Sports

Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson believes Henry Pollock will learn to accept becoming rugby’s latest “hate figure”. Saints are getting ready to face Bordeaux Bègles in a rematch of last season’s Investec Champions Cup final. Pollock is expected to be front and centre at the Stade Chaban-Delmas after Bordeaux players mocked his trademark “pulse […]

Frans Steyn says the Cheetahs won’t be looking to play expansive rugby when they meet Ulster in icy conditions in Amsterdam on Sunday. The men from Bloemfontein are heavy underdogs going into this EPCR Challenge Cup clash against the high-flying Ulstermen, who have surged up the Vodacom URC table. “Ulster are currently third and are

Haashim Pead’s former schoolboy coach has explained why the scrumhalf keeps improving even when not playing regularly. The 20-year-old scrumhalf is one of South Africa’s brightest young talents, yet his opportunities have come in a crowded environment. At the Lions alone, Pead is competing with Springbok Morne van den Berg and Nico Steyn, giving head

Former Springbok prop Gurthro Steenkamp says the Investec Champions Cup is “like a World Cup”. Steenkamp has experienced the tournament from multiple angles. He played in the old European Cup during his time in France and later helped guide La Rochelle to Champions Cup glory twice as an assistant coach. For him, the meaning of

Eddie O’Sullivan says four-time Investec Champions Cup winners Leinster have gone backwards under senior coach Jacques Nienaber. Nienaber joined the Irish giants in 2023 after guiding the Springboks to World Cup glory, replacing attack-minded Stuart Lancaster. While Leinster won the Vodacom URC title in 2024-25, European success has remained elusive, with defeats in the 2023-24

The Vodacom Bulls end a six-match losing run while the Stormers keep winning, according to the SARugbymag.co.za team. Investec Champions Cup Castres vs Bath (Friday, 10pm) Juandre Joubert: Bath by 6 Simon Borchardt: Bath by 7 Dylan Johnson: Bath by 9 Lindiz van Zilla: Bath by 3 Morne Esben: Bath by 12 Edinburgh vs Gloucester

A Springbok is set to make his return from injury for the Sharks in Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup match against the Sale Sharks in Manchester. Netwerk24 reports that Vincent Koch is in line for his first appearance in two months after recovering from a shoulder injury. The Springbok tighthead has been sidelined since October after

Bulls will end their losing streak in the Investec Champions Cup, while in Manchester there’s only place for one Sharks. The post Keo & Zels: Why Bulls will skin Bears appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Bulls will end their losing streak in the Investec Champions Cup, while in Manchester there’s only place for one

Griquas have managed to secure the long-term signing of one of the Stormers’ most highly-rated young players. Damian Markus, a former Junior Springbok, joined the Shizuoka Blue Revs in Japan for the 2024-25 League One season before returning to Western Province and then going on loan to Griquas. That move has now been made permanent,

A Stormers forward faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a neck injury. Netwerk24 reports that Ruan Ackermann is expected to be out of action for between four and six months, ruling him out of the remainder of the season. The flank has been de-registered for the Investec Champions Cup, with lock Alex