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WORLD RANKINGS: South Africa have moved past Australia on the world rankings as a result of the Springboks' hard-fought 18-10 win over the Wallabies at the weekend.

IQHAWE WEEK RESULTS: Iqhawe Week got off to a gripping start at the Bill Jardine Stadium in Johannesburg on Monday as Boland, the Pumas, SWD, the Blue Bulls, and Golden Lions registered convincing victories on a day where 40 tries were scored in the seven matches.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After a long Currie Cup season  Pumas head coach MJ Mentz and management reward their players with a 30-day break after their final win against Eastern Province Kings in PE.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok loose forward Francois Louw believes that he and his teammates will have to be mentally strong if they are to beat the mighty All Blacks in Durban on Saturday.

NEWS: Sale Sharks are delighted to announce that coaches Mike Forshaw and Paul Deacon have both signed new four-year deals at the club.

INJURY UPDATE: Bath and Reds loose forward Leroy Houston has been re-called to the Australian squad ahead of their final Rugby Championship match of the season.

INJURY UPDATE: Piet van Zyl was named as replacement for Springbok scrumhalf Rudy Paige, who was ruled out of action following the concussion he suffered in the victory over the Wallabies on Saturday in Pretoria.

Data has become increasingly prevalent in rugby, with new technology exploding into the game over the past few seasons.

NPC SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 columnist Richard Neal, in his weekly wrap, looks at some of the best matches in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship.

Rugby is constantly evolving and teams are always looking for a way to improve, one of those ways has been with the advent of technology in modern rugby, we have seen an explosion in Statistics, Analytics and Performance Measurement at the domestic level.  

The past few seasons have seen a rise in the number of artificial 3G pitches, with the Saracens and Newcastle Falcons the early adopters and pioneers in the Premiership, and many more replacing the notoriously hard tracks in South Africa and Australia.

NEWS: West Coast forward Brogan Watt has undergone an emergency brain surgery after his side's 62-28 defeat to Poverty Bay in the New Zealand National Provincial Championship on Saturday.

REACTION: The desire to play for his country still burns so strong for veteran flyhalf Morné Steyn that he is defying his French club's call to return to Europe.

NRC ROUND SIX WRAP: Perth Spirit have put themselves right in the National Rugby Championship' semi-finals, with their 60-22 thumping of Brisbane City vaulting them from fifth to third on the competition table.

Monday, 3 October 2016, sees the start of the Iqhawe Week for Under-15 provincial teams.

REACTION: New Zealander Vern Cotter will turn Montpellier into a rugby territory, according to the President who has hired him as coach for next season.

TOP 14 SUNDAY WRAP: Three-time European champions Toulon extended their winning streak with a comprehensive 28-6 win over Montpellier on Sunday.

INJURY UPDATE: Australia suffered a big blow in the wake of their 10-18 loss to South Africa in Pretoria at the weekend.

REACTION: New Zealand coach Steve Hansen believes his team will need to improve their discipline ahead of their final Rugby Championship match of the year.

PREMIERSHIP SUNDAY WRAP: Kyle Eastmond grabbed his first try for the club as Wasps made it five wins from as many Premiership games.

REACTION: Australia are beginning to make a habit of scoring more tries than the opposition, but still losing the match.

INJURY UPDATE: Four Springbok are doubtful starters ahead of South Africa's final Rugby Championship Test of the year.

OPINION: Despite having two players sent to the sin bin, New Zealand were just too good for Argentina on the night as they claimed a 36-17 victory to remain unbeaten in the Rugby Championship.

OPINION: Argentina held their own for most of the match and even managed to outscore the All Blacks in the second half despite suffering a 17-36 defeat in Buenos Aires.

REACTION: The Wallabies denied they have a 'mental block' about playing at Loftus Versfeld.

REACTION: Veteran flyhalf Morné Steyn said he was happy to finally 'shut up' the critics who are constantly questioning his selection for the Springbok team.

PRO12 SATURDAY WRAP: Ulster fought back from a blistering opening 20 minutes from Ospreys to keep their 100 percent record alive with a narrow 9-7 victory at the Kingspan Stadium.

REPORT: A 12-minute period towards the end of the first half set New Zealand up to claim a 36-17 victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires in Round Five of the Rugby Championship.

REACTION: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee said the Springboks' 18-10 win over the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday was an important boost to the team's confidence for the remainder of the season.

INTERPROVINCIAL SEVENS: Free State won the Cup on the final day of SARU's Under-17 Sevens tournament played at Durban High School.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: Sale Sharks held on in a thriller to record a third successive victory against Leicester Tigers for the first time in 40 years.

NEWS: Counties Manukau scrumhalf Augustine Pulu will be out of action for one week after he was cited for a dangerous tackle during an NPC match on Thursday.

OPINION: A number of Allister Coetzee's players put in an improved performance during their 18-10 win over Australia at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

OPINION: Australia's torrid record in Pretoria continued when they went down 10-18 to the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Morne Steyn scored all of the Springboks' points in a hard-fought 18-10 victory over the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Free State Cheetahs maintained their 100 percent winning record in this year's Currie Cup Premier Division when they beat Griquas 63-26 in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The Under-17 Interprovincial Sevens tournament enjoyed exciting pool matches at DHS on Friday.

The Interprovincial Sevens tournament is to take place at Durban High school this week.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South Africa flank Teboho 'Oupa' Mohoje believes that the Springboks cannot allow the Wallabies' off-the-ball tactics to get the better of them when the two teams meet in Pretoria on Saturday. Josh Isaacson reports

NEWS: Bath confirmed the signing of Otago loose forward Paul Grant until the end of the season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones wants his England team to get a grip so he will bring in a group of judo experts to freshen up their tackling techniques ahead of the November Tests.

NEWS: Eddie Jones said he was prepared to consider staying on as England coach beyond the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Adriaan Strauss admitted there is pressure on him to perform and help the Springboks end their losing streak.

INTERVIEW: Melbourne Rebels' Fijian-born wing Sefa Naivalu could play a vital role for the Wallabies in the latter stages of their game against the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Josh Isaacson reports.

PREMIERSHIP FRIDAY WRAP: Alex Lozowski toasted his first call-up to the England squad with a two-try haul in the Premiership on Friday.

PRO12 FRIDAY WRAP: Connacht finally looked like the side who claimed the Pro12 title last term.

NEWS: South African forward Jacques Du Plessis penned a new deal with Montpellier on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: Western Province sneaked into the Currie Cup with a fortuitous 30-28 win over a plucky Boland Cavaliers team at Newlands on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: The Pumas claimed their first Currie Cup victory of the season, beating the Eastern Province Kings 38-30 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday. 

MATCH REPORT: The Lions, with a three-try second-half rout, effectively knocked the Sharks out of Currie Cup play-off race.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones insisted it wasn't the "end of the road" for Danny Cipriani after the flyhalf was left out of a 37-man training squad announced Friday.

NEWS: Former Blue Bulls and current Worcester Warriors captain Gerrit-Jan van Velze was given extended break to recover from a concussion.

NEWS: Edinburgh's Fraser McKenzie has been banned for a period of two weeks after a Disciplinary Committee found that had committed an act of foul play against Munster.

NEWS: Australian Schools delivered a remarkable second half comeback to eventually secure a 39-17 win over Fiji Schools at Sacred Heart College in Auckland New Zealand.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The race for quarterfinal spots in the 2016 Gold Cup is hotting up with two rounds remaining, following a dramatic third week that saw almost 500 points scored in eight matches and three games decided in the dying minutes.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP, ROUND FIVE: New Zealand tackle Argentina in Buenos Aires Saturday, seeking a Rugby Championship Round Five win that will move them closer to a world-record 18 consecutive Test victories.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Eddie Jones has announced his 45-man elite player squad and 37 players who will attend a training camp in Brighton as England begin their preparation for matches against South Africa, Fiji, Argentina and Australia

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP, ROUND FIVE: Dit is die maand Oktober, die mooiste, mooiste maand.

NEWS: Melbourne Rebels flyer Sefanaia Naivalu is in line to become the 900th Wallaby after Wallabies coach Michael Cheika finalised his bench ahead of the Rugby Championship Test against South Africa at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.  

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Black Brad Thorn will make his run on debut for Queensland Country this in Round Six when the Queenslanders play in the Country derby against the NSW Country Eagles in Toowoomba this Saturday. 

NEWS: Cardiff Blues confirmed that Gethin Jenkins has reaffirmed his commitment to the team with a contract extension.

TOP 14 WEEK SEVEN: French champions Racing 92 will look to arrest an alarming run of away defeats when they travel to Brive on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones is set to unveil his squad for the end-of-year internationals on Friday, with injuries to first-choice back-row forwards leaving the Australian with some interesting selection decisions.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia flank Michael Hooper believes the Wallabies can end a Pretoria jinx Saturday by winning there for the first time and inflicting further Rugby Championship misery on South Africa.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Martin Landajo has been named captain of the Argentinean team that will take on New Zealand in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

REACTION: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee dropped some strong hints that the Springboks may take the conservative route in a desperate attempt to break their losing streak.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jan de Koning spoke to England utility back Henry Slade - an inspiration to diabetics around the world - about his ambitions in rugby and life beyond.

NEWS: Connacht and the IRFU announced that Connacht and Ireland prop Nathan White is to retire from professional rugby based on medical advice following a concussion injury.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: A gripping weekend awaits rugby fans in the Currie Cup as four former champions will be fighting for survival in the Premier Division as the pool rounds come to a close.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After suffering their first defeat of the season, Saracens hope to bounce back when they travel to take on Bristol Rugby at Ashton Gate.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Free State Cheetahs coach Franco Smith has made few changes to his side for the last the Currie Cup league match.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez knows that his team will have to play some smart rugby to knock over the Golden Lions at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas head coach Peter Engledow has made a number of changes to his starting XV for the Currie Cup Premier Division clash against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Patrick Lambie at fullback is one of several bolters by Springbok coach Allister Coetzee.

NEWS: The Western Force have strengthened their coaching team with the appointment of Shaun Berne as the Attack Coach for the 2017-2018 Super Rugby seasons.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika has made just one change to his starting side for the Rugby Championship Test against South Africa at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

NEWS: The 2016/17 European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup tournaments were launched at The Twickenham Stoop with high-profile representatives of the Premiership clubs.

With each passing round the intensity has cranked up and Glasgow Warriors, Scarlets, Leinster, Edinburgh and Zebre all face tricky away games in Round Five.

REACTION: New Zealand prosecutors said Thursday they would appeal against a judge's decision not to convict a teenage rugby star over a vicious assault because it could damage his sporting career.

NEWS: Italian rugby bosses announced they had pulled their bid to host the 2023 World Cup following Rome's decision not to bid for the 2024 Olympics.

NEWS: Promising young All Black Seta Tamanivalu has signed with the Crusaders, the Super Rugby team announced Thursday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok tighthead prop Julian Redelinghuys believes that his team needs to make sure that they play to their strengths and don't get fooled into combatting the Wallabies tactics on Saturday. Josh Isaacson Reports.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rugby World Cup winning All Black lock Brad Thorn has been named in Queensland Country starting line-up after coming off the bench in August earlier this year.

Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim discuss possible solutions to the Springbok crisis and ask the readers for their suggestions for changes to the coaching panel!

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has shaken up the All Blacks for the Rugby Championship Test against Argentina on Saturday as he looks to blood young talent.

NEWS: South Africa international Ricky Januarie has been suspended for four weeks for a dangerous tackle.

NEWS: Alan Solomons quit as head coach of Edinburgh, after the Scottish club lost three of their opening four Pro12 matches this season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Marthinus Mentz made seven changes to the starting team for their last Currie Cup game of the season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Boland Cavaliers welcomed back  flank Shaun Adendorff ahead of their Currie Cup encounter with Western Province at Newlands on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks have drawn the laager, as pressure is mounting over their poor form.

NEWS: Former England loose forward Richard Hill has been roped in by Eddie Jones to become England's Team Manager and will join the team in Brighton on October 2 at their training camp.

INTERVIEW: Australian skills coach Mick Byrne believes that the Wallabies will have to bring their best skills to the party if they are to beat the Springboks.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok discard Damian de Allende will play his first Currie Cup match for Western Province on Friday.

Australian Schools team will be playing Fiji Schools and then New Zealand Schools at the end of the month in Auckland.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Eastern Province Kings coach Barend Pieterse has made seven changes to his starting team.

New Zealand has chosen two teams to join with teams from Australia and Fiji for four matches in Auckland early in October 2016.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok Keegan Daniel makes a timely return to the Sharks team.

INTERPROVINCIAL SEVENS: The SA Rugby Under-17 Interprovincial Sevens will be hosted at Durban High School on 30 September and 1 October 2016.

THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: rugby365's Matthew Ackermann looks at the rescue mission sent out to help Springbok coach Alister Coetzee!

REACTION: New Zealand Rugby Union Chief Executive Steve Tew faced calls to resign Wednesday.

NEWS: Jake White, the serial job-hopper, is at it again.

Johnny Lacey of Ireland will blow the whistle to start the 2016-17 European Rugby Champions Cup.

INTERVIEW: Wallabies inside centre Bernard Foley believes that playing alongside flyhalf Quade Cooper has improved his own game. Josh Isaacson reports.

NEWS: England international lock Tom Palmer has agreed to join Top 14 side Bordeaux-Begles as injury cover for Johan Aliouat until the end of the season, the French club said.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee believes that his team has plenty of talent to fill both the inside centre and outside centre positions.

NEWS: Connacht Rugby and the Ireland Rugby Football Union are pleased to announce the recruitment of James Cannon from Wasps.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Western Province will not be taking Boland lightly in their Round Nine Currie Cup Premier Division match at Newlands on Friday.

NEWS: Bath Rugby have really been busy  with the newest recruit being tighthead prop Shaun Knight joining the club on loan until the end of the season.

NEWS: France coach Guy Noves insisted on Tuesday the door is still open for fullback Brice Dulin to force his way back into the national team.

The Rugby Championship plays its penultimate round with New Zealand already declared the winners!

INTERVIEW: Saracens wing Chris Ashton says he is still hoping to win an England recall despite his 13-week ban for biting Northampton's Alex Waller.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Golden Lions head coach Johan Ackermann has made five changes to his starting team for their crunch Currie Cup clash against the Sharks at Ellis Park on Friday.

NEWS: Mark Alexander is the new President of the South African Rugby Union.

NEWS: Bath Rugby have confirmed that Robbie Fruean will be joining the Premiership side at the culmination of this year’s National Provincial Championship.

Citing excessive interference by the board and the executive of the Boland Rugby Union, experienced coach Alan Zondagh has resigned from his post of Director of Rugby with immediate effect.

REACTION: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee said reports of a 'secret SOS' for additional coaching staff is just a figment of the media's imagination.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies wing Henry Speight is looking forward to doing battle with Springbok centre Juan de Jongh and wing Francois Hougaard when the two teams meet in Pretoria on Saturday. Josh Isaacson reports

INTERVIEW: Sharks scrumhalf Michael Claassens says he and he and his teammates will so throw everything at the Golden Lions when the two teams meet at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Argentina will draw on the positives from their loss to the All Blacks a few weeks ago when the two teams face off once again in Round Five of the Rugby Championship in Buenos Aires.

NEWS: New Zealand rugby officials on Tuesday terminated the contract of a teenage star who viciously assaulted four people including two women, following a public outcry after he escaped conviction.

INTERVIEW: Australia will look to match South Africa's physicality when the two teams go head-to-head in a Rugby Championship encounter at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Blue Bulls scrumhalf Andre Warner looks set to miss the Currie Cup play-offs.

INTERVIEW: Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann issued a timely warning to his charges to keep their feet firmly planted on the ground.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok flyhalf Patrick Lambie looks set to play a prominent role against the Wallabies in Pretoria on Saturday. Josh Isaacson reports.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 columnist Ethienne Reynecke explains why he is NOT an ardent Springbok fan, but a supporter of all things South African rugby.

INJURY UPDATE: Western Province have no new injury concerns ahead of their match against the Boland, but they will be without Springboks Juan de Jongh and Mbongeni Mbonambi for the Round Nine clash.

NEWS: Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx will play no part in the Test match against Australia at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Western Province strengthened their cause in the race to the play-offs with a 52-31 away win against Griquas and their players dominate our famous Team of the Week for Round Eight.

EXCLUSIVE: Jan de Koning spoke to England utility back Henry Slade about the vastly different competition structures in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Mike Ford vowed to bring the excitement back to Toulon after being unveiled as the three-time European champions' backs coach on Monday.

INTERVIEW: Wallabies tighthead prop Sekope Kepu is eager to show Tendai Mtawarira who's boss at scrum time when the Springboks host the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Josh Isaacson reports.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand prop Charlie Faumuina said he was looking forward to another tough contest up front when his team takes on Argentina in Round Five of the Rugby Championship in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

TOP 14 WRAP: Giant Georgian forward Mamuka Gorgodze scored the crucial try to hand three-time European champions Toulon a much-needed 23-21 win over previously undefeated Clermont in the Top 14 on Sunday.

NEWS: Mourad Boudjellal, who has bankrolled Toulon to three European titles, revealed he could sever his 10-year association with the French giants this season.

NEWS: Manu Tuilagi has received a fresh blow in his attempts to return to Eddie Jones' England set-up in time for next year's Six Nations.

INTERVIEW: Western Province will be keeping a keen eye on Ellis Park on Friday, just hours before facing the Boland Cavalier at Newlands.

MATCH REPORT: Bath's unbeaten start to the season came to an end as Owen Williams kicked 17 points at Welford Road to give Leicester Tigers a 34-14 victory.

REACTION: The Free State Cheetahs' unbeaten record will count for nothing if they do not start playing an 80-minute game.

REACTION: Wallaby Adam Ashley insisted that claiming an attacking bonus point against Lyon was what counted.

INTERVIEW: Australia arrived in South Africa on Sunday determined to record their first-ever win at Loftus Versfeld.

NRC ROUND FIVE WRAP: The National Rugby Championship's first ever double-header produced 22 tries at Concord Oval.

NPC SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 columnist Richard Neal, in his weekly wrap, looks at a number of hat-trick being scored by forwards in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship.

TOP 14 SATURDAY WRAP: Defending champions Racing 92 once again failed to get past Top 14 rivals Castres, falling 23-31 in the early French rugby championship clash on Saturday.

PRO12 SATURDAY WRAP: Ireland scrumhalf Conor Murray scored a try-double for Munster but it was the Irish province's pack that came to the fore in this comfortable 28-14 bonus-point victory over Edinburgh.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: Saracens unbeaten start to the season was brought to a halt by a brilliant first-half display from Harlequins as they claimed a 17-10 win at the Stoop.

MATCH REPORT: Captain Albertus Smith scored three tries as the Golden Lions thrashed the Eastern Province Kings 71-7 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

REACTION: The 2017 Super Rugby fixtures were confirmed earlier in the week and Lions coach Johan Ackermann was grateful for his team's travel schedule, after a nightmare draw in this year's competition.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former South African Rugby Union President Oregan Hoskins says the SA government's failure to responsibly implement transformation will hamper the development of "players of colour".

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika will have the perfect opportunity to test different back row combinations over the next two weeks.

REACTION: Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann is excited by the opportunity to sit down and share ideas with Springbok head coach Allister Coetzee and all the South African Super Rugby coaches at the coaching conference in October. 

NEWS: Sam Warburton has been confirmed as Wales captain for their November internationals against Australia, Argentina, Japan and South Africa.

MATCH REPORT: Try doubles from Olly Woodburn and Thomas Waldrom gave Exeter Chiefs a 41-17 bonus-point victory over Bristol in a Premiership match at Ashton Gate on Friday.

PRO12 FRIDAY WRAP: Paddy Jackson's spectacular try 20 minutes from time helped Ulster move top of the Pro12 table.

MATCH REPORT: Western Province overcame a resilient Griquas, winning 52-31, to move into the top four on the Currie Cup standings.

MATCH REPORT: The Free State Cheetahs sealed top spot in the Currie Cup standings - with a week to go - after hammering a hapless Pumas team in Nelspruit on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: The Blue Bulls moved to the top of the Currie Cup standings with a 48-26 demolition of the Boland Cavaliers in Wellington on Friday.

NEWS: Harlequins forward Jack Clifford will miss England's upcoming Tests after being told he requires ankle surgery that will rule him out for at least 10 weeks.

NEWS: Bath Rugby confirmed that tighthead prop David Wilson has joined Newcastle Falcons with immediate effect.

NEWS: Bayonne's Argentina international fullback Martin Bustos Moyano will be sidelined for at least three months with a lingering wrist injury, the Top 14 side confirmed on Friday.

REACTION: Saracens confirmed on Friday that they will not appeal the decision from an independent RFU disciplinary panel to suspend Chris Ashton for 13 weeks for biting.

NEWS: Saracens confirm that Fiji wing Savenaca Rawaca will no longer be joining the club.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Golden Lions head coach Johan Ackermann believes that the Currie Cup is still among the greatest provincial club competitions in the world. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The BlitzBoks have been pooled with Scotland and the USA for the first leg of the 2016/2017 World Sevens Series in Dubai.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The first ever National Rugby Championship double header will take place this Saturday at Concord Oval.

NEWS: The Western Force continue to add to their coaching stocks with the announcement that experienced coach Alan Gaffney will work with the franchise as an Attack Specialist for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand's effort to change the Super Rugby play-off format was thwarted by South Africa and Australia, who wanted the continuation of a guaranteed home play-off spot for conference winners.

TOP 14 WEEK SIX: Things don't get any easier for under-pressure Toulon coach Diego Dominguez as his side host in-form Top 14 leaders Clermont on the weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Fiji, Samoa and Tonga produce some prodigious natural talent, but the Pacific Islands are being drained of even teenage potential stars by unscrupulous agents.

INTERVIEW: Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann is grooming Sevens Springbok Albertus Smith as one of the future leaders of the team.

CELTIC SPOTLIGHT: Just three teams remain unbeaten heading into Round Four of the Pro12 with Cardiff Blues, Ospreys and Ulster setting the pace at the top of the Championship table.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT It will be a decisive weekend for the seven Currie Cup Premier Division teams in the hunt for possible semifinal berths and those in with a chance of earning home semifinals as well.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: History will be made on Saturday when the Gold Cup, SA Rugby's national championship for non-university, clubs takes its first international strides with matches being staged concurrently in three different countries.

NEWS: Brive flyhalf Matthieu Ugalde has been given a 14-week ban for eye-gouging. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Bottom-of-the-log Bristol Rugby would hope that home ground advantage counts in their favour when they take on Exeter Chiefs at Ashton Gate.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Province will have Juan de Jongh and Mbongeni Mbonambi, who recently returned from international duty, in their ranks for their Currie Cup clash in Kimberley against Griquas on Friday.

NEWS: Stade Français will have to do without their French international flyhalf Jules Plisson for the next three Top 14 games after officials punished the 25-year-old for violent conduct.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former South African Rugby Union President Oregan Hoskins believes that the state of rugby in South Africa is in such a crisis that it is on a verge of permanent ruin.  

NEWS: Despite the huge presence of overseas clubs looking to sign up young South African rugby stars at the 2016 Craven Week, most players opted to ply their trade in South Africa.

REACTION: Blue Bulls head coach Nollis Marais believes that his team will have to be at their very best if they are to challenge for Super Rugby honours in 2017. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Malcolm Marx and Julian Redelinghuys are back in the Currie Cup spotlight when the Golden Lions take on the Eastern Province Kings in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

EXCLUSIVE: Africa, an old Roman said, keeps coming up with something strange. Rugby, it seems, is the same.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina star Juan Martin Hernandez will be out of action for a month with a knee injury.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 looks at Wallaby great David Pocock, recently described on the Australian Rugby Union website as "an enigma wrapped in a riddle".

NEWS: Queensland Country forward Conor Mitchell has signed for the Australian Men's Sevens squad as they begin preparations for the 2016-2017 Sevens World Series.

NEWS: Wales and Exeter Chiefs prop Tomas Francis has been banned for two weeks after he was found guilty of kicking an opponent in the head during the Chiefs' match against Harlequins last weekend. 

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wing Sefa Naivalu and hooker Tolu Latu were Thursday called into Australia's squad for their Rugby Championship clashes against South Africa and Argentina next month.

Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim wonder if SANZAAR has lost the plot - making a bad sequel of an already poor production?

REACTION: Toulon President Mourad Boudjellal insisted that under-fire coach Diego Dominguez was not in his crosshairs after a poor start to the Top 14 season.

NEWS: The cities of Tbilisi and Kutaisi will play host to stars of the future in May and June next year, when Georgia host the World Rugby Under-20 Championship.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Free State Cheetahs coach Franco Smith wasted no time in drafting in some big guns for their penultimate Currie Cup league match.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Experienced backs Pat Lambie and Willie le Roux were included in a 31-man Springbok squad.

NEWS: Cardiff Blues' top try scorer, Tom James has penned a new long-term contract with Cardiff Blues after being in fine form in the opening weeks of the 2016/17 season.

INTERVIEW: Blue Bulls head coach Nollis Marais feels rushing back Springboks just to give them game time is not in the best interest of the team.

NEWS: He may have not yet made a Super Rugby appearance for the Crusaders but centre Jack Goodhue has pledged his future to the franchise after signing a deal until 2019.

NEWS: Tongan international Nafi Tuitavake will make the trip across the English Channel after putting pen to paper with Northampton Saints.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Pumas made two changes to their starting line-up for what promises to be a challenging test against the unbeaten Free State Cheetahs.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas coach Peter Engledow has added some serious muscle to his pack for their Currie Cup crunch match against Western Province.

THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: rugby365's Matthew Ackermann looks at some of the posers Springbok coach Alister Coetzee is facing!

NEWS: Saracens and England wing Chris Ashton was handed a 13-week ban for biting.

OPINION: Jan de Koning decided to play 'selector' and suggested some much-needed changes to the Springbok team.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Boland head coach Brent Janse van Rensburg has shuffled his team for their clash against the Blue Bulls at Boland Stadium in Wellington on Friday.

EXCLUSIVE: For the second time in two Rugby Championship matches the Springboks were confused by a refereeing decision at the line-out.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: EP Kings coach Barend Pieterse has made a number of changes to his matchday 22 for their Currie Cup Premier Division match against the Golden Lions in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP, WEEK FOUR: Not surprisingly the two dominant forces in the Rugby Championship, New Zealand and Australia, again provide the bulk of rugby365's famous weekly selection.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Blue Bulls head coach Nollis Marais believes that the competition for places in the Bulls starting team has resulted in every player putting their best foot forward in the famous blue shirt. 

NEWS: Fiji lock Api Ratuniyarawa is leaving France to join Northampton Saints in England.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Western Province will be out to keep Clinton Swart quiet when they face Griquas in their crunch Currie Cup Premier Division clash in Kimberley on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais made four changes and included Jacobie Adriaanse at tighthead prop in his side that will face Boland Cavaliers in Wellington on Saturday. 

NEWS: The Currie Cup Premier Division semifinals and final will be moved back by a week to avoid any potential clashes with the Rugby Championship Test between the Springboks and All Blacks in Durban on October 8.

NEWS: Not only does the complicated, unpopular and confusing Super Rugby format stay in place for 2017, it has a new twist to it.

INJURY UPDATE: The Blue Bulls will be without the services of star win Travis Ismaiel, when they complete their Currie Cup league fixtures this week.

NEWS: Saracens wing Chris Ashton has been charged with two acts of biting by the English Rugby Football Union.

NEWS: The much-criticized 18-team Super Rugby system will remain unchanged for at least another year.

The Rugby championship rests and the only Test match is in Poland as the Rugby Europe Trophy gets under way.

NEWS: South African lock Andries Ferreira has joined injury-plagued Top 14 side Toulon from the Golden Lions.

INJURY UPDATE: Western Province scrumhalf Golden Masimla is set to miss the rest of his team's Currie Cup Premier Division campaign with an ankle injury.

NEWS: Five members of the Springboks' Rugby Championship squad have been released for Currie Cup duty this coming weekend.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: The Free State Cheetahs remain unbeaten in this year's Currie Cup Premier Division and they dominate rugby365's famous Team of the Week for Round Seven.

NPC SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 columnist Richard Neal, in his weekly wrap, looks at what he regards as the most extraordinary round of New Zealand's National Provincial Championship.

REACTION: Wasps boss Dai Young said there was more to come from his side after their 70-22 home defeat of Bristol in the English Premiership on Sunday.

INJURY UPDATE: The Pumas have three new injuries concerns after their 23-31 loss to Western Province in the Currie Cup Premier Division last weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Blue Bulls head coach Nollis Marais believes that Springbok coach Allister Coetzee needs to sit down with provincial coaches to formulate a game plan that will suit South African rugby at all levels of the game.

IN THE CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: The Free State Cheetahs have become the first team to book their place in the Currie Cup play-offs.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has included Waisake Naholo and Damian McKenzie in his squad to tour Argentina and South Africa.

TOP 14 SUNDAY WRAP: All Black Casey Laulala scored a brace of tries to cap a stunning individual performance and help guide defending Top 14 champions Racing 92 to a comprehensive 41-30 victory over arch-rivals Toulon.

PREMIERSHIP SUNDAY WRAP: Wasps missed out on making Premiership history by a solitary point after scoring ten tries in an unforgettable 70-22 victory over Bristol.

REACTION: Blue Bulls head coach Nollis Marais believes that his team is finding form at the right time, having won three matches on the trot in this year's Currie Cup Premier Division tournament. 

REACTION: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez does not know if he will have the services of flyhalf Patrick Lambie for the Currie Cup Premier Division play-offs.

REACTION: Western Province know that they have to keep winning if they want to secure a spot in this year's Currie Cup Premier Division play-offs.

TOP 14 SATURDAY WRAP: Clermont ran in five tries to beat Bordeaux 40-16 on Saturday to go top in France as surprise early pacesetters La Rochelle surrendered a 12-point half-time lead to slump to a 28-29 defeat at Brive.

NPC ROUND FOUR WRAP: Round Four of the National Rugby Championship saw Wallabies squad members pushing for selection in the upcoming Rugby Championship tour.

REACTION: The All Blacks' easy canter to the Rugby Championship crown has triggered concerns in New Zealand.

REACTION: Coach Daniel Hourcade has lambasted Argentina's defence for conceding 21 early points in their Rugby Championship loss to the Wallabies in Perth at the weekend.

REACTION: South Africa's systems are failing them and that is why they have dropped further behind New Zealand in the global pecking order.

NEWS: New Zealand's plans to reshuffle their lineup after wrapping up the Rugby Championship may be forced rather than manufactured.

NEWS: Wallaby star forward David Pocock will miss the rest of the Rugby Championship.

PRO12 SATURDAY WRAP: Rassie Erasmus' Munster secured their second victory of the campaign while Sam Davies starred for Ospreys in their emphatic victory.

NEWS: The Pro12 Round Three fixture between Zebre and Connacht was abandoned at half-time due to adverse weather conditions.

NEWS: Saracens' England discard Chris Ashton could be facing a second long spell on the sidelines for a disciplinary offence after it was claimed he bit Northampton's Alex Waller in Saturday's Premiership clash.

SATURDAY PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Saracens, Bath and Worcester Warriors bagged victories in their Premiership Round Three matches on Saturday.

REPORT: Western Province were made to work hard for their 31-23 bonus point victory over the Pumas at Newlands on Saturday.

OPINION: Argentina looked a spent force, especially after the opening salvo, as they went down 20-36 to Australia in Perth on Saturday.

REACTION: Edinburgh head coach Alan Solomons admitted his side's defensive weaknesses cost them in a 20-33 defeat to Leinster on Friday.

REACTION: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee does not believe in knee-jerk reactions but warned his ailing squad may be in for a shake-up after their 13-41 thumping by New Zealand on Saturday.

REPORT: The Sharks ran riot in a soaked Kings Park Stadium to claim an emphatic 53-0 bonus point victory over the Eastern Province Kings in Durban on Saturday.

OPINION: Australia scored 21 points in the opening 12 minutes to set up a 41-20 win over Argentina in Perth on Saturday.

REACTION: The ease with which New Zealand wrapped up the 2016 Rugby Championship in record time has surprised their usually confident coach Steve Hansen.

REACTION: Scarlets were minutes away from claiming their first Pro12 point of the new campaign but a late try changed their fate and left head coach Wayne Pivac frustrated.

NEWS: Leinster fullback Niall Morris has been forced to retire from rugby due to an ankle injury he sustained in May 2015.

OPINION: The All Blacks were a far-cry from their best but still managed to pick up a convincing 41-13 victory over the Springboks in Christchurch to seal the Rugby Championship crown.

OPINION: The Springboks may have lost 13-41 to the All Blacks in Christchurch but it was certainly not the blow-out everyone was expecting.

REPORT: Australia moved to No.2 on the Rugby Championship standings with an impressive 36-20 demolition of Argentina in Perth on Saturday.

REPORT: South Africa produced their most impressive performance of the year, but it was still not good enough to threaten New Zealand.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: First-half tries from John Afoa and Charlie Sharples and the flawless kicking of Greig Laidlaw helped Gloucester break their Premiership duck.

FRIDAY PRO12 WRAP: Louis Ludik and Iain Henderson grabbed the tries as Ulster beat Scarlets 19-8 on Friday at the Kingspan Stadium.

REPORT: The Blue Bulls cemented their place in the play-off positions with a 57-20 hammering of a hapless Griquas outfit in their Currie Cup encounter in Pretoria on Friday.

CAPTAIN'S INTERVIEW: New Zealand captain Kieran Read has hammered home the message he does not want a repeat of last week's start against Argentina.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Argentina plan to target playmakers Bernard Foley and Quade Cooper as they gear up for an ambush win over the Wallabies in their Rugby Championship Test in Perth on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 law guru Paul Dobson looks at the rare incident that occurred during the match between the Wallabies and the Springboks.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South African skipper Adriaan Strauss has dismissed strident criticism of his underperforming side as he revealed a plan to unsettle New Zealand when they clash in Christchurch on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez admits that his team's scrum was in a shambles during their 30-38 defeat to the Free State Cheetahs last week.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Western Province head coach John Dobson said his players are ready to fight for their place in the Currie Cup Premier Division play-offs.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND FOUR: Australia confront an improved Argentina in the Rugby Championship on Saturday.

NEWS: The Crusaders have added the final piece to their coaching team for the 2017 Super Rugby season and beyond by appointing Jason Ryan as assistant coach. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The National Rugby Championship (NRC) has so far delivered enthralling, exciting and telling matches.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Tryless All Blacks prop Owen Franks is 80 minutes away from claiming one of Test rugby's least distinguished and rarely sought records, and there is a suspicion he is proud of it.

TOP 14 WEEK FIVE: Racing 92 entertain arch-rivals Toulon on Sunday in a re-run of last season's Top 14 final clash of the titans, which was won by the Parisian club.

NEWS: Forwards Lopeti Timani and Tom Robertson are set to make their debuts in the transitional Wallabies team after being retained as reserves for Saturday's Rugby Championship Test against Argentina in Perth.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND FOUR: It's a 'by how much' game apparently. Nobody seems to expect anything but an All Black victory.

CELTIC SPOTLIGHT: Ospreys created history last Saturday by becoming the first outfit in the history of the championship to record six consecutive try bonus-points in a run of games that dates back to April.

MATCH REPORT: The Cheetahs put in a superb second-half performance to beat the Golden Lions 37-29 in an electrifying encounter in Bloemfontein on Thursday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After an unbeaten pre-season and a win in their Premiership opener against Sale Sharks – optimism was everywhere at Newcastle Falcons.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand coach Steve Hansen brushed off criticism from Eddie Jones, saying the England boss was no "rocket scientist" for pointing out the All Blacks have flaws and denying his country exerts undue control over the sport.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand and South Africa revisited one of the game's most notorious incidents and promised a fierce battle as the All Blacks bid to wrap up the Rugby Championship with two rounds to spare.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: The burning desire to stay in the running for semifinal berths will be a key driving force in the Currie Cup Premier Division this weekend.

NEWS: New Zealand Sevens international Bryce Heem has extended his stay at Worcester Warriors.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Nizaam Carr will make his first appearance for Western Province this season, in the Currie Cup clash with the Pumas at Newlands on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hoffman Maritz, who was the Pumas' Currie Cup Player of the Year in 2015, makes his first appearance of this year's campaign after recovering from surgery on a hamstring tear.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok flyhalf Patrick Lambie has finally recovered from his concussion symptoms and will make his return to the playing field.

NEWS: After two disappointing results in the opening rounds of the PRO12 campaign, to Munster and Edinburgh, Scarlets is in desperate need to improve.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Australian-based scrumhalf Tomas Cubelli will start for Argentina in Saturday's Rugby Championship clash with Australia in Perth.

NEWS: Ospreys have agreed to extend Rob McCusker’s short-term contract signing him up until the end of the season after his impressive early season form.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Paul Dobson looks at the famous Barrett family that litters New Zealand rugby with their sublime talents.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 law guru Paul Dobson looks at "long-arm transfer to the back" that occurred during the match between the Wallabies and the Springboks.

NEWS: Worcester Warriors flank Alafoti Faosiliva has been handed a one-week ban after he was sent off during a Premiership match against Gloucester last Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Australia coach Michael Cheika named his sixth different lock combination of the year on Thursday.

GOLD CUP WRAP: SA Rugby’s three-nation championship for non-university clubs kicked off in style last Saturday when defending champions Durbanville-Bellville march to a 40-14 win over Old Selbornians.

Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim look at what appears to be a fast-sinking Springbok boat and their upcoming Test against the All Blacks.

INTERVIEW: Warren Gatland can guide the British and Irish Lions to a sensational series win over New Zealand next year.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The New Zealand team to play South Africa shows just two changes.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has made two changes to his starting XV to face the All Blacks in Christchurch on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP ROUND SEVEN: Strap yourself in. It is going to be a wild ride in Bloemfontein on Thursday.

The Irish Rugby Football Union's referees are instructed to use current laws in ridding their game of foul play.

BIG GAME IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South Africa may only be ranked fourth and rated rank outsiders, but New Zealand rate them much higher.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas head coach Peter Engledow has made three changes to his side to face the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup clash in Pretoria on Friday.

BIG MATCH INTERVIEW: Springbok assistant coach Johann van Graan said the key word to beating the All Blacks is "pressure".

INTERVIEW: Blue Bulls backline coach David Manuel is determined to take his team's attacking game to unprecedented heights.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Eastern Province Kings coach Barend Pieterse has rung the changes ahead of his team's Currie Cup encounter with the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

NEWS: Premiership side Bath have re-signed back row forward Leroy Houston on a short-term deal until the end of October.

NEWS: Former All Blacks captain and current Blues coach Tana Umaga has been appointed the assistant coach for the Maori All Blacks.

THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: rugby365's Matthew Ackermann wonders how Springbok coach Allister Coetzee plans to instil discipline in his team

NEWS: Clubs from France's two elite divisions of Rugby Union will be docked points if they fail to field an average minimum of 60 percent French-reared players per game from the 2017/18 season.

BIG TEST BUILD-UP: South Africa accept that they are some distance behind New Zealand in the game's global pecking order.

NEWS: Western Province head coach John Dobson confirmed that flank Nizaam Carr is fit and ready to take the field ahead of the Cape team's clash against the Pumas at Newlands on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Free State Cheetahs coach Franco Smith places so much value on winning the Currie Cup that he opted to stay home, rather than attend a SANZAR conference.

INTERVIEW: England boss Eddie Jones plans to borrow some ideas from Great Britain's successful Olympians as he sets his sights on leading his team to the top of the world rankings.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Niel Marais will start at flyhalf when the Free State Cheetahs take on the Golden Lions in a Currie Cup Premier Division match at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Thursday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies scrum coach Mario Ledesma is having to endure a good bit of ribbing from his compatriots this week.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Golden Lions have made two changes to their starting XV for their clash against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Flank Roelof Smit will make a first start for the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup against Griquas at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

NEWS: SANZAAR are still searching for answers to try and rectify a convoluted and unpopular Super Rugby format ahead of the 2017 edition. 

NEWS: Montpellier's South African hooker Bismarck Du Plessis has been ruled out for up to three months after tearing a muscle in his chest, sources in the club confirmed on Monday.

INJURY UPDATE: The Blue Bulls received a triple boost as they had into the home straight of the Currie Cup competition.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 law guru Paul Dobson looks at play in the in-goal area after an incident in the match between the Wallabies and the Springboks.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP, WEEK THREE: For once New Zealand don't completely dominate rugby365's famous weekly selection.

South Africa sail  a leaking boat across the Tasman to New Zealand.

NEWS: Australia trade places with South Africa in the World Rugby Rankings after defeating the Springboks 23-17 in the third round of the Rugby Championship.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: The Golden Lions produced some exceptional rugby in their 58-32 win over Western Province and that is why they dominate rugby365's famous Team of the Week for Round Six.

SEVENS RESULTS: Glenwood High school beat hosts and tournament favourites Durban high school in the semifinal and Cup Final to walk away with the title of DHS Sevens champs at the weekend.

NEWS: Newcastle Falcons signed Dominic Waldouck on a permanent contract after his impressing performance during his trial spell at the club.

NEWS: Former New Zealand Under-20 who can run on as fullback or wing Jason Woodward have joined Bristol from the Hurricanes.

NEWS: South Africa received a significant boost ahead of their Rugby Championship crunch encounter with New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Springbok flyhalf Patrick Lambie could make a return to the playing field when the Sharks take on the Eastern Province Kings in Durban on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Golden Lions may be back in the Currie Cup race, but they still face a steep uphill if they are to retain their title.

INJURY UPDATE: The Pumas have a number of injury concerns to contend with after their 14-41 loss to the Blue Bulls last Saturday in the Currie Cup Premier Division.

NEWS: Toulon wing Vincent Clerc has been ruled out of action until the end of year after undergoing an operation on his right achilles tendon, the Top 14 club announced Monday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks forward Jerome Kaino believes the Springboks will still be a big threat in Christchurch on Saturday, despite the South Africans' dismal performances on the rugby field this year.

REACTION: The Pumas head coach Marthinus Mentz admits that his side was outplayed during their 14-41 loss to the Blue Bulls at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.

NEWS: All Black Filo Tiatia will take over from countryman Mark Hammett as head coach of Japan's Sunwolves Super Rugby side, league officials said on Monday.

rugby365 would like to wish all our Muslim readers and their families a joyous Eid al-Adha.

TOP 14 WRAP: Toulon flexed their muscles with a 32-15 bonus-point Top 14 victory at Toulouse on Sunday, which could have saved under-fire manager Diego Dominguez his job.

REACTION: Western Province coach John Dobson did not hold back when he shared his feelings on his side's 32-58 hammering at the hands of the Golden Lions in Johannesburg on Friday

REACTION: Blue Bulls head coach Nollis Marais was pleased with his team's bonus-point 41-14 away victory against the Pumas, especially after struggling in Nelspruit in 2015.

PREMIERSHIP SUNDAY WRAP: Defending Aviva Premiership champions Saracens continued their 100 percent start to the new season as Alex Lozowski inspired his side to a hard-fought 34-13 bonus point win at Exeter.

NRC ROUND THREE WRAP: The third round of the National Rugby Championship has delivered plenty to excite spectators, including a 2015 grand final rematch and a thrilling match in a country rugby heartland.

NPC SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 columnist Richard Neal, in his weekly wrap, looks at Round Four of the National Provincial Championship in New Zealand.

INJURY UPDATE: Springbok flank Willem Alberts has been called up as replacement for lock Lodewyk de Jager, who was on Sunday ruled out of action for up to two weeks with a severely bruised knee.

NEWS: All Blacks prop Joe Moody has escaped any punishment for a head-high tackle on Argentina's Guido Petti during their Rugby Championship Test.

NEWS: New Zealand prop Joe Moody has been cited for contravening Law 10.4(e) during their Rugby Championship match against Argentina in Hamilton.

NEWS: New Zealand prop Joe Moody has been cited for contravening Law 10.4(e) during their Rugby Championship match against Argentina in Hamilton.

REACTION: Bath Rugby Director of rugby Todd Blackadder believes Semesa Rokoduguni’s eye-catching display prompted Bath Rugby’s ruthless try-scoring streak against Newcastle Falcons.

NEWS: Wales's Taulupe Faletau could miss the entire November international campaign after Bath boss Todd Blackadder said the No.8 was set to spend up to two months out with a knee injury.

REACTION: Cardiff Blues coach Danny Wilson was ecstatic after Dan Fish’s late score secured a remarkable 24-23 win  against Munster at Irish Independent Park in the Pro12.

NEWS: Warren Gatland is determined there will be no repeat of the mistakes made by the last British and Irish Lions team to tour New Zealand when the combined side face the All Blacks next year.

NEWS: Michael Cheika called props Toby Smith and Tom Robertson into his Rugby Championship squad following news that Allan Alaalatoa was ruled out with a knee injury.

REACTION: Edinburgh Rugby coach Alan Solomons has praised his flyhalf Duncan Weir's performance in their win against Scarlets.

NEWS: The much-hyped Hurricanes flank Ardie Savea has been thrust into the All Blacks limelight with confirmation that injured Sam Cane will be out of action for at least a month.

REACTION: Allister Coetzee has called for South Africa's discipline to improve after they let an early lead slip to go down 17-23 to Australia in the Rugby Championship in Brisbane.

REACTION: Despite getting their first win of the season, Newport Gwent Dragons coach believes his side have to improve ahead of their clash against Munster.

TOP 14 SATURDAY WRAP: France wing Noa Nakaitaci grabbed a hat-trick of tries as Clermont throttled defending Top 14 champions Racing 92 in Saturday's bonus-point 47-10 home victory.

NEWS: Veteran Springbok prop Tendai Mtawarira was handed an off-field yellow card over an act of foul play in South Africa's 17-23 loss to Australia at the weekend.

PRO12 SATURDAY WRAP: Tommy Seymour starred for Glasgow Warriors as he scored four tries in their thrilling 33-25 win over Leinster at Scotstoun Stadium.

NEWS: Struggling Grenoble have been hit by a new wave of injuries.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: Bath produced a ruthless display against Newcastle Falcons, running in eight tries for a 58-5 win on Saturday.

REPORT: The Blue Bulls cemented their place in the top three of the Currie Cup standings with an impressive 41-14 win over the Pumas in Nelspruit on Saturday.

REACTION: Australian coach Michael Cheika spoke of 'relief', while South African counterpart Allister Coetzee admitted he is beginning to sound like a broken record.

REPORT: The Free State Cheetahs overtook the Sharks at the top of the Currie Cup standings, after beating them 38-30 in their Round Six encounter in Durban on Saturday.

REACTION: The All Blacks have hard work ahead, after they were uncharacteristically made to "struggle" before blowing away Argentina 57-22.

OPINION: Australia got back to winning ways with a 23-17 win over the Springboks, but they still have some work to do if they want to be considered as a world class team.

OPINION: The Springboks produced another disappointing display of rugby during their 17-23 defeat to the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

OPINION: Argentina put up a good fight, but in the end they ran out of gas - going down 22-57 to New Zealand in Hamilton on Saturday.

OPINION: New Zealand did what New Zealand do best - destroy the opposition - beating Argentina 57-22 in Hamilton on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Australia ended their six-game losing run with a 23-17 win over South Africa at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: A devastating late surge saw New Zealand pound dogged Argentina 57-22 in a frenetic Rugby Championship encounter at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP FRIDAY WRAP: Greig Laidlaw's trusty boot helped Gloucester claim a late 23-23 draw with Worcester Warriors while Sale Sharks bagged their first victory of the campaign.

PRO 12 FRIDAY WRAP: Cardiff Blues and Edinburgh claimed their first victories of the season with victories over Munster and Scarlets, respectively while Newport Gwent Dragons squeezed past Zebre.

REPORT: The Golden Lions ran in eight tries to bag a comprehensive 58-32 bonus-point victory over Western Province at Ellis Park on Friday.

NEWS: After an extensive recruitment process, the RFU Nominations Committee have unanimously proposed Andy Cosslett to be the next Rugby Football Union Chairman.

NEWS: The Sharks have been rocked by late injury setbacks ahead of their crunch Currie Cup Premier Division clash against the Free State Cheetahs in Durban on Saturday.

NEWS: The Gold Cup kicks-off on Saturday with eight eagerly-awaited first round matches being hosted across South Africa.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Skipper Adriaan Strauss said the Springboks had plans to make sure Australia's Michael Hooper and David Pocock don't dominate the breakdown in Saturday's Rugby Championship Test.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand have pledged to keep their fists to themselves in their clash with Argentina in Hamilton on Saturday, ruling out a repeat of the scuffles that marred their last outing against Australia.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Argentina captain Agustin Creevy has warned New Zealand to "remember Christchurch" as they prepare to unleash their lethal rolling maul in Saturday's Rugby Championship clash in Hamilton. 

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND THREE: New Zealand paid Argentina a huge compliment ahead of their Test in Hamilton this weekend.

NEWS: All Black Filo Tiatia is set to take over from countryman Mark Hammett as head coach of Japan's Sunwolves Super Rugby side, local media reported Friday.

TOP 14 WEEK FOUR: Under-fire Toulon will undergo a true test of their mettle when they host Toulouse in Top 14 action this weekend, while defending champions Racing 92 face a daunting trip to Clermont.  

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sharks wing Odwa Ndungane believes a successful Currie Cup Premier Division campaign might be a launch pad to success in next year's Super Rugby tournament.

REACTION: New Zealand Rugby (NZR) announced it will work with an anti-sexual violence campaigner Friday after facing a backlash over its handling of allegations that Chiefs players abused a stripper.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND THREE: In Brisbane on Saturday two teams will meet that are at present suffering louder and louder criticism at home.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais has warned his team not to take the Pumas lightly ahead of their Currie Cup Premier Division sixth round clash at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday.

NEWS: The Wallabies dropped hulking loose forward Lopeti Timani from their bench on Friday, shunning an opportunity to match South Africa's forwards strength in their crucial Rugby Championship Test.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Five teams will play their first home game of the season.

REPORT: Griquas consolidated their position in the top four of the Currie Cup competition with a bonus-point victory over the Boland Cavaliers in Kimberley on Thursday.

NEWS: Ireland back Simon Zebo will be out for around five weeks due to a fractured rib, his club Munster announced on Thursday.

INTERVIEW: Jesse Kriel is not everybody's cup of tea as the Springbok outside centre, but he is determined to prove his detractors wrong.

CURRIE CUP PREMIER DIVISION: There are two key fixtures in Round Six of the Currie Premier Division this weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Worcester Warriors boss Carl Hogg has called for an urgent improvement as his side prepare to face Gloucester at Sixways in the Premiership's M5 derby.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The fear of failure is the reason why many South African teams, and coaches, still resist switching to an expansive game.

SEVENS: The Durban High School Under-18 Rugby Sevens Tournament takes place on Friday and Saturday, September 9 and 10.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Free State Cheetahs head coach Franco Smith has tweaked his back row ahead of his team's clash against the Sharks at Kings Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has made just one change to his side that lost to Western Province for their top of the table clash against the Free State Cheetahs on Saturday. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais made two forced changes to his Currie Cup starting team that will play the Pumas in Nelspruit on Saturday.

REACTION: Leading New Zealand rights groups Thursday criticised an investigation that cleared Chiefs players of sexually assaulting a stripper, while demanding a change to Rugby Union's macho culture.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Pumas have been boosted by the return of their key players ahead Currie Cup clash against the Blue Bulls at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.

Jan de Koning en Eugene Eloff, vir die laaste keer uit die Kaapstad se ateljee, gesels oor die Rugby-Kampioenskap en Curriebeker toernooie.

REACTION: Western Province head coach John Dobson believes they are well equipped to deal with Golden Lions' powerhouse centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Tauriq Ebrahim takes a look at the renowned Moerat family and the next star in a long line of provincial and national representatives.

NEWS: The talented loose forward  Rowan Jenkins has signed a development contract with PRO12 side Ospreys from Aberavon Wizards.

Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim look at the Rugby Championship and Currie Cup competitions, who are both at a critical stage.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wallaby veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper is set to put his Bledisloe Cup woes behind him and hit the Top 14 season running to go some way to appeasing his disgruntled Bordeaux-Begles club President.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Coach Michael Cheika bolstered the line-out as he made two changes to the Wallabies starting team for the Rugby Championship Test against South Africa in Brisbane.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Inspirational Argentina flank Juan Manuel Leguizamon has lost his fitness battle and been ruled out of Saturday's Rugby Championship Test against New Zealand. 

NEWS: Wales international wing Aled Brew has joined Premiership side Bath on a short-term contract until the end of the year.

NEWS: Rob Howley has been appointed Wales coach, following the departure of as Warren Gatland.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The return of Ryan Crotty is one of three changes to the New Zealand side for their Round Three Rugby Championship encounter with Argentina on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has included Francois Hougaard, Juan de Jongh and Jesse Kriel in a revamped backline.

CURRIE CUP ROUND SIX: Griquas will look to take another step closer to the play-offs when they host a dangerous Boland team in Kimberley on Thursday.

INTERVIEW: Lions coach Johan Ackermann wants his young players to 'step up' and show they belong on the big stage.

REACTION: Warren Gatland believes his British and Irish Lions can trump their series win under him in 2013 and defeat world champions New Zealand.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Flank Rynhardt Elstadt and hooker Mike Willemse will both start for Western Province against the Golden Lions at Ellis Park on Friday.

INTERVIEW: Lions coach Johan Ackermann believes that Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies must be given the freedom to play his natural game.

NEWS: South African Dave Wessels has been appointed the new head coach of the Western Force.

NEWS: An investigation into allegations a stripper was sexually assaulted at a Chiefs function has cleared the players.

NEWS: The Waratahs have re-signed injured flyhalf Bryce Hegarty for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: rugby365's Matthew Ackermann looks at how the mighty Lions suddenly have the appearance of a whimpering cub.

EXCLUSIVE: Eugene Eloff, a two-time former Under-19 World Cup winner, talks about the criteria that should apply when appointing coaches and administrators.

INTERVIEW: South Africa are ready 'fight fire with fire' when they play Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Western Province head coach John Dobson knows that his team will have to beat the Golden Lions if they are to have any chance of making this year's Currie Cup Premier Division play-offs.

NEWS: With Siyabonga Ntubeni out for the rest of the season, Western Province have recalled Michael Willemse from the Eastern Province Kings to boost their stocks at hooker.

INTERVIEW: Argentina are no longer the 'easy beats' of the Rugby Championship and New Zealand will show them the necessary respect.

NEWS: London Welsh, one of English Rugby Union's great historic clubs, announced they were set to be taken over by a "California-based investment group" after avoiding a winding-up order.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Prop Ruan Dreyer will start for the Golden Lions against Western Province after returning from a lengthy injury lay-off.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Warren Gatland will face arguably the toughest challenge of his career should he be appointed coach for the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Japan coach Jamie Joseph has pledged to expose his men to the world's top teams as the Brave Blossoms prepare to host the World Cup in just three years' time.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: For 22 years, Gordon Tietjens ruled New Zealand Sevens rugby with an iron fist, bringing unprecedented success and introducing stars such as Jonah Lomu and Christian Cullen to the world.

NEWS: Flank Chris Alcock has signed a one-year deal with the Brumbies ahead of the 2017 season as the Super Rugby franchise are continuing to build a strong 2017 side.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Stuart Lancaster has hit back at suggestions he was insufficiently hands-on during his four years as England head coach. 

INJURY UPDATE: Springbok flyhalf Patrick Lambie has finally taken to the training field at the Sharks after a lengthy lay-off on the sidelines.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: This is the final Schools Top 20 for 2016 and again Paarl Boys' High top the rankings for the second successive year and before that, in 2012.

NEWS: Toulon's South African flank Juan Smith will be out of action for four months after rupturing his left bicep.

NEWS: Gordon Tietjens has decided not to seek a new contract, after 22 years at the helm of the All Black Sevens team.

INJURY UPDATE: The Blue Bulls will head to Nelspruit on Saturday, to play the embattle Pumas, without the services of captain Arno Botha.

The Rugby Championship is in action again this weekend, both matches in Australasia.

NEWS: Amidst new rumours of a cash crunch and avoiding another club revolt, it appears Cheeky Watson is finally ready to step down as President of the Eastern Province Rugby Union.

INJURY UPDATE: The Eastern Province Kings have a number of injury concerns to contend with after their 25-57 defeat to the Free State Cheetahs last weekend. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wallaby loose forward David Pocock has defended his partnership with Michael Hooper in Australia's back row.

INJURY UPDATE: The Golden Lions will be without wing Courtnall Skosan for the rest of their Currie Cup Premier Division campaign.

INTERVIEW: Improving their kicking percentages and eliminating the high error rate are the main focus points for the Springboks.

INJURY UPDATE: Western Province hooker Siyabonga Ntubeni will undergo surgery on his torn Achilles tendon on Wednesday.

SEVENS: Glenwood participated in the “Fields of Dreams” Sevens Tournament on Saturday held at KINGS Park.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: After an impressive victory over the Golden Lions, the Blue Bulls lead the way in terms of player selection in our famous Team of the Week.

REACTION: Saracens coach Mark McCall says despite their five-point win which sees them go top of the Premiership standings, he feels his charges have a long way to go.

REACTION: Connacht coach Pat Lam is adamant his side will quick bounce back quickly.

INJURY UPDATE: Pumas flank Nardus van der Walt will undergo surgery after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in his team's 22-25 loss to Boland last Friday.

NEWS: Springbok Ruan Pienaar showed his true value to Irish province Ulster, helping them to a season-opening 29-8 Pro12 victory over Newport Gwent Dragons.

INJURY UPDATE: The Boland Cavaliers will be without their captain Ryan Nell for the remainder of the Currie Cup season.

NEWS: Stricken Wallaby Christian Lealiifano could join the Brumbies coaching staff next year if illness puts his playing career on hold, the team has said.

NEWS: Former England coach Stuart Lancaster joins Irish Province Leinster as a senior coach with immediate effect.

SEVENS RESULTS: The second Quadrangular sevens tournament hosted by SACS was very successful.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The debate surround Adriaan Strauss' successor as Springbok captain reached fever pitch at the weekend. However, it appears one candidate stands out.

REACTION: Western Province coach John Dobson fired the first broadside in what could be an interesting build-up to a must-win Currie Cup match.

NPC SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 columnist Richard Neal, in his weekly wrap, looks at Round Three of the National Provincial Championship in New Zealand.

SUNDAY PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Tommy Taylor's first Premiership try for Wasps helped Dai Young's men to a 25-20 victory over Exeter Chiefs on Sunday.

NRC ROUND TWO WRAP: The second round of the National Rugby Championship has delivered some surprising results, with expected favourites pushed to their limits.

FIRST DIVISION WRAP: The Leopards opened an eight-point gap at the top of standings in South Africa's second-tier domestic provincial competition.

REACTION: Pumas coach Marthinus Mentz admitted there will be no reprieve for his winless team.

REACTION: Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais believes his team has the right "attitude" heading into the latter half of the Currie Cup season.

INJURY UPDATE: Seasoned hooker Siyabonga Ntubeni faces a lengthy lay-off and is unlikely to return to the playing field this year.

REACTION: Sharks captain Keegan Daniel admitted their 27-34 loss to the Western Province was the result of too many errors.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Australian coach Michael Cheika has included five new faces in a 33-man squad for the upcoming Tests against South Africa and Argentina.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 columnist Ethienne Reynecke digs deeper into travel factors in Southern Hemisphere competitions.

TOP 14 WRAP: Manager Diego Dominguez branded three-time European champions Toulon "rubbish" after they were stunned 25-21 at their Mayol fortress by minnows Brive in the Top 14.

SATURDAY PRO12 WRAP: Rassie Erasmus enjoyed a dream start to life with Munster as the Irish side claimed a 23-13 win away to the Scarlets to kick off their Pro12 campaign in style.

SATURDAY TOP 14 WRAP: A last-gasp Waisea Nayacalevu try rescued a 30-30 draw for Stade Francais as Clermont maintained their unbeaten start in a high intensity rematch of the 2015 Top 14 Final on Saturday.

SATURDAY PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Schalk Burger scored on his Premiership Rugby debut as reigning champions Saracens blew Worcester Warriors away with a second half blitz to secure a bonus-point 35-3 win at the London Double Header.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks' unbeaten run in this year's Currie Cup Premier Division ended when they went down 27-34 to Western Province at Newlands on Saturday.

NEWS: Bordeaux-Begles forwards coach Jacques Brunel said Australia back Adam Ashley-Cooper must undergo some tests in France before playing again.

NEWS: Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies and scrumhalf Francois Hougaard have returned to the training field on Saturday after the Boks' arrival in Australia.

MATCH REPORT: The free State Cheetahs scored nine tries as they thrashed the Eastern Province Kings 57-25 at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

NEWS: The coveted Brett Robinson Medal for the Brumbies' Players' Player of the year was picked up by flyhalf and co-captain Christian Lealiifano at their awards gala.

REACTION: Richard Cockerill was pleased with the composure Leicester Tigers showed to pull off one of the most remarkable comebacks in Premiership history when they fought back from being down by four scores.

NEWS: Stephen Larkham has committed himself to the head coach position at the Brumbies for another season after agreeing a new one-year deal.

FRIDAY PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Sam Harrison's last-gasp try completed an astonishing comeback for Leicester Tigers on Friday.

FRIDAY PRO12 WRAP: Ospreys were targeting a fast start after stuttering out of the gate a year ago and they did just that.

MATCH REPORT: The Blue Bulls put their Currie Cup campaign firmly back on track with an impressive 31-17 win over the Lions in Pretoria on Friday.

NEWS: Despite government opposition, South Africa feature among the four candidates to host the 2023 World Cup.

MATCH REPORT: The Boland Cavaliers held on in the face of a strong late surge to edge the Pumas 25-22 in their Currie Cup Round Five encounter in Wellington on Friday.

NEWS: Two-time Ireland Triple Crown winning flyhalf Paul Dean is to take over as manager of the national team after the November Test series, it was announced on Friday.

INTERVIEW: Four new coaches will be gracing the Premiership in 2016/17, but Bath fans will be most excited about former All Black captain Todd Blackadder's arrival at the Rec.

NEWS: Waratahs captain Michael Hooper has once again broken team records after winning his fourth consecutive Matthew Burke Cup Players’ Player Award at the Waratahs Annual Gala Awards in Sydney.