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Willie le Roux in action for the Bulls and arguing with referee Morne Ferreira in URC loss to the Sharks (inset). Willie le Roux in action for the Bulls and arguing with referee Morne Ferreira in URC loss to the Sharks. Willie le Roux has been criticised after he was seen remonstrating with the match officials during the Bulls’ United Rugby Championship defeat to the Sharks. On the same weekend respect towards referees was much debated following Mack Hansen’s outburst after Connacht’s loss to Leinster, a video has shown the South Africa playmaker making his feelings known to the officials…

Sharks head coach John Plumtree admitted that it was a “tough week” for the team, but was “proud” of how it ended. The Durban outfit are in the midst of an injury crisis with the likes of Eben Etzebeth, Bongi Mbonambi and Lukhanyo Am unavailable. That was followed by the late withdrawals of Emile van Heerden and Dylan Richardson ahead of their game with the Bulls, which they won 20-17. Springboks captain Siya Kolisi also pulled out late on, just a day after he was linked with a move to the Stormers. Rumoured Stormers move Speculation inevitably swirled online but Plumtree confirmed that…

As the year draws to a close, Planet Rugby’s team of writers sat down to settle on their best XV of players from the past 12 months in the club and Test arena. Planet Rugby’s Team of the Year 15 Thomas Ramos (France) A stunning campaign at club level with Toulouse as he steered them to a Top 14 and Champions Cup double thanks to his reliable boot and impressive skill-set and temperament. Such a quality player whether at full-back or fly-half and he was excellent in both positions this year, with France more recently favouring him in the 10…

Watch: ‘It’s bulls**t!’ – Hansen blasts URC officials Winger Mack Hansen didn’t hold back in his criticism of the referee and TMO after Connacht’s 20-12 defeat to Leinster in Dublin on Saturday. Hansen felt six penalties awarded to Leinster by referee Chris Busby in the first 20 minutes prevented Connacht from getting into the game, and that Busby only consulted with TMO Mark Patton when the home crowd reacted to replays on the big screen. Connacht were also aggrieved that while officials opted not to punish Leinster centre Jordie Barrett for making head contact with opposite number Bundee Aki in…

Maswanganyi & Saleng have been key Bucs players But they have missed key matches Pirates urged to caution duo Monnapule Saleng, Orlando Pirates Backpage WHAT HAPPENED? Patrick Maswanganyi and Monnapule Saleng both missed Orlando Pirates’ Caf Champions League trip to Stade d’Abidjan. It was the third consecutive Pirates match that Maswanganyi has missed, while Saleng has been in and out of Bucs’ matchday squad since the start of the current season. The Buccaneers struggled in that match and a former Pirates player Lebohang Mokoena has urged coach Jose Riveiro to have a hard stance on his key men. WHAT MOKOENA…

SPRINGBOKS, cheslin kolbe, kurt-lee arendse Springboks speedsters Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, Makazole Mapimpi and Grant Williams are amongst the fastest in world rugby. Here’s the quickest recorded time! The Springboks have several of the fastest players in World Rugby. Springboks rugby is at an all-time high under Rassie Erasmus. Moreover, SA Rugby possesses as much speed as it does size and strength – and that says a lot! So, just how fast is the fastest recorded current Boks player? SPRINGBOKS SPEEDSTERS 100M TIME REVEALED At the time of publication, Springboks speedster, Cheslin Kolbe has the fastest-recorded 100m time. Kolbe clocks…

The Bulls went down 20-17 against the Sharks at Kings Park in round 8 of the Vodacom URC. White’s charges now have a two-week break before they resume duty in the Investec Champions Cup on 11 January against Castres. Speaking post-match in Durban on Saturday, White expressed his concerns about the Bulls’ performances while questioning whether there’s a disconnect between him and his players. overlay-clevercloseLogo “It’s three weeks in a row now where we’ve had situations where we can put them [opponents] away. We basically dominated every single part of the game and never won it. It’s frustrating,” the director…

Springbok’s Handré Pollard’s future in doubt: Will he return to SA? Handre Pollard Springbok It’s been years since Springbok kicker Handré Pollard resided in South Africa, having taken his talents abroad. The double World Cup winner has etched himself in Springbok folklore, taking over the fly-half reins midway through the 2023 World Cup and scoring that wonderful long-range kick in the dying minutes against England to reach the final. After leaving the Blue Bulls, Pollard set his sights on Japan but only managed seven appearances for Red Hurricanes Osaka before enjoying substantial careers at Montpellier and his current club, Leicester…

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro won’t take credit for Kaizer Chiefs star Mfundo Vilakazi.  Kaizer Chiefs star Mfundo Vilakazi played his first minutes of senior football under Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro last year. Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro will get his second game in charge of the All Stars this afternoon. Riveiro will lead players from a variety of different clubs to battle against Magesi FC who won the Carling Knockout Cup. Magesi earned their ticket to this once off game after shocking Mamelodi Sundowns in the competition with a 2-1 victory. Last season Riveiro was able to lead…

Time to get serious The Kaizer Chiefs board are confident they can land a marquee striker target in January for a cool R20 million. Chiefs are confident they can sign Mayele Amakhosi’s board and management feel they can negotiate Pyramids FC down in their R25 million valuation of star striker Fiston Mayele. “After the TS Galaxy game, there was the usual post-match meeting and that is when all the parties agreed that they have to go for Mayele again,” an insider told Soccer Laduma regarding Kaizer Chiefs’ transfer plans. “That’s why management and the board agreed that they would raise the bid…