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SPOTLIGHT: The recently completed United Rugby Championship regular season had everyone rapt and at the edge of their seats in the closing stages, but the battle the teams face chasing their specific goals is likely to become even tougher going forward.

NEWS: Potential venues for the United Rugby Championship Final, on Saturday, June 22, have been confirmed.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The South African team for the forthcoming World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Cape Town was announced on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Supporters don’t need an introduction to Munster because the international connection is so strong.

MATCH REPORT: The Brumbies have been unable to end Australia's 10-year Super Rugby Pacific title drought as they suffered a 20-34 defeat to the Blues in their Auckland semifinal.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has revealed his team to face Irish giants Leinster in Saturday's United Rugby Championship semifinal at Loftus Versfeld.

SPOTLIGHT: Double World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siya Kolisi admitted that he wasn't in the best shape after enjoying the French cuisine in Paris.

UPDATE: It is still the subject of a court hearing and a disciplinary process, but the sale of the iconic Newlands stadium has been given the 'all clear' - with the price tag revealed.v

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Super Rugby Pacific semifinal face-off between the Blues and Brumbies at Eden Park in Auckland.

WATCH as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus speaks about potential captains for the Wales Test next week.

NEWS: The players' union in South Africa, MyPlayers, issued a statement outlining the way forward to find the balance between player welfare and competition schedules.

NEWS: The Springboks have issued another statement on Cheslin Kolbe.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Matt Gallagher, the son of All Black John Gallagher, has been named in Italy's squad for the first time for their July Tests, the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) announced on Thursday.

SPOTLIGHT: Whether labelled the favourites or underdogs, the Bulls are not getting lost within the external media hype ahead of the United Rugby Championship semifinal against Leinster on Saturday.

Since rugby turned professional in 1996 and the Super 12 (now Super Rugby) competition was formed, the Bulls had their fair share of semifinals and won the competition three times - the only South African side to ever to achieve this feat.

‘I want to see your wife bleed.’ This is just one of the many scary social media messages that floods the inbox of scrumhalf Rory Kockott at least once a month.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: England and Bath prop Beno Obano has been suspended for four games after he attended a disciplinary hearing.

SPOTLIGHT: Simon Zebo has thrown more fuel on the fire ahead of Ireland's two-Test series against the Springboks by saying that Rassie Erasmus "hates the Irish".

WATCH as URC Head of Match Officials Tappe Henning reveals some of the statistics that influenced World Rugby's decision not to allow the 20-minute red card to be implemented.

URC AWARDS: Munster flyhalf Jack Crowley and Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi are the latest URC Awards 2023/24 winners with the pair winning Next-Gen Player of the Season and Try of the Season, respectively.

WATCH as URC Head of Match Officials Tappe Henning chats to @king365ed about the law changes that will come into effect on July 1 - including the 'no scrum from a free kick'.

NEWS: The NSW Waratahs confirmed that assistant coach Jason Gilmore will depart the franchise to take up a position with Harlequins in the Premiership.

VIDEO: The welfare of players almost derailed the oldest domestic competition in the world, a case that went to arbitration. Annemie Bester looks at how the Bulls got a 'jump-start'.

INTERVIEW: The triumphant 1974 British and Irish Lions can be an inspiration for Warren Gatland's current squad of Wales players ahead of their mouth-watering clash with South Africa.

NEWS: Corey Flynn and David Hill will add their throwing and kicking expertise respectively to the All Blacks environment during the 2024 Test season as coaching resources.

PREVIEW: It is all systems go as the top four teams battle it out for the Super Rugby Pacific title.

VIDEO: Leinster is not Ireland and the Bulls are not the Springboks and the hosts are playing in blue, not green says Wilco Louw.

NEWS: Glasgow Warriors hooker Johnny Matthews and Munster’s Shane Daly are the latest players to win a 2023/24 URC Award, having been named Top Try-Scorer and Ironman winners, respectively.

NEWS: Finn Russell is one of several senior Scotland internationals left out of an experimental squad announced Wednesday for an upcoming tour of the Americas.

SPOTLIGHT: Following the recent announcement of Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium as the venue for the 2025 Finals weekend, EPCR confirmed that the Challenge Cup Final will be played on Friday, May 23 next year with the showpiece Champions Cup Final set to go ahead the following day on Saturday, May 24.

NEWS: All Black loose forward Dalton Papali'i expects a determined Brumbies outfit who'll be out for revenge in their Super Rugby semifinal clash this Friday at Eden Park.

NEWS: Wallaby playmaker Carter Gordon has become the latest Wallaby to switch to Rugby League.

NEWS: After months of speculation the Stormers finally confirmed that Hacjivah Dayimani's time at the Cape Town franchise has come to an end.

SPOTLIGHT: As a supporter of the game, there is always something new to get excited about and the annual WXV is no different.

INJURY UPDATE: Leinster received a timely boost ahead of their United Rugby Championship semifinal encounter with the Bulls.

NEWS: Brumbies and Wallaby flyhalf Noah Lolesio has signed a one-year contract extension until 2025.

NEWS: The Currie Cup has been saved through a 'compromise'.

NEWS: Bloemfontein will host an Emerging Ireland squad that will play three matches against two Currie Cup and a Super Rugby team in October.

NEWS: The match officials appointments of the United Rugby Championship Semi-Finals have been confirmed.

UPDATE: The South African Rugby Union moved to bring stability in the warring Eastern Province Rugby Union.

SPOTLIGHT: Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa says his team must learn from their previous Super Rugby defeats in New Zealand to succeed in Friday's crunch semifinal at the Blues.

NEWS: The Bulls’ Chris Smith has walked away with the United Rugby Championships’ Golden Boot Award thanks to his accurate place-kicking.

SPOTLIGHT: It is the master versus the pupil when Japan and England face off next week.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok flyer Kurt-Lee Arendse took to social media to provide an update after he underwent emergency cheekbone surgery on Sunday.

NEWS: Lukhan Salakaia-Loto says he will be ready to answer a call from Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, despite missing the back half of the Super Rugby Pacific season.

VIDEO: He has been the waterboy for the last few weeks but Bulls flank Marcell Coetzee might make his return for the all-important United Rugby Championship semifinal against Leinster at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: If there is one man the Bulls will have to keep a close eye on this Saturday, it is James Lowe.

SPOTLIGHT: In a bold step to create depth that can take the Springboks forward several stars have emerged from the United Rugby Championship and the European Cup to win their first Bok call-up.

SPOTLIGHT: The excitement for the Springboks' season opener at Twickenham is growing day by day.

SPOTLIGHT: Thomas du Toit has been pure gold for Bath since joining the Premiership club from the Sharks but is his performance tinged gold enough for Springbok colours this season?

REACTION: Tom Curry has been named in England's squad for their tour of Japan and New Zealand despite a warning from his club coach that including him would be "guaranteed" to shorten his career.

NEWS: The Bulls duo of Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cameron Hanekom are up against the Lions’ versatile Sanele Nohamba for the coveted United Rugby Championship Player of the Season Award for 2024.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Steve Borthwick has revealed his 36-man squad for their upcoming tour to New Zealand.

SQUAD UPDATE: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has tweaked his training squad ahead of next week's Test against Wales at Twickenham.

SPOTLIGHT: It has been a great season of progress for the Italian club Benetton said one proud head coach Marco Bortolami.

REACTION: Bath boss Johann van Graan had a few complaints about Beno Obano's red card in the Prenmiership Final against Northampton Saints at Twickenham Stadium.

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus selected a group of 35 players ahead of the first Test of the season against Wales in London on June 22. 

OPINION: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has shown his intent by selecting five flyhalves in his initial training squad, yet it remains to be seen whether Manie Libbok or a newcomer will start against Wales in the season-opener.

VIDEO: In everybody's eyes the Bulls have no chance of beating either Leinster or Munster, but Jake White, the Director of Rugby, says that can be a nice place to be.

REACTION: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson said he was baffled by some of the decisions that went against his team in Saturday's United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against Glasgow Warriors.

INJURY UPDATE: The All Blacks will be without one of their locks when they face England in a two-Test series.

REACTION: As soon as the full time whistle blew at the Lansdowne road stadium in Dublin after their quarterfinal against Ulster, flights for Leinster's semifinal against the Bulls in Pretoria were searched and booked in the changeroom. 

SPOTLIGHT: Hurricanes flyhalf Brett Cameron said he is relishing his battle with All Blacks playmaker Damian McKenzie in the Super Rugby Pacific semifinal against the Chiefs.

REACTION: The Glasgow Warriors team executed their quarterfinal plan for Stormers to perfection revealed a very proud head coach Franco Smith.

WATCH as we bring you all the momentous moments from the quarterfinal matches of the United Rugby Championship at the weekend.

INJURY UPDATE: England suffered a major setback with the news that experienced flyhalf George Ford will miss the upcoming tour to Japan and New Zealand.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named an exciting squad of 35 players for the team's first official training camp of the season.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White gives an update on the cheekbone injury of World Cup-winning Springbok Kurt-Lee Arendse.

REPORT: The Stormers' first United Rugby Championship play-off game away from home has ended in defeat.

NEWS: The path to the 2024 United Rugby Championship Final will go through Limerick and Pretoria.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship quarterfinal face-off between Glasgow Warriors and the Stormers.

REACTION: Courtney Lawes said his career in the English club game had finished with the "ending you want".

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship quarterfinal face-off between Leinster and Ulster in Dublin.

MATCH REPORT: Leinster brushed aside Ulster 43-20 in Dublin to book a United Rugby Championship semifinal clash against the Bulls in Pretoria next weekend.

Watch as Curwin Bosch chats to the Behind the Ruck crew - Springboks Juan de Jongh and Rudy Paige.

MATCH REPORT: Courtney Lawes bowed out of the English game as a Premiership champion after his Northampton side edged 14-man Bath 25-21 in a dramatic Final at Twickenham on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls will play in the United Rugby Championship semifinals, but they had to survive a massive scare against a predetermined Benetton team.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Premiership Final face-off between Northampton Saints and Bath at Twickenham.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship quarterfinal face-off between the Bulls and Benetton at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

NEWS: The 2024 Super Rugby Pacific semifinal fixtures have been confirmed, with the Hurricanes and Blues earning precious home-ground advantage next weekend.

SUPER RUGBY WRAP: Melbourne Rebels' last ever Super Rugby Pacific match has ended in heartbreak, with the Hurricanes storming to a 47-20 victory on the back of a big second half in Wellington.

WATCH as Damian de Allende talks about the plaudits heaped on him by his teammates.

MATCH REPORT: Munster secured a home United Rugby Championship semifinal after beating Ospreys convincingly at Thomond Park in the quarterfinal on Friday evening.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship quarterfinal face-off between Munster and Ospreys at Thomond Park, in Limerick.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: Benetton has to do what only one team, defending champions Munster, has achieved in the United Rugby Championship this season - win at Loftus Versfeld.

PREMIERSHIP FINAL: Northampton loose forward Courtney Lawes will aim to bow out of the English game as a Premiership champion when he plays his last game for the club in Saturday's Final against Bath at Twickenham.

NEWS: The Stormers have been dealt a blow ahead of their quarterfinal match against the Glasgow Warriors.

INJURY UPDATE: The Bulls revealed World Cup winner Canan Moodie is in a race against time to be fit for South Africa's mid-year internationals.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has made several changes to his matchday squad for Saturday's United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against Glasgow Warriors in Scotland.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has revealed his team to face Benetton in Saturday's United Rugby Championship quarterfinal at Loftus Versfeld.

MATCH REPORT: The Reds' season of high hopes and promise has ended in disappointment with a 21-43 submission to the Chiefs in the opening Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinal in Hamilton.

PREVIEW: Siya Kolisi's Racing 92 will face La Rochelle in the final round of the French Top 14's regular season on Saturday as one of five clubs eyeing the final two play-off spots.

SPOTLIGHT: All the pressure ahead of the URC quarterfinal between Leinster and Ulster will be on the home team.

NEWS: Toulouse replacement lock Richie Arnold has been suspended for three weeks. This decision came from an independent disciplinary hearing that stems from the Champions Cup final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 25th 2024.

PREVIEW: Munster is the defending champions and some great form late in the season saw them top the URC table. They face a tough task against Ospreys, who have performed admirably this season, at Thomond Park, Limerick on Friday.

NEWS: Just a day after losing its arbitration battle against the players' union, MyPlayers, the South African Rugby Union suffered another significant loss in a court case.

NEWS: The Lions have confirmed that flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse will need to wait another six months before he can join the Sharks. 

SQUAD UPDATE: Wales head coach Warren Gatland has added another player to his squad ahead of the Test season.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Benetton have named their 28 player squad for their quarter-final showdown against the Bulls at 15:30pm this coming Saturday. 

NEWS: Another key player has signed on the dotted line for the Stormers.

WATCH as Martin Anayi, CEO of the URC, speaks about the 'contingency plans' in place because the Bulls are unable to host a potential Final at Loftus Versfeld.

All Black veterans Scott Barrett and Codie Taylor recommitted to New Zealand to the 2027 World Cup.

WATCH this sneek peak of double World Cup winner Damian de Allende talking about the highs of 2023 and what awaits in 2024.

LISTEN as Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson speaks about his team's winless record at Scotstoun Stadium and gives his quarterfinal predictions.

VIDEO: A quarterfinal is no time to be fancy says Bulls flyhalf Chris Smith as he looks ahead at the United Rugby Championship clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Johann van Graan has been key to Bath's revival over the last two years, with the South African coach overseeing a dramatic transformation since his arrival from Irish province Munster in 2022.

NEWS: The Bulls not only secured a URC home quarterfinal, they also quietly surpassed Leinster as the top try-scoring team in the competition.

NEWS: The Bulls will be without their star Springbok wing Canan Moodie when they host the quarterfinal of the United Rugby Championship against Benetton at Loftus Versfeld this weekend.

PREVIEW: The Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinals kick off on Friday, June 7 with the Chiefs welcoming the Queensland Reds to Waikato.

VIDEO: The Bulls must be wary of the never-say-die attitude of the Italians come Saturday’s URC quarterfinal, says flank Nizaam Carr.

NEWS: Fijiana are set to move to a new all-time high in the World Rugby Women’s Rankings after winning back the Oceania Women’s Championship title from Samoa.

SPOTLIGHT: We break down what happens when knockout matches are drawn in the United Rugby Championship.

STAT ATTACK: For a third year in a row, South African players have shown the value they add to the United Rugby Championship competition.

WATCH as URC CEO Martin Anayi talks about the ongoing talks between MyPlayers and SARU over finding a two-month resting period for the players and how it impacts on their participation in Europe.

INTERVIEW: There has been plenty of reasons for Aphelele Onke Okuhle Fassi to celebrate in the last few weeks. He chatted to @king365ed.

NEWS: Fijian international Leone Nakarawa on Tuesday lost on appeal his bid for one million € compensation for breach of contract after his sacking by French club Racing 92.

NEWS: It has been confirmed that Sharks wing Aphiwe Dyantyi has been granted an early release from his contract with the Durbanites.

NEWS: A high tackle of a different kind resulted in a Namibian club player being banned from ever playing rugby again.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: With the season drawing to a close, the annual transfer frenzy has been picking up rapidly, and one man who has been making headlines is Sikhumbuzo Notshe.

NEWS: The match officials appointments for the United Rugby Championship quarterfinals this weekend have been confirmed.

VIDEO: The Bulls won't be chasing tries when they host Benetton in the quarterfinal of the United Rugby Championship. 

UPDATE: @king365ed brings you the latest in the protracted Zelt Marais saga - which includes a new disciplinary hearing.

OPINION: The Springboks look set to benefit from the Sharks and Lions' exit from the United Rugby Championship, as preparations for the one-off Test against Wales gather momentum.

SPOTLIGHT: The Glasgow Warriors made no secret of their intention for Stormers flyhalf Manie Libbok when the two teams meet this Saturday during the United Rugby Championship quarterfinal fixture.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Warren Gatland has named a 36-player training squad for the 2024 Test season.

SPOTLIGHT: Melbourne Rebels coach Kevin Foote said his doomed Super Rugby team can do "something special" by delaying their demise with an upset quarterfinal win at the Hurricanes.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Steve Borthwick has ramped up preparations for England's tour to Japan and New Zealand by unveiling a 33-strong squad.

SPOTLIGHT: Benetton is flying the Italian flag having qualified for the quarterfinals of the United Rugby Championship, where they face the Bulls at Loftus on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers star Evan Roos said he has broadened his knowledge of the game by playing in different positions in the back row for the Stormers this season.

TRANSFER NEWS: Lions centre Tyler Bocks has revealed the next chapter in his career.

SQUAD UPDATE: Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has issued an injury update ahead of Saturday’s United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against Ulster in Dublin.

INJURY UPDATE: Munster head coach Graham Rowntree will be forced to make some changes to his matchday squad for Friday's United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against the Ospreys.

NEWS: The South African Rugby Football Union and SAREO face a dilemma, after the arbitration verdict significantly favoured the players' union, MyPlayers.

REACTION: The South African Rugby Union said it has noted the outcome of the proceedings of an arbitration hearing in respect of the rest periods for contracted provincial players.

SPOTLIGHT: Two Springbok stalwarts, Ruan Pienaar and Willem Alberts, recently announced their retirement from the game, having amassed a total of more than 800 first-class matches between them for teams in South Africa and Europe, as well as in the green and gold.

WATCH as Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson talks about their first URC away play-off game since the inception of the tournament.

VIDEO: The Bulls’ Marco van Staden could miss out on his team’s United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against Benetton on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Flyhalf Curwin Bosch has officially said goodbye to the Sharks.

SPOTLIGHT: The deciding round of the United Rugby Champions league season ran according to script by having everyone on the edge of their seats from beginning to end and the play-offs that kick off this weekend promise to do the same.

SPOTLIGHT: Melbourne captain Rob Leota has vowed his side will push through the heartbreak of their franchise's demise to shine in their first Super Rugby finals appearance.

WEEKEND WRAP: Rondebosch, Waterkloof and Durban High have strengthened their respective positions in the unofficial school rankings ahead of the second phase of the season.

REACTION: South African women's Sevens coach Renfred Dazel said they will have to take their SVNS relegation on the chin, regroup and give their season a fitting finish at their first appearance at the Olympic Games later this year.

LIVE UPDATES: Join us as we bring you LIVE updates on Day Three of the HSBC SVNS winner-takes all Grand Final.

LIVE UPDATES: Join us as we bring you LIVE updates on Day Three of the HSBC SVNS winner-takes-all Grand Final.

REACTION: It was not the result they had hoped for, but the South African Sevens team will take away valuable lessons from Madrid this weekend, after they finished sixth in the SVNS Grand Finale in Spain.

WATCH as Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen chats about his team's season and the possibility of some new Springboks.

WEEKEND RESULTS: It was a more subdues weekend on the school scene, with a number of the top schools taking a break.

NEWS: Bath reached the English Premiership final with a tense 31-23 win against Sale that was marred by Sharks star Jonny Hill's alleged clash with a fan after the final whistle on Saturday.

AUDIO: Sharks Head Coach John Plumtree will reflect on the season that was during his flight back to New Zealand next week.

MATCH REPORT: A brace of tries by Akker van der Merwe helped the Bulls claim the South African Shield and secure a top-two finish in the United Rugby Championship.

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers overcame a red card to record a hard-fourth 29-24 win over the Lions in the Round 18 match of the United Rugby Championship at Cape Town Stadium.

MATCH REPORT: Champions Munster produced a superb second-half fightback to beat Ulster 29-24 at Thomond Park and ensure they will go into the United Rugby Championship play-offs as the number one seeds.

MATCH REPORT: Ospreys are in the play-offs after a nailbiting 33-29 win over Cardiff at Cardiff City Stadium in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday.

LIVE UPDATES: Join us as we bring you LIVE updates on Day Two of the HSBC SVNS winner-takes all Grand Final - involving the top eight placed men's teams after the regular season.

NEWS: After a dramatic ending to the most competitive regular season of the United Rugby Championship the line-up for next weekend’s quarter-finals can be confirmed.

LIVE UPDATES: Join us as we bring you LIVE updates on Day Two of the HSBC SVNS winner-takes all Grand Final - involving the top eight placed women's teams after the regular season.

MATCH REPORT: Johann van Graan's Bath ended a nine-year wait for a Twickenham final with a sensational 31-23 win over Sale Sharks.

MATCH REPORT: Scarlets ended a disappointing season in style with a convincing 32-15 bonus-point victory over fellow-struggles Dragons at the Cardiff City Stadium.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Premiership semifinal between Bath and Sale Sharks a\t The Rec.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 18 encounter between the Sharks and Bulls at Kings Park in Durban.

MATCH REPORT: Benetton booked their place in the United Rugby Championship play-offs after a 31-6 home win over Edinburgh ended the Scottish side's hopes.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 18 encounter between the Stormers and Lions in Cape Town.

SATURDAY WRAP: The Fijian Drua overwhelmed the Melbourne Rebels 40-19 to snatch the last Super Rugby quarterfinal berth and end the play-off hopes of perennial champions the Crusaders.

URC REPORT: Jonny Matthews scored a pair of tries as Glasgow Warriors overcame a scare against Zebre Parma to end their regulation United Rugby Championship campaign with a 38-26 victory at Scotstoun.

URC REPORT: Leinster boosted their hopes of a top-two finish in the United Rugby Championship with a 33-7 bonus point win over Connacht at the RDS Arena.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Owen Farrell signed off from his Saracens career with a 20-22 defeat by Northampton that extends Courtney Lawes’ own stay in English rugby for one last week.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Premiership semifinal between Northampton Saints and Saracens at Franklin's Gardens.

LIVE UPDATES: Join us as we bring you LIVE updates on Day One of the HSBC SVNS winner-takes all Grand Final - involving the top eight placed men's teams after the regular season.

LIVE UPDATES: Join us as we bring you LIVE updates on Day One of the HSBC SVNS winner-takes all Grand Final - involving the top eight placed women's teams after the regular season.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: It is all to play for when the 2023/24 United Rugby Championship regular league phase concludes.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The 2023/24 United Rugby Championship season comes to a close for the Sharks when they host the Bulls at Kings Park on Saturday.

NEWS: Former Springbok Victor Matfield has been confirmed as the Technical Advisor for Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms as they start preparations for next month's test match against England.

NEWS: World Rugby has confirmed the Match Officials for five women’s Test matches in June and July.

FRIDAY WRAP: The defending Super Rugby Pacific champion Crusaders remain in the playoffs race for another day after a 43-10, bonus-point win over Moana Pasifika.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions named their team to face the Stormers in the Round 18 clash of the United Rugby Championship at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has named his team to face the Sharks in Round 18 of the 2023/24 season on Saturday at the Kings Park Stadium in Durban.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Flank Ben-Jason Dixon will make his 50th appearance for the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship clash with the Lions at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

NEWS: The full United Rugby Championship schedule for the 2024/25 campaign is now available thanks to the first-ever in-season launch of the following seasons’ fixtures.

SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks great Dan Carter believes England have it in them to move beyond a safety-first style of tournament rugby during an upcoming tour of New Zealand.

NEWS: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is part of 10 stars from around the world who come together to launch a new charity, the Global Rugby Players Foundation.

NEWS: Suleiman Hartzenberg is the latest star to extend his contract with the Stormers.

NEWS: One of the most exciting scrumhalves in the country has put pen to paper and extended his contract with the Bulls.

REACTION: A legal battle looms between Rugby Australia and the consortium who planned to save the Melbourne Rebels, with the Super Rugby Pacific franchise to be shut down after 14 seasons.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: Bonus points and even in some cases points differential will be chased as hard as match results as the 2023/2024 United Rugby Championship regular season comes to a tense and exciting conclusion in the final round of competition at the weekend.

NEWS: A bid for wholesale reform of New Zealand Rugby's governing body was rejected by heartland unions on Thursday, threatening to throw the game into disarray in the rugby-mad nation.

PREVIEW: Rondebosch will fancy their chances against a battling Bishops outfit, while Waterkloof, Durban High School and others will go into their respective local clashes as favourites.

SPOTLIGHT: Bobby Skinstad believes the criticism levelled at South African teams over their participation in European competitions has been 'unfounded'.

SPOTLIGHT: Bobby Skinstad has explained the least disruptive path to selecting a Springbok captain should Siya Kolisi not be available.

SPOTLIGHT: Having made his return from injury on tour, Stormers loosehead prop Sti Sithole is preparing to face his former team for the first time this season when the Lions visit Cape Town on Saturday.

NEWS: Rugby Australia on Thursday rejected a consortium's bid to take over the debt-laden Melbourne Rebels and shut down the franchise after 14 seasons in Super Rugby.

TRANSFER NEWS: Munster and the IRFU confirmed the signing of 25-year-old back Thaakir Abrahams on a two-year deal.

PREVIEW: With their Super Rugby Pacific play-off opponents already locked in, the Reds are determined not to be derailed by the Waratahs in their last-round clash in Sydney.

WATCH as Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell previews the Challenge Cup Final face-off against Gloucester.

NEWS: The Stormers have made sure that they are secure when it comes to their playmaker stocks.

PREVIEW: Affies will cross the Jukskei to tackle one of Joburg’s in-form teams this weekend, while Rondebosch will head to Paarl in search of a big scalp.

SPOTLIGHT: France flyhalf Romain Ntamack has put the disappointment of missing the World Cup behind him and is focussing on Saturday's "dream" Champions Cup Final in London.

SPOTLIGHT: Four South African players are featured in the Premiership Team of the Season.

REACTION: Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge has apologised for Rob Penney's foul-mouthed insult about a TV reporter at a heated press conference.

NEWS: Henry Slade may have missed out on England's World Cup squad last year but his performance for Exeter Chiefs has earned him the Premiership Player of the Season.

Sharks and Springbok World Cup hero Retshegofaditswe Nché talks about facing a Russian wrestler in the Challenge Cup Final.

NEWS: One of Ireland's key players is set to miss the upcoming two-Test series against the Springboks in July.

AWARDS: Five South Africans feature in the nominations for the 2023/2024 United Rugby Championship Try of the Season award.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White addresses the enigma that his team has become - the vast contrasts between attack and defence.

NEWS: South African flank Chris Cloete has announced his plan to retire at the end of the season and will do so in dramatic fashion on a trek through Africa back to his country of birth.

SPOTLIGHT: Toulouse do not want their past results against Leinster to play on their minds ahead of this weekend's Champions Cup Final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

NEWS: The Irish Rugby Football Union announced that - following a review of its existing funding model - a number of changes will be implemented from the start of next season.

NEWS: Transfer news out of the Lions camp revealed that a promising Bulls flank and a hooker out of Japan are on their way to the Den..

SPOTLIGHT: @RugbyPass columnist Daniel Gallan looks at why some Springboks don't seem to perform at the same level for their domestic outfits as they do for the national team.

SPOTLIGHT: Gloucester Director of Rugby George Skivington said there is no escaping the huge physical battle that his team will encounter in the Challenge Cup Final

PREVIEW: The Hurricanes will be without captain Brad Shields and fellow livewire loose forward Du'Plessis Kirifi for the crunch Super Rugby clash at the Chiefs on Friday.

INJURY UPDATE: South Africa may be without the services of one of their key backline players when they tackle Ireland in a two-Test series in July.

SPOTLIGHT: If a Champions Cup or Challenge Cup Final is drawn at the end of normal time, there is a series of tiebreakers.

SPOTLIGHT: Gloucester and the Sharks are gearing up for their Challenge Cup Final face-off on Friday.

NEWS: The Springboks will kick off their second in-person alignment camp in Cape Town on Wednesday – a month before their opening Test of the season against Wales in London on June 22 – with a group of 38 players assembling for the two-day camp.

REACTION: South Africa will not compromise their performance standards to meet 'transformation targets'.

NEWS: South African Johann van Graan has been nominated for Premiership Director of Rugby of the 2023/24 Premiership season.

NEWS: Ireland and Munster star Simon Zebo has announced that he will retire from rugby at the end of the season.

SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks star Beauden Barrett could make an early Super Rugby Pacific return following his stint with Japanese League One side Toyota Verblitz.

INJURY UPDATE: The Sharks will be without the services of their captain and double World Cup winner Lukhanyo Am for the rest of the season.

SPOTLIGHT: If statistics are anything to go by, the Sharks might have a slight edge over Gloucester when they face off in the Final of the Challenge Cup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: The Lions believe they have turned a corner after their excellent win against Glasgow Warriors at Ellis Park over the weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: Leinster flyhalf Ross Byrne has labelled the Champions Cup 'an incredibly special competition' as the Irish province bid for a record-equalling fifth EPCR elite crown at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.

REACTION: Stormers coach John Dobson has implored his players to play to their true potential, rather than rely on 'guts-and-glory' to win matches,

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Not only could there be three South African franchises in the United Rugby Championship play-offs, but there might be four local teams in the Champions Cup next season.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Reds wing Suliasi Vunivalu will miss his team's derby clash against the Western Force after copping a one-game suspension after his pair of trips earned him a red card in the defeat to Fijian Drua.

INJURY UPDATE: Head coach Leo Cullen confirmed Garry Ringrose is in a race to full fitness for Leinster's Champions Cup Final against Toulouse at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: A historic weekend has resulted in New Zealand falling outside of the top two in the World Rugby Women’s Rankings for the first time in history.

REACTION: With just one round of matches to go, reigning United Rugby Championship champions Munster have gone top of the table for the first time this season - talk about timing your run to perfection!

VIDEO: Glasgow Warriors coach Franco Smith was adamant his side was beaten by a Lions side who played extremely well with just 14 players.

SPOTLIGHT: And then there was one - just one more round of the 2023/24 United Rugby Championship to go, but with so much still to play for.

WEEKEND WRAP: Paul Roos made yet another statement when they beat Paarl Gym to secure their 10th consecutive win of the season.

NEWS: Coach Darren Coleman has been sacked by the Waratahs but will see out the Super Rugby Pacific season.

REACTION: The back-to-back World Cup champion Springboks may have fallen short of the government's 'transformation targets', but the pathway to a 'fully transformed' team is getting better.

SPOTLIGHT: As we reflect on the weekend that was, we highlight the players who went above and beyond for their teams in the United Rugby Championship. 

REACTION: Bath Head of Rugby Johann van Graan described his side's achievement in securing a home semifinal in the Premiership play-offs as a "humbling experience".

WEEKEND WRAP: Griquas will host the SA Cup Final next weekend and face Pumas in Kimberley following this weekend’s conclusion of the league phase.

WATCH as we bring you some of the momentous highlights from Round 17 of the United Rugby Championship matches at the weekend!

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White reveals the off-the-wall reason why one of his star players failed his HIA.

JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE WRAP: The Wild Knights will meet Brave Lupus Tokyo in the Final of the third edition of Japan Rugby League One next weekend at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

REACTION: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen lauded his team for not hitting the panic button during their United Rugby Championship Round 17 clash against Glasgow at Ellis Park on Saturday.

ALL THE WEEKEND RESULTS: It has not been a perfect season, but some of South Africa's most prom,inent school teams are bdginning to show some ominous form.

NEWS: Tony O'Reilly, one of Irish rugby's greatest players and later a successful businessman, was lauded as a "trailblazer" by the Republic of Ireland's prime minister after his death aged 88.

REACTION: The Sharks are busy tweaking some travel arrangements ahead of their Challenge Cup Final against Gloucester at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: Cardiff ended their South African tour on a high with a 36-14 win over the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: John Cooney slotted over a last-gasp long-range penalty to earn Ulster a 23-21 win over Leinster and guarantee them a place in the United Rugby Championship play-offs.

SATURDAY WRAP: A red card for departing back row forward Jasper Wiese will leave Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus with a few sleepless nights.

MATCH REPORT: Manie Libbok kicked three penalties as the Stormers edged Connacht 16-12 in a United Rugby Championship arm-wrestle in Galway on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 17 encounter between Connacht and the Stormers at the Sportsground in Galway.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 17 encounter between the Sharks and Cardiff at Kings Park in Durban.

MATCH REPORT: The Lions not only kept their United Rugby Championship play-off dream alive, but also did the Bulls a massive favour on Saturday.

URC REPORT: Ospreys kept alive their United Rugby Championship play-off hopes by beating the Dragons 26-13 in bonus-point fashion.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 17 encounter between the Lions and Glasgow Warriors at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

WATCH as Stade Toulousain-based England international Jack Willis talks about life in France and looks forward to the Champions Cup Final.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 17 encounter between the Bulls and Benetton at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria

MATCH REPORT: World Cup-winning Springbok Canan Moodie scored a hat-trick as the Bulls eased to a 56-35 win over a willing Benetton in their URC match at Loftus Versfeld.

SATURDAY WRAP: The Brumbies ended a 15-year winless streak against the Crusaders on Saturday.

NEWS: All Black great Sid Going has died at the age of 80, New Zealand Rugby said Saturday.

REPORT: A brace of tries by Antoine Frisch helped Munster climb to the top of the United Rugby Championship table as they held on for a 29-26 win at Edinburgh.

REPORT: Gareth Davies ran in two of Scarlets’ four tries as they picked up a fourth win of the season with a 32-18 bonus-point victory over Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

NEWS: Saracens revealed that Sean Maitland will retire at the end of the season.

PREVIEW: With just two rounds left in this season's United Rugby Championship, teams have been closely monitoring the different permutations for play-off places.

FRIDAY WRAP: The Hurricanes regained top spot in the Super Rugby table with a hard-fought 32-24 home win over Moana Pasifika.

FEATURE: He has the same Sevens pedigree, but admits he may not be up to par in the 15-a-side code just yet.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Stormers added a considerable amount of experience to their starting XV for the United Rugby Championship crunch match on Galway on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Three players could be making their last appearances in Lions colours at Ellis Park, when the Johannesburg-based franchise face the table-topping Glasgow Warriors.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have been bolstered by the return of Johan Goosen from suspension.

NEWS: JF van Heerden has signed his first senior professional contract with the Bulls after an impressive 2023/24 debut season with the Tshwane-based outfit.

SEMIFINAL PREVIEW: We look ahead to this weekend's semifinals and the Raplcement Battle in this season's Japan Rugby League One.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks have named a decidedly second-string team to face Cardiff in a United Rugby Championship Round 17 encounter at Kings Park on Saturday.

PREVIEW: Affies and Paarl Gym will look to stall their Grey College and Paul Roos counterparts this weekend, while a plucky Milnerton outfit will chase a rare southern suburbs 'Triple Crown'.

OPINION: @rugby365com contributor Angus Opperman dissects the importance of Manie Libbok in the Stormers set-up amid scrutiny.

SPOTLIGHT: All Black legend Ma'a Nonu believes Super Rugby has fallen further behind the pack when it comes to the toughest leagues in the world.

WATCH as two-time World Cup-winning Springbok Frans Steyn reveals what is the most enduring characteristic of retiring Springbok legend Ruan Pienaar.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Sharks centre Murray Koster has received a five-game suspension for foul play in his team's 24-25 defeat to Benetton in Durban last weekend.

VIDEO: Gianni Lombard has been ready to help the Lions make it into the Top Eight of the Challenge Cup since his injury in January and his time is now to help out his team.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: The United Rugby Championship is in for an entertaining conclusion as just six points separate sixth and 10th place in the table. 

SPOTLIGHT: As his four seasons with Leicester Tigers draws to an end, World Cup winner Jasper Wiese looks set to head to Japan next season.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Toulouse centre Santiago Chocobares has been suspended for three weeks for a dangerous tackle in the Champions Cup semifinal against Harlequins.

LISTEN as Sharks defence coach Joey Mongalo gives an update on their injured World Cup winners ahead of the big Euro Final.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland will be without one of their key leaders when they head to South Africa to take on the Springboks in July.  

WATCH as Stormers defence coach Norman Laker explains to @king365ed who are the biggest threats in the Connacht team.

NEWS: The Stormers have locked in the services of Evan Roos until at least 2027.

SPOTLIGHT: Bulls loose forward Elrigh Louw admitted it will be costly to underestimate Benetton when the two sides meet this weekend at Loftus Versfeld.

SPOTLIGHT: Hurricanes captain Brad Shields is backing teammate TJ Perenara to regain his All Black place after coming back this season from a ruptured Achilles.

PREVIEW: The SA Cup will reach a decisive juncture this weekend – with Friday’s two clashes in Bloemfontein and Nelspruit crucial in determining the two finalists – as the last round of group matches unfold.

PREVIEW: Melbourne doesn't know if Friday's Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Chiefs will be their last ever home game, but they intend playing like it is to cement a maiden finals berth.

NEWS: The French referee Mathieu Raynal will take charge of the Challenge Cup Final between Sharks and Gloucester in London on May 24

VIDEO: Jaque Fourie, defence coach of the Lions, is adamant that his team cannot rely on the altitude against a tough side like Glasgow Warriors at Ellis Park this weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Benetton flyhalf Jacob Umaga did not downplay the immense challenge of facing the Bulls at their fortress Loftus Versfeld.

WATCH as Bulls lock Ruan Vermaak identifies the reason behind his improved form at the Pretoria franchise.

SPOTLIGHT: In the ballyhoo over the United Rugby Championship play-off race, one significant fact appears to have escaped the attention of pundits.

NEWS: England international Billy Vunipola will leave Saracens at the end of the season, the Premiership club announced.

VIDEO: Lions wing Edwill van der Merwe has been tearing up the fields with sterling tries, but the Springbok invite still eludes him.

NEWS: The match officials appointments of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Round 17 fixtures have been confirmed.

WATCH as two-time World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi gives some insights into the mental fortitude of the world champions.

WATCH as Cheetahs and Springbok legend Ruan Pienaar talks about finally ending his playing career - two decades after it started.

NEWS: It is a last chance saloon for the Waratahs and perhaps Western Force in Round 13 of Super Rugby Pacific, as they battle to make the play-offs.

VIDEO: Unlike Rugby League, in Rugby Union every player has a role to play and one part of that is the scrum - a weapon to gain dominance.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White pours cold water on 'conspiracy theories' that suggest World Rugby's recent law changes target the Springboks' strengths

While the plans to develop and grow the women’s game in South Africa have yet to be disclosed, one thing has been made clear: change is needed.

NEWS: The Bristol Bears will host Australia in a friendly at Ashton Gate on November 8 this year.

WEEKEND WRAP: The penultimate round of the SA Cup brought forth a series of high-calibre matches, with the top four teams all keeping their final hopes alive with the conclusion of the group stage in sight.

AUDIO: The Sharks have one massive game ahead to achieve something this year and that will be their focus in the next two weeks.

REACTION: Bulls star Wilco Louw said that teams with powerful scrums won't be too discouraged by one of World Rugby's latest law changes.

REACTION: The Springboks' first test series since their 2023 World Cup triumph in France has been overshadowed by some daunting allegations.

REACTION: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White admitted his team’s United Rugby Championship home play-off mission has become difficult, but certainly not impossible.

SPOTLIGHT: Things are heating up as the United Rugby Championship enters the penultimate round this weekend.

WEEKEND UPDATE: Grey College tamed fiery Paarl Boys’ High 40-28 in an epic Interschools encounter in the City of Roses on Saturday.

REACTION: Glasgow Warriors Franco Smith knows his side has no space to slip up with Leinster and Munster hot on their trail in the United Rugby Championship race for the top spot.

SPOTLIGHT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen believes that his team will need another six points from their final two games to qualify for the play-offs of the United Rugby Championship.

WRAP: Paul Roos tightened their grip on the unofficial No. 1 ranking, while Waterkloof and Stellenberg recorded statement wins on another dramatic weekend for South African schoolboy rugby.

NEWS: New Zealand captain Sam Cane will retire from Test rugby at the end of 2024, the side said Monday, calling time on a World Cup-winning 12-year international career.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Springboks skipper Bobby Skinstad has named his hardest man in rugby.

REACTION: Head coach Bafana Nhleko praised the character and fighting spirit of the Junior Springboks after they staged a successful comeback to beat Argentina in a pulsating Under-20 Rugby Championship match at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Bokarina, Queensland in Australia on Sunday.

INJURY UPDATE: Less than a fortnight before their big European Final, the Sharks are sweating over the fitness of three key World Cup-winning Springboks.

MATCH REPORT: Benetton replacement Jacob Umaga scored a try and conversion in the 78th minute to snatch an unlikely United Rugby Championsip win over the Sharks at Kings Park, in Durban, on Saturday.

REPORT: The Springbok Women successfully defended their title as African champions, but they were made to work very hard for a 46-17 victory over a never-say-die Madagascar side at Stade Makis in Antananarivo on Sunday.

SPITLIGHT: With just two games left in the round-robin phase of the United Rugby Championship, Stormers head coach Dobson said his team will be going all out to try and secure a home quarterfinal.

ROUND THREE WRAP: The New Zealand Under-20 side won the inaugural Rugby Championship U20 title on Sunday after a 36-25 win over Australia in Bokarina.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach John Dobson admitted that his players displayed more confidence than his coaching team during Friday's United Rugby Championship Round 16 match against the Dragons in Newport.

REPORT: Jordan Larmour scored his first senior hat-trick for Leinster as the Irish province produced a second-half masterclass to hammer Ospreys 61-14 at the RDS Arena.

SATURDAY WRAP: Leaders Northampton secured a home semifinal in the Premiership with a 90-0 annihilation of an under-strength Gloucester, their record win in the competition.

MATCH REPORT: Munster are within reach of a home quarterfinal in the United Rugby Championship following a runaway 47-12 derby win over Connacht at Thomond Park.

MATCH REPORT: Replacement Emmanuel Tshituka scored two late tries - the second on the stroke of full-time - as the Lions scored a 34-13 bonus-point United Rugby Championship win over Cardiff at Ellis Park on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Ulster strengthened their play-off hopes with a 31-20 bonus-point win over Scarlets on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 16 encounter between the Sharks and Benetton at Kings Park in Durban.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 16 encounter between the Bulls and Glasgow Warriors at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls bagged five points, but they almost let it slip against the table-topping Glasgow Warriors in a thrilling United Rugby Championship encounter at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY SATURDAY WRAP: Harry Plummer's perfect goal-kicking proved the difference as the Blues beat the Hurricanes 31-27 on Saturday to take over as Super Rugby competition leaders.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springbok Women will run out against Madagascar at Stade Makis in Antananarivo on Sunday with clear focus and clarity on the job at hand and if they can execute, there will be reason to celebrate at the final whistle.

UPDATE: A broken arm for Harry Wilson has soured the Queensland Reds' gritty and crucial 26-22 win over an injury-hit Melbourne Rebels.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok Jasper Wiese joins the Behind the Ruck team to talk about his future plans.

FRIDAY WRAP: Sale Sharks kept their Premiership play-off hopes alive with a 31-22 bonus-point victory over Leicester Tigers on Friday.

WATCH the video trailer of an interview when Pieter-Steph du Toit, Man of the Match in the World Cup Final, goes on a Walk-&-Talk with Jim Hamilton.

MATCH REPORT: Edinburgh had to fight against a spirited Zebre Parma side but in the end, they secured a 40-14 bonus-point victory to give their United Rugby Championship play-off hopes a considerable boost.

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers, ignited by a brilliant second-half performance, marched on in their United Rugby Championship quest after a successful outing against Dragons at Rodney Parade in Newport.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 16 encounter between the Dragons and Stormers at Rodney Parade, in Newport.

PREVIEW: It is all to play for in the final round of the inaugural Under-20 Rugby Championship at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Bokarina on Sunday.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: It is being billed as the 'game of the weekend' - and with good reason - when the fourth-placed Bulls host the table-topping Glasgow Warriors at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

REACTION: With last year's World Cup Final defeat still fresh in his mind, Joe Schmidt will now be planning to knock South Africa off their perch in Australia.

PREVIEW: The Stormers are aware that Chris Hollis might want to prove a point in Newport on Friday.

FRIDAY WRAP: All Black centre Anton Lienert-Brown grabbed a second-half try as the Chiefs thumped Moana Pasifika 43-7 in a bonus-point win Friday to go third on the Super Rugby table.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has made five changes to his side that will take on the Glasgow Warriors in Round 16 United Rugby Championship crunch match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions take on Welsh side Cardiff in a crucial Round 16 United Rugby Championship match at Ellis Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks are not going to hold anything back at Kings Park on Saturday, when they host Italian outfit Benetton a United Rugby Championship Round 16 encounter.

AUDIO: Springbok and Bulls stalwart Marco van Staden will remain a Bull for the next three years following an extension of his contract.

UPDATE: World Rugby has announced further details of a revised red card sanction process trial featuring automatic off-field sanctions for players shown red cards.

NEWS: Leicester forward Ollie Chessum will miss England's tour of Japan and New Zealand after being ruled out for the rest of the season with an injury.

NEWS: France's match against a World XV featuring former England captain Owen Farrell in June has been cancelled, the organisers told AFP in a statement on Thursday.

NEWS: The evolution of the game we love has continued with the World Rugby Council approving a package of law amendments that will come into effect from July 1.

VIDEO: Desperate times call for desperate measures and the Lions might spring a surprise on the visiting Cardiff at home at Ellis Park on Saturday.

UPDATE: Saracens and England star Billy Vunipola has been given a 'slap on the wrist' following his arrest in Mallorca last month.

INTERVIEW: The Sharks are on the verge of achieving one of their main goals - winning one of Europe's premier competitions.

PREVIEW: Paarl Boys' defence will be put to the ultimate test when they face a rampant Grey College in Bloemfontein this Saturday.

WATCH as England-born and Scotland-capped loose forward Ryan Wilson explains what the future of Springbok Franco Smith looks like.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has revealed his team for their United Rugby Championship Round of 16 match against the Dragons on Friday.

PREVIEW: Several teams will striving to keep alive their dreams of reaching the SA Cup Final.

SPOTLIGHT: Glasgow Warriors will be "one of the fittest teams to go to Loftus Versfeld".

VIDEO: The four years spent playing for the Exeter Chiefs came back to bite Bulls flank Jannes Kirsten when he returned to the playing field for the Bulls against Ospreys at Loftus Versfeld a fortnight ago.

REACTION: Springbok Women head coach Louis Koen praised his squad for transferring the work they’ve done on the training field to match day in their big victory over Kenya in Madagascar on Wednesday, something they have not always mastered in the past.

While there is no doubt that he is an icon at the Stormers, Brok Harris' legendary status will be taken to another level when the South African franchise faces the Dragons this Friday.

VIDEO: Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabkanye is a big unit who doesn't shy away from contact, but when a scrum penalty is awarded against his pack, it really hurts him.

WATCH as two retired players - World Cup winner Schalk Brits and Scotland veteran Ryan Wilson - analyse the URC chances of the two leading South African franchises.

NEWS: Bulls utility back David Kriel has extended his stay at the franchise by a further three years.

NEWS: Harlequins confirmed Danny Care has signed a new contract with the club ahead of the 2024/25 season.

NEWS: Six Nations Rugby is introducing the first of its kind Six Nations Women’s Series, which will debut this July, in Parma, Italy.

PREVIEW: The Hurricanes beefed up their starting side for Saturday's top-of-the-table Super Rugby showdown at the Blues, adding captain Brad Shields, as well ass All Blacks Jordie Barrett and TJ Perenara.

WATCH as @rugby365com brings you all the highlights of the inaugural Under-20 Rugby Championship Round Two action.

VIDEO: The Bulls will welcome back captain Ruan Nortjé to lead the herd against table-toppers Glasgow Warriors in Round 16 of the United Rugby Championship at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

VIDEO: The Lions’ top-eight dream is still alive and kicking despite the gargantuan task ahead in the next three rounds of the United Rugby Championship to move up from their 11th spot on the table.

The first hurdle has been overcome and Leinster will face Toulouse in a battle of the giants for the Champions Cup later this month, but they are far from where they need to be.

REACTION: A disappointed South African coach Bafana Nhleko bemoaned his team's error-rate in their humbling 19-24 loss to Australia in Round Two of the Under-20 Rugby Championship.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Stormers hooker Joseph Dweba identified a couple of key areas that require attention in his effort to reclaim a Springboks spot.

NEWS: The Bulls continue to resign key players on long-term contracts.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok Schalk Brits talks about the 'real story' behind his decision to sign for the Bulls and not the Stormers. as well as which South African team he now supports.

ROUND TWO WRAP: New Zealand raced clear in the inaugural Under-20 Rugby Championship, following another day of monsoon-like conditions on Australia's Sunshine Coast.

NEWS: History will be made in South Africa in more than one way when the Springboks meet Portugal for the first time in a Test in Bloemfontein in July.

SPOTLIGHT: Varsity Cup rugby aside, chances are the name Ruan Swiegers has not come up in real rugby conversations around braaivleis fires in South Africa much.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: A 27-man Stormers squad will leave Cape Town on Tuesday for a crucial two-match United Rugby Championship tour.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Hooker Johan Grobbelaar committed to the Bulls, predicting the franchise will secure some silverware in the near future.

NEWS: The match officials appointments of the United Rugby Championship Round 16 fixtures have been confirmed.

RUGBY AFRICA WRAP: South Africa and Madagascar got off to winning starts in their bid to win the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup 2024 and qualify for WXV 2 and Women’s World Cup 2025.

PREVIEW: The Springbok Women’s head coach Louis Koen made nine changes to his starting team and 11 overall when he named his squad to play Kenya in the Africa Women’s Cup at Stade Makis in Antananarivo on Wednesday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Forwards coach Rito Hlungwani confirmed that the Stormers received a much-needed loosehead boost ahead of their United Rugby Championship European tour.

NEWS: Byron Kelleher, All Black and Toulouse scrumhalf, was found guilty of domestic violence by a Paris court on Monday.

NEWS: With his appearance off the bench against Northampton Saints, Leinster prop Cian Healy surpassed Munster legend Ronan O’Gara to set the all-time Champions Cup appearance record.

JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE, ROUND 16 WRAP: Times, dates, teams are confirmed for the semifinals of Japan Rugby League One after the weekend’s final round of the regular season.

PREVIEW: The Junior Springboks will be looking to punish Australia up front when they meet in Round Two of the Rugby Championship Under-20 tournament in Bokarina on Tuesday.

NEWS: The Springboks and some of their superstars were the headline winners at this year's SA Sport Awards.

WRAP: The Bulls Daisies and Boland Dames continued to make their presence felt in the Women’s Premier Division on Saturday, stretching their winning streaks to four matches to remain at the top of the table.

SPOTLIGHT: Elton Jantjies has vowed to return to the rugby field in the future.

WRAP: In an exhilarating back-and-forth tussle between SA Cup frontrunners, Griquas and the Pumas, the team from Kimberley managed to snatch a late victory in their game and cemented their spot at the top of the log.

REACTION: Hat-trick hero James Lowe accepts Leinster must raise their game if they are to end an agonising wait for a fifth European Champions Cup title.

REACTION: Toulouse flank Jack Willis braces himself for a challenging Champions Cup Final against Leinster. 

WRAP: Affies claimed two convincing wins against top opposition at the recent festival at Kimberley, while Rondebosch ended Wynberg’s unbeaten run down in Cape Town.

WRAP: A thrilling final day awaits fans at the Singapore National Stadium, as the men's HSBC SVNS league title races go to the wire.

WRAP: A thrilling final day awaits fans at the Singapore National Stadium, as the women's HSBC SVNS league title races go to the wire.

REACTION: Veteran England prop Joe Marler has done his already battered reputation more harm with another 'petulant' brainfade.

WATCH as Sharks coach John Plumtree gives his verdict on rising star, flyhalf Siyabonga Masuku.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: JF van Heerden will captain a Junior Springbok side showing several changes when they take on Australia in the second round of the Under-20 Rugby Championship.

MATCH REPORT: The two most successful teams in the history of Europe's premier competition, the Champions Cup, will meet in the Final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 25.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Champions Cup semi-final face-off between Stade Toulousain and Harlequins at Stadium de Toulouse.

REACTION: George Skivington says that Gloucester will be braced for "a massive challenge" when they tackle South African heavyweight Sharks in this season's Challenge Cup Final.

WEEKEND UPDATE: Schools results continued to throw up some big surprises.

MATCH REPORT: Argentina, playing for the HSBC SVNS league title, came back hard in the second half of their fifth-place playoff to edge the Springbok Sevens by 14-10 in the teams’ final clash in Singapore this weekend.

NEWS: One try was enough for the Springbok Women’s Sevens team as they finished the HSBC SVNS Singapore on a winning note and secured ninth position with their second victory of the weekend over the USA.

REACTION: Northampton Saints' Director of Rugby Phil Dowson is "incredibly proud" of his side despite their 17-20 loss to Leinster in their Champions Cup semifinal at Croke Park on Saturday.

REACTION: Leo Cullen was relieved to see his Leinster side "get over the line" as the Irish province survived a Northampton fightback in a 20-17 European Champions Cup semifinal win at Croke Park on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Leinster managed to scrape through to the Final of the Champions Cup after beating Northampton 20-17 at Croke Park in Dublin on Saturday night.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Champions Cup semi-final face-off between Leinster and Northampton Saints at Croke Park in Dublin.

WATCH as Sharks coach John Plumtree gives his view of a nailbiting one-point win over Clermont Auvergne in a Challenge Cup semifinal.

MATCH REPORT: Gloucester booked their place in the Final of the Challenge Cup after defeating Benetton 40-23 at Kingsholm on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Challenge Cup semi-final face-off between Gloucester and Benetton at Kingsholm.

SUNDAY PREVIEW: In Sunday's Champions Cup semifinal, record five-time European kings Toulouse host English Premiership side Harlequins at Le Stadium in Toulouse.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks produced a sensational comeback to become the first South African team to appear in a European Professional Club Rugby Final.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Challenge Cup semi-final face-off between the Sharks and Clermont Auvergne at The Stoop in London.

MATCH REPORT: The Springbok Women cut loose in the second half of their Africa Women's Cup opener against Cameroon in Madagascar, winning the clash by 55-0 (half-time 19-0) at Stade Makis in Antananarivo on Saturday afternoon.

WRAP: We bring you Day Two of the men's action at the Singapore leg of the HSBC SVNS World Series on Saturday.

SATURDAY WRAP: Fraser McReight has led a Queensland Reds charge in Christchurch to snap his side's 25-year losing streak against the Crusaders in New Zealand.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: Leinster and Northampton Saints harbour realistic dreams of a domestic and EPCR double when they front up in the semifinal of the Champions Cup at a sold-out Croke Park in Dublin on Saturday, in short: it’s on!

WATCH as Springbok Cobus Reinach shared his experiences with horrific online abuse following South Africa's win over France in the 2023 World Cup.

WRAP: We bring you Day Two of the women's action at the Singapore leg of the HSBC SVNS World Series on Saturday.

REACTION: Melbourne Rebels coach Kevin Foote says his team feel abandoned by Rugby Australia with their future in the Super Rugby Pacific competition still to be decided.

NEWS: England rugby international Billy Vunipola accepted he had a problem "knowing when to stop" as he explained the circumstances behind his alcohol-fuelled arrest in Mallorca.

SPOTLIGHT: In an international career spanning 14 years, Springbok Women captain Nolusindiso Booi has probably seen everything that women’s rugby at the highest level can deliver.

NEWS: Leicester Tigers’ fullback Mike Brown was handed a suspension of two weeks for swearing at match officials following his red card in their 19-21 home defeat by Bristol Bears.

PREVIEW: The Sharks are ready to turn the Stoop into their 'Stoep'.

NEWS: Bulls front row Jan-Hendrik Wessels has extended his stay at Loftus Versfeld to June 2026.

MATCH REPORT: The BlitzBoks got their HSBC SVNS campaign in Singapore off to a winning start with victories over Spain and Samoa on Friday, effectively booking their spot in the quarterfinals.

WRAP: We bring you Day One of the men's action at the Singapore leg of the HSBC SVNS World Series on Friday.

FRIDAY WRAP: The  Waratahs' finals hopes remain in tatters following yet another Super Rugby Pacific flop.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach John Plumtree has revealed his team to face Clermont Auvergne in Saturday's Challenge Cup semifinal at Twickenham Stoop in London.

NEWS: Lock Ruben van Heerden has committed to the Stormers until at least 2027.

WRAP: We bring you Day One of the women's action at the Singapore leg of the HSBC SVNS World Series on Friday.

NEWS: A vote to save the Melbourne Rebels may prove to be only a stay of execution, with the debt-ridden Super Rugby Pacific franchise facing further hurdles in its bid to stay alive.

In the latest episode of Fresh Start, host and former Scotland international Johnnie Beattie sits down with South Africa and Montpellier scrumhalf Cobus Reinach as he delves into everything Springboks.

REACTION: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White confirmed that "versatility' was the magic word when he made the decision to sign Sharks utility back Boeta Chamberlain.

In an exclusive interview, Rugbypass contributor Jamie Lyall sits down with World Cup-winning prop Ox Nche to dissect the intricacies of a solid Springbok scrum.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Champions Cup semifinal weekend has arrived and with that the start of a period of immense pressure for Leinster.

NEWS: The Bulls have won the tug-of-war with the Sharks and landed the signature of Boeta Chamberlain.

REACTION: Junior Springbok coach Bafana Nhleko said he is happy with his team's effort and learnings from their Under-20 Rugby Championship opener played in very difficult conditions against a strong New Zealand U20 side in Australia.

Tyrone Green’s dancing feet aren’t yet at a crossroads, but they’re getting there fast.

ROUND ONE WRAP: The Junior Springboks and New Zealand played to a 13-all draw in their Rugby Championship Under-20 opener at the Sunshine coast Stadium on Thursday.

PREVIEW: Saturday’s match between fourth-placed Eagles and unbeaten top-of-the-table Saitama Knights is notable for the various approaches the combatants adopt, as it will for the outcome.

ROUND SEVEN: Singapore National Stadium is set to host the hotly anticipated seventh and final regular season round of HSBC SVNS 2024 on May 3-5 as the World SVNS League winner will be crowned.

NEWS: Head of Rugby Johann van Graan has signed a new contract with Bath, committing his long-term future to the club until the end of the 2029/30 campaign.

WATCH as Sharks captain Lukhanyo Am and wing Werner Kok front up to the media ahead of the Challenge Cup semifinal on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sizophila Solontsi and Nomawethu Mabenge will make welcome returns to Test rugby after being named in the Springbok Women’s starting team to face Cameroon in the Africa Women’s Cup opener in Madagascar on Saturday.

PREVIEW: The SA Cup will kick into a higher gear this weekend when the two top teams on the table, Griquas and the Pumas, will battle it out for the top spot in Kimberley on Friday afternoon.

SPOTLIGHT: The "big names" in the Sharks squad will be giving French club Clermont Auvergne extra motivation to push themselves to a higher level this week.

SPOTLIGHT: Eben Etzebeth said he was annoyed by Courtney Lawes' comments about the Bulls' approach for last month’s Champions Cup quarterfinal against Northampton Saints.

NEWS: Dragons lock Ben Carter has been slapped with a three-match ban, after his foul play red card in 27-34 United Rugby Championship loss to Connacht last Saturday.

PREVIEW: Affies and Boishaai will look to make a statement in Kimberley this week, while Wynberg will have their hands full when they host Rondebosch on Saturday.

PREVIEW: The Rugby Championship for Under-20 teams, to be played at the Sunshine Coast Stadium, Bokarina on Australia’s eastern seaboard, kicks off on Thursday.

CHAMPOIONS CUP SPOTLIGHT: Leinster flyhalf Ross Byrne has labelled Saturday’s sell-out Champions Cup semifinal against Premiership leaders Northampton Saints at the 82,300-capacity Croke Park as “huge”.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Prop Zachary Porthen will lead the Junior Springboks against New Zealand on Thursday, in the opening round of the inaugural Under-20 Rugby Championship in Queensland, Australia.

NEWS: The Griqualand West Rugby Union has suspended a professional player arrested for violence earlier this week.

DISCIPLANRY NEWS: Saracens lock Maro Itoje will be available for his side's Premiership matches after having his citing for a dangerous tackle against Bath dismissed.

PREVIEW: Madibaz coach David Manuel is encouraging his troops to play 'without fear' in their Varsity Cup promotion-relegation match against CUT this week.

TRANSFER NEWS: Cardiff confirmed Owen Lane will leave the club at the end of the season to join Valance Romans in France.

WATCH Leinster's contact and skills coach Seán O'Brien defends the decision to send a two-bit squad to South Africa.

SPOTLIGHT: As the Bok captaincy debate rages on, Springbok superstar Eben Etzebeth would "love" it if his longtime friend gets the role in this new World Cup cycle.

PREVIEW: The race to the finals begins as teams enter the final month of the Super Rugby Pacific regular season.

SPOTLIGHT: Coach Joe Schmidt admits he probably won't know his best Wallabies starting side until December, as he builds towards next year's British and Irish Lions series.

SPOTLIGHT: When the Sharks 'host' French outfit Clermont Auvergne in a Challenge Cup semifinal at Twickenham Stoop on Saturday, it will be a clash of teams with contrasting réclame.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok superstar Eben Etzebeth said he was surprised by Ireland's arrogance after the two sides' World Cup pool match in France last year.

NEWS: Three members of the Springboks’ World Cup squad will accompany the Webb Ellis Cup on the third stop of the RWC Trophy Blitz, which heads to Kimberley on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers young gun Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu admitted his sporting career could have taken a different path at junior level.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springbok Women are well aware of the potential reward at the end of their next journey to Madagascar, but they will not make the mistake of focusing only on the ultimate prize and to then be tripped up by something unexpected because they look too far ahead.

SPOTLIGHT: The exposure of playing in the HSBC SVNS 2024 season has benefitted the South Africa Women's Sevens team tremendously and although it has not always shown in the results, the improvement of the team has been real and heartwarming.

NEWS: A surprise bidder has emerged for the Nations Championship finals.

SPOTLIGHT: It isn’t only crowd figures that have ballooned since the inception of the United Rugby Championship - South African franchises have also given the tournament some of its biggest scorelines.

SPOTLIGHT: They have 'been there and done that' in their BlitzBoks careers of close to a decade, but for Dylan Sage and Siviwe Soyizwapi, a return to the familiar HSBC SVNS circuit is almost like a new beginning and an experience they are embracing with a broad smile on their faces.

SPOTLIGHT: After their defeat to Munster at home last weekend, the Lions will have it all to do to qualify for the United Rugby Championship play-offs.

INTERVIEW: @rugby365com & RugbyPass columnist Jon Cardinelli chats to Albertus Stephanus Smith about the journey that took him to two World Cup titles.

NEWS: The Hurricanes face a front row injury crisis ahead of Friday's home game against the Waratahs.

NEWS: Experienced Springbok Women’s players Nomawethu Mabenge, Lusanda Dumke and Sizophila Solontsi have been included in the national squad for the Africa Women’s Cup in Madagascar next month, where qualification for the 2025 World Cup in England is at stake.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Dragons have bolstered their backline stocks with a Stormer.

NEWS: Leinster’s Garry Ringrose and Jimmy O’Brien will both be fit to face Northampton in the Champions Cup semifinal at Croke Park this weekend.

INTERVIEW: When the Junior Springboks open their Under-20 Rugby Championship campaign against New Zealand at the Sunshine Coast Stadium on Thursday, they will have the benefit of calling on the calmness of towering lock JF van Heerden.