sititi insisted there's "only one Ardie Savea" after impressing alongside his fellow forward in the All Blacks' thrilling 24-22 win over England.

NEWS: Former Australian and Leinster rugby player Rocky Elsom left Ireland after the Irish police officers arrived at his work and home to take him into custody.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse revealed there is a healthy internal competition for the No.10 jersey in the Springbok squad between himself, Manie Libbok and Handré Pollard. 

OPINION: With the United Rugby Championship on a month-long break for the November internationals, the Lions find themselves in their best ever URC position yet with six rounds into the competition. 

NEWS: England stalwart and legend Joe Marler has announced his retirement from international rugby on Sunday.

INJURY UPDATE: New Zealand stalwarts Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor were ruled out of this coming weekend's Test against Ireland after sustaining head injuries in the 24-22 victory over England at Twickenham. 

Australia scrumhalf Tate McDermott revealed his team should use the next few weeks to stay ahead of the curve as they prepare for the Nations Series opener against England.

SPOTLIGHT: Uncapped Springbok squad member Cameron Hanekom has never had ambitions to represent Wales as he eyes a potential debut with the Springboks.

REACTION: Darcy Graham ran in half of Scotland's eight tries as the Dark Blues launched their November campaign with a 57-17 thrashing of Fiji at Murrayfield on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The All Blacks XV arrived at Thomond Park eager to show put their hands up for the New Zealand selectors against URC heavyweight side Munster. 

OPINION: Fiji paid the price for a sluggish start and ill-discipline as they fell to a record 17-57 defeat to Scotland at Murrayfield.

OPINION: Scotland launched their Nations Series campaign with an ultimately rousing eight-try victory over Fiji at Murrayfield after cutting loose in the final quarter.

MATCH REPORT: Scotland made a big statement, beating the Fiji 57-17 at the Murrayfield in Edinburgh on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the international match between Scotland and Fiji at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

REACTION: New Zealand wing Mark Tele'a scored the decisive try as the All Blacks came from behind to edge England 24-22 in a dramatic finish to their November international at Twickenham on Saturday.

OPINION: Ben Smith rates the New Zealand players after their hard-earned 24-22 win over England at Twickenham.

OPINION: Liam Heagney rates the England players after their heart-breaking 22-24 loss to New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: New Zealand started the European leg of their year-end campaign with a hard-fought 24-22 win over a willing England team at Twickenham on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the international match between England and New Zealand at Twickenham in London.

NEWS: The Welsh Rugby Union has undertaken a new review into it's processes following recent contact negotiations with it's senior women's international squad. 

OPINION: World Cup-winning former Springbok coach Jake White runs the rule over South Africa's year-end opposition.

NEWS: Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan has vacated his position at the club following the club’s disappointing results in the first block of the United Rugby Championship.

NEWS: As the Nations Series gets underway this weekend when England hosts the All Blacks and Scotland take on Fiji, some teams can move up the World Rugby rankings.

SPOTLIGHT: Newly appointed Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu credited his rise to skipper Scotland to putting his 'heart and soul' into the game after joining Glasgow Warriors three years ago. 

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok prop Thomas du Toit has shed light on his ability to switch between the loosehead and tighthead positions during matches. 

SPOTLIGHT: England scrumhalf Ben Spencer is set to finally make his first Test start against the All Blacks against New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday after winning six Test caps off the bench in six years. 

NEWS: France international loose forward Oscar Jegou, who is still being prosecuted for an alleged rape charge in Argentina will make his return to the pitch this weekend after being named in La Rochelle's starting lineup to have Stade Francais in the Top 14. 

SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand captain Scott Barrett suggested that England prop Joe Marler has 'loaded the gun' ahead of the two side's clash at Twickenham this Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: The return of RG Snyman and Franco Mostert is a huge boost to the Springboks' lock stocks ahead of their three-week end-of-year tour to Europe according to Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids.

NEWS: Ross van Reenen will vacate his office of CEO at the end of the month after the Free State Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd announced the parties have agreed to part ways amicably.

SPOTLIGHT: England prop Ellis Genge claims that a win for England over New Zealand will still rank as a landmark achievement despite the All Blacks' recent struggles.

NEWS: SA Rugby announced the addition of Melusi Mthethwa to the Junior Springbok coaching staff, with the former Shimlas assistant coach responsible for the backline and attack responsibilities of the SA Under-20 team.

SPOTLIGHT: Zimbabwe has produced some former greats like Tendai Mtawarira, Gary Teichmann, and David Pocock, and is determined to sneak into the spotlight as they have their sights set on the World Cup in Australia in 2027.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: As they begin preparations for their hunt for an unprecedented third successive SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division crown, the Bulls Daisies have returned to base to start their bold quest ahead of the new season.

WATCH as Springbok superstar Cheslin Kolbe joins the Behind The Ruck podcast to share some 'stepping tips'.

SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT: The South Africa Women's Sevens side gears up for the upcoming Africa Sevens tournament in Ghana.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Frankie Goldsbrough and Kohan Herbert have been honoured with starting debuts for the Reds' upcoming clash against the Wild Knights at Kumagaya Stadium on Monday. 

REACTION: England captain Jamie George said he "loved the history" of the haka after Test colleague Joe Marler urged New Zealand to ditch their pre-game ritual just days before the teams meet at Twickenham.

NEWS: Former Chiefs scrumhalf Haydn Thomas will replace Omar Mouneimne as defence coach of Exeter after his axing following their poor form in the Premiership.

NEWS: The Wellington Lions paid tribute and acknowledged the remarkable legacy of departing head coach Alando Soakai following their NPC title victory.

SPOTLIGHT: The highly-anticipated fixture between Scotland and Fiji could offer up a few surprises this Saturday at Murrayfield.

PREVIEW: England and New Zealand head into Saturday's clash at Twickenham with both sides having an added incentive for victory.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Western Force have made nine changes to their starting lineup for their final Japan-tour clash against Yokogawa Musashino Artemi stars and Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix on Saturday.

OPINION: Former referee Wayne Barnes has come out in support of the 20-minute red card while it is being trialed in the current Nations Series. 

SPOTLIGHT: The question surrounding which halfback combination the world champion Springboks will field command the most attention ahead of their three-Test European tour. 

TRANSFER NEWS: Flying high after bringing home the NPC title, Wellington fullback Tjay Clarke has signed with the Hurricanes for 2025.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Du’Plessis Kirifi will captain the All Blacks XV when they take on Munster on Saturday at Thomond Park in Ireland.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby in collaboration with ChildFund Rugby announced the next phase of the Grassroots to Global Series on the road to the World Cup 2025.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Gregor Townsend has named his team to face Fiji in the first of Scotland's tear-end Tests at Murrayfield on Saturday.

REACTION: New Zealand coach Scott Robertson insisted the haka is part of "who we are".

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand coach Scott Robertson made wholesale changes to his team for their Test against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

LISTEN as Quewin Nortje recalls his emotions when he walked into the BlitzBoks set-up a year ago, not quite knowing what to expect, but fully prepared to give it his best shot.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is often portrayed as a polymath of the game - a wizard thinking outside the box.

SPOTLIGHT: Maro Itoje may be set to exceed World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson's tally of 84 England caps against New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday, but he also wants to match his fellow lock's trophy haul as well.

SPOTLIGHT: Without fuss or fanfare, the Wallabies have quietly set off for their most significant tour in almost a decade.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Fiji have named a matchday 23 for Saturday’s clash with Scotland exclusively drawn from Super Rugby outfit Fijian Drua.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: With a mixture of fresh talent, returning experience, and a new head coach at the wheel, Hurricanes Poua are gearing up to take the field for the fourth season of Super Rugby Aupiki.

REACTION: England provocateur Joe Marler has responded to the massive fall-out over his suggestion that the All Black haka should be 'binned'.

SPOTLIGHT: Preparation for the 2025 season of Super Rugby Aupiki will begin in a matter of weeks with the clubs unveiling their squads for the upcoming season.

LISTEN as Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick reveals their plans ahead of the opening Test of the year-end series.

TEAM ANNOUNCMENT: Nompumelelo Mathe and Leigh Fortuin are in line to make their South Africa Women’s Sevens debuts next weekend after being named in the squad that will contest the Africa Women's Sevens tournament in Ghana on November 9 and 10.

REACTION: Wallaroos wing Maya Stewart has been crowned Player of the Year after an incredible 2024 season.

INTERVIEW: There's a story about Ben-Jason Dixon which tells you exactly how the giant flank navigates life.

NEWS: Australian Rugby's finest performers from the 2024 season were celebrated at the Rugby Australia Awards in Sydney on Wednesday.

SQUAD UPDATE: Wales head coach Warren Gatland has been forced to tweak his squad ahead of the end-of-year Tests.

SPOTLIGHT: The World Cup 2025 host England will face Australia, USA and Samoa at next year's prestigious event.

EXCLUSIVE: @king365ed sat down with Michael R. Yormark, President of Roc Nation Sports International, to get some insights on a key player in the Springbok squad.

SQUAD UPDATE: The All Blacks XV have made changes to their squad ahead of matches against Munster and Georgia in November.

VIDEO: England coach Steve Borthwick said Henry Slade was in "fantastic condition" after selecting the centre to start against New Zealand in Saturday's opening November international despite less than an hour of competitive action so far this season.

SPOTLIGHT: Joe Marler has stoked the fire ahead of Saturday's Test between England and New Zealand with his comments on the haka.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is progressing a key programme of work with the goal to establish a financial framework that allows rugby in New Zealand to be sustainable for the future.

VIDEO: Ardie Savea has urged the All Blacks to embrace the challenge of playing England at Twickenham as he admitted the first few months under new coach Scott Robertson had been a “journey of growth”.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Steve Borthwick has revealed his team to play the All Blacks at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

NEWS: Coach Graham Rowntree has decided to depart Munster after a horrid start to the season

SPOTLIGHT: Handre Pollard says the current crop of Springboks will need to work harder if they want to be labelled the greatest of all time.

SPOTLIGHT: Tommy Freeman hopes to leave a lasting impression upon Sevu Reece when England face New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday.

WATCH as Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson reveals his plans to salvage a season that has the potential to become a horror show.

AUDIO: Imagine a tranquil island surrounded by untouched bays, towering cliffs, and turquoise waters - the perfect holiday getaway. Then imagine the best team in the world having a week-long training camp there.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks will be getting into the swing of things over the next few days in Jersey as they get their preparations underway for their November Tests in the United Kingdom.

SQUAD UPDATE: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has added another playmaker to his squad ahead of the November Tests.

JERSEY LAUNCH: Rugby Australia unveiled the new Wallabies jersey for The British & Irish Lions Series next year, marking the first time in 12 years that Australia will host the prestigious event.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach John Plumtree says there is no escaping the reality of players switching teams.

SPOTLIGHT: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has revealed Israel Folau as an idol and inspiration as he pledges to tackle head-on the pressure and expectation of being Australian rugby's most prized signing in more than a decade.

OPINION: Use the words ‘equity deal’ in the rugby space these days, and everyone thinks of SA Rugby, Ackerley Sports Group (ASG), and billions of Rands.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has confirmed support for Brett Robinson as the candidate for chairman of World Rugby.

SPOTLIGHT: The new-era Wallabies are refusing to make any bold promises or predictions as they embrace the challenge of only their third Grand Slam tour in 40 years.

SPOTLIGHT: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has had three weeks of 'prime time' analyses of South African's top players, ahead of their much-anticipated rematch with the Springboks on November 10.

NEWS: France suffered a brutal blow with the news that flyhalf Romain Ntamack will miss the entire Nations Series due to injury.

REACTION: The Sharks are clearly a different team when all their top Springboks are available and everyone knows it.

MATCH REPORT: Italy wing Ange Capuozzo bagged a hat-trick of tries as Toulouse moved back to the top of the Top 14 with a 57-5 demolition of Toulon on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: Rassie Erasmus’ management of the uncapped Cameron Hanekom and a large group of loose forwards will be a big talking point over the course of the tour to the United Kingdom, writes Jon Cardinelli.

REACTION: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen said there was a lot to be proud of after his side ended their three-match United Rugby Championship tour in Dublin on Saturday.

NEWS: Australia will face the All Blacks in Perth next year with Rugby Championship matches against Argentina locked in for Sydney and the northern city of Townsville.

Bath flank Ted Hill, Sale Sharks flyhalf George Ford and Northampton lock Alex Coles have been added to England’s 36-player squad.

NEWS UPDATE: South Africa's injury situation appears to be approaching crisis proportions.

MATCH REPORT: Henry Slade proved his fitness ahead of England’s year-end Tests opener against New Zealand but could not prevent Exeter from suffering a 19-36 Premiership loss to Harlequins.

ÒPINION: The Lions’ unbeaten start to the URC season came to an abrupt end at the weekend, as they suffered a 6-24 loss to Leinster in Dublin.

OPINION: Ian Cameron rates the Leinster players after their 24-6 win over the Lions in a top-of-the-table United Rugby Championship clash in Dublin.

NEWS: England rugby coach Steve Borthwick announced that 17 players had been awarded enhanced "Elite Player Squad" (EPS) contracts, giving him greater control over his top stars.

TOP 14 WRAP: Racing 92 Director of Rugby Stuart Lancaster said on Saturday former England captain Owen Farrell "was sorry" for receiving his second yellow card of the season in the 30-23 French Top 14 victory over Perpignan.

SQUAD UPDATE: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has added another Bull to his squad following the withdrawal of utility back Damian Willemse due to a groin injury.

SATURDAY PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Bath head coach Johan van Graan praised Thomas du Toit's continuous impact after Bath thrashed Sale by 40-13 to go top of the Premiership table.

MATCH REPORT: Connacht were just too good for the Dragons as they recorded a 31-7 win in the United Rugby Championship.

MATCH REPORT: A heroic fightback saw Cardiff rally to grab a memorable 21-19 win against Ulster in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday evening.

MATCH REPORT: Ospreys moved off the bottom of the United Rugby Championship table with a hard-fought 22-13 victory over Edinburgh in Bridgend.

MATCH REPORT: Leinster were made to work hard for their 24-6 win over the Lions in their United Rugby Championship Round Six clash in Dublin on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round Six encounter between Leinster and the Lions in Dublin.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks outmuscled Munster 41-24 in Round Six of the United Rugby Championship as their Springboks once again brought the goods in Durban on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round Six encounter between the Sharks and Munster at Kings Park in Durban.

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers suffered their third defeat in five games after they went down 17-28 to the Glasgow Warriors in Stellenbosch on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The All Blacks crushed Eddie Jones's Japan 64-19 in a one-off Test on Saturday, running in 10 tries in a routine victory despite a sleepy start and a tougher second half.

INJURY UPDATE: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus could be forced to tweak his Bok squad again ahead of the end-of-year tour.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round Six encounter between the Stormers and Glasgow Warriors at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls sneaked a victory in the dying minutes of their Round Six United Rugby Championship match as they beat Benetton 17-15 thanks to a conversion by David Kriel.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White reacts to his team's scrappy win in Treviso on Friday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Test match between Japan and New Zealand in Yokohama.

MATCH REPORT: A comeback by Bristol Bears saw them move to the top of the Premiership with a bonus-point victory over defending champions Northampton Saints.

MATCH REPORT: Scarlets continued their impressive form in the United Rugby Championship (URC) with a bonus-point 30-8 win over Zebre in Round Six at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round Six encounter between Benneton and the Bulls.

NEWS: The Bulls have been forced to make three changes to their Round Six matchday line-up against Benetton after overnight illness struck the camp in Italy.

NEWS: World Rugby has confirmed the three candidates who will contest the election for the chair of World Rugby to replace Sir Bill Beaumont at the interim council meeting in Dublin on November 14.

NEWS: Overnight figures from the first four rounds of the United Rugby Championship has indicated yet another increase in broadcast audiences for the league. 

WATCH as the Behind the Ruck crew - co-hosts Springboks Rudy Paige and Juan de Jongh - sit down with defending URC Champion coach Franco Smith.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: There are only two unbeaten teams left in the 2024/2025 United Rugby Championship season, and they will meet in Dublin on Saturday.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: The Bulls will have their minds firmly set on returning to winning ways in their third tour game, against Benetton at Stadio Monigo, before the competition breaks until late November.

NEWS: French investigating magistrates have ordered ordered two alleged suspects to be tried for the murder of former Argentina international Federico Martin Aramburu following a shooting in 2022.

SQUAD UPDATE: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has tweaked his squad ahead of the November Tests.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has revealed his team for Saturday's United Rugby Championship Round Six clash against the Glasgow Warriors.

NEWS: SA Rugby thanked and applauded Lynne Cantwell for her highly successful contribution to the national women's rugby programme, which blossomed under her guidance since 2021, prior to her return to her native Ireland.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach John Plumtree expects Siya Kolisi to be more dangerous with ball in hand when he runs out in the No.8 jersey against Munster on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has revealed his team for Saturday's top-of-the-table clash against Leinster in Dublin.

NEWS: The Springbok Women's Sevens side were handed a challenging draw for the Africa Women's Sevens tournament which takes place in Ghana. 

PREVIEW: Struggling 14-time Top 14 champions Stade Francais will host Clermont on Saturday low on confidence on the back of their worst start to a season in five years while Toulouse face Toulon in front of a sold-out crowd.

SPOTLIGHT: New All Blacks captain Patrick Tuipulotu said he's determined not to become the first New Zealand skipper to suffer defeat at the hands of Japan. 

PREVIEW: Loose forward Kazuki Himeno makes his return to Japan's starting line-up for the first time since the 2023 World Cup ahead of Japan's clash with New Zealand in Yokohama.

NEWS: Former Stormers flyhalf Tim Swiel has joined Saracens on a short-term deal.

SPOTLIGHT: Veteran loose forward Marcell Coetzee still has that fire in his belly to prove his worth in the Bulls squad.

SPOTLIGHT: Upcoming URC opponents the Stormers and Glasgow Warriors joined forces to give back to the community of Kylemore in the Western Cape on Tuesday ahead of the two side's upcoming clash in Stellenbosch this weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has revealed his team to face Benetton in Friday's United Rugby Championship clash in Treviso.

WATCH as Sharks and Springbok fullback Aphelele Fassi speaks about the competition for places in the national team on the year-end tour.

VIDEO: Lions scrumhalf Morne van den Berg is relishing the opportunity to face the best that Leinster can bring on Saturday rather than hope they rest some of their big names.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach John Plumtree has revealed his team to face Munster in Saturday's United Rugby Championship Round Six clash in Durban.

NEWS: Two of New Zealand's brightest young stars are among those named in the Black Ferns Sevens contracted squad for 2025. 

WATCH as Munster coach Graham Rowntree deconstructs his team's URC Round Six crunch face-off with the Springbok-laden Sharks.

NEWS: Star scrumhalf Antoine Dupont was named in the France squad for November internationals against Japan, New Zealand and Argentina.

NEWS: Gregor Townsend said Sione Tuipulotu was the "right man" to lead Scotland after appointing the Glasgow centre as his new skipper ahead of the November Tests.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Caelan Doris will captain Andy Farrell's 35-man Ireland squad announced Wednesday for November internationals against New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji, and Australia.

NEWS: Springbok Women utility forward Sinzaso Mcatshulwa is looking forward to her stint at French club Lille Métropole RC Villeneuvois and departed South Africa with a clear objective - to improve as a player and grow as a person.

NEWS: Arguably the greatest women’s rugby player in history, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has retired from international rugby - but she's not done yet.

NEWS: Marika Koroibete's Wallabies future has been plunged into further doubt, with coach Joe Schmidt refusing to guarantee the winger would return to the Australian team.

OPINION: The Springboks have the depth to deploy two different starting XVs against Scotland and England and mitigate the challenge of playing two Tests in the space of six days.

OPINION: Are the Lions on the threshold of repeating their Super Rugby glory days, when they were the dominant South African team in Super Rugby?

UPDATE: The United Rugby Championship disciplinary panel has given an explanation for rescinding another red card.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The South African Rugby Union announced a group of 48 players to attend the first Under-19 Academy camp.

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

WATCH as the Bulls' stand-in leader Reinhardt Ludwig explains how he handles the challenges of having the captaincy bestowed upon him.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Four World Cup winners will make a welcome return to the Springbok squad for the year-end tour in November.

NEWS: The Springbok Women will play Brazil in their opening match of the 2025 World Cup in England, facing their Pool D opponents for the first time at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton on Sunday August 24.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been named in the Wallabies squad for the year-end tour, less than a month after playing his final NRL game for the Sydney Roosters.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby has lost one of its biggest names with commercial boss Craig Fenton abruptly announcing his imminent departure.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Patrick Tuipulotu was on Tuesday named All Blacks captain for the first time as they prepare to face Japan in Yokohama.

NEWS: The unbeaten Lions encountered an unexpected obstacle as they headed to Ireland for a Round Six United Rugby Championship face-off with Leinster.

SQUAD UPDATE: Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has issued a squad update ahead of the side's United Rugby Championship Round Six match against the Lions In Dublin.

NEWS UPDATE: For the second-successive week in the United Rugby Championship the Bulls had a red card rescinded.

SPOTLIGHT: The All Blacks will be wary of Japan's "flair" under Eddie Jones when the two sides meet in Yokohama on Saturday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Warren Gatland has named a 35-player squad to come into camp on October 28 to begin preparations for the Nations Series.

REACTION: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson praised his side's defensive efforts as they broke their Munster hoodoo in the United Rugby Championship with a 34-19 victory at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday. 

SPOTLIGHT: The Stormes are getting more firepower back as they prepare to face Glasgow Warriors in Stellenbosch in Round Six of the United Rugby Championship.

FEATURE: The Springboks' missing link, back from injury, is set to be one of several additions when the year-end squad is named on Tuesday.

SPOTLIGHT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White says his team will need to develop a killer instinct if they want to end their tour with a win against Benetton in Treviso.

AUDIO: The Sharks welcomed back Springbok captain Siya Kolisi with open arms and his positivity has already rubbed off on his coach John Plumtree.

SQUAD: Munster will be without one of their most experienced players when they face the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

VIDEO: The Lions are setting their sights on the 'best team in the world' as they get ready to head to Dublin to face the mighty Leinster in Round Six of the United Rugby Championship.

MATCH REPORT: La Rochelle bounced back after last week's heavy defeat to Bayonne with a 32-22 win over Bordeaux-Begles, pulling Ronan O'Gara's side up to third in the Top 14 table on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: Leinster made it back-to-back interprovincial wins as the United Rugby Championship leaders overcame Connacht 33-12 in Galway.

MATCH REPORT: Handre Pollard scored 14 points as Leicester overturned an 8-19 half-time deficit to claim a 29-26 victory against Gloucester in a thrilling game.

REACTION: Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith highlighted the positives he took after his side's 24-28 defeat to the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship at Kings Park. 

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has confirmed that they have Sharks and Springbok prop Ntuthuko Mchunu on their radar amid their mini loosehead prop crisis.

NEWS: Gloucester announced that scrumhalf Stephen Varney will leave the club with immediate effect.

MATCH REPORT: Naka Bulle beat Northam Rhinos 22-19 in Pretoria on Saturday to successfully defend their Gold Cup title, thanks to a successful fightback in the second stanza.

MATCH REPORT: Benetton’s strong second-half performance proved too much for Dragons as the Italians picked up a valuable five points in a 31-21 win at Rodney Parade.

WRAP: Fiji centre Sireli Maqala scored his sixth try of the season as Bayonne beat Racing 92 32-15 at home in the French Top 14 on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Edinburgh claimed a second victory of the season in the United Rugby Championship as they got the better of a hard-fought contest with Cardiff 27-8.

SATURDAY WRAP: Alex Lozowski booted a penalty with the final kick of the game as Saracens claimed a thrilling 37-35 victory in the English Premiership over Bristol to go top of the table.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round Five encounter between the Stormers and Munster in Cape Town.

MATCH REPORT: Double World Cup winner Damian Willemse scored 14 points - including a crucial late dropgoal - as the Stormers scored their first United Rugby Championship win over Munster.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks are back to winning ways after a quality performance to beat the United Rugby Champions, the Glasgow Warriors 28-22 in Durban on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round Five encounter between the Sharks and Glasgow Warriors at Kings Park in Durban.

NEWS: Florian Grill was re-elected President of the French federation on Saturday, surviving a nightmarish year of off-field dramas.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round Five encounter between Zebre and the Lions in Parma.

MATCH REPORT: The Lions retained their unbeaten start to the United Rugby Championship - edging Zebre by a single point in monsoon-like conditions in Parma on Saturday.