Sports

Captain Ruan Nortje says the Vodacom Bulls must handle the pressure of playing Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday better than they did in defeat to Edinburgh. The Bulls started last weekend’s Challenge Cup quarter-final poorly, falling 14 points behind after as many minutes and going into the break 21-7 down. The visitors charged back […]

Edinburgh attack and backs coach Scott Mathie is excited by the “massive challenge” provided by his former team, the Sharks. The ex-scrumhalf, who made 47 appearances in the black and white jersey from 2006 to 2008, is now in the enemy camp along with head coach Sean Everitt, who spent 14 years in Durban. The

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins has left his role ahead of a two-match Vodacom URC tour of South Africa. The Irish club, who are 13th on the log but still well in playoff contention, face the Stormers in Cape Town and the Lions in Johannesburg over the next fortnight. Wilkins had been on sick leave

Blues and All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane has signed a sabbatical deal with Leinster. The 28-year-old made the announcement on social media, a day after his franchise and national teammate Mark Tele’a confirmed a move to Japan next year. Ioane follows in the footsteps of All Blacks midfielder Jordie Barrett, who skipped a Super Rugby

Suspended Newcastle Falcons consultant director of rugby Steve Diamond says match officials should face consequences for their mistakes. The 56-year-old was given a six-week ban for angrily confronting officials after a controversial late try gave Exeter Chiefs a 17-15 Premiership win at Sandy Park on 29 March. Diamond admitted he made a “huge mistake”, but

Star All Blacks wing Mark Tele’a won’t be able to represent the Springboks at the 2027 World Cup in Australia. The 28-year-old announced on social media that he will play his club rugby in Japan from next year, ruling himself out of All Blacks selection due to NZ Rugby’s policy that only those playing in

Connacht expect a big scrum battle against the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday even with Neethling Fouche sitting in the stands. The Stormers tighthead prop copped a harsh four-match ban for a tackle on Ulster centre Ben Carson in Belfast in the previous round of the competition. The Stormers went on to lose 38-34

An All Blacks wing has signed for a Japanese club, depriving them of a key player ahead of the 2027 World Cup. Mark Tele’a, who has scored 13 tries in 19 Tests and was named World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2023, confirmed the move on social media but did not say which

The second edition of the U20 Rugby Championship takes place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium next month. Double-headers involving South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina and Australia will be played on 1, 6 and 11 May in Gqeberha. In last year’s inaugural tournament on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, New Zealand edged out the Junior

Flyhalf Keagan Johannes says the Vodacom Bulls must keep their composure when put under pressure and starved of possession. The Bulls failed to do that during the first half of last Saturday’s Challenge Cup quarter-final in Edinburgh. As a result, they trailed 24-7 at the break and a spirited second-half fightback was not enough to