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WATCH as we bring you all the highlights from the weekend’s main events!

WATCH as we bring you all the highlights from the weekend’s Currie Cup fixtures. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: This is the last of our Top 20s that depends on what happened the Saturday before. Next week we shall examine the whole year and come up with the final Top 20 of the year, which may in fact not differ a lot from this one.

WATCH as we take a look at some of the greatest World Cup moments from all the teams competing. Which is your favourite?

PREMIERSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Sale Sharks captain Jono Ross believes the club’s uncanny ability to revive seemingly stalled international careers will enable the newly arrived trio of Rob, Jean-Luc and Dan du Preez to return to the Springbok colours.

@rugby365com law guru Paul Dobson looks at another incident where the referee got it wrong. This is from the South Africa versus Argentina encounter.

There are several warm-up matches for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, three of them involving World Cup participants. Referee Jaco Peyper was in Auckland, New Zealand, last week and this week is in London. Have whistle, will travel.

NEWS: A few of Western Province's players will be heading abroad while their fellow teammates are preparing for the World Cup said head coach John Dobson.

NEWS: Former Wales and Lions captain Sam Warburton believes Cardiff City Stadium will provide the best atmosphere possible when the 2020 PRO14 final comes to the Welsh capital next season.

NEWS: World Rugby have made an immediate change to one of the laws of the game.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Free State Cheetahs coach Franco Smith made a number of changes to his team for their Currie Cup crunch match against Western Province in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

@rugby365com's law guru Paul Dobson takes a look at a contentious restart in the Bledisloe Cup showdown between New Zealand and Australia.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Ireland team to play England at Twickenham on Saturday has been revealed.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Eddie Jones brought out the big guns for his team's World Cup warm-up encounter with Ireland at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Golden Lions added some much-needed experience to their team for the trip to Kimberley and a Currie Cup crunch match on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After falling out of favour with England over the course of the last couple of seasons, James Haskell announced his retirement from professional rugby back in May at the age of 34.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby has announced that its flagship 15s and sevens Rugby World Cup properties will no longer include gender in their titles.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas have been forced to make changes to their team for their final Currie Cup league fixture, against the Lions in Kimberley on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks team to face the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in the final Currie Cup clash of the pool stages has been bolstered by two returning Springboks.

REACTION: England head coach Eddie Jones has been accused of complaining to get his way after a law amendment was made this week by World Rugby.

NEWS: The Queensland Rugby Union has continued to secure homegrown talent for the future.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby revealed Thursday that no current All Blacks will represent their country in Sevens at next year's Tokyo Olympics.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Michael Cheika could end the international careers of a handful of veteran Wallabies with the stroke of a pen as he finalises his squad to contest the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

LISTEN as @King365ed and @LoffieEloff unpack the @Springboks @rugbyworldcup squad that will be unveiled this coming Monday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Discarded from the England World Cup squad, this midfielder has signed a contract with French outfit Toulon.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Conor Wilson has a look at the ways a ball-in-hand attack can defeat a defence.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: As Japan gears up to host Asia's first Rugby World Cup, they might give a nod of thanks in the direction of continental neighbours Hong Kong for helping to make it all possible.

WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN: Faf de Klerk could be the difference between success and failure for South Africa at the Rugby World Cup.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Strap yourself in. The seventh and final round of league action is going to be manic!

WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN: England have mounted a staunch defence of Eddie Jones' training approach ahead of next month's World Cup, following claims players feared national camps.

NATIONAL PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Asafo Aumua may have been among the first players to be cut from the All Blacks this season, but his desire to put his best foot forward remains the same.

OPINION: It was a weekend of big movements, with the Sharks moving past Western Province into the play-off zone.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blue Bulls wasted no time to recall their Springbok World Cup discards for their Currie Cup Round Seven encounter with the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Fullback Stuart Hogg is the only player to be reselected in the starting Scotland side as several experienced campaigners return for this Saturday’s Test rematch against France at Murrayfield Stadium.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Hurricanes have signed scrumhalves Jamie Booth and Jonathan Taumateine for the next two Super Rugby seasons.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: On Monday, August 26, South Africa's World Cup squad will be unveiled in Johannesburg.

WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN: Kurtley Beale is relaxed about the outcome of 11th-hour talks to squeeze Will Skelton into the Wallabies' Rugby World Cup squad.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Province head coach John Dobson has revealed his team to face the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN: Shots have been fired ahead of that intriguing Pool D encounter.

NEWS: The Queensland Reds have continued to shore up their squad for the future after securing the signature of Angus Blyth for a further four years.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: France’s World Cup plans have suffered another setback.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: The world's top-ranked team, Wales, moved into a crucial phase of their build-up to the global showpiece.

Following a highly successful inaugural Under-17 Sevens rugby tournament last year, Framesby have increased their offering in 2019 to include an Under-15 Sevens category, as well as a Fast5 netball tournament.

REACTION: After loose forward Marcell Coetzee was ruled out of the World Cup next month with an ankle injury, South Africa and Ulster fans have shown their sympathy after a number of injury-plagued years.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France head coach Jacques Brunel has made four changes to his team for their second World Cup warm-up match with Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday.

Former England and British & Irish Lions player John Bentley, full-time carer of Japanese Encephalitis survivor Robert Annewandter, speaks about the disease that could be a potential threat to World Cup fans.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Tasman are backing their star loose forward Liam Squire to earn a re-call back into the All Blacks ahead of next month’s World Cup.

NEWS: John Afoa has committed to Bristol Bears for a further season, extending his time at Ashton Gate until 2021.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After nearly 10 years at the top, New Zealand’s reign as the number one team in the World Rugby Rankings is over.

OPINION: Argentina gave South Africa an almighty scare, but ultimately fell short - losing 18-24 in their World Cup warm-up match in Pretoria on Saturday.

OPINION: South Africa retained their unbeaten record for 2019 with a scrappy 24-18 win over a willing Argentina in Pretoria on Saturday.

WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN: Coach Michael Cheika says Christian Lealiifano has his nose in front for the Wallabies' No.10 jersey at the Rugby World Cup.

NEWS: Japan winger Akihito Yamada said on Monday he is still targeting a spot in his country's Rugby World Cup squad after joining French club Lyon on-loan.

SQUAD UPDATE: Virimi Vakatawa has been called into the France World Cup squad.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: France-based loose forward Facundo Isa was a shock omission from the 31-man Argentina Rugby World Cup named Monday by coach Mario Ledesma in Buenos Aires.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt is thrilled with the way his inexperienced halfbacks have stepped up to the plate in this year's Currie Cup.

INJURY UPDATE: Damian Willemse's long-awaited return to the starting line-up could be delayed as Western Province prepare to take on Free State Cheetahs on Saturday.

BREAKING NEWS: Another player has been ruled out of the World Cup through injury.

INJURY UPDATE: The Blue Bulls have not received any positive news ahead of their must-win final round-robin match against the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

WATCH as Featherstone Rovers and Hull go to town on each other - forcing the referee to issue five cards in 15 minutes.

REACTION: Ali Price says Scotland’s crushing loss to France in Nice is a World Cup wake-up call.

OPINION: Wales and England played out a weird game of rugby that never really took off as a spectacle, despite moments of brilliance on both sides.

OPINION: The All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup in convincing fashion, thumping the Wallabies 36-0 at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Italy head coach Conor O'Shea firmly believes his side have the prowess to cause an upset against the Springboks at this year's World Cup.

INJURY UPDATE: Discarded All Blacks playmaker Josh Ioane could be in line to return to the national side after an injury to Richie Mo’unga during New Zealand’s 36-0 thrashing of the Wallabies at Eden Park on Saturday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT:  Seilala Mapusua, the former London Irish and Samoa centre, has warned World Rugby that frustration over the constant loss of talent from the Pacific Islands nations is reaching “boiling point”.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Brumbies have signed Waratahs flank Will Miller on a two-year deal as they prepare for Super Rugby life without David Pocock.

SQUAD UPDATE: Wing Rieko Ioane has been released by the All Blacks.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Four players who were part of the Springboks' matchday 23 that played against Argentina in Pretoria on Saturday, were released back to their provinces for Currie Cup duty.

For South African schools the 15-a-side game is over. It's time for Sevens. +

OPINION: After the highs of their win at Twickenham, England were brought back to earth with a hard-fought 13-6 loss to Wales at the Principality Stadium.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has some tough decisions ahead.

REACTION: Leigh Halfpenny admitted his legs were "killing" him as he stepped up to take the penalty that sealed Wales's 13-6 win over England.

“You’re only as good as your last game,” someone once said. Wynberg Boy’s High will head off into summer with a good feeling having scored four converted tries in comfortably overcoming arch-rivals The South African College High School (SACS) by 28 points to nil (Half-time 21-0).

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Round Six Currie Cup encounter between the Golden Lions and the Sharks in Johannesburg.

OPINION: The Wallabies had one hand on the Bledisloe Cup heading Saturday's match, but they quickly learned that the All Blacks weren’t just going to roll over and submit as they did a week prior.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Italy head coach Conor O'Shea has unveiled his 31-man squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Sharks moved into the top four in the Currie Cup standings after a thrilling 30-28 win over the Golden Lions at Ellis Park.

REACTION: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen dismissed concerns about losing their number one world ranking Sunday as he concentrated on a World Cup selection conundrum after demolishing Australia.

The Grey College 1st XV of 2019 is an exceptional team, even for Grey College which, year after year, produces world class schoolboy teams. They showed it again on Saturday when the beat an excellent Paul Roos Gymnasium side 51-28 on the Markötter Field in Stellenbosch, Paul Roos's home ground.

REACTION: Argentina coach Mario Ledesma feels that his team might have been hard done by during their 18-24 defeat to the Springboks in Pretoria on Saturday.

This is almost certainly the last set of schools results for 2019. The season has flown by. Bless all those who played and all those who allowed them to play.

REACTION: Wales top the world rankings for the first time in their history, but coach Warren Gatland was more pleased with the character they showed in the gritty 13-6 win over England on Saturday.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: France’s Paul Gabrillagues has been cited for foul play.

REACTION: All Black coach Steve Hansen refused to get carried away by the comprehensive 36-0 thrashing of the Wallabies on Saturday.

REACTION: Wallaby coach Michael Cheika insisted Saturday's thrashing at the hands of the All Blacks had not derailed Australia's World Cup preparations as he drew up a list of errors to be addressed.

The main rugby field at Rondebosch Boys' High, now called the Tinkie Heyns Field, was packed again at lunchtime on Saturday when Rondebosch hosted near-neighbours Bishops yet again in one of the very best schools rugby derbies in South Africa, and, as happened in the second term, hosts defeated the visitors. 21-10 this time and a thoroughly deserved victory.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Free State Cheetahs climbed to second in the Currie Cup standings with a 43-37 win over the Pumas on Saturday.

REACTION: South African coach Rassie Erasmus said on Saturday that at least three players are set to miss the World Cup as a result of injuries.

WORLD CUP WARM-UP MATCH REPORT: Veteran fullback Maxime Medard scored twice as France hammered Scotland 32-3 in Nice on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Two by wing Sibusiso Nkosi helped South Africa record a hard-earned 24-18 win over Argentina in Pretoria on Saturday - maintaining the Springboks' unbeaten run in 2019.

MATCH REPORT: Captain Sergio Parisse touched down on his return as Italy ran in 13 tries for an 85-15 victory over Russia in their second World Cup warm-up clash in San Benedetto del Tronto on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Wales moved to the No.1 ranking in the world, a week after they first let slip an opportunity to do so.

REACTION: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika admitted Sunday he was hurting after watching the All Blacks crush his Bledisloe Cup dream.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to this World Cup warm-up encounter between South Africa and Argentina in Pretoria.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to this World Cop warm-up encounter between Wales and England in Cardiff.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Round Six Currie Cup encounter between the Pumas and the Free State Cheetahs in Nelspruit.

On the third and last round of the Under-18 International Series, played at Hoërskool Hugenote in Wellington on Saturday, the SA Schools team battled but beat England Under-18 to end the tournament unbeaten. They won all three of their matches.

MATCH REPORT: The All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup once again when they crushed the Wallabies 36-0 in Auckland on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to this Bledisloe Cup Round Two encounter between New Zealand and Australia in Auckland.

Wynberg went up the road to Rondebosch and their 1st XV enjoyed a surprise victory. Not all the Wynberg teams won in the 15 well-matches games.

REACTION: The Southern Kings have confirmed their brazen bid to lure Springbok hooker Mbongeni Theo Mbonambi away from Cape Town.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The All Blacks' impressive 36-0 victory over the Wallabies in Auckland on Saturday, to retain the Bledisloe Cup, added to a phenomenal list of statistics chalked up by the world champions.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Which one of these offloads are better - Sonny Bill Williams or Duane Vermeulen?

MATCH REPORT: Griquas cemented top spot in the Currie Cup standings with a 27-23 win over the Western Province on Friday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Round Six Currie Cup encounter between Griquas and Western Province in Kimberley.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A little heads-up from Rassie Erasmus would have been appreciated, nonetheless, Siyabonga 'Scarra' Ntubeni's Springboks call-up has left Western Province head coach John Dobson 'absolutely thrilled'.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: On Saturday, 17 August 2019, Schalk Brits will lead the Springboks out onto  Loftus Versfeld for a Test match against Argentina.

NEWS: South African centre Tiaan Loots has left Dragons with immediate effect.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: When Schalk Brits formally retired in May 2018, he started preparing for life as a 'student'.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: There were not many matches over the long weekend and so there is little to change on this week's Top 20.

TEAM UPDATE: Ruaridh McConnochie, who was a surprise choice in Eddie Jones's England World Cup squad, will have to wait to make his debut after pulling out of the Test with Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

REACTION: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has opened up about the "unfortunate" departure of Swys de Bruin from the national team.

OPINION: @rugby365com columnist Eugene Eloff, a celebrated coach who has won two Junior World Cups, gives us his thoughts in the wake of Swys de Bruin's decision to quit the Springboks.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The trials and tribulations of being a Currie Cup Premier Division coach will be highlighted in dramatic fashion this weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former Wallaby Peter FitzSimons mocked the All Blacks as "old and slow" Friday just days after a Sydney tabloid labelled them "senior citizens", stirring the pot ahead of a crunch Bledisloe Cup clash.

NEWS: The Southern Kings will return 'home' to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium when their Pro14 campaign resumes next month.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Golden Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has unveiled his team to face the Sharks in a Currie Cup Round Six clash in Johannesburg on Sunday.

NEWS: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has been lauded for his work overseeing the transformation on South African rugby.

REACTION: Ahead of this week’s deciding Bledisloe Cup test at Eden Park, All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has rung the changes in his starting XV.

WORLD CUP WARM-UP: Is there 'revenge' in the air? Perhaps for Wales, if you look at the side they are fielding.

WORLD CUP WARM-UP MATCH: Is this really a Test match?

BLEDISLOE CUP TWO: All Black captain Kieran Read warned he was in a "prickly" mood Friday as he demanded a marked improvement in discipline and defence for Saturday's Trans-Tasman decider against the Wallabies in Auckland.

The third and final round of the Under-18 International Series ends at Hoërskool Hugenote in Wellington on Saturday. As in the pervious two rounds, there will be three matches involving all six teams - Argentina Under-18, England Under-18, France Under-18, South African Schools and South African Schools A.

NEWS: A Kenyan court sentenced two rugby players to 15 years in prison for the gang rape of a female singer at a birthday party last year.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has revealed that 80 percent of his squad has been finalised.

WATCH as @rugby365com brings you a real blast from the past - when rules were still uncomplicated and just about anything was acceptable.

The family of Bruce Deans have confirmed that the former All Black has passed away, aged 58. He was All Blacks number 891.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has named his team to play Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: A world rankings shake-up could be on the cards this weekend, and the All Blacks could face the biggest drop.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has been forced into making several changes to his team for their Currie Cup Round Six encounter with the Free State Cheetahs.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Free State Cheetahs have moved the captain to make room for a Springbok.

REACTION: It is less than a week after Eddie Jones named his 31-man England World Cup squad, and he is already pushed to his limits regarding his back row.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales have made three changes to their side to face England in Cardiff on Saturday with Jake Ball, James Davies and Dan Biggar coming into the starting XV.

REACTION: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen insisted he was "loving it" as he axed three senior players.

The two schools are close in many ways. They are nearly within shouting distance, have the same sort of staff, the same sort of boys with the same sort of parents, the same sort of keen Old Boys, for both schools have similar ways of working with similar ideals. And when neighbours meet on the rugby field with unpredictable outcomes, the matches are always that much more intense.

NEWS: Rugby Australia and the Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) have confirmed that rising star Tate McDermott has signed a new four-year deal.

REACTION: Flank David Pocock came agonisingly close to a Bledisloe Cup call-up before Wallabies coach Michael Cheika stepped in to make the final call.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Fiji on Friday named a youthful squad containing 15 World Cup debutants for the Rugby Union showpiece starting in Japan next month.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Mario Ledesma has unveiled a new-look team to face the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France head coach Jacques Brunel has named his team to face Scotland in their first World Cup warm-up match next Saturday in Nice.

TRANSFER NEWS: Northland back Scott Gregory will shift South to play for the Highlanders in 2020.

@rugby365com's law guru Paul Dobson looks at the inconsistencies in how officials deal with foul play!

Two of South Africa's top schools teams, Grey College of Bloemfontein and Paul Roos Gymnasium of Stellenbosch, meet in a Premier Interschools match in Stellenbosch on Saturday as they both drop the curtain on the 2019 season. It is always a grand match and more often than not a close thriller.

@King365ed and @LoffieEloff unpack the @Springboks' success in the @SanzarTRC - the first time in a decade they have won a major international trophy.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Italian veteran Sergio Parisse has been handed the captain's armband for Italy's second World Cup warm-up clash against Russia in San Benedetto del Tronto.

BLEDISLOE CUP SPOTLIGHT: All Black legend Dan Carter was an interesting observer, spotted at the New Zealand training in the build-up to the Bledisloe Cup decider in Auckland.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Shaun Berne's influence as Wallabies attack coach blossomed in Perth and Kurtley Beale thinks their all-encompassing approach to running rugby will only be better at the World Cup.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has named his team to face the Golden Lions in a Currie Cup Round Six clash in Johannesburg on Sunday.

OPINION: Season Four of the Rugby Pod aired this week - with hosts Andy Rowe, Jim Hamilton and Andy Goode all returning to the fold.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Siya Kolisi will be captain of the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup in Japan next month - if he is fit.

Lots of rugby eyes will be on Eden Park on Saturday - the second Bledisloe Cup match after the Wallabies spilt All Black blood in Perth last Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks have dropped to fifth place in the wake of their Rugby Championship triumph in Salta on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Scrumhalf Willi Heinz believes his Gloucester teammate Danny Cipriani played an influential role in propelling him into England’s World Cup squad.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has made one injury-enforced change to his team as he looks to build on their upset win over the All Blacks in the Bledisloe Cup decider this weekend.

ANALYSIS: In English Rugby since 2014, the most prominent subject line has been the consistent debate between the two English 10’s; George Ford, and Owen Farrell.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus unveiled a new-look team for their one-off 'friendly' international against Los Pumas.

BLEDISLOE CUP SPOTLIGHT: The All Blacks know what is required of them come Saturday night when they face the Wallabies at Eden Park.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland flyhalf Joey Carbery faces World Cup fitness race following his injury during his side's win over Italy.

OPINION: South Africa are the champions and it comes as no surprise that their players dominate rugby365's Team of the Tournament.

NEWS: Swys de Bruin advised Springbok management on Tuesday that he wished to be released from his role as an attack consultant with the team.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The All Blacks team has been named to play Australia in the Bledisloe Cup at Eden Park, Auckland on Saturday, August 17.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas retained their 'winning formula' for their Currie Cup crunch match against Western Province on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australian rugby legend David Campese has expressed his disappointment at being overlooked for the NSW Waratahs coaching position.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: A number of Springbok call-ups have forced Western Province into changes for their Currie Cup encounter with Griquas in Kimberley on Friday.

BLEDISLOE CUP: As one of the few Wallabies who knows what it's like to win at Auckland's Eden Park, former captain Andrew Slack wants coach Michael Cheika and his selectors to resist making changes for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup decider.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Clayton Blommetjies has been named in the Free States Cheetahs' starting XV for their Currie Cup clash against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

NEWS: A new coach for the NSW Waratahs is expected to be in place next month, with the position attracting significant interest from candidates around the rugby world.

NEWS: Three more established Hurricanes players have extended their contracts at the franchise.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The All Blacks warned Australia will face an intense physical battle in the Bledisloe Cup decider but vowed to stay on the right side of the law.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones believes off-field problems will be part and parcel of his side's campaign.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Gregor Townsend has named his team to face France in Nice at the weekend for Scotland’s first of four warm-up games before the World Cup kicks off in Japan.

OPINION: Players from Western province lead the way in rugby365's Currie Cup Team of the Week for Round Five.

It was Round 2 of the Under-18 International Series on Paarl Gim's muddy field on Tuesday, 13 August 2019. SA Schools and England Under-18 won while SA Schools A drew with Wales Under-18 - a lavish 31-all.

Over the weekend there were four - at least four - incidents of stoppage and closer examination of an incident in which there was possible contact of a seriously dangerous kind. We are going to look at the four.

INJURY UPDATE: The Golden Lions have a few new injuries concerns as they prepare for this week's Currie Cup clash against Sharks.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Scott Barrett’s red card against Australia during the 2019 Rugby Championship caused a right old kerfuffle. Well, in New Zealand anyway.

SELECTION SPOTLIGHT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has always earmarked the Loftus Versfeld outing as a final fling for some fringe players.

NEWS: Wallaby star Israel Folau will get his day in court next February, unless he and Rugby Australia can reach an agreement over his sacking for social media posts.

BLEDISLOE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Rookie Wallaby Isi Naisarani is one-from-one in Tests, but expects to feel the full force of the All Blacks in the Auckland decider.

WATCH as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus speaks about ending a 10-year trophy drought and how it was achieved.

NEWS: Former Melbourne Rebels star Amanaki Mafi, who is accused of beating his teammate in Dunedin last July, is likely free to play for Japan at this year's World Cup.

SQUAD UPDATE: Uncapped Stormers hooker Scarra Ntubeni and teammate Wilco Louw (prop) were called up to the Springbok squad in Pretoria.

INJURY UPDATE: Wales have suffered a massive injury blow ahead of this year's World Cup

WATCH as veteran lock Eben Etzebeth explains South Africa's improved from ahead of the World Cup in Japan.

INJURY NEWS: French flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc will miss the early part of the new Top 14 season after breaking his right arm in a warm-up match, his club Racing 92 announced.

Wallabies' Nic White had a blinder in Perth as he helped lift his side to a historic victory over the All Blacks in Bledisloe One in Perth at the weekend.

NEWS: His red card was labelled as 'ridiculous' by, amongst others, England coach Eddie Jones. Yet he was still banned.

REACTION: Wallaby Rod Kafer's assertion that Michael Hooper was a target of deliberate foul play in Bledisloe One has been met with disdain by the All Blacks.

REACTION: Joe Schmidt was pleased with the impact made by debutant Jean Kleyn as Ireland began their Rugby World Cup warm-up games with a 29-10 victory over Italy at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

OPINION: With the official World No.1 spot up for grabs, this was always going to be more than a warm-up match for both Wales and England.

OPINION: England got their World Cup preparations underway at Twickenham on Sunday, as they beat Wales, 33-19.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones gave a blunt assessment on Ben Te’o's omission from his England squad.

OPINION: Handre Pollard scored 31 points as South Africa thrashed Argentina 46-13 in Salta Saturday, to win the Rugby Championship for the first time.

OPINION: Australia showed just how vulnerable New Zealand is, as the World Cup looms large.

SA Schools and SA Schools A both have changes for the second round of the Under-18 International Series being played in the Western Cape, this time at Paarl Gimnasium.

In Round 2 of SARU's Under-18 International Series, France Under-18 play England Under-18, old rugby rivals in what the French call Le Crunch. The match is at Paarl Gim on Tuesday, 13 August 2019.

NEWS: Taniela Tupou has signed a long-term deal with Rugby Australia.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com's law guru Paul Dobson takes a look at the game-changing red card to All Black lock Scott Barrett.

INJURY UPDATE: The desperate need to "accelerate" his recovery, may well have ended Warren Whiteley's World Cup dream.

REACTION: Patience is wearing thin with Richie Mo’unga at flyhalf and Beauden Barrett at fullback for the All Blacks

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Teams have until September 8 to name their 31-man parties for the tournament in Japan but England head coach Eddie Jones has decided to announce his squad several weeks earlier.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has confirmed his official 31-man squad to participate in the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan next month.

NEWS: Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that Siya Kolisi will feature in Saturday's clash against Argentina at Loftus Versfeld.

MEDIA REACTION: The All Blacks' record loss to the Wallabies in Perth left the proud rugby nation struggling to find positives Sunday.

REACTION: Former coach John Hart is calling for an overhaul of the All Blacks front row, saying they were completely outplayed by the Wallabies big men in the Perth Bledisloe Cup boilover.

REACTION: Wales coach Warren Gatland insisted the "biggest prize" was still to come.

REACTION: Wallaby vice-captain Samu Kerevi says the job is half done and landing the Bledisloe Cup at the All Blacks' spiritual home Eden Park is a huge task.

SQUAD UPDATE: The Wallabies selectors face a dilemma before Saturday's Bledisloe Cup decider.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Until a few months ago she never touched a rugby ball. Now she is determined to help the South Africa Women's Sevens team reach the 2020 Olympic Games.

OPINION: Few would have expected the absolute drubbing that the Wallabies handed to the All Blacks in last night’s Bledisloe Cup match.

There may not have been a large number of results for this long weekend, but there were some interesting one.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup warm-up match between England and Wales at Twickenham.

NEWS: Fallen rugby star Israel Folau's social media accounts, which he used to promote controversial comments that got him sacked, disappeared Monday on the eve of a court hearing into his dismissal.

REACTION: A bust-up between players Ben Te'o and Mike Brown has cast a shadow over England's build-up to their Test with Wales.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones urged officials to make clear what constitutes a head-high tackle ahead of the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

REACTION: Japan has beaten the United States 34-20 to win the Pacific Nations Cup tournament as they prepare to host the World Cup.

REACTION: All Black coach Steve Hansen insisted Sunday there was no need to "push the panic button".

REACTION: South Africa will enjoy their victory over Argentina and their triumph in the Rugby Championship.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: All Black lock Scott Barrett will have a dangerous tackle charge heard by the SANZAAR foul play review committee, following the loss to the Wallabies.

MATCH REPORT: A 14-man Blue Bulls team managed to keep the Golden Lions at bay with a 31-26 win at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks kept their play-off hopes alive with a 27-20 win over the Free State Cheetahs in Durban on Saturday.

Now this was rugby. On a lovely, sunny afternoon in Riversdale, there was a match between two agricultural schools, Oakdale and Bold Landbou, that would uplift the heart most pessimistic about the future. It was a wonderful match.

REACTION: Mining magnate Andrew Forrest has committed to next year's Global Rapid Rugby season with its million-dollar first prize quashing rumours he was pulling out.

MATCH REPORT: The Springboks have been crowned Rugby Championship 2019 winners with an impressive 46-13 win over the Los Pumas in Salta, Buenos Aires.

MATCH REPORT: Wales' brief reign as the world's top-ranked team was ended in smashing fashion at Twickenham on Sunday.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT: Australia kept alive their hopes of winning the Bledisloe Cup with their biggest win ever over New Zealand.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Rugby Championship Round Three encounter between Argentina and South Africa in Salta.

MATCH REPORT: Flyhalf Joey Carbery suffered an ankle injury as Ireland beat Italy 29-10 in Dublin in their first warm-up Test on Saturday ahead of this year's Rugby World Cup.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Currie Cup Round Five encounter between the Golden Lions and Blue Bulls at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup warm-up match between Ireland and Italy in Dublin.

WATCH as @rugby365com brings you all the highlights from the weekend's main matches.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Currie Cup Round Five encounter between the Sharks and Free State Cheetahs in Durban.

NEWS: Alex Dombrandt, Ben Spencer, Mike Brown and Ben Te'o were all excluded from England's latest World Cup warm-up squad.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: Western Province boosted their play-off hopes with a 45-14 win over the Pumas in Cape Town on Friday.

WATCH the highlights and celebrations following the Springboks' win over Argentina.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland rugby fans will get an indication of what the future could hold for their national team against Italy in Dublin on Saturday with the Azzurri's attack masterminded by Mike Catt, the former England World Cup winner.

Changing the laws of the game in the interest of injury-prevention has taken another significant step forward with World Rugby’s Executive Committee approving a package of law amendments for closed trial.

TEAM UPDATE: England head coach Eddie Jones has made changes to his team to play Wales on Sunday at Twickenham Stadium due to injuries.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks know they will be greeted by a hostile reception when they take on Argentina at the Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena in Salta.

SEVENS SPOTLIGHT: The United States of America will play host to the first standalone men's competitions of 2020 Sevens Series in February.

WORLD CUP WARM-UP: Excitement will be mixed with concern when four of Europe's leading nations begin their Japan 2019 programme this weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Alun Wyn Jones will become Wales's most capped player of all time when he leads out his side for the World Cup warm-up match with England at Twickenham on Sunday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Rugby Championship Round Three encounter between Australia and New Zealand in Perth.

MATCH REPORT: Japan captain Michael Leitch bagged two tries on Saturday as the enterprising Brave Blossoms celebrated their return to the Pacific Nations Cup with a 34-20 win over the United States in Fiji.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: There are numbers driving the All Blacks ahead of their Bledisloe Cup clash with the Wallabies but the motivation to stay No.1 in the world isn't one of them.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND THREE: They love the Springboks in Argentina but that, it seems, spurs the Pumas on.

In Round 1 of the Under-18 internationals played on the muddy Markötter Field at Paul Roos Gymnasium on 9 August 2019, France Under-18 beat South African Schools A, Argentina Under-18 beat England Under-18 and South African Schools beat Wales Under-18.

Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale of Riversdale will play host to Hoër Landbouskool Boland of Paarl as they do every year. This year it's a Premier Interschools match.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England has another New Zealander on their Test roster.

REACTION: England's new scrumhalf Willi Heinz may have been born and brought up in New Zealand, but he insisted his English links had been a part of his life since childhood.

It’s final weekend in the truncated edition of the 2019 Rugby Championship. Here are some predictions.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND THREE: The Wallabies are seeking confirmation of progress ahead of the World Cup as they attempt to loosen the power-packed All Blacks' vice-like grip on the Bledisloe Cup on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Every match will be vital in the Currie Cup this weekend as two teams play their penultimate pool games, while the other four sides enter the second half of the competition.

TRANSFER NEWS: Brumbies have agreed to allow scrumhalf Matt Lucas to be released early from his contract to take up an offer with Japanese Top League side the Ricoh Black Rams from September.

DAY ONE WRAP: The opening day of the SA Rugby Under-18 International Series delivered some cracking rugby at Markotter Stadium in Stellenbosch on Friday.

BLEDISLOE CUP REACTION: All Black offensive weapon Beauden Barrett believes Kurtley Beale's inclusion at fullback for the sacked Israel Folau makes the Wallabies more threatening.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Christian Wade never dreamed he would score the first time he touched the ball in an NFL game, but that's exactly what the former England Rugby Union international did.

LISTEN as South African coach Rassie Erasmus speaks about the threats posed by Argentina in Salta on Saturday.

INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT: Ireland are solely focused on building cohesion and momentum when they kick off the International Series against Italy at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: There is not much left of the season. Once we're over the hump of the long weekend we go rushing to the end of yet another season with all its excitement and energy - and its disappointments.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: He might not be Eddie Jones's favourite but Danny Cipriani could be the key in England's pursuit of World Cup glory.

BLEDISLOE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Wallaby coach Michael Cheika is hopeful David Pocock will make his long-awaited return from injury in the return Bledisloe against the All Blacks in Auckland.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Currie Cup Round Five encounter between Western Province and the Pumas at Newlands.

LISTEN as South African coach Rassie Erasmus speaks about the threats posed by Argentina in Salta on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Tonga claimed their first win in the Pacific Nations Cup, as they held off a strong finish by Canada to take a 33-23 victory in Lautoka Friday.

BLEDISLOE CUP SPOTLIGHT:  There is a firm belief among some World Cup teams that this year’s tournament won’t be decided by tries.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Ireland team to face Italy in a World Cup warm-up match on Saturday has a decidedly experimental look.

NEWS: Elton Jantjies' playing future has been confirmed.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Worcester Warriors’ new recruit Melani Nanai will arrive for pre-season training on Monday, August 12.

REACTION: Michael Cheika gets his chance to respond.

OPINION: Round Four of Currie Cup 2019 was full of upsets.

The South African Under-18 International Series gets underway on Friday, 9 August 2019, Women's Day in South Africa.

Round 1 of the Under-18 International Series in South Africa starts in Stellenbosch on Friday afternoon. England Under-18 play Argentina Under-18, and England coach Jim Mallinder has named his team for the encounter.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern joined a galaxy of All Blacks stars and thousands of other mourners to pay tribute to rugby icon Brian Lochore at his funeral Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has revealed his team to face the Wallabies in Perth on Saturday.

Round 1 of the South African Under-18 International Series is on Friday, 9 August 2019.

It's the last round of the Rugby Championship, the decisive round, in Perth, Australia, and Salta, with Jérôme Garcès and Romain Poite to referee them. The Perth match doubles as a Bledisloe Cup match.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks host the Free State Cheetahs at Kings Park this Saturday in what is shaping to be a humdinger of a Currie Cup match between two old foes.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The countdown to the 2019 Rugby World Cup is well and truly upon us.

OPINION: An in-depth look at how the All Blacks are developing two shapes for the Rugby World Cup. Rugbypass writer Conor Wilson makes sense of it all. 

@LoffieEloff joins @King365ed in the @rugby365com studio as they analyse the final round of the @SanzarTRC - where the @Springboks are on the cusp of making history against @lospumas in Salta.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rory Best has challenged Ireland to justify their 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam at this year’s World Cup in Japan.

WATCH: This is what rugby is all about. Japanese fans embracing their role as hosts by learning the Fijian anthem. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas head coach Jimmy Stonehouse has tweaked his backline for Friday's crucial Currie Cup clash with Western Province at Newlands.

INJURY UPDATE: England are unable to put a time frame on a Jack Nowell return to action as doubt persists over his availability for the World Cup.

NEWS: Waratahs have continued to bolster their squad for the 2020 Super Rugby season, securing the signatures of Chris Talakai and Mitch Short.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will start at flank for Western Province in the Currie Cup encounter with the Pumas at Newlands on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Tendai Mtawarira, Bongi Mbonambi and Trevor Nyakane will pack down in the Springbok front row when South Africa face Argentina in the third and final Rugby Championship encounter in Salta on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks are on the verge of clinching their first Rugby Championship when they face Argentina on Saturday in Salta.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Blue Bulls head coach Pote Human has named his team to face the Golden Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

TRANSFER TALK: Snubbed England centre Ben Te’o will likely depart England following his apparent Rugby World Cup snubbing at the hands of Eddie Jones.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas head coach Mario Ledesma has resisted making substantial changes to his side for their final match of 2019’s Rugby Championship, despite two losses to date.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: James O'Connor completed his return from exile on Thursday as he was named to start in Saturday's Test against the All Blacks in Perth.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Rugby Australia boss Raelene Castle has given Director of Rugby Scott Johnson a glowing endorsement.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: One of the world's best locks reveals another side to him.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies outcast James O'Connor is set to take a giant stride towards the Rugby World Cup with his selection to face the All Blacks in Perth on Saturday.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: The All Blacks are warning that the band is back together and they are singing from the same song sheet ahead of Saturday's Test against the Wallabies in Perth.

NEWS: Joe Schmidt has left the Irish training camp in Carton house and has returned to New Zealand following a family bereavement according to the Irish Times.

WATCH as Golden Lions forward Hacjivah Dayimani produced a moment of comedy gold against the Free State Cheetahs this weekend with a perfectly timed high five with referee Jaco Peyper.

For the two South African Schools teams chosen after Craven Week this year, their international experience starts on Friday.

INJURY UPDATE: The Free State Cheetahs received a boost on the injury front ahead of their Currie Cup clash against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: The All Blacks are convinced that Pocock will play on Saturday although talk around the Wallabies camp is that he will be kept on ice.

REACTION: It was certainly a huge embarrassment as the defending Currie Cup Champions Sharks suffered a 20-27 defeat to the Pumas last weekend.

MATCH REPORT: Was there ever an Interschools with such a finish - such tension, such drama?

NEWS: Waratahs loose forward Jed Holloway has signed a two-year contract extension, committing to his home state until the end of the 2021 Super Rugby season.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Argentina are bracing themselves for a massive physical onslaught when they face the Springboks in Salta on Saturday.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: The Wallabies are focused on cleaning up a dreadful error rate before facing the All Blacks,

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Former Wallabies captain Andrew Slack believes Christian Lealiifano deserves to wear the No.10 jersey against the All Blacks in Perth on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Australian Schoolboy's scrumhalf Lachlan Albert has signed with the Brumbies, agreeing to a three-year commitment to the team starting in November 2019.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has called up 33 players to assemble at Pennyhill Park ahead of England’s first World Cup warm-up against Wales on Sunday at Twickenham Stadium

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus may want Damian Willemse at fullback, but Western Province coach John Dobson believes he could be more effective in another position.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks have their sights trained firmly on the World Cup.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: The Wallabies no longer have the dynamic Israel Folau, but Kurtley Beale will give them plenty of X-factor during the Bledisloe Cup series.

INJURY UPDATE: Western Province is relying on the return of Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi to help them get their Currie Cup campaign back on track.

On Saturday Glenwood tackled Maritzburg College in a pulsating derby on Goldstones in front of a huge crowd as Maritzburg College celebrated their Reunion Day.

INJURY UPDATE: The Blue Bulls have a massive headache ahead of their Currie Cup Round Five encounter with the Golden Lions, in Johannesburg on Saturday.

OPINION: The readers have spoken and they have told South African coach Rassie Erasmus he should go for broke in Salta next week.

INJURY UPDATE: The Golden Lions will face a big challenge at scrum time once again when they take on Blue Bulls in a Currie Cup Round Five fixture in Johannesburg on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: The Free State Cheetahs lost a lot more than just their unbeaten run when the Golden Lions came from behind to beat them 24-22 in Bloemfontein at the weekend.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: The All Blacks have failed to live up to expectations in the Rugby Championship so far. 

SQUAD UPDATE: Ireland revealed a 43-man squad on Monday ahead of their first World Cup warm-up match against Italy in Dublin on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies captain Michael Hooper predicts David Pocock will "kill it" when he makes his long-awaited playing return and he's also excited about James O'Connor's X-factor.

REACTION: Head coach Pote Human did not hold back in his assessment of the Blue Bulls' current Currie Cup form.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Since the early 1930’s New Zealand and Australia have regularly fought tooth and nail for the prized Bledisloe Cup.

The Graeme and Muir derby is always a keenly contested fixture, with a similar type of school meeting for the fixture. There were two hockey matches played on the Friday, with Graeme winning the 1st XI match 5-0. On the Saturday, Graeme sent more than 250 boys to Uitenhage to play in the 17 rugby matches.

The season is dwindling down to a precious few matches but still there are schools keen to play to the end of the month.

There are many interesting results this week, including an exciting Premier Interschools match in Paarl and an exciting Classic Clash in George.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: There will be no lack of effort and intensity when England face Wales at Twickenham says wing Elliot Daly.

NEWS: All Blacks great Brian Lochore, who achieved fame both as a player and coach, died Saturday after a battle with cancer. He was 78.

REACTION: Griquas went from a 54-point hiding by the Cheetahs last weekend to a 37-15 triumph at the Blue Bulls Saturday, and claimed a two-point lead in the South African Currie Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: When World Rugby were playing with the idea of introducing a season-long competition to the international rugby scene, there was reasonably widespread outrage.

Danny Grewcock, great England lock in his playing days, is starting at Clifton College in September, not as a 46-year-old pupil obviously but in a rugby coaching/developmental role.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: International referee Nigel Owens made an unfortunate error during the game between Samoa and the USA.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: The Wallabies were not surprised by the changes to the All Blacks' team for their clash against the Springboks in Round Two of the Rugby Championship.

The St Andrew's College 1st XV rounded off a very successful season by running out comfortable 42-22 winners against Bishops from Cape Town on Lower Field in Grahamstown on Saturday, 3 August 2019, in fantastic playing conditions.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Pumas recorded their first win of the 2019 Currie Cup season with a 27-20 win over the Sharks in Nelspruit on Saturday.

MLR SPOTLIGHT: Malcolm Anderson looks at how the arrival of the Toronto Arrows will significantly impact rugby in Canada and their World Cup campaign.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: Griquas climbed to the top of the Currie Cup standings with a 37-15 win against the Blue Bulls in Pretoria.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Currie Cup Round Four encounter between the Blue Bulls and Griquas in Pretoria.

@rugby365 law guru Paul Dobson looks at two incidents from last Saturday's match between South Africa and New Zealand in Wellington, New Zealand.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Steve Hansen plans to hit hard and hit early in the All Blacks' Bledisloe Cup defence, pledging to name his strongest team to face the Wallabies in Perth.

REACTION: Ross Cronje admits Golden Lions will have to go back to the drawing board despite their sensational comeback against Free State Cheetahs on Friday.

RANKINGS: The result that shakes the tree this week is Affies defeat at the hands of Pretoria Boys High, something that has not happened since 2008 and the biggest margin of defeat since 1943. It was a massive surprise.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Currie Cup Round Four encounter between the Pumas and Sharks in Nelspruit.

Unforgettable. Nobody who was at Rosemore Stadium in George on 3 August 2019 will forget the end to the Classic Clash between Pacaltsdorp Senior Sekondêr and George High.

THE COUNTDOWN: Japan and World Rugby are fully confident that the World Cup will be a groundbreaking event as they enter the final preparations phase for Asia’s first World Cup.

MATCH REPORT: Fiji produced too much power and pace for Canada scoring six tries to one in a 38-13 thumping in their Pacific Nations Cup clash in Suva on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: For the third time this season the Lions came back from a massive deficit to retain their unbeaten record in the competition.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Currie Cup Round Four encounter between the Free State Cheetahs and Golden Lions in Bloemfontein.

UPDATE: The Southern Kings have opted to stop the process of selecting a new Head Coach.

NEWS: Mathieu Bastareaud will start the next chapter of his career as a forward on Friday.

NEWS: Free State Cheetahs utility back William Small-Smith was rushed to hospital after he collapsed during the team's training on Thursday.

MATCH REPORT: Japan thrashed Tonga Saturday 41-7 before a sold-out crowd, a confidence-boosting second win in a row for the Brave Blossoms as they build up to the World Cup on home soil.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Gaining valuable momentum will be the focus for all the teams in action in the Currie Cup this weekend.

REACTION: Wales fans on social media are tipping Aaron Shingler to make the final World Cup squad, after a clavicle injury ruled Taulupe Faletau out of the tournament.

NEWS: The Waratahs have received a shot in the arm through the signature of experienced hooker Damien Fitzpatrick for the 2020 Super Rugby season.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks are bristling with confidence ahead of their crucial Rugby Championship encounter against Argentina in Salta on August 10.

REACTION: A Springbok has defended Beauden Barrett after the flyhalf's ploy to roll the ball closer to the goalposts before a penalty kick.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: When the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship squad was announced four weeks ago, just over half a dozen hearts were broken up and down the country.

MATCH REPORT: A penalty on full-time by AJ MacGinty saw the USA snatch a 13-10 win over Samoa in an error-ridden Pacific Nations Cup clash in Suva.

INJURY UPDATE: Wales suffered a cruel blow only a week out from their opening warm-up match for the World Cup.

Winter still grips control of the South where most of our action takes place this weekend.

NEWS: Fallen star Israel Folau has launched legal action against Rugby Australia and the Waratahs for unfair dismissal.

READERS' CHOICE: Here is your chance to have a say on who should play for the Springboks against Los Pumas next Saturday!

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Free State Cheetahs head coach Franco Smith has tweaked his team to face the Golden Lions in a Currie Cup Round Four clash in Bloemfontein.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has kept faith in his team, despite their winless start to the season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas coach Brent Janse van Rensburg reached for the panic button after his team's first loss of the season.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Exciting teenage centre Jordan Petaia has the World Cup back in sight after being named in the Wallabies' squad for their Rugby Championship clash with New Zealand.

The most intense rivalries in sport are often when like meets like, and this week Bishops go up to Grahamstown to meet old rivals St Andrew's, like meeting like.

NEWS: Harlequins announced that club stalwart Chris Robshaw will continue as club Captain for the upcoming season.

NEWS: Kings have added another World Cup-bound side, Namibia, to their preparations for the upcoming PRO14 2019/20 season which begins in September.

On Saturday, there are no Rugby Championship matches for the All Blacks, the Springboks and the Wallabies. On Saturday there is no Currie Cup at Newlands. But on Saturday there is the Interschools in the Paarl - the 103rd Interschools, a Premier Interschools match.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: South Africa resumed their training in Auckland on Wednesday, after a short break, as they build up to next week's showdown with Argentina.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rugby World Cup-winning coach Bob Dwyer says it's not too late for Wallabies selectors to be experimenting but the threat posed by outside centre Tevita Kuridrani is in danger of being wasted.

JERSEY LAUNCH: Italy have unveiled their playing kits for the upcoming Rugby World Cup in Japan.

LISTEN as @King365ed and @LoffieEloff unpack the drama surrounding @PeterDeVillier5's attempt to get back into South African coaching and the media lies that were spread about him.

NEWS: The Hurricanes are working hard to find Beauden Barrett's replacement.

NEWS: The Southern Kings took a giant leap closer to finalising their coaching set-up for the 2019-20 Pro14 season.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Tyrone Green is continuing to make waves in the South African game and it surely won't be too long before he finds himself in a Springbok jersey.

OPINION: The 'battle' in our boardroom was every bit as intriguing as the contest between New Zealand and South Africa in Wellington's Cake Tin at the weekend.

WATCH: Springbok Handre Pollard kept his side in it right down to the last minute, not only with 11 of their 16 points, but 76 metres from nine carries as well.

REACTION: Steve Hansen's 34-man All Blacks squad for twin Bledisloe Cup Tests against the Wallabies is surprisingly missing power scrummager Karl Tu'inukuafe.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks have revealed the team that will play the Pumas in Nelspruit in an important Currie Cup clash on Saturday. 

SOCIAL MEDIA FALLOUT: Australian referee Nic Berry has come under fire for his decision to force Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard to take a conversion from a more difficult position.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: There were times during his four arduous years in charge of the Southern Kings that Deon Davids must have felt like he was caught in some sort of grotesque groundhog day.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Blue Bulls head coach Pote Human has revealed his team to face Griquas on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: While international teams are in Japan for the World Cup, wing Akihito Yamada will be heading to France.

INJURY UPDATE: Italy have lost one of their centres to injury ahead of this year's World Cup.

OPINION: There were a 10-try rout and a stupendous come-from-behind win.

REACTION: The All Blacks are standing behind Beauden Barrett's ploy to roll the ball closer to the goalposts before a penalty kick, which sparked pockets of outrage in South Africa.

NEWS: They may not have a coach yet, but the Southern Kings will have some high-profile opposition in the build-up to the start of their Pro14 season.

Dual World Cup winner Sonny Bill Williams has responded on Twitter to those that have been saying that he is under pressure to make the World Cup squad in a few weeks’ time.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: The defending-champion Sharks are determined to not drop any more points against lesser-rated opposition.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Handre Pollard’s last-gasp conversion in Wellington earned South Africa a 16-16 draw against New Zealand as well as one rating point in the World Rugby Rankings.

INJURY UPDATE: England flank Brad Shields faces a race against time to be fit for the World Cup

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The All Blacks have dropped five players in a 34-man squad named Wednesday for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup Tests against Australia.

NEWS: Two new law trials are set to reinvigorate play in the upcoming season of Australia's National Rugby Championship, which begins on August 31.

REACTION: The Southern Kings Board have released a statement regarding the selection process of their new head coach.

WATCH as All Black fullback Beaden Barrett got caught out deliberately cheating in his team's 16-all draw with the Springboks in Wellington at the weekend.

OPINION: Alex Shaw unpacks the thrilling stalemate between New Zealand and South Africa at the weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Golden Lions have revealed their team to face the Free State Cheetahs in a Currie Cup Round Four clash in Bloemfontein on Friday.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Exeter Chiefs have bolstered their pack for the upcoming season with some South African power.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Finn Russell has brushed off suggestions Scotland are a one-man team – insisting it will take a collective effort to make their World Cup campaign a success.

NEWS: The high-flying Free State Cheetahs could bring in a big name for their Currie Cup clash against the Golden Lions.

ANALYSIS: The All Blacks were restricted to just 16 points compared to 34 on the same ground in the corresponding fixture last year. 

REACTION: Former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is pulling out all the stops in an attempt to revive his flagging coaching career.

NEWS: A Wallabies veteran has decided to stay in Australia after this year's World Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: If the All Blacks’ last few games are anything to go by, they are not as firm favourites for the World Cup as they were four years ago.

NEWS: Blues Chief Executive Michael Redman is stepping down after six years in the role.

TRANSFER NEWS: Despite various media speculations, Jordie Barrett has opted to remain in Hurricanes colours.

REACTION: With Stade Francais lock Hendré Stassen potentially facing a four-year ban for doping, fans have given their thoughts on drugs in rugby.

REACTION: The Golden Lions have again managed to produce a sensational comeback to remain one of only two unbeaten teams.

TRANSFER NEWS: Highly-rated Junior Wallabies international Lachlan Lonergan has signed a two-year contract with the Brumbies, joining his older brother Ryan in the senior squad for the 2020-2021 Super Rugby seasons.

INJURY UPDATE: The Blue Bulls returned to training in preparation for their Currie Cup clash against the Griquas at Loftus Versfeld this weekend.

Even though winter is not over, for many the rugby season has again closed down, which is a pity as it shuts the door on many a boy's chance to extend himself physically and emotionally within the confines of a great sport which makes demands on a great range of talents, individual and team.

SQUAD UPDATE: The Australian Men’s Sevens squad has been bolstered with the signing of Rod Davies who joins the program from the Western Force until 2021.

Michael Katzenellenbogen, a former Currie Cup and Test referee, has died in his sleep. He was 50 years of age.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: South Africa flew in some additional resources to join them at their training campo in Auckland.

NEWS: Former French Top 14 winners Racing 92 and Toulon have been fined for failing to supply appropriate documents relating to the league's salary cap, the tournament's organisers announced.

INJURY UPDATE: England Rugby have issued an update on Exeter Chiefs wing Jack Nowell, though it is as yet unclear if he will take any part in the Rugby World Cup.

REACTION: With the 2019 Currie Cup season being a single round of six matches, Western Province are in great danger of missing the playoffs.

SPOTLIGHT: Australia must build on confidence from their win over Argentina to have an impact at the World Cup, according to former Wallabies captain John Eales.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Taniela Tupou says, approaching the World Cup, his head is in the right place after a testing Super Rugby season.

NEWS: Michael Hooper will have his name etched onto the Matt Burke Cup for the sixth time.

SARU has announced the venues for its Youth Weeks in 2020, 2021 and 2022. In all SARU has nine Youth Weeks - all popular and well supported.

OPINION: A last-gasp try to replacement halfback Herschel Jantjies has earned the Springboks a deserved draw against the All Blacks.

OPINION: The Wallabies got their first win of 2019 with a scrappy 16-10 win over visitors Argentina.

OPINION: The Springboks will be kicking themselves that they did not make the most of their first-half dominance count against the All Blacks.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT: Argentina coach Mario Ledesma says poor set-piece execution let his side down against the Wallabies, admitting the team was tired and needed time off before facing South Africa in a fortnight.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The All Blacks are hopeful Brodie Retallick will be available for Rugby World Cup selection.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said he doesn't want to over-coach Herschel Jantjies, who has certainly cemented his World Cup place in the past week.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP REACTION: Christian Lealiifano thought his days as a Wallabies starter were over, and that was before he was diagnosed with leukaemia.

REACTION: The Wallabies' battling win over Argentina has given them belief they can threaten reigning world champions New Zealand in upcoming back-to-back Tests, coach Michael Cheika says.

MATCH REPORT: Saturday was another dark day for Canada rugby, with the Maple Leafs falling 19-47 to their American brothers in Glendale.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP REACTION: New Zealand scrumhalf Aaron Smith admitted that he was caught napping when Herschel Jantjies snatched the ball to score that crucial late try.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP REACTION: The Springboks celebrated their last-gasp, 16-all draw with New Zealand as a 'win', but said it would have no bearing on their blockbuster clash at the World Cup.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Free State Cheetahs made a massive statement when they routed the previously unbeaten and table-topping Griquas 68-14 in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

REACTION: David Pocock could return from injury against the All Blacks, as Michael Cheika contemplates more changes following his side's defeat of Argentina.

In the results each week there are surprises but seldom one as great as Pretoria Boys High's rare victory this week over neighbours Affies.

Maritzburg College came up to Johannesburg to play King Edward VII School. The match was even in the first half but the second belonged to KES, as, apparently, they knew it would.

The South African College High School (SACS) travelled down the road to Diocesan College (Bishops) for this season’s second instalment of their long standing rivalry dating back possibly as far as 1863. Bishops won for the second time this season, more convincingly this time, by 47 points to 17 (half time 21-5).

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT: The Wallabies have scrummaged their way to a 16-10 Rugby Championship victory over Argentina, with halfback Will Genia calling the shots in his Brisbane Test farewell.

NEWS: Japan‘s stock as a rugby-playing nation has been on the rise since their historic win over South Africa in Brighton at the 2015 Rugby World Cup and the Japanese Rugby Football Union (JRFU) seem keen to build on that.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to this Currie Cup Round Three encounter between Western Province and the Golden Lions at Newlands.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to this Currie Cup Round Three encounter between the Free State Cheetahs and Griquas in Bloemfontein.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to this Rugby Championship Round Two encounter between Australia and Argentina in Brisbane.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT: A late Herschel Jantjies try rescued a 16-16 draw for the Springboks in their Rugby Championship Round Two match in Wellington on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Golden Lions produced a sensational come-from-behind win to edge Western Province 30-28 at Newlands on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to this Rugby Championship Round Two encounter between New Zealand and South Africa in Wellington.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP REACTION: New Zealand paid a dear price for their 16-all draw with South Africa in a bruising encounter in Wellington on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Kotaro Matsushima scored two tries as Japan beat Fiji 34-21 in a confidence-boosting win ahead of their home World Cup on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Samoa came from behind to beat a 13-man Tonga 25-17 Saturday in a match played in a greasy mudbath in Apia to open the Pacific Nations Cup tournament.

MATCH REPORT: The Blue Bulls finally recorded their first Currie Cup win of the season with a 25-17 victory over the Pumas on Friday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to this Currie Cup Round Three encounter between the Pumas and Blue Bulls in Nelspruit.

NEWS: Aaron Cruden could be angling for a switch back to Super Rugby following confirmation in France regarding his contract for the new 2019/20 season.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Crusaders have found Brad Mooar's replacement.

NEWS: Ulster have confirmed that Iain Henderson has been appointed club captain for the 2019/20 season.

The 2019 Rugby Championship continues at a whirlwind pace. Here are the predictions for week two where New Zealand host South Africa and Argentina travel to Australia for the second week’s fixtures.

Can’t decide who to pick as winners for round three of the 2019 Currie Cup? We’re here to help with our weekly predictions.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The pressure is rising drastically in the Currie Cup Premier Division with a handful of teams reaching the halfway stage of their pool rounds this weekend, which could push the tempo to another level.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Cheetahs have obtained the services of another Western Province and Maties backline superstar.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND TWO: "When South Africa plays New Zealand, consider your country at war."

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND TWO: Australia coach Michael Cheika insists the embattled Wallabies are heading in the right direction ahead of the World Cup.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Kurtley Beale will get his chance at fullback in the post-Israel Folau era on Saturday, when he hopes to add another layer to the Wallabies' attack.

LISTEN as Duane Vermeulen speaks about captaining the Springboks for the first time.

NEWS: Japan will have a debutant leading them when they play host to Fiji in the first round of the Pacific Nations Cup.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Albertus Smith is used to scrapping with the 'bruisers' on the Sevens circuit. Now he hopes to leave his mark on the game's 'real' stage - the 15-man code.

On Saturday, starting before breakfast it seems, 23 Affies teams will trudge across the road to play neighbours Pretoria Boys High, as they do every year.

Maritzburg College are taking 21 rugby teams up over the Drakensberg and on to Johannesburg to play rugby with 21 teams from King Edward VII School in their Houghton home.

WATCH: When the Springboks and All Blacks play it is often brutal and intense, not without controversy. This 1976 match at Newlands was one of those matches!

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Province head coach John Dobson has made five changes for their Currie Cup encounter with Golden Lions at Newlands on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Golden Lions team to travel to Cape Town to face Western Province on Saturday has been bolstered by the return of a Springbok.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas coach Brent Janse van Rensburg has been forced to make a number of changes ahead of his team's crucial Currie Cup Round Three encounter.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Free State Cheetahs will be without star loose forward Jasper Wiese when they host Griquas in a Currie Cup crunch match on Saturday.