Sports

A Springbok wing has signed with French third-division side Narbonne until the end of the season. The club confirmed the move this week, describing Aphiwe Dyantyi as a “powerful and hard-running” back capable of playing at centre or on the wing. Dyantyi, who burst onto the international scene in 2018 and won the World Rugby […]

Springbok great Schalk Burger has hit back at claims that Super Rugby is not missing South Africa. SA’s four major clubs left Super Rugby in 2020 to join the Vodacom URC, but debate continues over whether the southern hemisphere competition has lost something in their absence. Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley recently suggested the

Former England prop Joe Marler has crowned Bakkies Botha the most feared rugby player of the professional era. But he’s controversially labelled Springbok enforcer Eben Etzebeth a “fake tough guy”. Marler was asked on the Hits Different show to pick the game’s ultimate hardman in a knockout bracket featuring rugby’s biggest hitters from 2008 onwards.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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