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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Flank Sias Koen has been handed the captain's armband for Griquas crucial clash against Western Province at Newlands on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Exeter Chiefs top the standings are three rounds of the Premiership, but is their early lead reflected in the tournaments statistics.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Last year’s Pumas Player of the Year, hooker Frankie Herne, gets a well-deserved opportunity to start against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday.

OPINION: Danny Care steps in to fill the void left by Jim Hamilton and discusses touring, Vegas and one-on-one scrummaging with Adam Jones in the hotel bar. The lads are also joined by the King of Bath, Freddie Burns, who calls in mid-road rage!

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok captain Eben Etzebeth has called out the vile abuse that has been directed at Springbok players and their families following their defeat in New Zealand.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Blue Bulls director of rugby John Mitchell has opted not make use of Springboks Rudy Paige and Handré Pollard when they face the Sharks on Saturday in Durban.

OPNINION: Scotty Stevenson and Mils Muliaina give an honest review of South Africa’s shocking performance over the weekend.

TRANSFER NEWS: Warriors have signed scrumhalf Jono Kitto on a short-term loan deal from Leicester Tigers, who joins the club with immediate effect.

REACTION: The liquidated company Western Province Rugby (Pty) Ltd has denied it has committed fraud by not filing a Statement of Affairs. Jan de Koning reports.

No Tests this week as Rugby Championship has a weekend off, but PRO14 steams ahead and there are starts to the competition season in Italy and Hong Kong.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Loose forward Francois Louw said he feels "torn' between his club Bath and the Springboks.

NEWS: French clubs wishing to recruit a player or coach from rival Top 14 outfits will have to wait until the final year of their contract or face sanctions, the national rugby league (LNR) announced Tuesday.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Sharks have announced the signing of lock Gideon Koegelenberg on a two-year contract.

OBITUARY: Lionel Wilson, A Springbok and Western Province fullback, in the 1960s died peacefully in Napier, New Zealand, on Sunday 17 September 2017. He was 84 years of age.  

CURRIE CUP ROUND 10: The table-topping Sharks are beginning to put daylight between themselves and the rest and it also shows in rugby365's famous weekly selection.

TRANSFER NEWS: Openside flank Olly Robinson has joined Cardiff Blues from Bristol on a short-term loan deal.

NEWS: Ireland believes they will deliver a victorious 2023 World Cup bid to the World Rugby Council next week.

NEWS: Leinster prop Cian Healy has been forced off the squad flight travelling from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town after a laptop incident.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Johan Ackermann factor made it easy for Australian international hooker James Hanson to join Gloucester on a short-term deal prior to the start of next year's Super Rugby competition.

INJURY UPDATE: The Springboks will be without flank Jaco Kriel for the remainder of the season, the Lions Rugby Company confirmed on Tuesday.

SEVENS SPOTLIGHT: BlitzBoks duo Dylan Sage and Siviwe Soyizwapi have added heaps of experience to the SA Rugby Sevens Academy squad for the Oktoberfest Sevens in Munich, Germany on September 29 and 30.

NPC SPOTLIGHT: After five rounds, Rugby365 columnist Richard Neal separates the contenders from the pretenders in the National Provincial Championship.

NEWS: In an intriguing twist in the protracted Aerios versus Western Province saga, criminal charges have been filed.

REACTION: Western Province head coach John Dobson described his side's 12-22 loss to the Pumas in Nelspruit last weekend as a "freakish event".

INJURY UPDATE: The Blue Bulls have two new injury concerns after their narrow 33-36 loss to the Golden Lions last weekend.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland captain Rory Best will miss his province Ulster's first two European Champions Cup matches because of a hamstring injury the club announced on Monday.

NEWS: New Zealand's Victor Vito of La Rochelle was voted French Top 14 Player of the Year for 2016-2017 on Monday for his part in the club's run for the title.

TRANSFER NEWS: Fijian loose forward Isi Naisarani became one of the first players to leave the Western Force Tuesday following their axing from Super Rugby, signing a one-year deal with the Brumbies.

WATCH: After the hiding the All Blacks gave the Springboks on the weekend, Radio Sport NZ's Martin Devlin and RugbyPass's Jamie Wall couldn’t wait till later in the week to talk about it.

AUDIO: All Black coach Steve Hansen and captain Kieran read were, as always, courteous in their responses. However, what does the Kiwis really think of the Springboks? Listen to what was said on New Zealand Talkback Radio!

INJURY UPDATE: The Kings have escaped unscathed from their brutal 10-31 loss to Leinster in Port Elizabeth at the weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: There has been no positional changes in World Rugby's rankings after last weekend's Rugby Championship matches.

REACTION: The Cheetahs will be looking to build on their 54-39 victory against Zebre over the next few weeks in Bloemfontein.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wasps coach Dai Young has questioned the nature of flank James Haskell’s yellow card during the Premiership match on Sunday.

NEWS: Handré Pollard and Damian de Allende are amongst seven Springbok players released to play in the Currie Cup this coming weekend, it was confirmed on Monday.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Players from New Zealand continue to dominate our selections for Team of the Week after they humiliated the Springboks once again.

NEWS: Cardiff Blues are considering imposing a lifetime ban on a supporter who threw beer in the direction of Irish referee George Clancy during Saturday's clash with Glasgow.

REACTION: The Springboks are 'too prescriptive' and they should start chancing their arm.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The All Blacks will not take six first-choice players on their Rugby Championship trip to Argentina as they rest them in the midst of a gruelling international season, coach Steve Hansen said Monday.

Wasps have called for rugby’s authorities to take further action following Sunday's angry flare-up between the B&I Lions and England teammates James Haskell and Joe Marler. Haskell was sent to the sin-bin for grabbing Marler by the throat with both hands, but Wasps’ Director of Rugby, Dai Young, believes the sport needs to crack down on the players who spark such incidents.

LISTEN: It was a defiant Allister Coetzee who arrived back home on Sunday, saying he will NOT veer off the path he has chosen.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Highly-regarded flyhalf Marcus Smith showed the qualities which have earned rave reviews with 14 points as Harlequins ended Wasps' record 20-win streak at home with a 24-21 victory on Sunday.

TOP 14 WRAP: Dan Carter's Racing 92 held off a spirited Oyonnax to win 25-13 on Sunday and move level on points with Montpellier at the Top 14 summit.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand flyhalf Aaron Cruden says the hunger for success exuded by Montpellier owner Mohed Altrad and coach Vern Cotter persuaded him to end his international career and move to the Top 14 side.

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

OPINION: From 'clubbing baby seals, to a 'B-plus' for the All Blacks. But who were Rugby Championship Round Four's best performers?

REACTION: The Wallabies are preparing for a Springbok backlash in their next Rugby Championship Test.

FIRST DIVISION WRAP: The Border Bulldogs earned their first victory this weekend.

NEWS: Japanese organisers were warned Sunday to accelerate their preparations for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, with training venues a key area of concern.

REACTION: The All Blacks may be riding the crest of the wave, but coach Steve Hansen feels the team can improve significantly.

REACTION: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee was desperately searching for 'positives' from his team's humiliating 0-57 loss to the All Blacks.

TOP 14 SATURDAY WRAP:French Top 14 champions Clermont hit back from their 20-51 mauling by La Rochelle to crush rock-bottom Brive 62-6 on Saturday in an eight-try rout.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: American star Chris Wyles fittingly opened the scoring in Philadephia, but it was the boot of the returning Owen Farrell that proved the difference as Saracens edged out Newcastle Falcons 29-7.

PRO14 REPORT: Finn Russell scored the winning penalty as Glasgow Warriors overcame a 10-point deficit to beat Cardiff Blues and preserve their unbeaten start to the season.

REACTION: The wounded Springboks prepared to return to South Africa on Sunday after their record hiding by New Zealand, warning that Australia will feel the backlash in two weeks. 

REACTION: The All Blacks paid tribute to defence coach Wayne Smith as they celebrated their record-breaking 57-0 demolition of arch-rivals South Africa in a Rugby Championship clash in Auckland on Saturday.

PRO14 REPORT: First-half tries from Jean Kleyn and Darren Sweetnam was enough for Munster as they battled past a gutsy Ospreys 21-16 to stay top of Conference A and make it three Pro14 wins in a row.

PRO14 REPORT: The Cheetahs bagged their first win in the Pro14 competition when they beat Zebre 54-39 in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Golden Lions continued their resurgence in this year's Currie Cup when they edged the Blue Bulls 36-33 at Ellis Park on Saturday.

OPINION: Argentina went down 20-45,however the visitors led the Wallabies at half-time before stuttering to defeat in the second half.

OPINION: The Wallabies defeated Argentina 45-20 in a hard-fought match which saw the home team struggle in the first half but fight back in the second half .

MATCH REPORT: Leinster made it three wins from three matches in the Pro14 when they recorded a 31-10 bonus-point win over the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

OPINION: Reality set in for South African as they ran into a brutally clinical New Zealand at the North Harbour stadium in Albany on Saturday.

OPINION: The scoreline says it all. New Zealand are the No.1 team in the world for good reason and they are that much better than South Africa.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT: Australia recorded their first Rugby Championship win of the season, as their down Argentina 45-20 in Canberra on Saturday.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT: The All Blacks continue to cement their dominance in world rugby, as they delivered a 57-0 rugby lesson to South Africa in Albany on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP FRIDAY WRAP: Northampton Saints ended Bath's victorious start to the season, while Exeter Chiefs and Sale Sharks also produced impressive Premiership[ victories.

PRO14 REPORT: Benetton came from 0-14 down to record one of their greatest comeback wins in the Pro14 - defeating Edinburgh 20-17 at Myreside.

PRO14 REPORT: John Andrew's dramatic late try sealed an enthralling victory for Ulster as they inflicted a 27-20 defeat on defending champions Scarlets at the Kingspan Stadium.

PRO14 REPORT: The Newport Gwent Dragons earned their first win of the Pro14 season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South Africa legend Bryan Habana concedes his time with the Springboks may be coming to an end.

CURRIE CUP MATCH REPORT: The Pumas stirred up the play-off race with a 22-12 win over Western Province in Nelspruit on Friday.

CURRIE CUP MATCH REPORT: The Sharks cemented their place at the top of the standings with an impressive 40-22 demolition of Griquas in Kimberley on Friday.

Some eyebrows have lifted slightly at the venue for the Rugby Championship Test between New Zealand and South Africa on Saturday - North Harbour Stadium in Albany, a suburb of Auckland.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: World Champions All Blacks head into this fixture as favourites, however, captain Kieran Read is expecting a much more different Springbok side than the 2016 version.

NEWS: England's Billy Vunipola has warned that players could go on strike if rugby bosses fail to reduce the number of matches played over the gruelling season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Flyhalf Ernest Stapelberg will be making his Pro14 debut for the Cheetahs this weekend a week after he made his Currie Cup debut.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP BUILD-UP: Springbok captain Eben Etzebeth says the captaincy role has made him even more hungry for success on the rugby field. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Argentina Pumas are working with experts on how to combat their gruelling travelling schedule as they face the Wallabies in their last away Test of the Rugby Championship season on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Kurtley Beale is shaping as a key man with the Wallabies chasing a morale-boosting first win in the Rugby Championship against Argentina, assistant coach Stephen Larkham said ahead of Saturday's Test in Canberra.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND FOUR: The Wallabies are looking to secure a first Rugby Championship win by making sure they close out the Test against Argentina on Saturday after some frustrating close shaves.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Indo-Pacific Rugby Championship (IPRC),  instigated by billionaire Andrew Forrest has been making mammoth strides after Australian Rugby Union (ARU) established a working group to assist with its development.

TOP14, ROUND FOUR: Clermont coach Franck Azema has called on his battered and bruised Top 14 champions to show their true colours as flyhalf Morgan Parra returns for Saturday's derby clash with Brive.

REACTION: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says Andrew Forrest's mooted Indo-Pacific league can help improve rugby in Australia, but only if the mining billionaire works with the Australian Rugby Union.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND FOUR: rugby365's acclaimed writer Paul Dobson gives us his unique view on one of the biggest matches of the year.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The scramble for places in the top four on the Currie Cup log will heat up even more this weekend as the countdown to the end of the pool stages intensifies with only five rounds of matches remaining, including this weekend.

NEWS: Scrumhalf Ross Cronje has been withdrawn from the Springbok team to face the All Back on Saturday in Albany because of illness and is replaced by Francois Hougaard, who was initially named on the bench.

SPOTLIGHT ON SOUTH AFRICA: History will be made once again this weekend when South Africa hosts its first-ever Pro14 matches.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: New All Black prop Kane Hames took exception to an article written about him and he wasn’t shy about raising the issue during a press conference.

European Professional Club Rugby has announced the referees for the first round of matches in Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, starting on Friday, 12 October 2017.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: It is invariably described as 'war' when New Zealand and South Africa play.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Southern Kings head coach Deon Davids has made a few changes to his matchday 23 to face up to Leinster in a historic Pro14 clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. 

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: The Golden Lions have managed to get themselves back into the play-off race, but they are very much in survival mode.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez believes it is time for his players to show what they are truly made of as the Currie Cup play-offs draw nearer.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Golden Lions received a timely boost, with the return to fitness of one of their frontline front row forwards.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Blue Bulls Flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff will make his first appearance at Ellis Park since he left the Golden Lions in 2016.

UPDATE: Irish side Leinster admitted that they were in the wrong after two of their players were denied entry into South Africa.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Western Province are wary of the threat the Pumas pose at the breakdown ahead of the crucial Currie Cup clash in Nelspruit.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Daniel Hourcade has made four changes to his starting XV for the Rugby Championship clash against the Wallabies in Canberra on Saturday.

Three rounds in, the Top 14 is emerging as one of rugby’s most competitive and exciting leagues. This week’s action continued to serve up great rugby from top to bottom of the table, and provide plenty of talking points.

Scotty Stevenson and Mils Muliaina get back into the groove by gushing over the latest star to come out of New Zealand, Vaea Fifita.

Strike Issue of the Week is Beauden Barrett. The All Blacks win against Los Pumas but is Barrett still the one? The Wallabies and Springboks draw, but offer few clues on their progress.

SHOWDOWN IN AMERICA: Newcastle Falcons and Saracens set sail to the United Stated as the Premiership Rugby takes their second ever match overseas and Philadelphia becomes the 36th venue to host a Premiership Rugby match.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The world champion All Blacks admitted Thursday to being uncomfortable with their patchy performances so far this year, but rejected talk of panic in the ranks.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Experienced lock Rob Simmons was the only change to the Wallabies starting team for this weekend's Rugby Championship Test against Argentina, with wing Marika Koroibete set to make his debut.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Springbok pack has been revamped for the crucial Rugby Championship encounter with the All Blacks in Albany on Saturday.

NEWS: South Africa's controversial new visa regulations have resulted in two of Leinster's players being denied entry into the country.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand has undergone their second shake-up in as many weeks, with seven changes for Saturday's Rugby Championship Test against South Africa.

There is a 'new' guest in the rugby365 studio as Jan de Koning and Tauriq Ebrahim look at all the contentious issues!

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: rugby365's acclaimed law guru Paul Dobson looks at the vexed issue of cards at school level.

TRANSFER NEWS: After five seasons in Japan, Springboks flank Heinrich Brüssow is eager for a new challenge as he joins the Premiership side the Northampton Saints.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Pumas have 'groomed' a few Springboks in recent years. Now they have managed to lure a seasoned Bok to Nelspruit.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Griquas team to host the table-topping Sharks in a Currie Cup Round 10 match in Kimberley on Friday shows a number of changes.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Province coach John Dobson has added fit-again Seabelo Senatla to his starting XV for their Currie Cup match against the Pumas in Nelspruit on Friday.

CONFIRMED: The England will play world champions New Zealand for the first time since 2014 as one of the four Test matches in next season’s series at Twickenham Stadium.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand may have the superstars, but South Africa will rely on a team effort to triumph.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks coach Robert Du Preez has made modifications to the starting XV after injuries hit the Sharks camp ahead of the crucial clash against Griquas in Kimberley on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australian and Indo-Pacific rugby chiefs are working to collaborate on a new league initiated by mining magnate Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest that will allow Super Rugby stars to feature, it was announced Wednesday.

REACTION: Wallabies superstar Israel Folau has been caught up in a social media riot after expressing his opposition to same-sex marriages.

TRANSFER NEWS: Melbourne Rebels have started to raid Western Force as they have signed experienced prop Ben Daley until the end of the 2019 Super Rugby season.

TRANSFER NEWS: Wallabies centre Tevita Kuridrani has re-signed with Australian Rugby, committing to a two-year deal with the ARU and the Brumbies until the end of 2019.

The Rugby Championship moves into its fourth round this week, with a match near Auckland and another in Canberra.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Leinster will travel to South Africa without a number of key players.

INJURY UPDATE: Connacht will be hoping Sean O'Brien's shoulder injury is not too serious as they prepare to take on the Dragons in the Pro14 on Friday. 

INJURY UPDATE: British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton is set to miss the first four months of the European season following the recurrence of a neck injury, it was announced Tuesday.

NEWS: Edinburgh have signed Academy graduate Cameron Fenton on a one-year deal following a successful trial with the club.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After the inlcusion of two South African sides the Souther Kinds and Cheethas the Pro14 next move it to include a team from the east coast of the United States, according to the league’s chief executive Martin Anayi.

NEWS: Western Force head coach Dave Wessels is contemplating his future after he being head hunted by the Rebels.

CURRIE CUP ROUND EIGHT: Western Province is not the most consistent team, but when on form they are a sight to behold.

NEWS: Springbok flyhalf Patrick Lambie was granted an early release from his contract held jointly between SA Rugby and the Sharks and is free to relocate to French club side Racing 92, it was announced on Tuesday.

INJURY UPDATE: Springbok flank Jaco Kriel will return home to South Africa after a shoulder injury has ruled him out of Saturday’s vital Rugby Championship Test against the All Blacks in Auckland.

TRANSFER NEWS: Crusaders have signed utility back Braydon Ennor on a two-year deal, which sees him join the 2017 Super Rugby Champions for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Centre Ryan Crotty says their is no bigger Test for the All Blacks than the against Springboks in New Zealand.

INJURY UPDATE: Agen hooker Loick Jammes is facing up to six months on the sidelines after suffering a double leg fracture at the weekend.

INJURY UPDATE: France loose forward Damien Chouly will miss the November internationals after being ruled out for three months with a hernia, his club side Clermont announced Monday.

INJURY UPDATE: The Blue Bulls have returned from their Currie Cup bye week and there are a few injury concerns.

NEWS: A draw with Australia proved enough to keep South Africa in the third spot in the World Rugby Rankings.

A mini montage dedicated to the All Blacks starting debutant Vaea Fifita and his outstanding performance against Argentina.

NEWS: Japan's hosting of the 2019 Rugby World Cup has created "nervousness" about whether big crowds will turn up but national pride will carry the day for the Japanese, World Rugby's Chief Executive said Monday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks scrumhalf Aaron Smith will return to the side ahead of the contest with South Africa on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks have not beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand for eight years. They will need something special if they are to break that drought.

INJURY UPDATE: The Southern Kings will need reinforcements for the front row for their Pro14 clash against Leinster in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. 

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: There was certainly a few eye-catching performances during Round Three of this year's Rugby Championship.

PRO14 SPOTLIGHT: After a 41-10 victory in Parma over Zebre, defending champions Scarlets will face a tough assignment away from home against Ulster.

REPORT: The final day of World Rugby's Under-20 Trophy brought out the worst in Montevideo weather - not a Katrina or an Irma but perhaps a side-effect.

Last year Vaea Fifita hurdled clean over a player in a provincial game. This past Saturday he shook the world with a barnstorming 40-metre run in for a try. Jamie Wall was there to see both.

INJURY UPDATE: The Harlequins flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis was unable to breathe after he sustained a fracture during his side's victory over Gloucester on Saturday.

CONFIRMED: Bay of Plenty’s Clayton McMillan has been appointed Head Coach of the Maori All Blacks, New Zealand Rugby announced on Monday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Reds lock Lukhan Tui has joined the Wallabies in Canberra after two impressive performances for Brisbane City in the National Rugby Championship.

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

TOP 14, SUNDAY WRAP: Toulon breathed a sigh of relief as they edged Toulouse 20-16 in the Top 14 on Sunday to leave the visitors feeling short-changed.

In World Rugby's Under-20 Trophy, Japan and Portugal will meet in the final.

MATCH REPORT: Wasps were pushed hard but late tries from Willie le Roux and Josh Bassett helped them make it two wins from two with a 24-10 win over Worcester Warriors at Sixways.

REACTION: Western Province head coach John Dobson believes his side ticked the right boxes in their 57-14 win over an under-strength Free State Cheetahs team at Newlands on Saturday.

REACTION: Golden Lions head coach Swys de Bruin believes his side are finally hitting their straps after their 34-17 bonus-point win over Griquas in Kimberley on Friday.

FIRST DIVISION WRAP: Defending First Division champions, the Griffons, continued to set the pace in the competition as they registered their third bonus-point win a row in a weekend of big victories.

REACTION: Allister Coetzee says he knows what South Africa must do to master their biggest challenge of the year against the All Blacks in the battle of the two unbeaten Rugby Championship teams.

REACTION: Coach Michael Cheika says the Wallabies must find a killer instinct after again squandering a winning position to remain winless in the Rugby Championship ahead of their next match against Argentina.

REACTION: The All Blacks may have made a perfect start to the Rugby Championship but they have only briefly looked like world champions leaving coach Steve Hansen unimpressed as they prepare to face arch-rivals South Africa next weekend.

PRO14 REPORT: Steff Evans and Johnny McNicholl were at the heart of a dynamic Scarlets attack as the defending champions made it two from two with a 41-10 victory over Zebre.

TOP14 WRAP: Fijian flank Levani Botia led La Rochelle to a stunning display of off-loading brilliance that crushed defending Top 14 champions Clermont 51-20 on Saturday.

REACTION: New Zealand have lost another of their frontline props for the rest of the year.

PRO14 REPORT: Andrew Trimble scored a brace as Ulster were forced to grind out a gritty 21-14 victory over a stubborn Benetton side at Stadio Monigo.

INJURY UPDATE: South Africa called for a replacement prop, after Springbok front row forward Coenie Oosthuizen fractured his arm.

PRO14 REPORT: Ireland side Connacht got their Pro14 campaign back on track with a 32-10 win over the struggling South African side the SOuthern Kings.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Semesa Rokoduguni’s last-gasp double stunned Saracens to give Bath Rugby a 31-21 win at the Rec on Saturday.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Finn Russell returned to the Glasgow Warriors sparked a 31-10 four-try victory over the Ospreys, and secure Dave Rennie a win in his first home game in charge.

PRO14 REPORT: Left wing Alex Wootton scored four tries to helped Munster produced a 51-18 win over Cheetahs at Thomond Park.

OPINION: South Africa came back from 10 points down and pushed hard for the win, but Australia managed to hold on for a 23-all Rugby Championship draw.

OPINION: Australia failed to hold onto a 10-point lead and will be disappointing that they let South Africa come back to secure a 23-all draw.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Western Province sublime first-half performance helped them secure a comfortable 57-14 win over the Free State Cheetahs in Cape Town on Saturday.

OPINION: Argentina looked to be in to the contest for the first hour, when they were level-pegging at 22-all with New Zealand.

OPINION: New Zealand again showed their ability to put teams away in the final quarter of matches, but there is a new star - already shining brightly.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT: Australia held on in the face of a late South African surge as the two teams played to a disappointing 23-all draw.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH REPORT: New Zealand showed their class as they surged back to the top of the standings with a comfortable 39-22 won over Argentina in New Plymouth on Saturday.

IN THE SHORT BALL SPOTLIGHT: Perth mining billionaire Andrew Forrest surprised many with his seemingly out of the blue idea for an independent competition, based out of Western Australia.

MATCH REPORT: Newcastle Falcons underlined their status as dark horses in the Premiership this season as they came from behind to win 13-12 away against Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium.

MATCH REPORT: Sean Cronin made an early bid for the try of the weekend as the hooker put in a 50-metre sprint to dot down in Leinster's 37-9 defeat of Cardiff Blues.

MATCH REPORT: Richard Cockerill marked his first home Pro14 match in triumphant style as his Edinburgh side delivered a 35-18 bonus-point win over the Dragons at Myreside.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Wallabies Australia are looking to match the Springboks' dynamic back row to claim their first win of this year's Rugby Championship.

MATCH REPORT: The Golden Lions picked up a valuable 34-17 bonus-point win against Griquas in Kimberley on Friday.

The French government has  instigated an investigation into the president of the French Rugby Federation, Bernard Laporte.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks extended their winning run to seven matches when they edged the Pumas 27-25 in an exciting match in Nelspruit on Friday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England Sevens coach Simon Amor has included several senior players to the side for the 2017/2018 season.

REACTION: According to Australia legend John Eales the Australian Rugby Union have been very transparent in the axing of the Western Force.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs have called up discarded Springbok Francois Venter for their Pro14 Round Two encounter with Munster at Thomond Park in Limerick on Saturday.

TOP 14, ROUND THREE: Reigning Top 14 champions Clermont will look to back up their win over Toulon when they make the trip to last season's regular-season table-toppers La Rochelle on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Black legend Dan Carter is expected to pledge his support for France's bid to host the 2023 World Cup.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Southern Kings have made only a single change ahead of their Pro14 clash against Connacht in Ireland.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND THREE: Argentina will put their credibility on the line in New Plymouth on Saturtday, against an All Black team experimenting with the line-up.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia coach Michael Cheika said his Australia forward pack will face a physical challenge against the Springboks, who are on a five-match winning run.

TRANSFER NEWS: Australia Under-20 player of the year and son of John Lomax, Tyrel returned to New Zealand after signing a contract with Highlanders.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND THREE: Improving. Both teams are said to be improving, Australia recently in contest with the mighty All Blacks and South Africa on what happened last year.

SECOND CHANCES: The Pro14 is under way after Round One saw the championship kick off in flying style across Ireland and Wales.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks will hunt their seventh successive Currie Cup victory – a feat they last achieved in 2010 – when they travel to Nelspruit to take on the Pumas on Friday as the competition enters the ninth round.

INJURY UPDATE: Scarlets confirmed that flank James Davies will undergo surgery on his shoulder on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Loosehead prop Alistair Vermaak will earn his 50th cap for Western Province in the Currie Cup match against Free State Cheetahs at Newlands on Saturday.

REACTION: The French Rugby Federation has apologised for posting a tweet that suggested it was the frontrunner to host the 2023 World Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: An 18-year-old Australian rugby player has been banned for 10 years for attacking a referee.

Never shy with his use of the shoulder, Ma'a Nonu has once again been shown a yellow card for a late charge, this time in Toulon's loss to Clermont.

CRAVEN WEEK SPOTLIGHT: Next year is a massive year for Paarl Boys' High as it's their 150th birthday and they intend celebrating it with great gusto. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Free State Cheetahs have called up recently recruited flyhalf Ernst Stapelberg for their Currie Cup Round Nine encounter with Western Province at Newlands on Saturday.

REACTION: The embattled Australian Rugby Union hit back at the suggestion that they will be subject to a "highly unusual" parliamentary inquiry.

INJURY UPDATE: England's Manu Tuilagi has suffered another injury blow that looks certain to sideline him from the November internationals just after he returned to action following a long lay-off, his club Leicester said Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ross Cronjé has shrugged off his ankle injury and comes back at scrumhalf in the Springbok team for Saturday's important Rugby Championship Test in Perth against Australia.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby committed Thursday to clamping down on antisocial behaviour by players, but admitted it will not be easy to meet recommendations made in a "Respect and Responsibility" review.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Australia suffered a big blow on the injury front ahead of their Rugby Championship clash against the Springboks in Perth on Saturday.

OLD FOES MEET: Slot in between Round Two fixtures are one of rugby’s most famous derby matches - the East Midland Derby between Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina have dropped veteran forward Juan Manuel Leguizamón among sweeping changes to their line-up for Saturday's Rugby Championship clash with the All Blacks in New Plymouth.

There is a new voice - actually a previous contributor returning - to join Tauriq Ebrahim and Jan de Koning behind the mic.

REACTION: Western Force's controversial axing from Super Rugby could be the subject of an inquiry from the Australian Senate.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Black coach Steve Hansen made a number of changes to the matchday 23 for the Rugby Championship Test against Argentina on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas coach Peter Engledow has made four changes to his starting XV, ahead of the Golden Lions' arrival in Kimberley.

VIDEO: David Flatman picks his XV from the first round of the 2017-18 Premiership season.

PODCAST: After last week’s drama, The Rugby Pod is a full house with Goodey out on bail.

PODCAST: It's congratulations on The Short Ball as Mils is a new father and Scotty wins an oyster dinner in a bet.

TRANSFER NEWS: Wales international Dan Biggar has agreed to join Northampton Saints after he penned a deal with the club for the 2018 season.

POWER PLAY DOWN UNDER: Have you wondered why veteran Springbok prop Tendai Mtawarira's form has taken such a massive upwards curve this year? Look no further than the man on his inside.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Former Sharks scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer has not been included in the Pumas teams for their Currie Cup match against the Sharks at the Mbombela Stadium on Friday.

Super Rugby is over, and there Super Rugby coaches in New Zealand who are free of coaching responsibility. The New Zealand RFU is harnessing their abilities in preparing their schools teams for international competition.

IN THE PRO14 SPOTLIGHT: Rory Duncan, having previously played under Johan Erasmus, will go head-to-head with him on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Leicester Tigers head coach Matt O'Connor's opening loss poses a huge challenge for his first massive East Midlands derby at Franklin’s Gardens.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks coach Robert du Preez has no problem rushing back axed Springbok Curwin Bosch to the starting XV for Friday's Currie Cup fixture against the Pumas.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England rugby coach Eddie Jones revealed that Mavericks like James Haskell and Dylan Hartley are special because "you don't want everyone to be off the same cookie cutter".

SUPER CULL UPDATE: Western Force players are facing a tough decision on whether to abandon the former Super Rugby team or remain and join a breakaway rebel league, as repercussions from the side's axing continued.

NRC UPDATE: Fijian Drua hooker Samu Suguturaga received a 20-week suspension after pleading guilty to biting the ear of the opposition.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: DJ Forbes, the most capped player in world sevens history, has announced his retirement from the game.

PRO14 REFEREES: Refereeing around the world is busy, and getting busier. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Manu Tuilagi and Denny Solomona can return to the England rugby squad despite being sent home reportedly for being drunk from a training camp in August, said head coach Eddie Jones on Tuesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: BlitzBok star Albertus Smith will start in the Golden Lions' back row when they take on Griquas in Kimberley.

NEWS: Bath Rugby has confirmed that Tabai Matson is leaving his position as head coach to return to New Zealand due to family reasons.

PRO14 SPOTLIGHT: After their triumph last Friday, Munster head coach Rassie Erasmus has warned his side to be vigilant against the wounded South African Cheetahs.

SCHOOLS RANKINGS: Here it is - the final Schools Top 20 for 2017. The year has flown by and another rugby season has died away.

REACTION: The Australian Rugby Union revealed that they would be unable to continue trading after 2019 if they continued with five Super Rugby teams in the future.

CURRIE CUP ROUND EIGHT: Two paraphrase that famous quote by Aristotle: "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts."

WOMENS SPOTLIGHT: While countries like England, Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada and Spain competed in the Women's Rugby World Rugby 2017, there was no sight of South Africa.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia utility back Dane Haylett-Petty has warned his side to be wary of the Springboks' smother tactics.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Israel Dagg is excited about the prospect of re-joining his All Black teammates on the field when they take on Argentina in a Rugby Championship clash in New Plymouth on Saturday.

NEWS: Fiji wing Josaia Raisuqe, sacked from Top 14's Stade Francais after a drunken rampage in July, has been handed a lifeline by newly promoted second flight outfit Nevers, the club said on Monday.

INJURY UPDATE: Stade Francais' French international wing Djibril Camara will miss at least ten weeks of the Top 14 season after seriously injuring his right knee seven minutes into the second game of the season this weekend.

REACTION: Mining magnate Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest announced plans Tuesday for a rebel Indo-Pacific rugby competition after the Western Force lost a legal appeal against their axing from Super Rugby.

NEWS: Western Force suffered a significant blow to their hopes for reinstatement into the Super Rugby competition by losing a court appeal Tuesday against their axing.

INJURY UPDATE: Blue Bulls coach John Mitchell will breathe a sigh of relief that his team has a bye this week.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH BUILD-UP: South Africa have an admirable record against Australia in Perth and the Springboks don't hide the liking for the place.

INJURY UPDATE: There is set to be a new face in the No.15 jersey for Western Province when they take on the Free State Cheetahs in a Currie Cup clash at Newlands on Saturday.

WIN WITH RUGBY365: You can win FREE tickets to watch Western Province taking on the Free State in a Currie Cup crunch match at Newlands on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: The Golden Lions depth in the front row will be seriously tested over the next few weeks with the news that they lost another prop to injury. 

PREMIERSHIP STATS ROUND ONE: The cynics who suggested successful South African coach Johan Ackermann could not convert his Super Rugby form into Premiership success were left with egg on their faces.

Bishops, the most frequent winners, beat Paarl Gim, the most recent winners, to win the Villager Sevens Trophy on Friday evening.

REACTION: Worcester Warriors Chairman Bill Bolsover confirmed that his club is looking for the "right investor" after a report surfaced last weekend that the club will be put up for sale.

TRANSFER NEWS: British & Irish Lions and England international Elliot Daly has extended his contract with the Permiership side Wasps.

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

FIRST DIVISION WRAP: Welwitschias earned their maiden Currie Cup First Division, while a hat-trick by Leopards No 8 Jeandre Rudolph help his side bag a victory.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee dismissed the notion that his team has been 'successful' - despite sitting at the top of the Rugby Championship standings.

NEWS: Australia will extend the use of blue cards issued to players suffering from signs of concussion to senior competitions after a successful trial, officials said on Monday.

While the Cheetahs were treated to a baptism of fire of sorts against Ulster in their Pro14 debut, they did play some properly good rugby.

NEWS: Former Melbourne Rebels coach Tony McGahan has joined the Reds as a senior assistant coach for the next two seasons.

INJURY UPDATE: New Zealand prop Owen Franks has been ruled out for the rest of the year with Achilles problems, but three other injured All Blacks have been cleared to face Argentina in New Plymouth on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP REACTION: The Sharks' comfortable win against the Free State Cheetahs made sure the visitors top the Currie Cup standings, however coach Robert du Preez still not truly at ease with the performance.

The World Rugby Under-12 Trophy tournament is being played in Uruguay at the present, the first two rounds in Montevideo.

TOP 14 REPORT: Reigning Top 14 champions Clermont downed Toulon 21-16 on Sunday in a repeat of last year's final to secure their first win of the new campaign.

PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: A first-half Bath Rugby blitz saw the visitors over the line at Welford Road as they resisted a late Leicester Tigers surge to secure a 27-23 win in a pulsating encounter.

PREMIERSHIP REACTION: Despite Scottish international Sean Maitland's hat-trick, Saracens coach Mark McCall could not suppress his profound admiration for South African Schalk Brits.

PREMIERSHIP NEWS: Financially troubled Premiership side Worcester Warriors are poised to put up for sale, according to media reports.

REACTION: Despite breaking a five-match losing streak, Blue Bulls coach John Mitchell is not impressed with his wings’ dismal defensive display.

PRO14 REACTION: Dave Rennie has praised the defensive effort and character that his side displayed on their way to winning their maiden PRO14 match against Connacht.

REACTION: Golden Lions coach Zacharia de Bruin can breathe a little easier after his side's narrow 29-28 Currie Cup win over the Pumas at the weekend.

REACTION: Pumas coach Brent Janse van Rensburg revealed that he has not given up on his Currie Cup semifinal goal despite discipline roadblocks.

NRC NEWS: Fijian Drua hooker Samu Suguturaga will face a National Rugby Championship (NRC) judicial hearing after being cited for an alleged bite on Saturday.

TOP 14 WRAP: Newly-promoted Agen recorded their first victory of the Top 14 season when they pulled off a shock 23-19 win over a Racing 92 team reduced to 14 men for the second half.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Keelan Giles grabbed a double to get the Ospreys off to a winning start to the Pro14 season, but they were pushed all the way by Zebre before running out 22-13 winners.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Leinster cruised to a bonus point victory in their opening Pro14 game of the season to inflict a heavy defeat on Bernard Jackman’s Dragons at Rodney Parade.

PRO14 MATH REPORT: Dave Rennie got his reign as Glasgow Warriors boss off to an impressive start, with a hard-fought victory over 2016 title winners Connacht on the west coast of Ireland.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: A hat-trick from Scotland wing Sean Maitland helped Saracens to an astonishing 55-24 humiliation of fellow English giants Northampton Saints.

PRO14 MATCH REPORT: The defending champion Scarlets taught the Southern Kings a very big lesson - with a 57-10 victory in their Round One match in Llanelli on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia may have suffered back-to-back defeats to New Zealand, but South Africa will underestimate them at their own peril.

NEWS: Flying wing Henry Speight was crowned Brett Robinson Player's Player of the Year at the traditional Brumby Ball on Saturday as the Brumbies celebrated the 2017 Super Rugby season.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Sharks cruised past a willing Free State Cheetahs team, winning 45-15 in Durban on Saturday, to overtake the visitors at the top of the standings.

CURRIE CUP MATCH REPORT: The Golden Lions ended a four-match losing streak, beating the Pumas 29-28 in a thrilling match at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Paarl Gim will be holding its three-legged Sevens tournament on 8-9 September 2017.

REACTION: New Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann says that he and his players will not get carried away after their dramatic 28-21 victory over defending Premiership champions Exeter Chiefs on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England flyhalf George Ford insisted he had been "nothing but impressed" with Manu Tuilagi as the powerhouse Leicester centre prepares for his return to Premiership action.

PREMIERSHIP ROUND ONE WRAP: Exeter Chiefs were given a taste of what to expect as defending Premiership Rugby champions as they went down to an inspired Gloucester Rugby side 28-21 in a pulsating opener at Kingsholm.

PRO14 REPORT: Munster produced a first-half attacking masterclass as they ran in five tries to effectively kill the game at the break and secure a 34-3 win  PRO14 win against Benetton Rugby.

PRO14 REPORT: Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill was left beaming on the final whistle after marking his first PRO14 game in charge of Edinburgh with an away-day 20-10 win at Cardiff Blues.

PRO14 REPORT: South African Pro14 newcomers Cheetahs were welcomed with a shocking 19-42 defeat to Ulster in an historic Pro14 fixture on Friday at the Kingspan Stadium.