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SA’s Nonu: De Allende tipped to dominate New Zealand rugby greats have hailed Damian de Allende as the Springboks’ not-so-secret weapon for the Rugby Championship, calling him a match-winner tailor-made for Rassie Erasmus’ game plan. The Springboks are hard at work in camp ahead of back-to-back Tests against the Wallabies at Ellis Park and Cape Town Stadium, and according to a trio of former Test stars, De Allende will be central to any South African success over the next few months. Former All Black wing Jeff Wilson led the praise, calling the 33-year-old midfielder “critical” to the Springboks’ continued dominance.…
British & Irish Lions hooker Dan Sheehan will miss Leinster’s first three matches of the new URC campaign after copping a four-game suspension for a reckless cleanout in the final Test against Australia. The disciplinary panel found Sheehan guilty of dangerous and reckless foul play during a ruck entry in the third Test in Sydney, noting that his elbow-first action made direct contact with the head of an Australian player and carried a high degree of danger, with no mitigating factors. “Sheehan was cited for charging into a ruck pursuant to Law 9.20(a) during the British and Irish Lions test…
The Lions have seemingly won the battle to have Junior Springbok flank Batho Hlekani released early from his contract with the Sharks. It had been reported that Hlekani would join the Lions after the Currie Cup, in time for the start of their 2025/2026 Vodacom URC campaign, but Sharks chief operating officer Novashni Chetty made the union’s position clear .Batho is contracted to us until 31 December After the first round of the Currie Cup, Lions coach Mzwakhe Nkosi signalled his intention to ask for Hlekani’s early release from the Sharks due to injuries in the squad, but up until…
Despite missing players like Jasper Wiese, Elrigh Louw and Cameron Hanekom – coach Rassie Erasmus feels there’s sufficient cover in the Springbok squad to fill the void at No 8. With Wiese still serving a suspension that rules him out of the first three Rugby Championship Tests, questions have swirled around who will anchor the Bok scrum against the Wallabies at Ellis Park on 16 August. But Erasmus has dismissed any concerns, pointing to the versatility and experience of his current loose forward contingent. In the current squad, Kwagga [Smith], Marco [van Staden] and Cobus [Wiese] can all play there,”…
Bulls and Lions Roar Ahead While Sharks and Province Struggle in Currie Cup The 2025 Currie Cup is heating up, and two teams have already separated themselves from the chasing pack. The Vodacom Bulls and Fidelity ADT Lions remain unbeaten after the opening rounds, showcasing power, precision, and squad depth that could carry them all the way to the final. The Bulls, known for their physical dominance and structured play, have bulldozed past every opponent so far. Their cohesion and clinical execution under pressure have made them early title favourites. Meanwhile, the Lions have impressed with flair and attacking brilliance,…
Coach Rassie Erasmus says there is no first-choice flyhalf in the Springbok squad and selection at No 10 changes to challenge the opposition. Rassie’s Bok flyhalf poker game Erasmus has kept his cards close to his chest over who’s likely to get the nod in the Rugby Championship opener against Australia at Ellis Park on 16 August. “Everything depends on who our opposition is on the day and what our plan is. I like to believe it gives us options,” said Erasmus. “By not having a first-choice flyhalf, it makes it more difficult for opposing teams to analyse us and…
The Sharks are reportedly interested in bringing a World Cup-winning Springbok prop back to Durban. Bok prop to return to Sharks According to sources, Thomas du Toit has yet to decide whether to extend his contract with Bath, who he joined in 2023. The English Premiership champions are eager to keep the 30-year-old, who has also drawn interest from French club Bordeaux, the reigning European champions. Du Toit previously played for the Sharks from 2014 to 2023. It is all just speculation at the moment about the Sharks’ interest in Du Toit,” a source told Rapport. “Any team in the world…
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus is not having sleepless nights over the No.8 position ahead of the Rugby Championship. It’s a position that has garnered a lot of attention from the media and fans in recent weeks, especially with Jasper Wiese’s suspension. The 29-year-old will miss the first three matches of the tournament due to suspension stemming from that headbutt incident in the second Test against Italy. The Boks were already without players like Elrigh Louw and Cameron Hanekom ahead of the Test season due to long-term injuries Meanwhile, Evan Roos still has a lot of work to do to…
New Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has reportedly decided whether to keep predecessor Jake White’s coaching team. Ackers makes call on Bulls assistants White vacated the role last month amid reports that several senior players and assistant coaches issued an ultimatum to the Bulls board: either White goes, or they walk. During the Vodacom URC final defeat to Leinster in Dublin, White and his two key assistants, Andries Bekker and Chris Rossouw, allegedly hardly spoke to one another. However, Ackermann has held talks with the entire backroom team over the past two weeks and made his decision. “Ackers has decided…
The Stormers are reportedly working hard behind the scenes to secure the services of a colossal Springbok and get him released from his current contract early. Stormers to lure Bok heavy to Cape Town? According to reports the Stormers are attempting to lure Bok tighthead Wilco Louw to Cape Town as they look for a long-term replacement for Frans Malherbe. Malherbe, 34, has been out of rugby for the best part of a year due to a back injury and it’s still uncertain if or when he’ll return to the playing field. Newly-capped Springbok Neethling Fouche is currently the first-choice…