Sports

Ruan Venter is ready to reset and make up for lost time as the Lions push for a Vodacom URC playoff spot. The Lions forward will return to action against Edinburgh at Ellis Park this weekend, determined to reignite his season after a frustrating start. The 23-year-old has endured a stop-start campaign, serving a four-match […]

Four senior players have signed central contract extensions with Ireland ahead of next year’s World Cup in Australia. Centre Bundee Aki has agreed a one-year deal, while scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park and flanker Josh van der Flier have committed to two-year contracts. Hooker Dan Sheehan has signed on for a further three years. Tuesday’s announcement came

The Stormers have moved on from their Loftus triumph, warning the Dragons will be no easy beats in Cape Town, writes LINDIZ VAN ZILLA. Damian Willemse says the focus has quickly shifted to the next challenge. “The Bulls result was massive and very important for us to get the win to put ourselves in a

Damian Willemse has revealed how instinct and analysis combined for his game-turning try against the Vodacom Bulls. Trailing 7-0 at Loftus and down to 13 men for a period after two yellow cards, the Stormers needed a spark – and Willemse provided it with a perfectly timed run that led to a pivotal score. “Obviously

Jordan Hendrikse says the Sharks need to rediscover their A-game for Saturday’s Vodacom URC clash against Munster at Kings Park. After impressive back-to-back wins over the Stormers, successive defeats to the Lions and Bulls on the Highveld have stalled the Sharks’ momentum. Hendrikse said the squad used their week off to identify key areas that

Norman Laker says an unbeaten Vodacom URC season was never realistic as the Stormers bounced back with a statement win over the Bulls. The Stormers had come under pressure after three successive derby defeats ahead of the Loftus showdown, but Laker said those setbacks were never a cause for panic. “You must be naive as

Ruan Nortjé has identified two key areas in which the Vodacom Bulls must improve ahead of Friday night’s URC clash against Cardiff at Loftus. SIMON BORCHARDT reports. The Bulls are coming off a 32-19 defeat to the Stormers in Pretoria last Saturday that ended their three-match winning run in the competition. Despite remaining eighth on

Coach Rassie Erasmus has added two uncapped players to the group who will attend the first virtual Springbok alignment camp of the year. Former Junior Springboks, prop Carlü Sadie (Bordeaux Bègles) and lock JJ van der Mescht (Northampton Saints), are in a group of 21 overseas-based players that includes 16 World Cup winners. Back in the

Eddie Jones believes it would be “foolhardy” for the RFU to replace Steve Borthwick as England coach before next year’s World Cup. Borthwick led England into the Six Nations on a run of 11 wins and extended that to 12 in the opening game against Wales. But they then lost four matches, including a first-ever

Justin Marshall believes the Six Nations has edged ahead of the Rugby Championship in terms of quality following a thrilling 2026 tournament. The former All Blacks scrumhalf hailed the standard of rugby on display, saying the northern hemisphere showpiece is “arguably better” right now, despite the south’s dominance at the World Cup. France clinched the