Sports

Saracens sent an ominous warning to the rest of the Investec Champions Cup field as they crushed Clermont 47-10 in London. The result underlines the scale of the task awaiting the Sharks in Durban next week. Sarries were dominant from the opening whistle, running in seven tries despite being without star names such as Maro […]

World Rugby has engineered a 2027 World Cup draw that unfairly punishes the Springboks and All Blacks while gifting the north a free passage, writes MARK KEOHANE. Writing for the Sunday Times, Keohane argues that the draw “tilts the field” in favour of the northern hemisphere, placing the world’s No 1 and No 2 sides

The Sharks have met with former Springbok coach Jake White. According to Rapport, White – who served as the Sharks’ director of rugby in 2013 and 2014 – met with senior figures at the franchise following a poor start to the Vodacom URC season. According to insiders, the conversation centred on advice rather than any

Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye will remain available for the Lions until at least the end of March. Ntlabakanye, who tested positive for a banned substance earlier this year and was therefore not considered by the Springboks in August, had originally been scheduled to face his hearing in December. But according to Rapport, the process has been

The Sharks are having to start thinking about life beyond one of their Springbok scrumhalves. According to Rapport, Grant Williams is expected to continue his career overseas after his contract expires in June next year. It’s a major shift for Durban’s backline planning, given that Williams has been a fixture at Kings Park since 2018.

South African rugby is celebrating Rassie Erasmus’s contract extension – but the real story is about the president who made it possible, writes MARK KEOHANE. Writing for the Sunday Times, Keohane argues that Mark Alexander is the giant whose quiet, unwavering leadership pulled South African rugby “from the abyss to the airspace.” While Erasmus may

Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann didn’t sugarcoat his frustration after his side’s 46-33 defeat to defending champions Bordeaux at Loftus on Saturday. It was a match the Bulls genuinely had in their grasp before ill-discipline and key errors killed their momentum. REPORT: Bordeaux outlast Bulls at Loftus Ackermann said the Bulls were “constantly forced to

The Blitzboks will face France in the Cape Town Sevens semi-finals on Sunday after hammering Great Britain in their final pool match. The 41-7 victory saw the hosts top Pool A after comeback wins against Fiji (24-21) and New Zealand (19-14) earlier in the day. The Blitzboks’ semi-final will kick off at 12:22pm on Sunday,

Bordeaux Bègles underlined their championship credentials with an impressive win over the Vodacom Bulls in their Investec Champions Cup opener at Loftus. The visitors claimed a 46-33 win in a 12-try thriller in a match already a contender for the best of the tournament. The first half lived up to the pre-match hype, with both teams

Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen says his side’s 26-18 EPCR Challenge Cup loss to Benetton at Ellis Park is “a very big disappointment”. DYLAN JOHNSON reports. The Lions led 18-11 before conceding two late tries and a drop goal, allowing the Italians to snatch the win and leave the hosts without even a losing bonus