Fiery La Rochelle ready for Lions challenge

Lock Theo McFarland says the Lions must expect a confident La Rochelle when the teams meet in their Investec Champions Cup opener at Stade Marcel-Deflandre on Saturday. The Joburgers are making their debut in the competition and arrived in France on Tuesday ahead of a...

Crocked Sharks rest Boks for Euro trip

Head coach JP Pietersen has named a 28-man squad for the Sharks’ EPCR Challenge Cup and URC fixtures overseas while providing an injury update on several players. The Durbanites kick off their Challenge Cup campaign against Lyon at the Stade de Gerland on Saturday,...

Schalk: If you lose at home, you’re done

Schalk Brits backs the South African clubs to push for the Investec Champions Cup title this season, but only off the back of winning momentum in the Republic. The Bulls open their 2026-27 campaign against Stade Français in Pretoria on Saturday, followed by the...

Marshy: Wiese not as good as Wilson

Justin Marshall claims Springbok powerhouse Jasper Wiese is still a work in progress and lacks the full 80-minute presence of Wallabies No 8 Harry Wilson. Wiese earned his 50th Test cap off the bench in a 42-38 defeat to Australia in Perth more than three weeks ago...

Champions Cup tackles French TV bias

The Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup have introduced independent TV replay operators for the tournaments’ knockout stages. The move is geared to address concerns over potential bias in TMO decisions. The change comes into effect from the last-16 phase,...

Stormers wary of ‘British Bulldog’

John Dobson and Ruhan Nel acknowledged the threat on Saturday, when the Stormers and Bristol Bears clash for the first time in the Investec Champions Cup. The Stormers bounced back to winning ways in the URC last week at Cape Town Stadium, and will host the English...

Beaver backs RGR duo for top award

Former New Zealand flyhalf Stephen Donald has identified an All Black and a Springbok as contenders for the 2026 World Rugby Player of the Year award. Donald believes All Blacks centre Jordie Barrett is a strong contender for the award, while backing Springbok hooker...

Former England heavy gets jacked

Phil Vickery has stunned fans with his dramatic body transformation at the age of 50, taking to the stage in a bodybuilding contest. The former England prop, nicknamed the ‘Raging Bull’, took to the stage at a PCA event in Hull, showing off the results of his...

Dallaglio’s World Cup medal a bargain buy

Lawrence Dallaglio’s 2003 World Cup winner’s medal has sold for less than expected as the former England captain battles mounting financial problems. The medal fetched £54,000 (R1.18-million) at auction, towards the lower end of an estimated value that went as high as...