Leinster edged the Leicester Tigers on Friday night to open round two of the Investec Champions Cup pool stage. The four-time champions sputtered at Welford Road before pulling ahead to win 23-15. The Irish province dominated territory from the start but made repeated handling errors in the face of a tigerish home defence. Leinster’s carelessness […]
Leinster stutter before beating Leicester Read More »
A double World Cup-winning Springbok is reportedly considering a return to the English Premiership. Scrumhalf Faf de Klerk’s contract with the Yokohama Canon Eagles expires at the end of the current Japan Rugby League One season in June. The 34-year-old recently returned to pre-season training in Japan, but RugbyPass says he is weighing up his
Springbok mulls Premiership return Read More »
La Rochelle coach Ronan O’Gara has picked a young, inexperienced team for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup clash against the Stormers in Gqeberha. Two academy players, lock Kirill Fraindt and scrumhalf Nolhann Couillaud (both 19) will start, with another two academy products on the bench in lock Simon Huchet and loose forward Edouard Richer (both still
Saffa on bench as La Rochelle test youth Read More »
A giant South African lock has been named in the Stade Français starting XV to take on the Cheetahs in Saturday’s EPCR Challenge Cup match in Amsterdam. Jacques Botha starred for the Hoërskool Monument 1st XV while representing the Lions at the U18 Craven Week and SA Schools A. He signed for Stade Français last
Stade Français blood giant SA youngster Read More »
Interim coach JP Pietersen says he is energised by the challenge of righting a listing Sharks ship as they prepare to host Saracens in the Investec Champions Cup on Saturday. LINDIZ VAN ZILLA reports. Pietersen, appointed after John Plumtree stepped aside, admitted the past week had been a whirlwind, but said the response from the
JP confident Sharks can rediscover their bite Read More »
Johan Ackermann says the Vodacom Bulls’ defensive issues can’t be viewed in isolation. SIMON BORCHARDT reports. The Pretoria-based franchise is under pressure heading into Sunday’s Investec Champions Cup match against the Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens having lost their opener to Bordeaux Bègles at Loftus last weekend. The Bulls have conceded 17 tries in six
Ackers: Defence a big thing for Bulls Read More »
The Newcastle Red Bulls have named Boeta Chamberlain at fullback for Saturday’s EPCR Challenge Cup match against the Lions. The 26-year-old knows the Joburg-based franchise well, having played against them for both the Sharks and Vodacom Bulls before heading to England. Meanwhile, prolific winger Christian Wade will make his Red Bulls debut after a spell with
Boeta at 15 for Red Bulls Read More »
The Cheetahs have been forced into a backline reshuffle for Saturday’s EPCR Challenge Cup clash against Stade Français in Amsterdam. Coach Frans Steyn’s side is looking to bounce back from a 42-12 defeat to the Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park last weekend. Flyhalf George Lourens replaces Jaco van der Walt, who is sidelined with a
Injury-hit Cheetahs face French test Read More »
JJ van der Mescht and Henry Pollock will start for the Northampton Saints against the Vodacom Bulls at Frankin’s Gardens on Sunday. Former Junior Boks lock Van der Mescht has made a big impact since joining the Premiership club from Stade Francais, while England rising star Pollock was nominated for the 2025 World Rugby Breakthrough
Van der Mescht, Pollock to tackle Bulls Read More »
Flyhalf Kade Wolhuter will make his Vodacom Bulls debut in Sunday’s Investec Champions Cup clash against the Northampton Saints. The Pretoria-based side recently secured the services of Wolhuter on a loan deal from the Lions, who he represented seven times in the Vodacom URC and twice in the EPCR Challenge Cup. The Bulls have made
Wolhuter at 10 for revamped Bulls Read More »
