Sports

Former Junior Springbok flyhalf Jean Smith says his upcoming move from the Sharks to Benetton is the right step to revive his career. The 22-year-old will leave the Sharks at the end of the season after five years with the club, having made six senior appearances – four in the Vodacom URC and two in […]

RFU CEO Bill Sweeney says urgent discussions will take place after England slumped to a historic Six Nations defeat against Italy. Steve Borthwick’s side suffered their third straight loss when they went down 23-18 in Rome on Saturday – England’s first-ever Test defeat to Italy in 33 meetings. The result has intensified scrutiny on Borthwick’s

The Boland Cavaliers were the standout team after the first round of SA Cup action, after a strong win over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. Boland stunned the home side as they raced to a 24-0 halftime lead before closing out a deserved 34-24 win. The visitors struck early through Xavier Mitchell, Thurlow Marsh and Lunathi

Dave Rennie’s elevation to All Blacks coach should worry Springbok fans, writes MARK KEOHANE. Writing for the Sunday Times, Keohane argues that Rennie’s appointment is not just another change in New Zealand’s coaching box but a reminder of a career pattern in which his teams have consistently dismantled South African opposition. His record, from junior

Rassie Erasmus says senior players left out of the Springboks’ first alignment camp are not out of the national picture. However, he added that those who have been part of one of the most successful periods in Springbok history also should not expect a farewell Test send-off when their careers do end. Several experienced players

The Waratahs have been dealt a major blow with star Wallabies back Joseph Suaalii ruled out with a hamstring injury. The powerful outside centre suffered the injury during the team’s warm-up ahead of Friday’s Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Hurricanes in Sydney – a match the Waratahs went on to lose 59-19. Scans have

The Blitzboks beat New Zealand at the Vancouver Sevens on Saturday to finish top of Pool A. South Africa, who had defeated Great Britain (21-5) and Spain (28-7) earlier in the day, scored three tries through Impi Visser, Shilton van Wyk and Siviwe Soyizwapi to take a 17-12 half-time lead against New Zealand. The Kiwis

Rassie Erasmus has revealed that veteran Springbok prop Frans Malherbe considered retirement last year. The double World Cup winner was struggling with persistent back problems. “I had a meeting with him last year and Franna was close to retiring,” Erasmus told Rapport. “Not because he thought he wouldn’t be able to play again, but because

Rassie Erasmus and Johan Ackermann both value Marco van Staden’s versatility in a match 23. The 30-year-old Bulls loose forward has increasingly filled in as a backup hooker for the Springboks – a role that could grow. According to Rapport, Van Staden has been training regularly at hooker during Springbok training camps. Speaking at the

The Vodacom Bulls have fought off a major raid from the Stormers to secure the long-term future of a Springbok forward. After weeks of negotiations and strong interest from the Stormers, Rapport claims the Pretoria-based club has managed to keep Cobus Wiese in blue for another three years. The 28-year-old had been a prime target