Sports

A former Leinster player has taken aim at Irish rugby after two European disappointments over the weekend. Ex-Leinster flyhalf Andy Dunne believes Irish rugby’s coaching philosophy is holding the country back. Bordeaux Bègles thrashed Leinster 41-19 in Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup final, extending the Dublin giants’ title drought to seven years and handing them a […]

Ricardo Duarttee has been handed a late Blitzboks recall after Ronald Brown was ruled out of South Africa’s SVNS World Championship campaign through injury. Duarttee, who featured in the Blitzboks’ title-winning campaigns in Cape Town and Perth earlier this season, travelled with the squad to Europe on Sunday ahead of tournaments in Valladolid and Bordeaux.

Damian Willemse says the home crowd at Cape Town Stadium will give the Stormers extra motivation in their Vodacom URC quarter-final against Cardiff on Saturday. MORE: Stormers pull off Kolbe coup He grew up dreaming of playing for our team and has proven himself as the ultimate DHL Stormer since his debut at 18. On

Former Springbok No 8 Warren Whiteley believes Emile van Heerden’s breakout season with the Sharks could put him in the Bok picture sooner rather than later. The towering lock recently beat out high-profile teammates including André Esterhuizen, Phepsi Buthelezi and Siya Kolisi to claim the Sharks’ Player of the Year award. MORE: Emile, André the

Paul Roos earned a thrilling win against Paarl Boys’ at the Markötter Stadium, while Stellenberg, Westville and Garsfontein also claimed notable victories. Fresh off their win against Stellenberg, Paarl Boys’ travelled to Stellenbosch to face an in-form Paul Roos, who extended their winning streak to six with a 28-22 victory. The hosts set the tone

Griquas have signed one of the three South Africans whose contracts were not renewed by the Newcastle Red Bulls this week. Versatile back Stefan Coetzee has joined the Currie Cup champions after making just six appearances, including four starts, for the English club this season, the last on 30 January. The 28-year-old, who can play

Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw believes “top-class” Ruben Love is equipped to become the All Blacks’ first-choice flyhalf. Love was largely overlooked by the previous All Blacks coaching regime under Scott Robertson, who preferred veterans Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie. Love has been influential in a dominant Super Rugby campaign for the Hurricanes, who are guaranteed

Bordeaux Bègles’ 41-19 thrashing of Leinster in the Investec Champions Cup final secured a sixth straight title for the dominant French Top 14 clubs. Not since the Exeter Chiefs edged Racing 92 31-27 in the lockdown-affected 2019-20 season has a team from outside of France lifted the Champions Cup trophy. Toulouse started the run the

Embrose Papier says he never stopped believing he would get another chance with the Springboks. Papier was overlooked for the Boks’ first alignment camp of the year before being called up for the second in Cape Town this week. The world champions have been rocked by long-term injuries to scrumhalves Cobus Reinach and Morné van

Towering Rondebosch Boys’ High lock Sebastian Vermeulen will leave Cape Town to join one of South Africa’s top clubs. News24 reports that Vermeulen has signed a two-year development contract with the Sharks. He will be based at the Sharks Academy as part of a high-performance programme. The 18-year-old, who is South Africa’s tallest schoolboy rugby