Sports

The Lions are wary of a Vodacom Bulls side riding a wave of renewed confidence ahead of their Jukskei derby at Ellis Park on Saturday. Captain Francke Horn has sounded the warning, saying they’re acutely aware of the threat posed by a Bulls outfit fresh off back-to-back comeback wins in Europe against Pau and Edinburgh. […]

Lions flyhalf Chris Smith says breaching the Vodacom Bulls’ defensive line and exploiting any cracks will require sharp thinking as much as execution. Smith – who’s come under fire in recent week over his game management – will look to silence his critics with a commanding showing at Ellis Park on Saturday against a Bulls

Rassie Erasmus says clever rotation and the courage to back squad depth will be the key to a successful 2026 international season for the Springboks. The Bok coach understands that he’ll have to make some bold calls if they are to survive the most demanding season in years, while still building for next year’s World

Ben-Jason Dixon eagerly awaits the return of powerhouse No 8 Evan Roos to the Stormers starting loose trio. Roos was a late withdrawal before last Saturday’s Vodacom URC clash against the Sharks at Cape Town Stadium as the coaching staff were reluctant to risk a hip-pointer injury. His anticipated return for Saturday’s rematch in Durban would

France are openly using their bruising defeat to the Springboks as motivation heading into next week’s Six Nations opener. Forwards coach William Servat admits the loss to South Africa forced a hard reset inside the French camp. Les Bleus were leading at the break against the world champions in November despite the Boks being reduced

Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann will experience a familiar setting from a very different vantage point in Saturday’s Jukskei derby at Ellis Park. The Vodacom URC clash carries added edge for Ackermann’s Bulls, who are looking to avenge a 43-33 defeat to the Lions at Loftus Versfeld last November, but for the coach himself the

Blitzboks assistant coach Renfred Dazel believes the team can still deliver in Singapore despite the absence of key playmakers. The Blitzboks arrived in humid Singapore in strong form, having won the previous SVNS tournament in Cape Town in December and topping the standings after the opening two events. They have also scored more tries than

Forwards coach Rito Hlungwani believes the Stormers can put right last weekend’s loss when they take on the Sharks in Durban on Saturday. The Stormers’ eight-match winning start to the Vodacom URC ended with a disappointing 30-19 defeat to the Durbanites at a sold-out Cape Town Stadium. “It’s a unique situation,” Hlungwani said of the

Springbok hybrid Andre Esterhuizen says he doesn’t expect to ever start a match for the Sharks at flank. SIMON BORCHARDT reports. Esterhuizen’s evolving role for the Springboks saw him successfully move from midfield to the side of the scrum during big Test matches last year. And his versatility was again evident during the Sharks’ 30-19

Marcell Coetzee says back-to-back tour wins have boosted Vodacom Bulls belief as they seek revenge at Ellis Park for their loss to the Lions at Loftus. The Bulls arrive in Joburg having defeated Pau in the Investec Champions Cup, to end a seven-match losing streak, and Edinburgh in the Vodacom URC. The latter lifted them