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A Vodacom Bulls front-rower has been ruled out for the rest of the Currie Cup, while a key loose forward is in doubt for Sunday’s clash against the Boland Cavaliers in Wellington. Coach Phiwe Nomlomo confirmed on Tuesday that loosehead prop Dylan Smith suffered a tournament-ending injury in last weekend’s 41-7 defeat to the Pumas at Loftus Versfeld, while No 8 Jeandre Rudolph picked up a “niggle”. The Bulls went into the Pumas match as favourites after convincing wins over Western Province and the Sharks, but had to deal with disruptions in the build-up, with several players joining the URC…
Grant Williams is relishing the chance to ignite the Springboks’ attack alongside Manie Libbok when South Africa face the Wallabies at Ellis Park on Saturday. The Sharks scrumhalf has been rewarded for his dynamic cameos in green and gold this season, and now steps into the No 9 jersey for the first of two back-to-back Rugby Championship Tests against Australia. Williams, who has been in and out of action due to injury, believes his halfback combination with Libbok has the potential to cause problems for the visitors. “I think it’s quite special playing with Manie,” Williams told SuperSport. “I think…
Former Springbok assistant coach Gary Gold has been officially appointed to Japan’s national coaching staff, where he will work alongside head coach Eddie Jones. Gary Gold has been officially appointed to Japan’s national coaching staff, where he will work alongside head coach Eddie Jones. The move has been touted for several months now, but according to RugbyJP.com on X, it’s now been made official. The 58-year-old replaces David Kidwell as Japan assistant coach, who left the role after spending the latter half of the season with Leicester Tigers. According to the website, Gold will help prepare the Brave Blossoms for the…
Nine new players – including Test bolter Henry Pollock – have been added to the list of England players on enhanced elite squad contracts for the 2025/26 season. It was last October, following agreement of the new Professional Men’s Game Partnership between the RFU and Premiership Rugby, when head coach Steve Borthwick named 17 players awarded the new hybrid contracts. Full capacity 10 months later, Borthwick has now confirmed a full capacity list of 25 players, which includes nine new additions – Fin Baxter, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ben Curry, Elliot Daly, Joe Heyes, the one-cap Pollock, Tom Roebuck, Will Stuart and…
Rassie Erasmus has named his Springboks team for their opening Rugby Championship match against the Wallabies at Ellis Park on Saturday. Here are our winners and losers from the announcement. Winners Edwill van der Merwe What an incredible start it’s been to his international journey. Not even on the Springboks radar for the majority of his career, Van der Merwe more than made up for his lack of action when he finally got the chance, scoring five tries in his opening three matches. He’s been rewarded with a start for South Africa in the opening match of the Rugby Championship, as…
Rassie Erasmus admitted the Springboks were worried about the injury picked up by Cheslin Kolbe but that those concerns have since been allayed. The superstar South Africa back will miss this weekend’s encounter against the Wallabies due to a knee injury that he sustained recently. There were initial fears it could sideline Kolbe for longer, but Erasmus revealed that he could have played in the Rugby Championship opener if absolutely necessary. ‘Just to be safe’ “Cheslin will be ready next week. He had a knee scan and initially we thought it was a little bit more serious, but he was actually clear to play…
Siya Kolisi has been named to start at number eight for the first time in Test rugby as Rassie Erasmus selected his Springboks team to face the Wallabies this weekend. South Africa have named a XV which is as close to full strength as possible with Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe out of the clash due to niggling injuries. We’ve been experimenting with player combinations during the Castle Lager Incoming Series and at our conditioning camp in the last two weeks, and we believe this team will allow us to play the type of rugby we want to play…
It’s time for our Monday wrap of who has their name in lights and who is making the headlines for all the wrong reasons after the weekend. THEY’RE ON FIRE! Richie Mo’unga returns: The All Blacks have been bolstered by the announcement that the fly-half will return midway through 2026 and provide competition in the pivot position for Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie. Having created a dynasty at the Crusaders alongside current All Blacks boss Scott Robertson, the head coach will hope that he can solve their issues in the 10 slot and lead them to Rugby World Cup glory in…
Western Province will head into their Currie Cup clash against the Cheetahs on Saturday without captain Zain Davids, who has been sidelined with a knee injury. Davids left the field early during WP’s 47-17 defeat to Griquas in Kimberley last Friday, and the setback could keep him out for more than just this week’s trip to Bloemfontein. Coach Labeeb Levy admitted the flanker’s absence was keenly felt for the remainder of the game. “We struggled at the breakdown. Zain’s injury was a major setback for us,” Levy said. We had dominated in the early stages of the game, even if…
Major players are changing teams in week two of Super Netball’s official signing period, after a bumper opening week. Top young goal shooter Lucy Austin confirmed her move from the Thunderbirds to the Giants on Sunday night. Meanwhile, Sasha Glasgow’s exit from the Mavericks was announced and she is set to join another SSN team, while the future of Diamonds midcourter and former Giants captain Jamie-Lee Price is under close watch after her departure from the Sydney team for a move to Melbourne. Sasha Glasgow has officially played her last game for the Melbourne Mavericks. The England star, who endured…