Sports

Which two teams will progress from this weekend’s Investec Champions Cup semi-finals to contest the Bilbao decider on 23 May? On Saturday, four-time champions Leinster tackle three-time winners Toulon in Dublin, before reigning champions Bordeaux Bègles host English Premiership log leaders Bath on Sunday. Both matches kick off at 4pm SA time. Who will contest […]

Bath coach Johann van Graan gambled on squad rotation ahead of a blockbuster Investec Champions Cup semi-final, and so very nearly pulled off one of the English Premiership’s great wins. The reigning Premiership champions went down 41-38 to the Northampton Saints in a top-of-the-table thriller at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday, despite fielding a heavily changed

Leinster and Toulon renew their rivalry, while Bordeaux Bègles and Bath promise fireworks in a blockbuster Investec Champions Cup semi-final weekend. On Saturday, four-time champions Leinster welcome three-time winners Toulon to the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Reigning champions Bordeaux Bègles then host English heavyweights Bath on Sunday. The Irish giants qualified for their sixth successive

Leinster could be without a key Ireland forward for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup semi-final against Toulon in Dublin. The concern centres on tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong, who limped off in the 28th minute of Leinster’s shock 29-26 Vodacom URC defeat to Benetton in Treviso. The Irish club is expected to provide a medical update on

Griquas kept their unbeaten SA Cup record intact as they overcame the Pumas, while the Valke claimed a famous win against the Cheetahs. A hard-fought 44-34 victory in Kimberley on Sunday afternoon cemented Griquas’ place at the top of the standings. There were also crucial wins for the SWD Eagles and Boland Cavaliers, who both

Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has called for clarity from officials after David Kriel’s late try was controversially ruled out against the Scarlets. The Bulls thought they had sealed the result when Kriel finished in the corner in the 76th minute after a slick, multi-phase move and cross-kick from Willie le Roux. The try was

All Blacks great Dan Carter believes the upcoming Tests against the Springboks could define their year under new coach Dave Rennie. Speaking on the DSPN podcast with Martin Devlin, Carter said the All Blacks face a brutal international schedule that includes the highly-anticipated Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry clashes against the back-to-back world champions. “We’ve got a

Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn believes his side can still salvage their SA Cup campaign despite a costly defeat to the Valke in Kempton Park. The Free Staters surrendered a 24-7 lead to lose 43-36, slipping from third to fifth on the log with just two rounds remaining – and now face a fight to qualify

Franco Smith admitted Glasgow Warriors have been brutally exposed during their South African tour after back-to-back hammerings by the Stormers and Lions. The Scottish club surrendered top spot on the Vodacom URC log to the Stormers following a 48-12 defeat in Cape Town on Saturday. Smith says it may just be the wake-up they needed

Home playoffs beckon for the Stormers and Lions after impressive wins, while the Vodacom Bulls have their top-eight fate in their own hands, writes LINDIZ VAN ZILLA. First, third and seventh on the Vodacom URC log with two rounds remaining is a great return for the three leading South African clubs as the tournament takes