Sports

The Sale Sharks have leaned heavily on South African firepower for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup clash against the Sharks in Manchester. Six players with roots in the Republic have been selected by the Premiership club for the pool-stage showdown. Former Stormers lock Ernst van Rhyn will captain the side from the engine room. He is […]

Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has revealed when Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie and Cameron Hanekom are expected to be back in action. Speaking ahead of his side’s must-win Investec Champions Cup clash against the Bristol Bears at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, Ackermann confirmed the players are all edging closer to a return. However, he cautioned

Coach JP Pietersen insists there’s enough experience in key positions for the Sharks to beat the Sale Sharks in Manchester. The Durban-based side has made wholesale changes for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup encounter, with Pietersen selecting a largely second-string outfit while leaving their large Springbok contingent behind in KZN. The last time the Sharks fielded

Stormers coach John Dobson has slammed the Cape Town Stadium pitch after lock Adre Smith was hospitalised with a serious knee infection. LINDIZ VAN ZILLA reports. Dobson did not hold back on Friday when he said the poor condition of the field at the world-class venue has directly contributed to a growing list of serious

The Cheetahs have welcomed back an experienced playmaker for Sunday’s EPCR Challenge Cup match against Ulster in Amsterdam. Jaco van der Walt regains the No 10 jersey after recovering from a hamstring niggle that sidelined him in December. In other changes, Matome ‘Dux’ Manyama starts at loosehead prop, while Cameron Dawson provides cover from the

Sharks coach JP Pietersen has picked a largely second-string team for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup clash against the Sale Sharks in Manchester. There are 13 changes to the side edged by the Lions in the Vodacom URC last weekend. AFRICA PICKS: Pressure builds across Champions Cup pools The front row features Lee-Marvin Mazibuko and Eduan

Johan Ackermann says Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup clash against the Bristol Bears at Loftus Versfeld is must-win for the Vodacom Bulls. The Bulls are on a six-match losing streak across competitions and have dropped their opening two Champions Cup fixtures, leaving little margin for error. Ackermann admitted the stakes could not be higher. “Tomorrow is

Four players are set to make their Stormers debut in Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup match against Harlequins in London. Luke Burger (above) is on the left wing as the only run-on debutant, with lock Alex Groves, loose forward Wandile Mlaba and former Blitzboks flyer Mfundo Ndhlovu all set to earn their first caps from the

Junior Boks powerhouse Batho Hlekani will make his Lions debut in Saturday’s must-win EPCR Challenge Cup clash against Lyon at Ellis Park. Hlekani only arrived in Joburg from the Sharks last week, but coach Ivan van Rooyen has wasted little time in backing the 115kg flank, who is set to provide impact off the bench

Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has selected a powerful team for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup match against the Bristol Bears at Loftus Versfeld. Ten Springboks are in the starting XV, which will again be led by Ruan Nortje. Embrose Papier, who produced a Man of the Match performance against the Stormers last week after being