Sports

Coach Franco Smith has made four changes to the Glasgow Warriors match 23 for Saturday’s URC semi-final against the Vodacom Bulls. Gregor Hiddleston replaces Johnny Matthews at hooker in the only alteration to the team that started last week’s quarter-final against Connacht. There are three changes to the bench. Jamie Dobie, who can play scrumhalf […]

Ivan van Rooyen has been named the Vodacom URC Coach of the Season after guiding the Lions to the playoffs for the first time. The 44-year-old finished in top spot following a poll of the head coaches and directors of rugby in the competition. It’s a reward which acknowledges the strides the Lions have made

Stormers flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been named the Vodacom URC Players’ Player of the Season. The 24-year-old came out on top in a poll of the captains and vice-captains from the 16 teams. In outlining their motivations for selecting him, they talked about his X-factor moments, his game-changing ability, his all-round threat and how beautiful

The Stormers have made three injury-enforced changes to their team for Saturday’s Vodacom URC semi-final against Leinster in Dublin. Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (ankle) and wing Seabelo Senatla (concussion) had already been ruled out of the trip to Ireland. Adding to their injury woes, lock Ruben van Heerden, who did travel with the squad, has failed

Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann believes Saturday’s URC semi-final against the Glasgow Warriors will be decided by the finest of margins. The Bulls travel to Murrayfield to face the URC table-toppers, looking to avenge two defeats at Scotstoun earlier this season, while defending champions Leinster host the Stormers in Dublin. “I think the intensity of

Ireland have followed the Springboks’ lead in securing the long-term services of head coach Andy Farrell. The 50-year-old signed a contract extension with the IRFU which will keep him in charge through to the 2031 World Cup in the USA. There had been speculation that Farrell could replace Steve Borthwick as England head coach after

Coach Johan Ackermann has made three changes to the Vodacom Bulls bench for Saturday’s URC semi-final against the Glasgow Warriors at Murrayfield. Springbok tighthead prop Wilco Louw, who missed the quarter-final win against Munster due to bronchitis, replaces Mornay Smith, scrumhalf Zak Burger comes in for the injured Paul de Wet, while injured winger Sergeal

Cam Roigard and Ruben Love produced another timely reminder of their growing All Blacks credentials as the Hurricanes thrashed the Brumbies to book their place in the Super Rugby semi-finals. The Wellington playmaking duo combined brilliantly in atrocious conditions, contributing 31 points between them as the Hurricanes overwhelmed the Australian visitors 66-12 at Wellington Stadium.

Former Stormers midfielder Rikus Pretorius will spearhead a strong South African contingent when the Kubota Spears tackle the Kobe Steelers in Saturday’s Japan Rugby League One final. Pretorius starts at outside centre for the Spears, who have been dealt a major blow with the loss of Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx. The World Rugby Player of

The Vodacom Bulls edge Glasgow at Murrayfield, while defending champions Leinster defeat the Stormers in Dublin, according to most of the SA Rugby magazine team. Glasgow Warriors vs Bulls (Saturday, 3:30pm SA time) Simon Borchardt: Bulls by 5 Morne Esben: Bulls by 3 Dylan Johnson: Bulls by 4 Juandre Joubert: Glasgow by 6 Lindiz van Zilla: