Sports

Former Springbok captain Bobby Skinstad has lifted the lid on his turbulent relationship with Rassie Erasmus during their playing days. Speaking on The Good, the Bad and the Rugby podcast, Skinstad said that although the rivalry never reached the point where they stopped speaking, their relationship was “terrible”. “We were competing for the same position,” […]

Wales’ defence will determine whether Saturday’s Test against the Springboks in Cardiff becomes another bruising chapter in a difficult year. There have been encouraging green shoots in attack – even in the 52-28 and 52-26 maulings by Argentina and New Zealand respectively. But the hard truth is that Wales remain desperately vulnerable without the ball

A former SA U20 player has been cleared by World Rugby to become eligible to play for England due to his being an “exceptional” case. World Rugby approved a rare exemption allowing centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg to switch allegiance from South Africa to England. The Bristol Bears centre has long been considered “captured” by

A well-rested Sharks outfit arrives in Galway with momentum and new direction as they look to climb the Vodacom URC table against a desperate Connacht side. DYLAN JOHNSON reports. After finally breaking their winless start to the season with a 29-19 victory over the Scarlets in Durban on 25 October, John Plumtree’s team sits 13th

Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick says the Springboks have been through all the backline scenarios after naming a 7-1 bench for Saturday’s Test against Wales. SIMON BORCHARDT reports. The Bok ‘Nuclear Squad’ features hooker Bongi Mbonambi, props Zachary Porthen and Asenathi Ntlabakanye, lock Eben Etzebeth and loose forwards Marco van Staden, Ben-Jason Dixon and Kwagga Smith

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi says Duane Vermeulen looked ready to wield his hammer against Wales after a bruising week on the training field. SIMON BORCHARDT reports. With Saturday’s Test in Cardiff falling outside World Rugby’s window, the Boks are without several frontline players who had to return to their clubs. Naming his match 23 on

Coach John Dobson says the Stormers have travelled to Limerick with real belief for Saturday’s top-of-the-table Vodacom URC clash against Munster. Facing the Irish giants at Thomond Park remains one of the great challenges in European rugby, and Munster have welcomed back a full slate of Ireland internationals – a statement of intent. AFRICA PICKS:

Philip Snyman says the Blitzboks could not have asked for a tougher start to the new-look SVNS season. The Blitzboks are talking the same talk in Dubai this week – and it’s all positive. Head coach Philip Snyman and senior players Impi Visser and Ryan Oosthuizen insist the squad has arrived in the UAE as

Currie Cup-winning Griquas flyhalf George Whitehead will start for the Sharks against Connacht in Galway on Saturday. The Vodacom URC resumes this weekend, and the Sharks have turned to one of the Currie Cup’s most experienced campaigners to steer them through tricky Irish conditions. Whitehead – who famously slotted the injury-time penalty that won Griquas

The proposed breakaway R360 league is reportedly dead in the water. According to The Roar, threats of 10-year bans from major rugby unions as well as Australia’s NRL mean the R360 concept is effectively over before it even began. Fronted by former England international Mike Tindall and originally slated to kick off this year, the