All News

SCHOOLS RANKINGS: The days of the 2017 rugby season are dwindling down but there are still precious matches happening, enough to bring changes to our famous Schools Top 20.

SCHOOLS RANKINGS: There is little change to be made for the first Top 20 of this term. The results make that obvious.

REACTION: SA Rugby president, Mark Alexander, paid tribute to Sir Colin Meads, New Zealand's player of the 20th century - and one of the greatest of any nation of all time - who passed away on Sunday, aged 81.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP REACTION: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee had mixed feelings after a 37-15 Rugby Championship first round triumph over Argentina in chilly Port Elizabeth Saturday. 

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP REACTION: All Blacks captain Kieran Read expressed his satisfaction at the All Blacks' onslaught in the first 50 minutes of the Sydney Test.

REACTION: The Golden Lions may be going through a bad run, but coach Zacharia de Bruin is backing his young 'cubs' to come good in the Currie Cup.

OBITUARY: All Black great Sir Colin "Pinetree" Meads, a legendary hardman who helped give New Zealand rugby its edge, died on Sunday aged 81 after battling cancer.

U19 INTERNATIONAL SERIES REPORT: South African Schools ended a disappointing international tournament when they lost 52-22 to England at City Park in Cape Town.

REACTION: South African coach Allister Coetzee sounded a cautionary note, while Argentinean captain Agustín Creevy spoke of revenge.

REACTION: Wallaby coach Michael Cheika has vowed to address the defensive frailties that saw his team cough up eight tries in a demoralising 34-54 loss to the All Blacks.

REACTION: New Zealand maybe have started their Rugby Championship campaign with a bonus-point win, but there is much room for improvement.

OPINION: Argentina were certainly not at the best when they took on the Springboks in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

OPINION: The Springboks got their Rugby Championship off to a winning start with a 37-15 win over Argentina on Saturday.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT: South Africa got their campaign off to an impressive start with a 37-15 win over Argentina in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

OPINION: The Wallabies were completely blown away in the first half of the 34-54 defeat to the All Blacks on Saturday.

OPINION: An incredible first-half performance laid the platform for the All Blacks' 54-34 victory over the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP MATCH REPORT: Flying wing Makazole Mapimpi scored a try five minutes into extra time to steal a one-point (41-40) win for the Free State Cheetahs over the Blue Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.

NEWS: Australia legend David Campese has returned to Australia and is eager to salvage his beloved country' rugby.

NPC SPOTLIGHT: It was a grandstand finish in the ‘Battle of the Bovine’ with Taranaki clinging on for a nail-biting 34-29 win over Waikato at Yarrow Stadium.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks flank Jerome Kaino has returned to New Zealand ahead of the Rugby Championship Test against Australia in Sydney on Saturday to deal with a "personal matter".

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT: New Zealand open their Rugby Championship in fine style as the visitors produced a 54-34 win over Australian in Sydney.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Golden Lions dominated possession for the entire encounter but were thwarted by an impenetrable Western Province defence as the home side kept their visitors try-less while scoring six of their own to claim a 39-3 victory at Newlands on Friday.

NEWS: Fijian wing Josaia Raisuqe has been fired by Stade Francais while compatriot Waisea Nayacalevu has been warned over an alleged sexual assault and drunken violence, the French club said on Friday.

PRO14 have appointed Greg Garner of England to manager its elite referees in the championship which has been expanded, from PRO12 to PRO14.

Paarl Gim are about to leave Paarl and travel sedately over to beautiful George at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains. It is a beautiful journey.

REACTION: Seasoned Springbok Handré Pollard is another two weeks away from full fitness and will not feature in any of the matches against Argentina.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: The All Blacks identified their line-out as a weak point against the British and Irish Lions and plan a big fix against the Wallabies, lock Brodie Retallick said Friday.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: Skipper Michael Hooper urged his Wallabies team Friday to stick with the All Blacks in the hope of pulling off a morale-restoring win in the Rugby Championship series opener this weekend.

TRANSFER NEWS: England and British& Irish Lions prop Joe Marler has committed his future to the Premiership side Harlequins.

After the drama of Day 3 at the Women's Rugby World cup, the four semifinalists have been decided, the four teams who still have a chance of winning the trophy.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Griquas have made six changes to their starting XV, including five in the forward pack for their match against the Pumas.

As the rugby season in the Western Cape reaches its penultimate week, the four big Peninsula schools settle down to playing amongst themselves, traditional matches with strong traditions and rugby played with excitement and in a good spirit.

UPDATE: A security consultant employed by the All Blacks was Friday cleared by an Australian court of a charge of false representation over a bizarre bugging scandal ahead of last year's Bledisloe Cup.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: Bragging rights for the Northern Suburbs is up for grabs when high-flying Hoërskool Stellenberg head down to the enemy's camp to take on Hoërskool Tygerberg on Saturday.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND ONE: The All Blacks will be out to reassert their dominance as the wounded Wallabies look to the return of Kurtley Beale to trigger an upset.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND ONE: rugby365's acclaimed writer Paul Dobson gives us his view on the second match of the four-nation tournament.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Four of the five Springbok squad members released for Currie Cup duty this weekend will take to the field for their respective provinces in a timely boost as the sides look to build momentum in the competition.

EXCLUSIVE: Aerios Chief Executive Officer Costas Constantinou sat down with rugby365 editor Jan de Koning to chat about the Newlands saga and the section 417 inquiry.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: Argentina have made three changes to the team that defeated Georgia in June, for a Rugby Championship first round clash with South Africa in Port Elizabeth Saturday.

In the last match of the season Selborne College leave East London and go round to Grey High in Port Elizabeth.

All Black legend Sean Fitzpatrick - in discussion with Jan de Koning - gives his view on what could transpire in the upcoming Rugby Champ[ionship.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Gregor Townsend has named seven uncapped players in his 41-man squad for Scotland's pre-season training camp in St Andrews.

NEWS: Championship-winning coach Eugene Eloff will return to South Africa after just one year in America.

SEVENS SPOTLIGHT: As the Schools Rugby season heads to a conclusion, coaches and students gear up for the High School Sevens series.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: Saturday 19 August sees the second round of the Southern Suburb derbies that traditionally end the season for the “Souties” in the south of Cape Town.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: SA 'A' flank Chris Cloete will start his first match for the Pumas when they travel to fortress Kimberley to face the high-riding Griquas in an all-important Currie Cup match.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: Hoërskool Porterville will host their neighbours Piketberg in the schools annual interschools fixture on August 19.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Free State Cheetahs head coach Rory Duncan has made a number of changes to his side for their Currie Cup clash against the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Uzair Cassiem will start at No.8 for the Springboks in the opening round of the Rugby Championship.

In great numbers Grey College charge down from Bloemfontein to lovely Stellenbosch for their annual interschools meeting.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: It may be coincidence, but two 'ghosts' from the past have come back to take centre stage ahead of the opening Bledisloe Cup match between the Wallabies and All Blacks.

NEWS: The Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd confirmed that they have extended a player loan agreement with the Southern Kings which will see four current Blue Bulls players joining the Eastern Cape side to compete in the Pro14 tournament.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais named Warrick Gelant at fullback for his side's Currie Cup match against the Free State Cheetahs in Pretoria on Saturday and also named new signing Jano Venter on the bench

It's a golden jubilee when you get to 50, a milestone. Stuart Berry, referee, reached that on Saturday when he refereed at Newlands.

CLASSIC CLASH PREVIEW: Hoërskool Strand head to Somerset West to take on Hottentots-Holland High School in their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

NEWS: Brumbies have signed scrumhalf Matt Lucas on a two-year deal that will see him join the team for the 2018 Super Rugby season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Curtis Rona will make his debut and Kurtley Beale returns for the Wallabies in the team named Thursday to face the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship opener in Sydney this weekend.

Tauriq Ebrahim and Jan de Koning have a guest in studio this week as they look at rugby365's new Fantasy League, touch on the Cape of Storms, analyse the Springboks' prospects in the Rugby Championship and also touch on the Currie Cup matches.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: The Golden Lions have just one win from four matches in the Currie Cup, but coach Swys de Bruin is not about to throw the baby out with bath water.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sonny Bill Williams has been rushed back into the All Black squad for their Rugby Championship opener.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: The Lions contingent in Springbok squad have lifted their heads and moved on from the disappointment of a second successive Super Rugby Final loss.

NEWS: England captain Dylan Hartley has told Manu Tuilagi and Denny Solomona to prove they are worthy of a recall after being sent home early from a pre-season training camp.

Round three of the Women's World Cup on Thursday decides who will be in the semifinals in Belfast.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Irish great Conor O'Shea - currently the head coach of the Italian national team - spoke to Jan de Koning about the benefits of the newly launched Pro14.

NEWS: The Blue Bulls have acquired the services of Springbok Marnitz Boshoff on a two-year deal, while also managing to secure the signatures of Jano Venter and Blitzbok Tim Agaba.

SUPER RUGBY NEWS: The Crusaders have brought back loose forward Tom Sanders from the Chiefs and re-signed Pete Samu for the 2018 season.

BLEDISLOE CUP ROUND ONE: The All Blacks will be looking to land a 'knock-out punch' against the Wallabies when the two sides meet in Sydney on Saturday.

PRO14 NEWS: Welsh defence coach Shaun Edwards has already started working with the Cardiff Blues squad after being confirmed as a consultant for Danny Wilson's side.

REACTION: Troubled centre Manu Tuilagi is aware he messed up at the recent England squad get-together but will be the better man for it, said his Leicester Tigers club coach Matt O'Connor on Tuesday.

U19 INTERNATIONAL REPORT: In the second round of the international Under-19 tournament, played at Paarl Gimnasium, France beat South African Schools 13-8, and deserved to do so.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springboks assistant coach Franco Smith says talented youngster Curwin Bosch still has a lot of development ahead of him at senior level.

U19 INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL REPORTS: Wales' clinical first-half performance proved to be enough to secure a narrow 14-12 victory over England at Paarl Gymnasium on Tuesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Golden Lions travel will travel to Cape Town with a new captain in Jacques van Rooyen to face Western Province at Newlands.

NEWS: Deon Davids will lead the Southern Kings into unchartered territory as the Port Elizabeth-based side prepares to get their Pro14 campaign off to a start on September 2.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Province head coach John Dobson has made two changes to his starting line-up that did duty in the victory against the Blue Bulls last week for the clash against the Golden Lions on Friday.

NEWS: The Springboks have released five players to their provincial teams ahead of the start of this year's Rugby Championship.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia Christian Lealiifano has stated that he is excited about his future at the Brumbies next season after his battle with cancer.

SCHOOLS RANKINGS: There are two results which shake the building of the Schools Top 20 - unranked Bishops' win over third-placed SACS and Grey College's massive win over Glenwood - 10 hammering 12.

It was a sunny day in East London when Dale came to play Selborne. Sunny, but windy. Selborne probably enjoyed the sun more than Dale did, for they reversed their defeat last term by beating Dale 33-25 in a splendid match of running rugby, which schools seem best at.

UPDATE: Blue Bulls fullback Duncan Matthews will miss his team's Currie Cup clash against the Free State Cheetahs on Saturday after receiving a one-week suspension for a dangerous tackle.

CURRIE CUP ROUNDS FOUR AND FIVE: It was a difficult week, with two full rounds - which included a few upsets and an amazing comeback.

TRANSFER NEWS: Former Australia Under-20 loose forward Lachlan McCaffrey has re-signed with the Brumbies for the 2018 Super Rugby season.

SCHOOLS REPORT: Fittingly Muir College and Graeme College met for the last game of every season, which marks the last game for many school boys with regards to their winter sports.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: It has been a long road to recovery from injury for Siyabonga 'Scarra' Ntubeni and the Western Province hooker has gained a new perspective on his rugby career while on the sidelines.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia's once-mighty rugby scene has reached a low ebb after a year of problems on the pitch and off it - and things look unlikely to improve this week when New Zealand come to town.

NEWS: Wallabies vice-captain Will Genia will return to play his rugby in Australia with Super Rugby's Melbourne Rebels, the Australian Rugby Union said Tuesday.

We are always so glad to receive the full results of matches between schools, but  less so this week.

INJURY UPDATE: The Blue Bulls were left with several injuries after playing three Currie Cup matches in eight days.

There are serious matches this weekend as the Rugby Championship starts in Sydney and Port Elizabeth with Wayne Barnes at one and Romain Poite at another.

INJURY UPDATE: Lions prop Ruan Dreyer has joined the Springboks in Port Elizabeth, ahead of the start of the Rugby Championship.

INJURY UPDATE: Western Province assistant coach Dawie Snyman confirmed that wing Bjorn Basson injured his shoulder in his team's win over the Blue Bulls last weekend.

The Rugby Championship is upon us and in true rugby365 style we have teamed up with RugbyPass to bring our readers a league of their own.

NEWS: World Cup winner Aaron Cruden was officially unveiled as a Montpellier player on Monday having signed a three-year contract.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: SA Schools coach Lance Sendin reshuffled his pack for their second clash in the U19 International Series against France at Paarl Gymnasium on Tuesday, which will see a new front row and flank combination take to the field.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England Under-18 have made a number of changes to the side that face Wales on Tuesday in South Africa.

NEWS: Golden Lions hooker Robbie Coetzee and centre Rohan Janse Van Rensburg have both been cleared at disciplinary hearings on Monday.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - PART TWO: All Black legend Sean Fitzpatrick, in discussion with Jan de Koning, gives his thoughts on the upcoming Rugby Championship.

On Day 2 of the Women's Rugby World Cup, there was something of a surprise when Japan gave Ireland a fright in the closest of the six matches.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies Lock Adam Coleman says there is no shortage of belief in the Australian camp ahead of their Rugby Championship opener and Bledisloe Cup tie against the All Blacks on in Sydney on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett said he and his teammates will be ready if the Wallabies adopt a rush defence against them in Saturday's Bledisloe Cup match in Sydney.

NEWS: The Brumbies announced that former Waratahs fullback Peter Hewat has signed on to become backs coach commencing with the 2018 Super Rugby season.

NEWS: Western Force opened their legal fight to remain a Super Rugby team on Monday as they requested an appeal against the decision to axe them and won an injunction against the Australian Rugby Union.

PRO14 IN THE SPOTLIGHT: At a time when Australian pundits suggest South Africa is no longer attractive, European officials produced compelling evidence of just how attractive a move north is for teams from the Republic.

SCHOOLS REPORT: On a cold winter’s morning in Newlands, Diocesan College (Bishops) rained on the parade of their hosts The South Africa College High School (SACS). 

REACTION: Western Province head coach John Dobson and captain Chris van Zyl believes their second-half slump against the Blue Bulls at Newlands was down to their being reduced to 14 men just before half-time.

SCHOOLS SPOTLIGHT: The saddest result of the day was the cancellation of matches between Maritzburg College and KES in Pietermaritzburg, because a city rubbish dump caught fire and sent potentially toxic gases into the air.

REACTION: Blue Bulls head coach Nollis Marais believes that his team could have beaten Western Province at Newlands if they had taken all their opportunities.

INJURY UPDATE: New Zealand hooker Dane Coles has been ruled out of Saturday's Test against Australia, with coach Steve Hansen confirming he is again suffering a possible head injury.

INJURY UPDATE: The Free State Cheetahs' depth will be seriously tested over the next few months, especially in the flyhalf position.

REACTION: Lions head coach Zacharia Francois de Bruin praised his team for playing their "best" rugby despite losing their third match of the 2017 Currie Cup season. Josh Isaacson reports.

REACTION: The Sharks' victory over the Golden Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday was their first since 2014 over the Johannesburg-based team. Josh Isaacson reports

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Coach Michael Cheika says he intends to follow the British and Irish Lions' lead and put the All Blacks under pressure to conjure a huge upset in next weekend's Rugby Championship opener.

REACTION: The Australian Rugby Union are facing a drawn-out and costly legal battle over their decision to axe the Western Force from Super Rugby.

CURRIE CUP MATCH REPORT: The Sharks came back from being 5-31 down, to score a 47-31 victory over the Golden Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP MATCH REPORT: Western Province scored six first-half tries to set up a bonus-point 45-34 win over the Blue Bulls at Newlands on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP MATCH REPORT: Griquas from behind, twice, to record a dramatic 30-25 win over the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

SCHOOLS REPORT: Paul Roos Gymnasium ended a 12-year wait to beat Boland Landbou in their own backyard by claiming a 33-24 victory in Paarl on Saturday. 

REACTION: ARU director Geoffrey Stooke has joined Pulver in stepping down from his position in the Australian Rugby Union Board after penning a letter where he detailed his reasons for stepping down.

Aimee Barrett-Theron of South Africa has been appointed to the last (main?) game on Day 2 of the eighth Women's Rugby World Cup taking place in Ireland.

REACTION: The Southern Kings may not have a complete squad or any sponsors yet, but they will have the financial backing to compete in the newly launched Pro14.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) will host their English counterparts Pretoria Boys' High in an all Blue Bulls battle on Saturday.

REPORT: There was only a two points' difference at the end, South Africa had scored three tries to two, but Wales deserved this win.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks know that Argentina will have a lot more tricks up their sleeves than just a strong and talented forward pack.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Experienced scrumhalf Piet van Zyl is back for the Blue Bulls to play Western Province in a Currie Cup match at Newlands on Saturday.

UNDER-19 SERIES REPORT: A Caden Murley brace helped England Under-19secure a 24-8 victory over France U19 in their opening match of the U19 International Series played at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch.

NEWS: The entry of the Cheetahs and Southern Kings into the Pro14 would break the mould for world rugby, the South African launch was told in Cape Town on Friday.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: Boland Landbou are two evenly balanced teams, making for a great contest between two of the top teams in the country.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: The first recorded match between the South African College and Bishops dates back to 1873, making it the oldest match in South Africa, and it is on again up at SACS on Saturday.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: With the battle for a spot in the  SA Top 20 schools heating up the fixture in between Stellenberg and Brackenfell is really significant.

REACTION: The fall-out of the decision to axe the Western Force from Super Rugby has claimed its first victim.

NEWS: Canada will welcome the Maori All Blacks to Vancouver in November to a once-off international on November 3, 2017, which will serve as preparation for their respective international matches in Europe later that month.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: Two of the oldest rivals on the Border, meet again on Saturday, as they have done since 1892, 125 years ago. And of late, even though teams spread their wings wider than before, they meet twice a year.

NEWS: The Blues have added former New Zealand Under-20 captain and Maori All Black hooker Leni Apisai to their roster until the 2019 Super Rugby competition.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: Up Glenwood will go from the warm days at the coast to shivering nights of the Free State.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: The stadium in Faure Street, Paarl was packed last weekend and will be again this weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Round Five of Currie Cup 2017 will be the culmination of a busy schedule for teams this week.

NEWS: The Australian Rugby Union has discontinued the Western Force's Super Rugby licence, prompting an immediate threat of legal action by the franchise.

TEAM ANNOUNCEEMNT: Golden Lions No.8 will lead the SA Schools team when they kick off their Under-19 International Series campaign on Friday against Wales at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch.

REACTION: Back in 1999 they were just two nondescript figures at lowly Griquas. Almost 20 years later Victor Matfield and Zacharia Francois de Bruin reunited at Ellis Park - both very successful and high profile figures.

SCHOOL PREVIEW: An inform King Edward VII side from Johannesburg travel to Pietermaritzburg to take on Maritzburg College at Goldstones on Saturday.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: Two of the oldest rivals on the Border, meet again on Saturday, as they have done since 1892, 125 years ago. And of late, even though teams spread their wings wider than before, they meet twice a year.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Free State Cheetahs head coach Rory Duncan has made four changes to his starting XV for their clash against Griquas on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After their dreadful defeat to the Griquas, Western Province coach John Dobson said his side should be more physical in defence against the Blue Bulls.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has largely stuck with the same team that did duty in the win against the Blue Bulls for their clash against the Golden Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

REACTION: Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais bemoaned his team's defensive frailties as they head to Newlands for the big north-south derby.

NEWS: Former England captain Chris Robshaw has agreed a new long-term contract with Harlequins, the English Premiership club announced Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Golden Lions received a rush of Super Rugby reinforcements ahead of their Currie Cup Round Five encounter with the Sharks.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are five changes to the Western Province team for the Currie Cup clash with the Blue Bulls at Newlands on Saturday.

NEWS: England coach Eddie Jones said Thursday he wanted his players "close to normal life" during the 2019 World Cup in Japan after taking his backroom staff on a reconnaissance mission to the country.

NEWS: Legendary World Cup-winning Springbok lock Victor Matfield is the Golden Lions' new forward coach.

REACTION: The Sharks have lost three times to the Lions this year, including a Super Rugby quarterfinal defeat. On Saturday they get another shot at the back-to-back Super Rugby runners-up.

WIN WITH RUGBY365: You can win FREE tickets to watch the BIG north-south derby - Western Province taking on the Blue Bulls in a Currie Cup crunch match at Newlands on Saturday.

NEWS: Wallaby prop Tetera Faulkner will return home after he signed with the Melbourne Rebels for the 2018 and 2019 Super Rugby seasons.

NEWS: Wing James Dargaville has extended his Brumbies journey by agreeing to a new one-year extension to his contract that will tie him to the franchise for the 2018 Super Rugby Season.

INJURY UPDATE: All Blacks fullback Jordie Barrett has been ruled out of this year's Rugby Championship with a shoulder injury.

Round 1 of the Women's World Cup was played on Wednesday at University College Dublin.

NEWS: Gloucester confirmed that South African A back row forward Ruan Ackermann will join the club.

NEWS: Experienced lock Eben Etzebeth will captain the Springboks in the injury absence of Warren Whiteley.

CURRIE CUP MATCH REPORT: The Sharks scored a bonus-point 28-20 win over the previously unbeaten Blue Bulls in Pretoria on Wednesday.

CURRIE CUP MATCH REPORT: The Free State Cheetahs outplayed the Pumas to win 45-34 in an entertaining match in Nelspruit on Wednesday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: South African scrumhalf Francois de Klerk has joined the Sale Sharks at their training base in France.

NEWS: All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams is set to make a return to the rugby field a week earlier than expected.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - PART ONE: Legendary former All Black captain Sean Fitzpatrick, in a one-on-one interview with Jan de Koning, explains what he believes the best remedy for the ailing Super Rugby tournament is.

CURRIE CUP MATCH REPORT: Griquas recorded their first win of the season when they beat Western Province 44-34 in Kimberley on Wednesday.

NEWS: Veteran France international wing Vincent Clerc will play an extra season with Toulon.

NEWS: Highly-rated Japanese international Amanaki Mafi has opted to stay with the Melbourne Rebels for next season.

Tauriq Ebrahim and Jan de Koning dissect the Springbok team for the Rugby Championship and take one last look back at the Super Rugby season. There is also some inside information on Remgro's decision to walk out on Western Province.

WOMENS WORLD CUP: When Aimee Barrett-Theron of South Africa blows her whistle to start a match between England in Spain in Dublin, the eighth Women's World Cup will start.

NEWS: With the start of the Pro14 season just around the corner, the first fixture list for the newly expanded Championship has been announced.

INJURY UPDATE: Scrumhalf Ross Cronje sat out the Springboks' training session on Tuesday because of a shoulder injury he sustained in Saturday's Super Rugby Final between the Lions and the Crusaders.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Western Province will be looking to lift their game to new heights when they face Griquas in Kimberley on Wednesday.

NEWS: Newcastle Falcons' England lock Mouritz Botha has been forced to call time on his rugby career at the age of 35.

NEWS: The Springboks will wear a alternate jersey in the red of the South African flag in their match against the Pumas in Salta on August 26, SA Rugby announced on Tuesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas coach Peter Engledow has made sevem chages to the starting XV for their macth against the Western Province in Kimberley.

TRANSFER NEWS: Scotland flyhalf Ruaridh Jackson will leave the PRemiership club Harlequins with immediate effect to return to Scotland's Pro14 side Glasgow Warriors.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Round Four of the 2017 Currie Cup sees three intriguing matches being played on Wednesday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Luke Cowan-Dickie believes Exeter Chiefs will ‘thrive’ on the challenge of trying to defend their Premiership crown this season.

CURRIE CUP ROUND THREE: The focus may not have been on the domestic competition, but there was plenty of action for rugby365's famous weekly selection.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez hasn't tinkered much with the team that defeated Griquas for their next match against the Blue Bulls on Wednesday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Six new players and one returning player have been named in the Canterbury squad for the 2017 season.

NPC SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand's National Provincial Cup gets underway with replays of the 2016 play-offs.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Pumas will field a brand-new pack and halfback combinations with their short turn-around time for Wednesday's Currie Cup fixture against the Cheetahs at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

NEWS: Brumbies and Robbie Abel have struck a new two-year deal that will keep the hooker in the nation's capital until the end of 2019.

NEWS: Toulouse wing Arthur Bonneval faces nine months on the sidelines after rupturing his cruciate knee ligament, a club source said on Monday.

SCHOOLS SEVENS: In Kearsney’s opening group match of the Clifton 7s tournament they drew 14-14 with St Charles and in the second match against an Invitation side they comfortably won 43-0. 

The results of all matches between schools are published on a "first come, first served" basis and we can always add to those here.

REACTION: Denny Solomona's exit from the England Training Camp has disappointed his Premiership club the Sale Sharks.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The 2017 edition of Super Rugby is done and dusted with the Crusaders being crowned champions after their 25-17 win over the Lions in the Final.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Fullback Manie Libbok will make his Currie Cup debut for the Blue Bulls when they take on the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks are full of confidence heading into the Rugby Championship after their Test-series victory over France during the June international window. Josh Isaacson reports.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hooker Siyabonga Ntubeni will earn his 50th cap for Western Province, if he comes off the replacement bench against Griquas in Kimberley on Wednesday.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Lions loose forward and Springbok Sevens star Albertus Smith has been slapped with a four-week ban.

It is strange - no Super Rugby, suddenly ended with that wonderful final at Ellis Park.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Niell Jordaan will be leading the Free State Cheetahs when they take on the Pumas in a Currie Cup Round Four match in Nelspruit on Wednesday.

NEWS: Manu Tuilagi's return to the England set-up was cut short on Monday due to disciplinary reasons.

SCHOOLS REPORT: The St Andrew's College first XV finished off their dominance against Eastern Cape opposition with a solid 40-17 victory over Dale College in Grahamstown on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Gloucester have signed lock Ed Slater from Leicester Tigers as Johny May opted to head to Welford road

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT:  Saracens have named their 44-man squad  that will travel to Bermuda for the for the club’s Atlantic Rugby Cup pre-season tour.

REACTION: Coach Steve Hansen insisted Julian 'The Bus' Savea has a future with the All Blacks despite dumping the blockbusting wing from his Rugby Championship squad on Monday.

CLASSIC CLASH REPORT: Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale of Riverdale travelled to Cradock and secured a 47-31 victory over Hoër Landbouskool Marlow in their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

NEWS: Lions hooker Armand 'Akker' van der Merwe has signed a two-year deal with the Sharks.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Blockbusting wing Julian Savea has been dropped from the All Blacks with a fit-again Nehe Milner-Skudder back in the frame in a 33-man squad named Monday for the Rugby Championship.

SCHOOLS REPORT: On Saturday afternoon South African rugby eyes were on Ellis Park, but not all...

SCHOOLS REPORT: The South African College High School (SACS) travelled up the N2 to play Strand High for the first time since 2013. 

NEWS: Samoa head coach Namulauulu Alama Ieremia has handed in his resignations after a dismal performance at the Pacific Nations Cup. 

NEWS: The Melbourne Rebels are adamant their future in the Super Rugby competition is secured after owner Andrew Cox transferred shares to the Victorian Rugby Union. 

REACTION: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has hinted that there could be rotation at pivot ahead of their match against the Blue Bulls on Wednesday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Lions captain and flank Jaco Kriel believes that former Lions coach Johan Ackermann is amongst the greatest coaches in the world.

The result that evoked the most interest was the result of the Interschools in Paarl. For the third year in a row, Boys' High triumphed, but again it was close.

REACTION: Western Province head coach John Dobson wants his players to start settling and find their rhythm after their 34-19 win over the Pumas.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Crusaders were feted Sunday as "one of the most successful sporting franchises" as New Zealanders put aside provincial loyalties to praise the eight-time Super Rugby champions.

NEWS: After a heartbreaking Super Rugby defeat, Lions flank Albertus Smith still has a date with SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee on Monday.

REACTION: History-making Crusaders coach Scott Robertson praised his team's defence for winning them the Super Rugby Final against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

REACTION: Lions coach Johan Ackermann criticised the red card his loose forward Albertus Smith was given in the first half of a Super Rugby Final defeat to the  Crusaders in Johannesburg Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Blue Bulls ran in eight tries to beat the Golden Lions 54-22 in their Currie Cup Round Three clash at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Springboks captain Warren Whiteley was not included in head coach Allister Coetzee's squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship.

OPINION: The Lions were unable to give coach Johan Ackermann the perfect send-off as they fell short in the 2017 Super Rugby Final, going down 17-25 to the Crusaders at Ellis Park on Saturday.

OPINION: The Crusaders' defence and breakdown management was something to behold in their 25-17 victory over the Lions in the 2017 Super Rugby Final on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY MATCH REPORT: The Crusaders won their eighth title when they beat a 14-man Lions team 25-17 at Ellis Park on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP MATCH REPORT: Western Province overcame a shocking first-half performance to beat the Pumas 34-19 at Newlands on Saturday.

SCHOOL STREAMING: Grahamstown will be buzzing as St Andrew's College hosts Dale College, brought to you LIVE by rugby365's partnership with School Sport Live.

REACTION: Western Province Rugby Union President Thelo Wakefield said there is "no need to panic", despite having lost another benefactor.

NEWS: The cash-strapped Western Province Rugby Union has lost another benefactor, which will have far-reaching financial implications.

SUPER RUGBY FINAL: No team from New Zealand has ever won a Final in South Africa. The Crusaders are determined to buck the trend.

SUPER RUGBY FINAL: A four-year journey will reach its climax in front of a record crowd on 62,500 at Ellis Park on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Sharks made sure they secure a second consecutive victory with a comfortable 41-3 bonus point win over Griquas in Durban.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: For the second week in a row Pretoria Boys' High will hit the road. This time, they make their journey to KwaZulu-Natal to take on Maritzburg College.

REACTION: England head coach Eddie Jones suggested that New Zealand's lack of depth makes them "more vulnerable".

SUPER RUGBY FINAL: The Lions have a mountain to climb, but they will smash at least one Super Rugby record on Saturday.

NEWS: Ownership of the Melbourne Rebels has changed hands with the Australian Rugby Union being kept in the dark during the process.

Super 12 worked, Super 14 was uncomfortable but on it went to Super 15 and then Super 18.

CLASSIC CLASH PREVIEW: Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale of Riverdale travel to Cradock to take on Hoër Landbouskool Marlow in their annual Classic Clash.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: The Blue Bulls are hoping that some 'reinforcements' - returning from injury - will help bolster the team in the next week.

NEWS: The SA Schools team's preparations for the Under-19 International Series is set to get underway on Sunday with the 28-member squad assembling at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport before the opening game on August 11.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Openside flank Stephan de Wit is ready to make his mark for Western Province in this year's Currie Cup campaign.

NEWS: Two talented young rugby players with immensely promising futures have signed with the Chiefs. 

INTERSCHOOLS PREVIEW: This is the big day in quiet Paarl's year - Interschools, the Interschools of all interschools - Boys' High against Gim, Galpil against Bloedwors.

Two of Governor George Grey's schools meet in Bloemfontein on Saturday - hosts Grey College and visitors Grey High.

REACTION: The All Blacks on Friday said it was "common sense" to let Sonny Bill Williams play the Rugby Championship opener against Australia after World Rugby expressed surprise that his ban over a red card had been lifted on appeal.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Golden Lions have made six changes to their team to face the Blue Bulls in a Currie Cup Round Three clash in Pretoria on Saturday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Experienced backs Will Genia and Bernard Foley were Friday appointed as vice-captains to support new Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper in the opening two Rugby Championship matches against the All Blacks.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Four of the six teams taking to the field in the Currie Cup Premier Division will kick off a challenging stretch in the competition in which they will play three matches within eight days.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: It is not about the destination, but rather the journey. And for the Lions the last four years have been an extraordinary passage.

SUPER RUGBY FINAL: There are shades of the 1995 World Cup Final - the fancied and in-form New Zealand outfit against a resilient South African team.

For the second week in row Bishops leave their suburban home and head out into the country. Last week it was Stellenbosch; this week it's Agter-Paarl.

NEWS: Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny has committed his future to his country by signing a three-year national dual contract with the Welsh Rugby Union and Scarlets.

NEWS: Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi was recalled to the England fold, after being named in a 37-man squad for a three-day training camp.

NEWS: Talented young New Zealand, Crusaders and Canterbury hooker Codie Taylor has become the first All Black to sign a long-term contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union.

NEWS: Centre Sonny Bill Williams has been cleared to play for New Zealand against Australian in the opening match of the Rugby Championship.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks have set themselves a goal of going undefeated during their next three games, which all takes place within a space of eight days.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders coach Scott Robertson named an unchanged team to take on the Lions in the Super Rugby Final in Johannesburg at weekend.

NEWS: South African Rugby UNION have promised the South African government that their R2.7 billion investment in the World Cup 2023 bid would reap rewards.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Flyhalf Damian Willemse will make his Western Province debut in the Currie Cup encounter against the Pumas at Newlands on Saturday.

NEWS: Australian Andrew Deegan has joined Pro14 side Connacht from the Super Rugby franchise the Waratahs.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Johan Ackermann has named an unchanged matchday 23 for his side's Super Rugby Final against the Crusaders at Ellis Park on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: In the third instalment of his feature on past finals, rugby365's acclaimed writer Paul Dobson looks at the 14-team era.

SUPER RUGBY FINAL: The New Zealand media may be having a painful nappy rash over his appointment, but the Crusaders are happy to have Jaco Peyper as a referee.

NEWS: Midfielder Ngani Laumape has scooped the top award at an emotional Hurricanes 2017 Awards ceremony that saw the side farewell some of its favourite sons.

NEWS: Gloucester will be aiming to take more pride in their work than ever before when the Johan Ackermann era gets underway in earnest.

SUPER RUGBY FINAL: The Crusaders have the players and a plan to beat the much-vaunted high altitude of Ellis Park.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Blue Bulls head coach Nollis Marais has made five changes to his side for the home Currie Cup clash against the Golden Lions in Pretoria on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Flank Brian Shabangu will lead a Pumas side featuring some new combinations for their Currie Cup fixture against Western Province at Newlands on Saturday

NEWS: The Chiefs have secured the services of three quailty scrumhalves for the 2018 Super Rugby season.

NEWS: Former All Blacks captain John Graham, perhaps best known for his strong opposition to apartheid, has died at the age of 82, officials said Thursday.

There have been 13 referees appointed to referee Super Rugby Finals. This year the referee appointed is Jaco Peyper. 

NEWS: The South African Rugby Union has applied for leave to appeal against the Labour Court's order for them to reinstate former referees manager André Watson.

It is Super Rugby Final time, but Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim first get stuck into the whinging Kiwis and their inability to accept defeat graciously. They also look at the new Pro14, which includes the Cheetahs and South Kings, closing off the chat with some Currie Cup banter.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: In Part Two of his review of past finals, rugby365's esteemed writer Paul Dobson looks at a time when money ruled the roost.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas coach Peter Engledow has changed up his team for the first of three Currie Cup matches in the next eight days.

LAW NEWS: World Rugby is in the process of introducing changes to the laws as a trail. It made five amendments and now another six, all after trials and as a part of ongoing testing. 

NEWS: Marnitz Boshoff has been released on compassionate grounds by Pro14 side Connacht after the sudden and tragic passing of his father earlier this year.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The All Blacks may be without their Crusaders starts at a two-day training camp in Christchurch, but they are happy with the new faces in the squad.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks coach Robert du Preez said they will 'rotate' players as they cram three Currie Cup matches into the next eight days.

SA Rugby’s various Youth Training Centres (YTCs) for Under-18 and Under-16 girls will be in action at tournaments this weekend.

It's the Final of Super Rugby 2017. That is one of the greatest matches in the rugby world each year and Jaco Peyper has appointed to referee it.

NEWS: Michael Hooper has been named as the new Wallaby captain, replacing the soon-to-retire Stephen Moore.

Here is a description of how the new Pro14 competition will work.

First in this weekend was Oakdale after its runaway victories over Langenhoven Gimnasium in Oudtshoorn.

UPDATE: All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams will have to wait a little bit longer to find out if he can play in his side's Bledisloe Cup clash against Australia on August 19.  

Hudson Park’s rise as the leading rugby coeducational of the Border region gained further momentum on Saturday with a thrilling 28-27 over East London rivals Selborne College. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles, who recently returned to the playing field after being sidelined with concussion since March, is eyeing a return to the All Blacks starting team. 

REACTION: Cheetahs Chief Executive Officer Harold Verster believes that his team and the Southern Kings will be viewed as "trail blazers" as they make their preparations to compete in the Pro14.

NEWS: Celtic Rugby and the South African Rugby Union have confirmed that the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings will join an expanded Pro14 tournament in time for the upcoming 2017/18 season.

NEWS: Michael Bradley has been named the head coach of the new restructured Zebre Rugby Club based in Parma.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Crusaders’ journey to South Africa could put the New Zealanders on the backfoot when their take to the field come Saturday. 

NEWS: Brumbies duo Tomas Cubelli and Chris Alcock have announced that they will depart the franchise having completed the 2017 Super Rugby season.

NEWS: South Africa's Jaco Peyper was Tuesday named as referee for the Super Rugby Final as officials shrugged off calls for a neutral whistle-blower after a yellow-card controversy in the semis.

NEWS: Former All Blacks centre Aaron Mauger was appointed head coach of the Highlanders Tuesday under a three-year deal with the New Zealand Super Rugby franchise.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: As we move towards the excitement of the Super Rugby Final of 2017, we thought it would be of interest to some to see what happened in finals past.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Despite their loss to the Crusaders, the Chiefs still lead the way in terms of selection in our Super Rugby Team of the Week for the semifinals.

NEWS: The Super Rugby Final between the Lions and the Crusaders is sold out.

CURRIE CUP ROUND TWO: Players from the Golden Lions and the Free State Cheetahs dominate our Currie Cup Team of the Week for Round Two.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Griquas, having already played 13 games in a row,  will have their squad depth put to the ultimate test with their next three Currie Cup matches being played over only eight days.

REACTION: Lions head coach Johan Ackermann knows that his side will have to continue showing their fighting spirit when they face the Crusaders in the Super Rugby Final at Ellis Park on Saturday.

REACTION: Western Province head coach John Dobson said the Free State Cheetahs were a far more cohesive unit during their Currie Cup match on Sunday.

SCHOOLS REPORT: Juan Mostert converted a Remy Engelbrecht try to seal a nail-biting 32-30 victory for Paul Roos over Bishops in Stellenbosch.

SCHOOLS REPORT: Graeme College managed to secure a 24-15 win over Pearseon High School on Saturday in Portl Elizabeth.

REACTION: Springboks and Sharks flyhalf Patrick Lambie said he needs to make a full recovery from concussion symptoms before he makes a decision on his playing future.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Lesotho will play host to their very first international Sevens tournament happening on September 23 and 24.

POLL: The 2017 Super Rugby Final is happening this weekend and we would like to know who you think will lift the trophy.

REACTION: After a poor turnout for their home Super Rugby quarterfinal and semifinal matches, Crusaders boss Hamish Riach believes it is time that Christchurch gets a new stadium.

NEWS: Australian mining billionaire Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest promised Monday to dig into his own pockets to save Super Rugby franchise Western Force as arbitration to decide its fate got underway.

CURRIE CUP REACTION: Those following the Seven World Series would know all about @speckmagic11.

rugby365 law guru Paul Dobson looks at one of the most contentious incidents of the weekend, when the Hurricanes' All Black flyhalf Beauden Barrett was yellow-carded for the fourth time this season.

NEWS: Seasoned Springbok utility back Patrick Lambie could head to France next year.

CURRIE CUP REACTION: Errors and soft moments cost the Pumas dearly in their 0-29 loss to the Sharks in Durban at the weekend.

CURRIE CUP REACTION: The Sharks may have opened their account at the weekend, but the hill they are climbing is just getting steeper.

CURRIE CUP REACTION: Griquas coach Peter Engledow believes that his team needs to adapt to the intensity and speed of the Currie Cup.

SUPER RUGBY SEMIFINAL REACTION: The contest between the forward packs will be decisive when the Lions host the Crusaders in the Final at Ellis Park this coming Saturday.

CURRIE CUP MATCH REPORT: Rosko Specman displayed his full array of magical Sevens skills as the Free State Cheetahs beat Western Province 30-17 in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

The biggest surprise of the week, possibly of the year, is Hudson Park's win over Selborne and it was at Selborne, nogal.

SUPER RUGBY SEMIFINAL REACTION: Crusaders coach Robertson is optimistic that All Black captain Kieran Read will be available for the Final.

SUPER RUGBY SEMIFINAL REACTION: Johan Ackermann, who lost in a Final as a player, is one step closer to finally hold up the trophy as a winner.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Sharks stumbled their way to a 29-0 victory over the Pumas in Durban, in a match that was as entertaining as watching paint dry.

MATCH REPORT: The Lions fought back from 3-22 down to beat the Hurricanes 44-29 in their Super Rugby semifinal at Ellis Park on Saturday.

SCHOOL STREAMING: Schools are back in action with a massive encounter between Paarl Boys' High and SACS, brought to you LIVE by rugby365's partnership with School Sport Live.

MATCH REPORT: The Golden Lions recorded their first win in Currie Cup 2017 with a 48-43 victory over Griquas at Ellis Park on Saturday.

NEWS: Versatile New Zealand international back Rene Ranger is to return to France with La Rochelle following two years back in his homeland, the Top 14 club said on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: They may have not dominated proceedings but a clinical defensive performance by the Crusaders ensured them a 27-13 win over the Chiefs and a place in the final.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Lions have taken all the pressure off themselves ahead of their Super Rugby semifinal against the Hurricanes at Ellis Park on Saturday by labelling themselves as the underdogs for this clash.

SUPER RUGBY SEMIFINALS: Hurricanes captain and hooker Dane Coles is demanding a 'fast start' from his team when they face the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The 'body count' is mounting as the ugly public spat between officials and the players' association escalates, but the Australian Rugby Union is standing firm.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: It is certainly one of the oldest matches in South Africa - Paul Roos vs Bishops. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Lions have scored 84 tries in 16 matches throughout their 2017 Super Rugby campaign, while the Hurricanes have managed 93 tries in the same amount of matches.

TRANSFER NEWS: Highlanders prop Siua Halanukonuka has signed a two-year contract with Pro 12 side Glasgow Warriors, subject to visa and medical.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: Waterkloof Hoërskool from Pretoria head to the Golden city to take Jeppe High school for Boys from Johannesburg.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lock Chris van Zyl will captain Western Province as they begin their Currie Cup campaign against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

REACTION: New Zealand star Sonny Bill Williams has appealed World Rugby's decision to include this year's first Bledisloe Cup match as part of his four-match ban.

NEWS: Hawke’s Bay loose forward Gareth Evans has signed with the Super Rugby franchise the Hurricanes for the next two years.

NEWS: Maori All Blacks Head Coach Colin Cooper has announced he will step down from the special team as he focusses on his new role in charge of the Chiefs Super Rugby campaign next year.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Currie Cup Premier Division will step into a new gear this weekend, with Western Province kicking off their campaign, while three teams will look to bounce back from first round defeats.

NEWS: Powerful back Seta Tamanivalu will spend a second season in red and black next year, having re-signed to the Crusaders for 2018. 

NEWS: The World Rugby judiciary on Friday dashed New Zealand's hopes of fielding suspended star Sonny Bill Williams in the All Blacks' opening Rugby Championship match against Australia next month.

SUPER RUGBY SEMIFINAL: Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd pinpointed discipline as one of the key factors in his team's encounter with the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY SEMIFINAL: Just send the points now. Don't bother to pitch up, because you are just not good enough.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: Unbeaten now for two seasons in South Africa, Paarl Boys’ High would normally be using a home fixture against the South African College High School (SACS) as an opportunity to fine-tune their formidable structures before Inter-Schools next weekend against Paarl Gimnasium. 

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: The Gauls are at the gate! Or so it may seem to Pretoria Boys High as they prepare to receive King Edward VII School from Johannesburg.

SUPER RUGBY SEMIFINAL: The question was finally answered in Wellington on July 15, when the Hurricanes beat the Crusaders to end a 14-match winning streak.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has announced the names of 43 players, who have been included in the 2017 Sharks Currie Cup squad. 

The SA Rugby Union has announced the 2017 South African Schools team and their management to take part in an international tournament next month,

NEWS: Harlequins confirmed flyhalf James Lang has extended his contract with the Premiership side.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Golden Lions have been forced into making changes for their first home Currie Cup match of the season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Former Southern Kings stars Makazole Mapimpi and Malcolm Jaer have been included in the Free State Cheetahs matchday 23 for their Currie Cup clash against Western Province in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

INJURY UPDATE: Springbok captain Warren Whiteley and flyhalf Handré Pollard are both in a race against time to be fit for the opening round of the Rugby Championship.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hurricanes captain Dane Coles will become the latest Super Rugby centurion when his side face the Lions in the Super Rugby semifinal on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jaco Kriel will lead an unchanged team into battle against the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby semifinal at Ellis Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks team to take on the Pumas in Round Two of this year's Currie Cup shows a strong leaning towards continuity from last week's Super Rugby quarterfinal clash with the Lions.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: Wynberg Boys' High head to the country side to take on Paarl Gymnasium at the J.A Kriel on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas coach Peter Engledow has rung the changes for his team's Currie Cup Round Two match.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Brent Janse van Rensburg has been forced into several changes, as his team looks to build on last week's successful start to the Currie Cup season.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: Maritzburg College from KwaZulu-Natal will head to Pretoria to take on Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies) on July 29.

NEWS: Wallabies prop Toby Smith has signed a two-year deal with the Hurricanes.

NEWS: Wallabies captain Stephen Moore announced his retirement Thursday from international rugby at the end of this year, but he will play one more season for the Reds.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie has named his strongest possible team to do battle with the Crusaders in their Super Rugby semifinal on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The same Crusaders side that beat the Highlanders in the Super Rugby quarterfinal last weekend will attempt to do the same with the Chiefs in Saturday semifinal clash.

Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim analyse the Super Rugby semifinals and the Currie Cup, while Eugene Eloff tells us about an interesting Cup of coffee he had.

SUPER RUGBY SEMIFINAL: The cynics and naysayers were quick to label Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies a 'choker' who can't perform on the big stage.

CURRIE CUP ROUND TWO: The Sharks will look to put their campaign on track, as they welcome the arrival of a host of Super Rugby stars.

PREMIERSHIP NEWS: Don Armand will be reunited with his 2012 Western Province teammate Wilhelm van der Sluys after the latter signed a one-year deal with the Exeter Chiefs ahead of the 2017/18 season.

NEWS: For seven Brumbies players there will be no respite, as they head straight into the Wallaby training camp.

SUPER RUGBY AWARDS: Outstanding loose forward Steven Luatua has been voted the Blues' Most Valuable Player, as well as the Players' Player of the Year at the Blues Awards for 2017.

NEWS: New Zealand vice-captain Ben Smith will be taking a four-month break from the sport after the second Bledisloe Cup Test in Dunedin.

SUPER RUGBY SEMIFINAL: The Crusaders may have beaten up the Highlanders forwards last week, but they face a far more formidable foe this week.

SUPER RUGBY SEMIFINAL: The Lions will head into their showdown with the Hurricanes without the services of captain Warren Whiteley.

NEWS: Ireland and Ulster stars Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding have been charged by Northern Ireland police for alleged rape.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Western Province head coach John Dobson says there is a positive buzz in his squad ahead of their Currie Cup opener against the Free State Cheetahs on Sunday.

NEWS: In a momentous move for the Pumas, World-Cup winning Springbok prop and highly regarded coach CJ van der Linde has signed as forwards coach for the 2017 Currie Cup season.  

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former Ireland and Munster scrumhalf Tomas O'Leary announced his retirement on Tuesday.

NEWS:  Australia coach Michael Cheika is no rush to call up Quade Cooper, despite Karmichael Hunt's withdrawal due to injury.

The big interest this weekend is in what happens in Christchurch and Johannesburg.

TRANSFER NEWS: London Irish have bolstered their front row with the signing of hooker Darren Dawidiuk as preparations continue ahead of the 2017/18 Premiership season.

Franco Smith, Director of Rugby at the Free State Cheetahs, and Rory Duncan, Cheetahs coach, speak about the role the academy will play as the Bloemfontein-based franchise gear up to join the Pro12 competition in Europe.

TRANSFER SPOTLIGHT: Australia flank Sean McMahon's two-year move to Japan has closed the door on his 2019 World Cup participation.

NEWS: Hooker Dane Coles and centre Vince Aso are set to be included in the Hurricanes' starting XV for their Super Rugby semifinal against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

UPDATE: Fiji rugby stars Josaia Raisuqe and Vuidravuwalu Waisea are to be tried for a combination of drunken violence and sexual assault after an incident at a Paris nightspot, judicial sources told AFP.

REACTION: Pumas head coach Brent Janse van Rensburg was a proud man after his side's 43-36 win over the Golden Lions, but he also admitted that his will have to improve if they are going to become serious contenders.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: While the Wallabies are hard at work preparing for this year's Rugby Championship, a familiar old foe joined them in camp this week.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Chiefs will have to break a two-decade long drought if they are to beat the Crusaders and advance to the Final.

INJURY UPDATE: The Blue Bulls are set to be strengthened ahead of their next Currie Cup match against the Golden Lions on August 5.

Bomza Nkohla, captain of the African Springboks in 1969, died on 23 July 2017 after a long battle with cancer. He was 71.

WIN WITH RUGBY365: You can win FREE tickets to watch the Lions take on the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby semifinal - courtesy of John Nicholas | Analytics.

CURRIE CUP ROUND ONE: The first round of the competition went by almost unnoticed. Yet, in between all the Super Rugby drama, we found enough time to select the best players.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Players from the Hurricanes dominate our Super Rugby Team of the Week for the quarterfinals.

TRANSFER NEWS: Scrumhalf Tomás Cubelli has signed a contract with the Argentina Rugby Union and the Jaguares until the end of 2019.

NEWS: The Pro12's plans to include the Cheetahs and Southern Kings have hit another speed bump.

Beauden Barrett and Jordie Barrett reflect on growing up in a competitive sporting family, how it feels to be playing side-by-side, and the prospect of more Barretts joining the Hurricanes.

SUPER RUGBY SEMIFINAL SPOTLIGHT: Are the Lions about to pay the price for their lack of New Zealand opposition?

NEWS: African Springbok captain Welile Nkohla passed away in Livingstone Hospital in Port Elizabeth on Sunday morning after a long battle with cancer.

NEWS: The Crusaders have secured the services of three of their front rowers for at least the next couple of years.

NEWS: Fiji stars Josaia Raisuqe and Vuidravuwalu Waisea were arrested in the early hours of Sunday, after allegedly getting into a drunken scuffle outside a Paris nightclub.

INJURY UPDATE: Reds inside centre Karmichael Hunt and wing Eto Nabuli have been ruled out of Australia's Bledisloe Cup opener with New Zealand next month, team officials said Monday

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: The result may not have gone their way, but the Stormers believe they may well have been the better team on the field.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: Two tries in the final 15 minutes saw the Pumas fight back from a five-point deficit to edge the Golden Lions 43-36 in a high-scoring encounter at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday.

CURRIE CUP REACTION: Free State Cheetahs coach Rory Duncan admitted his side have plenty of work-ons despite their 47-12 win over the Sharks.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: The Chiefs' 17-11 win over the Stormers - the second successive year that they beat them in the quarterfinals - was not about skill.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Lions captain Jaco Kriel admitted that he had his doubts about Ruan Combrinck having a shot at goal which proved to be the winning kick in his side's 23-21 victory over the Sharks in their Super Rugby quarter-final encounter.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez was visibly upset following his side's 21-23 defeat to the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP REACTION: The Sharks caretaker coach Paul Anthony has made no excuses for his side's dismal Currie Cup performance in Bloemfontein at the weekend.

RESULTS: Both Under-18 Weeks, Craven Week and Academy Week, were charcterised by high scores and lots of tries.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Blue Bulls were foced to work hard for their 51-45 win over the Griquas in Kimberley.

CRAVEN WEEK REPORT: Like their Super Rugby team at Ellis Park, the Golden Lions Craven Week team came from behind to beat the Sharks/Kwa-Zulu Natal at St Stithians College in Randburg.

MATCH REPORT: The Chiefs edged the Stormers 17-11 in a tense Super Rugby quarterfinal at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Cheetahs Director of Rugby and Springboks assistant coach Franco Smith believes playing in the Northern Hemisphere can strengthen South African rugby.

CRAVEN WEEK, DAY FIVE WRAP: The Free State pulled off the shock of the 2017 Craven Week when they defeated Western Province 54-33 on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: A late long-distance penalty from wing Ruan Combrinck helped the Lions edge the Sharks 23-21 in their Super Rugby quarterfinal in Johannesburg on Saturday.

REACTION: Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said his team will have to be "much better" in the semifinal, despite a cpomprehensive 35-16 win over the Vrumbies in their quarderfinal at the weekend.

SUPER RUGBY MATCH REPORT: The Crusaders marched into the semifinals with an emphatic 17-0 win over the Highlanders in a very wet Christchurch on Saturday.

Four unbeaten teams and two winless team meet in SARU's Under-19 competition.

CRAVEN WEEK SPOTLIGHT: Stephan Geldenhuys has the honour of referee the main match on the last day of the 2017 Craven Week.

CRAVEN WEEK SPOTLIGHT: The last match at Craven Week has enormous prestige for the teams at Craven Week.

INTERVIEW: With six weeks to go until London Irish lock horns with Harlequins in the iconic London Double Header at Twickenham, Topsy Ojo has rekindled his memories of the season opener.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Free State Cheetahs got the defence of their title off to the perfect start, a 47-12 bonus-point win over the Sharks in Bloemfontein on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby has announced more law amendments - with the Northern Hemisphere to trial them first.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks will be out to make life tough for the Lions in their Super Rugby quarterfinal at Ellis Park on Saturday.

QUARTERFINAL SPOTLIGHT: The players are determined to 'extend' coach Johan Ackermann's stay at Ellis Park.

NEWS: The Lions have placed a group of key players on standby, ruling them out of Currie Cup contention for the next few weeks.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Toby Flood is hoping to help give Newcastle Falcons the ruthless streak required to push them further up the Premiership table this season.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Daniel Hourcade confirmed his squad for the upcoming 2017 Rugby Championship.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie has named a powerful line-up to challenge for a place in the 2017 Super Rugby semifinals when they take on the Stormers in Cape Town.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Hurricanes overcame a spirited Brumbies team in Canberra on Friday, winning 35-16 to advance to the semifinals.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sixteen weeks of stirring provincial rugby action will be kick-started on Friday when the Currie Cup kicks off in Bloemfontein where the Free State Cheetahs will start the defence of their crown against the Sharks.

NEWS: All Blacks centre Malakai Fekitoa confirmed Friday he has signed with French Top 14 club Toulon, bringing an end to his international career after 24 Tests.

SUPER RUGBY QUARTERFINAL: The Stormers have been determined to change to a more expansive game. but they may have to rely on their more traditional strengths.

SUPER RUGBY QUARTERFINAL: The Sharks must be the most successful team never to have won the trophy.

CRAVEN WEEK SPOTLIGHT: Saturday is the final day of the 2017 Craven Week and the 2017 Academy Week. In all 36 matches will be played - 72 teams, 1656 players.

SUPER RUGBY QUARTERFINAL: Just another South Island derby? Certainly not! This will be exciting, fast-paced and brutal.

CRAVEN WEEK REPORT. In the last match on the fourth day of the 2017 Craven Week, KwaZulu-Natal beat South Western Districts 65-26 in a stunning performance.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Brent Janse van Rensburg has named his team for their Currie Cup opener against the Golden Lions in Nelspruit on Sunday.

CRAVEN WEEK REPORT: The Leopards' flyhalf Hanru van Rooyen had a field day during his side's 57-30 victory over Namibia on Day Four of the 2017 Craven Week.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Fullback Sarel Marais and flank Rynhardt Elstadt return for the Stormers Super Rugby quarterfinal against the Chiefs at Newlands on Saturday.

CRAVEN WEEK NEWS: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee, Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell and Junior Springbok coach Chean Roux took time out of their busy schedules to visit the Under-18 Youth Weeks.

CRAVEN WEEK REPORT: Eastern Province scored six tries to nil to ease past the Blue Bulls,  37-0 on Day Four.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ryan Kankowski will lead the Golden Lions when they take on the Pumas in Nelspruit in the Currie Cup on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Johan Ackermann has decided to go with continuity for his side's Super Rugby quarterfinal against the Sharks at Ellis Park on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY QUARTERFINAL SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers already have two New Zealanders on their books - centre Shaun Treeby and skills coach Paul Feeney.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has made just one change to his starting XV for their Super Rugby quarterfinal clash against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Johannes 'Boom' Prinsloo will not only make his Currie Cup debut for the Blue Bulls on Saturday, but will also wear the captain's armband when the team takes on Griquas in Kimberley.

CRAVEN WEEK REPORT: Charles Williams was in superb scoring form as he took Griquas to a 60-52 victory over the Falcons on Day Four of the Craven Week.

We look back to 2016, when the Lions - this year's No.1-ranked team - hosted the Crusaders in a quarterfinal at Ellis Park.

NEWS: Worcester Warriors have signed Ireland international Peter Stringer on a six-month deal ahead of the 2017/18 season.  

CRAVEN WEEK REPORT: The Eastern Province Country Districts made sure they recorded their first victory after a 34-14 win over Zimbabwe on Day Four in windy conditions.

NEWS: Saracens centre Tim Streather has been forced to retire from the game due to a knee injury.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Golden Lions prop Nkosikhona Masuku proved that you don't need to score tries or give flashy offloads in order to be the Coca-Cola Hero of the Day for Day Three.

SUPER RUGBY QUARTERFINAL SPOTLIGHT: Apart from bragging rights, finishing first on the standings have little value to teams.

NEWS: Sonny Bill Williams will have served his red-card ban by next month and be eligible for New Zealand's Rugby Championship opener against Australia, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Highlanders head coach Tony Brown had a near full roster to choose from when he selected his team for their Super Rugby quarterfinal against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has made five changes and three positional changes to the starting XV for their Super Rugby quarterfinal against the Highlanders in Christchurch.

SUPER RUGBY QUARTERFINAL: There is no place to hide - no conference comforts that allows mediocre teams to sneak into the play-offs.

FIXTURES: There were huge scores and close encounters on Day 3 of the 2017 Craven Week and Academy Week being played at St Stithians in Randburg.

NEWS: Northampton Saints revealed that Dylan Hartley has both signed a new contract and been appointed as the club's captain for the second time.

CRAVEN WEEK REPORT: In the main match of Day 3 at the 2017 Craven Week the Golden Lions and Western Province drew 13-all.

Jan de Koning and Eugene Eloff talk Super Rugby play-offs and Currie Cup, while Tauriq Ebrahim gives us his view on the Cravenweek tournament.

INJURY UPDATE: Duane Vermeulen's chances of a return to the Springboks suffered a blow this week.

NEWS: It is a matter of days before it will be confirmed that the Cheetahs and Southern Kings will join an expanded Pro12 tournament.

NEWS: The Lions Rugby Company (Pty) Ltd have contracted four Junior Springboks, as they look to bolster their stock for the furture.

CRAVEN WEEK REPORT: Free State were forced to dig deep to keep a plucky Pumas outfit at bay, eventually claiming a 63-41 victory to remain unbeaten after two matches.

TEAM ANNOUCEMENT: Veteran Springbok Keegan Daniel will captain Sharks when they start their Currie Cup campaign.

NEWS: Dominant back row forward Amanaki Mafi has been named the 2017 Melbourne Rebels Players' Player at the franchise's end of season function.

NEWS: Experienced flyhalves Handré Pollard and Lionel Cronjé are amongst 14 players invited to a Springbok medical and conditioning assessment camp.

CRAVEN WEEK REPORT: Limpopo Blue Bulls were more clinical on the day to claim a 59-41 victory over Border on Day Three of the 2017 Craven Week.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais named an experienced squad of 49 players for their 2017 Currie Cup campaign.

CRAVEN WEEK REPORT: Boland bounced back from their Day One defeat to hold on for a narrow 32-21 victory over a determined Griquas Country Districts outfit.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas made a host of changes to their team for the opening round of the Currie Cup competition.

CRAVEN WEEK REPORT: The Griffons' fullback Qamani Kota was in sublime form as he led his side to an 80-5 thrashing of Border Country Districts in the opening match of Day Three at the 2017 Craven Week.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: A host of new faces were called up by Wallaby coach Michael Cheika for a training squad ahead of their clash with New Zealand.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The return of flyhalf Beauden Barrett and hooker Dane Coles are the features of the Hurricanes squad named to play the Brumbies in Friday's Super Rugby quarterfinal in Canberra.

CRAVEN WEEK SPOTLIGHT: South Western Districts prop walked away with the Coca-Cola Hero of the Day award following his performance in his side's 27-22 victory over Eastern Province on Day Two of the 2017 Craven Week.

In the main match on Wednesday, the Golden Lions play Western Province.

CRAVEN WEEK REPORT: There was an air of unreality about this match as this just does not happen to the Blue Bulls at any level - or so you think. 

QUARTERFINAL SPOTLIGHT: The significant support for the team and the fact that they come to Cape Tow often makes the Chiefs 'feel at home' at Newlands.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Despite many writing them off, the Sharks still believe they can go to Ellis Park and beat the Lions in their Super Rugby quarterfinal on Saturday.

CRAVEN WEEK REPORT: South Western District hard work made sure their register a 27-22 win over Eastern Province on Day two.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Free State Cheetahs have added three BlitzBoks to their matchday 22 for their Currie Cup opener against the Sharks in Bloemfontein on Friday.

CRAVEN WEEK REPORT: Charles Williams contributed 17 of his side's points as Griquas opened their Craven Week account with a hard fought 42-20 victory over Eastern Province Country Districts.

NEWS: Newcastle Falcons' latest England international checked back in at his club on Monday, with Mark Wilson enthusiastic about their prospects for the Premiership season.

CRAVEN WEEK REPORT: The Leopards opened their 017 Craven Week campaign with an impressive 72-17 win over Zimbabwe.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers go into their Super Rugby quarterfinal clash against Chiefs with a poor record when it comes to play-offs. Warren Fortune reports.

The Under-18 Craven an d the Academy Weeks both enjoyed Day 1 at St Stithians College in Randburg.

CRAVEN WEEK REPORT: A Gerswin Mouton hat-trick helped Namibia open their 2017 Craven Week account with a strong 52-36 victory over the Falcons in the opening match of Day Two.

INJURY UPDATE: Hurricanes star Jordie Barrett is set to wear the No.13 jersey again when his side takes on the Brumbies in a Super Rugby quarterfinal in Canberra on Friday.