France ace ruled out of Bok clash

France have suffered another injury setback ahead of their November Tests. Toulon winger Gabin Villiere, who has not played since July because of a finger issue, recently underwent surgery for a groin problem and will not be available for Les Bleus’ end-of-year...

Injury-hit Sharks brace for Glasgow challenge

Coach John Plumtree says the Sharks are well prepared for their three-week European tour, despite missing key players. The Durbanites kick off their Vodacom URC campaign in Glasgow on Friday night, before facing the Newport-based Dragons and defending champions...

Senatla eager to execute ‘beautiful plans’

Seabelo Senatla is keen to put the Stormers’ new ideas into action in their Vodacom URC opener against defending champions Leinster on Friday. The Stormers have the rare opportunity of playing their opening two matches at Cape Town Stadium, and want to make it count...

Saffas Abroad: Bordeaux bulldoze Montauban

The heavy-hitting Bordeaux Begles trio of Carlu Sadie, Tiaan Jacobs and Rohan Janse van Rensburg ran riot against Montauban as South Africa’s foreign legion impressed in the third round of the Top 14. Three South Africans started for Bordeaux in their devastating...

Sharks suffer flyhalf blows

The Sharks kick off their Vodacom URC campaign without two star No 10s. Both Jordan Hendrikse and Siya Masuku have not been considered for the Sharks’ European tour starting against the Glasgow Warriors on Friday night, due to injury. Despite a lengthy injury list and...

Shimmy: Boks need two squads for year-end tour

Former Springbok hooker Hanyani Shimange believes no Test team in the world can match Rassie Erasmus’ squad for depth. Erasmus surprised many by overhauling his backline for the Rugby Championship clash in Wellington, yet the rotated Boks still ran riot in a 43-10...

Lions 10 out of URC opener

The Lions’ gutting Currie Cup final defeat has come at an extra cost. The Joburg-based team will be without their solid and reliable flyhalf Chris Smith for Friday night’s Vodacom URC opener against Cardiff in Wales. Smith was concussed after attempting a tackle on a...

Wallabies heavy unfazed by Eden Park aura

Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa insists the team will treat Eden Park as “just another footy field” as they prepare to end the All Blacks’ three-decade stronghold in Auckland. The All Blacks haven’t lost at Eden Park since 1994, racking up 49 wins and two draws. But...