Sports

Batho Hlekani starts at blindside flank in one of two changes to the Lions pack for Saturday’s Vodacom URC match against the Stormers at Ellis Park. The former Junior Boks star replaces Ruan Venter, who suffered a concussion against the Sharks last week, while Springbok Asenathi Ntlabakanye also misses out with RF Schoeman starting at […]

Johan Ackermann has clarified his selection of Morné Smith ahead of Wilco Louw for Saturday’s derby against the Sharks at Loftus. Louw only recently returned from a Springbok-mandated rest period and Ackermann believes now is the right time to give Smith a proper shot. “Wilco, Handré (Pollard) and Kurt-Lee (Arendse) all just returned from their

World Rugby has come out strongly amid ongoing talk of de-powering or removing scrums altogether to make the game more attractive for fans. Ahead of World Rugby’s key summit in London, chairman Brett Robinson told reporters the issue of changing scrum laws “weren’t on the table to be discussed”. The French Rugby Federation and the

The Investec Champions Cup will return to an October start next season. EPCR on Friday confirmed key dates for the 2026-27 season, with the finals weekend set to take place on Friday, 21 May and Saturday, 22 May in the French sporting capital of Lyon. The pool draws will take place on Wednesday, 1 July,

The Vodacom Bulls welcome back a key Springbok for Saturday’s URC match against the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld. Canan Moodie, who featured in last week’s warm-up game against Boland after recovering from a concussion suffered against the Stormers in early January, will start in midfield alongside Harold Vorster. They will be up against Springbok André Esterhuizen

Bob Skinstad has hit back at Eddie Jones after the former England coach compared Henry Pollock to him and questioned their ability to handle the 80-minute “grind”. Jones made the remarks on the Rugby Unity podcast in the wake of England’s 42-21 Six Nations defeat to Ireland at Twickenham. “Pollock to me is like, if

Former SA U18 loose forward Josh Neill opens up on his move to Ireland and Test ambitions. “I have made my commitment towards Ireland and Leinster and that is where I want to be.” Josh Neill opens up about his rugby journey, joining the Leinster Academy, and his ambitions with Ireland U20.#U20SixNation #VMSport | @stuart__mcavoy

The Sharks are excited by the attacking weapon they have in Jurenzo Julius. The ‘Boogieman’ was impressive in a losing cause against the Lions last week from inside centre – a position usually reserved for Sharks captain and Springbok André Esterhuizen. Julius normally finds himself at 13 but his bustling runs from 12 caught the

New Zealand Herald rugby writer Gregor Paul has cast doubt over the long-term future of the newly launched Nations Championship. The 12-team competition will pit the Sanzaar nations – South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina – alongside invitational sides Japan and Fiji, against the Six Nations teams across the July and November Test windows.

Australia and New Zealand are reportedly pushing for radical changes to rugby’s laws, including proposals that could see scrums replaced by mauls. That is the claim made by former Test referee Mathieu Raynal following heated discussions at World Rugby’s Shape of the Game summit in London. Administrators and officials have gathered to debate potential law