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EXCLUSIVE: In the aftermath of Rassie Erasmus' Springbok squad announcement, we take a look at who the Late Tackle feels should be the starting pack of forwards.  

RANKINGS: After the upheavals of the term, we have sailed into a bay of relative calm with the Top 20 this week.

RANKINGS: Matches grow fewer as the term peters out, but there were still some important results that have produced minor shifts to the Schools Top 20.

EXCLUSIVE: The sanctions handed down to those who transgressed the laws of the game continue to boggle the mind as Super Rugby's bans have become somewhat of a farce.

EXCLUSIVE: Being handed a few weeks ban for foul play does not seem to be deterring players from acts of intentional foul play, so hit them where they will feel it - in their pockets.

EXCLUSIVE: The Stormers' defeat to the Sunwolves in Hong Kong seems to be the straw that broke the camel's back as it perfectly sums up the season they have had.

EXCLUSIVE: Schalk Brits hung up his boots from the professional game after Saracens reclaimed the Premiership title and believes he knows how the Springboks can defeat England during the June international series.

EXCLUSIVE: History was made when Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named Siya Kolisi as the country's new captain, an announcement that has got the country upbeat about the upcoming Tests against England.

EXCLUSIVE: Making substitutions has become a key component in ensuring a late surge to win a game but there seems to be a trend of replacing a team's captain early in the second half.

EXCLUSIVE: Rassie Erasmus' Springbok squad showcased one thing - he prefers his wings to have some bulk to them.

EXCLUSIVE: In the lead up to the first Test between the Springboks and England, one can't help but wonder who heads into the series as the favourites.

EXCLUSIVE: The money-making exhibition match between the Springboks and Wales proved that South Africa's international level depth is not as deep as initially thought.

EXCLUSIVE: England are now entering their third year under Eddie Jones and it seems as though the standard plateau has occurred after a blistering start to his tenure.

EXCLUSIVE: The moment Siya Kolisi led the Springboks onto Ellis Park will forever be etched in the annals of South African rugby but for those closest to him, it means a lot more.

EXCLUSIVE: Skara Ntubeni has been plagued by injury throughout his career but he remains hungry to be able to wear his Springbok blazer.

EXCLUSIVE: The Rugby Pod's Andy Goode had the chance to witness an England training session and shares the experience of watching Eddie Jones put those players through their paces.

EXCLUSIVE: The South African Sevens team retained their World Sevens Series title in the unlikeliest way when they claimed the Paris Sevens leg.

EXCLUSIVE: An act of foul play or a refereeing error can change the outcome of the game but it seems as though recent incidents would not have changed the end result.

EXCLUSIVE: Rassie Erasmus has made an immediate impact since he took over as the Springboks' head coach, an impact that has clearly galvanised the players.

EXCLUSIVE: Two consecutive wins under Rassie Erasmus' coaching has laid the platform for a successful path on the road to the 2019 World Cup.

EXCLUSIVE: Rassie Erasmus' decision to hand three players their debuts in the opening match of the June Test Series paid immediate dividends as the Springboks have now claimed two consecutive victories over England.

EXCLUSIVE: Francois 'Faf' de Klerk's return to the Springbok fold has worked wonders for the team's performance, however, it has also raised questions about the depth in the position.

EXCLUSIVE: England are just one defeat away from equalling their longest losing streak and their fall from grace could not have been more dramatic.

EXCLUSIVE: Former Springbok flyhalf Butch James reveals who he believes should be Rassie Erasmus' backup flyhalf going forward, and it's an interesting selection.

EXCLUSIVE: Nic Groom returned to South Africa from the Northampton Saints and shares his views on the Springboks, England and playing alongside one of the "bad boys" of the game.

Having wrapped up their June Test series over England, the general feeling is that the Springboks have renewed the public's belief that they will return to being one of the best teams in the world.

The Springboks' remarkable come-from-behind 42-39 in the opening Test over England has restored the country's hopes about the revival of the nation's beloved team.

The Rugby Pod's Andy Goode makes his Late Tackle debut to chat all things South Africa vs England as we continue to build toward the all-important series.

REACTION: Flyhalf Elton Jantjies proved once again that he is a liability at Test level for the Springboks.

OPINION: The June international window has come to a dramatic climax, with plenty of controversies and many more highlights.

OPINION: South Africa failed to complete a clean sweep over England at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.

OPINION: England’s tour of South Africa came to its conclusion, as the visitors salvaged pride with an impressive and disciplined 25-10 win at Newlands in Cape Town.

OPINION: The All Blacks capped their series against France with a 49-14 victory at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

OPINION: Michael Cheika’s Australia side went down to the touring Ireland in heartbreaking fashion last night. Here’s how the players fared individually.

OPINION: Ireland have won their first series in Australia since 1979.

REACTION: Australia head coach Michael Cheika has extended an invitation referee and his assistants to attend the media conference after the Wallabies suffered a series defeat to Ireland.

REACTION: The fallout over the multitude of controversial refereeing decision that blighted the June internationals escalated at the weekend.

REACTION: On November 17 the world's two top-ranked teams, New Zealand and Ireland, will go head-to-head in Dublin in one of the most anticipated games ahead of next year's World Cup.

MATCH REPORT: Brothers George and Peter Horne scored 24 points between them as Scotland trounced Argentina 44-15 Saturday in a one-off Test in Resistencia.

JUNE MATCH REPORT: England wrapped up their disastrous June Test Series with an impressive 25-10 win over the Springboks at Newlands in Cape Town.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa sent a message of goodwill to the Springboks before their third and final Test against England at the weekend.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Seven players from our number one ranked team on our famous Top 20 rankings - Paul Roos - have been selected to don the blue and white hoops at the 2018 Craven Week in Paarl from 8 to 14 July.

The matches at the Independent Schools Rugby Festival kicked off at Kingswood's City Lords Ground on Saturday, 23 June 2018.

MATCH REPORT: Rieko Ioane scored a second-half hat-trick as New Zealand flattened France 49-14 to complete a clean sweep of their three-Test series in Dunedin on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Ireland secured a rare series victory over Australia after they edged the home side 20-16 in a tense third Test in Sydney on Saturday.

REACTION: France felt hard done by yet another officiating howler after Damian McKenzie's referee-assisted try put the All Blacks on the road to a thumping 49-14 victory on Saturday.

NEWS: Kenya's preparations for next month's World Cup Sevens have been thrown into disarray by the government withdrawing its 20 million shilling (US$189,000) sponsorship of the team.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Any doubts whether veteran Schalk Brits is still in good enough shape to play international rugby was summarily dismissed this week.

MATCH REPORT: Japan blanked Georgia 28-0 on Saturday to end a busy month of home Tests on a high note after splitting a two-match series against Italy.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Los Pumas coach Daniel Hourcade is on his way out after Saturday's match with Scotland.

INJURY UPDATE: Seems like the All Blacks skipper Kieran Read will feature in the Crusaders' play-offs campaign after being sidelined for six months.

JUNE INTERNATIONALS: Coaches Daniel Hourcade of Argentina and Gregor Townsend of Scotland are equally desperate to win a one-off Test in Resistencia Saturday, but for contrasting reasons.

JUNE INTERNATIONALS: Déjà vu. Is that what we are to expect at Newlands on Saturday?

MATCH REPORT: The boot of Sonatane Takulua and a late try by Dan Faleafa sealed an upset 27-19 win for Tonga over Pacific Nations Cup champions Fiji in Lautoka on Saturday.

THE DECIDER: The Six Nations champions Ireland will seek to secure a rare Series win when they face Australia in Saturday's June Test Series decider.

THE THIRD TEST: The All Blacks dismissed the idea of spicing up the dead-rubber third Test against France by putting the already won Dave Gallaher Trophy back on the line.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Pieter-Steph du Toit's versatility has made him an integral part of the Springboks' forward pack.

The biennial Independent Schools Rugby Festival starts at Kingswood College in Grahamstown on Saturday, 23 June 2018.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Australia captain Michael Hooper has urged his side to pay more 'attention to detail' during their Series decider against Ireland.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Regular Springboks captain Warren Whiteley will finally make his long-awaited return to the field.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Blue Bulls Company and CEO Barend van Graan have decided to part ways at the end of January 2019.

We have previously looked at things that can happen to a knock-on. Now we have a knock-back.

SEVENS SPOTLIGHT: Springbok Sevens captain Neil Powell has named a strong 15-man squad for the Sevens World Cup to be played in San Francisco from July 20-22.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: South Africa Under-20 hooker Tiaan van der Merwe has been slapped with a six-week ban for a vile and foul-mouth rant at the World Rugby junior championship.

JUNE TEST: Japan may have to sacrifice a little style in favour of substance if they want to overcome Georgia's beefy hard men this weekend, captain Michael Leitch revealed.

The New Zealand team management is, by all accounts, one of the most professional outfits in the world - if not the best. However, sometimes even they get it wrong.

On Monday, 25 June 2018, the LSEN Craven Week starts at the Isak Steyl Stadium in Vanderbijlpark.

REACTION: Ireland will bid for a prestigious Southern Hemisphere series win against Australia on Saturday, to underline their burgeoning status just over a year ahead of the World Cup.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Bok coach Rassie Erasmus believes his team's defence will be tested more with Danny Cipriani in the England No.10 jersey for the third Test at Newlands in Cape Town.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus is eager to see how Warrick Gelant handles the pressure in the third and final Test against England at Newlands on Saturday.

REACTION: A fired-up France IS demanding respect, as they head into the final Test against New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus made several changes to his team for the third and final Test against England, at Newlands on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Eddie Jones made three changes to his starting XV to face South Africa in the final match of the three-Tests series, at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Centre Bautista Ezcurra will win his first Argentina cap when he plays against Scotland Saturday in a one-off Test at Estadio Centenario in Resistencia.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scotland made eight changes to the side who suffered a shock defeat to the USA last weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France has dropped skipper Mathieu Bastareaud and brought back Wesley Fofana in one of two changes for Saturday's third Test against the All Blacks in Dunedin.

Schalk Brits may be in the running to play for his country at next year's World Cup, but he is no longer welcome at Saracens.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallaby coach Michael Cheika has made some interesting changes to his team for the three-Test series decider against Ireland on Saturday.

WATCH as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus discusses possible tactics against England at a wet Newlands on Saturday.

OPINION: Alex Shaw comes up with five key changes that could help England achieve victory in the final encounter of their three-Test series against South Africa.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies says Rassie Erasmus is quite different from other coaches he has played under before.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland announced five changes on Thursday as they seek their first Test series victory in 39 years in Australia.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Grand Slam champions Ireland have revealed a mouth-watering November Test Series schedule.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Seems like another member of Eddie Jones’ England coaching team are ready to jump ship ahead of the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

WATCH as former Springbok wing Ashwin Willemse's lawyer Nqobizitha Mlilo explains why his client is heading to the Equality Court.

LISTEN as the @rugby365com team delves into a month of refereeing controversies in Test rugby.

It is the last weekend of the June window before it slams shut again and people get on with more ordinary competitions - more ordinary, but serious and of high standard.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Bok coach Rassie Erasmus will continue his fine balancing act between experimentation and building momentum when he selects his team on Thursday.

NEWS: England supporters could not contain their resentment with Eddie Jones' team after their 12-23 defeat to South Africa in Bloemfontein

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Australia have to focus on producing a ‘fulfilled’ performance during Saturday's series decider against Ireland, fullback Israel Folau revealed.

A judicial committee has handed-down a four-week suspension to Wales player Ross Moriarty following the second test in Santa Fe against Argentina last weekend.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick says Lions head coach Swys de Bruin is the man responsible for South Africa's improved showing on attack during the England series.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Mzwandile Stick is enjoying his new lease on life with the Springboks in 2018.

NEWS: There was no racism, subtle or otherwise, in the controversial incident that resulted in former Springbok wing Ashwin Willemse walking out of a live studio broadcast.

OPINION: Former England flyhalf and now media pundit Andrew James Goode names a team he feels will be good enough to beat the Springboks at Newlands.

WATCH as King's College Auckland and Auckland Grammar School faced off for their traditional Haka exchanges pre-match, setting the scene for the 206th First XV meeting between the two schools.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland supporters could see Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding don the green jersey in the future.

New Zealand may have lost a pivotal player in the build-up to the third and final Test against France, but they have regained a big trump card.

WATCH as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus explains why scrumhalf Francois de Klerk is allowed to roam freely on the field.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Saturday's Test at Newlands between the Springboks and England could be a historic one if reports that surfaced over the weekend are true.

ANALYSIS: Ben Smith unpacks Ireland's second Test win overt Australia and why they are fancied to claim the series.

Syd Nomis, a great Springbok, died in Johannesburg on Saturday morning.

OPINION: Six consecutive defeats, five of those in Tests, will pile the pressure on any coach.

Graeme got a bit of theirown medicine this weekend.

The 1st XV match on KDay was always going to be competitive, and whilst College eventually ran out comfortable 24-5 winners, it was far tighter than the scoreline suggests, especially in the first half.

Again we publish the results of School vs School on a rugby Saturday.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Hooker Schalk Brits is set to make his first Test appearance for the Springboks since the 2015 World Cup in England.

REACTION: Coach Joe Schmidt says there was nothing "monumental" in Ireland's first win over the Wallabies in Australia for 39 years unless a Test series triumph is delivered next weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Lions duo Warren Whiteley and Malcolm Marx have been declared fit and are available for selection.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks have moved up two places after their win over England on Saturday.

WATCH as yet another New Zealand player gets away with deliberate foul play!

TRANSFER NEWS: Georgian prop Levan Chilachava has quit Toulon for Montpellier on a three-year contract, the Top 14 runners-up confirmed.

There were not as many matches, as usual, but still two of the highest profile derbies in South African schools rugby - K-Day in Grahamstown and the Midlands Derby up at Hilton.

KIWI OPINION: We bring you the view of a New Zealander, as the fallout over the Benjamin Fall against Beauden Barrett incident reverberates around the world.

TRANSFER NEWS: Wasps have confirmed that their new forwards coach Danny Wilson will join the Scotland international coaching team.

TRANSFER NEWS: After months of speculations, New Zealand Rugby and the Hurricanes finally confirmed that Julian 'The Bus' will head to France.

SQUAD UPDATE: Waratahs scrumhalf Jake Gordon has joined the Wallabies squad after Will Genia underwent surgery on a fractured arm.

UPDATE: World Rugby has opened a proverbial can of worms when they decided to overturn a referee's decision to red cared French fullback Benjamin Fall.

WATCH as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus explains the real value of a veteran like Duane Vermeulen.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones' position as head coach is not under any threat, the Rugby Football Union confirmed.

NEWS: Eastern Province Rugby Union (EPRU) fulfilled all the criteria required to complete its transition out of administration, SARU announced.

NEWS: Australia Sevens captain James Stannard announced his retirement after a brutal assault left him with a fractured skull.

MATCH REPORT: Wales recorded a second series whitewash in Argentina, beating an undisciplined Los Pumas 30-22 in Sante Fe on Saturday.

All Black great Ali Williams has a new job. He has ventured into the shady world of journalism.

REACTION: South Africa's latest centurion was caught off guard by a call ahead of South Africa's Test series win over England on Saturday.

REACTION: Wales coach Warren Gatland was thrilled by the strength in depth within his squad after winning all three Tests on an end-of-season Americas tour.

OPINION: South Africa managed to ignore the niggle and off-the-ball stuff to take an unassailable two-nil lead in their three-Test series against England.

OPINION: England responded to their defeat in Johannesburg with a similarly frustrating performance in Bloemfontein.

NEWS: Argentina head coach Daniel Hourcade has announced he will step down after their last of the June international Test match against Scotland.

REACTION AND SQUAD UPDATE: Eddie Jones promised his team will overcome the 'bloody tough period' after their 12-23 defeat to South Africa in Bloemfontein.

MATCH REPORT: The United States stunned Scotland 30-29 on Saturday, rallying from a 15-point first-half deficit to record their first win in history over the world number six squad.

OPINION: The All Blacks secured a series victory with an unconvincing 26-13 win over France.

REACTION: With June Test Series victory in the bag, Springboks head coach Rassie has revealed he would experiment a number of things in the final Test at Newlands, Cape Town.

INJURY UPDATE: New Zealand could be without the services of Hurricanes pair Beauden Barrett and Vaea Fifita for their final June Test against France on Saturday due to concussion symptoms.

INJURY UPDATE: The Wallabies suffered a major Test series blow against Ireland on Sunday with scrumhalf Will Genia ruled out with a broken arm.

JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: For the first time, pour la premiere fois, France are the champions of the Under-20 rugby world.

In this final round of ,matches at the 2018 World Rugby's Under-20 World Championship, on e team will shoot up to the heights as the champion Under-10 in the world and one will be relegated, plunging into the Trophy tournament in 2019,

AFRICAN NATIONS WRAP: Former South Africa coach Peter de Villiers this weekend suffered an early setback to hopes of leading two countries at the Rugby World Cup when Zimbabwe were held at home by Morocco.

OPINION: Ieland picked up their first away win over Australia for 39 years with a 26-21 victory in Melbourne to leave their three-Test series evenly poised at one apiece.

REACTION AND HIGHLIGHTS: New Zealand coach Steve Hansen called for a rethink of the penalty system on Saturday, after their series-sealing, 26-13 win over France was spoiled by an early red card.

Less than a week ago a 'retired' Schalk Brits was enjoying a beer and braai - having watched the Springboks as a spectator at Ellis Park.

REACTION: French fullback Benjamin Fall will appear before a World Rugby appointed judicial committee, following his red card dismissal from the field in the second Test against New Zealand.

MATCH REPORT: For the second week in succession, South Africa came from behind against England a brutal match - winning 23-12 to clinch the three-Test series.

MATCH REPORT: Ireland edged Australia 26-21 in a pulsating game on Saturday to take their three-Test series into a decider next week in Sydney.

TRANSFER NEWS: The overhaul at Stade Francais continues as the French Top 14 club announced the arrival former Springboks assistant coach Pieter de Villiers.

REPORT: Two tries each to Fiji's two scrumhalves saw them overpower Georgia 37-15 to win the Pacific Nations Cup for a fourth consecutive year in a winner-takes-all showdown in Suva on Saturday.

AFRICAN NATIONS CUP: The African qualifiers for the 2019 Rugby World Cup start on Saturday with four of the six competing teams in action in Windhoek and Harare on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Italy completed a nail-biting 25-22 away win over Japan on Saturday to tie their two-test series against the 2019 World Cup hosts.

MATCH REPORT: The All Blacks secured a series victory against France after registering a 26-13 win in Wellington in the second Test on Saturday.

JUNE INTERNATIONALS: Opportunity knocks for several Wales fringe players in Santa Fe Saturday, as the tourists seek to complete a perfect Americas adventure by defeating Argentina a second time.

REACTION: The prospect of formidable New Zealand wing Julian "The Bus" Savea joining French club Toulon next season was welcomed Friday by France captain and Toulon centre Mathieu Bastareaud.

JUNE INTERNATIONALS: If the second Test in this June's series between South Africa and visiting England is even nearly as good as the first Test up at Ellis Park, it will be a memorable match.

In that beautiful part of Kwa-Zulu Natal, the Midlands, are two of South Africa's great schools, Hilton and Michaelhouse.

 Egon Seconds of South Africa has been appointed to referee Sunday's final of World Rugby's Under-20 World Championship between England and France.

Despite boasting an unrivalled win percentage over rugby's history, the All Blacks have continued to innovate the game in the quest for enhancement.

A humble knock-on - everybody knows what it is - or do they? And offside - everybody knows what it is and yet still gets hot under the collar about it.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones said his team selection is based on what he feels is required to counter South Africa's strengths.

REACTION: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus promised to make 'bold' calls in order to find a squad capable of winning then World Cup next year.

The annual derby between St Andrew’s College, Diocesan School for Girls (DSG), DSG Junior, St Andrew’s Prep and Kingswood College, which over the years has become known as K-Day, takes place from Monday 11 to Saturday 16 June 2018.

K-Day is a huge affair in gentle Grahamstown when religious wars of kind break out in the city of spires - Anglican St Andrew's vs Methodist Kingswood.

Kearsney College take a dozen rugby teams down from their hill and onto the Berea to play Durban High School.

THE SECOND TEST: New Zealand's shock loss to France at the 2007 World Cup continues to burn deep with the All Blacks drawing on the defeat as motivation for the second Test in Wellington on Saturday.

THE SECOND TEST: Coach Joe Schmidt has called in some reliable reinforcements for Ireland's must-win Test match against the Wallabies in Melbourne.

The matches in World Rugby's Under-20 Championships on the last day, 17 June 2018, are the ones that produce a champion and a team to be relegated and rankings for all 12 teams.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Italy have promised to hit back against Japan in their second rugby Test on Saturday after suffering a bloody nose in last weekend's opener.

NEWS: Toulon are set to sign another rugby superstar ahead of the new season.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: An electric backline including the much-anticipated debut of Toulon star Semi Radradra will take the field for Fiji against Georgia at ANZ Stadium this Saturday.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks will be significantly bolstered when their next campaign gets underway in August.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Head coach Gregor Townsend has changed all but three of the starting team to face USA in Scotland’s second June tour Test this Saturday at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday.

England plans to take controversial referee Romain Poite 'out of the equation' when they face South Africa in the second Test of a three-match series.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Johnny Sexton was one of eight changes announced by Ireland on Thursday as the Six Nations champions fight to save the series against unchanged Australia in the second Test in Melbourne.

REACTION: France forward Kevin Gourdon called the All Blacks cheats on Thursday and said they were treated leniently by referees after they escaped punishment over a contentious incident in last week's first Test.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The All Black selectors have named the team to play the second Test against France at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, on Saturday, June 16.

Tendai Mtawarira will make his 100th Test appearance for South Africa in Bloemfontein on Saturday in the second Test in the June Series against England.

England coach Eddie Jones has made two changes to his team to play South Africa in the second Test in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

SPRINGBOK SPOTLIGHT: Tendai Mtawarira will become only the sixth player to play 100 Tests for his country - when South Africa face England in the second of three internationals in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The matches at Rondebosch and Wynberg drew huge crowds as they do every year as these matches close the 2nd term with the return matches closing the 3rd term and the rugby season. They are great occasions.

NEWS: Harlequins have lost the services of their forwards coach Graham Rowntree.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales have made five changes to the starting XV for their final tour test.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Italian coach Conor O'Shea has tweaked his team in the hope of turning the team's fortunes around.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Coach Michael Cheika named an unchanged Wallabies line-up for the first time in his four-year tenure for the second Test against Ireland in Melbourne.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France have made five changes to the starting line-up that will take on New Zealand in the second Test in Wellington on Saturday.

LISTEN as Neil Powell, coach of the back-to-back @WorldRugby7s champion @BlitzBoks, and his captain Philip Snyman join the @rugby365com team.

WATCH what must be the most 'authentic' French accent ever .. NOT! We bring you some of the most entertaining moments from the junior world championship semifinals.

The rugby squads travelled from Grahamstown to Queenstown, with the 1st XV hoping to reproduce their home win in 2017.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland's defeat to Australia has forced the Grand Slam winners to review their aerial prowess ahead of the Melbourne Test.

SEVENS SPOTLIGHT: Just days after the claim they claim their second consecutive World Series title, the BlitzBoks have the huge task of preparing for the World Cup in a month’s time.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster does not believe his team is "getting away with murder" on the field of play.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: The remaining two Tests against England in June will be about experimentation for the Springboks as Rassie Erasmus looks ahead to this year's Rugby Championship and the World Cup in 2019.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Just on six months ago England's governing body, the Rugby Football Union, announced a contract extension for Eddie Jones - which takes him through to 2021.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus believes the second Test against England in Bloemfontein will be even more intense than their opening encounter in Johannesburg last weekend.

TEST REPORT: South Africa came back from a 21-point deficit to edge England 42-39 in a tense international at Ellis Park on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Gloucester has signed London Irish hooker Todd Gleave.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Australia's 18-9 win over Ireland is certainly a step in the right direction says lock Izack Rodda.

SEVENS SPOTLIGHT: South Africa Sevens have learned some valuable lessons from their triumph in Paris says head coach Neil Powell.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: England defence coach Paul Gustard believes that his side can salvage the series against the Springboks if they improve their defence.

REACTION: Two weeks ago Schalk Burger Brits thought he had walked into the retirement sunset. In fact this past Saturday he watched his first Test as a 'spectator'.

The Under-20 World Championship reached its knock-out rounds in Perpignan and Narbonne and the results were a delight to some and deep disappointment to others.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: England lock Joe Launchbury remains doubtful for a must-win second Test against South Africa this weekend, scrum coach Neal Hatley admitted.

NEWS: Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has dismissed the speculations that he will take up the job as Wales head coach after the 2019 World Cup.

TRANSFER NEWS: Crusaders have secured the services of Bryn Hall in 2019, with the scrumhalf recommitting to the franchise for one more Super Rugby season.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Australia's kicking game played an integral part in their 18-9 win over Ireland in the first Test at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

OPINION: The English media are an unforgiving bunch and Eddie Jones is feeling the heat - as questions arise over the coach's selectorial touch and autocratic style.

SUPER RUGBY MATCH SCHEDULE: The Super Rugby season will kick off earlier next year and run without a break for 21 weeks, organisers said Tuesday as they retained the current 15-team, three conference format.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Siyamthanda Kolisi's appointment as the Springboks' captain is as significant as when Nelson Mandela handed the 1995 World Cup trophy to white captain Francois Pienaar says Springbok legend Bryan Habana.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: All Blacks prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi received an official warning but escaped further sanction for a tackle which caused a double fracture to the face of Remy Grosso, ending the France wing's tour.

On Tuesday, 12 June 1028, in the southern cities of Perpignan and Narbonne, the great divide of knock-out matches takes place in World Rugby's Under-20 World Championship.

It's the second week of June Tests and sure to be of interest after Australia's defeat of Ireland, South Africa's thrilling comeback to beat England, Argentina's win over Wales and Japan's big win over Italy.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks' 42-39 win over England did their Southern Hemisphere counterparts Australia a world of good.

AWARDS: Head coach Neil Powell was rewarded for leading the BlitzBoks to another World Rugby Sevens Series title.

INJURY UPDATE: England coach Eddie Jones sent an SOS for a replacement hooker, ahead of the second Test against South Africa in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

SQUAD UPDATE: Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has raised eyebrows by calling up a retired player.

TRANSFER NEWS: Northampton Saints bolstered their 2018-19 squad with the signing of Australian wing Andrew Kellaway.

The number of matches is shrinking with exams, the advent of Craven Week, holidays and the end of season for some schools.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: The All Blacks have been warned not to be seduced by their runaway win in the first Test as the wounded French bring in reinforcements for the second Test in Wellington on Saturday.

Dan Jones of Wales and Karl Dickson of England will referees the championship semifinals at World Rugby's Under-20 World Championship.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wales goal of securing a clean-sweep will be met by a 'big response' from Argentina warns flyhalf Rhys Patchell.

REACTION: Scrumhalf Francois de Klerk and fullback Willie le Roux were the stars of the show in South Africa's 42-39 win against England at Ellis Park on Saturday.

DAY TWO WRAP: South Africa were crowned the 2017/2018 World Rugby Sevens Series champions after a dramatic final day in the final leg in Paris on Sunday.

SQUAD UPDATE: South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus trimmed his squad to 33 players Sunday for the remaining two Tests against England after taking a 1-0 series lead this weekend.

Western Cape club rugby has the unwanted reputation as a breeding ground for thugs. Here is evidence why!

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is keen to 'tweak' his team ahead of the crucial second Test against England.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Cheetahs' flyhalf stocks have taken a massive boost with the signing of an experienced South African from France.

VIDEO: France wing Remy Grosso was smashed in a tackle by All Blacks Sam Cane and Ofa Tu’ungafasi during the hosts’ 52-11 victory in Auckland on Saturday.

NEWS: Wales coach Warren Gatland hopes that 'world-class' defence coach Shaun Edwards will remain with the team until the 2019 World Cup.

REACTION:: Flank David Pocock said he never doubted he would be off the pace in his return to international rugby after his dominant performance in the Wallabies' win over Ireland in Brisbane.

REACTION: France backtracked Sunday on claims of "dangerous" and "illegal" play by the All Blacks and accepted the double head fracture that put Remy Grosso in hospital was the result of an accident.

REACTION: Coach Warren Gatland says Wales are in a "really good space at the moment" after his experimental team shocked Argentina 23-10 in San Juan this weekend.

REACTION: Coach Joe Schmidt says he does not expect to change much for the second Test against the Wallabies after Ireland's unbeaten 12-match run ended in Brisbane.

OPINION: It was two of South Africa's European-based players - Francois de Klerk and Duane Vermeulen - had the biggest impact in a narrow 42-39 win over England on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Edinburgh wing Dougie Fife has been added to the Scotland squad for the 2018 June tour of the Americas.

OPNION: England got their summer series off to a rollercoaster start, racing into a 24-3 point lead in Johannesburg, before imploding late in the first half and ultimately succumbing to a 42-39 loss at Ellis Park.

DAY ONE WRAP: The stage is set for an exhilarating finale to the Sevens World Series on Sunday.

REACTION: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus says the wrong tactics was the cause for his team's horror show in the opening quarter against England at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Wynberg Boys’ High hooker Jason Alexander scored five tries as Wynberg romped to a resounding 46-22 (halftime: 17-10) win over The South African College High School (SACS).

After five successive Rondebosch victories, includinbg a mamoth 64-7 in their last match, Bishops beat Rondebosch 25-20 at Rondebosch in a gripping encounter.

OPINION: Australia record an impressive18-9 win over Grand Slam champions Ireland at the Suncorp Stadium.

OPINION: The back-to-back World Cup winners, New Zealand, asserted their dominance over France with a 52-11 win at Eden Park in their first Test of the year.

OPINION: A huge performance from David Pocock saw Australia handing Ireland a first defeat in over a year with an 18-9 victory in the first Test in Brisbane.

REPORT: Hooker George Turner scored a hat-trick as Scotland opened their June tour with a comfortable 48-10 victory over Canada in Edmonton on Saturday.

TEST MATCH REPORT: Wales was the only away team to win in Saturday's opening round of June internationals.

REACTION: England referee Luke Pierce has come under fire for two questionable calls, one after a cheap shop by All Black flank Sam Cane put an opponent in hospital.

JUNE TEST MATCH REPORT: Ireland's 12-match winning streak came to an abrupt end with a 9-18 defeat to Australia at the Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

JUNE TEST MATCH REPORT: Japan conjured a hat-trick of magical scores to floor Six Nations side Italy 34-17 on Saturday in the first game of their two-match rugby series.

JUNE TEST MATCH REPORT: All Blacks second-half blitz made sure they record a 52-11 win over France at Eden Park on Saturday.

PACIFIC NATIONS CUP MATCH REPORT: An unruly Fiji survived three yellow cards and a strong Samoa fightback to win their opening Pacific Nations Cup match 24-22.

PACIFIC NATIONS CUP MATCH REPORT: Georgia hung on for a narrow 16-15 win over Tonga in Suva on Saturday.

JUNE INTERNATIONALS: The Jaguares became Pumas this week and Argentina coach Daniel Hourcade hopes they can take stunning Super Rugby form into two Tests against Wales, the first on Saturday.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Francois de Klerk is not everybody's cup of tea. In fact, he was vilified in his own country before departing for England last year.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: When you 'scared' you play good rugby says France centre Mathieu Bastareaud ahead of the match against the feared All Blacks.'

JUNE SERIES: Both of these countries have enjoyed confident support in the past. In both cases, that confidence has been shaken, South Africa's most of all, till it is wobbly indeed.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Australia coach Michael Cheika says he is looking forward to the return of David Pocock to spur the Wallabies to victory over Six Nations champions Ireland in Brisbane on Saturday.

WORLD SERIES, ROUND 10: Fiji and South Africa are in a straight shoot-out for the 2017/18 title.

INJURY UPDATE: The BlitzBoks suffered a late injury setback when Stedman Gans broke his hand in training and had to be replaced in the matchday squad for the Paris Sevens.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones stated the obvious, when he explained why New Zealand import Brad Shields was fast-tracked into the team.

Again Bishops take the short walk along Tullyallen Road for the first of two end-of-term derbies with Rondebosch. Boys' High.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Coach Steve Hansen has named two fullbacks in the All Blacks side to play France on Saturday, letting Les Bleus know he has worked out their plans and has them covered.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Handre Pollard helped South Africa win a Junior world championship back in 2012 and seven years later he will again be a key player for his country at a senior World Cup.

Despite losing in astonishing fashion to France in the last round of pool matches at World Rugby's Under-20 Championship, South Africa are though to the semifinals.

Two of South Africa's oldest schools meet at Wynberg Boys' High on Saturday when SACS come to play.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa and No.8 Caleb Timu will make their debuts for the Wallabies in Saturday's first of three Tests against Six Nations champions Ireland in Brisbane.

BOUNCER TO PROP: Four years on from being told he was a prime candidate for a heart attack, former nightclub bouncer Karl Tu'inukuafe is 40 kilos lighter and on the verge of making his All Blacks debut.

FINANCIAL UPDATE: The Western Province Rugby Union is facing bankruptcy, again, and it could be a matter of weeks.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Edinburgh lock Grant Gilchrist will captain Scotland against Canada at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton this Saturday in the absence of injured hooker Stuart McInally.

TRANSFER NEWS: Former Irish international Paddy Jackson, axed by Ulster and Ireland following a rape trial, has signed for French club Perpignan on a two-year deal.

WATCH as The Short Ball team of Scotty Stevenson and Mils Muliaina look into what caused All Black utility back Jordie Barrett's decision to take a snack in a stranger's house at 5am in the morning.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Stormers' financial savings plan have started with the release of top players from their contracts to pursue opportunities abroad.

TRANSFER NEWS: Brumbies flyhalf Christian Lealiifano will play in this year's Japanese Top League Season for Shokki after signing a deal with the club this week, the Brumbies confirmed.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: South African coach Rassie Erasmus said he is 'excited' by the team that will face England in the first of three Tests.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has named a powerful side to take on Australia in the first Test in Brisbane on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks have opted to hand Jordie Barrett the No.15 jersey when they face France in the opening Test of the June Series at Eden Park, Auckland on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has named his team to play South Africa in the first Test at Ellis Park, Johannesburg on Saturday.

UNDER-20 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: On Thursday night in Perpignan, Béziers and Narbonne, decisions will be made for the future of the teams in the knock-out rounds of the tournament.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scrumhalf Morgan Parra is back in blue for the first time since the 2015 World Cup as France bank on experience for the first Test against New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday.

WATCH as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus fronts up to the media and answers questions about his team selection.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: New Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is renowned for his innovative tricks - from flash cards to disco lights on top of the main grandstand.

TRANSFER NEWS: Northampton Saints announced that scrumhalf Charlie Davies will be linking up with the club ahead of the 2018/2018 season.

BREAKING NEWS: South Africa have lost two of their key European-based players on the even of the three-Test series against England.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: New Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus looks set to score major Key Performance Indicator points with the government.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cory Hill will lead Wales against Argentina on Saturday, in a side that contains eight personnel changes from the starting XV that beat the Springboks in Washington last weekend.

LISTEN as former Springbok captain Wynand Claassen shares his wisdom with @King365ed & @LoffieEloff - ahead of the June Tests.

WATCH as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus speak about England's unusual tactics of training at sea level for an altitude Test.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Tolu Latu has answered Australia's SOS, to shore up the dwindling hooker stocks, but it is a Kiwi 'import' that looms as the Wallabies' trump against Australia.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: The All Blacks midfield combination is just one of the tough challenges they face ahead of the Test Series against France says assistant coach Ian Foster.

The June window is flung wide open and there is lots of international activity.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland regular captain Rory Best's absence opens the door for a new leader to step up ahead of the first Test against Australia on Saturday.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Former All Blacks head coach John Mitchell believes altitude could be a big factor in the first two Tests in the series between the Springboks and England in June.

NEWS: Patrice Collazo has been named new Toulon manager the club president Mourad Boudjellal announced.

WORLD CUP UPDATE: World Rugby dismissed appeals by Romania and Spain against their disqualification from the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

OPINION: The Melbourne Rebels secured a good win in Auckland and now they lead the way in our Super Rugby Team of the Week for Round 16.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Their worst-ever finish at the Six Nations is forgotten, the debacle against the Barbarians is in the rear-view mirror and England have arrived in South Africa, ready to take on the Springboks in a three-Test series.

INJURY UPDATE:  Joe Launchbury has given England a fitness scare ahead of the first Test against South Africa in Johannesburg Saturday.

WATCH as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus explains his selection policy, looking towards the World Cup in Japan next year.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The South African side Southern Kings have revealed their 29-man squad for the 2018/19 Pro14 season.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: South Africa's two French-based stars, hooker Bismarck du Plessis and utility back Francois Steyn, will not play in the first Test against England.

JUNE TEST SPOTLIGHT: With Dan Biggar fallen by the wayside, Warren Gatland has the massive task of finding a new flyhalf with the World Cup 15 months away.

TRANSFER NEWS: All Black Julian Savea has opted to re-sign with the Wellington Lions for the 2018 National Provincial Cup campaign.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen believes his team's attack will have to be at its very best to crack the French defence at Eden Park on Saturday.

Mils and Scotty join you from the rickety podcast studio one last time before The Short Ball gets a shiny new home. This week they’re here to discuss Super Rugby, including the very latest tragedy at the Blues, and back to back losses for the Hurricanes.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: David Pocock has said his side will have it all to do when they come up against the Irish forward pack.

JUNE TEST SPOTLIGHT: Australia scrumhalf Will Genia admits nullifying Ireland Conor Murray's lethal box kicks will make his job easier when the two teams meet on Saturday in Brisbane.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: England's players will be up against a familiar face when they take on the Springboks in the first Test in Johannesburg on Saturday.

There are crucial matches in Round 3 as it will decide the four teams to contest the championship semifinals. The four teams are made up by each of the pool winners and the best second-placed team.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A series victory in Australia will be another great achievement for Ireland, but for Joe Schmidt it is just another Test of his team's development with a greater goal in mind.

WORLD RANKINGS: South Africa's third successive loss to Wales has come at a price.

INJURY UPDATE: The Junior Springboks confirmed that Stormers' flyhalf Damian Willemse and BlitzBok Muller du Plessis will miss the remainder of the Under-20 World Cup Championship in France.

TRANSFER NEWS: England flyer Tom Varndell has signed for France's second-tier club Soyaux Angoulême XV Charente.

WATCH as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus explains what positives he took out of the loss to Wales and where, he felt, they got it wrong.

TRANSFER NEWS: Springbok fullback Andries Coetzee becomes the latest Lions player whose being targeted by a club overseas.

DIFFERENT VIEWS: Star flank David Pocock says he "strongly disagrees" with teammate Israel Folau's anti-gay views but insists it will not affect harmony within the Wallabies camp ahead of this week's Test against Ireland.

INJURY UPDATE: The BlitzBoks will be without two of their star players for the final leg of the 2017/2018 World Sevens Series.

For the second year running the College 1st XV had to dig deep and overcome a first half deficit to defeat Grey High School 24-21. The match took place in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

Kearsney hosted Hilton in a much-anticipated rematch on the hosts’ Founders weekend on a cool, windy afternoon, match which Hilton won 24-19.

Graeme College had a tough start to the derby against Nico Malan on Saturday.

REACTION: Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd is at a loss to explain the form slump that has seen his side lose back-to-back matches, denting their chances of beating the Crusaders to top spot.

Visitors Rondebosch Boys’ High School gave hosts The South African College High School (SACS) a lesson in wet weather rugby and duly ran out fairly comfortable 24-5 winners (half-time: 10-0) in their much anticipated derby clash.

WATCH as the new Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi explains how he deals with the chorus of criticism coming his way.

NEWS: The All Blacks called up injury cover for their forward pack on Monday as the world champions' sick list grows ahead of the first Test against France on Saturday.

LISTEN as South Africa head coach Johan Erasmus explains why his team lost their first Test of the year - against Wales at the weekend.

UNDER-20 CHAMPIONSHIP: The price South Africa paid for winning its battle against Ireland may just be big enough to be considered a Pyrrhic victory.

NEWS: After five years the Blues' long-serving chairman Tony Carter will leave the franchise at the end of the Super Rugby season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: It rained in the Western Cape and the rain was heavy. It was upset weather.

REACTION: All Black utility back Jordie Barrett was called 'stupid' for his misdemeanour in a late-night outing, but he escaped any serious sanction.

TRANSFER NEWS: The speculation that Vincent Koch would return to South Africa has finally been laid to rest.

OPINION: As a money-making exercise, it was a flop. As a training-match exercise, it was a flop. And the result was an even bigger flop for South Africa.

OPINION: Wales also fielded a depleted team, loaded with fringe players. At least they managed to win enough of the crucial moments to claim victory.

INJURY UPDATE: The Wallabies' front row stocks were further thinned out ahead of their June internationals.

SEVENS WORLD SERIES: Fiji took a giant leap towards claiming the 2017-18 title.

TRANSFER NEWS: Maori All Black Dan Pryor becomes the fourth Highlanders' player who has opted to ply his trade in Japan this year.

NEWS: Queensland Reds are scouting for a new Chief Executive after Richard Barker stepped down from his post.

REACTION: Under-fire England coach Eddie Jones called a club owner the "Donald Trump of rugby" as a storm over his training methods moved from London to Durban.

INJURY UPDATE: Steff Evans has been ruled out of Wales's tour to Argentina after suffering a knee injury in their victory over South Africa.

UNDER-20 CHAMPIONSHIP, DAY TWO WRAP: After two days of Junior Championship, being played down in southwest France, it would seem that the countries in charge are New Zealand, England, France and South Africa.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones will look to be 'more creative' against a very 'predictable' South Africa when the two countries go head-to-head in a three-Test series this month.

REACTION: It was not only the scoreboard that favoured Wales in their 22-20 win over South Africa in Washington at the weekend.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Brumbies were made to work hard, but managed to secure a bonus-point win to keep their play-off hopes alive.

injury update: All Black coach Steve Hansen will have to deal with an injury crisis of alarming proportions when his team steps up preparations for the first of their June Tests against France this week.

Two more New Zealand players created unwanted headlines, after being involved in late-night incidents.

TOP 14 FINAL: Faultless Argentinian flyhalf Benjamin Urdapilleta kicked 19 points to guide Castres to a convincing 29-13 victory over Montpellier in the Top 14 final on Saturday.

NEWS: New Zealand and Australia have finally reached an agreement in the ugly public spat over the status of loose forward Peter Samu.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Blues suffered their tenth defeat of the season when they went down 10-20 to the Melbourne Rebels at Eden Park on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Crusaders picked up their tenth win in a row when they beat the Chiefs 34-20 in Hamilton on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Waratahs ensured that they went into the June international break at the top of the Australian Conference after a remarkable 52-41 win over the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY MATCH REPORT: The Highlanders celebrated their second consecutive victory with an impressive 30-14 win over the Hurricanes at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

MATCH REPORT: The Springboks' June Test campaign kicked off on a sour note as the side went down 20-22 to Wales.

SATURDAY WRAP: The Springbok Sevens team will face New Zealand in the Cup quarterfinals of the London Sevens on Sunday at Twickenham.

WATCH as new captain Siyamthanda Kolisi explains what is required to make the Springbok team.

NEWS: Crusaders flank Pete Samu appeared to have lost his chance to play for Australia against Ireland this month after New Zealand Rugby said Saturday its demands for his release have not been met.

TRANSFER NEWS: Stormers will lose one of their experienced props at the end of the current Super Rugby season.

NEWS: Two-time All Black lock Dominic Bird is set to leave the Chiefs at the end of the season after he was announced as a new signing for French glamour club Racing 92.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Warren Gatland has slammed critics of Wales' clash with South Africa as "bitter and twisted", as the two teams prepare to meet in Washington on Saturday.

JUNE INTERNATIONALS: Decorated @rugby365com writer Paul Dobson gives us his view of the first of this month's Test matches.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The 2017/2018 World Rugby Sevens Series will go down to the wire with Fiji and the BlitzBoks fighting it out for the overall title.

NEWS: Highlanders loose forward Liam Squire has been cited for alleged foul play during his team's 30-14 win over the Hurricanes on Friday.

VIDEO RIP-OFF: The South African conference, who started a week early, will watch from the sidelines this week as the New Zealand and Australian teams play 'catch-up' before the June break.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: There is a new club versus country row and this time World Rugby is caught in the middle.

NEWS: The Wales and South Africa Test match in Washington DC should not happen says Premiership Rugby CEO Mark McCafferty.

TOP 14 FINAL: Long-serving Montpellier flank Fulgence Ouedraogo insists that his star-studded side, with a distinct Springbok flavour, will not underestimate Castres in Saturday's Top 14 Final at the Stade de France.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland captain Rory Best has been ruled out of the tour of Australia with a hamstring injury, the Irish Rugby Football Union announced Thursday.

INJURY UPDATE: Star centre Sonny Bill Williams will miss the All Blacks' upcoming Test series against France after undergoing keyhole surgery for a knee injury, New Zealand Rugby said Friday.

Our Welsh guest Geraint Powell joins Jan de Koning and Eugene Eloff as they put Rassie Erasmus and his Springboks under the microscope; with doctor Brendan Venter also joining the team.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: On Saturday, Hilton will take their horde down past World View and Pietermaritzburg to leafy Kearsney at Botha's Hill, just outside Durban for yet

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ellis Jenkins will captain Wales for the first time on Saturday when he leads his country against South Africa in Washington D.C.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: Newlands and Rondebosch are adjacent Cape Town suburbs - SACS are in Newlands, Rondebosch Boys' High, unsurprisingly, in Rondebosch.

REACTION: Eddie Jones has fanned the flames of a club versus country row by telling Bruce Craig that the Bath owner has no business criticising his England training regime.

WATCH as Siyamthanda Kolisi fronts up to the media for the first time as Springbok captain and chats about being the first black to lead his country in a Test.

RANKINGS: Transvalia has continued their spectacular season by claiming their first-ever victory over Monument to produce one of the shock results of the weekend.

UPDATE: New Zealand Rugby said Thursday it had offered Australia a deal that would allow Crusaders backrower Pete Samu to play for the Wallabies against Ireland next week.

TRANSFER NEWS: Johan Ackermann's Premiership side Gloucester have managed to lock in the signature of Springbok prop Ruan Dreyer.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hooker Connal McInerney will start a Super Rugby match for the first time this weekend when the Brumbies take on the Sunwolves from Japan on Sunday.

APPOINTMENTS: There is still a great deal happening this weekend even if May, the PRO14 and the Premiership have closed down. Many eyes will be on France.

UNDER-20 CHAMPIONSHIP, DAY ONE WRAP: Georgia pushed the Junior Springboks all the way at the Stade Aime Giral in Perpignan with the result in the balance until the closing stages. The Junior Boks eventually winning 33-27.

TRANSFER NEWS: Another South African coach has opted to continue building his coaching portfolio abroad.

NEW BATTLEGROUND: There may be temporary relief for the embattled Stormers - at least on the playing field - but in the boardroom, the pressure is mounting.

JUNE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is nervous about his first Test in charge of the national team.

TRANSFER NEWS: Ireland versatile back Joey Carbery has opted to join Munster ahead of the 2018/19 season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The inclusion of Waratahs versatile loose forward Jed Holloway at lock is the only change to the starting line-up for Saturday’s Super Rugby match against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Reds have made two personnel changes and a positional switch to the starting team for their Super Rugby Round 16 showdown against old foes the Waratahs in Brisbane.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jérôme Garcès will referee the Top 14 final between Montpellier and Castres at Stade de France on Saturday. It is the former fullback's second Top 14 final.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has reshuffled his loose forwards and midfield ahead of their Super Rugby clash against the Chiefs.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Blue Bulls confirmed that prop John-Roy Jenkins has been released from his contract to further his career in Japan.

SQUAD UPDATE: England head coach Eddie Jones has made a few changes to his squad ahead of their three-Test series against the Springboks in South Africa in Jun

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders loose forward Pete Samu has not been named in Michael Cheika's June Series squad which will face Ireland.

TRANSFER NEWS: All Blacks loose forward Luke Whitelock has recommitted to the Highlanders and New Zealand Rugby to the end of 2019.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a young and very inexperienced to face Wales in the first Test of the year.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Colin Cooper has named an unchanged starting side from the one which beat the Waratahs last Saturday, with key figure Sam Cane returning from injury to the No.20 jersey for their clash against the Crusaders

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Melbourne Rebels have made two changes for their trip to Auckland to face the Blues at Eden Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Captain Brad Shields will become just the 14th player to bring up 100 appearances for the Hurricanes when he leads the team south to meet the Highlanders at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blues welcome back prop Alex Hodgman to the starting line-up for Saturday's Super Rugby clash against the Rebels at Eden Park.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Highlanders have named ten All Blacks in their line up for their big match against the Hurricanes on Friday.

Kearsney accounted for the first points with a Taine Muirhead penalty and 3-0 led after six minutes of play.  The hosts dominated for the next 10 minutes, but bad decision-making and spilled chances kept scorers at bay.  

TRANSFER NEWS: The Lions Rugby Company dispute claims that captain and Springbok lock Franco Mostert is heading to Gloucester.

REACTION: New Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, who is also the Director of Rugby at the South African Rugby Union, said his two captains for the June internationals have the respect of their fellow players.

The Tier 1 nations might not be in town, but that doesn’t mean it’s not an exciting time for rugby fans in Fiji.

JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: With the World Rugby Under-20 championship just around the corner, in conjunction with our partner RugbyPass, we look at standout candidates to keep an eye on from the major contenders.

CHANGES ARE COMING: The rugby365 evolution continues this week as we tweak the website to give it a fresh new look.

REACTION: New Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, who is also the Director of Rugby at the South African Rugby Union, said his two captains for the June internationals have the respect of their fellow players.

LISTEN as new Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi explains how the Springboks will unite ahead of the June internationals, just days after smashing the living daylights out of each other.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has raised eyebrows again for the suspensions handed down to players after Round 15 of Super Rugby.

NEWS: The chances of Quade Cooper receiving a shock call-up for the Wallabies’ three-Test series against Ireland next month have officially gone from slim to none.

The 1st XV were also resolute in their defence winning a massive encounter with Hudson Park of East London 17-5. 

TRANSFER NEWS: Ulster and Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) have confirmed that  Ireland legend Jared Payne will take up the position of Defence Coach with the Province.

TRANSFER NEWS: South African-born Brad Barritt has committed his future to Saracens for a further two seasons.

REACTION: England head coach Eddie Jones mainly blamed inexperience for his team's shock 45-63 loss to the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday.

UPDATE: The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Sharks captain Ruan Botha for foul play after he was red carded during his side’s match against the Jaguares over the weekend.

REPORT: Glenwood's Green Machine went into overdrive against DHS on Dixons Field on Saturday, winning 55-12 against old rivals Durban High School.

Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale went across to George and beat Hoërskool Outeniqua 42-35 in an excellent match in which the lead changed hands and only the final whistle decided the winner.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Some cliches have real value. Such as the most disciplined team win crucial; matches.

JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: With the World Rugby Under-20 championship just around the corner, in conjunction with our partner RugbyPass, we look at standout candidates to keep an eye on from the major contenders.

MATCH REPORT: England suffered an embarrassing mauling at the hands of the Barbarians as Chris Ashton's three-try haul condemned the hosts to a 63-45 defeat on Sunday's non-cap international.

INJURY UPDATE: France brought in Sebastien Taofifenua as an injury replacement for their June tour to New Zealand.  

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England prop Joe Marler believes he is an ‘endangered species’ with the ever-changing scrum laws.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: The Bulls' 28-38 defeat to the Brumbies has made the task of reaching the play-offs 'more difficult' says head coach John Mitchell.

LISTEN as Lions coach Swys de Bruin and captain Franco Mostert spoke about how they helped Albertus Stephanus Smith realise his dream.

Playing at home on a lovely winter's morning The South African College High School (SACS) struggled to stave off a spirited Bellville High, 43-22 (Half-time 28-17). 

NEWS: The Highlanders will be without head coach Aaron Mauger for another week.

PRO14 REACTION: Leinster coach Leo Cullen admires his side's mental and physical prowess following their Pro14 triumph.

INJURY UPDATE: Wales have been hit with a double injury blow ahead of their June Series tour against South Africa and Argentina.

PREMIERSHIP REACTION: Mark McCall has insisted Eddie Jones can rest easy in the knowledge that the England internationals on show in Saracens' Premiership final triumph will be fit and ready to fire against the Springboks next month.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Four players, including three South Africans, will appear at SANZAAR hearings after this weekend's Round 15 matches in the Super Rugby competition.

There are lots of interesting matches this weekend, including five Classic Clashes and a Premier Interschools.

TOP 14 REPORT: Castres edged to a 19-14 victory over Racing 92 on Saturday to set up a French Top 14 final clash against Montpellier.

PRO14 REPORT: Johnny Sexton pulled the strings as Leinster completed a domestic and European double by downing the defending champions, Scarlets, 40-32 at the Aviva Stadium to clinch the Pro14 title.

BREAKING NEWS: SA Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has included 17 uncapped players in his first Springbok squad of 43 for the four Tests next month against Wales in the USA and the three-Test series at home against England.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Lions' winning streak over fellow South African teams continued when they edged the Stormers 26-23 at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Chris Wyles rode off into the sunset by making history as his two tries helped Saracens spectacularly beat Exeter Chiefs at Twickenham to win their third Premiership title in four years.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Tom Banks scored a superb solo try as 14-man Brumbies defied their lowly Super Rugby position by beating the Bulls 38-28 in Pretoria Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Lima Sopoaga kicked a penalty three minutes from time to steal a late winner for the Highlanders on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Following the announcement of the England team to face the Barbarians, coach Eddie Jones has spoken to RugbyPass about the reasons behind some of his more surprising selections.

UNDER-20 WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby has announced it will trial tackle law changes during the upcoming junior championship.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: In a battle for power, the Crusaders delivered a crushing blow to the Hurricanes, claiming a 24-13 win and denting their opponents’ title hopes with it.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Damien McKenzie scored the bonus-point try well after the full-time hooter as the Chiefs won a thrilling encounter with the Waratahs ion Saturday.

TOP 14 MATCH REPORT: Favourites Montpellier trounced the underdogs Lyon 40-14 in the French Rugby Union Top 14 semi-finals, scoring four tries on the way in front of almost 60 000 fans.

SUPER RUGBY MATCH REPORT: Wing Ramiro Moyano scored a hat-trick of tries to help the Jaguares record their first win over the Sharks.

TRANSFER NEWS: South African flyhalf Morne Steyn has decided to stay at Stade Francais, rather than leave for relegated Brive, the Parisian club announced.

JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: With the World Rugby Under-20 championship just around the corner in France, in conjunction with our partner RugbyPass, we look at standout candidates to keep an eye on from the major contenders.

SCHOOLS SPOTLIGHT: SARU has announced that Sean Erasmus, the Paarl Boys' High coach, previously the Glenwood coach, will the South African Schools team.

REACTION: Clermont second row Flip van der Merwe was suspended for four weeks for pushing the referee out of the way in a recent French Top 14 match.

WILLEMSE WALK-OUT ROW: There has been a dramatic about-turn in the escalating Ashwin Willemse live television walk-out'' saga.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: George Ford and Chris Robshaw will co-captain England for their clash against the Barbarians at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday.

The Springbok and Natal prop, Lood Müller was killed in a motor accident in Dundee, Kwa-Zulu Natal.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Marika Koroibete scored a hat-trick as the Rebels closed the gap on the Waratahs at the top of the Australian conference.

They are old and aggressive rivals, Glenwood in Umbilo and DHS on the other side of Berea Road, each with nicknames given by the other as some sort of cheerful insult. Glenwood are Grasshoppers, DHS Horseflies. The nicknames persist though the afflictions are long past.

INJURY UPDATE: England has had their preparations for their tour of South Africa take another hit, as budding centre Cameron Redpath has been sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

PRO14 FINAL: As Leinster and Scarlets meet for the sixth time in a little over 12 months, the final chapter appears to be nowhere in sight as the two teams build on their modern-day rivalry.

PREMIERSHIP FINAL: Saracens are desperate to give the veteran South African Schalk Brits a perfect send-off courtesy of a Premiership title when they face the reigning champions Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Crusaders cemented their first place on the standings with a hard-earned 24-13 win over the Hurricanes on Friday.

NEWS: Former England flank Luke Narraway is to leave third division English side Coventry to join the coaching staff of Top 14 club Bordeaux-Begles.

NEWS: All Blacks back Rene Ranger is to return to New Zealand next season with his first professional club, Northland.

NEWS: The rebuilding programme at Stade Francais will see French centre Gael Fickou join the club from rival Top 14 outfit Toulouse on Friday, according to reports in the French media.

@King365ed & @Tauriq365 put on their selection hats and give Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus a few pointers before he names his team on Saturday!

NEWS: Former Argentina captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe will mark the final game of his rugby career by skippering the Barbarians against England at Twickenham on Sunday.

INJURY UPDATE: Scotland centre Alex Dunbar has been ruled out of the June tour to Canada and the United States with a hamstring injury and will be replaced in the squad by Mark Bennett.

UPDATE: Highlanders' wing Tevita Nabura received a six-week suspension Friday for his mid-air karate kick to the face of Waratahs' Cameron Clark.

TRANS-TASMAN SHOWDOWNS: With the Crusaders and Hurricanes 10 points clear of their nearest competitors, the Lions, it has become a two-horse race for first place.

World Rugby's council has unanimously accepted the 12 law amendments that have been tested around the world as laws.

Hoërskool Outeniqua will make the scenic journey from George  to Riversdale, where they, the Kwaggas, will take on the Bulls of Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Regular captain, Philip Snyman, and leading try-scorer, Seabelo Senatla, have been recalled to the Springbok Sevens squad by Neil Powell for the London Sevens next weekend.

With the Waratahs recording a comprehensive win over the Highlanders, New Zealand’s uninterrupted domination of Australia in Super Rugby has finally come to a close.

NEWS: Connacht have appointed Andy Friend as their new head coach, replacing the sacked Kieran Keane, the New Zealander who lasted just a year into a three-year deal.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Regular inside centre and captain, Burger Odendaal will lead the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head coach Dan McKellar has made two changes to the starting line-up for the Super Rugby clash with the Bulls in Pretoria this Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Stormers will be without one of their key players when they host the Lions in a key Super Rugby match at Newlands on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Swys de Bruin has made seven changes to the starting line-up that will travel to Cape Town to face the Stormers in a crucial Super Rugby encounter on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Speculation surrounding Matt Symons new club were confirmed today.

The @rugby365com team dissects the developments in the infamous Ashwin Willemse walkout, the myopic reactions and the professionalism of the broadcaster.

TOP 14 SEMIFINAL SPOTLIGHT: Montpellier will be relying heavily on their world-class halfback combination to get them past Lyon in their Top 14 semifinal on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Reds, coached by former Highlander Brad Thorn, will face a Highlanders team with a new look back row and two All Blacks on their bench in the Saturday showdown in Brisbane.  

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Reds have made two personnel changes to the starting XV from last week’s narrow loss to the Hurricanes for their clash against the Highlanders.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The return of scrumhalf Nick Phipps to the starting XV is the only change to the run-on team that will take on the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are seven changes to the Chiefs' starting XV that took the field against the Sharks for their Super Rugby Round 15 clash against the Waratahs in Hamilton.

NEWS: Wallabies prop James Slipper was banned Thursday for two months after testing positive for cocaine, with the apologetic Queensland Reds skipper revealing he was being treated for depression.

TOP-OF-THE-TABLE SHOWDOWN: The conference system means the Hurricanes appear in fourth place on the standings.

There is a long list of matches between Affies and Grey Bloem - 28 in all, and there were other activities for the visiting Bloemfonteiners - apart from the rugby, 14 hockey matches, tennis, golf, tennis, table tennis and cycling.

INJURY UPDATE: All Blacks legend Dan Carter will miss Racing 92's Top 14 semi-final against Castres on Saturday with a hamstring injury.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Ireland coaching group have named a 32 man squad that includes only two uncapped players for the forthcoming three test match tour in Australia.

SUPER RUGBY FLASHBACK: On Friday the Crusaders and Hurricanes go head-to-head in a crucial, top-of-the-table encounter. They were also opponents in one of the weirdest matches in living memory.