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EXCLUSIVE: England squad member Jono Ross endured a tough time during his time at the Bulls but that all changed when he made the decision to head north to ply his trade in France.

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

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

EXCLUSIVE: Not too long ago, Anton 'Worms' van Zyl questioned the Jaguares' Super Rugby inclusion as they offer little value to the competition and, as recent results would have it, he accepted the backlash.

EXCLUSIVE: Springbok legend Bryan Habana has put on his selector hat and picked an interesting Springbok backline for the first Test against England in June.

EXCLUSIVE: James Murphy, who came from relative obscurity to be part of the broader BlitzBok squad, speaks about what he feels is a vitally important aspect of the Sevens game.

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

EXCLUSIVE: The sanction handed to the Crusaders' Joe Moody following a cheap shot on Kurtley Beale has not gone down well with those outside of New Zealand.

EXCLUSIVE: Every couch critic has their opinion on who Rassie Erasmus should select as the starting Springbok backline, so we decided to add two more voices to the selection committee.

EXCLUSIVE: After the recent revelation that the prestigious Currie Cup has been reduced to a competition shorter than the Varsity Cup, the question has to be asked about whether there is still a need for it.

EXCLUSIVE: Francois 'Faf' de Klerk is yet another on a long list of South Africans to have resurrected their career after playing in Europe and England squad member Jono Ross believes the scrumhalf deserves a Springbok spot.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EXCLUSIVE: The curtain is about to come down on the professional career of Springbok Schalk Brits as he prepares for his final appearance.

EXCLUSIVE: Eddie Jones' recent England squads announcement features another South African-born player who has thrived in Europe.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks coach Robert du Preez has named what he feels is the team best equipped to take down the high-flying Jaguares.

LISTEN as Stuart Berry talks about becoming the first South African referee to take charge of a Final in the Pro14 competition.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sunwolves have only four survivors from the squad that recorded a historic win over the Stormers last weekend.

NEWS: Stormers wing Seabelo Senatla has been seen training with the BlitzBoks.

WATCH as Wallaby coach Michael Cheika explains how he plans to upstage Six Nations and Grand Slam winners Ireland next month.

TRANSFER NEWS: Wasps confirm that following the expiry of his contract defence coach Phil Blake’s two-year spell at the club has come to an end.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Queensland Reds put up a brave fight and almost came away with a win over the Hurricanes, going down 38-34.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Four Australian internationals have returned to the Rebels squad for their Super Rugby match against the Sunwovles on Friday.

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

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Hurricanes will field a new midfield combination when they travel south to meet the defending Super Rugby champions Crusaders on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders were forced to make three changes to the side that will take on the Hurricanes this Friday in a top-of-the-table blockbuster at AMI Stadium in Christchurch.

RANKINGS: It has been much easier to arrange the Top 20 this week as there were good performances but no major upheavals.

Glenwood travelled up north this weekend with their 1st XV Rugby Team to lock horns with Monnas (Hoërskool Monument), known around Krugersdorp as ‘Die Wit Bulle’. 

May is running to a rapid end, and so are northern competitions, still being distilled into the heady brew of victory..

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Captain and hooker Guilhem Guirado has been rested for France's tour of New Zealand in June with barn-storming centre Mathieu Bastareaud likely to be handed the skipper's armband for three Tests against the All Blacks.

NEWS: Charles Marais (prop) and Justin Basson (lock) have extended their contracts with the Cheetahs for another two years.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."

INJURY UPDATE: Toulouse wing Yoann Huget has joined a growing injury list of players ruled out of France's June tour to New Zealand, the player announced on Twitter Tuesday.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The 41-12 win over the Highlanders is far from enough for the Waratahs' who is targeting another win over a New Zealand side this upcoming weekend.

INJURY UPDATE: All Black Charles Piutau and Ireland's Bundee Aki have been ruled out of the Barbarians' clash against England at Twickenham on Sunday.

INJURY UPDATE: Fears that Wasps flank Jack Willis had seriously injured his knee during Saturday’s Premiership semifinal against Saracens were confirmed on Tuesday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Crusaders hooker Andrew Makalio has re-committed to the franchise for the 2019 Super Rugby season.

OPINION: After their fantastic win over the Bulls, the Jaguares are well represented in our Super Rugby Team of the Week for Round 14.

TRANSFER NEWS: Ulster have identified Springbok and Lions flyhalf Elton Jantjies as the perfect 10 for the Pro14 side. 

NEWS: Stuart Berry, in his first season of PRO14 refereeing, will referee the PRO14 final between Leinster and the Scarlets at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: The reigning Champions Scarlets' mission to retain the Pro14 title has just become more challenging.

SUPER RUGBY OPINION: Have the Sharks found a winning recipe against New Zealand sides?

INJURY UPDATE: The Bulls will be hoping that they will have their captain available for their clash against the Brumbies at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Eddie Jones has called up 35 players to prepare for England’s match against the Barbarians on Sunday at Twickenham Stadium. 

#RACISM: While the spotlight was on Ashwin Willemse's infamous walk-out at the weekend, another incident almost slipped under the radar.

Paul Roos played Paarl Boys' High, who ruled  schools rugby in the Western Cape for three successive year, but in the Markötter Field in Stellenbosch Paul Roos made sure that that glorious Boys' High reign was over.

RACISM UPDATE: The feuding television analysts will be back, together, in the studio this coming Saturday.

Grey College marched from Bloemfontein up to Pretoria and was victorious, beating Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool 39-28.

REACTION: There finally appears to be a voice of reasoning in the infamous Ashwin Willemse studio walk-out saga.

On Saturday, 26 May 2018, Exeter will play Saracens in the final of England's premiership, and the man to referee it experienced Wayne Barnes.

TRANSFER NEWS: Gloucester Rugby confirmed the news that South African lock Gerbrandt Grobler will move to Kingsholm from Munster ahead of the 2018-19 season.

NEWS: Harlequins confirmed that England defence coach Paul Gustard will join the London club as Head of Rugby, following the conclusion of England’s June tour to South Africa.

PREMIERSHIP REACTION: Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter praised a "glued together" performance after his team saw off Newcastle Falcons to reach their third successive Premiership final.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Bulls coach John Mitchell pulled no punches after his team's 24-54 loss to the Jaguares at the weekend.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England U20s head coach Steve Bates has named his 28-man squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn was full of praise for prop Taniela Tupou, known as "the Tongan Thor", after his side's 34-38 loss to Hurricanes.

NEWS: Western Province coach John Dobson has been linked with a move to Pro14 Connacht, according to media reports in Ireland.

A new-look St Andrew’s College 1st XV travelled to East London on Saturday for what was always going to be a competitive fixture against a willing Cambridge team. 

MATCH REPORT: Hosts, the South African College High School (SACS), outscored visitors Stellenberg High four tries to three but ultimately lost the match 22-25.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Robbie Fleck's days as Stormers head coach must certainly be numbered after they hit a new low in Hong Kong.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Waratahs hooker Damien Fitzpatrick is confident his side can again produce the unthinkable when they travel to New Zealand to take on the Chiefs.

REACTION: Jaguares lock Guido Petti says their last four fixtures - two at home and two away against South African opponents - will "resemble finals" as they chase a first-ever play-offs place.  

REACTION: The years seem to have mellowed Tana Umaga whose line "it's not tiddlywinks mate" lives on in rugby folklore.

REACTION: Waratahs wing Cameron Clark says he has no hard feelings after being booted in the face karate-style by Highlanders wing Tevita Nabura.

NEWS: Harlequins are set to make an official announcement about their backroom staff on Monday amid reports Paul Gustard is in line to leave his post as England defence coach to join the London club.

NEWS: Test exile Chris Ashton will play against England when he lines up for the Barbarians in a non-cap international at Twickenham a week on Sunday.

REPORT: Craig Gilroy crossed for a double either side of the interval as Ulster downed Ospreys 35-17 in the European Champions Cup play-off at the Kingspan Stadium.

REACTION: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez believes his team's Super Rugby campaign is "back on track" following their 28-24 victory over the Chiefs in Durban on Saturday.

UPDATE: Brumbies lock Rory Arnold has been suspended for three weeks for foul play during his team's 24-42 loss to the Lions at Ellis Park.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The South African Sports Minister has released a statement after Springbok turned pundit Ashwin Willemse "walked off" live on air after an apparent row erupted relating to the Springbok quota system.

UPDATE: Crusaders prop Owen Franks has been suspended for two weeks for foul play during his team's victory over the Blues in Auckland.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Lions head coach Swys de Bruin once again heaped praise on his forward pack after their 42-24 victory over the Brumbies at Ellis Park on Saturday.

REACTION: All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has cleared up questions regarding the omission of Hurricanes wing Ben Lam from the national squad to take on France next month.

REACTION: Brad Shields' decision to opt for an England jersey cost him a "probable" slot in the All Blacks, coach Steve Hansen said Sunday as two new loose forwards were selected for the New Zealand side.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: There are three new All Blacks in coach Steve Hansen's first squad for 2018.

TOP 14 WRAP: Castres set up a Top 14 semifinal against beaten European Champions Cup finalists Racing 92.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Jaguares continued their impressive run of form, putting more than 50 points past the Bulls on their way to a bonus-point win.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Tevita Nabura of the Highlanders is facing a lengthy ban, following his red card for foul play during his team's 12-41 loss to the Waratahs in a Super Rugby match at the weekend.

Once again, there were some big results in big matches this weekend.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Lions took full advantage of the Brumbies' poor discipline to record a bonus-point win at Ellis Park on Friday.

PRO14 REPORT: Jack Conan’s early try and a last-gasp defensive stand kept Leinster’s hopes of an historic double alive as they edged into the Final with an enthralling one-point (16-15) victory over old rivals Munster.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Joe Simmonds kicked 19 points as reigning champions Exeter Chiefs booked a return to Twickenham with a 36-5 semifinal victory over Newcastle Falcons.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Sharks kept alive their play-off hopes with a hard-earned win over a very young and inexperienced Chiefs team.

NEWS: Another All Black finds himself in hot water for a cheap shot that went unpunished in the game.

REACTION: ‘International Rugby Players’ has called for administrators across the sport to learn valuable lessons from the recent Rugby Europe Championship fallout.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: Saracens will finish their season at Twickenham next week, after easing past Wasps in the semifinal on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY MATCH REPORT: The Waratahs 41-12 win over the Highlanders broke the 40-match winning streak New Zealand sides held over their trans-Tasman rivals Australia.

SUPER RUGBY MATCH REPORT: Despite having a dreadful season, the Blues managed to push the Crusaders all the way before the visitors claimed a 32-24 win at Eden Park on Saturday.

TOP 14 MATCH REPORT: Lyon reached the French Top 14 semi-finals for the first time on Friday despite drawing 19-19 with favourites Toulon, advancing courtesy of scoring two tries to their opponents' one.

SUPER RUGBY MATCH REPORT:  An impressive drop goal by Hayden Parker after the full-time hooter sounded gave Sunwolves a thrilling 26-23 win over the Stormers in Hong Kong.

PRO14 REPORT: Defending champions Scarlets secured another date with destiny in Dublin after a stunning first-half salvo helped them down Glasgow Warriors in the first Pro14 semifinal.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Barbarians have revealed their squad to face England at Twickenham on May 27.

NEWS: Five-time French champions Biarritz's continuing fall from grace saw them relegated Friday to the third division from the ProD2 because of financial problems

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Japan's coach said he had definitively shut the door on Ayumu Goromaru for next year's home World Cup, ending any hopes of a repeat of the 2015 heroics which made him a cult figure.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones has backed Owen Farrell to have a similar impact as England captain to that of Australia great George Gregan.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck admits there are no easy Super Rugby games as they get ready to take on Sunwolves in their historic clash in Hong Kong.

Your rugby365com lesson: How to pretend to tackle a bigger player. The teacher: TJ Perenara.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jaguares head coach Mario Ledesma was forced to tweak his side for the clash against the Bulls on Saturday.

RECRUITMENT NEWS: The future of the game in Pretoria looks great.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Records will tumble at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday when The Brumbies meet the Lions.

PREMIERSHIP SEMIFINAL: Newcastle Falcons are facing a mammoth task as they gear up for their first semifinal appearance against defending champions Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.

LISTEN as Lions coach Swys de Bruin gives the media an update on Springbok captain Warren Whiteley's injury and provides a possible return date.

WATCH as All Black captain Kieran Read gives the first indication as to when he will return to the playing field.

PREMIERSHIP SEMIFINAL: Saracens will feature in their 10th semifinal appearance when they host on Wasps at Allianz Park on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: It was a struggle, but the Hurricanes posted the 40th consecutive win by a New Zealand team over their trans-Tasman rivals Australia.

PRO14 SEMIFINAL: If you wondered if the heat had cooled from this age-old rivalry then the present day's affair should prove the folly in that argument. 

REFEREES DOMINATE THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealanders always put a special effort in to steal the limelight.

PREVIEW: The match in Krugersdorp on Saturday between Monument and Glenwood promises to be a thrilling encounter.

As they have been doing since 1911, Maritzburg College, mostly referred to as College, go down from their Pietermaritzburg home to Durban's Berea to play serious rivals Durban High School, mostly referred to as DHS or simply School.

This could be a great match - brilliant Grey against rapidly improving Affies at Affies, two great rugby schools.

Paarl Gim go east this weekend to play Oakdale in Riversdale in what should be a good contest between top teams.

World Rugby has appointed Freek Burger of South Africa's to be the citing commissioner at all three of France's Tests in New Zealand.

Boland Landbou leave the Farm and march on Bishops for 16 rugby matches on Saturday. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Chiefs have made seven changes to their team for the Super Rugby clash against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

LISTEN as Sharks flyhalf Robert du Preez talks about last week's loss and looks forward to facing the Chiefs.

PRO14 SEMIFINAL: Defending champions Scarlets face a massive challenge in Glasgow when they face the Warriors in the first Pro14 semifinal on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have made a surprise selection in their midfield for Saturday's Super Rugby clash against the Brumbies at Ellis Park.

NEWS: Gloucester could face a tough time staying within the Premiership salary cap next season, per a report on GloucestershireLive.co.uk, following a flurry of transfer activity.

TRANSFER NEWS: Munster and the IRFU confirmed the one-year signing of South African back row Arno Botha.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has advised discarded playmaker Quade Cooper to leave the Queensland Reds or he won’t be picked for the Wallabies.

The @rugby365com team welcomes back our Irish friend Ian Cameron to talk Euro Cup and welcomes on board a retired Springbok flyhalf.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks team announced on Thursday for the Chiefs match shows little change from the team that lost to the Bulls in Pretoria last week.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger has made a few changes to his team for their trip to Sydney to face the Waratahs.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blues has a more settled and experienced look to its team to take on the Crusaders in the Super Rugby clash at Eden Park on Saturday.  

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sunwolves head coach Jamie Joseph has made six changes to his starting XV for their Super Rugby Round 14 clash against the Stormers in Hong Kong.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Handre Pollard will lead the Bulls in Buenos Aires when they take on the Jaguares in their crucial Super Rugby clash at Estadio Jose Amalfitani.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has named his starting side for Blues match, which features six changes and one positional switch from the side that took the field against the Waratahs on Saturday. 

NEWS: Newcastle's Vereniki Goneva has been voted as the English Premiership's Player of the Year at the competition's Rugby Awards ceremony.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Reds have made three personnel changes to the starting XV which lost to the Sunwolves last weekend and a further three to the reserves for their Super Rugby Round 14 clash against the Hurricanes.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lock Chris van Zyl will captain the Stormers in their encounter with the Sunwolves in Hong Kong on Saturday.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY: The opening salvos in this week's fixtures will pit title contenders against no-hopers.

TRANSFER NEWS: Stade Francais head coach Heyneke Meyer has announced the signing of Argentinian international flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez for next season.

UPDATE: The three men who verbally abused Eddie Jones outside a railway station in Manchester following England’s loss to Scotland in the Six Nations have appeared in court.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Ospreys have made Argentine loose forward Guido Volpi their latest recruit after he impressed on trial with the Region last month.

REACTION: Lions defence coach Joey Mongalo will defend claims of an alleged assault of a hotel worker in Coogee last month.

REACTION: Romania are determined to appeal a World Rugby ruling that saw them disqualified from next year's World Cup.

TRANSFER NEWS: While the central contracts for Tadhg Furlong and Rob Kearney have already been announced, Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen confirmed that an additional 19 contracts have been signed as Leinster continue to build for the future.

NEWS: Super Rugby winner and former Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer lured a trusted former assistant back from soccer.

TRANSFER NEWS: Saracens announced that Argentinian prop Juan Figallo has extended his contract at the club until 2021.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: The rest of the world is as puzzled as ever, but Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has some clarity on the process of dealing with refereeing blunders.

NEWS: It may be a coincidence, but the change of Gloucester's logo coincides with the arrival of more of Johan Ackermann's former Lions players at the West Country club.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Sonny Bill Williams returned to the Blues starting line up against the Hurricanes and put in an inspired performance.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson has made two changes to the starting XV for Saturday's Super Rugby match against the Highlanders at Allianz Stadium.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT:  On the back of the Jaguares’ successful tour to Australasia, the Argentina-based team is on track to make their first appearance in the Super Rugby finals since the team’s formation in 2016.

COACHING NEWS: The announcement of the Blues' coaching staff for 2019 has raised more than just a few eyebrows.

PREMIERSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Newcastle Falcons loose forward Mark Wilson says his side are relishing the 'underdog tag' ahead of their first ever Premiership Semifinal.

SCHOOLS RANKINGS: Upsets, or perhaps just surprises, seem to be the hallmark of this season. Waterkloof provided one this week.

TEAMS ANNOUNCEMENT: Scrumhalf Thomas Perenara will return to the Hurricanes starting line-up for the Super Rugby Round 14 encounter with the Reds.

Again we publish in the order in which he receive the results and again we put the source first. We have Hilton first though they played up in Pretoria and Wynberg first though they played over in Port Elizabeth.

NEWS: Six Nations Grand Slam champions Ireland will return to the scene of their famous victory over the All Blacks when they face Italy at Chicago's Soldier Field in November, it was announced on Tuesday.  

NEWS: Russia have been awarded a place at the 2019 World Cup in Japan after World Rugby sensationally disqualified Spain, Romania and Belgium, the Rugby Union international governing body said on Tuesday.

REACTION: Danny Cipriani says he decided to sign for English Premiership side Gloucester once he earned a recall to the England squad for the first time in three years.

NEWS: A second visiting English amateur rugby player has died in a Sri Lankan hospital after visiting a nightclub and police are now investigating the circumstances, a spokesman said Tuesday.

OPINION: The King and All Black great Carlos Spencer has returned to rugby and will join the Hurricanes coaching staff as an assistant in 2019.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls coach John Mitchell named a squad of 26 players to travel to Buenos Aires, where they will meet the Jaguares in Super Rugby clash on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP SPOTLIGHT: After a grueling seeason Saracens will make their 10th semifinal appearance when their host Wasps at the Allianz Park on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Clermont's France flyhalf Camille Lopez should be back for his club's pre-season in July after having a plate removed from his ankle on Tuesday.

OPINION: Kiwi players continue their dominance in our Super Rugby Team of the Week for Round 13.

The most interesting appointment is that of Stuart Berry to a PRO14 semifinal. 

INJURY UPDATE: Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny has been ruled out of Scarlets' Pro14 semi-final clash against Glasgow Warriors on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Waratahs centre Kurtley Beale is keen to move on from the controversial defeat at the hands of the Crusaders last weekend.

TRANSFER NEWS: Premiership club Wasps have announced the signing of Maori All Black Ambrose Curtis.

TRANSFER NEWS: Highlanders have the signed two more players for the coming seasons.

NEWS: France lock Yoann Maestri has pulled out of a deal to join La Rochelle from Toulouse in favour of joining Top 14 rivals Stade Francais, French media reported.

NEWS: Former Highlanders flank Shane Christie has retired due to ongoing issues suffered from a concussion during the 2016 season.

INJURY UPDATE: Blues and All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu will miss the upcoming three-Test series against France due to a shoulder injury.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: The Sharks are not the most consistent team and disciplinary lapses remain an issue.

NEWS: The Chiefs will be without 20 players for their Super Rugby clash against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The New Zealand government revealed Tuesday it has examined the possibility of setting up a Pacific islands Super Rugby team, reportedly to help offset China's rising influence in the region.

INJURY UPDATE: Leinster centre Robbie Henshaw has been ruled out of Leinster’s Pro14 semifinal clash with Munster this coming weekend.

INJURY UPDATE: Henry Trinder and Marland Yarde have been called up into England's training squad for this week's camp in Brighton.

INJURY UPDATE: New Zealand great Dan Carter, who missed out on a European Champions Cup triumph this past weekend, is in a race to be fit for the French Top 14 play-offs.

INJURY UPDATE: New Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus was dealt another cruel blow, as his key players continue to suffer long-term injuries.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Stuart Berry of South Africa has been appointed to referee one of the Pro14 tournament's semifinals.

PRO14 SPOTLIGHT: Fresh from being crowned the European Champions Cup Champions, Leinster coach Leo Cullen has warned his side against Munster's prowess.

Graeme College's senior school headed to East London, where they played Port Rex. There were some tightly contested games throughout the day, culminating with the Graeme 1st XV match, which they won 22-10.

PREMIERSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Exeter Chiefs are wary of Newcastle Falcons' attacking prowess ahead of their Premiership semifinal at Sandy Park on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa's best exports, who have carved up the Premiership, are in line to win the competition's top awards.,

OPINION: Following his recall to the England team last week, Danny Cipriani has joined Gloucester, with the club announcing his signing on Monday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The South African Rugby Union has successfully managed to sabotage one of the most revered competitions in the world - the Currie Cup.

Dale played ancient rivals Queen's on the Graveyard field in King William's Town, on a day when Dale celebrated their reunion. Dale won 29-10.

NEWS: Highlanders loose forward Elliot Dixon is set to join Japan Top League side Ricoh Black Rams at the conclusion of the Super Rugby season, essentially withdrawing his name from All Blacks contention.

TRANSFER NEWS: England flyhalf Danny Cipriani has signed a new contract with Premiership side Gloucester.

TRANSFER NEWS: Northampton Saints confirmed the signing of England international and British & Irish Lion James Haskell from Wasps.

Hoërskool Monument and Hoërskool Waterkloof met in Krugersdorp, under the eye of the monument which gave the great rugby school its name,  and, against all expectations, Klofies won 28-26 on Ras van Rooyen Field.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South African born and former Kearsney pupil James Miller is set to play at the 2018 World Rugby U20 Championships for Scotland.

REACTION: Sunwolves flank Michael Leitch believes their first win of the season - a 63-28 crushing of the Queensland Reds in Tokyo - will provide a timely springboard for Japan's 2019 World Cup preparations.

INJURY UPDATE: He might not be ready for the for New Zealand's June Test Series, however seeing the All Black skipper Kieran Read training with the Crusaders is certainly a good sight for franchise and country.

REACTION: As if crashing to their fourth straight loss wasn't bad enough for the Brumbies, they did it on a frigid Canberra day and in front of one of their lowest ever crowds - just 5 283.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rugby Australia is facing major problems at the moment and the light at the end of the tunnel might just be an oncoming train.

PRO14 SPOTLIGHT: Clayton Blommetjies has been on the fringes of the South African national team, but has decided to turn his back on the Springboks.

VIDEO: All the post-match reaction, celebrations and match highlights after Leinster secured their fourth European Cup at the weekend.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Wallaby Stephen Hoiles believes that Australian Super Rugby teams need to get better at cheating if they are to compete with New Zealand sides.

CHAMPIONS CUP SPOTLIGHT: Leone Nakarawa has been rewarded for an outstanding European campaign by being named EPCR European Player of the Year for 2018.

OPINION: Leinster claimed their fourth Champions Cup title with a narrow 15-12 win over Racing at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao.

The South African College High School (SACS) played their first home league match of the season against Durbanville High. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England are coming off three successive Six Nations defeats but Schalk Brits makes Eddie Jones’s men favourite to win next month’s Test series in South Africa.  

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Stormers left South Africa on Sunday, destined for Tokyo, without the services of their first-choice flyhalf.

In their first fixture against Daniël Pienaar for a number of years, the St Andrew's College 1st XV ran out 43-7 winners in what was a physical, stop start affair on Lower Field on Saturday. 

SUPER RUGBY DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: The Crusaders have paid the price for the cheat shot executed by one of their All Blacks, in the win over the Waratahs at the weekend.

LISTEN as Lions coach Swys de Bruin expresses his feelings after a 'bitterly disappointing' loss to the Highlanders at the weekend.

NEWS: Crusaders prop Joe Moody has been cited for alleged foul play during his side's historic Super Rugby victory over the Waratahs on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: South Africa suffered a major blow on Saturday with Patrick Lambie limping off in Racing 92’s 12-15 Champions Cup Final defeat to Leinster.

There were Classic Clashes and a Premier Interschools matches. Pretoria Boys High went down to Hilton, Grey Bloem went down to East London, and Wynberg and Boland Landbou went east to Port Elizabeth.

REPORT: Grenoble returned to the French Top 14 at the first attempt by beating Oyonnax 47-22 on Saturday in a play-off.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Two late Isa Nacewa penalties saw Leinster beat Racing 92 15-12 to claim a record-equalling fourth European title at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Bulls recorded a valuable 39-33 win over Conference rivals the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Stormers suffered their first home defeat of the season when they went down 9-15 to the Chiefs at Newlands on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY MATCH REPORT: The Melbourne Rebels sealed a dramatic 27-24 win over the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY MATCH REPORT: The Lions suffered their third consecutive defeat after going down to the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY MATCH REPORT: Sunwolves claim their first victory of the season after a 63-28 demolition of a horrendous Reds team in Tokyo on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY MATCH REPORT: A late penalty try made sure the Crusaders record a narrow 31-29 win over the Waratahs at the AMI Stadium on Saturday.

REACTION: South African Under-20 coach Chean Roux lauded his team's character after they produced an admirable team effort to defeat England 26-12 on Friday.

REACTION: Gloucester - nor many of their fans for that matter - are happy with referee Jerome Garces’ performance in the Challenge Cup final at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP FINAl: Leinster beware of the “octopus hands” that are hoping to wreck your march to a fourth Champions Cup title.

CHALLENGE CUP FINAL REPORT: Cardiff, already the only Welsh team to win a European title, added a second in Bilbao on Friday.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP FINAL: Jonathan Sexton has a vast medal haul, but Ireland’s 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam winning flyhalf admits he still struggles with nerves ahead of big games.

NEWS: After a lacklustre year for Connacht, Kieran Keane has become the lastest underperforming headcoach to be given the axe.

TRANSFER NEWS: Nili Latu will call time on his stay at Newcastle Falcons when the current season ends, with the Tongan back-rower returning to play in Japan.

TRANSFER NEWS: Dai Young has announced that he has added five new players to Wasps squad for the 2018/19 season.

On Saturday, everybody will know that the FNB Classic Clash between Hoërskool Upington and Hoërskool Duineveld, Uppies vs Velties, is taking place. It is the Klein Interjol with the Interjol to comer in October.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Brumbies playmaker Christian Lealiifano's one-month enforced rest has prepared him well for the Rebels, however not quite ready for the June Test series.

SCHOOLS PREVIEW: This is the day when Itembelihle meet Ndzondelelo in Port Elizabeth, a day of tension with drum majorettes, singing and rugby tension. 

CHAMPIONS CUP FINAL: Spain becomes the sixth country to host Europe’s showpiece club match when Leinster Rugby take on Racing 92 in the Champions Cup final on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springboks head coach Johan 'Rassie' Erasmus has been given the freedom to select overseas-based players ahead of next year's World Cup in Japan.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: the Hurricanes finished strongly to defeat the Blues 36-15 at Eden Park Friday and move to the top of the Super Rugby ladder.

REACTION: England's rush to select Hurricanes captain Brad Shields smacks of desperation and shows Eddie Jones' men are vulnerable, All Blacks great Justin Marshall said Friday.

CONFERENCE STRUCTURE UNDER FIRE: The list of high-profile figures criticising the tournament structure is growing at an alarming rate.

LISTEN as Sharks loose forward Dan du Preez talks about the crucial Round 13 Super Rugby encounter with the Bulls.

Hoërskool Monument of Krugersdorp play host to Hoërskool Waterkloof of Pretoria, two strong South African schools.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck named an unchanged matchday squad for the Super Rugby clash against the Chiefs at Newlands on Saturday.

NEWS: South African-born French international Scott Spedding, who has taken the French league to court, has signed with Castres for next season, the club announced Thursday.

CHALLENGE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Cardiff Blues head coach Danny Wilson is predicting "a really exciting game" when his side take on Gloucester in this season's European Rugby Challenge Cup Final in Bilbao on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Listen to Lions coach Swys de Bruin, as he explains why he made several changes to his team for their final Super Rugby tour match - against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls head coach John Mitchell has tweaked his team for their Super Rugby Round 13 clash against the Sharks in Pretoria on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Colin Cooper has made a few changes to his starting XV for their Super Rugby Round 13 clash against the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP SPOTLIGHT: As well as club success with Racing, Patrick Lambie is also desperate to play for the Springboks again in time for the World Cup in Japan in 2019.

Is Peter de Villiers making progress in Zimbabwe? The answer to that and many other questions are provided by the @rugby365com team.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sunwolves have made six changes to their starting XV from the side that lost to the Hurricanes two weeks ago for their clash against the Reds in Tokyo.

In many, many places there is a feeling of relief about this match, an FNB Classic Clash between Dale and Queen's in King William's Town.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks team named to take on the Bulls in Saturday's Super Rugby showdown at Loftus shows little change to the side that so emphatically defeated the Highlanders last week.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Junior Wallabies representative Semisi Tupou will make his first start as one of three changes to the Melbourne Rebels' on-field line-up, when they take on the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones has named a few bolters in his 34-man squad to tour South Africa - for a three-Test series in June.