Sports

Five uncapped players have the chance to make a big impression for the Springboks against the Barbarians in Gqeberha on Saturday. Junior Boks lock Riley Norton and Bordeaux Bègles tighthead prop Carlü Sadie are the only two players in the starting lineup who have yet to make their Test debuts. The uncapped players among the replacements […]

Nick Mallett believes Stormers flank Paul de Villiers has the qualities to become a fixture in the green and gold. The opensider has been named on the Springbok bench for Saturday’s season opener against the Barbarians in Gqeberha and arrives in the national set-up with a growing reputation as one of the country’s most effective

James Slipper’s international career may not be over after all. The veteran Wallabies prop is reportedly set to be recalled to Australia’s squad for next month’s Tests against Ireland, France and Italy, less than a year after bringing the curtain down on a remarkable Test career. Slipper retired from international rugby following his 151st appearance

Jake White believes this Vodacom Bulls side is better placed than any of its predecessors to finally get over the line in a URC final. The former Bulls coach, who guided the Pretoria-based outfit to three title deciders in the competition, says the current squad is stronger, more experienced and far better equipped than the

After an underwhelming Leinster stint, it’s time for Rieko Ioane to step up and deliver in Friday night’s Vodacom URC final at Croke Park. Leinster recruited the All Blacks back for the 2025-26 season as a replacement for Jordie Barrett and comparisons were inevitable. It was an unenviable position for the 29-year-old Ioane. Barrett’s six-month

A Vodacom URC title in Dublin on Friday night would be a fitting final chapter for Willie le Roux. The 36-year-old Vodacom Bulls and Springbok fullback recently marked his 400th first-class game, while in 2025 he became only the eighth Springbok to reach 100 Test caps. While the double World Cup winner has largely avoided

Leinster coach Leo Cullen says reaching another Vodacom URC final is a testament to his squad’s resilience after a difficult start to the season. The Irish giants will host the Bulls at Croke Park on Friday night, looking to defend the title they won with a 32-7 victory over the Pretoria-based outfit in last season’s

Emmanuel Tshituka says he’s lapping up as much as he can from the Springbok environment. MORNÉ ESBEN reports. The Sharks loose forward has been handed a start for Mzwandile Stick’s South Africa A side for Saturday’s clash against Zimbabwe in Gqeberha. His brother, Vincent, will captain the team from the second row. Tshituka is among

World Rugby has confirmed that tackle height in the amateur game will be lowered from 1 July as part of a global push to improve player safety. Under the new law variation, tackles must be made below the waist or at the base of the sternum, replacing the previous legal tackle area around the chest.

Ireland coach Andy Farrell has named three uncapped Connacht players in his 36-man squad for the Nations Championship. They are props Billy Bohan and Sam Illo, and loose forward Sean Jansen. Bohan was part of the Ireland squad for the Six Nations earlier this season, while Illo and Jansen, who have both featured for Emerging