Sports

JP Pietersen will replace John Plumtree as Sharks head coach after Sunday’s Investec Champions Cup clash against Toulouse in France. After a poor start to their Vodacom URC campaign, the franchise announced in late October that Plumtree would step down by mutual agreement at the end of the 2025-26 season. However, the 60-year-old has opted […]

Eben Etzebeth denied intentionally eye-gouging Wales flank Alex Mann in Cardiff. The Bok lock was red-carded late in the Boks’ 73-0 win and on Thursday received a 12-week ban that rules him out of four Investec Champions Cup and eight Vodacom URC matches for the Sharks. Etzebeth gave his version of events during Tuesday’s independent disciplinary

Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has included two returning Springboks in his starting XV for Saturday’s EPCR Challenge Cup match against Benetton. Morne van den Berg regains the No 9 jersey with Nico Steyn dropping to the bench, while Asenathi Ntlabakanye starts at tighthead prop. Centre Erich Cronje returns in place of the injured Henco

Rassie Erasmus has revealed whether the Springboks ever considered selecting Benhard Janse van Rensburg, who can now play for England. The in-form Bristol Bears centre became eligible for Steve Borthwick’s side after World Rugby approved a rare exemption allowing him to switch allegiance from South Africa to England. Janse van Rensburg had been considered “captured” by

SA Rugby has made a major announcement about Rassie Erasmus. On Friday, the governing body confirmed that the Springbok head coach’s contract had been extended until 2031. President Mark Alexander said SA Rugby was proud to reaffirm its commitment to excellence by extending the agreement with Erasmus until after the World Cup in the USA.

Rassie Erasmus says Japan remains a valuable destination for seasoned Springboks, but young players based there won’t be considered for Test selection. Speaking on the eve of the new Japan Rugby League One season, Erasmus said the competition plays an important role in extending the careers of senior Springboks. “For certain players who’ve already made

Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has named several returning Springboks in his match 23 for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup clash against Bordeaux Bègles at Loftus. In the backline, Handré Pollard wears the No 10 jersey with Canan Moodie on the right wing. Pollard partners Paul de Wet, who starts ahead of Embrose Papier, with Bok

Stormers coach John Dobson says it’s time for SA teams to stand up and be counted in the Investec Champions Cup. No South African side reached the round-of-16 playoffs last season, while the furthest they have progressed since joining the competition in 2022-23 is the quarter-finals. That season, both the Stormers and Sharks reached the

Bordeaux Begles’ South African loose forward Tiaan Jacobs expects a fired-up Vodacom Bulls side at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. The title holders open the defence of their Investec Champions Cup crown with a gruelling trip to Pretoria. The French club swept to their first major trophy in May, edging Northampton in the final to join

The Stormers have the power to win in France but only if they conquer a Bayonne side boasting continuity, home strength and Top 14 pedigree, writes MARK KEOHANE. Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane argues that South African sides must start winning away from home to be taken seriously in the Investec Champions Cup. He notes that the