Opinion News

OPINION: Wales came, they saw, but they could not conquer the Australians.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 columnist AussieBoer thinks it is time for the Springboks to be bold against the All Blacks.

There are four southern hemisphere teams in the World Cup semifinals and their dominance is reflected in our team of the week.

OPINION: Heads were scratched, battle lines were drawn and form was thrown out of the window, as all avenues were considered for our famous Team of the Week.

OPINION: It was a performance that Sir William Wallace would be mightily proud of as Scotland came within two minutes of securing an unlikely victory over Australia.

OPINION: Australia somehow managed to emerge victorious by a solitary point in a match riddled with errors, opportunistic tries and a kicking duel.

OPINION: The scoreline suggests that Ireland were blown away. And they were indeed well beaten.

OPINION: Argentina put down a big marker when they blew Ireland away and recorded a 43-20 victory in Cardiff on Sunday.

OPINION: New Zealand sent out warning to future play-off opponents when they thrashed their so-called 'hoodoo' team, France, 62-13 in Cardiff.

OPINION: France said the goodbyes to the 2015 World Cup after being outclassed by the mighty All Blacks in Cardiff on Saturday.

OPINION: For 70 minutes looked like winning, only to open a small gap that South Africa sneaks through.

OPINION: South Africa left it late, but they got over the line and will feature in the World Cup semifinals.

EXCLUSIVE: AussieBoer, in his latest contribution to rugby365, looks at who he thinks will win the World Cup.

OPINION: Twenty teams came to the 2015 World Cup, but 12 went home early. Paul Dobson selects the best from those who didn't make the cut.

OPINION: It required some heated debate, with plenty of amber refreshment breaks, but we eventually settled on rugby365's famous weekly selection.

OPINION: The Free State Cheetahs became the final side to secure their semi-final spot and gain plenty of mentions in our famous Team of the Week.

The rugby365 readers have spoken, and they do not want to see Victor Matfield or Ruan Pienaar in the Springbok match-day squad.

OPINION: Ireland will avoid New Zealand in the quarterfinals after putting in a clinical performance to beat a hapless French side.

OPINION: France looked like a team without a game plan in their 9-24 loss to Ireland on Sunday.

OPINION: Tonga showed plenty of heart for about 60 minutes against the All Blacks but ran out of steam to succumb to a 38-point defeat.

OPINION: The All Blacks brought all their flair and style in the second half to blow a plucky Tonga out of the water on Friday.

EXCLUSIVE: AussieBoer, in his latest contribution to rugby365, takes a stab at selecting a Springbok team for the quarterfinals.

OPINION: Was it really fair of United States coach Mike Tolkin to send a second-string selection in to face South Africa?

OPINION: South Africa's win over the United States was so overwhelming, you wonder if there was real opposition.

OPINION: It was probably Australia's finest hour - outside of their title wins in 1991 and 1999 - at a World Cup.

OPINION: The penultimate round served up some interesting results that leaves just one semifinal spot to be filled by either the Free State Cheetahs the Sharks.

EXCLUSIVE: AussieBoer, in his latest contribution to rugby365, takes a look at what we can expect when South Africa face the United States.

OPINION: Australia were simply in a class of their own at Twickenham as they sent hosts England crashing out of the World Cup.

OPINION: England became the first host nation to not advance to the quarterfinals after being completely outplayed by Australia at Twickenham.

OPINION: The Springboks played to their strengths in their 34-16 win over Scotland in Newcastle on Saturday.

OPINION: Scotland's decision to rest key players backfired as they were outplayed by a highly physical Springbok team.

OPINION: Georgia may be minnows in every sense of the game, but there is no doubt they play with the hearts of giants.

OPINION: New Zealand qualified for the World Cup quarterfinals, but they were nowhere near convincing in their 43-10 victory over Georgia.

OPINION: Selecting a team from 11 matches in five days will test anybody's powers of observation.

The Currie Cup action is hotting up as the tournament nears the business end with just two rounds of games remaining before the play-offs.

EXCLUSIVE: AussieBoer, in his latest contribution to rugby365, takes a look at the candidate that can captain the Springboks.

OPINION: Wales produced one of the most stunning comebacks in World Cup history, beating hosts England 28-25 at Twickenham on Saturday.

OPINION: England faded badly in the final quarter to let a 10-point lead slip and for Wales to sneak a 28-25 win.

OPINION: The Springbok team that took to the field against Samoa was a different beast to the one that lost to Japan a week ago.

OPINION: Samoa were physically dominated in their 6-46 defeat to the Springboks on Saturday.

EXCLUSIVE: AussieBoer, in his latest contribution to rugby365, gives us his view on who will make the World Cup Final.

OPINION: Fiji, as they did in their opening match, flattered only to deceive - going down 13-28 to Australia.

OPINION: Australia got the job done with a 28-13 win over Fiji in their opening match at the World Cup.

OPINION: Japan's historic win over South Africa has earned them substantial representation in rugby365's famous Team of the week.

The Currie Cup has stepped out of the spotlight since the kick-off of the World Cup, however there are still some gems lighting up the domestic scene.

OPINION: England blew the cobwebs and some of their lingering criticisms away with a 30-6 victory over Australia, their fifth over the Wallabies during the Eddie Jones tenure, in a game where the scoreline certainly flattered the home side.

OPINION: Traditionally, success in rugby has usually come from good player and coach development at all levels, underpinned by effective governance.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: What a difference a few months can make. Ben Smith puts Kurtley Beale on centre stage.

OPINION: A very dusty Scotty Stevenson chats with Mils Muliaina about a wide range of topics, from the 2023 RWC hosting decision to Ronan O’Gara to the problems in Pacific Island rugby.

OPINION: All is not rosy in rugby right now. Bankruptcy, mismanagement, race issues and the structure of the game itself have created turmoil in some of rugby’s most storied outposts, to the point where the future of the game in those countries is genuinely in doubt.

OPINION: It is no surprise that on-field success in rugby is in large part driven by the performance of the governing body and structures behind the national team.

OPINION: Damn Springboks, you were so close. Everything was going well after the heroic loss to the All Blacks in Cape Town, then you go to Dublin and get hosed by the Irish.

VIDEO: With just under 10 minutes to play in their Test in Dublin, Ireland held a 17-3 lead over South Africa. What happned next decided the match.

THE ULTIMATE ANALYSIS: The 1014 team reviews Scotland versus Samoa, England versus Argentina and Wales versus Australia.

THE ULTIMATE ANALYSIS: The 1014 team reviews Ireland versus South Africa and France versus New Zealand.

OPINION: It has been a weekend of records - especially the Irish, who embarrassed the bumbling Springboks in Dublin.

OPINION: Is this the worst Springbok team ever? This question, posed after the record loss to Ireland at the weekend, prompted me to do some digging.

OPINION: New Zealand may have beaten France 38-18 in Paris, but coach Steve Hansen would not be happy with the second-half performance.

OPINION: The Wallabies have begun their European tour with a good 29-21 win over Wales following up their thumping of Japan last week. 

OPINION: Just when you thought it could not get any worse than a 0-57 defeat to New Zealand, the Springboks managed to prove the nation wrong.

OPINION: The Ireland's magnificent killer blow in the in the last 10 minutes made sure they extend the woeful Springboks winless run to five matches.

OPINION: England got their November Test Series off to a victorious start at Twickenham earlier today, defeating Argentina, 21-8, in a resilient but rusty performance.

PODCAST: Scotty Stevenson and Mils Muliaina discuss the upcoming France versus New Zealand Test, and get a double dose of All Blacks on the phone - Colin Slade calls in from Pau, while Wyatt Crockett pauses his Paris dinner for a chat.

OPINION: The beginning of the year-end internationals proper are now just days away, as the Southern Hemisphere’s elite round off their seasons by taking on the best the Northern Hemisphere has to offer.

RUGBY WORLD CUP 2019:  Has England gone from joint-favourites to fourth- or fifth-placed favourites overnight?

Scotty Stevenson and Mils Muliaina are back again on the Short Ball and getting emotional while talking to Corey Flynn about his 17-year career and life after rugby.

OPINION: The rugby365 team takes one final stab at identifying the Currie Cup season's nest players.

NPC SPOTLIGHT: After action-packed National Provincial Cup, it comes as no surprise that Canterbury dominate rugby365's team of the tournament selections. Columnist Richard Neal reports.

RugbyPass’s Jim Hamilton has made a bold claim heading into the November international period, saying that England currently would have the wood on the World Champion All Blacks.

WHAT THE COACHES SAY: It is a debate that has been raging for weeks and the hysteria will continue well into next month's year-end Tests.

Here’s why Scotty Stevenson thinks New Zealand's National Provincial Championship is tougher than England's Premiership.

OPINION: On Sunday Allister Coetzee wil name his team for the Springboks' year-end tour.  What will be the biggest suprise?

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The number of lineout steals is the poor cousin in rugby analytics.

OPINION: Soon Allister Coetzee will name his team for the year-end tour. rugby365 selects an alternative team from players based abroad. Who do you think will win?

WATCH: Meetings are always an important place for everyone involved to learn and develop. Unless Siri thinks of other ideas...

WATCH THE ULTIMATE REVIEW: The Wallabies beat the All Blacks in a classic Test in Brisbane. The 1014 Rugby team do their video analysis.

OPINION: The Rugby World Cup is less than two years away and the November Internationals are almost upon us.

WATCH: This week Scotty Stevenson and Mils Muliaina talk to Taranaki assistant coach Paul Tito, who is taking the Bulls to the National Provincial Championship semifinals against Tasman.

Fancy yourself a true creator on the sports field? If so, have some fun with adidas and rugby365 and you could win one of two sets of match tickets to Saturday's Currie Cup semifinal at Newlands.

CURRIE CUP ROUND 14: The Golden Lions and Western Province needed to win and did so in emphatic fashion to secure their places in the semifinals.

CHAMPIONS CUP, ROUND ONE: The Champions Cup kicked off this weekend and reminded us all just what we have been missing over the last five months.

VIDEO: Malcolm Marx is the man of the moment, but what is the hype all about?

THE ULTIMATE ANALYSIS: Despite coach Allister Coetzee's best efforts to wipe it from the record books, the annus horribilis that was 2016 happened. However, it appears the Springboks have turned a corner in 2017.

VIDEO: The final minutes of this year’s Rugby Championship brought one of its most controversial moments.

WATCH as the 1014 looks through the tournament finding patterns in the statistics. It is the ultimate review!

PODCAST: Scotty Stevenson and Mils Muliaina gives us a New Zealand view of just how good Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx is.

CURRIE CUP ROUND 13: The Golden Lions and Griquas both produced amazing come-from-behind victories at the weekend.

REVIEW: Jamie Wall reviews the 2017 Rugby Championship, looking at some controversial moments, standout players and one unbelievable try. 

OPINION: Australia ended their Rugby Championship Campaign with a 37-20 win over an error-strewn Argentina in Mendoza.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: With six wins from six games, it comes as no surprise that players from New Zealand dominate our 2017 Rugby Championship Team of the tournament.

KIWI VIEW: Radio Sport NZ’s Martin Devlin and RugbyPass’s Jamie Wall finally got the All Black versus match they were so desperately looking for, and give it a decent run down.

OPINION: New Zealand escaped with a narrow 25-24 win over a resilient South Africa side in Cape Town on Saturday.

OPINION: The Springboks narrow 24-25 defeat to the All Blacks at Newlands on Saturday has proven that a wounded animal's behavior can be very unpredictable and lethal.

PODCAST: Scotty Stevenson and Mils Muliaina talk about the benefits of the All Blacks playing in Cape Town, a bit of NPC and get a surprise call from World Cup hero Stephen Donald.

RUGBY TAKES A BACK SEAT: From intense football rivalry to playing basketball with All Blacks legend Jeff Wilson and listening to endless repeats of  'Despacito'. Jamie Wall recaps his time in the streets of Buenos Aires.

CURRIE CUP ROUND 12: The Sharks continue to dominate South Africa's premier domestic competition and they are once again rewarded in rugby365's famous weekly selection.

OPINION: From beating the champions on the opening day of the season to equalling their biggest ever Premiership defeat against Sale a few short weeks later, Gloucester must be the most frustrating team in the world to support.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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!

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

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.

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!

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

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

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 .

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

OPINION: We are just a day away from the official start of the new Pro14 tournament, but the kick-off may just be a damp squib. Jan de Koning takes a look behind the scenes.

CURRIE CUP ROUNDS SEVEN: The Pumas issued a stern warning to the other teams in the competition with their 51-15 demolition of the Blue Bulls.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: After a valuable bonus-point away victory over Argentina in Salta, players from South Africa dominate rugby365's Rugby Championship Team of the Week for Round Two.

OPINION: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee will be a happy man after he enjoyed his first victory on the road, thanks to a 41-23 win over Argentina.

OPINION: Argentina was certainly up for the fight and took the game to the Springboks, however, that spark failed to ignite a flame as they succumbed to a 23-41 defeat in Salta.

OPINION: The Wallabies will be absolutely livid after letting themselves down in the second half to suffer a heartbreaking 29-35 defeat to the All Blacks but progress has certainly been made as they took the game to their more-fancied opposition.

OPINION: The All Blacks' defensive frailties were exposed by a determined Wallabies outfit and were forced to fight back to secure a nervy 35-29 victory to retain the Bledisloe Cup, as they survived a massive scare.

CURRIE CUP ROUNDS SIX: It is not a major surprise that the high-flying Western Province dominate our famous weekly selection.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: After a masterful display of attacking rugby, players from the All Blacks dominate our first Team of the Week for this year's Rugby Championship.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WIN WITH RUGBY365: You can win FREE tickets to watch the one of the Super Rugby quarterfinals this weekend!

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

WIN WITH RUGBY365: You can win FREE tickets to watch The Stormers take on the Chiefs in the Super Rugby quarterfinal.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: After the final round of the regular season, it is the Lions who edge out the Chiefs with the most players in our selection this week.

OPINION: In three hectic weeks, the series between the All Blacks and the British & Irish Lions was over. Now there is just a feeling of emptiness - bar the nostalgic mopping up.

COMPETITION TIME: rugby365 and adidas give you a chance to win a ZAR3,000 in the 'Ignites the Boot Game' competition.

CAST YOUR VOTE: Is Zacharia Francois de Bruin the right choice as head coach of the Lions?

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Players from the Southern Kings dominate our Super Rugby Team of the Week for Round 16.

OPINION: The All Blacks probably felt they were robbed of victory in their Third Test against the British and Irish Lions in Auckland on Saturday.

OPINION: The British and Irish Lions players played out of their skin in the third Test against the All Blacks to hold on for a 15-15 draw 

ROUND 15, PART TWO: Only teams from the two Africa conferences were involved this past weekend and there were plenty of tries in the four matches.

OPINION: The Lions almost ruined a perfect opportunity to shut out the All Blacks when their lack of discipline saw them trailing against 14 men. 

OPINION: A reckless tackle by New Zealand midfielder Sonny Bill Williams in the 25th minute saw him leave the field due to a red card.

OPINION: France's lack of creativity and inability to convert pressure into tries contributed to their 12-35 defeat against the Springboks at Ellis Park - their first-ever defeat at the venue.

OPINION: The Springboks walked away with a series whitewash over France following their 35-12 victory at Ellis Park - ending France's undefeated reign at the venue in the process.

OPINION: They were hailed as the team to finally stop the All Blacks' march. However, the British and Irish Lions were rather underwhelming in their 15-30 loss in Auckland on Saturday.

OPINION: New Zealand struck the first blow in the year's most anticipated contest - beating the British and Irish Lions 30-15 in Auckland on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 columnist Ethienne Reynecke explains to us what the haka is really about in New Zealand.

OPINION: The Springboks again put in an all-round team performance with Siyamthanda Kolisi leading the physical onslaught in the second Test. 

OPINION: South African were just too good on the day and shut out the French flair with a physical performance to claim a series win. 

WIN WITH RUGBY365: You can win FREE tickets to watch South Africa take on France - courtesy of #BoksInASICS.

OPINION: France did not have enough firepower to compete with a fired-up Springbok outfit on Saturday.

OPINION: An 80-minute performance by the Springboks proved to be too good for the visiting French side. 

WIN WITH RUGBY365: You can win FREE tickets to watch South Africa take on France - courtesy of #BoksInASICS.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Players from the Chiefs dominate our Super Rugby Team of the Week for Round 15.

OPINION: Has Springbok Allister Coetzee evolved enough to ensure he won't repeat the errors of 2016? Jan de Koning reports.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: There are some familiar faces in our Super Rugby Team of the Week for Round 14.

OPINION: On Tuesday Allister Coetzee will name his squad for the June Test series against France. Jan de Koning looks at some key decisions.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Players from the Lions and the Hurricanes dominate our Super Rugby Team of the Week for Round 13.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Our Super Rugby Team of the Week for Round 12 features a number of players who played a big part in their teams' success over the weekend.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: All five New Zealand franchises are represented in our Super Rugby Team of the Week for Round 11.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: After hammering the Stormers in Dunedin, the Highlanders dominate our selections in our Super Rugby Team of the Week for Round 10.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Our Super Rugby Team of the Week for Round Nine is dominated by some of New Zealand's best players at the moment.

OPINION: Jan de Koning looks into an incident that has cast a pall over the Lions' impressive win over the Stormers at the weekend.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Lions came, they saw and they conquered. They also made enough of an impression to dominate rugby365's famous weekly selection.

WIN WITH RUGBY365 AND ADIDAS: You can win FREE tickets to watch the Stormers take on the Lions in Round Eight of the 2017 Super Rugby competition.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Players from the Stormers dominate our Super Rugby Team of the Week for Round Seven after their strong performance against the Chiefs.

YOUR VOTE COUNTS: Two South African teams will be cut from Super Rugby for next year. Which two teams should be cut?

A RUGBY365 EXCLUSIVE: Ethienne Reynecke chats with Sam Barton and Trent Jones to get an Australasian perspective on the oval ball game and why they are ahead of South Africa.

WIN WITH RUGBY365: You can win FREE tickets to watch the Stormers take on the Chiefs in Round Seven of the 2017 Super Rugby competition.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Crusaders head into their bye week with six wins from six matches and three players in our latest Super Rugby Team of the Week.

WIN WITH RUGBY365: You can win FREE tickets to watch the Stormers take on the Cheetahs in Round Six of the 2017 Super Rugby competition.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Conor O'Shea discusses his first campaign as Italian coach, the challenges he faces in the role, the Six Nations, as well as the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Players from the Crusaders and Blues dominate our Super Rugby Team of the Week for Round Five.

TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT: rugby365's selectors sat down and debated our final selection of the Six Nations season.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Our Team of the Week for Round Four of Super Rugby features players who were in fine form for their respective franchises over the weekend.

A RUGBY365 EXCLUSIVE: Ethienne Reynecke chats with World Cup-winning former Springbok captain John Smit and Anton van Zyl about what it takes to run a union and why moving to the Northern Hemisphere is the best option for South Africa.

OPINION: The famous rugby365 Team of the Week will continue to focus on the four Home Unions as the British and Irish Lions tour draws ever closer.

OPINION: rugby365 digs a bit deeper than just the sanitised and flaky media releases, to find out what has become of South Africa's premier domestic competition.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: A number of players impressed with their on-field performances in Round Three of Super Rugby 2017.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: After some stirring performances, our Team of the Week for Round Two of Super Rugby features a lot more players from South Africa.

OPINION: Eugene Eloff, a two-time former Under-19 World Cup winner, returns from his hiatus to share his wisdom with rugby365's readers.

WIN WITH RUGBY365: You can win FREE tickets to watch the Stormers take on the Jaguares in the second round of the 2017 Super Rugby competition.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: After some brilliant performances, it comes as no surprise that our first Super Rugby Team of the Week for the year is dominated by Kiwi players.

OPINION: The famous rugby365 Team of the Week will continue to focus on the four Home Unions as the British and Irish Lions tour draws closer.

SUPER RUGBY FUN: Here is your chance to prove you know more than the rugby365 staff!

WIN WITH RUGBY365: You can win FREE tickets to watch the Stormers take on their arch rivals, the Bulls, in the opening round of the 2017 Super Rugby competition.

OPINION: Ronan Calvert gives rugby365's readers his view on the latest action in the Northern Hemisphere's three top leagues - Premiership, Pro12 and the Top 14.

OPINION: In this year when the British and Irish Lions go on tour, we will focus on the four Home Unions when selecting the famous rugby365 Team of the Week.

RUGBY365'S SPECIAL BUMPER EDITION: In the fifth and final instalment - a half-hour long episode - Brendan Venter explains how Italy achieved their historic win over the Springboks. It is the best of Ethienne Reynecke, Venter and Ernst Joubert.

WIN WITH RUGBY365: You van win FREE tickets to watch the Stormers take on the 2016 Super Rugby runners-up, the Lions, on Saturday.

OPINION: In this year when the British and Irish Lions go on tour, we will focus on the four Home Unions when selecting the famous rugby365 Team of the Week.

A RUGBY365 EXCLUSIVE: In the fourth instalment of Rugby With Reynecke, Ethienne Reynecke, Ernst Joubert and Brendan Venter discuss whether the Springboks can be successful without foreign-based players like Duane Vermeulen.

A RUGBY365 FIRST: In the third instalment of the series Rugby With Reynecke, Ethienne Reynecke, Ernst Joubert and Brendan Venter talk about the Springbok indaba, money and whether SA Rugby can create consistency and continuity.

A RUGBY365 EXCLUSIVE: In the second instalment of the Rugby With Reynecke series Ethienne Reynecke, Ernst Joubert and Brendan Venter talk about the necessity of a model in rugby where a player can gain experience and build character before being exposed to top flight rugby.

OPINION: Ronan Calvert gives rugby365's readers an Irish view on the final round of Europe's premier club competition - the Champions Cup.

A RUGBY365 FIRST: In the first instalment of the new Rugby With Reynecke series Ethienne Reynecke, Ernst Joubert and Brendan Venter discuss the Springbok coaching position.

OPINION: Ronan Calvert gives us an Irish view on the penultimate of Europe's premier club competition - the Champions Cup.

OPINION: Jan de Koning takes a look at the post-isolation Springbok coaches to see where incumbent Allister Coetzee ranks.

OPINION: Jan de Koning looks beyond the media hype surrounding the kafkaesque Racing 92 versus Johan Goosen saga and asks some pointed questions about the way some French club owners operate.

Here is a golden oldie from respected rugby365 writer Paul Dobson which was first published on this website 16 years ago.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Jan de Koning takes a look at a proposed change to the South African landscape and what the 2017 Super Rugby season may produce.

OPINION: rugby365 reporter Warren Fortune believes It will be a two-horse race between England and Ireland for the 2017 Six Nations title.

The rugby365 team would like to wish all our readers and their families a very merry Christmas!

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rugby has had its share of tough players, some who went overboard into the realm of villainy.

OPINION: Jan de Koning looks at the drama that is about to unfold on the South African rugby landscape in the next week.

OPINION: New Zealand may still be ranked No.1, and justifiably so, but England was without doubt the form team in November.

OPINION: rugby365 columnist Brett McKay wraps up 2016 and the roller-coaster that the Wallabies are on.

COMPETITION TIME: rugby365 and @ASICS_ZA are giving our readers a chance to win a fabulous price!

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Nigel Owens is not just the best referee in the world, he is also the best at putting players down!

OPINION: The Celtic nations made a big statement at the weekend and they have been duly rewarded in rugby365's famous selection.

OPINION: Jan de Koning asks if Springbok coach Allister Coetzee will be true to his word and fall on his sword.

OPINION: New Zealand were not at their best, but they were still too classy for France.

OPINION: France again flattered to deceive, losing 19-24 to New Zealand in Paris on Saturday.

OPINION: Wales outclassed South Africa when they secured a 27-13 victory in Cardiff on Saturday.

OPINION: A dismal and disappointing season-ending game saw South Africa lose 13-27 to Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

OPINION: Australia's hopes of achieving a first Grand Slam over the Home Unions since 1984 were dashed when they went down 24-27 to Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

OPINION: Ireland showed great resilience when they beat Australia 27-24 in Dublin on Saturday.

OPINION: rugby365's acclaimed writer Paul Dobson looks at some of the reasons for uneasy feelings amongst Springbok supporters.

OPINION: It was, without a doubt, the most entertaining match of the weekend - not just because of the skill levels, but also the physicality and intensity.

OPINION: Jan de Koning looks into the background of what is really behind the Springboks' dramatic fall from grace this year.

OPINION: France was a drop-goal away from a famous win over Australia in Paris on Saturday.

OPINION: Australia hung on desperately, but made it three-from-three on their year-end tour by beating France 25-23 in Paris on Saturday.

OPINION: They may have come into the match claiming the underdog tag but it was the amount of fight they showed on defence that enabled them to bag a 21-9 victory over Ireland in Dublin.

OPINION: Ireland proved just how far they have progressed with a machine-like effort, despite going down 9-21 to New Zealand in Dublin on Saturday.

OPINION: Italy displayed relentless and resilience when they outclassed the Springboks 20-18 in Florence on Saturday.

OPINION: South Africa suffered an embarrassing 20-18 defeat at the hands of Italy in Florence on Saturday.

OPINION: rugby365 columnist Brett McKay looks at the roller coaster ride that comes with following the Wallabies.

OPINION: England became the second Northern Hemisphere team to send a strong message to their rivals south of the equator.

OPINION: The Springboks produced another dismal performance this year when they went down 21-37 to England at Twickenham on Saturday.

OPINION: England triumphed over the Springboks for the first time since 2006 when they outsmarted them by 37-21 at Twickenham on Saturday. 

OPINION: The Wallabies again broke Scottish hearts with a narrow 23-22 win at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

OPINION: The new Italian era under coach Conor O'Shea got off to the worse possible start as they were hammered 10-68 by the All Blacks in Rome on Saturday.

OPINION: Scotland put in a spirited performance against the Wallabies, but could not close out the game when they were in front.

OPINION: The All Blacks made the most of playing a clueless opposition by running in 10 tries, however, their performance was not faultless.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 columnist Ethienne Reynecke looks at how the domestic game in South Africa is being neglected.

OPINION: We have had the first weekend of November internationals - which produced one extraordinary result and bucketloads of entertainment.

OPINION: It almost seems silly to rank the players according to their individual performances. They are all heroes, all history makers.

OPINION: The All Blacks found life tough during their 29-40 defeat to a passionate Irish team at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday.

OPINION: Let's not kid ourselves, this Wales team is a shambles and never threatened Australia.

OPINION: A new-look Springbok team showed some promise in their 31-all draw against the Barbarians at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

OPINION: The Barbarians were out to entertain on Saturday and they did just that during their 31-all draw against the Springboks.

OPINION: Australia hardly moved out of second gear, but they were still good enough to ease past a very ordinary Welsh team.

COMPETITION TIME: rugby365 and adidas have combined to provide our readers with an opportunity to win a pair of their brand new Elements Pack boot range.

EXCLUSIVE: Eugene Eloff, a two-time former Under-19 World Cup winner, look at the latest boardroom developments in South Africa.

NPC SPOTLIGHT: rugby365 columnist Richard Neal in his final wrap, gives us his take on the conclusion of an exciting season.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: After a fairytale Currie Cup Premier Division season, it comes as no surprise that our Team of the Tournament is dominated by players from the Free State Cheetahs.

OPINION: rugby365 columnist Brett McKay looks at the reasons why Australia failed to get that elusive Eden Park win.

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

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 columnist Ethienne Reynecke looks at the role of social media and the armchair critics.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After their amazing 55-17 semifinal win over the Golden Lions, the Free State Cheetahs have a whopping 11 players in rugby365's famous Team of the Week. 

NPC SPOTLIGHT: Rugby365 Columnist Richard Neal in his weekly wrap, looks at the final week of round robin matches in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship.

EXCLUSIVE: Eugene Eloff, a two-time former Under-19 World Cup winner, tells the South African Rugby Union bosses to grow a backbone and save the game from ruin.

OPINION: New Zealand's dominance of the game can be found in many statistics and events - such as the Rugby Championship.

OPINION: Tauriq Ebrahim examines the claim that the current squad of Springboks are the best South Africa have.

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

OPINION: Australia returned to the scene of their World Cup semifinal victory over Argentina with another impressive performance at Twickenham Stadium.

OPINION: Argentina were left to rue another bad start to the game against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday - a game they lost 21-33.

OPINION: New Zealand gave an exhibition of how the game should be played and in the process set a few records.

OPINION: South Africa is at a low ebb in their rugby history - a place where it seems the game is dying a slow death.

COMPETITION TIME: rugby365 and Asics have combined to provide our readers with an opportunity to win tickets to the Test match between South Africa and New Zealand in Durban on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: For six weeks, the Antidorcas marsupialis has been elusive and unsighted, however that has now changed as rugby365's famous weekly selection spotted a number of them as they emerged from the wilderness.

OPINION: rugby365 columnist Brett McKay feels looks at the Wallaby tactics this past weekend and sees the future of the game Down Under.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: It was a weekend of entertaining and high-scoring Currie cup matches, with the two most impressive teams dominating rugby365's famous weekly selection.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 columnist Ethienne Reynecke explains why the Lions is an example that rugby has evolved.

COMPETITION TIME: Test your knowledge against the rugby365 team - join our SuperBru prediction pool.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: After their impressive performance against the Highlanders, the Lions have nine players in rugby365's famous Team of the Week for the semifinals.

EXCLUSIVE: Eugene Eloff, a two-time former Under-19 World Cup winner, believes the time has come for South African coaches to 'adapt or die'.

COMPETITION TIME: rugby365 and John Nicholas Analytics have combined to provide our readers with an opportunity to win tickets to the Super Rugby semifinal at Ellis Park.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Chiefs and Lions have five players each in rugby365's famous Super Rugby Team of the Week for the quarterfinals.

OPINION: rugby365 columnist Brett McKay feels we are not done yet as far as Super Rugby surprises go.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Newlands! It is the parent of many great memories, another one this Saturday immediately past. Paul Dobson takes a stroll down memory lane.

COMPETITION TIME: rugby365 and John Nicholas Analytics have combined to provide our readers with an opportunity to win a Lions jersey.

Super Rugby Spotlight: rugby365 selects its final Team of the Week for the league phase of this season's Super Rugby tournament. 

OPINION: rugby365, once again, asks why the South African Rugby Union insists on trying to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.

EXCLUSIVE: Now that all the Under-18 Craven Week teams have enjoyed time on the field, a few players have caught the eyes of many and should be closely watched in the near future. Tauriq Ebrahim reports.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 columnist Ethienne Reynecke called on his 'connections' to bring you the best insights into players - the views of their peers.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Crusaders smashed the Melbourne Rebels 85-26 and that is why it's no surprise that they have the most players in rugby365's famous Team of the Week for Round 16.

EXCLUSIVE: Eugene Eloff, a two-time former Under-19 World Cup winner, shares with rugby365's readers, some positives from the South African landscape.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Lions again lead the way with selection in rugby365's famous Team of the Week.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The rugby365 team sat down, analysed the entire month's matches and came up the most consistent performers.

OPINION: rugby365 columnist Brett McKay feels Australia can learn from being whitewashed by England ... IF they can throw out the rubbish.

OPINION: Ireland surprised friend and foe with their willing and entertaining displays against South Africa.

OPINION: Just six points separated the team in each of the three Tests. However, South Africa won the match that mattered - the series decider in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

OPNION: Eddie Jones returned to his homeland, Australia, and plotted their downfall - a 3-0 series whitewash by England.

OPINION: Australia put up a spirited performance, but ultimately fell short and lost 40-44 to England a thrilling match in Sydney on Saturday.

OPINION: Any hope of Wales salvaging some pride in Dunedin were quickly extinguished as they suffered a massive 6-46 loss at the hands of a rampant All Blacks team.

OPINION: New Zealand are simply in a class of their own as they put in yet another masterclass performance to beat Wales 46-6 in Dunedin.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Two teams, New Zealand and England, dominate rugby365's famous weekly selection.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 columnist Ethienne Reynecke suggests that Northern Hemisphere teams are closing the gap on their southern rivals.

OPINION: rugby365 editor Jan de Koning goes beyond the numbers to look at South Africa's dramatic come-from-behind win over Ireland at Ellis Park at the weekend.

OPINION: They dominated proceedings for 61 minutes and fed on the Springboks' mistakes but ran our of steam and got blown away to suffer a 26-32 defeat after holding a 26-10 lead.

OPINION: For 60 minutes, the Springboks were woeful but, with form replacements coming onto the field, they dominated the final 30 minutes to claim a 32-26 victory over Ireland in Johannesburg.

OPINION: A defensive masterclass by England helped them clinch their first-ever series victory against the Wallabies in Australia on Saturday.

OPINION: Australia's failure to breach a stern England defence in the second half cost them dearly in the second Test in Melbourne on Saturday.

OPINION: New Zealand produced an improved performance in the second Test to clinch the three-Test series against Wales in Wellington on Saturday.

OPINION: Wales would have fancied their chances at half-time but had their defensive frailties exposed in the second half to suffer a 22-36 loss to New Zealand on Saturday.

EXCLUSIVE: Eugene Eloff, a two-time former Under-19 World Cup winner, shares with rugby365's readers, his views on the start of the Allister Coetzee era.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Players from the Northern Hemisphere dominate our famous Team of the Week after the first round of matches in the 2016 June international window.

OPINION: Ireland, despite being reduced to 14 men for almost an hour, produced a gutsy showing to win their first-ever Test on South Africa soil.

OPINION: The Allister Coetzee era got off to a disastrous start - his Springboks losing 20-26 to a 14-man Irish team.

OPINION: England's 38-29 victory over Australia may not have been pretty, but it was tactically perfect as they outsmarted their hosts in every aspect of the game.

OPINION: Australia seemed a far cry from the side that made the 2015 World Cup Final as they suffered a 28-39 defeat at the hands of England in Brisbane.

OPINION: Wales faced the daunting prospect of taking on the All Blacks at Eden Park and were competitive throughout the encounter, but their fire was finally put out in the final 10 minutes.

OPINION: It was a story of two halves, with the All Blacks trailing 18-15 at the break, but their class came through in the second half with the bench making a big difference.

FUN TIME: Challenge the editor and see if you know your rugby. Join the rugby365 prediction pool for the June internationals.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 columnist Brett McKay takes us beyond the headlines ahead of the much anticipated AUSTRALIA versus ENGLAND series.

CAST YOUR VOTE: Which Northern Hemisphere team will win most of their matches in June?

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Lions ran the Bulls ragged at Loftus Versfeld and that is why they have seven players in our famous Team of the Week for Round 14.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 columnist Ethienne Reynecke looks at what it takes to build a successful enterprise - a team that can win trophies.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Chiefs and Lions are first and second on the combined Super Rugby standings and they have five players each in our famous Team of the Week for Round 13.

EXCLUSIVE: Eugene Eloff, a two-time former Under-19 World Cup winner, shares with rugby365's readers, the highs and lows in the life of a coach.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: It was an easy selection this week as the rugby365 team sat down to decide on our famous selection.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks are the only South African team to have players featuring in our famous Team of the Week for Round 11.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 columnist Ethienne Reynecke looks at what he regards as a ticking time bomb in the game - concussion.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Hurricanes taught the Lions a rugby lesson in Johannesburg and that is why they have seven players in our famous Team of the Week for Round 10.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 columnist Brett McKay, has had a change of heart about the Australian conference in Super Rugby.

EXCLUSIVE: Eugene Eloff, a regular to the Afrikaans listeners of our weekly podcast productions, joins rugby365's growing list of columnists.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Crusaders sent out a stern warning to rest of the competition after their victory in Canberra and that is why four of their stars are in our famous Team of the Week for Round Nine.

COMPETITION TIME: rugby365 and adidas provides our readers with an opportunity to win some wonderful prizes.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Lions secured a crucial win over the Stormers and they dominate rugby365's famous Super Rugby Team of the Week for Round Eight.

EXCLUSIVE: Ethienne Reynecke, the newest member of the rugby365 family, dissects the red-hot topic of whether overseas-based players should play for the Springboks.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: It took us some time, but the rugby365 team finally came up with our famous weekly selection.

CAST YOUR VOTE: Allister Coetzee was named the new Springbok coach on Tuesday. Is his appointment good for South African rugby?

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365's new columnist Brett McKay, with the first in a series of monthly columns, tell us why things are not well in the Land Down Under.

COMPETITION TIME: rugby365 and adidas have combined to provide our readers with an opportunity to win some wonderful prizes.

OPINION: The rugby365 team went to the community to ask them about the 'revamped' Currie Cup competition. We came to the conclusion that it has been stripped of its status as one of the world's elite events.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Melbourbe Rebels recorded an historic win against the Waratahs in Sydney and are well represented in rugby365's famous Team of the Week for Round Six.

EXCLUSIVE: Cheeky Watson will depart the Eastern Province Kings with a ZAR1-million golden handshake.

OPINION: Tauriq Ebrahim looks at the decision taken by the Varsity Cup organisers to promote a team who could possibly not be the Varsity Shield champions.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: rugby365's acclaimed writer Paul Dobson takes a look at two momentous incidents in the career of Craig Joubert.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Chiefs currently lead the Super Rugby standings and they dominate rugby365's famous team of the week for Round Five.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: Players from champions England and second-placed Wales dominate our 2016 Six Nations team of the tournament.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: After a weekend where no New Zealand teams lost it is no surprise that players from the land of the long white cloud dominate our famous Team of the Week.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: England have already won the Six Nations and there is further reward for them in the form of rugby365's famous weekly selection.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Brumbies dominate our famous team of the week after bagging another impressive win in this year's Super Rugby competition.

OPINION: There has been major concern about whether or not the Varsity Cup will continue but Tauriq Ebrahim may just have found a solution to the current situation.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After their impressive 36-32 away win over the Chiefs in Hamilton, it is no surprise that the Lions dominate rugby365's famous selection for Round Two of Super Rugby.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: It may not have been the most exciting weekend of Six Nations matches, but it was intriguing.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers' impressive performance against the Bulls means that they dominate rugby365's famous selection after Round One of this year's Super Rugby tournament.

COMPETITION: rugby365 and adidas have combined to give away two FREE tickets to the big north-south Super Rugby derby.

COMPETITION: rugby365 and Jonathan Ball Publishers have combined to give readers a chance to win one of two copies of the book Springbok captains.

FUN TIME: Super Rugby starts this week and as usual rugby365 will have pools in both a fantasy league and a prediction pool.

BOOK REVIEW: Max Baise was one of South Africa's greatest rugby referees and this is his story.

This is a test page, please ignore.

COMPETITION: rugby365 and Burnet Media have combined to give readers a chance to win one of two copies of the famous (or is that infamous) Year of the Turnip.

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: France may only have won by a single point, but they were impressive enough to dominate rugby365's famous weekly selection.

OPINION: Respected rugby365 writer Paul Dobson asks if phase-play is not perhaps just a failure - a way out for teams who can't create?

SIX NATIONS SPOTLIGHT: The Six Nations got underway to great fanfare at the weekend and it was the 16-all stalemate between Ireland and Wales that stood out.

OPINION: In the eyes of many South Africans Matt O'Brien is the new Bryce Lawrence, vilified by many, most of whom are anonymous.

CAST YOUR VOTE: Which tournament would you rather watch - Super Rugby or the European Champions Cup? Cast your vote below!

CAST YOUR VOTE: We would like to know who you think should captain the Stormers this year? Cast your vote below!

OPINION: The Varsity Cup competition has been pushing the boundaries of innovation. However, Tauriq Ebrahim feels that the latest law adjustments are taking the tournament closer to becoming more of a gimmick.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: With Daniel Carter now plying his trade in France, rugby356 reporter Warren Fortune looks at the three main candidates for the All Blacks' No.10 jersey in 2016 and beyond.

OPINION: rugby365.com reporter Warren Fortune says the new Springbok coach will face an uphill battle in trying to get the team ready to beat the world's best.

OPINION: With a new year and new season ahead, Tauriq Ebrahim dips his toes into the murky waters of the rugby world and asks whether or not anyone can catch or match the mighty All Blacks.

This is a great book about great people.

OPINION: It can't get much more depressing than the current state of the nation in the Republic of South Africa. Jan de Koning asks if there's hope for 2016.

Rugby365 wishes all our readers and their families a very Happy New Year!

OPINION: It's been a long, busy year for the rugby365 crew and now we present to you our famous Team of the Year selections.

2015 was another good vintage in terms of promising talent emerging in South Africa, we look at five of the best.

Rugby365 would like to wish all our readers and their families a very Merry Christmas!

OPINION: Mark Hammett was unveiled as the coach of the new Japanese Super Rugby side, the Sunwolves but is he the right man for the job?

BOOK REVIEW: Jan de Koning looks at one of the many books on the game of rugby released in 2015.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Amidst all the drama surrounding the Southern Kings, there is a small group of forgotten players. Jan de Koning takes a look behind the scenes.

CAST YOUR VOTE: Rugby returns to the Olympics later this year, when Sevens will take centre stage. Which player from the 15-a-side game do you think will make the biggest splash in Rio?

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Confirmation of Heyneke Meyer's departure from the Springboks, has put the coaching rumour mill into overdrive. Jan de Koning reports.

OPINION: Jan de Koning asks why has the Stormers' brains trust lost their appetite for local coaches?

rugby365 and ASICS have combined to give three readers an opportunity to watch the Cape Town Sevens on December 12 and 13!

OPINION: rugby365.com journalist Warren Fortune explains why he thinks the Lions and the Bulls will be South Africa's top two teams in next year's Super Rugby competition.

This is the last newsletter for 2015 and we want to take this opportunity to wish all our newsletter readers a Merry Christmas.

CAST YOUR VOTE: Should Heyneke Meyer stay on as head coach of the Springboks? Yes or No.

CAST YOUR VOTE: Who will win the new expanded Super Rugby competition next year? Cast your vote below.

CAST YOUR VOTE: Here is your chance to say who should coach the Stormers, now that Eddie Jones has ditched them.

Who would you like to see as coach of South Africa and England? Vote below!

OPINION: Jan de Koning takes another look at the attitude towards coaches of South Africa's national team, in the wake of the emotional outburst by former players.

With the 2015 World Cup behind us we speculate on who will play for the Springboks in 2019 and look back at our predictions in 2011.

OPINION: rugby365 delves into the lighter side of the World Cup with all those moments that made you cheer, gasp, cry and even spill your preferred beverage - it's time for our Alternate Awards.

OPINION: After 48 matches and 2 439 points, the time has come for rugby365 to don their best tuxedos and bow ties to dish out our famous World Cup salutes.

OPINION: New Zealand's dominance of the World Cup has earned the world's top team even more accolades.

While some reports suggest Heyneke Meyer is going to be well-paid to keep his job, what are the chances of a foreign Springbok coach?

OPINION: New Zealand proved once again they are the best team on the planet when they beat Australia 34-17 in the World Cup Final on Saturday.

OPINION: Australia did well to get to this year's World Cup Final, but were well beaten by the mighty All Blacks.

OPINION: Argentina lacked any flair and excitement that brought the crowd to their feet on numerous occasions and it seemed as though their injuries took its toll at the end of the day.

OPINION:  It is the match that no-one wants to play and the type of rugby that was on display certainly matched the occasion - and the crowd let the players know exactly what their feelings were.

EXCLUSIVE: rugby365 reader AussieBoer has his say about the ongoing debate surrounding Heyneke Meyer's future and shows why he believes he is correct.

OPINION: The haters will hate and pessimists will always see the dark side. Jan de Koning looks past the hyperbole at what is the right thing to do.

There was only place for one Springbok in our Team of the Week from the World Cup semifinals.

OPINION: The Currie Cup may have taken a back seat to the World Cup but the on field action was electric as the Golden Lions claimed the honours, but who stood out?

OPINION: Australia's ability to outsmart the Argentinian defence gave them a huge edge in their 29-15 win over Argentina in their World Cup semifinal.

OPINION: Apart from dominating the scrum for most of the 80 minutes, Argentina were second best in other areas of the game in their semifinal defeat to Australia.

OPINION: New Zealand overturned a five-point half-time deficit to walk away with a hard fought two point victory over the Springboks - although they should have won more comfortably.

OPINION: The Springboks gave it horns against New Zealand and can hold their heads high with their Herculean defensive effort and dominant scrum, despite relinquishing a 12-7 half-time lead.

Western Province showed good fighting spirit, but were not accurate enough to beat the Golden Lions at Ellis Park.

The Golden Lions gained sweet revenge over Western Province to finish the Currie Cup unbeaten.

OPINION: Australia edged Wales 15-6 in a Pool A crunch match at Twickenham on Saturday.

Andrew Howitt takes a look at Round Three for Superbru Fantasy and Prediction Leagues

Namibia struggled to handle the All Blacks at scrum time in their World Cup Pool C match and simply couldnt contain the exciting backs.

OPINION: New Zealand's young guns put their World Cup Pool C match to bed in the first half against the Namibians.