Benetton do Stormers, Lions a big favour

Leinster’s shock defeat to Benetton in Treviso on Saturday night had a major impact on the Vodacom URC log. The Italian club triumphed 29-26 thanks to flyhalf Jacob Umaga’s penalty goal at the death, with Leinster picking up two bonus points in defeat. The result left...

Good enough is old enough

South Africa’s schools system continues to fast-track players into elite rugby, writes MARK KEOHANE. Writing for the Sunday Times, Keohane says Stormers coach John Dobson’s decision to hand 18-year-old Markus Muller a debut against the Glasgow Warriors is another...

Umaga: Glimmer of hope for Moana Pasifika

Coach Tana Umaga says he is unsure if a buyer will save Moana Pasifika, but refuses to give up hope. World Rugby boss Brett Robinson told journalists on Friday the world governing body won’t bail out Auckland-based Moana, whose ownership group said this month it will...

Hurricanes lament looming loss of winger

Coach Clark Laidlaw concedes the “genuine X factor” of Fehi Fineanganofo will be missed by the Hurricanes when he leaves New Zealand. The electric wing scored four tries in the Hurricanes’ 45-10 dismantling of the ACT Brumbies in Christchurch on Saturday, having...
Pollard boots Bulls past Scarlets

Pollard boots Bulls past Scarlets

Handré Pollard’s 79th-minute penalty goal snatched victory for the Vodacom Bulls against the Scarlets in Llanelli on Saturday night. The Springbok flyhalf scored 18 points in a crucial 23-21 win that moved the Bulls up to seventh on the Vodacom URC log, ahead of...

Serious injury mars Stormers win

The Stormers’ 48-12 victory against the Glasgow Warriors in Cape Town on Saturday may have come at a cost. Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach left the field in the 60th minute with what appeared to be a serious knee injury. The medical cart was called, but the...