Welsh giant calls time on glittering career

George North has announced he will retire from professional rugby at the end of the season, bringing the curtain down on one of the greatest careers in Welsh rugby history. The 34-year-old Welsh icon said the time was right to step away after fulfilling what he...

Bok legend fears ‘underdog’ All Blacks

Japie Mulder says the Springboks cannot underestimate the fight and spirit of the All Blacks in this year’s much-anticipated Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series. The Boks will enter the four-Test showdown as the world’s top-ranked team, yet Mulder warned that writing off...

Big gun Ribbans back as Toulon reload

Toulon are getting their heavy artillery ready for Saturday’s blockbuster Investec Champions Cup semi-final against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium. For the first time in 11 years, Toulon are back in the last four of Europe’s premier club competition, and director of...

Frans: Our jobs are at risk

Frans Steyn has delivered a stark warning to his struggling Cheetahs squad as the Bloemfontein side faces the possibility of not qualifying for the Currie Cup. The Free Staters are locked in a desperate fight to reach South Africa’s premier domestic competition,...

Toulon look to Les Bleus for Leinster battle plan

Toulon scrumhalf Ben White says his French teammates hold the key to ending Leinster’s march to another Investec Champions Cup final. Saturday’s blockbuster semi-final at the Aviva Stadium pits Toulon against a Leinster outfit packed with Ireland internationals, many...

Bordeaux wary of ‘world-class’ Russell

English champions Bath head into their Investec Champions Cup semi-final against Bordeaux Bègles carrying both momentum and menace. And much of the fear factor for Bordeaux surrounds mercurial flyhalf Finn Russell. Fresh off a statement quarter-final victory over...

Sables speedster targets World Cup shock

Tapiwa Mafura says Zimbabwe are determined to do far more than simply make up the numbers when they return to the Rugby World Cup next year. The former Lions utility back believes the Sables can become genuinely competitive on rugby’s biggest stage as excitement...

Ackers warns of tough Italian job

Head coach Johan Ackermann has cautioned the Vodacom Bulls against underestimating their Italian opponents in their final two URC regular season games. The clashes against Zebre and Benetton are crucial for the Pretoria side’s playoff path. The Bulls return home after...