Sports

The Lions and Vodacom Bulls head into another URC break on a high after impressive Highveld victories, writes LINDIZ VAN ZILLA. The Lions beat the Stormers 24-10 at Ellis Park before the Bulls hammered the Sharks 41-12 at Loftus, which saw the Joburg-based side snatch the SA Shield away from the Durbanites. The URC now […]

England’s midfield stocks have taken another hit ahead of their Six Nations trip to Rome. Ollie Lawrence has been ruled out once more. The RFU confirmed on Sunday evening that the Bath centre has returned to his club for rehabilitation, despite only recently rejoining Steve Borthwick’s squad after injury. Lawrence had been a doubt for

Jake White won’t be returning to the Vodacom URC just yet, after missing out on the opportunity to coach a leading Italian side. Wayne Pivac beat White to the vacant Benetton post, with the club confirming that the former Wales boss will take charge from next season on a deal running until June 2028, with

Former loose forward James Haskell has launched a fiery defence of the current England squad after back-to-back Six Nations defeats left their title hopes in tatters. Losses to Scotland and Ireland have sparked heavy criticism, with fans venting their frustration online as England’s much-hyped campaign unravelled. But Haskell insists the narrative around desire and commitment

Johan Ackermann has pencilled in a potential return window for injured loose forward Cameron Hanekom. But the Vodacom Bulls boss insists the talented Bok bruiser won’t be rushed back. Ackermann admitted he had previously been reluctant to put a timeline on Hanekom’s comeback after a frustrating, stop-start rehabilitation. MORE: Ackers hails Bulls’ composure “I was

One of New Zealand’s highly-rated scrumhalves has committed to the All Blacks and the Chiefs until the end of the 2028 season. Last year’s beaten Super Rugby Pacific finalists confirmed on Sunday that Cortez Ratima has signed a new two-year extension. The 24-year-old has rapidly established himself as one of New Zealand’s premier No 9s,

A Lions lock will head to France at the end of June having signed a two-year deal with a Pro D2 club. According to Rapport, Raynard Roets is set to join Biarritz on 1 July after two seasons in Joburg. The 24-year-old former Junior Springbok is a product of Hoërskool Garsfontein. He joined the Lions

Sharks coach JP Pietersen says his side’s 41-12 Vodacom URC defeat to the Bulls at Loftus came down to tries conceded in clusters and a glut of unforced errors. The Bulls struck twice in quick succession on the way to a 22-0 lead at the break – a pattern Pietersen admitted is becoming a worrying

The SWD Eagles have bolstered their ranks with two battle-hardened loanees ahead of the SA Cup kick-off in George. According to Rapport, former Junior Boks lock Dylan de Leeuw and scrumhalf Tiaan Fourie have linked up with Heyneke Meyer’s troops, adding punch and pedigree to the squad. De Leeuw, 24, is contracted to the Lions,

SA Rugby’s delegation, led by Rassie Erasmus, joined forces with France to defeat the Aussies and Kiwis at World Rugby’s Shape of the Game conference in London. According to Rapport‘s sources, South Africa spent the past three months aligning with key unions – notably France – to resist proposals that would have significantly altered elements