Sports

The Sharks have lost a talented playmaker to Vodacom URC rivals as the flyhalf roster in Durban becomes more and more crowded. The club announced Jean Smith’s departure on Tuesday and his European journey has come full circle. The 23-year-old flyhalf, son of former Springbok and current Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith, will join […]

Former All Blacks wing John Kirwan has dismissed claims that South Africa’s involvement was not a major benefit to Super Rugby. In a recent podcast interview, Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said he would not welcome South African teams back into Super Rugby. Asked why, he replied: “If you go back and look at

The Lions could unleash a Springbok loose forward in an unfamiliar role when they host the Sharks at Ellis Park on Saturday. The Vodacom URC resumes with another big South African derby, the Lions hosting the Sharks in the return fixture of their Durban blockbuster in January. Lions assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher has confirmed that

Haashim Pead believes scrumhalf competition at the Lions will bring out the best in him. The Junior Boks star, who was named Player of the Tournament at last year’s World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy, has had to be patient for opportunities at senior level in the Vodacom URC and EPCR Challenge Cup. But when

SA Rugby magazine asked SA Rugby president Mark Alexander whether the game’s powerbrokers will ever find common ground on a global season. Alexander and SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer are in London for a series of World Rugby workshops, which includes the global season. There’s been much debate about aligning the global rugby calendar. What’s

Scotland have been dealt a significant blow ahead of the business end of the Six Nations, with a key loose forward ruled out for the remainder of the championship. Jamie Ritchie, 29, fractured his leg during Scotland’s 31-20 Calcutta Cup victory over England at the weekend. His Top 14 club Perpignan revealed that Ritchie is

Coach Steve Borthwick has made three changes for England’s Six Nations match against Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday. England’s 12-game winning run came to a shuddering halt with a 31-20 defeat by Scotland in Edinburgh last weekend. Sam Underhill, Guy Pepper and Tom Roebuck make way as Borthwick opts for a number of positional changes in

Vincent Koch expects the scrum to play a defining role when the Sharks face the Lions in Saturday’s Vodacom URC derby at Ellis Park, writes LINDIZ VAN ZILLA. South African teams dominate the URC scrum statistics, with the Vodacom Bulls leading the way. The men from Pretoria have won 65 scrums and lost just two

Scotland’s preparations for their Six Nations trip to Cardiff have been hampered by injuries to three key players. Scottish Rugby confirmed that flank Jamie Ritchie (knee), No 8 Jack Dempsey (bicep) and winger Jamie Dobie (shoulder) all picked up injuries during the win over England at Murrayfield. Ritchie, who impressed on his return to the

Varsity Cup teams can turn down a conversion attempt and instead take a tap to attempt to score another try. Here’s how it works … Go for the conversion or decline and take the tap The newest innovation in the #VarsityCup served up some drama in round one. Here’s a reminder of how it works