Sports

Coach Johan Ackermann says the Vodacom Bulls will have to raise their game to beat Bordeaux Bègles in Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup clash at Loftus. The Bulls head into their tournament opener looking to rebound from last weekend’s disappointing home Vodacom URC defeat to the Lions. But they have been bolstered by several returning Springboks […]

New signing Jaco van der Walt will start at flyhalf for the Cheetahs against the Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Sunday. The 31-year-old former Scotland international recently moved to Bloemfontein from the Vodacom Bulls, where his game time was limited. After missing the playoffs last season, the Cheetahs are determined to reassert themselves. “We’re

Flanker Bathobele Hlekani will start for the Sharks against Toulouse in the Investec Champions Cup on Sunday. The Junior Boks’ star has already made three Vodacom URC appearances for the Durban-based side, and also featured in this year’s Currie Cup, but gets his first opportunity in Europe’s top tier along with lock JJ Scheepers. Nick

John Dobson admits the Stormers didn’t expect to see tighthead prop Zach Porthen scrumming down at loosehead for the Springboks. The 21-year-old made his Test debut against Japan last month before featuring against Italy and Wales. In Cardiff, Porthen was part of the 7-1 “Nuke Squad” that came on in the 50th minute. He replaced

SA Rugby has announced the venues for the Springboks’ three home Nations Championship matches in July. The Boks will kick off their 2026 season with a blockbuster clash against England at Ellis Park on Saturday, 4 July, followed by encounters against Scotland at Loftus Versfeld (11 July) and Wales at Kings Park (18 July). England

JP Pietersen will replace John Plumtree as Sharks head coach after Sunday’s Investec Champions Cup clash against Toulouse in France. After a poor start to their Vodacom URC campaign, the franchise announced in late October that Plumtree would step down by mutual agreement at the end of the 2025-26 season. However, the 60-year-old has opted

Eben Etzebeth denied intentionally eye-gouging Wales flank Alex Mann in Cardiff. The Bok lock was red-carded late in the Boks’ 73-0 win and on Thursday received a 12-week ban that rules him out of four Investec Champions Cup and eight Vodacom URC matches for the Sharks. Etzebeth gave his version of events during Tuesday’s independent disciplinary

Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has included two returning Springboks in his starting XV for Saturday’s EPCR Challenge Cup match against Benetton. Morne van den Berg regains the No 9 jersey with Nico Steyn dropping to the bench, while Asenathi Ntlabakanye starts at tighthead prop. Centre Erich Cronje returns in place of the injured Henco

Rassie Erasmus has revealed whether the Springboks ever considered selecting Benhard Janse van Rensburg, who can now play for England. The in-form Bristol Bears centre became eligible for Steve Borthwick’s side after World Rugby approved a rare exemption allowing him to switch allegiance from South Africa to England. Janse van Rensburg had been considered “captured” by

SA Rugby has made a major announcement about Rassie Erasmus. On Friday, the governing body confirmed that the Springbok head coach’s contract had been extended until 2031. President Mark Alexander said SA Rugby was proud to reaffirm its commitment to excellence by extending the agreement with Erasmus until after the World Cup in the USA.