Flu bug forced Bulls into late reshuffle

Flu ruled two Springboks out of the Vodacom Bulls’ URC clash against Benetton on Saturday. Coach Johan Ackermann said on Friday that captain Marcell Coetzee and wing Kurt-Lee Arendse had failed to recover in time for the Loftus Versfeld encounter. “Unfortunately,...

Junior Boks get Giliomee boost

Four fit-again players have been included in a Junior Boks training squad ahead of the U20 International Series in Cape Town later this month. Luan Giliomee, Christian Vorster, Jordan Steenkamp, and Pieter van der Merwe are back in the group after missing the recent...

Injured back won’t play for Bulls again

A backline star has played his final game for the Vodacom Bulls after going under the knife. Bulls coach Johan Ackermann confirmed on Friday that utility back David Kriel underwent achilles surgery earlier this week. “David is unfortunately finished for the season,”...
Lombard, Batho start for Lions in Limerick

Lombard, Batho start for Lions in Limerick

Coach Ivan van Rooyen has made several enforced changes to the Lions’ starting lineup for Saturday night’s clash against Munster at Thomond Park. Sebastian Lombard starts at tighthead prop after Asenathi Ntlabakanye was hit with an 18-month doping ban on Wednesday....

POLL: Does Bok prop deserve 18-month ban?

Asenathi Ntlabakanye won’t play rugby again until 13 November 2027 due to an anti-doping rule violation. But is this a fair punishment? On 22 May 2025, Ntlabakanye tested positive for anastrozole, a non-performance-enhancing substance. He was also charged for...
URC playoffs race full of permutations

URC playoffs race full of permutations

The final round of the Vodacom URC league season will reshape the entire playoff picture, writes MARK KEOHANE. Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane says the congestion from fourth to ninth on the table means every result this weekend carries major consequence, with the...

Rassie’s world champs target another crown

The world champion Springboks will have another major title in their sights in just 50 days when the inaugural Nations Championship kicks off. The biennial tournament launches on 4 July, bringing together the world’s 12 leading nations. For the Boks, the journey...