JP: Returning Boks keen to get stuck in

Sharks coach JP Pietersen says his returning Springboks jumped at the chance to feature against defending champions Leinster at Kings Park on Saturday. MORNÉ ESBEN reports. Pietersen has named six Boks in his match 23 for the URC clash, with Edwill van der Merwe,...

Why Gaza misses his shot at Edinburgh

Fans should see the Stormers’ Bok stars back in action when the team returns home after an URC opening-round result that showed boss John Dobson what is possible. Siya Kolisi and Ntuthuko Mchunu will start Friday night’s clash in Edinburgh but Dobson resisted roping...

Dobbo: Siya a beast with big presence

John Dobson and Ruhan Nel hail the impact that Siya Kolisi has already had on the Stormers, but his “rugby contribution” is what the team needs in Edinburgh on Friday night. Kolisi, who linked up with the team in Galway last week after completing his national duties,...

Bulls await ‘Angry Warthog’ return

Johan Ackermann has revealed when injured hooker Akker van der Merwe, and several Springbok reinforcements, could return to action for the Bulls. The three-cap Bok, famously nicknamed the ‘Angry Warthog’ by former Bok coach Nick Mallett, has not played for the Bulls...

Ackers backs Jacobs ‘power’ in midfield

Bulls coach Johan Ackermann says he’s excited to see what Stravino Jacobs can do with more ball in hand against Munster in Limerick on Saturday. Jacobs has moved from the left wing to inside centre for the URC clash at Thomond Park after Harold Vorster fell ill during...

SA clubs force Irish star to up his game

Munster playmaker JJ Hanrahan says South African teams have brought a new level of physicality and pace to the URC, making every cross-continent clash demanding. One of the competition’s most seasoned campaigners has described the SA clubs as “unbelievably...

Bok boost for Lions

Morné van den Berg and Quan Horn are back on board for the Lions to face the Ospreys at Ellis Park on Saturday in round two of the URC. The Springbok duo have been drafted into the match 23 by coach Ivan van Rooyen after featuring off the bench in this past Sunday’s...

Sharks aim Bok big guns at Leinster

Coach JP Pietersen has named six returning Springboks in his match 23 for Saturday’s URC clash against Leinster at Kings Park. Winger Edwill van der Merwe, centre André Esterhuizen and prop Thomas du Toit go straight into the starting XV, while prop Ox Nché, lock Eben...