Watch: Marx’s next move puzzles Boks

Conversations with Japan-based Malcolm Marx about a possible return home to either the Bulls or Sharks have left Steven Kitshoff and Trevor Nyakane “in the dark”. IT’S OFFICIAL: Kwagga’s a Bull Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images The post Watch: Marx’s next move...

Los Pumas lose heavy-hitters to injury

Argentina have been dealt a major injury blow ahead of the Nations Championship, with two players ruled out and another in doubt for the November Tests. Coach Felipe Contepomi has lost experienced utility back Santiago Carreras and prop Thomas Gallo, while centre...
Behind the whistle: ‘The job is demanding’

Behind the whistle: ‘The job is demanding’

SA Rugby general manager for referees Mzwamadoda ‘Banks’ Yantolo chats to SIMON BORCHARDT about talent identification, referee development and the challenges of producing world-class match officials. You grew up playing rugby before becoming a referee. What was your...

‘Jeff’ finds his home among Bulls

For JF van Heerden, the road to Loftus Versfeld began far from Pretoria, on the famous playing fields of Grey College, one of South African rugby’s great nurseries. At just 22, the lock – better known to teammates simply as “Jeff” – has already built a reputation as...

State of the URC: Sharks bite, Lions bruised

The Bulls, Stormers and Sharks all kept their places in the top five with bonus-point wins in round four of the URC, but the Lions dropped out of the top eight after a heavy defeat in Edinburgh. Round five sees the Stormers and Bulls at home again, hosting Ulster and...

Itoje returns for England, Benhard blow

Captain Maro Itoje is back in the England squad, with coach Steve Borthwick naming 36 players for a three-day training camp ahead of the Nations Championship. The lock was given some time off by Borthwick and missed the July leg of the new tournament, including the...

Law Firm Leaks — See Generally

Forwarding Fail: Freshfields global managing partner accidentally forwarded a thread about spinning off the firm’s AI unit. AI keeps exposing cyber vulnerabilities… even when they’re between the keyboard and the chair. Weil They Ever Find Someone?: About a month after...

Rhinos stun Rovers to clinch Gold Cup

Darryn Fortuin’s 77th-minute penalty goal secured victory for the Northam Rhinos over the much-fancied College Rovers in a nail-biting Gold Cup final at KP3 Kings Park on Sunday. The 22-20 win secured the Limpopo side its first open-club national title, a full decade...

Watch: Testicles targeted or accident?

Munster No 8 Gavin Coombes accused Leinster prop Tadhg Furlong of grabbing his testicles at a ruck during Saturday’s URC clash in Dublin. Referee Andrew Brace and the TMO could not find the footage to prove those claims during the match, but it could be taken up by...

Butch: Sacha No 1 but Handré still valuable

Butch James believes Handré Pollard still has a big role to play for the Springboks at next year’s World Cup. Pollard was instrumental in the Boks’ back-to-back World Cup triumphs in 2019 and 2023, stepping up in the last two semi-finals and finals to kick them to...