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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: With many schools conjuring up a long weekend, there were few matches this weekend, the big one being the great Paarl Interschools derby.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: This will be our last week-based Schools Top 20 for 2016 as we shall now go through the whole season's performances and try our best to produce a Top 20 for the year.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: There are few matches but several that are relevant to picking the Schools Top 20.

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.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Eastern Province Kings head coach Barend Pieterse believes their tough schedule this week will put them in good stead going forward as a team.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Flyhalf continues to be a problem position in the Cape and there seems to be no solution in sight for Western Province in this year's Currie Cup Premier Division.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Eastern Province Kings coach Barend Pieterse has made twelve changes to his team that lost to Griquas on Wednesday for their clash against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

NEWS: Fiji rugby officials accepted Friday that they had lost gold-medal winning Sevens maestro Ben Ryan and confirmed they would now advertise for a new coach. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: East London Police and College Rovers were confirmed as the final two qualifiers for the Gold Cup after two nail biting play-off finals last weekend that was decided only in the dying seconds. 

LIVE STREAMING: rugby365 has linked up with School Sport Live to bring you live coverage of the Villager School Sevens tournament starting at 14.40 CAT on Friday, September 2.

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

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jan de Koning spoke to Springbok flyhalf Patrick Lambie in the first of a series of in-depth features.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Free State Cheetahs head coach Franco Smith has made three changes to his starting XV for their clash against the Eastern Province Kings on Saturday. 

NEWS: Springbok Francois Hougaard has been rewarded for the ultimate act of sportsmanship and team values by giving away his Olympic medal to an injured teammate, Seabelo Senatla.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Wallabies will be going all out to break their losing streak when they play the Springboks at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane next weekend.

TOP 14 WEEK THREE: Stade Francais host Clermont in a rematch of the 2015 Top 14 Final trying to play down a disciplinary incident involving Fijian recruit Alipate Ratini.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The road to the Pro12 Final in Dublin on May 27, 2017 begins this weekend.

SEVENS: On Saturday, 3 September 2016 SACS will host its second Quadrangular Sevens.

INTERVIEW: Golden Lions Johan Ackermann believes his team is entering a crucial period in their Currie Cup campaign. Jan de Koning reports.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais believes that his team's Currie Cup Premier Division title aspirations will be put to the test when they face the Golden Lions at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

CURRIE CUP PREMIER DIVISION: Two big derbies, in Pretoria and Cape Town, will spice up the Currie Cup Premier Division this weekend as the competition shifts into a new gear.

NEWS: Adriaan Strauss will retire from Test rugby at the end of the 2016 season. 

PREVIEW: Maverick talents Kurtley Beale and Danny Cipriani will spearhead Wasps' bid to dethrone Saracens and be crowned English champions for the first time since the 2007/08 campaign.

NEWS: Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny confirmed on Thursday that French Top 14 side Toulon would release him to play in next year's British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand. 

NEWS: Gloucester captain Greig Laidlaw has high expectations for the new Premiership season.

NEWS: Harlequins have signed England loosehead prop Dan Murphy from Gloucester.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Boland Cavaliers have made a few late changes to their team that will face the Pumas at the Boland Stadium on Friday.

NEWS: Samoa international wing Sailosi Tagicakibau has left Wasps after requesting a release from his contract for family reasons.

NEWS: Worcester Warriors head coach Carl Hogg hopes his new recruits along with his youngsters can combine and fire the Warriors to Premiership success as they prepare to take on Saracens at the London Double Header on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage will start on the bench for Western Province in the Currie Cup clash against the Sharks at Newlands on Saturday.

NEWS: Scotland international Jon Welsh says Newcastle Falcons' unbeaten pre-season run has left the side in a perfect position for Friday’s Premiership kick-off match against Sale Sharks.

NEWS: The Wallabies have lost Adam Ashley-Cooper's services for the rest of this year's Rugby Championship.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has made just two changes to his team that defeated the Blue Bulls last weekend for the clash against Western Province in Cape Town on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones has told his stars to take the fight to South Africa's bullies when they clash at Twickenham.

REACTION: Australian lock Kane Douglas on Thursday dismissed claims All Blacks prop Owen Franks eye-gouged him during last weekend's fiery Bledisloe Cup clash in Wellington.

NEWS: Maverick flyhalf Quade Cooper has signed a three-year contract with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) taking him back to the Reds.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim analyse the Springbok team selection, the losing culture and Currie Cup dramas.

IN DIE KOLLIG: Jan de Koning en Eugene Eloff bespreek die raadsaal gevegte en magstryde wat Suid-Afrikaanse na die ashoop sleep.

MATCH REPORT: Griquas scored 21 points in a six-minute blitz to set up a convincing 47-24 win over a willing Eastern Province Kings side in Kimberley on Wednesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Robbie Louw, son of Springbok legend Rob Louw, has been named on the Boland Cavaliers bench.

NEWS: Prop Dale Chadwick has left the Sharks to join French second division club Narbonne on a two-year contract.

INTERVIEW: Patience will be key when the Blue Bulls do battle with the Golden Lions in a Currie Cup clash in Pretoria on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australian lock Dean Mumm says they will have their line-out fixed when they play South Africa next week.

REACTION: Matt Toomua's worrying history of concussion could sideline him for the rest of the Rugby Championship.

NEWS: Springbok prop Brendon Botha has signed for Top 14 side Lyon in France.

SEVENS: The kick-off time on Friday, 2 September 2016, for the 48th Villager Sevens has been delayed an hour.

NEWS: Springbok scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar has been forced to leave Irish province Ulster.

THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: rugby365's Matthew Ackermann looks at the 'great' start Allister Coetzee made to his Springbok coaching career.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Pumas are confident they can finally break their Currie Cup duck when they travel to Wellington on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Blue Bulls backline coach David Manuel believes his team can claim a big scalp and win back the hearts of their supporters.

NEWS: Back Jeronimo De la Fuente has been ruled out of Argentina's tour to Australasia.

CURRIE CUP CATCH-UP MATCH: The Eastern Province Kings will face the Griquas in Kimberly on Wednesday with an almost completely new team.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 law guru Paul Dobson looks at the incident leading up to Grey College's last second victory over Paul Roos.

NEWS: Bath announced that former captain Stuart Hooper will take up the role of Performance and Player Development Director.

INTERVIEW:Jamie Roberts says it will be a privilege to play when Harlequins face Premiership new-boys Bristol Rugby at Twickenham as part of the London Double Header this Saturday.

INTERVIEW: Jamie George hopes Saracens can hit the ground running in the London Double Header in their quest to do the 'double double'.

INTERVIEW: Inny-Christian Radebe says Springbok flyhalf Patrick Lambie has played a big role in his growth as a player at the Sharks.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After a 10-year career with Leicester Tigers, No.8 Jordan Crane is ready to help Premiership Rugby new boys Bristol Rugby in their quest for victory against Harlequins at Twickenham on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Edinburgh Rugby flyhalf Jason Tovey will miss the first eight weeks of the Pro12 season due to a wrist injury.

NEWS: Sale Sharks newly-appointed captain Josh Beaumont believes his team are to mount an assault on Premiership Rugby’s top four.

NEWS: Scarlets captain Ken Owens admits his side opening Pro12 season match against Munster is a tough challenge.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Blue Bulls head coach Nollis Marais has made a few changes to the team that lost to the Sharks last weekend for their clash against the Golden Lions on Friday. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Albertus Smith and Rohan Janse van Rensburg will both make their first starts for the Golden Lions this season against the Blue Bulls in Pretoria on Friday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Lwazi Mvovo and Francois Hougaard were both included in the 28-man Springbok squad for the two away Rugby Championship Tests against Australia and New Zealand.

NEWS: Loose forward Tim Agaba and scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage are set to feature for Western Province in the coming weeks.

INJURY UPDATE: Boland are set to be bolstered by the return of Jacques Engelbrecht and Zandre Jordaan.

INJURY UPDATE: There were no new major injury concerns for the Sharks ahead of their Round Five clash with Western Province at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.  

NEWS: The Waratahs have secured the services pf powerful locks, Dean Mumm and Leon Power.

NEWS: Crusaders legend Leon MacDonald will join the Crusaders coaching team ahead of the 2017 Super Rugby season. 

The Rugby Championship has the week off but the Pro 12, the old Celtic League, and the English competitions get started.

NEWS: Fiji has ramped up overtures to Sevens coach Ben Ryan giving him land and a chiefly title to keep the popular Englishman in the South Pacific island nation. 

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina will be without lock Tomas Lavanini and wing Manuel Montero for their tour to New Zealand and Australia in this year's Rugby Championship.

INJURY UPDATE: The Bulls received a mixed bag of new on Monday, ahead of their Currie Cup crunch match with the Golden Lions on Friday.

NEWS: Western Province will add a New Zealand flavour to their coaching panel for their Currie Cup campaign.

SEVENS: For the 48th time the Villager Sevens will take place at the great old club on the Friday following the end of the schools season.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP, WEEK TWO: New Zealand's superiority over the rest of the world was again put on display in glorious fashion this past weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: He never managed it as a player, but now in his first full season as a coach former British & Irish Lion and Wales' superstar Dwayne Peel has a Twickenham victory in his sights.

INTERVIEW: After playing for the USA at the Olympic Games in Rio, Saracens fullback Chris Wyles admits it has been a dream few months. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jim Mallinder believes new club captain Tom Wood is the perfect example to his Northampton Saints side as they target a top-four Premiership finish.

INJURY UPDATE: Centre Daniel du Plessis was the only casualty from Western Province's 36-6 bonus-point win over the Eastern Province Kings in Port Elizabeth last weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Argentina has climb two places to seventh in the World Rugby Rankings after beating South Africa in the Rugby Championships in Salta last Saturday.

Hoërskool Brackenfell klop Hoërskool Tygerberg 30-19 in hul jaarlikse Classic Clashes op Saturdag.

OPINION: rugby365 columnist Brett McKay thinks that Argentina have overtaken both the Springboks and Wallabies in the Rugby Championship pecking order.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Players from the Golden Lions and Sharks dominate rugby365's famous Currie Cup Premier Division Team of the Week for Round Four.

RESULTS: The first round of the second Maties schools’ tournament delivered some surprise results on Saturday.

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

INJURY UPDATE: The Eastern Province Kings came out relatively unscathed following a bruising encounter against Western Province on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Despite a bruising 35-41 loss to the Griquas last Friday in the Currie Cup Premier Division, the Pumas have not been severely affected by new injuries.

WRAP - NRC ROUND ONE: The National Rugby Championship (NRC) has delivered four enthralling, exciting and telling matches to complete the opening round of the competition.

NEWS: The All Blacks have released a number of players to their respective National Provincial Championship teams as the Rugby Championship takes a break this coming weekend.

SACS did not allow Wynberg Boys’ High School to end their week of 175th Anniversary celebrations in the manner they would have liked.

NEWS: The All Blacks star first flyhalf Beauden Barrett has inked a new deal across all levels of the game, in what is a major signing for New Zealand Rugby.

TOP 14 REPORT: Clermont beat Montpellier 26-22 for their first win of the new Top 14 season on Sunday, but were made to work hard for victory.

After beating Bishops 15-14 at Rondebosch, Rondebosch beat them 30-26 at Bishops.

REACTION: Senior figures within English rugby union have hit out at the "ludicrous" fixture schedule for next year's British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.

INTERVIEW: Bristol have had to wait a long time for their return to the Premiership but now that it is here – skipper Jack Lam does not want his side to fluff their lines.

REACTION: Golden Lions head coach Johan Ackermann said his squad will be further bolstered by the return of key players ahead of their clash against the Blue Bulls next weekend.

REACTION: Saturday's match against Argentina in Salta was the Springboks' fifth outing of the 2016 season, but they still have not improved much since their loss to Ireland in Cape Town in June.

REACTION: Argentina coach Daniel Hourcade hailed his "huge-hearted" team on Sunday after a 26-24 Rugby Championship triumph over South Africa - their first at home against the twice former world champions. 

It seems that this is the end of the schools season for teams played with 15 players aside.

REACTION: Pumas head coach MJ Mentz was disappointed with the many try-scoring opportunities his team spurned during their 35-41 loss to Griquas on Friday.

TOP 14 ROUND TWO WRAP: Top 14 heavyweights Racing 92 and Toulon put their opening day blues behind them on Saturday, bouncing back with wins over Lyon and Pau on the second day of French rugby union action.

REACTION: Michael Cheika said Sunday he did not feel under threat as coach, as the Wallabies eyed a record low-point of Test defeats in the wake of their latest heavy loss to New Zealand.

NEWS: Springbok flank Teboho Mohoje has been issued with a Citing Commissioner Warning for foul play during his team's 24-26 loss to Argentina in Salta on Saturday.

REACTION: All Blacks prop Owen Franks will not be cited for alleged gouging in New Zealand's 29-9 victory over Australia on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Springboks wing Ruan Combrinck was ruled out of action for up to six weeks after he sustained a fractured fibula in the Boks' 24-26 loss to Argentina on Saturday in Salta. 

OPINION: A brave second half fight back was not enough to rescue the Springboks from suffering an historic 24-26 defeat at the hands of Argentina in Salta.

OPINION: Argentina dominated the first half and that proved to be crucial in bagging a 26-24 victory over South Africa as their replacements let them down in the second half.

REPORT: Curwin Bosch contributed 21 points to ensure his side's fourth consecutive Currie Cup victory with a 26-19 over the Blue Bulls in Durban.

REPORT: Argentina toiled hard for most of the 80 minutes to claim an historic 26-24 victory over South Africa in Salta, despite the visitors' launching a late second half comeback.

REPORT: Huw Jones scored a hat-trick as Western Province recorded their first win of the Currie Cup season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Newcastle Falcons' Director of Rugby Dean Richards insists his side have a bright Premiership season ahead of them.

INTERVIEW: England flank Tom Wood believes the arrival of Louis Picamoles in Franklin Gardens has provided a major boost for the Premiership outfit.

REACTION: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen his team's greater skill is what managed to overcome a spiteful Wallaby team.

REACTION: Claims of eye-gouging cast a dark shadow over New Zealand's impressive Bledisloe Cup triumph over Australia.

OPINION: The Wallabies winless streak continued as they suffered their sixth consecutive Test-match defeat dating back to the Rugby World Cup Final in England last year.

OPINION: The All Blacks won the Bledisloe Cup for the fourteenth year in succession with a well-deserved 29-9 bonus-point victory against the Wallabies at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday.

REPORT: New Zealand taught Australia another lesson with a 29-9 victory that ensured the Bledisloe Cup will stay in All Black hands for at least another year.

REPORT: The iconic Ranfurly Shield, New Zealand's most prized domestic silverware, will stay in Hamilton.

INTERVIEW: Springbok captain Adriaan Strauss said he and his teammates are bracing themselves for a fired up Argentinian team in Salta on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Griquas continued their good form when they beat the Pumas 41-35 at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: The Golden Lions scored nine tries as they thumped the Boland Cavaliers 60-12 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Western Province will be out correct certain issues in their game when they face the Eastern Province Kings at the Nelson Mandela bay Stadium on Saturday.

NEWS: Former Sale Sharks scrumhalf Cillian Willis is suing Premiership club Sale Sharks after sustaining two head injuries in 2013.

NEWS: Olympic silver medallist Ollie Lindsay-Hague is leaving Harlequins after seven years with the club.

INTERVIEW: Saracens swept all before them last season, but Premiership-winning captain Brad Barritt insists the English champions are working like underdogs.

NEWS: Time is limited for candidates hoping to replace Oregan Hoskins as President of The South African Rugby Union.

REACTION: New Zealand say Saturday's Test in Wellington against Australia is all about securing the Bledisloe Cup for a 14th straight year.

In a Premier Interschools Match at Bishops on Saturday, the neighbours will continue a rivalry  of well over a century.

INTERVIEW: Australian great Matt Giteau says he will be on hand to advise his French club, three-time European champions Toulon.

TOP 14 WEEK TWO: Two weeks ago few would have thought that Top 14 giants Racing 92 and Toulon, favourites to win the Bouclier de Brennus this year, would slump to opening weekend defeats.

INTERVIEW: Australian coach Michael Cheika struck back Friday at mounting criticism of his side as he looks for a face-saving performance in Saturday's second Test against New Zealand.

NEWS: Australia and South Africa would lose one team each under a potential new streamlined 16-team Super Rugby model under consideration.

Stephen Mathew has the privilege of leading Wynberg Boys in their annual Classic Clash against SACS on Saturday in a match that also marks the school's 175th anniversary.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP, ROUND TWO: And so to Salta, a long leap for the teams from Nelspruit last Saturday to the foot of the Andes this Saturday.

Two old schools, Wynberg and SACS, meet again on the rugby field, and this time it's a really special occasion.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP, ROUND TWO: Complacency is the big battle facing the back-to-back World Cup champion All Blacks.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Daniel Hourcade has made just one change to his matchday squad for the return Rugby Championship Test against South Africa.

NEWS: Officials in charge of England's elite Premiership club competition joined the calls for reform of what they say is an "unsustainable" international calendar.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A large number of new players have arrived in the Premiership over the close season with some moving between clubs in England's top flight.

INTERVIEW: Argentina head coach Daniel Hourcade believes Saturday's Rugby Championship match against South Africa in Salta will be different due to the weather conditions.

CURRIE CUP PREMIER DIVISION: The Sharks will be looking to extend their unbeaten run when they face the Blue Bulls at Kings Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Olympic Sevens Bronze medallists Cheslin Kolbe and Werner Kok will both start for Western Province against the Eastern Province Kings, at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, in Port Elizabeth, on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The respective winners of two of the most famous trophies in South African club rugby go head to head on Saturday as the race for the last two places in the upcoming Gold Cup reaches its climax.

REACTION: Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais believes that his team cannot afford to concede early points if they are to topple the Sharks.

NEWS: Sevens star Seabelo Senatla has signed a new three-year tripartite contract with Western Province Rugby and the South African Rugby Union.

REACTION: Springbok coach said Elton Jantjies will be given time to settle at flyhalf and Johan Goosen at fullback.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas coach Peter Engledow has tweaked his starting XV that beat the Golden Lions last weekend for their clash against the Pumasin Nelspruit on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has made four changes to his team to face the Blue Bulls in their Currie Cup Premier Division Round Four clash in Durban on Saturday.

REACTION: All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has backed wing Julian Savea to justify his selection against the Wallabies in Wellington on Saturday.

REACTION: Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper said Saturday's match against the All Blacks will not be his personal attempt at redemption on the international stage.

NEWS: Bristol confirmed Andy Robinson has committed his future to the Premiership club.

Tauriq Ebrahim and Eugene Eloff puts the spotlight on some of the mediocrity seen in the Rugby Championship and also discuss the Currie Cup.

TEAM ANNOUMCEMENT: Quade Cooper has been thrown a Test lifeline after being recalled Thursday to the Australian side.

NEWS: Flank Guy Mercer has been appointed Bath captain ahead of the 2016/17 season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Boland Cavaliers coach Brent Janse van Rensburg has made a number of changes to his team to face the Golden Lions in a Currie Cup match on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Centre Anton Lienert-Brown will make his debut for New Zealand on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 columnist Richard Neal, looks at the lack of spectators in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ricky Schroeder, one of the loan players, will continue to lead the Eastern Province Kings into battle Western Province.

NEWS: The Melbourne Rebels have kept faith in international quality wing Dom Shipperley by re-signing him for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

REACTION: Australian Rugby Union Chief Executive Bill Pulver says his organisation won't go as far as the All Blacks by sweeping their rooms for listening devices.

In his first year of playing in the first XV, Tiaan de Witt will lead Hoërskool Tygerberg as they head to Hoërskool Brackenfell to attempt to continue their dominance in their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

Hoërskool Brackenfell captain Ruan Combrinck is keen to put an end to their six-year winning drought when their go head-to-head against Hoërskool Tygerberg in their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

INTERVIEW: Australia international and former Waratahs playmaker Kurtley Beale has revealed that he relishes the prospect of starting his new journey at Premiership club the Wasps.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Pumas are determined to record their first win of the Currie Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Despite Australia losing their last five Tests, Wallaby coach Michael Cheika's job is safe - for now.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais has made three changes to his starting team that will face the Sharks in their Currie Cup clash on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Vincent Koch will replace the injured Julian Redelinghuys in the only change to the Springboks' starting XV.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann has completely revamped his team for their Currie Cup Round Four encounter with the Boland Cavaliers.

Again we publish the results of matches when two schools meet.

INTERVIEW: Argentina are determined to reverse not only last week's narrow loss to South Africa, but also the last encounter the two teams had in Salta.

NEWS: New Zealand sevens coach Gordon Tietjens will only make a final decision on his coaching future after the post-Olympics review.

INJURY UPDATE: Australian international Matt Giteau could be out of action with injury for four months, Toulon President Mourad Boudjellal said.

THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: rugby365's Matthew Ackermann looks back at the Springbok 'victory' over the Pumas this past weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks' previous visit to Salta was an intimidating affair. rugby365 brings you the latest from the Bok camp.

It was close and it was tough but Boland Landbou beat rivals Oakdale of Riversdale 27-22 in Agter-Paarl on Saturday.

On Saturday, Paarl Gim entertained Outeniqua from George and won - 59-42, nine tries to six.

NEWS: French Top 14 side Bordeaux-Begles announced on Tuesday that they had signed Kobus van Wyk as an emergency replacement for injured fullback Darly Domvo.

INTERVIEW: With three wins from three in this year's Currie Cup Premier Division, the Sharks are brimming with confidence ahead of their showdown with the Blue Bulls in Durban on Saturday.

SACS captain James Brewer is looking to rain on Wynberg Boys' 175th Anniversary with a rare double over them when the teams meet in a Classic Clash at Wynberg on Saturday.

NEWS: England international and Exeter Chief newcomer Ollie Devoto says his team should continue to build on their pre-season form as they tackle Newport-Gwent Dragons on Friday.

Cwengile Jadezweni of Stellenbosch becomes South Africa's latest Test referee.

NEWS: Head coach Alan Solomons has named hooker Stuart McInally and lock Grant Gilchrist as Edinburgh Rugby's co-captains for the 2016/17 season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 columnist Richard Neal, in the first of his weekly wraps, looks at the 'new' National Provincial Championship in New Zealand.

NEWS: In what promises to be a Championship campaign that breaks new ground, Dublin has been chosen as the host city for this season's Pro12 Final on May 27, 2017.

REACTION: The Free State Cheetahs will look to build on their early season momentum and become more consistent.

INTERVIEW: Argentina wing Manuel Montero is hoping to have another opportunity to start for the Pumas when they face the Springboks in Salta on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Black veteran Jerome Kaino, now 33, is using his experience on the international stage to help groom the next generation of All Blacks stars.

NEWS: Wales international prop Ryan Bevington has agreed to join Bristol Rugby with immediate effect.

NEWS: Playmaker Quade Cooper is set to be included in Michael Cheika's Wallaby team for their Rugby Championship Round Two clash against the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Western Province head coach John Dobson confirmed that Sevens star Werner Kok is in his squad for the rest of the Currie Cup Premier Division campaign.

CLASSIC CLASH WRAP:  Hudson Park and Framesby ended their season on a successful note while Punt Hoërskool, Swartberg SS and Hexvallei SS also managed narrow wins.

TOURNAMENT: The first round of the second Maties schools Tournament will be played at Stellenbosch on Saturday August 27, 2016.

The Rugby Championship marches on - to Wellington and Salta.

NEWS: The British and Irish Lions coach will be announced on September 7, the team's management revealed on Monday.

INJURY UPDATE: The Blue Bulls have paid a dear price for their 49-35 win over the Eastern Province Kings at the weekend.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP, WEEK ONE: It should not come as a surprise that the world's top-ranked team dominates rugby365's famous weekly selection.

NEWS: New Zealand have extended their cushion at the top of the World Rugby rankings following their masterclass against Australia in the opening round of the Rugby Championship.

INJURY UPDATE: The Sharks will be without loose forward Lubabalo Mtembu for their clash against the Blue Bulls at Kings Park on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Players from the Free State Cheetahs, the Sharks and Griquas dominate our famous Currie Cup Premier Division Team of the Week for Round Three.

The Rugby Championship marches on - to Wellington and Salta.

INJURY UPDATE: The Pumas have several injury concerns to contend with ahead of their next game against Griquas at Mbombela Stadium on Friday.  

REPORT: Dale College claimed a thrilling 32-30 victory over Queen's College in their Classic Clash at the Recreation Grounds in Queenstown on Saturday.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby has presented the Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph with a pounamu mere in recognition of his 100 games at the helm of the Super Rugby club, the Highlanders.

REACTION: New Zealand have denied they are paranoid about being spied on amid revelations they routinely sweep hotel rooms for listening devices.

REACTION: Springbok scrumhalf Francois de Klerk said he was frustrated with the amount of slow ball he got during his team's 30-23 victory over Argentina on Saturday. Warren Fortune reports. 

INJURY UPDATE: Eastern Province Kings skipper Schalk Ferreira will most likely not be available for the rest of the season following a groin strain sustained during the Boland Cavaliers match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium two weeks ago.

IN THE SPOTKIGHT: The Wallabies' poor defence can be fixed, assistant coach Nathan Grey said Monday.

REACTION: All Blacks hooker Dane Coles, who is carrying a rib injury, said he hardly had any problems during his team's 42-8 victory over Australia in Sydney last Saturday.

Grey College scored 12 points in four minutes to beat Paul Roos 34-32 in an FNB Classic Clash in Bloemfontein.

NEWS: The England-born coach of Fiji's gold medal-winning Sevens team, Ben Ryan, has been awarded one of the Pacific nation's highest civil honours at a ceremony in the capital Suva on Monday.

INJURY UPDATE: New Zealand rushed five players into their squad as injury cover on Monday, ahead of the second Rugby Championship Test against Australia in Wellington.

REACTION: Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann does not see his team's 24-30 loss to Griquas as a 'setback'.

TOP 14 WRAP: Bayonne stunned three-time European champions Toulon 28-23 at the Stade Jean Dauger on Sunday in their first match back in the French Top 14 since promotion.

REACTION: Eastern Province Kings coach Barend Pieterse believes that his team's depth will be put to the test in the next two weeks.

REACTION: Bulls coach Nollis Marais is adamant his team will be able to raise their game for their Currie Cup crunch match with the Sharks.

REPORT: After a virtual no-show against Bishops the week before, SACS bounced back and beat their hosts Rondebosch 28-10.

REACTION: Loose forward Teboho Mohoje repaid the faith Springbok head coach Allister Coetzee had in him. Warren Fortune reports from Nelspruit.

TOP 14 WRAP: Defending French Top 14 champions Racing 92 slipped to a 9-15 defeat at Bordeaux-Begles on the opening day of the new season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rugby and golf thrived on their return to the Olympics after a century away, but will soon face new challengers in the battle to retain a place beyond the Tokyo 2020 Games.

REACTION: Fiji's gold-medal-winning Sevens team received a tumultuous heroes' welcome when they returned home from Rio Sunday to launch two days of celebrations.

INJURY UPDATE: Springbok prop Julian Redelinghuys will not travel with the 27-man squad to Argentina this coming week.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Like autumn days, the rugby matches dwindle down to a precious few as the rugby season peters out.

REACTION: Argentina head coach Daniel Hourcade has called for an 80-minute performance in Salta next weekend. Warren Fortune reports from Nelspruit.

REACTION: South African captain Adriaan Strauss said the valuable lessons they learnt in June against Ireland helped them against Argentina. Warren Fortune reports from Nelspruit.

REACTION: New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has paid tribute to the contributions of Beauden Barrett and Dane Coles.

REACTION: The woes mounted for the beleaguered Wallabies on Sunday.

OPINION: Argentina's hearts were left broken by a late Springbok comeback in their opening Rugby Championship encounter, however, they deserved more from the match.

OPINION: The Springboks may have beaten Argentina 30-23 but celebrating this victory would be a crying shame as they struggled to execute the simple basics in the opening round of the Rugby Championship.

REPORT: Griquas produced some of their best rugby to date to beat the Golden Lions 30-24 in their Currie Cup encounter at Griqua Park in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon.

REPORT: The Springboks scored 17 points in the final 10 minutes to secure a shameful 30-23 victory over a determined Argentina in Nelspruit.

REACTION: New Zealand captain Kieran Read says the execution in his side was not as good in the second half in their 42-8 win against the Australia in the Rugby Championship clash in Sydney on Saturday.

OPINION: The All Blacks' performance in the opening Rugby Championship encounter against the Wallabies proved that they are miles ahead of other countries as they thumped the home team 42-8 in Sydney.

OPINION: Australia were handed a lesson when they suffered an 8-42 defeat at the hands of New Zealand in their opening Rugby Championship match in Sydney.

LIVE NOW: rugby365 has linked up with School Sport Live to bring you live coverage of the massive derby between Rondebosch and SACS!

SCHOOLS LIVE STREAMING: rugby365 has linked up with School Sport Live to bring you live coverage of the massive derby between Paarl Gimnasium and Outeniqua!

REPORT: New Zealand were in an unforgiving mood as they destroyed Australia 42-8 in Sydney to lay down an early marker for the remainder of the Rugby Championship.

NEWS: Toulon signed Australian back Matthew Carraro as a medical joker on Friday to replace injured Japan full-back Ayumu Goromaru.

NEWS: A day after All Blacks arrived in Sydney, a listening device was found during a routine security sweep on Monday at the hotel.

INTERVIEW: The Lions will arrive in Kimberley on Saturday with a 'secret weapon'.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Josh Isaacson spent the week at the Argentina camp in Johannesburg and spoke to Pumas coach Daniel Hourcade.

REPORT: The Blue Bulls secured a 49-35 bonus-point win over the Eastern Province Kings in their Currie Cup encounter at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

REPORT: The Cheetahs held on for a thrilling 32-25 win over Western Province in their Currie Cup Round Three match at Newlands on Friday.

REPORT: The Sharks had too much fire power for a hapless Boland Cavaliers team in their Currie Cup Round Three match in Wellington on Friday.

NEWS: Ireland prop Finlay Bealham has extended his contract with Pro12 side Connacht.

NEWS: Chiefs coach Dave Rennie will leave New Zealand Rugby at the end of the 2017 Super Rugby season.

NEWS: Samoan international Jack Lam has been appointed as Bristol captain for the 2016/17 season.

INTERVIEW: It seems Argentina's powerhouse No.8 Facundo Isa is firmly on Springbok Warren Whiteley's mind ahead of Saturday's Rugby Championship Round One clash at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. Warren Fortune reports.

NEWS: South African-born flank Nick Fenton-Wells will miss Bristol's opening Premiership match after being banned for an offence he committed last season.

Two of the best agricultural schools in South Africa meet in Agter-Paarl on Saturday.

INTERVIEW: The Wallabies are hoping a new focus will help them upset New Zealand in the opening Rugby Championship Test.

The Classic Clash match between Hexvallei SS and De Kruine holds special meaning to Hexvallei captain Terrence Ludix, as it was in this derby that he made his first XV debut.

NEWS: The Melbourne Rebels have signed Welsh international lock Dominic Day, as they continue to boost their forward pack for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

INTERVIEW: Springbok prop Vincent Koch, who will start on the Springboks' bench against Argentina, is ready to bury the demons after a nightmarish experience against the same opponents a year ago. Warren Fortune reports.   

NEWS: New Zealand suffered a setback Friday on the eve of their Rugby Championship opener against Australia with hooker Nathan Harris sustaining a serious knee injury.

THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND ONE: In their first match in SANZAAR's 2016 Championship South Africa and Argentina meet in Nelspruit in the subtropical Lowveld.

It's Paul Roos's turn to trek north to Bloemfontein for their FNB Classic Clash with Grey College.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND ONE: Australia will set out to overturn 14 years of All Blacks torment when they open their Rugby Championship title defence against their New Zealand nemesis in Sydney on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Round Three matches serve as extended and exciting curtain raisers to the Springboks' opening Rugby Championship Test against Argentina.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Eastern Province Kings will face the Blue Bulls in their Currie Cup Round Three encounter without skipper Schalk Ferreira.

This FNB Classic Clash is a Border War, and yet a gentlemanly one, fought with skill, strength and speed and with laws equally applied.

REACTION: Springbok wing Bryan Habana will have the added responsibility of guiding an inexperienced backline against Argentina in the opening round of the Rugby Championship on Saturday. Warren Fortune reports.

PREVIEW: rugby365 and School Sports Live brings you live streaming of Rondebosch hosting neighbours and rivals SACS on Saturday in their penultimate match of the season.

He may only be in his first year of first XV rugby but Johann Joubert has been trusted with Paul Roos Gimnasium's captaincy as the team heads to Bloemfontein to tackle old rivals Grey College in their annual Classic Clash.

REACTION: Based on their performances against Ireland in the in June, Springbok head coach Allister Coetzee made it clear that his team will have to improve drastically on the field if they are to beat Argentina on Saturday. Warren Fortune reports.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina captain Agustin Creevy will bring up his half-ton against South Africa in Nelspruit on Saturday.

PREVIEW: rugby365 and School Sports Live brings you live streaming of two of South Africa's top rugby teams meeting in Paarl - Paarl Gim and Outeniqua of George.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Julian Redelinghuys will earn his first start for the Springboks against Argentina in Nelspruit on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach  Johan Ackermann made a number of changes to his team to Griquas in a Currie Cup game in Kimberley on Saturday.

In the Currie Cup match between the Golden Lions and the Pumas at Ellis Park, there was confusion about player numbers.

In his final match as captain of Grey College's first XV, Gideo Beukes is hopeful of regaining the Classic Clash bragging rights when they host Paul Roos Gymnasium on Saturday.

Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim puts the Springboks' first BIG Test of the year in the spotlight.

Langenhoven Gimnasium will have their backs against the wall in their Classic Clash against Punt on Saturday as a number of injuries have forced them to field an inexperienced team.

Mihlali Peter will lead a highly experienced Queen's College team onto the field for their Classic Clash against Dale College on Saturday.

Hawston captain Showan Moos knows the feeling of bagging an Classic Clash victory over Swartberg and is hopeful of leading his team to retain the bragging rights.

A dying second loss in the 2015 Classic Clash is fresh on Framesby captain Ruben le Roux' mind as he is set to lead his against Nico Malan in the 2016 edition of the long-standing rivalry.

With an excellent season behind them, De Kruine captain Tristan Sneygans is hopeful his charges can end their season on a high when they take on rivals Hexvallei in their annual Classic Clash.

Jan de Koning en Eugene Eloff plaas die Springbokke se eerste Rugby-Kampioenskap Toets teen Argentinië onder die vergrootglas.

REACTION: All Blacks and Hurricanes flyhalf Beauden Barrett says he wasn't expecting to start for the All Blacks in this weekend's Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup opener against Australia.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A few Wallabies shaved their heads as a mark of respect for teammate Christian Lealiifano ahead of their clash against the All Blacks on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Argentina defence coach Pablo Bouza believes that his team must learn from the Jaguares' lack of tactical awareness during this year's Super Rugby season in order to make sure that the same mistakes are not repeated on the international stage.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Coach Michael Cheika welcomed back 315 Tests of experience for Australia's Bledisloe Cup and 2016 Rugby Championship opener.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Playmaker Beauden Barrett will start in the No.10 jersey for the All Blacks in their Bledisloe Cup match against Australia at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Saturday.

NEWS: Gregor Townsend will replace Vern Cotter as the head coach of the Scotland national side at the end of the 2016/17 season, the Scottish Rugby Union announced Wednesday.

In the absence of regular captain Siyanda Am, Siphosethu Dlongodlongo has received the honour of leading Dale College in their annual Classic Clash against old foes Queen's College.

Led by Reghardt van Eyk, Hoërskool Punt would want to end their season on a high note as they go head-to-head against Langenhoven Gimnasium in their annual Classic Clash.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok flank Schalk Burger says he is relishing a new challenge at Saracens after joining the English club's pre-season training earlier this week.

Hoping to add his name to a long list of memorable Cambridge High School first XV captains is Pumezo Kanzi, who will lead the side in their annual Classic Clash against Hudson Park High School on Saturday.

Hosts Swartberg Secondary School would want to avoid a second consecutive defeat as they go up against Hawston Secondary School in their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

Hoërskool Nico Malan's experienced captain Bendré Jonck will want to secure back-to-back victories when his side travels to Hoërskool Framesby for their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

Led by Libhongo Geza, Hudson Park High School hopes to end their season on a high note as they go head-to-head against Cambridge High School in their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has made four changes to the team that defeated Griquas last weekend for their Round Three Currie Cup Premier Division clash again Boland in Wellington on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Boland Cavaliers have made only two changes for their third match of the Currie Cup season against the Sharks in Wellington on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais believes that his team needs to be more accurate on both attack and defence if they are to learn from the errors that plagued them in their 20-43 defeat to the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Province coach John Dobson has made a number of changes to his team to face the Free State Cheetahs at Newlands on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Free State Cheetahs will be without captain Francois Venter for their clash against Western Province at Newlands on Friday.

INTERVIEW: New Zealand fullback Israel Dagg is expecting a lot from Australia when the two meet for the opening Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney on Saturday.

NEWS: Leinster will be without their defence coach Kurt McQuilkin who is returning home to New Zealand for personal reasons.

NEWS: Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young has named England lock Joe Launchbury as Wasps' captain ahead of the 2016/17 season.

NEWS: Sale Sharks hooker Cameron Neild and England Saxons centre Sam James have signed new four-year contracts after making their mark at the club in the Premiership.

NEWS: After much confusion, three-time European champions Toulon have eventually managed to secure the signature of Australian flank Liam Gill, although the confirmation remains subject to a full medical.

INTERVIEW: Argentina's 33-year-old veteran lock Juan Manuel Leguizamón believes that the passion and emotion shown by the players in the Argentina national team has the ability to lift their game.

NEWS: Oregan Hoskins has vacated his position as SA Rugby president with immediate effect at a general council meeting on Wednesday.

INTERVIEW: Juan de Jongh is hoping to secure a regular spot in Allister Coetzee's Springbok squad after nearly four years in the international wilderness.

THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: rugby365's Matthew Ackermann found a new 'gold rush' in the Fijian Islands.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Start from scratch and build a solid foundation for future success.

REPORT: At Bishops on Tuesday afternoon, SA Schools beat France Under-19 42-3 after a slow start.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Argentina expect South Africa to be at their 'brutal; best' when the two teams meet in the opening round of the Rugby Championship on Saturday.

NEWS: Scrumhalf Francois Hougaard will miss the Springboks' first two matches in this year's Rugby Championship because of a knee niggle.

REPORT: SA Schools A redeemed their Day one performance by securing a 53-14 win over England on Day two of the Under-19 International Series.

NEWS: New Zealand is facing an intriguing midfield poser, with the news that star centre George Moala has been ruled out of their Rugby Championship opener.

NEWS: The Waratahs received a huge boost with confirmation that Australian Olympic Sevens star Cameron Clark has signed with the team until the end of 2018.

REPORT: Wales were in an unforgiving mood as they put Italy to the sword to claim a comfortable 41-15 victory in their second Under-19 International Series match at Bishops on Tuesday.

INTERVIEW: Springbok utility back Johan Goosen says playing in France with some of the world's best players has helped his game a lot in the last two years.

INJURY UPDATE: The Pumas are counting the cost of their 26-68 loss to the defending champion Golden Lions in their Currie Cup encounter at Ellis Park last week.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blue Bulls have been given a significant boost ahead of their Currie Cup[ Round Three encounter with the Eastern Province Kings at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

New Zealand's provincial competitions are getting under way with law adaptations in them.

REACTION: Fiji's euphoria following their historic Olympic gold medal in Sevens could be tinged with sadness.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: What do you do when SA Schools play, and teams with players involved in those two teams play and lose?

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks will be out to nullify Argentina's strongest weapon, the scrum, when they face off in their Rugby Championship Round One match in Nelspruit on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Two teams made a big statement of intent this past weekend and they were rewarded in rugby365's famous weekly selection.

As the season peters out it seems that there are more 'big' games than ever especially in the southern part of the country.

INJURY UPDATE: Western Province coach John Dobson will be sweating over the result of Springbok loose forward Nizaam Carr's arthroscopic surgery.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The six Under-19 teams taking part in the International Series will be in action at Bishops on Tuesday.

NEWS: Northampton Saints have signed Argentina Sevens star Juan Pablo Estelles from Atletico del Rosario.

REACTION: SA Rugby said was it was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former struggle stalwart and South African Minister of Sport and Recreation, Makhenkesi Stofile.

INJURY UPDATE: The Eastern Province Kings, already struggling with limited resources, have a number of injury concerns.

SANZAAR's championship starts this weekend in Sydney and Nelspruit.

INJURY UPDATE: Olympic Bronze medalist Francois Hougaard is doubtful for the Springboks opening match of the Rugby Championship against Argentina in Nelspruit on Saturday. 

EXCLUSIVE: Eugene Eloff, a two-time former Under-19 World Cup winner, shares a few success stories of players that made it when no one gave them a chance.

REPORT: In Paarl, a crowd of more than 12 000 filled up the Faure Street Stadium for a tightly contested match as Klein Nederburg Secondary School secured a narrow 10-7 win against New Orleans Secondary School.

REPORT: The Classic Clash title exchanged hands as Hoërskool Noord-Kaap stormed to a 32-17 win over Hoërskool Diamantveld on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Graeme College ended their season on a high as they beat Muir College 23-6 in Grahamstown on Saturday.  

REACTION: The injection of overseas-based players will make the Wallabies a bigger threat to the All Blacks than they were to England in June.

INTERVIEW: Coach Michael Cheika fired up the war of words with his New Zealand counterpart Steve Hansen on Monday.

REPORT: There is nothing wrong in South African schools rugby if it produces rugby of as great tradition and impeccable manners as this one.

REPORT: In the Classic Clash in East London, Selborne beat Grey of PE 27-21.

REACTION: Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais was left disappointed with his team's inaccuracy after they suffered a 20-43 defeat at the hands of the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

NEWS: The Springboks will draw on various positives from each of the country's Super Rugby franchises as they prepare for the 2016 edition of the Rugby Championship.

REACTION: The Sharks will keep their faith in inexperienced players like Curwin Bosch and Innocent Radebe throughout the Currie Cup competition.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After the long weekend schools have recovered to play more matches, except in KwaZulu-Natal.

REACTION: The Golden Lions may have claimed a more than comfortable 68-26 victory over the Pumas but know they have plenty of sharpening up to do as the tournament wears on.

REACTION: Boland Cavaliers head coach Brent Janse van Rensburg was pleased with the improvement his side showed in their 28-10 victory over the Eastern Province Kings on Friday.

REACTION: Boland Cavaliers head coach Brent Janse van Rensburg was pleased with the improvement his side showed in their 28-10 victory over the Eastern Province Kings on Friday.

REACTION: Boland Cavaliers head coach Brent Janse van Rensburg was pleased with the improvement his side showed in their 28-10 victory over the Eastern Province Kings on Friday.

REACTION: Eastern Province Kings coach Barend Pieterse is counting the costs of his side's Currie Cup opener after two experienced players limped off the field.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Despite being a late call-up into the All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship, Damian McKenzie has been left at home for their opening match against Australia in Sydney.

REACTION: Golden Lions lock Lourens Erasmus scored the fastest try in Currie Cup history on Saturday.

NEWS: It was a weekend of mixed news for the Sharks as they received some positive news about Springbok Patrick Lambie and a shock resignation.

REPORT: The Free State Cheetahs outclassed the Blue Bulls - beating them 43-20 in their Currie Cup Round Two match in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

REPORT: The Lions started the defence of their Currie Cup crown with a 68-26 drubbing of the hapless Pumas at Ellis Park on Saturday.

REACTION: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen feels his side was scrappy at times in their three-way friendly against Northland and Counties ahead of the Rugby Championship.

NEWS: No.8 Duane Vermeulen suffered a knee injury while playing for his French club Toulon and was on Saturday withdrawn from the Springbok squad.

EUROPE'S CALLING: The Australian Rugby Union has granted early releases to Liam Gill and Greg Holmes.

REACTION: The public debate surrounding the All Black brand's link to New Zealand's national Sevens team took another twist on Saturday.

INTERVIEW: There is a new generation of New Zealand loose forwards to torment Wallaby David Pocock, but he is looking forward to the challenge.

NEWS: United States Eagles prop Chris Baumann and towering Waratahs lock Sam Lousi will add bulk to a Wellington Lions squad.

NEWS: Coach Scott Roberston has named three Fijian newcomers in his Canterbury squad to defend the National Provincial Championship, when the competition kicks off next week.

INTERVIEW: Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika looks set to experiment with his back row options during the upcoming Rugby Championship.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks went to the top of the Currie Cup Premier Division standings with a 46-24 bonus-point win over Griquas at Kings Park on Friday.

INTERNATIONAL AGE-GROUP SERIES: The South African Schools beat Wales Under-18 team 23-17 at City Park in Cape Town on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: Boland Cavaliers bagged their first win of the 2016 Currie Cup Premier Division when they beat the Eastern Province Kings 28-10 in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

Grey College of Bloemfontein drop over the Berg and down to warmer Durban to play Glenwood.

REACTION: Great Britain Sevens star Dan Bibby says he hopes their performances at the Rio Olympics will inspire people to play the sport. 

REACTION: New Western Force recruit Curtis Rona is already in the sights of Wallaby coach Michael Cheika.

REPORT: Italy's first half performance proved more than enough to secure them a 23-20 historic victory over South Africa A in the second match of the Under-19 International Series.

PREVIEW: As is customary, Faure Street  Stadium will be home to a big, enthusiastic crowd for an Interschools match.

INTERVIEW: Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann will 'experiment' a bit in the Currie Cup, but retaining their title remains top priority.

REPORT: France failed to score any second half points but hung on to claim a 23-18 victory over England in the first Under-19 International Series match in Cape Town on Friday.

REACTION: Neil Powell, the South African Sevens coach, admitted the players succumbed to 'nerves' in their semifinal loss to Britain at the Rio Olympics.

The versatile Kelvin January looks forward to the chance of leading New Orleans Secondary School against old foes Klein Nederburg in their annual Classic Clash in Paarl on Saturday

PREVIEW: Grey High of Port Elizabeth and Selborne College of East London play each other every year in a match that they first played in 1926.

Reclaiming the Classic Clash honours will be on Grey High School captain, Tertius Groenewald's mind when they travel to East London to take on Selborne on Saturday.

REACTION: Fiji came to a standstill as their Sevens team gave a seven-try masterclass against Britain and secured the Pacific island's first Olympic medal.

OLYMPIC SEVENS: Fiji made history in more ways than one - winning the first title upon rugby's return to the games.

Rasta Rasivhenge of South Africa will referee the Sevens Final in Rio.

It may just be by some years the oldest match in the land - Bishops vs SACS.

RIO OLYMPICS: Fiji will face Britain in the Sevens Final, after two very contrasting semifinals on Thursday.

PREVIEW: On Friday in suburban Cape Town, three Under-19 international matches will be played.

CURRIE CUP PREMIER DIVISION: The Currie Cup will be in full swing this weekend with the Golden Lions, Eastern Province Kings and Griquas kicking off their Premier Division campaigns.

REACTION: Chiefs midfield back Anton Lienert-Brown offers the All Blacks more options than any other player.

Klein Nederburg Secondary School captain Nathan Fredericks will want nothing but a win when his side takes on New Orleans Secondary School in their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: With the bulk of the 26-man SA Schools squad being made up of Western Province players, who took top honours in the Under-18 Craven Week for the second successive year, SA Schools coach Lance Sendin had the luxury of selecting a few settled player combinations.

OLYMPIC SEVENS: New Zealand Seven coach Gordon Tietjens is not using injuries as an excuse for his team's poor performances at the Olympic Sevens in Rio De Janeiro. 

Fullback Gladwin Nieuwenhuizen has been assigned the pivotal role of leading a young Hoërskool Noord-Kaap side against Hoërskool Diamantveld in their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

Hoërskool Diamantveld captain Bernard Zirk Jansen hopes to continue his sides winning streak as they hunt for a third successive Classic Clash win over arch-rivals Hoërskool Noord-Kaap.

NEWS: Newcastle Falcons have signed Tonga back-row forward Opeti Fonua from Leicester Tigers.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Free State Cheetahs head coach Franco Smith has made three changes to the starting XV that beat Boland for their clash against the Blue Bulls in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have gone down the route of dual captaincy for the defence of their Currie Cup crown.

OLYMPIC SEVENS: Japan playmaker Lomano Lemeki is backing his team to cause a few more upsets in the Olympic Sevens competition and win the competition's gold medal.

Inside centre Sango Xamlashe has been tasked with leading a young Selborne side to a second successive victory over Grey High in their annual Classic Clash on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Pumas have been boosted by the arrival of their No.8 Renaldo Bothma, just in time for what promises to be a stern Currie Cup test against the Golden Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim puts the spotlight on Springbok selections and appointments. There is also some Currie Cup and Super Rugby.

Day 3 is a decisive day for the Sevens at the Olympic Games.

Jan de Koning en Eugene Eloff plaas die jongste Springbok aanstellings en span-keuses onder die vergrootglas.

NEWS: Wealthy Top 14 outfit Toulon have been fined €100 000 (£86 000) for exceeding the salary cap during the 2014/2015 season, French Rugby's governing body (LNR) said on Wednesday.

NEWS: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen put a positive spin on the season-ending injury to backline star Sonny Bill Williams, saying Thursday the rest would probably do him good in the long run.

NEWS: Pau announced that they had signed loosehead prop Jamie Mackintosh rival Top 14 side Montpellier. 

OLYMPIC SEVENS: South Africa Sevens captain Kyle Brown said their Pool B defeat to Australia helped them in their Olympic quarterfinal win over the same opponents on Wednesday.

NEWS: New Zealand rugby legend Colin Meads confirmed Thursday that he has cancer, vowing to fight the disease as he requested privacy for his family. 

OLYMPIC SEVENS: New Zealand became the first of the tournament's big guns to be send packing at Rio.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: If you watched the Final of Super Rugby, you know that the title is true.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Boland Cavaliers kept changes to the minimum for their second match of the Currie Cup season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Eastern Province Kings coach Barend Pieterse said he is happy that his team is being written off before the start of their Currie Cup campaign.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann was able to call up a number of his Super Rugby stars, as they start the defence of their Currie Cup crown.

OLYMPIC SEVENS: New Zealand sneaked in the quarterfinals at the Rio Olympics, courtesy of South Pacific rivals Fiji.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas coach Peter Engledow wasted no time in bringing back his big guns for their opening Currie Cup match of the season.

SQAUD ANNOUNCEMENT: Jaguares centre Jerónimo De la Fuente has not been included in the 26-man squad after he sustained an injury ahead of the Rugby Championship match in South Africa.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Utility back Ulrich Beyers will make a welcome return to the Blue Bulls on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks will be without both their Du Preez twins, Jean-Luc and Daniel, when they host Griquas on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The absence of Japan-based fullback Willie le Roux has created a three-way race for the Springbok No.15 jersey.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Unhappy rugby fans are calling on New Zealand Rugby Union to drop the All Blacks tag given to the national sevens team.

NEWS: Sale Sharks have signed England Under-20 hooker Curtis Langdon ahead of the Premiership season.

There were few results but interesting ones.

NEWS: New England Patriots defensive back and United States of America Sevens player Nate Ebner hopes the Sevens side will set the pace for the sport's development in the USA.

REPORT: St Andrew’s College cruised to a 48-12 victory against Muir College in their final match of the season in Grahamstown.

REACTION: Following a successful Day One at the Rio Olympics, South Africa's Sevens team have a crucial pool game against Australia on Wednesday.

THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: rugby365's Matthew Ackermann looks at Super Rugby's new predator!

INTERVIEW: All Black legend Richie McCaw joked Tuesday he was "never good enough" for Sevens, dubbing as "brilliant" the sport's debut at the Olympics.

MEN'S SEVENS DAY ONE UPDATE: After two games in the Olympic Sevens competition, South Africa are yet to concede any points.

NEWS: Code-swapping star Sonny Bill Williams was Tuesday ruled out of the rest of the Olympic men's Sevens with an achilles tendon injury, the New Zealand Olympic team announced.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: It took us a while. However, after much debate, our team of 'selectors' produced what they felt was the best combination of the opening round.

MEN'S SEVENS DAY ONE: Japan caused one of the biggest shocks in Sevens history when they beat New Zealand 14-12 in their opening match of the Olympic Sevens.

NEWS: Connacht Rugby and the IRFU have confirmed the recruitment of lock Lewis Stevenson for the 2016/17 season.

NEWS: Lewis Evans has been named Newport Gwent Dragons captain ahead of the 2016/17 season.

NEWS: Jonny Gray and Henry Pyrgos have been named co-captains of Glasgow Warriors for the 2016/17 season.

NEWS: Prop Schalk Ferreira will captain the Eastern Province Kings in this year's Currie Cup Premier Division.

Super Rugby is over, the Hurricanes delighted, the Lions disappointed.

EXCLUSIVE: Tauriq Ebrahim caught up with South African Schools captain Salmaan Moerat, who is continuing his family's legacy of producing highly talented sportsmen, which dates back to the 80s.

INTERVIEW: Melbourne Rebels utility back Reece Hodge will be happy to make his Wallaby debut in any position amongst the backs during the Rugby Championship.

WRAP: All but one Classic Clash result went the way it was expected after another action packed weekend.

NEWS: One of the most iconic figures of provincial rugby – the Rugby Cup – returns to New Zealand's national competition and will be the silverware presented to the winners of this year's National Provincial Championship.

NEWS: Wallaby Toutai Kefu will return to Ballymore as head coach of Bond University Queensland Country in the 2016 National Rugby Championship (NRC).

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Neil Powell was in a positive frame of mind a day before the start of the South African team's campaign at the Olympic Sevens tournament in Rio de Janeiro.

INJURY UPDATE: The Blue Bulls received a timely boost ahead of their Currie Cup trip to Bloemfontein this week.

NEWS: Jan de Koning reports on the protracted Eastern Province Kings saga, which has more plot twists than your average soap-opera.

Alhambra Nievas of Spain will referee the first-ever Olympic Games Sevens Final.

INTERVIEW: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez will be wanting his team to build on their win against the Pumas when they face Griquas in Round Two of this year's Currie Cup Premier Division.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT:  Players to watch at the Sevens at the Rio Olympics, which gets underway on Tuesday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Wallabies have begun working on their game plan ahead of their Bledisloe Cup match against the All Blacks on August 20.

OPINION: rugby365 columnist Brett McKay asks if the Hurricanes perhaps showed that New Zealand teams now prefer to play without the ball.

NEWS: The Pumas have several injury concerns to contend after their 10-33 loss to the Sharks at the Mbombela Stadium last Friday.

NEWS: The SA Schools and SA Schools A teams began their preparations for the International Series on an inspirational note as they were treated to a talk by Springbok captain Jean de Villiers on Sunday.

NEWS: Western Province are hoping to make the most of their bye week at a training camp in Hermanus.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The 2016 Super Rugby season is done and dusted and now it is time for rugby365's Team of the Tournament.

OLYMPIC SEVENS: Fiji will be hoping to make history by winning a first-ever Olympic medal for their country.

NEWS: Springbok prop Lourens Adriaanse was on Monday called up to the Springbok squad after Trevor Nyakane was ruled out of Boks' first two matches of the Rugby Championship against Argentina because of an ankle injury.

REACTION: Coach Michael Cheika and the Wallabies on Monday backed their teammate Christian Lealiifano to win his fight against leukaemia.

NEWS: Democratic Alliance Mayoral Candidate, Athol Trollip, dropped a bombshell for the beleaguered Eastern Province rugby Union at the weekend, when he said that the ZAR20-million support package that had been promised by the municipality was not a done deal.

The big one was a thriller when Boys' High beat Gim in Paarl.

REACTION: Pumas head coach MJ Mentz admitted that his team was outplayed in their opening Currie Cup Premier Division clash against the Sharks in Nelspruit on Friday.

REACTION: After being involved in a number of Super Rugby Finals, Hurricanes assistant coach John Plumtree can finally add a winners’ tankard to his collection of runners-up achievements.

REACTION: They are already setting a trend the rest of South Africa may follow, but the Lions believe their best is yet to come.

REACTION: The Hurricanes celebrated their break-through Super Rugby championship win Sunday with confirmation coach Chris Boyd will be staying on for the next two years. 

REACTION: Western Province head coach John Dobson gave an honest assessment of his team's performance after their 26-45 defeat at the hands of the Blue Bulls in their Currie Cup Premier Division Round One clash at Loftus Versfeld.

REACTION: Blue Bulls head coach Nollis Marais had mixed feelings after his team's winning start in this year's Currie Cup Premier Division.

NEWS: Hurricanes duo Ben May and Loni Uhila have both been issued with a Citing Commissioner Warning for dangerous play during Saturday's Super Rugby Final.

MATCH REPORT: Just one point but enough to send Paarl Boy's High into ecstasy as they beat Gim 26-25.

REACTION: Hurricanes captain Dane Coles played through the pain barrier as he led his team to their maiden Super Rugby title.

REACTION: Lions head coach Johan Ackermann lamented his team's inability to control possession in the difficult conditions in Wellington on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Free State Cheetahs moved to the top of the standings at the end of the opening round of the Currie Cup competition.

REACTION: The Hurricanes revealed that the late Jerry Collins was a big part of the inspiration behind the franchise's defence this year.

OLYMPIC SPOTLIGHT: When rugby return to the Olympic Games, some of the sport's greatest names will be watching from the sidelines.

NEWS: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has included uncapped Malcolm Marx and recalled Johan Goosen in a squad of 31 players.

OPINION: Another defensively brilliant performance by the Hurricanes saw them keep the Lions try-less to claim a 20-3 victory and secure their first Super Rugby title.

OPINION: The Lions were far off their best in rainy Wellington conditions and succumbed to a 3-20 defeat at the hands of the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby Final on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Hurricanes are Super Rugby champions for the first time, following their 20-3 dismantling of the Lions in a wet Wellington on Saturday.

NEWS: Wallaby back Christian Lealiifano has been diagnosed with leukaemia and is undergoing treatment in hospital.

NEWS: World Rugby is aiming for a global Rugby Union season unifying the North and South Hemispheres by the end of the year.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Argentina's Juan Imhoff is a rarity in the men's rugby sevens at the Rio Olympics, an all-out XVs star who, along with New Zealand's Sonny Bill Williams, has successfully transitioned into the abbreviated game.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks ran in five tries to record an impressive 33-10 bonus-point win against the Pumas in their Currie Cup Premier Division encounter in Nelspruit on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: The Blue Bulls got their 2016 Currie Cup Premier Division campaign off to the perfect start with a 45-26 bonus-point win over rivals Western Province at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

NEWS: Newcastle Falcons have signed Scotland flank Tyrone Holmes.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Boland wasted no time in adding new recruit Jacques Engelbrecht to their team for their return to the Currie Cup Premier Division.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Punches and kicks raining down on the pitch, rioting fans and dressing room theft.

Nstonkotha Secondary School captain Badashe Avuya advised his team to stay focus against Zweliyandila Secondary School in their annual Classic Clash on Friday in East London.

INTERVIEW: Wallaby coach Michael Cheika clearly believes in the hare and tortoise philosophy.

NEWS: The Waratahs have signed Sydney-born utility back row forward Michael Wells.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: At the start of the season Lions captain Warren Whiteley faced the most difficult poser of his career - Super Rugby or Sevens.

INTERVIEW: The Blue Bulls is set to adopt their Super Rugby style, when they face Western Province in their Currie Cup opener at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.