Bok hooker to lock horns with Bulls

Marnus van der Merwe is lined up to start for Munster in his second URC match for the club in Saturday’s visit to Thomond Park from the Bulls. Van der Merwe, who last featured for the Springboks in last year’s rout of the All Blacks in Wellington, made his competitive...

Phepsi thirsty for more

Phepsi Buthelezi says it was rewarding for the Sharks to kick off the 2026-27 season with a win, but Saturday’s clash against Leinster is a real chance to “match fire with fire”.  The Durbanites launched their URC campaign with a confidence-boosting 41-24 victory over...

Black Lion pip Pumas

Georgia’s Black Lion scored a converted try at the death to beat the Pumas in Tbilisi on Thursday. Replacement hooker Irakli Kvatadze crossed from a maul with time up before flyhalf Luka Tsirekidze slotted the conversion to snatch a 21-19 victory in the Toyota...

Venter becomes Saracens ‘wine consultant’

Former Springbok centre Brendan Venter has been given a new job title at Saracens following a dispute over the English club’s media obligations. According to The Telegraph, Saracens have informed Prem Rugby that the 56-year-old is now their ‘head of rugby culture and...
Spaniards stun Cheetahs

Spaniards stun Cheetahs

The Cheetahs suffered a dramatic late defeat against Spain’s Iberians in Tbilisi on Tuesday. Flyhalf Agustin Cittadini landed a last-minute penalty after the Iberians earned a scrum penalty to snatch a 22-19 victory in the Toyota Challenge clash, having led 19-7 at...

French back ‘elitist’ Champions Cup

French league president Yann Roubert supports reducing the Investec Champions Cup from 24 teams to 16 and says South Africa’s future will need to be discussed. The tournament currently consists of eight qualifiers from each of the French Top 14, English Premiership...

Bok defence is ‘high risk, high reward’

Gary Gold and Kevin Foote agree the Springboks’ current defensive approach will inevitably concede tries, but argue its pressure and work rate make it worthwhile. Former Bok assistant coach Gold and Junior Springboks head coach Foote were guests on the Boks Unpacked X...

Paulie D: We’re not done going all in

Flanker Paul de Villiers says the Springboks have already set their sights on bouncing back to winning ways in the Nations Championship. De Villiers earned his fifth Test cap in last Sunday’s 42-38 defeat by the Wallabies in Perth, but believes it inspired the team...