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CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Munster paid the perfect respect to their late coach, Anthony Foley, on the anniversary of his death, by claiming a narrow 14-7 victory over Racing 92.

INJURY UPDATE: French flyhalf Camille Lopez will miss the November internationals as well as the Six Nations after breaking his ankle in Clermont's 24-7 European Cup win over Northampton on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Saracens remained top of Pool Two as they narrowly edged Ospreys 36-34 at Allianz Park to top Pool Two.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: France flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc kicked a last-minute penalty as three-time champions Toulon escaped a Champions Cup humiliation by edging out battling Italian minnows Treviso 30-29.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Charlie Cassang bagged a brace, after coming on to replace Camille Lopez to guide Clermont to a 24-7 victory over Northampton Saints to remain unbeaten in Pool Two.

CHAMPIONS CUP  REPORT: Jonathan Sexton and Rhys Ruddock led by example as Leinster outgunned Glasgow Warriors 34-18 to make it back-to-back bonus point wins.

MATCH REPORT: Western Province will face the Sharks in next week's Currie Cup Final after they beat the Golden Lions 19-5 in their semifinal clash at Newlands.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks advanced to the 2017 Currie Cup Final after they beat the Blue Bulls 37-27 in their Currie Cup semifinal clash in Durban on Saturday.

The opening day of the Champion of Champions Sevens tournament took place at Camp Discovery, a wonderful facility some 60km north of Pretoria.

MATCH REPORT: Australia made sure Stephen Moore had a good farewell with a rare 23-18 victory over the World Champions New Zealand on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Crusaders have injected some significant experience into their backline for 2018, with centre Tim Bateman re-signing with the team and utility back Mike Delany also joining the squad.

INJURY UPDATE: Scotland hooker Fraser Brown will miss the November Test series due to a knee injury.

EURO CHALLENGE CUP WRAP: Cardiff Blues and Gloucester were among the big winners as Round Two got underway.

REPORT: The Griffons and their Under-20 team successfully defended their titles in a thrilling day of action on Friday at the HT Pelatona Projects Stadium in Welkom.

CHAMPIONS CUP  REPORT: Welsh international Rhys Priestland kicked six penalties to send Bath to the top of Pool Five.

CURRIE CUP SEMIFINAL SPOTLIGHT: The Golden Lions have the ability to change tactics, should they be required to do so at Newlands on Saturday.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Star Scotland flank John Hardie will most likely miss their year-end Tests after being suspended from on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sharks captain Ruan Botha said his team has enough experienced players to get past the Blue Bulls in their Currie Cup semifinal at Kings Park on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Munster players will wear the Irish Heart Foundation's logo on their jerseys when they play French side Racing 92 on Saturday in an emotional rematch a year after the death of head coach Anthony Foley.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE: And the 2017 Pilecki Medal winner for players' player of the year goes to.... Reds flank George Smith.

TEAM UPDATE: All Black flank Matt Todd has been ruled out of the third Bledisloe Cup Test, on the eve of the Brisbane clash.

BLEDISLOE CUP: Australian skipper Michael Hooper said the Wallabies were ready to test themselves against world champions New Zealand in this weekend's Bledisloe Cup match in Brisbane.

INJURY UPDATE: Talented scrumhalf Ereatara Enari will miss what would have been his debut season with the Crusaders in 2018, after breaking his leg playing for Canterbury in the National Provincial Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Western Province captain Chris van Zyl said his side learned a lot from their 20-29 loss to the Golden Lions two weeks ago ahead of their semifinal clash with the same opponents at Newlands on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Melbourne Rebels have bulked up its front row with the addition of Reds Sam Talakai and Western Force Jermaine Ainsley.

BLEDISLOE CUP: Australia will look to repair their international reputations when they face the ultimate test against New Zealand.

REACTION: Wales scrumhalf Rhys Webb blasted the Welsh Rugby Union on Thursday for not informing him of new rules regarding Test selection before he agreed to join French side Toulon.

CURRIE CUP SEMIFINAL: The clash between Western Province and the Golden Lions will mark the sixth time the teams meet in the play-off stages since 2011 – two of which were in the Currie Cup finals of 2015 and 2014, with each of the teams winning one.

SCHOOLS SEVENS: Camp Discovery north of Pretoria is the venue for the  Champion of Champions Sevens tournament, which starts on the afternoon of Friday, 20 October with the knock-out rounds on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP SEMIFINAL: The clash in Durban is the KwaZulu-Natalians' first appearance in a Currie Cup knock-out match since 2014 and it's also the first time the Sharks and Blue Bulls meet in the semifinal in five seasons.

EUROPEAN SPOTLIGHT: Fresh from their scintillating display and bonus-point win at The Stoop, La Rochelle play their first home game, when they host Ulster.

OPINION: The Rugby World Cup is less than two years away and the November Internationals are almost upon us.

VIDEO: This year’s third Bledisloe test will again be a dead rubber, with New Zealand wrapping up the series in a classic game two in Dunedin.

TRANSFER NEWS: Connacht have secured the services of a talented New Zealand midfielder, Pita Ahki.

NEWS: Alex Lozowski has signed a contract extension with Saracens.

CURRIE CUP SEMIFINAL SPOTLIGHT: The Blue Bulls have a long history of producing world-class locks.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Province coach John Dobson has made some changes to the backline for the Currie Cup semifinal against the Golden Lions at Newlands on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Golden Lions coach Zacharia de Bruin drafted two more Springboks into his starting XV for the trip to Cape Town.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Blue Bulls coach John Mitchell has delayed a decision on injured lock Aston Fortuin, ahead of the trip to Durban.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: It's time for the Currie Cup semifinals this weekend - at Kings Park and Newlands. Paul Dobson takes a trip down memory lane.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has made three changes to his starting XV for their Currie Cup semifinal clash against the Blue Bulls at Kings Park on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: It's the same depressing tale we hear every year: a Pacific Island nation tours, plays Tests against tier one nations and the players receive a pittance in return.

NEWS: The Queensland Reds have added depth to their backline stocks with the re-signing of Chris Feauai-Sautia and new signing of exciting Fijian flyer Filipo Daugunu.

NEWS: Sevens stalwart Sherwin Stowers has announced his retirement from professional rugby after a prominent career for the All Blacks Sevens and Counties Manukau Steelers.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Karmichael Hunt was a surprise omission from an experienced Wallabies team named Thursday to face the All Blacks this weekend in what will be Stephen Moore's last home Test.

INJURY UPDATE: Clermont's Scottish scrumhalf Greig Laidlaw will be sidelined for between 10 and 12 weeks, after breaking his leg in last Sunday's European Champions Cup opener.

NEWS: With the rigours of a winless run in the first six rounds of the Pro14 now behind them, the Southern Kings have called on some reinforcements.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Bath's Springbok flank Francois Louw has been slapped with a three-week ban.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has made four changes to his team for the Bledisloe Cup dead rubber in Brisbane on Saturday.

Jan de Koning and Eugene Eloff dissect the Currie Cup semifinals, while Ian Cameron tells us how South African players like Francois de Klerk and Pat Lambie fared in Europe.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks are desperate to shake off the chokers tag which have been haunting them for years.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springboks prop Frans Malherbe is one of the 12 players that have been invited to a four-day training, despite a season-ending neck injury. 

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Golden Lions coach Zacharia de Bruin kept his word and made minimal changes to his squad for the Currie Cup semifinal showdown with Western Province at Newlands on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Connacht have stopped all contractual discussion with Fijian centre Eroni Vasiteri due to eye-gouging ban.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok legend Juan Smith will play his last professional match this Saturday - in Japan.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand Rugby Union is set for a huge modification after recent findings of a review into the culture within the sport.

WATCH: This week Scotty Stevenson and Mils Muliaina talk to Taranaki assistant coach Paul Tito, who is taking the Bulls to the National Provincial Championship semifinals against Tasman.

CURRIE CUP SEMIFINALS BY THE NUMBERS: The statistics of the season seems to tell a very different story to the final positions on the standings.

INJURY UPDATE: New Zealand-born centre Ben Te'o is likely to be sidelined for England's forthcoming internationals after suffering an ankle injury.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia will host Ireland in the first three-Test series ever played between the two nations next year, it was announced Wednesday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Australia utility back Digby Ioane has called it quits on his short stint with the Super Rugby champions the Crusaders.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Warren Gatland said Wednesday he still hopes to coach in New Zealand, potentially with the All Blacks, despite the hostile reception he received during this year's British and Irish Lions tour.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Centre Huw Jones would love to hold the Currie Cup trophy aloft before he says goodbye to Western Province and Cape Town.

NEWS: Springbok Sevens player Stephan Dippenaar has called an end to his playing career and will join a family farming business near Moorreesburg in the Western Cape.

INJURY UPDATE: Wales will have to do without star wing George North for their forthcoming end-of-year Tests because of a knee injury, his English club Northampton Saints revealed on Tuesday.

UPDATE: Ireland's second-choice flyhalf Paddy Jackson will stand trial on a charge of rape, a judge ruled on Tuesday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sharks loose forward Keegan Daniel said he and his teammates are wary of the Blue Bulls' dangerous ball runners out wide.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: South Africa could be without the services of one of their key loose forwards for their year-end tour, with an eye-gouging cloud hanging over his head.

LISTEN as Golden Lions coach Zacharia de Bruin explains how they will manage star hooker Malcolm Marx in the interest of the Springboks.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia hooker Stephen Moore looks set to be given a home Test farewell against the All Blacks in Brisbane this Saturday.

UPDATE: Wales scrumhalf Rhys Webb is in danger of becoming the first high-profile casualty of his country's new selection policy.

TRANSFER NEWS: Melbourne Rebels flyhalf Jackson Garden-Bachop will return to New Zealand after sealing a two-year deal with the Hurricanes.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Warren Gatland may have come within a whisker of becoming only the second British and Irish Lions coach to beat New Zealand in a Test series, but he insisted Monday he would never coach them again.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has leapt to Sonny Bill Williams' defence after critics suggested the cross-code star was in decline and should be dropped.

REACTION: Wales hooker Scott Baldwin feared he would have to have his left hand amputated after an incident in South Africa when a lion bit him last month.

INJURY UPDATE: The Blue Bulls could be without one of their key players when they head to Durban on Saturday for a Currie Cup semifinal showdown with the Sharks.

Europe enjoys its second week but in New Zealand and South Africa a lot of it is second last.

Fancy yourself a true creator on the sports field? If so, have some fun with adidas and rugby365 and you could win one of two sets of match tickets to Saturday's Currie Cup semifinal at Newlands.

CURRIE CUP ROUND 14: The Golden Lions and Western Province needed to win and did so in emphatic fashion to secure their places in the semifinals.

TRANSFER NEWS: Bath Rugby have confirmed the signing of James Wilson, who has joined the Club on a three-month contract.

TRANSFER NEWS: New Zealand international scrumhalf Alby Mathewson has signed for Toulon on an initial one-year deal, the French Top 14 side announced on Monday.  

TRANSFER NEWS: Worcester Warriors have strengthened their options in the back row with the signing of USA international Andrew Durutalo.

INJURY UPDATE: Western Province will have two experienced campaigners back available for their Currie Cup semifinal against the Golden Lions at Newlands on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS CUP, ROUND ONE: The Champions Cup kicked off this weekend and reminded us all just what we have been missing over the last five months.

LISTEN as Blue Bulls coach John Mitchell explains how he is coping with the impetuous nature of his young team.

INJURY UPDATE: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez confirmed that centre Jeremy Ward will play no part in this year's Currie Cup play-offs.

TRANSFER NEWS: Former Springboks assistant Gary Gold has called in an old South African friend to assist him at Worcester Warriors.

NEWS: All Black scrumhalf and 2011 Rugby World Cup winner Piri Weepu has retired from all forms of rugby.

LISTEN as Cheetahs coach Rory Duncan explains how they coped with playing in two competitions - the Pro14 and Currie Cup.

Hoërskool Rustenburg won the Brandwag Sevens, beating the hosts 21-12 in the final.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia improvement since their last meeting with New Zealand will be put to the test when the two sides clash in the third Bledisloe Cup match this Saturday.

NPC SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 columnist Richard Neal looks at Round Nine of New Zealand's National Provincial Championship.

REACTION: John Mitchell has praised his players for the way they have adapted to change since he took over the coaching reigns in August.

SQUAD UPDATE: The All Blacks called up uncapped Richie Mo'unga Monday to bolster their backline stocks in the squad to face Australia in Brisbane this weekend.

NEWS: Outstanding All Blacks loose forward Sam Cane has agreed a new contract extension, which will see him stay with New Zealand Rugby, his Chiefs Super Rugby franchise and the Bay of Plenty province for four more years.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Clermont Auvergne's sheer power was enough to earn them victory as the Ospreys' difficult patch continued in their Champions Cup Pool Two encounter at the Liberty Stadium.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Toulon survived a Leigh Halfpenny-led fightback from Scarlets to edge to a 21-20 opening European Champions Cup victory in southern France on Sunday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Holders Saracens kicked off their European Champions Cup campaign in style with eight tries in a 57-13 thrashing of Northampton on Sunday at Franklin's Gardens.

MATCH REPORT: Munster were relieved to leave the Stade Pierre Fabre with two points after surviving several late scares in their 17-17 draw in the sunshine at Castres Olympique.

REACTION: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez does not want his side's 20-31 loss to Western Province to derail their Currie Cup campaign.

REPORT: Unheralded Russian side Krasny Yar pulled off one of the biggest shocks in club rugby when they beat defending European Challenge Cup champions Stade Francais, a result that left one of the Parisian club's coaches describing the Top 14 giants' performance as "catastrophic and ridiculous"

REACTION: Western Province flyhalf Robert du Preez proved once again that he can be an asset for the Sharks in next year's Super Rugby campaign.

REACTION: Golden Lions head coach Swys de Bruin said the belief to go all the way and win this year's Currie Cup is strong his squad.

FIRST DIVISION: The Griffons will face arch-rivals, the Leopards, in their second successive First Division Final next Friday after they fought their way through to the top two in thrilling semifinals this past weekend.

REACTION: Free State Cheetahs head coach Rory Duncan said the Lions' desire to keep their Currie Cup hopes alive on Saturday was there for all to see at Ellis Park.

VIDEO: Malcolm Marx is the man of the moment, but what is the hype all about?

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Bath absorbed plenty of Benetton pressure before picking them off ruthlessly with a 23-0 victory, but failed to bag a bonus-point in their Pool 5 opener at the Rec

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Debutants La Rochelle turned on the French flair and produced a phenomenal 34-27 win over Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: English Premiership champions Exeter Chiefs managed to overcome a brutal onslaught from Glasgow Warriors to make a winning start to their European campaign.

CHAMPIONS REPORT: Racing 92's solid performance made sure they record a 22-18 win over a relentless Leicester Tigers in the European Champions Cup Pool 4 fixture at the Stade Yves Du Manoir in Paris.

NEWS: The fraud and money-laundering case involving former Eastern Province Rugby President Cheeky Watson has been set down for trial 2018.

CURRIE CUP MATCH REPORT: The Golden Lions knocked out the defending champion Free State Cheetahs in an exciting conclusion to the league stages of the competitions.

CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT: Leinster launched their bid for a fourth European title with a nail-biting 24-17 home victory over Montpellier in their Champions Cup Pool 3 opener at the RDS Arena in Dublin.

CURRIE CUP MATCH REPORT: Robert du Preez junior scored 21 points as Western Province upset the Sharks 31-20 in Durban on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Another Springbok will spend a lengthy period on the sidelines as a result of an injury.

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP WRAP: Sale Sharks were denied a famous victory over four-time Champions Cup winners Toulouse by a late penalty from Sebastien Bezy at the AJ Bell Stadium.

THE ULTIMATE ANALYSIS: Despite coach Allister Coetzee's best efforts to wipe it from the record books, the annus horribilis that was 2016 happened. However, it appears the Springboks have turned a corner in 2017.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallaby coach Michael Cheika has added a couple of Reds players to his squad for the final Bledisloe Cup clash with the All Blacks in Brisbane next Saturday.

NEWS: French Top 14 club Racing 92 suspended Tongan international prop Ben Tameifuna for two matches on Friday, after his drunken outburst on October 1 outside a Paris nightclub.

MATCH REPORT: Ulster came from behind to beat Wasps 19-9 on Friday as the European Champions Cup got underway at Belfast's Kingspan Stadium.

MATCH REPORT: The Blue Bulls recorded a 52-32 bonus point win against the Pumas in Pretoria on Friday to boost their chances of finishing in the top four.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Western Province head coach John Dobson says his side will have to be more ruthless against the Sharks in Durban to ensure they finish in the top four in this year's Currie Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks flyhalf Aaron Cruden will miss Montpellier's opening European Champions Cup match against Leinster on Saturday due to an injury.

REACTION: Springbok Sevens coach, Neil Powell is keen to ger the season going at the Dubai Sevens, to be played on December 1-2 at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai.

An excellent new rugby book, Rugby at Ellis Park, has just been published and already it's rare.

BEYOND THE RUGBY FIELD: With wildfires and a shortage of water in the Western Cape, the Lions Rugby Union's helping hand to the home of the Western Province Rugby Union could not come at a better time.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Super Rugby Champions Crusaders have lured another Australian to their shores, this time a Knox Grammer student from Sydney.

DUBAI SEVENS SPOTLIGHT: Series champions South Africa's Pool fixtures make retaining their title a little easier when the series gets underway in Dubai on November 30 to  December 2.

DISCIPLINARY SPOTLIGHT: Newcastle Falcons centre Juan Pablo Socino has been suspended for two weeks after a striking Exter Chiefs Ian Whitton

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Two former international coaches have come out with diametrically opposed views to the All Blacks' last test victory - and one of them used to be in charge of the world champions.

IN THE SPOTIGHT:  Warriors vice-captain Gerrit-Jan van Velze feared his career was over following a concussion injury in the opening game of the 2016/17 season.

At the AGM last month, the Free State Referees' Society elected Lourens van der Merwe its new chairman.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blue Bulls flank Jacques Potgieter is the only South African selected in the Barbarians side for their upcoming match against the Australia.

VIDEO: The final minutes of this year’s Rugby Championship brought one of its most controversial moments.

CREAM OF THE CROP ON SHOW: Already the kings of Europe for the last two years and top of the English Premiership, Saracens will be boosted by the return of British and Irish Lions flyhalf Owen Farrell for the start of their title defence.

In November, the Test window is flung open and Test matches are allowed to happen - many of them.

VIDEO: Reports of another Springbok star be lured abroad by a cash-flush European club is premature.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Currie Cup Premier Division semifinal race will come to a dramatic end this weekend as five teams battle it out for three remaining play-off spots, with a number of potential scenarios to spice up the weekend.

NEWS: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has confirmed that Eben Etzebeth will retain the captaincy of the national side on the year-end tour to the Northern Hemisphere in November and December.

NEWS: British and Irish Lions Test hooker Jamie George has signed a long-term contract extension with English Premiership leaders Saracens.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Two Springboks have been rushed back by Western Province coach ahead of their final league game of the Currie Cup season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: As promised Free State Cheetahs coach Rory Duncan wasted no time in drafting in the bulk of his Pro14 players.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Golden Lions coach Zacharia de Bruin has not named all his Springboks in the starting XV to face the Free State Cheetahs in a crucial Currie Cup encounter.

VIDEO: It delights us that this sort of thing still goes on in the game we all love.

WATCH as we bring you five of the best tries ever scored by France. Will they reproduve this in November.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has gone with continuity in selection for his team's final Currie Cup league clash against Western Province in Durban on Saturday. 

SPOTLIGHT ON EUROPE: Take a closer look at the five pools and the individual teams, concentrating on their current domestic form and their previous appearances in the Champions Cup.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Rebels have lured former All Black manager Tony Thorpe across the Tasman to fill the franchise's new Team Director role.

REACTION: Munster believes Johann van Graan a is a "recognised rugby intellectual" and that is why he is the perfect replacement for Johan Erasmus.

NEWS: The Brumbies will kick-off their 2018 Super Rugby pre-season campaign with a fixture against the Melbourne Rebels in Queanbeyan on Saturday, February 3. 

NEWS: Springbok and Lions lock Franco Mostert is a wanted man in Europe.

LISTEN: Jan de Koning, Tauriq Ebrahim and Eugene Eloff welcome a surprise guest in the studio, while dissecting an intriguing round of Currie Cup. Ian Cameron looks at the start of Europe's premier competition, the Championship Cup.

IT'S OFFICIAL: What Springbok coach Allister Coetzee cast aside as 'rumours' and 'hearsay' less than two weeks ago, has become a reality.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: A South African Rugby Sevens Academy Under-17 squad of 25 players was selected after the recent Interprovincial Sevens tournament in Kimberley.

FIRST DIVISION SEMI-FINAL: The four semi-finalists will have one goal in mind when they take to field this weekend – to win at all costs in the hope of booking their places in the final next week.

WATCH as the 1014 looks through the tournament finding patterns in the statistics. It is the ultimate review!

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former Chiefs coach Dave Rennie is about to unleash his considerable coaching skills on the European stage.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blue Bulls were unable to call up any of their Springboks for the Round 14 Currie Cup encounter with the Pumas.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Brent Janse van Rensburg has played his biggest trump card by including flank Chris Cloete in his starting line-up for Friday’s Currie Cup fixture against the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sharks wing Odwa Ndungane has revealed that his long, illustrious rugby career is due to hard work and the endless passion for the game.

CONFIRMED: Wallabies assistant coach Mario Ledesma has confirmed that he will return to Argentina, to take up the role as head coach of the Jaguares for the 2018 Super Rugby season.

PODCAST: Scotty Stevenson and Mils Muliaina gives us a New Zealand view of just how good Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx is.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Bath Rugby Freddie Burns has been suspended for three weeks after a tip tackle during his side's Premiership match against Worcester Warriors.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Blues and Counties Manukau scrumhalf Augustine Pulu has been suspended for two weeks after receiving a red card for a dangerous tackle in his team’s National Provincial Cup match against Manawatu on Thursday, October 5.

Rugby Europe's competitions get started this week on three levels.

NEWS: Dillyn Leyds was the big winner at the 2017 WPRFU Awards evening, claiming three awards at a ceremony held in Cape Town on Tuesday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Wales and Ospreys scrumhalf Rhys Webb has signed a three-year contract to play for Toulon from next season, the French club announced Tuesday.

SQUAD UPDATE: The Golden Lions confirmed that five of their Springboks have returned to training in Johannesburg to prepare for a crucial Currie Cup clash against the Free State Cheetahs at Ellis Park. 

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Irish coach Conor O'Shea on Tuesday called up five uncapped players for Italy's 34-man squad for three Test matches in November.

SCHOOLS SPOTLIGHT: Aside from hosting the 2018 Craven Weeks in July, the prestigious Paarl Boys' High will host the biggest school rugby festival on April 2 to 7 in 2018.

The score between South Africa and New Zealand at Newlands on Saturday was 3-3 when a try was awarded to New Zealand, scored by Ryan Crotty.

INTERVIEW: South African Faf De Klerk believes the lesson from the first six Premiership games of the season is that Sale Sharks need to start firing out of the blocks.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: PRO14 Rugby will introduce an exciting change to its Champions Cup qualification process that will see the seventh-ranked team decided by a Play-Off match that will form part of the PRO14 Final Series.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: For the second Saturday in a row, a top rugby match in South Africa was stopped because of the weather.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Saracens will start the defence of their European Rugby Champions Cup next weekend in excellent form, after a 38-19 home win over Wasps on Sunday lifted them to the top of the Premiership.

CURRIE CUP ROUND 13: The Golden Lions and Griquas both produced amazing come-from-behind victories at the weekend.

WATCH: The Boks bounced back from a 0-57 thrashing a few weeks ago to show the world that Springbok rugby will never be kept down following an epic encounter with the All Blacks in Cape Town.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The consistency of the Red card was one of the vital topics discussed at the European Champions Cup Disciplinary Conference in Bilbao ahead of the start of the tournament.

WATCH: Eben Etzebeth put in a truly enormous shift versus the All Blacks, proving that he is once again back at the top of the 'Lock' tree.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A new era of professional sevens rugby in New Zealand is officially here as All Blacks Sevens coach Clark Laidlaw introduces new talent, rejuvenates experienced legs and unveils a new home base for the squad.  

INJURY UPDATE: English forward Carl Fearns is out for the rest of the season after rupturing his cruciate knee ligament, the Lyon No.8 revealed on Monday.

REVIEW: Jamie Wall reviews the 2017 Rugby Championship, looking at some controversial moments, standout players and one unbelievable try. 

INJURY UPDATE: The Blue Bulls have a new injury concern as they head into the decisive final round of Currie Cup league action.

WATCH: With good reason, fans have been critical of the red cards being doled out for players connected with players fielding balls in the air.

CURRIE CUP SHOOTOUT: Golden Lions coach Zacharia de Bruin will not hesitate to rush back all his available Springboks for the final round of league action.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ruan Ackermann - son of coach Johan - played a key part in Gloucester's win over Northampton on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After more than ten years of service for the Sharks franchise, Odwa Ndungane closes the curtain on an illustrious career at the end of the 2017 Currie Cup season.

NEWS: The Springboks' 24-25 loss to the All Blacks at Newlands has seen them drop down to fifth in the latest World Rugby Rankings.

OPINION: Australia ended their Rugby Championship Campaign with a 37-20 win over an error-strewn Argentina in Mendoza.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: With six wins from six games, it comes as no surprise that players from New Zealand dominate our 2017 Rugby Championship Team of the tournament.

Following the addition of the Cheetahs and Southern Kings to the Pro14 this season, the South African Rugby Union is keen to expand their Northern Hemisphere options for the 2018/19 campaign.

In Sydney, New Zealand Schools beat Australia Schools 34-11 on Saturday on the TG Millner Field.

Four lucky rugby fans got to spend some quality time with some members of the @allblacks squad and @adidasZA #BlackReinforced #NextIsEverything

KIWI VIEW: Radio Sport NZ’s Martin Devlin and RugbyPass’s Jamie Wall finally got the All Black versus match they were so desperately looking for, and give it a decent run down.

INJURY REPORT: Highlanders loose forward Elliot Dixon will be out of action for three to four months due to a torn bicep.

VIDEO: The Cheetahs joining the Pro14 gives rise to all sorts of ‘big cat’ puns, analogies and general fun for the Northern Hemisphere fans and media outlets.

AUDIO: An angry Western Province coach John Dobson is hoping the return of some Springboks will help put his team's Currie Cup campaign back on track.

PRO14 REACTION: Glasgow Warriors flyhalf Finn Russell believes his side's bonus-point win over Cheetahs hands them good momentum ahead of their European clash against Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: South Kings coach Deon Davids will be relieved that his team's two-week European break has finally arrived.

INJURY UPDATE: New Zealand wing Nehe Milner-Skudder's dismal injury run continues, with the All Blacks confirming Monday that a shoulder problem will sideline him for six months.

REACTION: Australia coach Michael Cheika hailed wing Reece Hodge after a 37-20 victory in Argentina this weekend secured second place in the Rugby Championship behind New Zealand.

TOP 14 WRAP: La Rochelle kept pace with the leaders with a workmanlike 16-9 victory over Racing 92 in a dire encounter on Sunday.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: England hooker Jamie George scored three tries to inspire Saracens to a 38-19 win over Wasps.

VIDEO: Steven Kitshoff produced an outstanding performance in the Boks 24-25 defeat to the All Blacks in Cape Town, but he says his "boytjie" Malcolm Marx was an absolute "beast" on the field.

REACTION: Damian McKenzie's unpredictable nature and his versatility on the field for the All Blacks in their 25-24 win over the Springboks at Newlands has brought a smile to head coach Steve Hansen's face.

CURRIE CUP MATCH REPORT: The young Golden Lions upset the apple cart with an impressive 29-20 win over a seasoned Western Province at Ellis Park on Sunday.

INJURY UPDATE: Wing Nehe Milner-Skudder paid a dear price for New Zealand's nail-biting 25-24 win over South Africa at the weekend.

NEWS: Errant replacement Damian de Allende got away with a proverbial slap on the wrist for his costly act of indiscretion in South Africa's 24-25 loss to New Zealand at the weekend.

NPC SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 columnist Richard Neal looks at Round Eight of New Zealand's National Provincial Championship.

FIRST DIVISION WRAP: The Griffons will meet the Boland Cavaliers and the Falcons will host the Leopards in the semifinals of the First Division.

REACTION: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said his side really had their character tested against a spirited and much-improved Springbok team in Cape Town on Saturday.

TOP 14 WRAP: Veteran France utility back Frederic Michalak kicked 10 points as surprise package Lyon went top of the French league with a 25-6 win at newly-promoted Agen on Saturday.

REACTION: The rickety Wallaby scrum is likely to become even more suspect.

NEWS: Errant replacement Damian de Allende is to face the music for his costly act of indiscretion in South Africa's 24-25 loss to New Zealand at the weekend.

REACTION: The Springboks lost to the All Blacks again, but they certainly lifted spirits in South Africa with their tenacious performance against the World Champions at Newlands on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: A brace from Henry Trinder helped Gloucester Rugby to a thrilling 29-24 victory as they ended Northampton Saints run of four straight Premiership.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT: Reece Hodge bagged a brace of tries to secure a bonus-point 37-20 victory over Argentina in Mendoza, to secure second place in the Rugby Championship.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Rory O’Loughlin’s first-half double was enough for Leinster as they registered a 23-17 win over Munster to claim four points in Conference B.

OPINION: New Zealand escaped with a narrow 25-24 win over a resilient South Africa side in Cape Town on Saturday.

OPINION: The Springboks narrow 24-25 defeat to the All Blacks at Newlands on Saturday has proven that a wounded animal's behavior can be very unpredictable and lethal.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Italian side Benetton cruised to a comforable 31-3 win over South African side the Southern Kings on Saturday in Italy.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT: South Africa showed tremendous improvement as they challenged New Zealand to dig deep for a narrow 25-24 win at Newlands on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: Griquas second-half performance made sure the side record a narrow 38-35 win over the Pumas in Nelspruit on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia superstar Israel Folau remains adamant that he will not waver from his opposition to same-sex marriage, despite worldwide criticism.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Tim Visser’s double powered a fast-starting Harlequins back to winning ways with a bonus-point 42-26 victory over Sale Sharks.

PRO14 REPORT: Cardiff Blues scored five second-half tries to grab a bonus point 43-29 victory over Welsh rivals Dragons.

PRO14 REPORT: Jacob Stockdale lit up Kingspan Stadium with a memorable score as Ulster returned to winning ways in a tense 16-8 victory at home to Irish rivals Connacht.

PRO14 REPORT: Duncan Weir kept his nerve and slotted a late penalty as Edinburgh returned to winning ways, 16-14, against in-form Zebre in a tense encounter at Myreside.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: The table-topping Glasgow Warriors ended the Cheetahs' winning streak with an impressive come-from-behind 29-26 win in Bloemfontein on Friday.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Blue Bulls prevailed against the Free State Cheetahs in a 15-try, 100-point thriller in Bloemfontein ion Friday.

SPECIAL FEATURE: There's a case to be made that the most passionate supporters of the All Blacks aren't in the shallow, banking stands behind the posts at Eden Park.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Loose forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe will earn his 50th cap for Western Province when he comes off the replacements bench against the Golden Lions on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Golden Lions coach Swys de Bruin has opted for youth when their face Western Province in the Currie Cup clash in Johannesburg on Sunday.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND SIX: Pointless Argentina need a win over Australia in Mendoza on Saturday to avoid the 2017 campaign being the worst since they joined the competition five years ago.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: If ever there was a time for Lodewyk de Jager to start rediscovering the form that made him a star in 2015, it would be in Saturday's clash against the All Blacks at Newlands on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Ospreys scrumhalf Rhys Webb has informed Wales and his province of his intention to leave Welsch Rugby next season.

Greg Garner may just be the fittest rugby administrator in the world.

DERBY WEEKEND: A cracking round of rugby await, with derby games taking place in Ireland and Wales - while Italy, Scotland and South Africa all host intriguing matches.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Kings Head Coach Deon Davids has opted to twig his backline for the Pro14 match against Italian side outfit Benetton Treviso.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks loose forward Liam Squire says the Springboks have too much depth to put out a weak loose trio for Test match rugby.

DISPLINARY UPDATE: Fijian Dura centre Eroni Vasiteri has been handed a nine-week ban for eye-gouging Canbera Vikings Hooker Folau Faingaa during their National Rugby Championship fixture.

REACTION: All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams will be wanting to put in a strong performance against the Springboks to say thank you to his supporters in Cape Town.

TOP14 PREVIEW: French Top 14 leaders Montpellier will have their title credentials seriously tested when they travel to Stade Francais on Saturday without the injured Aaron Cruden and Jannie du Plessis.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND SIX: It's the last round of the Rugby Championship with the winners and wooden spoonists already decided, but still a great deal to play for.

SUNDAY SHOWDOWN: Flank Thomas Young has fond memories of the last time Wasps met Saracens but he insists it counts for nothing ahead of their first meeting of the new season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The scramble for semifinal places in the Currie Cup Premier Division will reach boiling point in the penultimate pool round this weekend, with the results set to be decisive in the teams' top four aspirations.

REACTION: Springbok head coach Allister Coetzee believes he has the perfect loose-forward combination to take on the All Blacks at Newlands on Saturday.

There was just a conversion between the best two teams at the Under-15 Week, which ended in  the Bill Jardine Stadium in Johannesburg.

There was just a conversion between the best two teams at the Under-15 Week, which ended in  the Bill Jardine Stadium in Johannesburg.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Rugby Championship has become too predictable over the years with New Zealand's dominance over their opponents.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Springboks have been forced to make changes to their starting XV to face the All Blacks at Newlands on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs fans are set to say goodbye to two of the team's flyers when they face Pro14 log leaders, Glasgow Warriors, in Bloemfontein on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Pumas have made just one change to their team for their much-anticipated Curie Cup Round 13 encounter with Griquas.

INJURY UPDATE: Another Springbok will return to South Africa as a result of an injury he suffered abroad.

PODCAST: Scotty Stevenson and Mils Muliaina talk about the benefits of the All Blacks playing in Cape Town, a bit of NPC and get a surprise call from World Cup hero Stephen Donald.

NEWS: The Reds have finally given up on Australians and have dipped into the New Zealand market for a coach.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The five All Blacks who travelled to South Africa early have all been named in the matchday 23 to face the Springboks at Newlands on Saturday.

WATCH OUTRAGEOUS SHOW-AND-GO: Ruan Combrinck's dream of a speedy return to the Springboks has been shattered.

Western Province and Boland will play the prestigious final match at the Under-15 Week taking place at the Bill Jardine Stadium in Johannesburg.

The rugby365 team shines the spotlight coaches who sometimes lose the plot when they front up to the media. Jan de Koning, Eugene Eloff and Tauriq Ebrahim also look at the final round of the Rugby Championship, with Ian Cameron giving us his views on the Pro14.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South Africa host arch-rivals New Zealand at Newlands in their final Rugby Championship match of the season on Saturday. What do the numbers say?

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies centre Israel Folau's 11th Test try of 2017 in the 27-all draw with South Africa puts the fullback in a great position to grab the World record for the most Test tries in the calendar year.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There is a measure of desperation in the Free State Cheetahs' team selection, as they prepare for a Currie Cup Round 13 encounter with the Blue Bulls.

RUGBY TAKES A BACK SEAT: From intense football rivalry to playing basketball with All Blacks legend Jeff Wilson and listening to endless repeats of  'Despacito'. Jamie Wall recaps his time in the streets of Buenos Aires.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Blue Bulls executive of rugby John Mitchell has named an unchanged starting team in their pursuit consistency for the Currie Cup fixtures against the Free State in Bloemfontein on Friday.

FIRST DIVISION SPOTLIGHT: The five teams battling it out for the three remaining semi-final spots in the Currie Cup First Division will have their last throw of the dice this weekend as the pool rounds reach a thrilling conclusion.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks shift their focus to set-piece accuracy in preparation for their 'tough week' in Cape Town.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Harlequins prop Kyle Sinckler will miss England's NOvember Test series after he was banned for seven weeks on Tuesday for eye-gouging.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has dismissed a defeatist comment by South Africa counterpart Allister Coetzee as "reverse psychology" ahead of a Rugby Championship clash this weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: It surprising to think that a player as talented as Steven Kitshoff has not had a Test start for the Springboks yet.

NEWS: Wallabies discard Quade Cooper was Wednesday named to captain the Barbarians against Australia later this month as signs grew that his time with the national team may be over.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Just before half-time in the match between South Africa and Australia in Bloemfontein, there was an incident that provoked a great outburst of emotion.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok scrum coach Matthew Proudfoot says veteran prop Tendai Mtawarira continues to set the standard for other players in the Bok squad.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock and hooker Dane Coles shift their focus to set-piece accuracy in preparation for their 'tough week' in Cape Town.

It the last round for the Rugby Championship, which New Zealand have already won - with a match to spare.

CURRIE CUP ROUND 12: The Sharks continue to dominate South Africa's premier domestic competition and they are once again rewarded in rugby365's famous weekly selection.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand assistant coach Ian Foster admits that his side has to put in a full 80-minute performance after their second-half scare against Argentina in Buenos Aires.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Prop Ruan Dreyer is still learning to adapt to different situations at scrum time, according to Springbok scrum coach Matthew Proudfoot.

TRANSFER NEWS: Premiership club Warriors have signed Australian flyhalf Jono Lance on a short-term deal with immediate effect.

IN THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Australia are breaking some mental barriers as they continue their growth in 2017.

On Sunday, the Blue Bulls played Western Province at Loftus Versfeld and the referee referred to the teams by their names.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks legend Dan Carter said Tuesday he still "feels sick" about drink driving in France earlier this year and is grateful no one was hurt by his actions.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Despite the Rugby Championship title already locked in the bag and a 57-0 win over the Springboks, All Blacks flank Sam Cane refuses to underestimate the old foe.

NEWS: Springbok Pat Lambie could make his Racing 92 debut at La Rochelle next weekend, it has emerged.

OPINION: From beating the champions on the opening day of the season to equalling their biggest ever Premiership defeat against Sale a few short weeks later, Gloucester must be the most frustrating team in the world to support.

VIDEO: It has been 10 years since South Africa hosted New Zealand in a Test in Cape Town. This is why ...

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: England scrumhalf Danny Care and No.8 Nathan Hughes have both recieve warnings from the citing commissioner.

INJURY UPDATE: Canterbury loosehead prop Daniel Leinert-Brown will miss his side's National Provincial Championship fixture against Taranaki on October 6.

World' Rugby's Women's Sevens starts it global wandering at the end of November in Dubai and ends it in Paris next June.

REACTION: Josh Strauss says Sale Sharks' strength of character was the key to last Friday's record-equalling 57-10 thrashing of Gloucester at the AJ Bell Stadium.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: They have already secured the Rugby Championship title, but that will stop the All Blacks from teaching the Springboks another rugby lesson when they meet at Newlands on Saturday.

On Day 1 of the Under-15 Week at Bill Jardine Stadium in Johannesburg on Monday, in just seven matches 257 points and 40 tries were scored.

On the second day of competition at the level of schools internationals, Australian and New Zealand schools teams were victorious.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Allister Coetzee believes it will be a mistake if his team adopts a conservative approach against the All Blacks at Newlands on Saturday.

OPINION: If the Rugby Championship was a boxing match, it would have been declared a 'no contest' a long time ago.

REACTION: Sharks coach Robert du Preez believes his team need to be more accurate on attack after their 24-10 win over the Golden Lions.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South Africa's latest stalemate with Australia handed Ireland third place in the World Rugby Rankings and New Zealand the Rugby Championship title.

INJURY UPDATE: South Africa, still reeling from a third consecutive disappointing performance, were dealt another blow on Monday.

The rugby week for Under-15 provincial teams starts at Bill Jardine Stadium in Johannesburg on Monday, 2 October 2017.

TRANSFER NEWS: Former Springboks assistant coach Gary Gold has accepted an offer to become the new head coach of the United States of America.

VIDEO: Munster had their big names back for their Pro14 Round Five victory (39-16) over Cardiff at Thomond Park.

TRANSFER NEWS: London Irish wing Joe Cokanasiga has committed his long-term future to the club by signing a new four-year deal.

NPC SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 columnist Richard Neal looks at Round Seven of New Zealand's National Provincial Championship.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies centre Kurtley Beale revealed that he will vote in favour of extra time after his side's second Rugby Championship draw against the Springboks in Bloemfontein.

INJURY UPDATE: England were left with a fitness question mark over Nathan Hughes after the Wasps loose forward suffered a dead leg in a 9-25 Premiership defeat by Bath on Sunday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Hurricanes assistant coach John Plumtree is set to lend his technical expertise to Japan as the national team’s defence coach for upcoming tests against France and Australia.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok wing Dillyn Leyds hopes he will get more opportunities in the green and gold after he made his run-on debut in the Boks' 27-all draw with the Wallabies in Bloemfontein.

Western Province Under-17 Sevens team won the 2027 Under-17 Interprovincial tournament in Kimberley on Saturday.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: England prop Kyle Sinckler has been cited by Independent Citing Commissioner after being accused of eye-gouging during Harlequins Premiership match against Northampton Saints.

TOP 14 WRAP: French champions Clermont's stuttering start to the season continued with a 23-29 defeat at Castres on Sunday.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: Semesa Rokuduguni dotted down late on as Bath moved up to fifth in the Premiership Rugby after overpowering Wasps with a 25-9 victory.

REACTION: Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika believes referee Ben O'Keeffe played a big role in his side's failure to beat the Springboks in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

REACTION: New Zealand coach Steve Hansen felt his side learned important lessons during their hard-fought 36-10 victory over Argentina on Saturday in Buenos Aires.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: A late penalty by young utility back Damien Willemse made sure Western Province record a narrow 46-45 win over the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday.

INJURY UPDATE: Springbok No,8 Uzair Cassiem has been ruled out of the upcoming Rugby Championship test against NEw Zealand in Cape Town.

FIRST DIVISION WRAP: Griffons cemented their position as the top team in the Currie Cup First Division in a thrilling penultimate pool round which ended with five teams remaining in the race for the other three semi-final spots.

REACTION: Golden Lions coach Swys de Bruin refuse to blame torrential rain for his side's dismal performance in Durban

REACTION: A 27-all draw at home against the Wallabies was definitely not a good result for Springboks after two weeks of "hard work".

REACTION: A furious Allister Coetzee said Johann van Graan has not signed a contract with Irish side Munster.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick will miss next weekend's Test against the Springboks in South Africa following the death of his unborn son, coach Steve Hansen said Sunday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies trio Rory Arnold, Lopeti Timani and Izaia Perese have been sent home to get more game time in the National Rugby Championship.

REACTION: Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika was convinced that Israel Folau did not grab Dillyn Leyds by the hair in their 27-all draw with the Springboks in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

OPINION: New Zealand bagged another Rugby Championship title with a 36-10 win over a determined Argentina team.

OPINION: Despite their passionate performance in Buenos Aires, Argentina's tremendous effort wasn't enough for the clinical All Blacks side.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT: New Zealand put the seal on yet another championship with a comprehensive 36-10 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday night.

TOP 14 WRAP: Anthony Belleau once again proved La Rochelle's tormentor in chief as he guided Toulon to a 26-20 victory on Saturday as Toulouse thumped Agen 30-10 to top the French league.

PREMIERSHIP[ WRAP: Welsh wing George North contributed one of the tries as Northampton Saints went top of the Premiership with a fine 30-22 win over Harlequins on Saturday.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: British & Irish Lion Conor Murray celebrated his first Munster appearance of the season with a try as Rassie Erasmus' side bounced back to winning ways in the Pro14.

OPINION: Australia will be as disappointed as South Africa with their 27-all draw in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

OPINION: South African and Australia played to another disappointing draw, 27-all in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Zebre produced a brilliant second-half display to stun Ulster and end their perfect start to the Pro14 season with a 27-23 victory in Parma.

PRO14 REPORT: The Newport Gwent Dragons eased part the hapless Southern Kings to win 29-13 at a very wet Rodney Parade on Saturday.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT: South Africa and Australia played to another tame draw, 27-all, in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

WATCH VIDEO OF LION'S ATTACK: Wales hooker Scott Baldwin has issued an apology to Osprey fans, following the bizarre incident that saw him bitten by a lion.

CURRIE CUP MATCH REPORT: Griquas finally moved off the bottom of the standings with a bonus-point win over central unions rivals the Free State Cheetahs in Kimberley in Saturday.

LISTEN TO AUDIO: Springbok captain Eben Etzebeth knows that his side will have to be more accurate in the basics of the game if they are to beat an improving Wallabies team in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

REACTION: Ospreys coach Steve Tandy confirmed that hooker Scott Baldwin's absence during the Pro14 match against the Cheetahs was the result of a lion incident.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Byron McGuigan’s hat-trick paved the way for an emphatic Premiership Rugby display as Sale Sharks turned on the style with a 57-10 win over Gloucester Rugby.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Tommy Seymour’s first home appearance of the season ended in impressive fashion as his try paved the way for another Glasgow Warriors PRO14 victory, this time a 37-21 win over Benetton Rugby.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Jack Carty’s missed conversion proved crucial as Scarlets held on to beat Connacht in a thrilling 36-27 encounter.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Jamison Gibson-Park’s late try sealed a hard-earned 21-13 victory for Leinster at home to Edinburgh, with the hosts keeping up the pressure on Scarlets at the top of Conference B.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: Sharks recorded their 10th consecutive Currie Cup win with a 24-10 win over the Golden Lions in a very wet Durban on Friday.

The SA Rugby Under-17 Interprovincial Sevens got off to a thrilling start at Tafel Lager Park in Kimberley on Friday, 29 September 2017. 

TRANSFER NEWS: Munstere may have lost out on their preferred choice, but they have set their sights on another high-profile South African to replace Johan Erasmus.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: The Cheetahs marched to a third successive Pro14 victory with a bonus-point 44-25 win over Ospreys in Bloemfontein on Friday.

NEWS: Japan coach Jamie Joseph is set to replace Filo Tiatia as coach of the Tokyo-based Sunwolves.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: A number of South Africans will welcome the Southern Kings to Rodney Parade on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Very few people would have expected Mahlatse 'Chiliboy' Ralepelle to make a return to the Springbok team after he received a two-year ban from the game.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Centres Huw Jones and EW Viljoen return from injury to start for Western Province against the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday.

The New Zealand Schools and New Zealand Schools Barbarians have both recorded victories in their opening matches of the 2017 campaign.

TOP 14 ROUND SIX: La Rochelle face a true test of their ambitions when they travel to big-spending Toulon on the weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Loose forward Francois Louw wants to help the Springboks restore their status as a team to fear on the international stage.

When the Springboks and the Wallabies are lined up for their anthems at Free State Stadium on Saturday, standing between them will be a medical doctor, whose job it will be to help them to play fairly and honestly in their Rugby Championship match. He is Ben O'Keeffe of New Zealand.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND FIVE: Coach Steve Hansen has raised the bar for New Zealand as they seek victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires Saturday.

NEWS: Western Force coach David Wessels has knocked back overtures from Ireland to remain in Australia.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND FIVE: rugby365's acclaimed writer Paul Dobson looks at a game that could define the seasons of both teams.

ONLY TWO UNDEFEATED: Round Four of the Pro14 saw the championship at its unpredictable best with wins for Benetton, the Cheetahs and Cardiff Blues standing out in a cracking weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: There are just five points covering the eight teams pursuing Premiership Rugby leaders Exeter Chiefs, in the most competitive start to a campaign in our history.

VIDEO: On this week’s episode of The Short Ball, Scotty Stevenson and Mils Muliaina discuss the merits of each of the three Rugby World Cup bids for 2023.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks will have their sights set on cementing the top spot on the Currie Cup Premier Division log this weekend in what will be a decisive round for all six sides in action, with only two pool rounds remaining after this weekend.

WATCH: The French domestic competitions have always had their share of nasty players - especially in the lower leagues.

OPINION: Jonathan Beardmore of the Eggchasers Podcast and the Rugby Dungeon has taken to the YouTube to take Professor Allyson Pollock to task over her frankly dreadful and fundamentally odious campaign to rid age grade rugby of its most fundamental component - tackling.

VIDEO: On this week’s episode of The Short Ball, Scotty Stevenson and Mils Muliaina discuss the merits of each of the three Rugby World Cup bids for 2023.

REACTION: Springbok head coach Allister Coetzee believes the Cheetahs' Pro14 clash against the Ospreys will be a good opportunity for wing Raymond Rhule to work on his defensive game.

VIDEO: If there was ever any doubt if the New Zealand talent factory will dry up soon, have a look at what the future holds.

"Tackle!" they cry in desperation. "Tackle." he cries. "Release."It means different things to different people and in different ages.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Loose forwards Tim Agaba and Marco van Staden will earn first starts in a revamped Blue Bulls loose trio.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There is a first Test start for Dillyn Leyds and Francois Louw's inclusion in the back row for South Africa.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs wasted no time in recalling Springbok discard Raymond Rhule for their Pro14 Round Five encounter with Ospreys.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas have been revamped, with 12 changes, for their Currie Cup Round 12 encounter with the Free State Cheetahs on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Free State Cheetahs coach Daan Human has named an uncharged team to travel to Kimberley.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: This weekend the All Blacks are in Buenos Aires, where they will face Los Pumas for a second time this season.

NEWS: Giant Australian lock Luke Jones penned a two-year extension to his contact with French Top 14 outfit Bordeaux.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallaby coach Michael Cheika has made three changes to his starting fifteen ahead of Saturday's clash with South Africa in Bloemfontein.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The All Blacks made nine changes to their squad to face Argentina, with one eye on the next World Cup.

On Thursday, 28 September 2017, at Knox Grammar School in Sydney, New Zealand Schools play Fiji Schools and at the  Massey University's Sport & Rugby Institute in Palmerston North New Zealand Schools Barbarians play Tonga Schools.

OPINION: Every good team has a good scrumhalf, and it follows that every great team has a great scrumhalf. Paul Dobson dissects the issue.

The rugby365 team - Eugene Eloff, Tauriq Ebrahim and Jan de Koning - do not hold back as they take on the Springbok management over the porkies they are trying to sell the public.

FIRST DIVISION SPOTLIGHT:  The battle for the top spot in the Currie Cup First Division takes centre stage on Friday as the Griffons meet the Leopards in Potchefstroom in a thrilling start to the penultimate round of pool action.

BREAKING NEWS: Cardiff Blues confirmed that Danny Wilson has decided to leave his position of head coach at the end of the season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: While Saturday’s test match in Buenos Aires should be a foregone conclusion, there have been a couple of times when the Pumas almost knocked off the mighty All Blacks.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Irish Pro14 giants Munster are set to secure the services of Western Force coach Dave Wessels.

WATCH: Connacht coach Kieran Keane may not have said it, but it is a classic case of 'if looks could kill'. His interview in the aftermath of his side’s Pro14 loss to Cardiff last week said it all!

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: With one Currie Cup game remaining before their bye, and then one more pool match before the pool stages, the Sharks will be throwing everything at the visiting Golden Lions this Friday.

OPNINION: Scotty Stevenson and Mils Muliaina chat to Derren Witcombe, coach of the Taniwha, about the NPC.

BLOEMFONTEIN SPOTLIGHT: Australia prop Sekope Kepu will be eager to nullify South Africa's scrummaging department when they face each other in Round five of the Rugby Championship in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

IN THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: After Francois Hougaard's dismal performance against the All Blacks in Albany, Ross Cronje will have a spotlight on him when the Springboks take on the Wallabies in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

With the bidding process for the 2023 Rugby World Cup hotting up, we continue our look at the potential host countries and break down their chances of securing the spectacle. Last up, it’s France.

SCHOOLS SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby chiefs have slammed a controversial study that claims tackling and scrums should be banned in schools.

World Rugby's Sevens circuit starts in Dubai on 1 December 2017 and ends in London on 2 June 2018.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia utility back James O’Connor admits he is hugely excited at the prospect of linking up for Sale Sharks alongside fellow newcomer South Africa scrumhalf Francois De Klerk.

Back comes the Rugby Championship as Australasia leaves home, New Zealand to Argentina, Australia to South Africa.

NEWS: Springbok wing Raymond Rhule was released from the Springbok squad on Tuesday, despite Springbok head coach Allister Coetzee defending him on Monday.

CURRIE CUP ROUND 11: The race to the play-offs is getting more interesting with each passing week and it is reflected in rugby365's famous weekly selection.

REACTION: Bok backline coach Franco Smith believes the criticism levelled against the Boks' outside backs have been unfair so far.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springboks assistant coach Franco Smith said his players are determined to make a statement against the Wallabies after their horror show in their last outing against the All Blacks.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Golden Lions might be without most of their frontline players, but they are still optimistic ahead of their trip to Durban.

EVOLUTION OF THE HAKA: It is arguably the most famous war dance and has evolved significantly over the last century. However, are New Zealanders guilty of 'Haka crimes'?

BLOEMFONTEIN SPOTLIGHT: It may seem like a recurring theme, but the Wallabies have again raised the issue of a Springbok backlash in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Blue Bulls Jano Venter and Jannes Kirsten have become the latest players to suffer injury setbacks ahead of their crucial Currie Cup clash against Western Province at Loftus Versfeld.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Aside from their really powerful forward pack, Argentina possessed a quick backline, warns All Blacks scrumhalf Tawera Kerr-Barlow ahead of their Rugby Championship Test.

REACTION: New Zealand sporting pundits on Tuesday accused French rugby officials of exploiting the late All Black great Jonah Lomu's young sons to promote their bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Highlanders High-Performance Coach Jon Preston is leaving his role after five years with the Super Rugby franchise.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee believes Francois Louw's experience and leadership will be a valuable asset against the Wallabies and the All Blacks over the next two weeks. 

NEWS: Pierre Mignoni penned a five-year extension as Lyon coach, after overseeing their promotion to the Top 14 and overseeing a flying start to the current campaign.

Recently the Final of the South African women's Interprovincial competition was played in East London - Border vs Western Province and the referee appointed to this match - her highest level of appointment so far - was Ashleigh Murray of the Golden Lions Referees' Society.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: France, South Africa and Ireland have presented their visions and plans to the World Rugby Council in London.

INJURY UPDATE: Scrumhalf Ross Cronje will probably be the most important player returning to the Springbok side for their clash against the Wallabies in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The next British and Irish Lions tour, to South Africa in 2021, will be cut to eight matches after pressure from England's Premiership clubs over players' workloads, a report said Monday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Allister Coetzee believes Ruan Combrinck has not played enough rugby to warrant selection for the Springboks this year.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: After the profile on rival bidders Ireland, it’s time to turn our attention to the sole entrant from the Southern Hemisphere and see just what South Africa plans to offer in their bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

REACTION: Canadian wing Daniel Tailliferre Hauman van der Merwe praised Newcastle Falcons' performance after  Saturday’s 33-32 Premiership triumph at Bath.

IN THE WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Excitement is mounting ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, which is just two short years away.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Handré Pollard and Curwin Bosch are the main challengers to Elton Jantjies for the Springbok No.10 jersey. But are they ready?

NPC SPOTLIGHT: Rugby365 columnist Richard Neal looks at Round Six of New Zealand's National Provincial Championship.

TRANSFER NEWS: Highlanders have signed the experienced Glenn Delaney as their new defense coach after he sealed a two year contract with the Super Rugby franchise.

One of the good parts about the New Zealand's NPC, aside from the often frivolous attempts at defence, is the opportunity for a lot of players to try new things.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP RESUMES: Kurtley Beale believes an Australian victory over South Africa in Bloemfontein would keep the Wallabies' resurgence going.

TOP 14 SUNDAY WRAP: South African flyhalf Morne Steyn kicked all of Stade Francais' points in a 15-19 defeat to three-time European champions Toulon who snatched victory with a last-gasp try in a tense French Top 14 duel on Sunday.

PREMIERSHIP SUNDAY WRAP: Olly Woodburn paved the way for a superb Exeter Chiefs victory over Wasps, with the Premiership champions prevailing 31-17 at Sandy Park.

INJURY UPDATE: England No.8 Billy Vunipola faces a Six Nations race against time after undergoing knee surgery on Sunday that will rule him out for four months.

ROUND FIVE WRAP: The attacking mind-set of teams in the Currie Cup First Division came to the fore as close to fifty tries were scored in a highly entertaining weekend of action.

NEWS: Harlequins No.8 Jack Clifford was called into England's training squad on Sunday after Billy Vunipola injured his knee during Saracens' win over Sale on Saturday.

REACTION: While Curwin Bosch helped guide the Sharks to victory in rainy conditions against the Blue Bulls in Durban, John Mitchell believes the youngster still needs to improve a lot to play Test rugby.

REACTION: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez said he was pleased with the way his side adapted to the wet conditions when they beat the Blue Bulls 18-5 in Durban on Saturday.

REACTION: Cheetahs captain Francois Venter praised his flyhalf Ernst Stapelberg for his big contribution in the Cheetahs' impressive 38-19 win against Leinster on Friday.

PREVIEW: Bono and Liam Neeson will add star power to Ireland's bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup as the contenders go head to head with France and South Africa in London on Monday.

TOP 14 RAP: All Blacks star Aaron Cruden had two tries disallowed as his Montpellier team suffered their first defeat of the season on Saturday, going down 47-17 at Bordeaux.

INJURY UPDATE: England star Billy Vunipola is having a scan on his knee after suffering an injury scare during Saracens' 41-13 win over Sale in the Premiership on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: Saracens and Newcastle shrugged off the jet lag after their trip to the United States last weekend to record victories.

PRO14 REPORT: Gareth Davies shone for Scarlets, dancing through the Edinburgh defence to lay on a try for Rhys Patchell before scoring one of his own as the hosts claimed a 28-8 victory.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Willis Halaholo was a two-try hero as Cardiff Blues  produced a gutsy performance to secure their first victory of the season with a 17-15 triumph over Connacht at the Sportsground.

PRO14 REPORT: Zebre recorded their first win of the season with a 43-17 demolition of a pitiful Southern Kings outfit in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP MATCH REPORT: Western Province bounced back in emphatic fashion with a 55-27 win over a willing Griquas team in Cape Town on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Sharks cemented top spot on the standings and home ground advantage in the play-offs.

TRANSFER NEWS: Munster Rugby confirmed that second row Mark Flanagan will join the province from Saracens on a three-month loan deal.

REACTION: Glasgow Warriors coach Dave Rennie praised his side's impressive performance after their 37-10 win over Munster on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks talisman Beauden Barrett believes his side is well prepared for the unpredictable Argentina side, even in the absence of some first-choice players. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former Wales flank Kingsley Jones has been appointed the new head coach of the Canada, as they seek to qualify for the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia coach Michael Cheika says he is working on the mental obstacles as the Wallabies chase a rare win over the Springboks on South Africa's Highveld in the Rugby Championship.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Gloucester held on at the death to return to winning ways in the Premiership with a 24-19 success over Worcester Warriors as Ollie Thorley scored two tries at Kingsholm.

PRO14 REPORT: Glasgow Warriors hauled themselves to the top of the tree in Conference A by dispatching Munster 37-10 at Scotstoun Stadium.

PRO14 REPORT: Ulster maintained their unbeaten start to the new Pro14 season with a dominant 52-25 home victory over the Dragons.

PRO14 REPORT: A sublime break from Luca Sperandio helped Francesco Minto over the line to seal a 16-6 victory for Benetton over Ospreys.

PRO14 REPORT: The Cheetahs put in a commanding performance to record a 38-19 bonus-point win over Leinster in Bloemfontein on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Southern Kings starting XV to face Italian club Zebre in a Pro14 championship match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday shows just one change from the side that did duty against Leinster last weekend. 

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Free State Cheetahs got back to winning ways in this year's Currie Cup with a narrow 33-32 win over the Pumas in Bloemfontein on Friday.

REACTION: Senior officials John Spencer and John Feehan have defended the quality of coaching during the British and Irish Lions' tour of New Zealand.

NEWS: New Zealand wing Israel Dagg has been ruled out for the rest of the year with a knee injury.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The 2018 Super Rugby schedule was released this week, and here is a New Zealand view of the draw.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Eddie Jones has opted not to include British and Irish Lions players in his 33-man squad for the training camp in Oxford.

OPINION: Merit based or race based? Former All Black flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens gave his two cents on The Short Ball this week.

PLANET ALTRAD IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Montpellier might be runaway leaders of the French Top 14, but they have been making headlines for all the wrong reasons off the pitch.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Coach Michael Cheika included three uncapped players in a 32-man Wallabies squad for their two remaining Rugby Championship Tests in South Africa and Argentina.

THE UNBEATEN QUARTET: Four teams remain unbeaten as the Pro14 season begins to take shape after three rounds of championship action.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The pressure is set to rise significantly in the Currie Cup Premier Division this weekend as all seven participating teams still have a chance of securing semifinal berths in the competition with only four pool rounds remaining including this weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Province coach John Dobson wasted no time in rushing back a raft of Springboks.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok loose forward Teboho Mohoje has been included in the Cheetahs' starting XV for their Pro14 clash against Leinster in Bloemfontein on Friday.

REACTION: Organisers of troubled Super Rugby urged the under-performing Australian and South African teams to play "more attractive" rugby.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Free State Cheetahs head coach Daan Human has made wholesale changes in his team for their Currie Cup clash against the Pumas at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Friday.

NEWS: Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead a high-level delegation to London on Sunday, September 24 for the presentation to the World Rugby Council of South Africa's bid to host the prestigious World Cup 2023 tournament.  

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blue Bulls have been forced into making a replacement to their team, with Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard cracking a spot on the replacement bench.

"And George Ayoub is the television match official tonight."

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sibusiso Nkosi will be looking to show the national selectors just why they have shown faith in him after being included in the Springbok squad for the two remaining home matches of the 2017 Rugby Championship.

PODCAST: New Zealand's 57-0 win over South Africa gave Djuro Sen and Ben Kimber plenty to talk about.

Some are saying that New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English only has a couple of days left in his job. But if that’s the case, at least if he loses the election he’ll have more time to watch his promising son Xavier out on the rugby field.

REDEMPTION: Just a few short months after Exeter Chiefs’ triumph over Wasps in the Premiership Rugby Final the two teams will meet again in Round Four of the new campaign.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sean O'Brien feels the Lions were capable of beating the All Blacks comfortably over the three leg series, but insists that the squad's preparations were all wrong.

NEWS: Japan's Super Rugby outfit the Sunwolves has been moved to the Australian Conference for the revamped Super Rugby tournament in 2018. 

NEWS: All Blacks legend Dan Carter will not attend France's World Cup 2023 bid presentation in London next week, dealing a blow to officials' hopes of exploiting his star power.

There is a special treat in the studio as Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim dissect the Springboks' worst performance ever. We also go behind the scenes and speak to Bok assistant coach Brendan Venter.

NEWS: Denny Solomona is determined to prove to head coach Eddie Jones he deserves another chance with England after he blotted his copybook by being sent home from a training camp in August.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: London Irish flank Blair Cowan is free to play immediately despite his two yellow cards this past weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT:  The Currie Cup First Division teams will have everything to play for on Saturday as the top-end of the log begins to take shape and those languishing at the bottom could drop out of the running for semi-final berths.

NEWS: The Melbourne Rebels have appointed Nick Ryan as the franchise's new General Manager – Professional Rugby and Pathways.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Despite earlier reservations, experienced Bath-based flank Francois Louw is one of three additions to the Springbok squad.

NEWS: The Golden Lions' contingent of Springboks in Japan received another addition on Wednesday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: France is willing to pay World Rugby millions as a hosting fee to stage the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the country's bid leader Claude Atcher has said.

ROUND THREE: It was another dramatic and action packed weekend of Pro14 action, as Round Three produced stunning comebacks and scintillating tries.

Who would make your dirties rugby XV of all time? Players in this pick are not picked because of their behaviour but more due to their discipline record.