SA franchises want big bucks for Boks’ release

SA Rugby and the country’s four URC franchises have yet to agree on player compensation for the Springboks’ Test against Wales in Cardiff on 29 November. According to Rapport, SA Rugby has offered R250,000 per player for the fixture, but the franchises are pushing...

France seek Bok revenge after ‘stab to heart’

Former France lock Paul Willemse says Fabien Galthié’s squad watched Chasing the Sun to better understand the Springboks and Rassie Erasmus. Willemse, who recently retired from rugby having played 32 Tests for his adopted nation, told Rapport that the Les Bleus coach...

Masotti backs Plum support plan

Sharks owner Marco Masotti has confirmed that the Durban-based franchise plans to bring in an experienced technical consultant with “fresh ideas”. After a poor start to the URC, the Sharks announced on Wednesday that John Plumtree will step down as Sharks head coach...

Bulls consider court action over Wessels ban

The Bulls are weighing up the possibility of challenging Jan-Hendrik Wessels’ eight-week suspension in an Irish court. The 24-year-old prop was banned for allegedly grabbing Connacht flank Josh Murphy’s testicles during a URC clash in Galway. Wessels denied the...

Rassie’s Boks balance present and future

The Springboks have never looked stronger between World Cups, writes MARK KEOHANE. Writing for the Sunday Times, Keohane says Erasmus’ “win, grow and expand” philosophy has ensured South Africa’s back-to-back world champions are evolving without sacrificing results....

Matthee not trying to keep up with Sacha

Jurie Matthee is not losing sleep over comparisons with his teammate and Springbok star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. The Stormers flyhalf is currently the URC’s top point-scorer with 52 and has shown massive growth in the first five matches of the new campaign after a...

Rassie provides Ox injury update

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has shed light on the seriousness of Ox Nché’s leg injury. The loosehead prop left the field in the first half of Saturday’s 61-7 win against Japan at Wembley after twisting his ankle and knee at a ruck. He was seen on crutches after the...

Duhan on the double as Scotland thrash USA

Duhan van der Merwe scored two tries in Scotland’s 13-try rout of the USA at Murrayfield on Saturday. Scotland were without several first-choice players for their Autumn Nations Series opener, including Sione Tuipulotu, Finn Russell, Blair Kinghorn, Zander Fagerson,...