Lions back Batho for physical French test

Junior Boks powerhouse Batho Hlekani will make his Lions debut in Saturday’s must-win EPCR Challenge Cup clash against Lyon at Ellis Park. Hlekani only arrived in Joburg from the Sharks last week, but coach Ivan van Rooyen has wasted little time in backing the 115kg...

Ex-Ireland coach slams Nienaber

Eddie O’Sullivan says four-time Investec Champions Cup winners Leinster have gone backwards under senior coach Jacques Nienaber. Nienaber joined the Irish giants in 2023 after guiding the Springboks to World Cup glory, replacing attack-minded Stuart Lancaster. While...

Gurthro: Champions Cup star means everything

Former Springbok prop Gurthro Steenkamp says the Investec Champions Cup is “like a World Cup”. Steenkamp has experienced the tournament from multiple angles. He played in the old European Cup during his time in France and later helped guide La Rochelle to Champions...

Mann opens up on Eben eye gouge

Alex Mann has finally broken his silence on the eye-gouging incident in last November’s Test between Wales and the Springboks. The Wales flanker found himself at the centre of a global storm after Bok lock Eben Etzebeth was red-carded for eye gouging in the dying...