Sports

Former Sharks and Cheetahs fullback Rhyno Smith needs special permission to play Test rugby for Italy. The 32-year-old has been one of Benetton’s most influential performers since arriving in Treviso, and by July 2026 he will have completed five years in Italy – the residency period required to represent his adopted nation. However, Smith played […]

Italy have reportedly set their sights on one of the Sharks’ talented flyhalves. According to Rapport, Smith – son of former Springbok pivot and current Glasgow Warriors coach Franco Smith – is on Benetton’s radar and could join the club after the Vodacom URC season. Because he was born in Treviso, the young playmaker does

John Dobson has praised the Stormers’ second-half forward dominance for the miracle in Limerick on Saturday. The Cape side overturned a 21-6 half-time deficit in an impressive comeback to beat Munster 27-21 and remain the Vodacom URC’s only unbeaten team. REPORT: Stormers upset Munster, remain unbeaten Dobson admitted the Stormers were outplayed by their hosts

Northampton Saints’ South African enforcer JJ van der Mescht has become one of the English Premiership’s most destructive forwards. At 2.00m and 145kg, Van der Mescht cuts an unmistakable figure, but the former Junior Boks and Sharks lock told The Telegraph he has always been huge. “I was 6ft 3 and 130 kilos at 13,”

South Africa’s three Investec Champions Cup entrants must shift mindset and selection strategy if they want to compete with Europe’s elite, writes MARK KEOHANE. Writing for the Sunday Times, Keohane says South Africa’s participation in the tournament is a privilege earned, not a box ticked – but unless the Vodacom Bulls, Sharks and Stormers change

Springbok wing Ethan Hooker says his rapid rise in Test rugby has been fuelled by several factors. MORNÉ ESBEN reports. Hooker dotted down in the Boks’ 73-0 demolition of Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, capping a glittering season that includes a World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year nomination. But the 22-year-old insists the recognition belongs

Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach celebrated his 50th Test appearance in fitting style on Saturday. The Boks capped a memorable 2025 season with a record-breaking 73-0 victory over Wales in Cardiff. Reinach came off the bench as part of the “Nuclear Squad”, with Bok coach Rassie Erasmus bringing on all eight subs in one go in

The Stormers kept their perfect Vodacom URC season in tact, with a strong come-from-behind victory over Irish giants Munster in Limerick on Saturday. The Cape side ran in three second-half tries to win 27-21 at Thomond Park and remain the only unbeaten side in this season’s competition. It was an ill-disciplined first half from the

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus admitted the Eben Etzebeth eye-gouging incident in Cardiff “didn’t look good”. The late red card – for making contact with the eyes of Wales flank Alex Mann during a scuffle – cast a shadow over the Boks’ record-breaking 73-0 win over Wales. REPORT: Brilliant Boks demolish Dragons “I don’t know what

Coach Rassie Erasmus says the Springboks’ record 73-0 win against Wales in Cardiff was “one of our most complete performances”. The Boks produced a ruthless 80-minute display to finish the five-match end-of-year-tour unbeaten. Erasmus said he was especially pleased with the contribution from fringe players fighting for long-term places. “We’re very proud of the way