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LIVE UPDATES: We bring you all the men's drama on Day One at Hong Kong, Round Six of the SVNS World Series.

LIVE UPDATES: We bring you all the women's drama on Day One at Hong Kong, Round Six of the SVNS World Series.

WATCH as Cheetahs captain Victor Sekekete speaks about giving Ruan Pienaar a 'fitting send-off'.

REACTION: The shake-up of the Sharks' management structures has been described as 'game changing' by owner Marco Masotti.

PREVIEW: The Paarl heavyweights will host the two biggest schoolboy clashes of the weekend, as normal service resumes in the wake of several action-packed Easter festivals.

NEWS: Michael Hooper is ready to launch the late-career switch to sevens from the international 15-a-side game that proved beyond at least one rugby great - but Bryan Habana is convinced the Aussie workhorse will succeed where he failed.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: The Champions Cup Round of 16 kicks off on Friday with a mouth-watering tie at Twickenham Stoop between Harlequins and Glasgow Warriors.

ROUND 12 PREVIEW: Lose on Sunday against Brave Lupus in Round 12 of the Japan Rugby League Open and the defending champions’ title defence is realistically no more for coach Frans Ludeke's Kubota Spears.

REACTION: South Africa's two-time World Cup-winning skipper Siya Kolisi said he accepts he will lose the Springbok captaincy as he is based abroad.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: Gloucester head coach George Skivington has demanded a return to winning ways in his club’s Challenge Cup Round of 16 tie with Castres Olympique at Kingsholm on Friday.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Prop John Ryan will miss Munster's Champions Cup match against Northampton Saints after he was handed a suspension.

ROUND THREE PREVIEW: Two of the highlights of the third round SA Cup involve repeats of last year’s Currie Cup Premier and First Division finals, with the Cheetahs hosting the Pumas in Bloemfontein, while the Falcons travel to Wellington to take on the Boland Kavaliers.

PREVIEW: WSU coach Thembani Mkhokheli has called on his attack-minded charges to produce a sharper defensive showing in the Varsity Shield ‘quarterfinal’ against CPUT on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: BlitzBoks coaches can hardly ask for a more daunting start to their HSBC SVNS career than what is facing Philip Snyman, the South Africa Sevens’ new interim head coach, this weekend, but the 37-year-old will take it in his stride.

ONE-ON-ONE AUDIENCE: Aphelele Onke Okuhle Fassi is once again producing the form that saw him appear on the Springbok radar in 2021.

NEWS: France prop Wilfrid Hounkpatin received a 12-month suspended prison sentence for domestic violence after attacking his partner.

NEWS: Two schoolboy rugby powerhouses continue their rivalry that started back in 1921 when Glenwood High and Maritzburg College face off in the Premier Interschools this weekend.

NEWS: Bath confirmed that Sam Underhill has renewed his contract at the club, keeping him at The Rec until 2026.

INJURY UPDATE: Munster provided a positive update on Springbok lock RG Snyman on Wednesday.

REACTION: Saracens loose forward forward Andy Christie said on Wednesday he is "devastated" he will miss the rest of the season with a broken arm.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White gives an injury update at the start of their build-up to their Champions Cup Round of 16 encounter with Lyon Olympique Universitaire.

SPOTLIGHT: You can take the man out of South Africa, but you can't take the braai out of the South African man.

SPOTLIGHT: The reunions will continue for the Stormers this weekend when they welcome Stade Rochelais to Cape Town Stadium for their Champions Cup Round of 16 match.

ROUND SIX: The famous Hong Kong Stadium atmosphere is set to welcome the world’s best men’s and women’s Sevens teams.

SPOTLIGHT: As the top South African franchises gear up for Champions Cup action, this weekend will also be a perfect opportunity for players to impress the Springboks' management.

WATCH as new Cheetahs coach Izak van der Westhuizen explains the value of having played and lost to a star-studded Toulon in a Challenge Cup Round of 16 encounter last year.

SPOTLIGHT: After facing Stade Rochelais in a Champions Cup pool match in December, the Stormers are well aware of the threats that the French juggernauts pose ahead of Saturday's Round of 16 tie in Cape Town.

INJURY NEWS: Munster have a major concern as Springbok lock RG Snyman might be a doubt for the upcoming Champions Cup round of 16 match against Northampton Saints on Sunday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Saracens announced the signing of Fergus Burke from the Crusaders on a long-term deal.

NEWS: The most-capped All Black in history has made a decision on his future.

INJURY UPDATE: All Black scrumhalf Cam Roigard is set to be sidelined for at least six months after rupturing a knee ligament, his Super Rugby team the Hurricanes said Wednesday.

SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers will be one of the elite clubs in the world, newly-appointed Director of Rugby John Dobson stated.

SPOTLIGHT: A brutally competitive Varsity Cup campaign will come to a head next Monday when the playoff qualifiers joust for a top-two finish to the league phase.

SPOTLIGHT: Watching from the sidelines wasn’t easy for Dewald Human, but now that the BlitzBok playmaker is back from injury, he is ready to help and make a difference to the Springbok Sevens’ fortunes in Hong Kong.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Champions Cup returns with the Round of 16, as the world’s best clubs do battle in the hopes of making this year’s final on May 25 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

SPOTLIGHT: BlitzBok captain Selvyn Davids says his team can't be scared of making mistakes as they play their first tournament under new head coach Philip Snyman.

NEWS: Former Samoa captain Mase Mahonri Schwalger has been appointed head coach of the national side through to the end of the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

NEWS: Wallaby coach Joe Schmidt has enticed another vastly experienced New Zealander to join his support team.

NEWS: Leicester Tigers have paid an 'over-run tax' from Premiership Rugby relating to a breach of salary cap regulations during the 2019/20 season.

TEAM UPDATE: The Cheetahs suffered a significant setback ahead of their trip to France for a Challenge Cup Round of 16 face-off with Clermont at Stade Marcel Michelin on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Some big statements were made in the United Rugby Challenge over the weekend as the bulk of the teams head into the knock-out stages of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, with the last 16 and quarterfinal ties on successive weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: Star loose forward Ardie Savea believes New Zealand Rugby (NZR) should consider changing their eligibility rules for the All Blacks.

REACTION: Sharks owner Marco Masotti and former Springbok captain John Smit are playing down the social media fall-out over Smit's Ferrari jibe last week.

INJURY UPDATE: The Sharks look set to be without the services of one of their World Cup Springboks when they resume their European Challenge Cup campaign next week.

REACTION: The Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson admitted he finds himself in a tricky position following his team's hard-fought 13-7 win over Ulster in the United Rugby Championship Round 13 clash.

EURO SPOTLIGHT: It will be an ameliorated Stade Rochelais that will arrive in Cape Town on Saturday, for their Champions Cup Round 16 face-off with the Stormers.

MATCH REPORT: Tom Roebuck scored a hat-trick of tries as Sale Sharks kept their hopes alive of claiming a Premiership play-off spot by blowing away Exeter Chiefs 41-5 in a breathtaking display at the AJ Bell Stadium.

SCHOOLS SPOTLIGHT: The long Easter Weekend means it is FESTIVAL time for talented young players in South Africa.

REACTION: Just a week after a very controversial decision during Saracens' win over Harlequins, the Rugby Football Union found themselves in another Premiership match saga.

ROUND TWO WRAP: The four Currie Cup sides continued their strong start in the SA Cup when all of them registered convincing victories in this weekend’s second-round matches, while there was also a good win for the SWD Eagles.

VIDEO: Jake White, the Bulls' Director of Rugby, said his side was not in pieces after their disappointing loss at the hands of Leinster in their United Rugby Championship clash at the RDS Arena in Dublin this past Friday.

REACTION: A desponded Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen used the words ‘bitterly disappointed’ and ‘need to be better’ in his post-match interview after his sides’ 21-36 loss to Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Scotland wing Kyle Rowe scored a hat-trick of tries as Glasgow Warriors climbed into second place in the United Rugby Championship by blowing away the ill-disciplined Scarlets 45-3 in Llanelli.

MATCH REPORT: Jack Crowley scored a second half try and kicked the clinching 74th-minute penalty in Munster's 20-15 United Rugby Championship win over Cardiff at Thomond Park.

NEWS: Dual-code international Israel Folau has taken just four minutes to put himself on the scoresheet in Japan Rugby League One on his return after a nine-month absence.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 13 encounter between the Stormers and Ulster in Cape Town.

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers came from behind to record a gritty 13-7 win over Ulster in a United Rugby Championship arm-wrestle in Cape Town on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks continued their climb away from the United Rugby Championship basement, with a 23-13 win over Edinburgh at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 13 encounter between Ospreys and the Lions in Swansea.

SATURDAY WRAP: André Esterhuizen scored a brace in Harlequins’ victory over Bath at Twickenham on Saturday after the visitors fought back from 37 points down to set up a momentous finish.

MATCH REPORT: The Ospreys moved into the top eight of the United Rugby Championship with a 36-21 bonus-point victory over thwe Lions in Swansea on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Benetton boosted their United Rugby Championship play-off hopes with a dramatic 18-14 win over Connacht at Stadio Monigo.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 13 encounter between the Sharks and Edinburgh at Kings Park in Durban.

SUPER SATURDAY WRAP: Cam Roigard scored a try, set up two others and limped off injured as the Hurricanes crushed the Highlanders 47-12 to maintain their dominant start to the Super Rugby Pacific season.

MATCH REPORT: Irish powerhouse Leinster made a serious statement of intent with a comprehensive 47-14 United Rugby Championship win over the Bulls at the RDS Arena in Dublin on Friday.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White gives an injury update after the Bulls' URC loss to Leinster on Friday.

WATCH as two-time World Cup winner Steven Kitshoff joins fellow Springboks Rudy Paige and Juan De Jongh for a very enjoyable and informative chat about all matters rugby - on and off the field.

PREMIERSHIP FRIDAY WRAP: Northampton Saints showed why they are top of the Premiership table, producing a special performance to beat champions Saracens 41-30.

MATCH REPORT: Dragons moved off the bottom of the United Rugby Championship table with a comfortable 20-13 win over fellow strugglers Zebre at Rodney Parade.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 13 encounter between Leinster and the Bulls at the RDS Arena in Dublin.

NEWS: Wales star Louis Rees-Zammit has signed a deal with the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs.

ROUND TWO PREVIEW: Four teams that started on the losing side in the opening round of the new SA Cup competition will be looking to make their home-ground advantage count in the second round this weekend.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: Steven Kitshoff's return to Cape Town in the colours of Ulster has dominated the build-up to Saturday's United Rugby Championship clash against the Stormers.

SUPER RUGBY WRAP: Wing Johnny McNicholl grabbed two tries Friday as defending Super Rugby Pacific champions Crusaders snapped a five-game losing streak with a 37-26 home win over the Chiefs to claim their first victory this season.

SPOTLIGHT: Star loose forward Ardie Savea has sent a warning to his All Black teammates about a "scarier" Springbok team that awaits them later this year.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wing Edwill van der Merwe will earn his 50th Lions cap when his team take on Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship Round 13 match on Saturday.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White explains how his team will deal with the Jacques Nienaber factor when they face Leinster at the RDS on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach John Plumtree said he is eager to test Ethan Hooker at outside centre at some stage during Saturday’s United Rugby Championship Round 13 clash against Edinburgh.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has revealed his team to face Ulster in a United Rugby Championship Round 13 match on Saturday.

TOP 14 PREVIEW: The Racing 92 supporters will be hoping for some good news as their team takes Clermont in the Top 14 clash on Saturday.

UPDATE: Welsh star Louis Rees-Zammit has agreed to terms of a deal with the reigning NFL champion Kansas City Chiefs, according to multiple US and European reports.

SPOTLIGHT: All Black legend Ardie Savea says he is using the experience of losing a World Cup Final to the Boks to better himself as he sets his sights on the two-Test series in South Africa later this year.

NEWS: England forwards Kyle Sinckler and Lewis Ludlam will join Toulon on three-year deals next season, the French club's president Bernard Lemaitre said on Thursday.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: The Bulls are relishing the opportunity to 'measure themselves' against one of the greatest teams in the game, Leinster, in a top-of-the-table face-off in Dublin on Friday.

NEWS: The Lions will be without gargantuan prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye for at least the next two games.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White made a number of changes to the match day, for a top-of-the-table United Rugby Championship encounter with Leinster at the RDS Arena on Friday.

WATCH as retired Springbok and former Sharks CEO John Smit makes a bold statement about the status of the Sharks.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach John Plumtree has made a number of changes to his starting XV for Saturday's United Rugby Championship Round 13 match against Edinburgh in Durban.

SPOTLIGHT: The Cheetahs received a timely boost as they ramp up their preparations for their Challenge Cup Round of 16 tie against Clermont next week.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Philip Snyman, interim coach of the South African team, has made four changes to the squad for the next HSBC SVNS tournament - next weekend in Hong Kong.

PREVIEW: Coach Alastair Theys says that the two-time Varsity Shield champions have identified the clash against WSU as a potential turning point in their season.

VIDEO: It will almost be déjà vu for Johan Grobbelaar when they take on Irish giants Leinster in a cold Dublin in the United Rugby Championship on Friday.

PREVIEW: Round Six of Super Rugby Pacific throws up some great match-ups as teams start to make their push towards the play-offs.

NEWS: Michael Hooper is set to make his Sevens debut for Australia at the prestigious Hong Kong tournament, it was announced Thursday, as the Wallabies Test veteran bids for a place at the Paris Olympics.

VIDEO: Bulls captain Ruan Nortje reckons Jacques Nienaber, senior coach at Leinster, will use his knowledge of the South African players to prepare his team for the big United Rugby Championship clash in Dublin on Friday.

EXCLUSIVE: In part three of his one-on-one with @king365ed Fynbos Ekwiteit boss and new Stormers CEO Johan le Roux reveals how he will assist the franchise in remaining a leading light in the game, including servicing existing debts.

UPDATE: Broken promises and an about turn are at the centre of an arbitration hearing between the national players' union, MyPlayers, and the South African Rugby Union.

REACTION: The Rugby Football Union has issued a statement on the controversy surrounding the TMO's decision not to review potential foul play on Owen Farrell during Saracens' win over the Harlequins.

NEWS: Veteran prop James Slipper will etch his name in the history books when he returns to the Brumbies' starting XV for Saturday night's pivotal Super Rugby Pacific derby against the Reds.

The Springbok Women are determined to finish their European tour on a high and deliver a commanding performance when they face the USA on Saturday.

NEWS: Scotland and Edinburgh tighthead prop WP Nel will retire at the end of the season.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby proposed a "once-in-a-generation" overhaul of its leadership structure Wednesday, setting the stage for a power struggle at the top of the country's most popular sport.

SPOTLIGHT: SANZAAR has announced the match schedule and venue for the inaugural Rugby Championship Under-20 tournament.

NEWS: The Stormers have taken the next steps in their goal of being a "global rugby powerhouse".

REACTION: The Springboks will continue to fly the national flag on the global stage following the approval of the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) Amendment Bill by the National Assembly.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White does not doubt that Canan Moodie will rectify his errors following his first performance at outside centre for the franchise.

SPOTLIGHT: Jordan Larmour has hailed Willie le Roux as a player who “ticks all the boxes as a 15” as the two international fullbacks prepare to meet this weekend.

NEWS: The match officials appointments of the United Rugby Championship Round 13 fixtures have been confirmed,

SPOTLIGHT: Coach Jonathan Mokuena believes that UJ have what it takes to beat UWC next week and avoid a promotion-relegation battle with the Varsity Shield runners-up.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks prop Vincent Koch says Edinburgh Sean Everitt will be heading to Durban with some "extra motivation".

NEWS: French international referee Mathieu Raynal asked for fewer replacement thus taking aim at the Springboks with their 7-1 split as he announced his retirement from rugby.

SPOTLIGHT: As the third edition of the United Rugby Championship starts to move towards the business end of the tournament, South African coaches are flexing their muscles in the race for the top eight and Champions Cup qualification.

NEWS: Highlanders centre Tanielu Tele’a has been suspended for three weeks after his red card during the defeat to the Chiefs on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers find themselves in a very complex scenario. They are in the middle of a loosehead crisis while their two-time World Cup-winning prop Steven Kitshoff returns to Cape Town this weekend.

NEWS: France’s Mathieu Raynal will retire from refereeing following the July international window.

EXCLUSIVE: In part two of his one-on-one with @king365ed Fynbos Ekwiteit’s Johan le Roux elucidates the split between WPPR and WPRFU, as well as commercial chaos that once lingered in Cape Town.

ROUND SIX WRAP: Defending champions NWU Eagles survived a late onslaught by CUT Ixias away from home to reclaim the top spot after Round Six of the 2024 Varsity Cup.

REACTION: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has hailed Leinster as the benchmark as the two teams prepare for the top-of-the-table United Rugby Championship clash.

NEWS: Scrumhalf Danny Care said on Monday playing for England "meant an awful lot" to him after announcing his retirement from Test rugby.

SPOTLIGHT: After leaving Cape Town Stadium empty-handed, Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt is now turning his attention to his former team in Durban.

INJURY UPDATE: Ulster could be forced to make some changes to their matchday squad for Saturday's United Rugby Championship Round 13 clash against the Stormers in Cape Town.

REACTION: Bath boss Johann van Graan warned "we've won nothing yet" after his side went second in the English Premiership with a 42-24 victory at home to Sale Sharks.

ROUND 19 WRAP: Toulouse welcomed back star scrumhalf Antoine Dupont on Sunday, but the French champions still slipped to a roller-coaster 28-31 loss to Bordeaux in the Top 14.

ROUND ONE WRAP: The four Currie Cup sides all reigned supreme in the first round of the inaugural SA Cup, which was played over the weekend, while Eastern Province won a thrilling contest against the Falcons in Gqeberha.

PREVIEW: The Lions produced what must surely rank as the performance of Round 12 by thrashing the proud Irish province in Galway.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach John Dobson admitted that he has some good selection headaches to contend with when it comes to his backline players.

REACTION: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen says his side will be riding a wave of confidence after they recorded 38-14 win over Connacht in Galway on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Bath powered into second place on their return to Premiership action with a bonus-point 42-24 victory over struggling Sale Sharks.

NEWS: Springbok loose forward Willem Alberts is reportedly set to retire at the end of the current United Rugby Championship (URC) season.

The double World Cup winner Willie Le Roux may be 34 now, but there are no signs of his powers waning.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson gives an update on the status of injured utility star Deon Fourie ahead of a crucial European outing.

REACTION: It is all smiles and happiness in Durban after the Sharks ended their five-match losing streak in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday.

JAPAN LEAGUE ONE WRAP: Sungoliath remained third in the Japan League One standings after a remarkable match against the Eagles mirrored their dramatic victory over Verblitz a week ago, only in reverse.

REACTION: Coach Rob Penney said the Crusaders' season could "spiral uncontrollably" after New Zealand's traditional Super Rugby powerhouses slumped to the bottom of the competition standings.

REACTION: Stormers head coach John Dobson confirmed that his team will be in the market for a loosehead prop in the coming days.

WRAP: Mark McCall has admitted even he was surprised by the scale of Saracens' dominance in a crushing 52-7 victory over Harlequins.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls cemented second place on the United Rugby Championship standings with a 31-10 bonus-point win over the hapless Dragons at Rodney Parade in Newport on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: United Rugby Championship leaders Leinster continued their relentless play-off push by beating Zebre 31-7 in Parma.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 12 encounter between the Dragons and Bulls at Rodney Parade in Newport.

MATCH REPORT: Despite playing with a man down for 65 minutes, the Lions produced their best performance of the season to become the first South African team to win at Galway's Sportsground.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 12 encounter between Connacht and the Lions at the Sportsground in Galway.

MATCH REPORT: Replacement hooker Eduan Swart scored a last-minute try to rejuvenate Scarlets’ United Rugby Championship season with only their third win of their league campaign – a 16-13 comeback victory over Benetton.

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers bounced back in fine fashion, beating Edinburgh 43-21 in Round 12 of the United Rugby Championship.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 12 encounter between the Stormers and Edinburgh in Cape Town.

MATCH REPORT: A full-strength Sharks made a big statement, recording their first-ever United Rugby Championship win over Ulster at Kings Park on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 12 encounter between the Sharks and Ulster at Kings Park in Durban.

SUPER RUGBY SATURDAY WRAP: The hapless Crusaders sunk to a new Super Rugby low on Saturday with the Blues handing them their fifth successive defeat.

ROUND FIVE WRAP: For the second week in a row, UP-Tuks swept past their opponents when they thoroughly beat UKZN in Round Five of the Varsity Shield competition.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Springbok centre Robbie Fleck believes the Springboks will spring a few surprises on attack against Ireland in July.

REACTION: Six Nations flops Wales gave a coy reply on Friday to a cheeky challenge from Georgia to a rugby Test later this year, saying only "we'll be in touch".

WATCH as Boks Office guest Robbie Fleck weighs in on the "best team in the world" debate.

PREMIERSHIP FRIDAY WRAP: English Premiership leaders Northampton suffered a shock 21-52 thrashing against Bristol on Friday to end their six-match unbeaten run.

URC REPORT: Glasgow Warriors fought back from a 0-13 half-time deficit to claim a hard-fought 17-13 home victory over Cardiff and move joint top of the United Rugby Championship.

URC REPORT: Munster wing Sean O’Brien scored two tries to put a huge dent in Ospreys’ hopes of an end-of-season play-off spot with a 27-17 win.

WATCH as @king365ed sits down with Fynbos Ekwiteit's Johan le Roux to find out who and what the Red Disa consortium is!

SATURDAY PREVIEW: The Bulls are at the start of a crucial fortnight of United Rugby Championship matches, as they look to cement their place in the top two on the standings.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks coach John Plumtree is banking on some of the youngsters in his team to deliver a much-needed URC win against Ulster at Kingspark this weekend.

FRIDAY WRAP: The Rebels have been left to rue another slow start in crashing to the table-topping Hurricanes, who piled on the points in their Super Rugby Pacific clash in Palmerston North.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has made a number of changes to his team to face the Dragons in Newport on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Salmaan Moerat makes his first start since returning from injury and will lead the Stormers in their United Rugby Championship encounter with Edinburgh at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies hopes to regain his best form in his quest to return to the international scene.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions’ potent halfback combination of Jordan Hendrikse and Sanele Nohamba will join forces once more as the men from Johannesburg face Connacht in Round 12 of the United Rugby Championship in Galway, Ireland on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach John Plumtree has revealed his team for Saturday's United Rugby Championship Round 12 clash against Ulster in Durban.

PREVIEW: After four rounds the Super Rugby Pacific table is starting to take shape with a few surprises towards the top and at the bottom.

SPOTLIGHT: Veteran Edinburgh and Scotland prop WP Nel insists he would have no problem retiring tomorrow as he mulls over whether to extend his career beyond the end of the season.

TRANSFER NEWS: English club Bath confirmed the signing of powerful forward Jacques du Plessis following the completion of a successful rehabilitation period with the club.

NEWS: England captain Marlie Packer will make her 100th Test appearance when she leads the reigning champions in their Women's Six Nations opener in Italy on Sunday.

NEWS: Wales centre George North confirmed on Thursday that he had ruptured an Achilles tendon in his final Test appearance.

OPINION: The Six Nations has given me bit of head space to reflect about rugby and its direction of travel. It’s funny, I remember Frik du Preez, the great Springbok captain was once asked, ‘Would your team of the 1960s beat the current South Africa team? And he quipped, ‘Only by 20 points’. When they asked him why, he said, ‘Well, because we’re all in our Eighties,’ writes Jake White in his RugbyPass column.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales and British & Irish Lions flyer Louis Rees-Zammit is on the brink of an official NFL offer, after code hopping from Rugby Union to America's National Football League.

OPINION: The United Rugby Championship returns this weekend and with just FIVE points separating fourth and 11th place in the table – every game counts more than ever.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: The United Rugby Championship returns this weekend and with just seven rounds to go the battle for playoffs are reaching its boiling point.

WATCH as new Cheetahs coach Izak van der Westhuizen explains to @king365ed how they will use the SA Cup as preparation for their Challenge Cup Round of 16 trip to France.

TRANSFER NEWS: Leicester Tigers announced Australian international back Izaia Perese will join the club on a multi-year agreement ahead of the 2024/25 season.

PREVIEW ROUND 11: Fresh off their 10th loss in a row, and from a match they were expected to win against Mie Heat, the last thing Hanazono Liners probably needed was the Kansai derby, which is traditionally the biggest game of their regular season.

ROUND FIVE PREVIEW: The Madibaz will have the opportunity to extend their winning run and strengthen their position in the Varsity Shield standings when they battle TUT on Friday.

WATCH as Jaco Peyper opens up on the state of South African refereeing after his retirement.

VIDEO: Jake White, the Bulls' Director of Rugby, has called him the coach on the field and fullback Willie le Roux might just pursue that as a career one day.

INTERVIEW: France coach Fabien Galthie appears to still be harbouring some ill will towards the referee and a Springbok - five months after their World Cup loss to South Africa.

INTERVIEW: Owen Farrell has left open the possibility of returning to the international game, be it with England or the 2025 British and Irish Lions, after calling a halt to his Test career.

INTERVIEW: The storyline for the first round of the inaugural SA Cup is intriguing, especially in Bloemfontein - where Hawies Fourie returns to his old stomping ground. 

NEWS: Ahead of what is certain to be another world-class series of knockout fixtures on the road to the 2024 London finals, EPCR can announce the referees for the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup Rounds of 16.

NEWS: Despite the best efforts of the supporters of Zelt Marais' War Room to stop the process, the Stormers' equity deal has finally been dragged over the line.

WATCH as refereeing legend Nigel Owens explains to @king365ed how technology and knee-jerk law changes could ruin the game.

PREVIEW: The inaugural SA Cup will kick off on Human Rights Day on Thursday, March 21 with an exciting clash between Griquas and the Leopards in Kimberley, while last year’s Currie Cup Premier and First Division champions collide in Bloemfontein on Friday.

VIDEO: Bulls pivot Johan Goosen calls it like it is and says everyone expects them to beat the Dragons in Round 12 of the United Rugby Championship in Newport this weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: Crusaders head coach Rob Penney compared his new team to a misfiring engine as the defending champions look to snap their horror start to the Super Rugby Pacific season.

TRANSFER NEWS: England centre Manu Tuilagi will leave Sale Sharks at the end of the season to join French side Bayonne on a two-year deal, the clubs announced.

NEWS: Celimpilo 'Mpilo' Gumede has signed a new contract with the Bulls, committing his long-term future with the Tshwane-based outfit.

SPOTLIGHT: Wits coach Hugo van As has called for a sharper performance against local rivals UJ following an inconsistent and ultimately disappointing showing against UCT.

ROUND FIVE WRAP: UFS Shimlas safely navigated their way past city neighbours CUT in Round Five of the 2024 Varsity Cup and are now almost assured of a home semifinal.

NEWS: Bundee Aki was the only member of the Ireland side that won back-to-back Six Nations championships to be nominated for the tournament's Player of the Year award on Tuesday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Ulster coaching team have named a 30-man squad that will travel to South Africa to play the Sharks and the Stormers over the next two weekends in the United Rugby Championship.

SPOTLIGH: Get ready to witness unparalleled skills, fierce competition, and unforgettable moments in the 11th edition of the Premier Interschools competition.

NEWS: Another fixture has been confirmed for the Springboks' end-year-of year tour in November.

NEWS: The match officials appointments of the United Rugby Championship Round 12 fixtures have been confirmed.

VIDEO: Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth took a candid and forthright look at the problems in the embattled Sharks camp and said there were no excuses for the poor performances that have been dished up by John Plumtree's side.

SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby has outlined the next steps in the process of reimagining the game's entertainment factor, part of a wider mission to grow audience share over the next decade.

VIDEO: The Bulls’ destiny is now in their hand as two semifinals in two competitions loom in the distance, says Jake White, Director of Rugby at the Bulls.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers will look to lay the ghost of Loftus Versfeld to rest as the United Rugby Championship returns this weekend.

WATCH as Tony Brown explains the 'scary prospect' awaiting the Springboks in the Rugby Championship later this year.

TRANSFER NEWS: English club Leicester Tigers have announced that one of South Africa's best prospects will be joining them.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has revealed a 28-man squad for his side's upcoming tour.

UPDATE: Filipo Daugunu missed cash-strapped Melbourne's last Super Rugby match due to an outstanding payment and while he's back at training, won't face the Hurricanes.

VIDEO: Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee is not too concerned about his side facing one of the strongest and weakest teams in the United Rugby Champions on their upcoming tour.

NEWS: Veteran All Black prop Owen Franks has been given a proverbial 'slap on the wrist' for his reckless behaviour in a Super Rugby Pacific match.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt named a 30-player squad for the club’s two-week tour to South Africa to face Stormers and Sharks in Rounds 12 and 13 in the United Rugby Championship.

SPOTLIGHT: Georgia have outgrown Europe's second-tier competition and need "stronger opposition".

NEWS: Italy have matched their previous all-time best of eighth in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings following their 24-21 win over Wales in Cardiff.

SPOTLIGHT: James O'Connor has called for a "Reds-heavy" Wallabies squad and new national coach Joe Schmidt to pick and stick ahead of next year's British and Irish Lions visit.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Life after Scott Robertson has been accompanied by loads of troubles for the Crusaders.

NEWS: Joe Schmidt admits a competitive showing against the touring British and Irish Lions next year will be a key factor in whether or not he stays on to coach the Wallabies at the 2027 World Cup.

PREVIEW: With the Six Nations now behind us, the United Rugby Championship takes centre stage again, and there is a crucial fortnight of riveting matches to look forward to.

SPOTLIGHT: After winning another Six Nations championship, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is now turning his attention firmly on winning a Test series in South Africa.

SPOTLIGHT: The South African women's national team arrived in Spain on Sunday empowered by good learnings from their training sessions with Scotland and Wales.

REACTION: French players, coaches and fans suffered heavily after last year's World Cup heartbreak, but their clinical end to the Six Nations will do wonders to their grieving process.

SPOTLIGHT: One of the most competitive Six Nations championships of recent times ended with Ireland retaining their title after a hard-fought victory over Scotland at the weekend.

WATCH as celebrated flyhalf Tony Eion Brown explains why he accepted an offer to coach the Springboks against the All Blacks and the style he sees South Africa playing.

NEWS: Andy Farrell has raised Irish rugby's profile in the same way fellow Englishman Jack Charlton did for Irish soccer.

ROUND 10 WRAP: Mie Heat has given former Italy coach Kieran Crowley his maiden win in Japan Rugby League One after a courageous 20-19 victory over fellow winless side, Hanazono Liners, in Osaka.

England player ratings live from Groupama Stadium in Lyon: This was yet another Six Nations classic, a seven-try, 64-point thriller in which England commendably played their part, but that will be of cruel consolation as they agonisingly lost out 31-33 to a last-minute Thomas Ramos penalty stroked over from the halfway line.

SPOTLIGHT: We take a look at who said what after the final round of the Six Nations and Ireland was crowned the champions. 

WATCH as Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus explains Hacjivah Dayimani's omission from the recent alignment camp in Cape Town.

MATCH REPORT: Flyhalf Thomas Ramos kicked a dramatic late penalty as France ended their Six Nations campaign with a 33-31 victory over England in Lyon on Saturday.

REACTION: Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony has spoken out about reports that he has played his last Test.

OPINION: Ian Cameron rates the Ireland players after their 17-13 Six Nations-clinching win over Scotland.

OPINION: Bryn Palmer rates the Scotland players after their 13-17 loss to Ireland in a Six Nations finale in Dublin.

REACTION: Warren Gatland offered to resign after Wales finished bottom of the Six Nations for the first time since 2003.

MATCH REPORT: Ireland retained their six Nations crown, but not before they were given a massive scare by Scotland in Dublin on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales' disastrous Six Nations season may have an unsavoury aftermath.

OPINION: It is the wooden spoon for Wales, and rightfully so after a match where a losing bonus point in a 21-24 loss to Italy flattered them.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: Wales have ended their 2024 Six Nations campaign winless after they suffered a 21-24 defeat to Italy in Cardiff on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of Saturday’s Six Nations Round Five and Super Rugby Round Four matches.

WATCH as SARU CEO Rian Oberholzer fronts up to the media to answer some questions surrounding the proposed equity deal with an American company, the ASG group.

NEWS: South Africa’s Player of the Year for 2023, Eben Etzebeth, hopes to be back on the field for the Sharks as soon as next week.

NEWS: Stormers Head Coach John Dobson will step in to assume the duties of Head of Rugby with the departure of Dave Wessels.

REACTION: Stormers coach John Dobson has admitted it is a 'challenge' to manage the expectations of his substantial number of outstanding loose forwards.

ROUND FOUR WRAP: The experience of UP-Tuks proved too much for debutants Varsity College in their Round Four encounter of the Varsity Shield competition.

NEWS: Dave Wessels has been appointed as General Manager for High Performance Rugby at SA Rugby.

SUPER RUGBY SATURDAY WRAP: The Waratahs are losing touch with the Super Rugby Pacific frontrunners after falling 10-12 to their bogey side the Blues in an ugly encounter in Sydney.

NEWS: Wallaby star star Kurtley Beale played his first match in more than a year on Saturday, resuming his career after being cleared of sexual assault last month.

REACTION: Western Force coach Simon Cron has apologised after the struggling Super Rugby team crashed to a fourth straight defeat, describing their 14-22 loss to Moana Pasifika as "horrendous".

SPOTLIGHT: Ireland head into the "Super Saturday" final round of the Six Nations as firm favourites to retain their title where a surprise slip-up could result in the trophy heading elsewhere.

NEWS: France forward coach Laurent Sempere said flank Charles Ollivon was missing from Friday's training session before this weekend's Six Nations game with England for "personal reasons".

NEWS: Scotland on Friday announced a four-game tour of North and South America, with matches against emerging nations Canada, the United States, Chile and Uruguay in July.

SPOTLIGHT: England centre Manu Tuilagi said on Friday he is unsure if this weekend's Six Nations finale with France will be his final game for his country.

WATCH as SARU CEO Rian Oberholzer talks about the proposal that a 20-minute red card trial be introduced in the Rugby Championship.

SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby has released the ranking permutations ahead of this weekend’s final round of matches in the Six Nations and the Rugby Europe Men’s Championship.

NEWS: Double World Cup-winning Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has scored another double.

SUPER RUGBY FRIDAY WRAP: For the first time ever, the Crusaders have started a Super Rugby season with four defeats from as many starts after a late Justin Sangster try snatched a 14-10 win for the Hurricanes in Christchurch.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of Friday’s Super Rugby Round Four matches.

ROUND FIVE PREVIEW: Ireland seek to make up for their frustration on missing out on historic back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams by being crowned tournament champions in beating Scotland at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Rassie Erasmus says he will always pick winning a World Cup over a higher win percentage between tournaments.

ROUND FIVE PREVIEW: England head to Lyon to face an equally resurgent France on Saturday, holding an outside chance of pipping Ireland to the Six Nations title.

ROUND FIVE PREVIEW: George North is set for an emotional farewell to the international game against Italy in Cardiff on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Sharks continued their big signing spree with the confirmation that Andre Esterhuizen will be returning to Durban

NEWS: Wallaby coach Joe Schmidt has added the first staff member to his coaching group.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus says he didn't pay too much attention to Sam Warburton’s comments about Ireland being the best team in the world.

MATCH REPORT: The Lions, resting the bulk of the first-team starters, came from behind to record a 22-19 win over the Pumas in a pre-season outing at Ellis Park on Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England have recalled Elliot Daly for their final-round Six Nations clash away to France on Saturday in the lone change to the side that denied Ireland successive Grand Slams.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Andy Farrell has kept faith with the Ireland starting XV from the 22-23 defeat to England last weekend hoping they redeem themselves by beating Scotland on Saturday to secure back-to-back Six Nations titles.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stafford McDowall is set to make just his second Scotland appearance after being selected to start in their Six Nations match against leaders Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

ROUND 10 PREVIEW: Time is running out for the Tokyo Bay-based Spears and Kwagga Smith's Black Rams.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ange Capuozzo will miss Italy's attempt to avoid a ninth straight wooden spoon in the Six Nations after a finger fracture ruled him out of the Azzurri's clash with Wales in Cardiff.

REACTION: Gregor Townsend's observation that Ireland could dominate the game for "the next five, 10 years" is in no small part due to the schools system.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France coach Fabien Galthie said on Thursday it was "ideal" to be able to name an unchanged side to face England in a potential Six Nations decider this weekend.

NEWS: The Springbok Sevens coaching team has been reformatted and a review of the Sevens department’s structure is being undertaken as a response to disappointing results, SA Rugby announced on Wednesday.

ROUND FOUR PREVIEW: Tuks coach Dewey Swartbooi has highlighted the all-round threat of the Varsity Shield newcomers ahead of the top-of-the table clash in Pretoria this Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Jerry Flannery says he will be a "poor imitation" if he tries to copy Jacques Nienaber's style of coaching.

NEWS: The Sharks have landed another big signing with confirmation that World Cup winning prop Trevor Nyakane will trade Paris for Durban next season.

SPOTLIGHT: Jake White, the Bulls’ Director of Rugby, did it with Pieter-Steph du Toit and is now waving his magic wand again - this time with young Bulls lock Reinhardt Ludwig.

PREVIEW: Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou has vowed not to let a clash with the Queensland Reds get personal this weekend as the Melbourne Rebels look to equal their longest win streak in Super Rugby.

SPOTLIGHT: New Springbok assistant coach Tony Brown says he tried to model his own game style on a Springbok legend during his playing days.

NEWS: Wales centre George North announced on Wednesday he will retire from international rugby following this weekend's Six Nations match against Italy, when both teams will be battling to avoid the wooden spoon.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: Andries Coetzee and Shane Kirkwood will lead a Lions XV and Pumas side respectively in a friendly at Ellis Park on Thursday afternoon.

TRANSFER NEWS: Sharks wing and former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Werner Kok will be heading to Ireland later this year.

WATCH as SARU President Mark Alexander blows off some steam over the franchise officials who leaked confidential information to the media.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: George North has been recalled to the Wales team for Saturday's Six Nations wooden spoon decider against Italy.

SPOTLIGHT: As dream debuts go, Louis Lynagh’s first outing in an Italian shirt was as close to one as you are likely to find.

SPOTLIGHT: Rassie Erasmus has shed some light on his selection plan for the Springboks' season opener against Wales at Twickenham.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok Lood de Jager is well and truly back after a heart condition kept him on the sidelines during the World Cup and he is now formulating plans to stay in Japan longer than his original three seasons.

NEWS: Marcus Smith's "best time is to come", former England head coach Eddie Jones said on Wednesday, following the flyhalf's Twickenham heroics.

UWC’s quest to retain their Varsity Cup status may hinge on the outcome of the next two matches against Stellenbosch and UCT.

NEWS: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus says he prefers his Springbok captain to be based locally as question marks were raised over Siya Kolisi's future with the Springboks.

NEWS: All Blacks lock Scott Barrett is expected to miss the next six weeks with a fractured finger, the Crusaders said Wednesday, adding to the woes of the winless Super Rugby champions.

NEWS: The Reds have suffered a blow ahead of Friday's clash with the Rebels with prop Sef Fa'agase suspended for four games.

NEWS: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will miss England's Six Nations clash with France on Saturday after reporting symptoms of a concussion.

NEWS: Jason Jenkins is on his way back to South Africa after it was confirmed that the giant lock has signed on the dotted line.

REACTION: The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport has poured cold water on recent rumours linking banned Springbok Elton Jantjies to a comeback.

UPDATE: It may not be their 'High Noon at the OK Corral' moment, but the South African Rugby Union and the four main franchises are set for a 'showdown' of considerable significance on Thursday.

NEWS: Rassie Erasmus confirmed a re-purposed Springbok coaching and management team on Tuesday, as the newly re-appointed head coach began putting in place the building blocks for a 13-Test season in 2024 at the start of a new Rugby World Cup cycle.

ROUND FOUR WRAP: After a tough first half, defending champions NWU Eagles ran away for a thorough victory over Wits in round four of the 2024 Varsity Cup. UFS Shimlas continued their fine form beating UWC while Maties were victorious over UWC. UCT Ikeys had too much firepower for CUT.

NEWS: The World Rugby rankings will make for an interesting topic of conversation in the Lynagh household this week.

NEWS: Reds coach Les Kiss has called for greater protection off the ball for Super Rugby Pacific's playmakers.

REACTION: Ireland coach Andy Farrell insisted retaining the Six Nations title would be anything but an "anti-climax", after his side's bid for back-to-back Grand Slams ended with a dramatic defeat to England.

WATCH as the Boks Office crew – host Hanyani Shimange, along with Springbok legends Jean de Villiers and Schalk Burger, with guest Robbie Fleck - analyses the Sharks' shambolic URC season.

SPOTLIGHT: England scuppered Ireland's dream of back-to-back Grand Slams with a thrilling win, Italy defeated Scotland and France added to the pressure on Wales as the Six Nations sparked into life.

SPOTLIGHT: The 33-year-old Julian Savea is the undisputed try-scoring king of the Super Rugby, but the list still includes a Springbok wing.

Wales player ratings: A fourth defeat and a one-sided scoreline might point to a team that struggled to match France. And that is mostly true. But a commendable first half will give Warren Gatland something to work on. If only he can find a solution to the lack of power throughout the side and an inability to stand up to bigger men.

France player ratings: With eight changes from the draw with Italy, the French needed a big performance and a record score in Cardiff against Wales will have steadied the nerves at home. There is still more to come from this French side but they will need another massive 80 minutes from their six front-row forwards to have the same kind of impact against England.

REACTION: Wales coach Warren Gatland insisted that there would be no hiding in the run-up to the Six Nations wooden spoon decider against Italy next week.

REACTION: France coach Fabien Galthie said his team is determined to end a disappointing Six Nations tournament with a flurry.

MATCH REPORT: France almost certainly ensured Wales will finish with the Six Nations wooden spoon.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of Sunday’s Six Nations Round Four match between Wales and France in Cardiff.

REACTION: Stormers coach John Dobson has put a positive spin on his team's weekend excursion to Premiership leaders Northampton Saints, but admitted they have at least one injury concern.

JAPAN LEAGUE ONE WRAP: Former Wallaby coaches Robbie Deans and Dave Rennie have enjoyed big wins in Round Nine of Japan Rugby League One.

REACTION: Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada beamed with pride on Saturday after his team of "nutters" beat Scotland 31-29 to win their first Six Nations home match in 11 years.

REACTION: Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan praised the Queensland Reds' takedown of his powerhouse Super Rugby Pacific side, saying their never-say-die attitude was reminiscent of his own team.

REACTION: Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has sidestepped questions on his future after his side suffered a 29-31 defeat to Italy in Rome on Saturday.

REACTION: England head coach Steve Borthwick was pressed for some answers on his exchange with Ireland head coach Andy Farrell at half-time during Saturday's Six Nations clash at Twickenham.

MATCH REPORT: Griquas put down an early marker with their 25-22 win over the Currie Cup champion Cheetahs in a pre-season friendly in Jacobsdal on Saturday.

OPINION: Liam Heagney rates the England players after their dramatic 23-22 Six Nations win over Ireland at Twickenham.

OPINION: Ian Cameron rates the Ireland players after their 22-23 loss to England in a Six Nations thriller at Twickenham on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Marcus Smith landed a drop-goal in extra time, as England shattered Ireland's Six Nations Grand Slam dream at Twickenham on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific Round Three and Six Nations Round Four matches.

OPINION: Scotland’s hopes of achieving a top-two finish in the Six Nations suffered a major blow as they lost to Italy for the first time since 2015, ending a run of 13 successive victories over the Azzurri – including the last eight in the Championship.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: Italy recorded their first home Six Nations win in 11 years after they edged Scotland 31-29 in Saturday's Round Four thriller in Rome.

WATCH as the Boks Office crew – host Hanyani Shimange, along with Springbok legends Jean de Villiers and Schalk Burger - with guest Robbie Fleck respond to Celtic claims that Ireland is the best team in the World.

ROUND FOUR PREVIEW: With France and Wales both out to gain back some credibility, the big question on everyone’s lips is if the Les Bleus can rediscover their Six Nations form and silence the boisterous Principality Stadium in Round Four on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers, minus their World Cup superstars, held on for a credible 45-29 win over Premiership leaders Northampton Saints in an exhibition match at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday.

ROUND THREE WRAP: Only one point separates the top three teams on the 2024 Varsity Shield standings after round three.

NEWS: The 2025 Six Nations fixtures have been confirmed, with next year's Championship starting in Paris under Friday night lights on January 31.

SATURDAY WRAP: The Canterbury Crusaders were stunned 10-20 by Fijian Drua on Saturday for a third straight defeat, equalling their worst start to a Super Rugby season.

NEWS: Wales will play the Reds in a 20-year first that is  to become a calendar staple.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas will face the Cheetahs in their third warm-up match this season in Jacobsdal on Saturday with the experienced George Whitehead running out at fullback.

NEWS: Wales coach Warren Gatland said Friday that the absence of Antoine Dupont was a "massive loss" for a France team that has struggled this Six Nations.

NEWS: Ben Gollings has been sacked as head coach of the Fijian men's sevens team, the Fiji Rugby Union said Friday, four months before the side bids for a third straight Olympic gold in Paris.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France head coach Fabien Galthie announced eight changes for his team for this weekend's Six Nations trip to Wales in Round Four of the competition.

FRIDAY WRAP: The Waratahs have crashed back to earth with a crushing 21-23 Super Rugby Pacific loss to the Highlanders in Sydney.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of Friday’s Super Rugby Pacific Round Three matches.

NEWS: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus will receive an honorary doctorate from the North-West University in Potchefstroom in recognition of his innovative and exceptional management of the Springboks during their victorious 2019 and 2023 World Cup campaigns.

SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby has published all the possible permutations ahead of the fourth round of the Six Nations and the resumption of the Rugby Europe Men’s Trophy.

ROUND FOUR PREVIEW: Andy Farrell has insisted his native England remain capable of scuppering Ireland's bid for successive Grand Slams even though the visitors will be overwhelming favourites to win Saturday's Six Nations clash at Twickenham.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has provided some insight into what went on during the Springboks' first alignment camp this week.

ROUND FOUR PREVIEW: Scotland have an outside chance of claiming their first Six Nations title in a quarter of a century as they face improved Italy in Rome on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has made three changes to his side’s starting line-up for their clash against Italy in Rome in the penultimate round of the Six Nations.

MATCH REPORT: The SA Under-20 side had a friendly match against a Lions XV at Ellis Park on Thursday afternoon with the youngsters going down 17-57.

NEWS: Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh has revealed that AUS$2.6 million in unapproved expenses were invested in Eddie Jones' disastrous 2023 World Cup campaign.

NEWS: South African loose forward Hanro Liebenberg has made a big decision on his playing future.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Louis Lynagh, the son of Australia rugby great Michael Lynagh, will make his senior international debut against Scotland in the Six Nations on Saturday after opting to play for Italy.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers assistant coach Dawie Snyman confirmed that loose forward Hacjivah Dayimani will be used on the wing in Saturday's friendly against Northampton Saints on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is set to make his first England start after coach Steve Borthwick made three personnel changes to his side for Saturday's Six Nations clash at home to Ireland.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named his matchday squad for Saturday’s Six Nations clash against England at Twickenham.

WATCH as Tendai Mtawarira shares some pearls of wisdom with the latest recruits to the Roc Nation Sports International family.

NEWS: As of next month referees on the global stage will have access to new specialist coaches and performance management as part of World Rugby's new strategic approach to officiating that was just announced.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok wing Sbu Nkosi will make his first appearance for the Cheetahs in a SA Cup warm=up match against Griquas in Jacobsdal on Saturday.

NEWS: Chiefs prop Jared Proffit has been suspended for three weeks for foul play.

PREVIEW: Round Nine of the Japan Rugby League One is hotting up where things could not have gone much better so far for Brave Lupus side.

WATCH as the Boks Office crew – host Hanyani Shimange, along with Springbok legends Jean de Villiers and Schalk Burger - with guest Robbie Fleck reveal what was the decisive factor in the decision to name Siya Kolisi captain.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Experienced prop Brok Harris will lead the Stormers in a friendly encounter with Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Newcomers Varsity College are gunning for a third-consecutive win in the Varsity Shield ahead of the ‘big one’ against Tuks in Round Four.

PREVIEW: Round Three of Super Rugby Pacific poses some interesting questions for the New Zealand teams in the competition.

REACTION: The decision by WADA to suspend Africa's only accredited drug-testing laboratory will not prevent the Springboks from flying the South African flag at international events later this year.

SPOTLIGHT: Round 11 of the 2023/24 United Rugby Championship season is done and dusted and things are really starting to heat up with a whopping 12 of the 16 teams still in contention for the playoffs.

REACTION: The Hurricanes said they have apologised to the New Zealand government after their women's team used a traditional haka to slam the government as a "redneck" coalition.

NEWS: Scotland centre Huw Jones said he had been "tempted" by a possible move to France before deciding to continue his career with Glasgow.

REACTION: Wales have dropped George North and will field a new centre duo of Joe Roberts and Owen Watkin at home to France on Sunday when they go in search of a first win in this season's Six Nations.

NEWS: Ulter announced that three of their senior players extended their contracts with the province, one of them captain James Hume.

NEWS: New Springbok assistant coaches Jerry Flannery and Tony Brown, as well as referee Jaco Peyper, had their first stint in the Springbok camp.

INJURY UPDATE: Two-time World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siya Kolisi expects to be back on the playing field 'soon'.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales will field a new centre partnership of Joe Roberts and Owen Watkin in Sunday's Six Nations match at home to France.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Crusaders have signed New Zealand-born back Johnny McNicholl from Welsh club Llanelli Scarlets as cover for the injured All Blacks star Will Jordan and British and Irish Lions fullback Leigh Halfpenny.

SPOTLIGHT: Three rounds of the Six Nations have been completed and a number of key players have already led the way in terms of their performance.

REACTION: The Stormers will go 'lick their wounds' after the Loftus Versfeld horror show, when they face Northampton Saints in a scheduled friendly at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Shimlas coach André Tredoux has hailed the resilience of his team in the wake of their statement win against defending champions NWU Eagles.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi has issued a statement after his tense exchange with referee Aimee Barrett-Theron during Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash between the Lions and Sharks went viral.

NEWS: Jordie Barrett of the Hurricanes has been suspended for three weeks following an incident that happened against the Reds in a Super Rugby Pacific match over the weekend.

NEWS: Nigel Ah Wong of Moana Pasifika has been issued a warning after a no-arms tackle in the game against Fijian Drua in a Super Rugby Pacific game over the weekend resulted in a red card.

SPOTLIGHT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen says there is no time to get "emotional" about young players leaving the franchise for rival teams.

INJURY UPDATE: Former Italy captain Luca Bigi was called up to replace injured hooker Marco Manfredi in the squad for this weekend's Six Nations game against Scotland in Rome.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White makes a blunt declaration about his team's progress.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach John Plumtree breaks down another frustrating performance in the United Rugby Championship.

ROUND THREE WRAP: There were a number of 'big movers' in Round Three of the Varsity Cup.

NEWS: Following a nasty head clash in the Super Rugby Pacific match between the Chiefs and the Brumbies for which prop Jared Proffit received a red card, he will appear before a judicial committee on Wednesday.

NEWS: Tickets for the two-Test series opener between the Springboks and Ireland on July 6 at Loftus Versfeld are officially sold out.

WATCH as referee Aimee Barrett-Theron schools two-time World Cup-winning Springbok Bongi Mbonambi on the ethos of the game.v

SQUAD UPDATE: Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has called up four players to his squad ahead of their Six Nations Round Four clash against Italy in Rome on Saturday.

REACTION: Springbok Sevens head coach Sandile Ngcobo is searching for answers after another dismal showing by his side on the SVNS circuit.

REACTION: Stormers captain Deon Fourie was clearly disheartened with his teams' lack of performance in the United Rugby Championship game against the Bulls at Loftus on Saturday, referring to their mistakes as stupid.

REACTION: The Bulls' forwards laid the foundation for their first-ever United Rugby Championship victory over the Stormers and captain Marcell Coetzee and his pack were the dominant force at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Rassie Erasmus is by far the best coach says World Cup winner Vincent Koch.

SPOTLIGHT: Scrumhalves Sanele Nohamba and Morne van den Berg once again proved how valuable they can be on attack.

WRAP: Los Angeles hosts the fifth round of HSBC SVNS at the California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, California.

WRAP: Los Angeles hosts the fifth round of HSBC SVNS at the California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, California.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Steve Borthwick has named his 36-man squad for the upcoming Six Nations fixture against Ireland at Twickenham Stadium.

WATCH as Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi labels England's energy as "plastic" during their World Cup semifinal in France last year.

SUPER RUGBY SUNDAY WRAP: A Damian McKenzie-inspired Chiefs reinforced their Super Rugby title credentials Sunday with a statement win over the Brumbies, a week after upsetting the Crusaders.

ROUND EIGHT WRAP: Springbok lock Lood de Jager continued his try-scoring form in Japan.

WRAP: Los Angeles hosts the fifth round of HSBC SVNS at the California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, California.

SATURDAY WRAP: United Rugby Championship leaders Leinster overcame fierce Cardiff resistance to claim a 33-20 bonus-point victory at the Arms Park.

WRAP: Los Angeles hosts the fifth round of HSBC SVNS at the California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, California.

WRAP: Los Angeles hosts the fifth round of HSBC SVNS at the California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, California.

WRAP: Los Angeles hosts the fifth round of HSBC SVNS at the California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, California.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls scored their first-ever United Rugby Championship win over the Stormers - a bonus-point (40-22) victory at a sold-out Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific and United Rugby Championship matches.

MATCH REPORT: Connacht moved into the United Rugby Championship play-off positions following a 26-10 victory over Scarlets at The Sportsground.

URC REPORT: Glasgow Warriors were made to battle for their 19-9 win over Benetton at Stadio Monigo in the United Rugby Championship.

URC REPORT: The Lions ensured that they stayed in the fight for a top-eight finish in the United Rugby Championship after they thumped the Sharks 40-10 in their Round 11 encounter in Johannesburg on Saturday.

SATURDAY WRAP: The battle of the Pacific has gone the way of the Fijian Drua in the first two years of the teams’ involvement in Super Rugby Pacific, but Moana Pasifika was on a mission to change that at Super Round in Melbourne.

ROUND TWO WRAP: Varsity College are continuing on their winning ways in the 2024 Varsity Shield after a solid victory at home over UFH in Round Two.

FRIDAY WRAP: Hamish Watson's early try set Edinburgh on their way to a hard-fought 19-15 victory at home to Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship.

WATCH as the Boks Office team - with host Hanyani Shimange, Springbok legends Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers - select a 'Springbok' team from Southern African players who are capped for other countries.

SPOTLIGHT: Evan Roos has revealed why he believes coaches such as John Dobson at the Stormers and Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus are able to rally their players so successfully behind them.

NEWS: Harlequins confirmed on Friday that Andre Esterhuizen will depart the club at the end of the 2023/24 season and return to South Africa for family reasons.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: The biggest game of the season, the North-South derby, will be played in front of the first sell-out crowd of the year.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMETN: Jacques van Rooyen and Lionel Mapoe will co-lead the Bulls side that will take on the Leopards in a friendly match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

NEWS: Edinburgh and Scotland wing Darcy Graham is set to miss the rest of the season after being told he requires groin surgery, meaning he will play no further part in the Six Nations.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of Friday’s Super Rugby Pacific matches.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls welcome back powerhouse tighthead Wilco Louw for the big North-South derby when they host the Stormers in Round 11 of the United Rugby Championship at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson reveals the reasons behind the absence on two-time World Cup-winning Springbok prop Frans Malherbe.

FRIDAY WRAP: The Blues have continued their unbeaten start to 2024 and stretched the Highlanders' misery against their Kiwi rivals with a 37-29 victory to open Super Round in Melbourne.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Deon Fourie returns as captain of the Stormers for the United Rugby Championship North-South encounter with the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jordan Hendrikse is back at flyhalf for the Lions against the Sharks in Round 11 of the United Rugby Championship at Ellis Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks travel to Johannesburg to take on the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday, as the United Rugby Championship resumes with Round 11.

EXCLUSIVE: Sharks-bound Lions flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse talks to @king365ed about the reasons for exchanging Ellis Park for the Shark Tank.

TRANSFER NEWS: Scarlets are strengthening their squad with some South African muscle.

SPOTLIGHT: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has praised the coaches in the Stormers camp for helping players add a few more strings to their attacking bow.

WATCH as Bulls forwards coach Andries Bekker chats to @king365ed about the #BIG North-South derby at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

NEWS: World Rugby’s Shape of the Game forum in London has put forward five recommendations to improve the game globally going forward.

NEWS: Emmanuel Meafou is in line to win his first Test cap for France after being named on Thursday in Fabien Galthie's 34-man squad for the Six Nations match against Wales on March 10.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: The United Rugby Championship returns this weekend and with just seven points separating second and ninth place in the table – EVERY GAME COUNTS.

NEWS: Wales boss Warren Gatland said that recent comments he made about problems with the structure of rugby in the country were not a criticism of the coaches at the four professional regional teams.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White speaks about his team's seven-match losing streak against the Stormers.

TRANSFER NEWS: Former Stormers lock Cobus Wiese is set to return to South Africa from Premiership club Sale Sharks. 

JAPAN LEAGUE ONE PREVIEW: For whatever reason, Wild Knights – current Japan Rugby League One log leaders, and six-time champions of Japan – always have trouble with Blue Revs.

SPOTLIGHT: Data collected during last year’s Currie Cup by World Rugby on their new smart mouthguard technology added to the decision for the roll-out of this part of the Head Injury Assessment (HIA) protocols this year.

TRANSFER NEWS: Just a day after Lions flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse's transfer to Sharks has been confirmed, another Ellis Park favourite will follow him to Durban.

ROUND FIVE: It is a new week and a new opportunity for the Springbok Sevens this weekend in the fifth tournament of the 2024 season and for BlitzBok head coach Sandile Ngcobo, the HSBC SVNS Los Angeles cannot come soon enough.

PREVIEW, ROUND TWO: Super Rugby Pacific heads to Super Round as all 12 teams converge in Melbourne this weekend. 

SPOTLIGHT: The recently relegated Tuks outfit is leaving nothing to chance in their quest to regain Varsity Cup status and repair the team's reputation.

NEWS: Glasgow Warriors have addressed the speculation surrounding Huw Jones' playing future.

SPOTLIGHT: Owen Farrell said Wednesday he felt "nervous" at telling Saracens he wanted to leave, having been associated with the English Premiership club since he was a teenager.

NEWS: The battle lines have more or less been drawn in the sand for the big North-South derby at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday with the news that one of the best tighthead props in the world will be back in action for the Stormers.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks defence coach Joey Mongalo provided context to his team's current state, ahead of the United Rugby Championship Round 11 clash against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Steve Borthwick has named his 36-man squad as they prepare for the final two rounds of the 2024 Six Nations.

NEWS: The Rugby Football Union (RFU) revealed that they are well on par with reaching their Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) Action Plan.

CONTRACT NEWS: The list of former Lions players in the Shark Tank has just received a new member.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks loose forward Vincent Tshituka's insider knowledge of the Lions will come in very handy when the two teams go head-to-head in the United Rugby Championship Round 11 match at Ellis Park on Saturday.

TEAM UPDATE: James Murphy has linked up with the struggling South African team in the United States ahead of the HSBC SVNS Los Angeles.

NEWS: Western Force coach Simon Cron says Izack Rodda's untimely quad injury is hard on the team, and he'll take a careful approach with the star Wallabies lock.

CONTRACT NEWS: The coaching journey of former World Cup-winning Springbok assistant coach Matthew Craig Proudfoot has come tfull circle.

SPOTLIGHT: It is, without doubt, South Africa's biggest domestic derby - the Bulls versus the Stormers.

NEWS: Canada and the United States will rejoin the Pacific Nations Cup this year in a rejigged two-stage six-team competition that will end with finals in Japan.

TRANSFER NEWS: Sharks lock Le Roux Roets has become the latest South African recruit to join Premiership club Sale Sharks.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: France suffer a massive blow as centre Jonathan Danty will miss the rest of the Six Nations after being handed a ban on Tuesday.

SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com correspondent Jon Cardinelli, in the first of his new series of columns, puts the focus on the Varsity Cup.

ROUND TWO Wrap: Defending champions NWU Eagles are continuing on their winning ways in the 2024 Varsity Cup following a drubbing of newcomers UWC in round 2.

NEWS: The match officials appointments of the United Rugby Championship Round 11 fixtures have been confirmed.

NEWS: The Lions cannot go into their United Rugby Championship clash with the Sharks at Ellis Park on Saturday being complacent knowing that their rivals are bottom of the log at the moment. 

VIDEO: Growing up in Johannesburg Lions scrumhalf Morné van den Berg wanted to emulate his Springbok hero Enrico Januarie on the rugby field and he is well on his way to fulfilling that dream.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers forward Deon Fourie is bracing himself for an intense North-South Derby against the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: For all the talk of a post-World Cup reset, England face the prospect of yet more Six Nations stagnation after a stark wake-up call against Scotland.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Western Force prop Marley Pearce has been suspended for four weeks following their 14-44 defeat to Hurricanes in the opening round of the Super Rugby Pacific.

NEWS: The Springboks and captain Siya Kolisi have been rewarded for their achievements yet again by being nominated for top Laureus awards.

REACTION: Fabien Galthie's position as France head coach is "absolutely not in danger", French Rugby Federation President Florian Grill said on Monday.

SPOTLIGHT: Duhan van der Merwe is ready to put thoughts of a Scotland try record aside for team success when the Dark Blues take on Italy in the Six Nations next month.

URC PREVIEW: The spotlight will fall on some big South African derbies once again as Round 11 of the 2023/2024 United Rugby Championship gets underway.

NEWS: After sharing the spoils with France in Round Three of the Six Nations, Italy have returned to the top 10 of the World Rugby Men’s Rankings for the first time since June 2013.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: France centre Jonathan Danty will face a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday after he received a red card during his team's 13-all draw against Italy on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: The Bulls will rely heavily on their home-ground advantage when they take on the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

RECAP: Ireland moved one step closer to back-to-back Grand Slams by beating Wales, Scotland proved too hot for England to handle and Italy held 14-man France to a dramatic draw.

REACTION: The Springbok Sevens’ ninth-place finish in Canada, at the fourth HSBC SVNS tournament of the season, was described as frustrating by the team's head coach Sandile Ngcobo.

NEWS: Record-breaking Wallabies captain Michael Hooper has all but confirmed his rugby sevens debut will come in Los Angeles after watching his French contemporary Antoine Dupont shine in Vancouver.

REACTION: Ever since France's agonising defeat to South Africa in October's World Cup quarterfinal, Les Bleus' head coach Fabien Galthie and his players vowed to come to terms with the loss and move on.

DAY THREE WRAP: We bring you all the Day Three men's action from BC Place, Vancouver – the fourth round of HSBC SVNS.

DAY THREE WRAP: We bring you all the Day Three women's action from BC Place, Vancouver – the fourth round of HSBC SVNS.

OPINION: Ian Cameron rates the French players after their 13-all Six Nations draw with Italy.

REACTION: Paolo Garbisi said he apologised to his teammates after hitting the post with a dramatic last-gasp penalty, as Italy drew 13-13 against France in the Six Nations on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: Italy dealt France's Six Nations prospects a mortal blow in their Round Three encounter in Lille on Sunday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of Sunday's Six Nations action.

WATCH as former World Rugby Player of the Year Antoine Dupont talks about his match-winning try at the Vancouver leg of the HSBC SVNS World Series.

WATCH as seasoned hooker Akker van der Merwe talks to @king365ed about his omission from the Springbok alignment camp.

JAPAN LEAGUE ONE WRAP: Twelve points from flyhalf Richie Mo’unga, including the second try of his Japan Rugby League One career, led Brave Lupus Tokyo to a 27-7 win over the Eagles.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales head coach Warren Gatland adopted an optimistic tone ahead of the Six Nations home match with France in a fortnight saying his side "can take a huge amount" out of Saturday's 7-31 defeat to Ireland.

DAY TWO WRAP: We bring you all the Day Two men's action from BC Place, Vancouver - the fourth round of HSBC SVNS.

UPDATE: A loss to Super Rugby Pacific rivals Queensland Reds has been softened by the positive outlook for star centre Lalakai Foketi, who could be back at the franchise within a week.

REACTION: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend hailed Duhan van der Merwe's "really special" hat-trick after the wing rewrote the record books in a 30-21 Six Nations win over England on Saturday.

REACTION: Ireland can make history and become the first team to win back to back Six Nations Grand Slams.

OPINION: Liam Heagney rates the England players after their 21-30 loss to Scotland in their Calcutta Cup and Six Nations face-off.

OPINION: Bryn Palmer rates the Scotland players after their 30-21 Six Nations and Calcutta Cup win over England.