Sports

The rise of rugby’s so-called “hybrid player” continues to divide opinion, and former Bulls and Saracens director of rugby Alan Zondagh is not buying it. With England deploying loose forwards Henry Pollock and Ben Earl in the backline against Wales at Twickenham, and the Springboks often using André Esterhuizen as the poster boy for versatility, […]

France insist there will be no complacency when they face a struggling Wales side in the Six Nations, despite their contrasting opening round results. Les Bleus powered past Ireland 36-14 in Paris, while Wales slumped to a heavy 48-7 defeat against England at Twickenham, extending a miserable run of results. MORE: Itoje regains England captaincy

Captain Maro Itoje returns as one of two changes for England’s Six Nations trip to Scotland on Saturday. The lock started last weekend’s 48-7 thrashing of Wales on the bench after missing the start of England’s preparations for the tournament to attend his mother’s funeral in Nigeria. The 31-year-old replaces Alex Coles, while hooker Luke

Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley has shut the door on a possible return to the tournament for South African sides. While the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers have settled into life in the Vodacom URC after their exit from Super Rugby in 2020, the Cheetahs have expressed a desire to rejoin the southern hemisphere

A coroner has released findings into the sudden death of Highlanders and New Zealand Maori back Connor Garden-Bachop. The 25-year-old was found unresponsive while staying with family in Christchurch in June 2024, a loss that sent shockwaves through the New Zealand rugby community and beyond. Findings issued this week provide clarity around the circumstances surrounding

Former Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber is not to blame for Ireland’s struggles according to former England hooker Brian Moore. Former Ireland players and pundits pointed fingers at Nienaber following the 36-14 Six Nations defeat to France in Paris, suggesting his influence at Leinster has disrupted Ireland’s attacking fluency. Moore, however, believes that narrative ignores deeper

The Stormers are set to address their growing injury concerns in the engine room by welcoming back a familiar face. With their lock stocks stretched following recent setbacks, the Cape side is poised to bring in experienced cover rather than rushing into the market for a specialist second-rower. News24 reports that Hacjivah Dayimani is expected back in

A Cheetahs scrumhalf caught the eye at training in Bloemfontein on Monday. Marco Jansen van Vuren wore large black protective glasses, prompting teammates to quickly hand him a couple of new nicknames, including “RoboCop” and “The Fly”. Netwerk24 reports that Jansen van Vuren is training with eyewear prescribed by his ophthalmologist as a precaution after

Star wing Ange Capuozzo has returned to the Italy squad ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations match against Ireland. The French-born 26-year-old has not played since the end of December when he injured a finger playing for Toulouse against La Rochelle in the Top 14. He was left out of the Italy squad for their Six

Former Lions and Pumas centre Wayne van der Bank says playing Test rugby for the USA “was always part of a five-year plan”. The 29-year-old was part of a USA Eagles alignment camp in San Diego last week, alongside fellow South Africans Dan Kriel and Rhyno Herbst. Van der Bank, who has played for the