South Africa’s derby double-header this Saturday highlights the brutal demands of the Vodacom URC, writes MARK KEOHANE. Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane argues that while France’s Top 14 may be the best domestic competition, it cannot match the URC for cross-border travel, seasonal disruption and scheduling complexity across five countries and two hemispheres. “It is often […]
URC world’s toughest club rugby league Read More »
The Stormers and Bulls will emerge triumphant on the Highveld this Saturday, according to the SA Rugby magazine team. Cardiff vs Leinster (Friday, 9pm) Simon Borchardt: Leinster by 12 Juandre Joubert: Leinster by 8 Morne Esben: Leinster by 8 Dylan Johnson: Leinster by 15 Lindiz van Zilla: Leinster by 13 Edinburgh vs Scarlets (Friday, 9:45pm) Juandre
Superbru: Stormers cage Lions, Bulls spear Sharks Read More »
Ireland were dealt a blow on Thursday when one of their star players was ruled out of the remainder of the Six Nations due to injury. Livewire wing James Lowe will play no further part owing to the groin injury he suffered early on in last weekend’s 42-21 thrashing of England. The 33-year-old New Zealander
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Former All Blacks scrumhalf Justin Marshall believes there is no sterner examination in world rugby than a full tour of South Africa. Marshall was part of the All Blacks team in 1996 that became the first side from New Zealand to win a Test series in South Africa. Three decades later, he insists nothing compares
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The Sharks will likely have to make their push for a top-eight finish in the Vodacom URC without Springbok fullback Aphelele Fassi. Coach JP Pietersen confirmed on Thursday that the 28-year-old faces an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering a shoulder injury against the Lions at Ellis Park last week. “Fassi saw a surgeon
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The Lions are predicting that Saturday’s Vodacom URC derby against the Stormers at Ellis Park,will be decided up front. Scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys expects nothing less than a full-blooded arm wrestle when the Stormers arrive. “Another local derby and it’s against the Stormers who are a quality team. We are expecting a massive battle from
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The Sharks welcome back several Springboks for Saturday’s Vodacom URC match against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld. Props Ox Nché and Vincent Koch, No 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse, centre André Esterhuizen and winger Makazole Mapimpi will all start having missed last week’s loss to the Lions at Ellis Park. However, flank Siya Kolisi, scrumhalf
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Check out the match-day squads for this weekend’s Vodacom URC matches involving South African sides. LIONS vs STORMERS (Saturday, 2:30pm) LIONS – TBC STORMERS – TBC FREE DIGI-MAG: Stand the chance to win R100,000! BULLS vs SHARKS (Saturday, 5pm) BULLS – TBC SHARKS – 15 Jaco Williams, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jurenzo Julius,
SA Rugby has reportedly aligned with France at the latest World Rugby Shape of the Game summit. Administrators and key stakeholders gathered in London this week to discuss the future direction of the sport, with proposed tweaks to the laws – particularly around scrums and game tempo – creating clear divisions between hemispheres. According to
SA Rugby teams up with France Read More »
The boys are thrilled with Rassie Erasmus’ investment in youth, but when it comes to this weekend’s SA derbies up north, they’ll be decided by the oldies. The post Keo & Zels: Rassie nails it with Markus Muller’s selection appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. The boys are thrilled with Rassie Erasmus’ investment in youth,
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