Sports

The Vodacom Bulls expect Handré Pollard to respond in Friday night’s URC final against Leinster in Dublin after a rare off day with the boot two weeks ago. The double World Cup-winning Springbok flyhalf missed three relatively straightforward penalty goals between the 67th and 73rd minutes against the Glasgow Warriors at Murrayfield that left the […]

Stormers lock Gary Porter will make his first appearance for Zimbabwe against South Africa A in Gqeberha on Saturday. The 29-year-old South African, who has earned 29 Stormers caps, qualifies for Zimbabwe through his Bulawayo-born mother. Porter said Zimbabwe coach Pieter Benade was a key factor in his decision to play for the Sables, who

Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann says his side cannot afford a slow start in Friday night’s URC final against Leinster at Croke Park. LINDIZ VAN ZILLA reports. Leinster stormed into a 19-0 lead after 22 minutes of last season’s Dublin decider against the Bulls and never relinquished control on their way to a 32-7 victory.

The Vodacom Bulls are determined to send captain Ruan Nortjé and other departing players out on a high by winning Friday night’s URC final in Dublin. Nortjé will leave for Japan later this year after more than a decade of service to the Pretoria-based outfit, having risen through the Bulls academy ranks to become both

Vodacom Bulls stalwart Ruan Nortjé says there would be no better way to say goodbye to his team than by lifting the URC trophy against Leinster at Croke Park on Friday night. The Bulls co-captain brings down the curtain on a decade-long career in Pretoria and will link up with fellow Springbok Malcolm Marx at

The SA Rugby magazine team is split on the winner of the Vodacom URC final, but predict big wins for the Springboks and South Africa A. Leinster vs Bulls (Friday, 8:30pm SA time) Lindiz van Zilla: Bulls by 4 Morne Esben: Leinster by 12 Simon Borchardt: Bulls by 5 Dylan Johnson: Leinster by 7 Juandre

John Kirwan has challenged All Blacks coach Dave Rennie to show the same willingness to take risks as Springbok counterpart Rassie Erasmus. Erasmus is one of the most influential and innovative figures in world rugby, constantly testing the bounds of what is possible as the game evolves. Speaking on the Rivals podcast, Kirwan said Erasmus’

Barbarians coach Scott Robertson has praised the Springboks’ blend of youth and experience ahead of Saturday’s clash in Gqeberha. The former All Blacks boss expects a stern examination from a Bok team featuring both established stars and exciting young talent. “Any player who puts a Bok jersey on deserves it,” Robertson said. “I like the

Barbarians flyhalf Tomás Albornoz says neutralising the Springboks’ pack will be key to victory at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday. MORE: André eyes ‘powerhouse’ Baa-Baas centre pairing A first time Baa Baa Tomás Albornoz looks ahead to tackling the back-to-back World Champions @Springboks But hey, the bigger they are the harder they fall

Victor Matfield says Canan Moodie will be crucial to the Vodacom Bulls’ efforts to blunt Leinster’s attack in Friday night’s URC final at Croke Park. While the Bulls will back their powerful scrum to provide a platform in Dublin, Matfield believes their ability to contain Leinster’s potent backline could prove decisive. “The player who stands