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The Crusaders performed their haka “Takina Te Kawa” before the first rugby match at the new Te Kaha stadium in Christchurch. MORE: McCaw hails ‘spectacular’ NZ stadium A rare sight as @crusadersrugby perform Takina Te Kawa ↳ Super Rugby Pacific. Every Match. Live & Exclusive.#StanSportAU #SuperRugbyPacific #SuperRound pic.twitter.com/yV8XMZWhFl — Stan Sport Rugby (@StanSportRugby) April 24, […]

Two SACS old boys will start for Zimbabwe against Zambia in Harare on Saturday. Hooker Liam Larkan and flyhalf David Hayes have both committed to the Sables, who will next year make their first World Cup appearance since 1991. Larkan represented Western Province at the U18 Craven Week in 2016, while Hayes is best remembered

Stormers coach John Dobson has explained Damian Willemse’s return to fullback for Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash against the Glasgow Warriors, despite his impact on the wing. The Springbok playmaker impressed in the No 14 jersey in last week’s defeat to Connacht, but the coaching staff were always intent on restoring him to his preferred position. “Damian

Richie McCaw says Christchurch has “one of the last pieces of the puzzle” in its post-quake rebuild after Te Kaha hosted its first rugby match. The Crusaders defeated the NSW Waratahs 35-20 to start a weekend of Super Rugby Pacific action at the stadium, with a standout performance from wing-turned-flanker Leicester Fainga’anuku. Te Kaha means

Johan Ackermann believes the return of Kurt-Lee Arendse could provide an extra spark for the Vodacom Bulls in Saturday’s crucial Vodacom URC clash against the Scarlets in Llanelli. The explosive Springbok wing has recovered from a finger injury and will start on the left wing as the Bulls chase a first victory in Llanelli. Ackermann

The Stormers have made six changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s top-of-the-table Vodacom URC clash against the Glasgow Warriors in Cape Town. Damian Willemse returns to fullback from the right wing, with Warrick Gelant dropping out of the match 23 and Wandisile Simelane wearing the No 14 jersey. Teenage star Markus Muller is set

Two returning Springboks will start for the Vodacom Bulls against the Scarlets in Llanelli on Saturday. Wilco Louw is back at tighthead prop having taken compassionate leave following the death of his father. The 31-year-old scrummaging powerhouse replaces Francois Klopper, who drops down to the bench. In the other change to the pack, Ruan Vermaak

The Stormers get their campaign back on track, while the Lions extend their winning streak to six, according to the SA Rugby magazine team. Cardiff vs Ospreys (Friday, 8pm) Dylan Johnson: Ospreys by 8 Simon Borchardt: Cardiff by 3 Juandre Joubert: Cardiff by 12 Lindiz van Zilla: Cardiff by 3 Morne Esben: Ospreys by 4

The Lions have made four changes to their match 23 for Saturday’s Vodacom URC clash against Connacht at Ellis Park. The barnstorming Batho Hlekani starts at blindside flank with Ruan Venter moving to the second row to replace the injured Etienne Oosthuizen. The bench sees returns for hooker Morné Brandon and utility forward Siba Qoma. MORE:

The Ospreys have strongly rejected accusations that they “cheated” in their win against the Sharks by forcing the match to go to uncontested scrums. However, two of the props who came off injured have been selected to start against Cardiff on Friday night. “There has been a lot of talk, and I haven’t read through