Sports

Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick says the Springboks have been through all the backline scenarios after naming a 7-1 bench for Saturday’s Test against Wales. SIMON BORCHARDT reports. The Bok ‘Nuclear Squad’ features hooker Bongi Mbonambi, props Zachary Porthen and Asenathi Ntlabakanye, lock Eben Etzebeth and loose forwards Marco van Staden, Ben-Jason Dixon and Kwagga Smith […]

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi says Duane Vermeulen looked ready to wield his hammer against Wales after a bruising week on the training field. SIMON BORCHARDT reports. With Saturday’s Test in Cardiff falling outside World Rugby’s window, the Boks are without several frontline players who had to return to their clubs. Naming his match 23 on

Coach John Dobson says the Stormers have travelled to Limerick with real belief for Saturday’s top-of-the-table Vodacom URC clash against Munster. Facing the Irish giants at Thomond Park remains one of the great challenges in European rugby, and Munster have welcomed back a full slate of Ireland internationals – a statement of intent. AFRICA PICKS:

Philip Snyman says the Blitzboks could not have asked for a tougher start to the new-look SVNS season. The Blitzboks are talking the same talk in Dubai this week – and it’s all positive. Head coach Philip Snyman and senior players Impi Visser and Ryan Oosthuizen insist the squad has arrived in the UAE as

Currie Cup-winning Griquas flyhalf George Whitehead will start for the Sharks against Connacht in Galway on Saturday. The Vodacom URC resumes this weekend, and the Sharks have turned to one of the Currie Cup’s most experienced campaigners to steer them through tricky Irish conditions. Whitehead – who famously slotted the injury-time penalty that won Griquas

The proposed breakaway R360 league is reportedly dead in the water. According to The Roar, threats of 10-year bans from major rugby unions as well as Australia’s NRL mean the R360 concept is effectively over before it even began. Fronted by former England international Mike Tindall and originally slated to kick off this year, the

Thaakir Abrahams will wing it for Munster in Saturday’s top-of-the-table Vodacom URC match against the Stormers in Limerick. The former Sharks flyer, who has made 16 appearances and scored four tries for the Irish giants, starts in a back three featuring Shane Daly and Diarmuid Kilgallen for the round-six blockbuster. Munster have also welcomed back

Dylan Maart will make his Stormers debut in the table-topping Vodacom URC clash against Munster in Limerick on Saturday. The winger has joined the squad on loan from Griquas and will have the experienced duo of Warrick Gelant and Leolin Zas at the back with him, while Wandisile Simelane and Ruhan Nel will link up

Coach Ivan van Rooyen has made several enforced adjustments to the Lions side for Saturday’s Vodacom URC Juskei derby against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld. In the pack, RF Schoeman starts at tighthead prop in place of Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who is unavailable due to Springbok duty. The Lions are also without Morne van den Berg,

Loosehead prop Andrew Porter has struggled to explain how the Ireland scrum disintegrated against the powerhouse Springbok pack in Dublin. Ireland conceded six penalties from 16 scrum feeds at the Aviva Stadium last Saturday. Porter and replacement front rower Paddy McCarthy both received yellow cards, while referee Matthew Carley also awarded a penalty try following