Sports

Morné Steyn believes Lions flyhalf Chris Smith should be regarded as one of the best No 10s in South Africa. LINDIZ VAN ZILLA reports. Smith heads into the Vodacom URC playoffs as the competition’s second-highest point-scorer (154) behind Stormers pivot Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (158). The 31-year-old has been one of the key architects behind the Lions’ run […]

South African tighthead prop Carlü Sadie will start for Bordeaux Bègles in Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup final against Leinster in Bilbao. The defending champions have made just one change to the starting XV that beat Bath in their semi-final three weeks ago, with veteran loosehead prop Jefferson Poirot returning from suspension to replace Matis Perchaud.

The Lions believe they are better prepared for the challenge awaiting them in Dublin after tough lessons against Leinster and Munster. LINDIZ VAN ZILLA reports. The Joburg-based outfit have remained in Ireland for their first-ever Vodacom URC quarter-final next Saturday after securing a historic top-eight finish. While proud of the achievement, Lions coach Ivan van

Leinster coach Leo Cullen has backed the starting XV that beat Toulon for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup final against Bordeaux Bègles in Bilbao. The biggest talking point is the absence of Ireland wing James Lowe, who misses out on the match 23 despite recently returning from injury. Leinster have instead recalled Tommy O’Brien on the

CLICK HERE to read the latest issue of SA Rugby magazine. What’s in the mag: England talk themselves into a fight when they come to South Africa – and the Springboks finish it. The performance in Paris aside, England had an abject Six Nations. Any more of that and they could be smashed on their

SA Rugby high-performance GM Dave Wessels says World Rugby should adopt a Fifa-style compensation model to reward South African schools and academies that develop players later recruited overseas. Several SA schoolboys headed to the UK after matriculating last year, including ex-Rondebosch and SA U18 flank Josh Neill, who joined Leinster’s academy before representing Ireland U20.

SA Rugby GM of operations Yusuf Jackson has detailed the immense logistical undertaking behind the All Blacks’ blockbuster tour of South Africa later this year. In the new issue of SA Rugby magazine, Jackson reveals the scale of the planning behind Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry. “This is as close to a World Cup as you’re going

Morné van den Berg will miss the Vodacom URC playoffs and the majority of the Test season after undergoing bicep surgery on Wednesday. The Lions are in Dublin preparing for a first-ever URC quarter-final, against Leinster next Saturday. “Unfortunately it looks like he will be out four to six months,” said Lions coach Ivan van

Sharks-bound Thomas du Toit has made it clear there will be no thoughts of the Springboks or his return to Durban, until Bath’s Premiership campaign is finished. The powerful prop says he’s determined to savour every remaining moment with Bath as the English club pushes for domestic silverware in the closing weeks of the season.

Bordeaux Bègles defend their Investec Champions Cup title while Montpellier win the EPCR Challenge Cup final, according to the SA Rugby magazine team. ECPR Challenge Cup Montpellier vs Ulster (Friday, 9pm SA time) Juandre Joubert: Montpellier by 4 Dylan Johnson: Montpellier by 7 Lindiz van Zilla: Montpellier by 11 Morne Esben: Ulster by 3 Simon Borchardt: