Sports

Rassie Erasmus says Japan remains a valuable destination for seasoned Springboks, but young players based there won’t be considered for Test selection. Speaking on the eve of the new Japan Rugby League One season, Erasmus said the competition plays an important role in extending the careers of senior Springboks. “For certain players who’ve already made […]

Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has named several returning Springboks in his match 23 for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup clash against Bordeaux Bègles at Loftus. In the backline, Handré Pollard wears the No 10 jersey with Canan Moodie on the right wing. Pollard partners Paul de Wet, who starts ahead of Embrose Papier, with Bok

Stormers coach John Dobson says it’s time for SA teams to stand up and be counted in the Investec Champions Cup. No South African side reached the round-of-16 playoffs last season, while the furthest they have progressed since joining the competition in 2022-23 is the quarter-finals. That season, both the Stormers and Sharks reached the

Bordeaux Begles’ South African loose forward Tiaan Jacobs expects a fired-up Vodacom Bulls side at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. The title holders open the defence of their Investec Champions Cup crown with a gruelling trip to Pretoria. The French club swept to their first major trophy in May, edging Northampton in the final to join

The Stormers have the power to win in France but only if they conquer a Bayonne side boasting continuity, home strength and Top 14 pedigree, writes MARK KEOHANE. Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane argues that South African sides must start winning away from home to be taken seriously in the Investec Champions Cup. He notes that the

Sharks loose forward Siya Kolisi could be the next Springbok to head to Japan. According to RugbyPass, the two-time World Cup-winning captain is on the radar of Japan Rugby League One side the Kobelco Kobe Steelers. Kolisi reportedly came close to signing for the Tokyo Sungoliath after the 2023 World Cup triumph, before a late change

Another match has been added to next year’s much-anticipated Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour. History will be made during with confirmation that the Springbok Women will face New Zealand’s Black Ferns for the first time on South African soil. The landmark Test will form part of a blockbuster double-header at FNB Stadium on 5 September, serving

Bok lock Eben Etzebeth has proven to be a costly signing for the Sharks. Etzebeth will be unavailable for 12 weeks after receiving a suspension for eye-gouging Wales flank Alex Mann – the latest disruption in a Sharks stint already hampered by injuries and Springbok commitments. Since joining from Toulon in July 2022, Etzebeth has

Springbok enforcer Eben Etzebeth has been slapped with a massive suspension after being found guilty of making intentional contact with the eye area of Wales flanker Alex Mann. The ruling initially carried an 18-match sanction before being reduced to 12. Etzebeth faced an independent disciplinary panel via video link after his red card in the

Coach John Dobson says the Stormers’ rapidly expanding squad depth gives them the confidence to go all-out in their Investec Champions Cup opener against Bayonne on Friday night. LINDIZ VAN ZILLA reports. Dobson has handed debuts to loosehead prop Ntuthuko “Tuks” Mchunu and hooker Lukhanyo “Boepa” Vokozela, reinforcing his belief that the pack has evolved