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WATCH as the Boks Office crew reveals the player they think the Springboks will miss the most during the upcoming internationals.

VIDEO: Evan Roos makes his return to the Green and Gold almost a year after his last game against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Top 14 semifinalists Toulouse and La Rochelle will write another chapter in their storied rivalry this weekend.

NEWS: Tickets for the Rugby Championship Test between the Springboks and All Blacks at the Cape Town Stadium on September 7 are sold out, but the process has left many supporters frustrated and furious.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Japan head coach Eddie Jones has named a new-look Japan side to lock horns against his former team, England.

WATCH as New Zealander Josh McKay chats to @king365ed about the URC Final between the Glasgow Warriors and their hosts, the Bulls.

NEWS: Racing 92's South African-born lock Bernard Le Roux has hung up his boots after 21 months out with injury.

INTERVIEW: Wales flank Taine Plumtree plans to adopt a "nothing to lose" approach when he makes his Test-match return against world champions South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.

VIDEO: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus needs to ensure the World Champions have the same DNA as last year when they won the World Cup.

NEWS: Springbok flyhalf Robert du Preez has made a decision on his future in England.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales will have a mammoth task in the physical exchanges against the Springboks at Twickenham on Saturday.

NEWS: World Rugby confirmed the withdrawal of Papua New Guinea's men and women teams from the Sevens Repechage tournament in Monaco from June 21 to 23.

NEWS: World Rugby has confirmed it is operating an initial closed trial of modifications to the Television Match Ofiicial protocol.

AWARDS: Munster’s Graham Rowntree has been voted United Rugby Championship Coach of the Season.

WATCH as Eddie Jones and Rassie Erasmus talk about what set Pieter-Steph du Toit apart from the average player.

SPOTLIGHT: Bulls star Ruan Vermaak said his team can't afford to "fall asleep" in the United Rugby Championship Final like they did last month against the same opponents.

PREVIEW: The Blues have been boosted by the return of captain Patrick Tuipulotu for their Super Rugby Pacific Final against the Chiefs at Eden Park on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa's Sevens squad is keen to make their last opportunity to qualify for the 2024 Olympics count and join their regular foes in Paris.

Cornel Smit is not downplaying the immense pressure on the Bulls as they get ready to host Glasgow Warriors in the 2023/24 United Rugby Championship Final at Loftus Versfeld.

NEWS: Billionaire-backed French club Montpellier on Tuesday promoted their former hooker Joan Caudullo to replace coach Patrice Collazo who was relieved of his duties the day before.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has revealed a 35-man squad for their upcoming tour to South Africa.

REACTION: Wales coach Warren Gatland readily accepted the 'underdog' tag for his team's mid-year Test against South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand's most capped player Sam Whitelock will captain the Barbarians in his final game when they play Fiji this weekend, the invitational side said on Tuesday.

VIDEO: World Cup-winning prop Vincent Koch almost reached his 50th cap for the Springboks against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday from the bench was it not for his teammate Frans Malherbe.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Warren Gatland has named the Wales team to face South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.

NEWS: EPCR announced that Black Lion from Georgia and South Africa’s Cheetahs will continue their participation as invited clubs in the EPCR Challenge Cup for the next two seasons following approval from the tournament organiser’s Board.

SPOTLIGHT: Lions playmaker Sanele Nohamba has been named URC Player of the Season 2024 following a fantastic campaign with the Johannesburg-based franchise.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named an exciting matchday 23 that will be captained by flank Pieter-Steph du Toit and features four uncapped players.

NEWS: The Australian Super Rugby Pacific franchise Queensland Reds will undergo a two-game European tour, which includes a landmark match against Ulster in 2025.

WATCH as URC Head of Referees Tappe Henning talks about the key areas for match officials to focus on at Loftus on Saturday.

NEWS: One year after becoming the first Italian match official to referee a United Rugby Championship Grand Final, Andrea Piardi has been appointed to this season’s showpiece decider in Pretoria where the Bulls meet Glasgow Warriors.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland No.8 Jack Conan has been ruled out of the upcoming tour to South Africa.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Steve Borthwick named his team to play Japan at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday.

NEWS: Former France prop Patrice Collazo will leave his role at billionaire-backed Montpellier after guiding the club to the Top 14 safety.

NEWS: Highlanders back Connor Garden-Bachop has died aged 25 after an unspecified "medical event", New Zealand Rugby said on Tuesday.

NEWS: Boland edged the Golden Lions while Western Province, the Blue Bulls and Sharks claimed valuable wins on day one of the Grant Khomo Week at Grey High School in Gqeberha.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England’s Under-20 squad to travel to South Africa for the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship has been confirmed.

REACTION: South Africa's two-times World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi ended his first campaign with French club Racing 92 trophyless.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France coach Fabian Galthie named 19 uncapped players in his initial squad for the mid-year tour to South America.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: BlitzBoks Women’s coach Renfred Dazel invited a group of 17 players to a Paris 2024 Olympic Games preparation camp in Potchefstroom, with the squad assembling on Monday.

WATCH as Eddie Jones talks about the reasons behind South Africa's ability to win back-to-back World Cup tournaments.

SPOTLIGHT: It is clear after three seasons there is certainly no one dominating the United Rugby Championship and if there was domination, it isn’t coming from the Irish.

OPINION: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has the skill-set to fill the boots of Willie le Roux and Damian Willemse as the Springboks' fullback-cum-first receiver in the mid-year Tests.

SQUAD UPDATE: Wales have called up versatile loose forward James Botham in the squad for their test against the Springboks.

NEWS: Five former players from leading French club Grenoble will stand trial from Monday over allegations that three of them gang-raped a student after a 2017 match.

PREVIEW: South Africa’s top Under-16 schoolboys will be in action at the Grant Khomo Week, which will be staged at Grey High School in Port Elizabeth over the next five days.

REACTION: Leinster are heading back to Dublin and the drawing board after their United Rugby Championship semifinal defeat to the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

ROUND ONE WRAP: The opening round of the First Division saw wins for all the away sides with the Boland Cavaliers, Eastern Province and Leopards claiming victories in their respective matches. 

REACTION: Munster head coach Graham Rowntree admitted that his team wasted a lot of opportunities in their United Rugby Championship semifinal against Glasgow Warriors in Limerick.

OPINION: The Warriors recovered from a dodgy start, particularly in the forwards, but settled and were brave enough not to be afraid to make a mistake.

After claiming their second away win for the season, La Rochelle booked their spot in the French Top 14 semifinal - defeating Toulon by 34-29. 

REACTION: Glasgow Warriors coach Franco Smith admitted it was 'really tense' towards the end, but his team now heads to Pretoria for a URC Final face-off with the Bulls.

NEWS: New Zealand has set their sights on another Samoan to bolster the All Black roster.

VIDEO: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has a formidable list of conquests, including a World Cup gold medal. Watch as he reveals where the weekend's URC semifinal win over Leinster rates.

VIDEO: Springbok assistant coach Tony Brown can open up the eyes of the national team's backline players.

INJURY UPDATE: The Bulls are running the risk a third member of their famous World Cup-winning group through injury, following their 25-20 United Rugby Championship semifinal win over Leinster.

OPINION: Munster’s reign as URC champions came to an abrupt end as they lost at home to the Glasgow Warriors.

MATCH REPORT: Glasgow Warriors will travel to Pretoria to face the Bulls in next weekend's United Rugby Championship Final.

OPINION: Leinster lost in a URC semifinal for the third successive year. Ian Cameron rates their players after the 20-25 loss to the Bulls in Pretoria.

OPINION: The Bulls tackled Leinster into submission to reach the United Rugby Championship for a second time.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship semifinal face-off between Munster and Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park in Limerick.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls advanced to their second United Rugby Championship Final with a 25-20 victory over Irish giants Leinster in Pretoria on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship semifinal face-off between the Bulls and Leinster at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

REACTION: History will be made as the Blues and the Chiefs clash in the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific Final at Eden Park in Auckland next Saturday, June 22.

WATCH as Leinster assistant coach Robin McBryde previews their URC semifinal face-off against the Bulls and Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Chiefs have beaten the Hurricanes 30-19 in the semifinal of Super Rugby to advance to the final.

WATCH as double World Cup winner Willie le Roux joins the Behind the Ruck podcast and talks about Die Strandhond that became a Bull.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Super Rugby Pacific semifinal face-off between the Hurricanes and Chiefs in Wellington.

SPOTLIGHT: The United Rugby Championship’s elite XV has been unveiled for the 2023/2024 season, with South African stars dominating the selection. 

NEWS: Two-time World Cup winner Sam Whitelock has been added to the Barbarians squad for next week's match against Fiji at Twickenham.

WATCH as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus reveals the surprising number of players ruled out of first Ireland Test.

The South Africa Sevens side will welcome back the experienced duo of Zain Davids and Shilton van Wyk for their final Olympic qualifier tournament in Monaco.

Watch as Springbok captain Siya Kolisi shows his support for Springbok women star Babalwa Latsha following her recent contract renewal with Harlequins.

PREVIEW: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has labelled himself a realist when describing his team's chances against Irish giants Leinster in Saturday's United Rugby Championship semifinal.

The opening match of First Division will be a rematch of the 2023 Final.

NEWS: Potential venues for the United Rugby Championship Final, on Saturday, June 22, have been confirmed.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The South African team for the forthcoming World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Cape Town was announced on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Supporters don’t need an introduction to Munster because the international connection is so strong.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has revealed his team to face Irish giants Leinster in Saturday's United Rugby Championship semifinal at Loftus Versfeld.

UPDATE: It is still the subject of a court hearing and a disciplinary process, but the sale of the iconic Newlands stadium has been given the 'all clear' - with the price tag revealed.v

MATCH REPORT: The Brumbies have been unable to end Australia's 10-year Super Rugby Pacific title drought as they suffered a 20-34 defeat to the Blues in their Auckland semifinal.

SPOTLIGHT: Double World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siya Kolisi admitted that he wasn't in the best shape after enjoying the French cuisine in Paris.

SPOTLIGHT: The recently completed United Rugby Championship regular season had everyone rapt and at the edge of their seats in the closing stages, but the battle the teams face chasing their specific goals is likely to become even tougher going forward.

WATCH as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus speaks about potential captains for the Wales Test next week.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Super Rugby Pacific semifinal face-off between the Blues and Brumbies at Eden Park in Auckland.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Matt Gallagher, the son of All Black John Gallagher, has been named in Italy's squad for the first time for their July Tests, the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) announced on Thursday.

SPOTLIGHT: Whether labelled the favourites or underdogs, the Bulls are not getting lost within the external media hype ahead of the United Rugby Championship semifinal against Leinster on Saturday.

NEWS: The players' union in South Africa, MyPlayers, issued a statement outlining the way forward to find the balance between player welfare and competition schedules.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: England and Bath prop Beno Obano has been suspended for four games after he attended a disciplinary hearing.

WATCH as URC Head of Match Officials Tappe Henning reveals some of the statistics that influenced World Rugby's decision not to allow the 20-minute red card to be implemented.

URC AWARDS: Munster flyhalf Jack Crowley and Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi are the latest URC Awards 2023/24 winners with the pair winning Next-Gen Player of the Season and Try of the Season, respectively.

SPOTLIGHT: Simon Zebo has thrown more fuel on the fire ahead of Ireland's two-Test series against the Springboks by saying that Rassie Erasmus "hates the Irish".

NEWS: The NSW Waratahs confirmed that assistant coach Jason Gilmore will depart the franchise to take up a position with Harlequins in the Premiership.

NEWS: The Springboks have issued another statement on Cheslin Kolbe.

‘I want to see your wife bleed.’ This is just one of the many scary social media messages that floods the inbox of scrumhalf Rory Kockott at least once a month.

NEWS: Corey Flynn and David Hill will add their throwing and kicking expertise respectively to the All Blacks environment during the 2024 Test season as coaching resources.

PREVIEW: It is all systems go as the top four teams battle it out for the Super Rugby Pacific title.

Since rugby turned professional in 1996 and the Super 12 (now Super Rugby) competition was formed, the Bulls had their fair share of semifinals and won the competition three times - the only South African side to ever to achieve this feat.

NEWS: Finn Russell is one of several senior Scotland internationals left out of an experimental squad announced Wednesday for an upcoming tour of the Americas.

NEWS: Glasgow Warriors hooker Johnny Matthews and Munster’s Shane Daly are the latest players to win a 2023/24 URC Award, having been named Top Try-Scorer and Ironman winners, respectively.

VIDEO: The welfare of players almost derailed the oldest domestic competition in the world, a case that went to arbitration. Annemie Bester looks at how the Bulls got a 'jump-start'.

NEWS: All Black loose forward Dalton Papali'i expects a determined Brumbies outfit who'll be out for revenge in their Super Rugby semifinal clash this Friday at Eden Park.

SPOTLIGHT: Following the recent announcement of Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium as the venue for the 2025 Finals weekend, EPCR confirmed that the Challenge Cup Final will be played on Friday, May 23 next year with the showpiece Champions Cup Final set to go ahead the following day on Saturday, May 24.

WATCH as URC Head of Match Officials Tappe Henning chats to @king365ed about the law changes that will come into effect on July 1 - including the 'no scrum from a free kick'.

SPOTLIGHT: As a supporter of the game, there is always something new to get excited about and the annual WXV is no different.

VIDEO: Leinster is not Ireland and the Bulls are not the Springboks and the hosts are playing in blue, not green says Wilco Louw.

NEWS: Wallaby playmaker Carter Gordon has become the latest Wallaby to switch to Rugby League.

INTERVIEW: The triumphant 1974 British and Irish Lions can be an inspiration for Warren Gatland's current squad of Wales players ahead of their mouth-watering clash with South Africa.

NEWS: Brumbies and Wallaby flyhalf Noah Lolesio has signed a one-year contract extension until 2025.

INJURY UPDATE: Leinster received a timely boost ahead of their United Rugby Championship semifinal encounter with the Bulls.

NEWS: The Currie Cup has been saved through a 'compromise'.

NEWS: Bloemfontein will host an Emerging Ireland squad that will play three matches against two Currie Cup and a Super Rugby team in October.

NEWS: The match officials appointments of the United Rugby Championship Semi-Finals have been confirmed.

UPDATE: The South African Rugby Union moved to bring stability in the warring Eastern Province Rugby Union.

SPOTLIGHT: Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa says his team must learn from their previous Super Rugby defeats in New Zealand to succeed in Friday's crunch semifinal at the Blues.

NEWS: After months of speculation the Stormers finally confirmed that Hacjivah Dayimani's time at the Cape Town franchise has come to an end.

NEWS: The Bulls’ Chris Smith has walked away with the United Rugby Championships’ Golden Boot Award thanks to his accurate place-kicking.

SPOTLIGHT: It is the master versus the pupil when Japan and England face off next week.

NEWS: Lukhan Salakaia-Loto says he will be ready to answer a call from Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, despite missing the back half of the Super Rugby Pacific season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: If there is one man the Bulls will have to keep a close eye on this Saturday, it is James Lowe.

SPOTLIGHT: Thomas du Toit has been pure gold for Bath since joining the Premiership club from the Sharks but is his performance tinged gold enough for Springbok colours this season?

SPOTLIGHT: In a bold step to create depth that can take the Springboks forward several stars have emerged from the United Rugby Championship and the European Cup to win their first Bok call-up.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok flyer Kurt-Lee Arendse took to social media to provide an update after he underwent emergency cheekbone surgery on Sunday.

REACTION: Tom Curry has been named in England's squad for their tour of Japan and New Zealand despite a warning from his club coach that including him would be "guaranteed" to shorten his career.

SPOTLIGHT: The excitement for the Springboks' season opener at Twickenham is growing day by day.

SQUAD UPDATE: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has tweaked his training squad ahead of next week's Test against Wales at Twickenham.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Steve Borthwick has revealed his 36-man squad for their upcoming tour to New Zealand.

REACTION: Bath boss Johann van Graan had a few complaints about Beno Obano's red card in the Prenmiership Final against Northampton Saints at Twickenham Stadium.

OPINION: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has shown his intent by selecting five flyhalves in his initial training squad, yet it remains to be seen whether Manie Libbok or a newcomer will start against Wales in the season-opener.

NEWS: The Bulls duo of Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cameron Hanekom are up against the Lions’ versatile Sanele Nohamba for the coveted United Rugby Championship Player of the Season Award for 2024.

VIDEO: He has been the waterboy for the last few weeks but Bulls flank Marcell Coetzee might make his return for the all-important United Rugby Championship semifinal against Leinster at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: The All Blacks will be without one of their locks when they face England in a two-Test series.

SPOTLIGHT: It has been a great season of progress for the Italian club Benetton said one proud head coach Marco Bortolami.

SPOTLIGHT: Hurricanes flyhalf Brett Cameron said he is relishing his battle with All Blacks playmaker Damian McKenzie in the Super Rugby Pacific semifinal against the Chiefs.

REACTION: The Glasgow Warriors team executed their quarterfinal plan for Stormers to perfection revealed a very proud head coach Franco Smith.

WATCH as we bring you all the momentous moments from the quarterfinal matches of the United Rugby Championship at the weekend.

INJURY UPDATE: England suffered a major setback with the news that experienced flyhalf George Ford will miss the upcoming tour to Japan and New Zealand.

REACTION: As soon as the full time whistle blew at the Lansdowne road stadium in Dublin after their quarterfinal against Ulster, flights for Leinster's semifinal against the Bulls in Pretoria were searched and booked in the changeroom. 

REACTION: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson said he was baffled by some of the decisions that went against his team in Saturday's United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against Glasgow Warriors.

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus selected a group of 35 players ahead of the first Test of the season against Wales in London on June 22. 

VIDEO: In everybody's eyes the Bulls have no chance of beating either Leinster or Munster, but Jake White, the Director of Rugby, says that can be a nice place to be.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named an exciting squad of 35 players for the team's first official training camp of the season.

REPORT: The Stormers' first United Rugby Championship play-off game away from home has ended in defeat.

NEWS: The path to the 2024 United Rugby Championship Final will go through Limerick and Pretoria.

REACTION: Courtney Lawes said his career in the English club game had finished with the "ending you want".

MATCH REPORT: Leinster brushed aside Ulster 43-20 in Dublin to book a United Rugby Championship semifinal clash against the Bulls in Pretoria next weekend.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White gives an update on the cheekbone injury of World Cup-winning Springbok Kurt-Lee Arendse.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship quarterfinal face-off between Glasgow Warriors and the Stormers.

MATCH REPORT: Courtney Lawes bowed out of the English game as a Premiership champion after his Northampton side edged 14-man Bath 25-21 in a dramatic Final at Twickenham on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls will play in the United Rugby Championship semifinals, but they had to survive a massive scare against a predetermined Benetton team.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship quarterfinal face-off between Leinster and Ulster in Dublin.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Premiership Final face-off between Northampton Saints and Bath at Twickenham.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship quarterfinal face-off between the Bulls and Benetton at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

NEWS: The 2024 Super Rugby Pacific semifinal fixtures have been confirmed, with the Hurricanes and Blues earning precious home-ground advantage next weekend.

SUPER RUGBY WRAP: Melbourne Rebels' last ever Super Rugby Pacific match has ended in heartbreak, with the Hurricanes storming to a 47-20 victory on the back of a big second half in Wellington.

Watch as Curwin Bosch chats to the Behind the Ruck crew - Springboks Juan de Jongh and Rudy Paige.

MATCH REPORT: Munster secured a home United Rugby Championship semifinal after beating Ospreys convincingly at Thomond Park in the quarterfinal on Friday evening.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: Benetton has to do what only one team, defending champions Munster, has achieved in the United Rugby Championship this season - win at Loftus Versfeld.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship quarterfinal face-off between Munster and Ospreys at Thomond Park, in Limerick.

PREMIERSHIP FINAL: Northampton loose forward Courtney Lawes will aim to bow out of the English game as a Premiership champion when he plays his last game for the club in Saturday's Final against Bath at Twickenham.

WATCH as Damian de Allende talks about the plaudits heaped on him by his teammates.

NEWS: The Stormers have been dealt a blow ahead of their quarterfinal match against the Glasgow Warriors.

INJURY UPDATE: The Bulls revealed World Cup winner Canan Moodie is in a race against time to be fit for South Africa's mid-year internationals.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has made several changes to his matchday squad for Saturday's United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against Glasgow Warriors in Scotland.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has revealed his team to face Benetton in Saturday's United Rugby Championship quarterfinal at Loftus Versfeld.

MATCH REPORT: The Reds' season of high hopes and promise has ended in disappointment with a 21-43 submission to the Chiefs in the opening Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinal in Hamilton.

PREVIEW: Siya Kolisi's Racing 92 will face La Rochelle in the final round of the French Top 14's regular season on Saturday as one of five clubs eyeing the final two play-off spots.

PREVIEW: Munster is the defending champions and some great form late in the season saw them top the URC table. They face a tough task against Ospreys, who have performed admirably this season, at Thomond Park, Limerick on Friday.

NEWS: Toulouse replacement lock Richie Arnold has been suspended for three weeks. This decision came from an independent disciplinary hearing that stems from the Champions Cup final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 25th 2024.

SPOTLIGHT: All the pressure ahead of the URC quarterfinal between Leinster and Ulster will be on the home team.

NEWS: The Lions have confirmed that flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse will need to wait another six months before he can join the Sharks. 

SQUAD UPDATE: Wales head coach Warren Gatland has added another player to his squad ahead of the Test season.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Benetton have named their 28 player squad for their quarter-final showdown against the Bulls at 15:30pm this coming Saturday. 

NEWS: Another key player has signed on the dotted line for the Stormers.

WATCH as Martin Anayi, CEO of the URC, speaks about the 'contingency plans' in place because the Bulls are unable to host a potential Final at Loftus Versfeld.

All Black veterans Scott Barrett and Codie Taylor recommitted to New Zealand to the 2027 World Cup.

LISTEN as Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson speaks about his team's winless record at Scotstoun Stadium and gives his quarterfinal predictions.

VIDEO: A quarterfinal is no time to be fancy says Bulls flyhalf Chris Smith as he looks ahead at the United Rugby Championship clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Johann van Graan has been key to Bath's revival over the last two years, with the South African coach overseeing a dramatic transformation since his arrival from Irish province Munster in 2022.

NEWS: The Bulls will be without their star Springbok wing Canan Moodie when they host the quarterfinal of the United Rugby Championship against Benetton at Loftus Versfeld this weekend.

NEWS: Just a day after losing its arbitration battle against the players' union, MyPlayers, the South African Rugby Union suffered another significant loss in a court case.

PREVIEW: The Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinals kick off on Friday, June 7 with the Chiefs welcoming the Queensland Reds to Waikato.

VIDEO: The Bulls must be wary of the never-say-die attitude of the Italians come Saturday’s URC quarterfinal, says flank Nizaam Carr.

WATCH this sneek peak of double World Cup winner Damian de Allende talking about the highs of 2023 and what awaits in 2024.

NEWS: Fijiana are set to move to a new all-time high in the World Rugby Women’s Rankings after winning back the Oceania Women’s Championship title from Samoa.

NEWS: The Bulls not only secured a URC home quarterfinal, they also quietly surpassed Leinster as the top try-scoring team in the competition.

SPOTLIGHT: We break down what happens when knockout matches are drawn in the United Rugby Championship.

STAT ATTACK: For a third year in a row, South African players have shown the value they add to the United Rugby Championship competition.

WATCH as URC CEO Martin Anayi talks about the ongoing talks between MyPlayers and SARU over finding a two-month resting period for the players and how it impacts on their participation in Europe.

INTERVIEW: There has been plenty of reasons for Aphelele Onke Okuhle Fassi to celebrate in the last few weeks. He chatted to @king365ed.

NEWS: Fijian international Leone Nakarawa on Tuesday lost on appeal his bid for one million € compensation for breach of contract after his sacking by French club Racing 92.

NEWS: The match officials appointments for the United Rugby Championship quarterfinals this weekend have been confirmed.

NEWS: A high tackle of a different kind resulted in a Namibian club player being banned from ever playing rugby again.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: With the season drawing to a close, the annual transfer frenzy has been picking up rapidly, and one man who has been making headlines is Sikhumbuzo Notshe.

NEWS: It has been confirmed that Sharks wing Aphiwe Dyantyi has been granted an early release from his contract with the Durbanites.

UPDATE: @king365ed brings you the latest in the protracted Zelt Marais saga - which includes a new disciplinary hearing.

SPOTLIGHT: The Glasgow Warriors made no secret of their intention for Stormers flyhalf Manie Libbok when the two teams meet this Saturday during the United Rugby Championship quarterfinal fixture.

SPOTLIGHT: Melbourne Rebels coach Kevin Foote said his doomed Super Rugby team can do "something special" by delaying their demise with an upset quarterfinal win at the Hurricanes.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Steve Borthwick has ramped up preparations for England's tour to Japan and New Zealand by unveiling a 33-strong squad.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers star Evan Roos said he has broadened his knowledge of the game by playing in different positions in the back row for the Stormers this season.

TRANSFER NEWS: Lions centre Tyler Bocks has revealed the next chapter in his career.

SQUAD UPDATE: Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has issued an injury update ahead of Saturday’s United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against Ulster in Dublin.

INJURY UPDATE: Munster head coach Graham Rowntree will be forced to make some changes to his matchday squad for Friday's United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against the Ospreys.

REACTION: The South African Rugby Union said it has noted the outcome of the proceedings of an arbitration hearing in respect of the rest periods for contracted provincial players.

NEWS: The South African Rugby Football Union and SAREO face a dilemma, after the arbitration verdict significantly favoured the players' union, MyPlayers.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Warren Gatland has named a 36-player training squad for the 2024 Test season.

VIDEO: The Bulls won't be chasing tries when they host Benetton in the quarterfinal of the United Rugby Championship. 

SPOTLIGHT: Benetton is flying the Italian flag having qualified for the quarterfinals of the United Rugby Championship, where they face the Bulls at Loftus on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Two Springbok stalwarts, Ruan Pienaar and Willem Alberts, recently announced their retirement from the game, having amassed a total of more than 800 first-class matches between them for teams in South Africa and Europe, as well as in the green and gold.

TRANSFER NEWS: Flyhalf Curwin Bosch has officially said goodbye to the Sharks.

SPOTLIGHT: The deciding round of the United Rugby Champions league season ran according to script by having everyone on the edge of their seats from beginning to end and the play-offs that kick off this weekend promise to do the same.

SPOTLIGHT: Melbourne captain Rob Leota has vowed his side will push through the heartbreak of their franchise's demise to shine in their first Super Rugby finals appearance.

WEEKEND WRAP: Rondebosch, Waterkloof and Durban High have strengthened their respective positions in the unofficial school rankings ahead of the second phase of the season.

OPINION: The Springboks look set to benefit from the Sharks and Lions' exit from the United Rugby Championship, as preparations for the one-off Test against Wales gather momentum.

REACTION: South African women's Sevens coach Renfred Dazel said they will have to take their SVNS relegation on the chin, regroup and give their season a fitting finish at their first appearance at the Olympic Games later this year.

REACTION: It was not the result they had hoped for, but the South African Sevens team will take away valuable lessons from Madrid this weekend, after they finished sixth in the SVNS Grand Finale in Spain.

WATCH as Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen chats about his team's season and the possibility of some new Springboks.

WATCH as Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson talks about their first URC away play-off game since the inception of the tournament.

WEEKEND RESULTS: It was a more subdues weekend on the school scene, with a number of the top schools taking a break.

NEWS: Bath reached the English Premiership final with a tense 31-23 win against Sale that was marred by Sharks star Jonny Hill's alleged clash with a fan after the final whistle on Saturday.

VIDEO: The Bulls’ Marco van Staden could miss out on his team’s United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against Benetton on Saturday.

LIVE UPDATES: Join us as we bring you LIVE updates on Day Three of the HSBC SVNS winner-takes all Grand Final.

LIVE UPDATES: Join us as we bring you LIVE updates on Day Three of the HSBC SVNS winner-takes-all Grand Final.

AUDIO: Sharks Head Coach John Plumtree will reflect on the season that was during his flight back to New Zealand next week.

NEWS: After a dramatic ending to the most competitive regular season of the United Rugby Championship the line-up for next weekend’s quarter-finals can be confirmed.

MATCH REPORT: Champions Munster produced a superb second-half fightback to beat Ulster 29-24 at Thomond Park and ensure they will go into the United Rugby Championship play-offs as the number one seeds.

MATCH REPORT: Ospreys are in the play-offs after a nailbiting 33-29 win over Cardiff at Cardiff City Stadium in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Scarlets ended a disappointing season in style with a convincing 32-15 bonus-point victory over fellow-struggles Dragons at the Cardiff City Stadium.

MATCH REPORT: Johann van Graan's Bath ended a nine-year wait for a Twickenham final with a sensational 31-23 win over Sale Sharks.

MATCH REPORT: A brace of tries by Akker van der Merwe helped the Bulls claim the South African Shield and secure a top-two finish in the United Rugby Championship.

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers overcame a red card to record a hard-fourth 29-24 win over the Lions in the Round 18 match of the United Rugby Championship at Cape Town Stadium.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Premiership semifinal between Bath and Sale Sharks a\t The Rec.

MATCH REPORT: Benetton booked their place in the United Rugby Championship play-offs after a 31-6 home win over Edinburgh ended the Scottish side's hopes.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 18 encounter between the Sharks and Bulls at Kings Park in Durban.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 18 encounter between the Stormers and Lions in Cape Town.

LIVE UPDATES: Join us as we bring you LIVE updates on Day Two of the HSBC SVNS winner-takes all Grand Final - involving the top eight placed men's teams after the regular season.

LIVE UPDATES: Join us as we bring you LIVE updates on Day Two of the HSBC SVNS winner-takes all Grand Final - involving the top eight placed women's teams after the regular season.

SATURDAY WRAP: The Fijian Drua overwhelmed the Melbourne Rebels 40-19 to snatch the last Super Rugby quarterfinal berth and end the play-off hopes of perennial champions the Crusaders.

URC REPORT: Leinster boosted their hopes of a top-two finish in the United Rugby Championship with a 33-7 bonus point win over Connacht at the RDS Arena.

URC REPORT: Jonny Matthews scored a pair of tries as Glasgow Warriors overcame a scare against Zebre Parma to end their regulation United Rugby Championship campaign with a 38-26 victory at Scotstoun.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Owen Farrell signed off from his Saracens career with a 20-22 defeat by Northampton that extends Courtney Lawes’ own stay in English rugby for one last week.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Premiership semifinal between Northampton Saints and Saracens at Franklin's Gardens.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: It is all to play for when the 2023/24 United Rugby Championship regular league phase concludes.

NEWS: Former Springbok Victor Matfield has been confirmed as the Technical Advisor for Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms as they start preparations for next month's test match against England.

NEWS: World Rugby has confirmed the Match Officials for five women’s Test matches in June and July.

FRIDAY WRAP: The defending Super Rugby Pacific champion Crusaders remain in the playoffs race for another day after a 43-10, bonus-point win over Moana Pasifika.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions named their team to face the Stormers in the Round 18 clash of the United Rugby Championship at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has named his team to face the Sharks in Round 18 of the 2023/24 season on Saturday at the Kings Park Stadium in Durban.

LIVE UPDATES: Join us as we bring you LIVE updates on Day One of the HSBC SVNS winner-takes all Grand Final - involving the top eight placed men's teams after the regular season.

LIVE UPDATES: Join us as we bring you LIVE updates on Day One of the HSBC SVNS winner-takes all Grand Final - involving the top eight placed women's teams after the regular season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Flank Ben-Jason Dixon will make his 50th appearance for the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship clash with the Lions at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The 2023/24 United Rugby Championship season comes to a close for the Sharks when they host the Bulls at Kings Park on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks great Dan Carter believes England have it in them to move beyond a safety-first style of tournament rugby during an upcoming tour of New Zealand.

NEWS: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is part of 10 stars from around the world who come together to launch a new charity, the Global Rugby Players Foundation.

NEWS: Suleiman Hartzenberg is the latest star to extend his contract with the Stormers.

NEWS: One of the most exciting scrumhalves in the country has put pen to paper and extended his contract with the Bulls.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: Bonus points and even in some cases points differential will be chased as hard as match results as the 2023/2024 United Rugby Championship regular season comes to a tense and exciting conclusion in the final round of competition at the weekend.

REACTION: A legal battle looms between Rugby Australia and the consortium who planned to save the Melbourne Rebels, with the Super Rugby Pacific franchise to be shut down after 14 seasons.

NEWS: The full United Rugby Championship schedule for the 2024/25 campaign is now available thanks to the first-ever in-season launch of the following seasons’ fixtures.

PREVIEW: Rondebosch will fancy their chances against a battling Bishops outfit, while Waterkloof, Durban High School and others will go into their respective local clashes as favourites.

SPOTLIGHT: Bobby Skinstad has explained the least disruptive path to selecting a Springbok captain should Siya Kolisi not be available.

SPOTLIGHT: Having made his return from injury on tour, Stormers loosehead prop Sti Sithole is preparing to face his former team for the first time this season when the Lions visit Cape Town on Saturday.

NEWS: A bid for wholesale reform of New Zealand Rugby's governing body was rejected by heartland unions on Thursday, threatening to throw the game into disarray in the rugby-mad nation.

NEWS: Rugby Australia on Thursday rejected a consortium's bid to take over the debt-laden Melbourne Rebels and shut down the franchise after 14 seasons in Super Rugby.

TRANSFER NEWS: Munster and the IRFU confirmed the signing of 25-year-old back Thaakir Abrahams on a two-year deal.

PREVIEW: With their Super Rugby Pacific play-off opponents already locked in, the Reds are determined not to be derailed by the Waratahs in their last-round clash in Sydney.

SPOTLIGHT: Bobby Skinstad believes the criticism levelled at South African teams over their participation in European competitions has been 'unfounded'.

PREVIEW: Affies will cross the Jukskei to tackle one of Joburg’s in-form teams this weekend, while Rondebosch will head to Paarl in search of a big scalp.

NEWS: The Stormers have made sure that they are secure when it comes to their playmaker stocks.

SPOTLIGHT: France flyhalf Romain Ntamack has put the disappointment of missing the World Cup behind him and is focussing on Saturday's "dream" Champions Cup Final in London.

SPOTLIGHT: Four South African players are featured in the Premiership Team of the Season.

NEWS: Henry Slade may have missed out on England's World Cup squad last year but his performance for Exeter Chiefs has earned him the Premiership Player of the Season.

REACTION: Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge has apologised for Rob Penney's foul-mouthed insult about a TV reporter at a heated press conference.

WATCH as Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell previews the Challenge Cup Final face-off against Gloucester.

AWARDS: Five South Africans feature in the nominations for the 2023/2024 United Rugby Championship Try of the Season award.

NEWS: One of Ireland's key players is set to miss the upcoming two-Test series against the Springboks in July.

NEWS: South African flank Chris Cloete has announced his plan to retire at the end of the season and will do so in dramatic fashion on a trek through Africa back to his country of birth.

SPOTLIGHT: Toulouse do not want their past results against Leinster to play on their minds ahead of this weekend's Champions Cup Final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

NEWS: The Irish Rugby Football Union announced that - following a review of its existing funding model - a number of changes will be implemented from the start of next season.

NEWS: Transfer news out of the Lions camp revealed that a promising Bulls flank and a hooker out of Japan are on their way to the Den..

Sharks and Springbok World Cup hero Retshegofaditswe Nché talks about facing a Russian wrestler in the Challenge Cup Final.

SPOTLIGHT: Gloucester Director of Rugby George Skivington said there is no escaping the huge physical battle that his team will encounter in the Challenge Cup Final

PREVIEW: The Hurricanes will be without captain Brad Shields and fellow livewire loose forward Du'Plessis Kirifi for the crunch Super Rugby clash at the Chiefs on Friday.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White addresses the enigma that his team has become - the vast contrasts between attack and defence.

INJURY UPDATE: South Africa may be without the services of one of their key backline players when they tackle Ireland in a two-Test series in July.

SPOTLIGHT: If a Champions Cup or Challenge Cup Final is drawn at the end of normal time, there is a series of tiebreakers.

SPOTLIGHT: Gloucester and the Sharks are gearing up for their Challenge Cup Final face-off on Friday.

NEWS: The Springboks will kick off their second in-person alignment camp in Cape Town on Wednesday – a month before their opening Test of the season against Wales in London on June 22 – with a group of 38 players assembling for the two-day camp.

NEWS: Ireland and Munster star Simon Zebo has announced that he will retire from rugby at the end of the season.

SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks star Beauden Barrett could make an early Super Rugby Pacific return following his stint with Japanese League One side Toyota Verblitz.

INJURY UPDATE: The Sharks will be without the services of their captain and double World Cup winner Lukhanyo Am for the rest of the season.

SPOTLIGHT: The Lions believe they have turned a corner after their excellent win against Glasgow Warriors at Ellis Park over the weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: Leinster flyhalf Ross Byrne has labelled the Champions Cup 'an incredibly special competition' as the Irish province bid for a record-equalling fifth EPCR elite crown at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Not only could there be three South African franchises in the United Rugby Championship play-offs, but there might be four local teams in the Champions Cup next season.

SPOTLIGHT: @RugbyPass columnist Daniel Gallan looks at why some Springboks don't seem to perform at the same level for their domestic outfits as they do for the national team.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Reds wing Suliasi Vunivalu will miss his team's derby clash against the Western Force after copping a one-game suspension after his pair of trips earned him a red card in the defeat to Fijian Drua.

NEWS: South African Johann van Graan has been nominated for Premiership Director of Rugby of the 2023/24 Premiership season.

INJURY UPDATE: Head coach Leo Cullen confirmed Garry Ringrose is in a race to full fitness for Leinster's Champions Cup Final against Toulouse at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.

REACTION: South Africa will not compromise their performance standards to meet 'transformation targets'.

REACTION: Stormers coach John Dobson has implored his players to play to their true potential, rather than rely on 'guts-and-glory' to win matches,

SPOTLIGHT: If statistics are anything to go by, the Sharks might have a slight edge over Gloucester when they face off in the Final of the Challenge Cup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: A historic weekend has resulted in New Zealand falling outside of the top two in the World Rugby Women’s Rankings for the first time in history.

REACTION: With just one round of matches to go, reigning United Rugby Championship champions Munster have gone top of the table for the first time this season - talk about timing your run to perfection!

VIDEO: Glasgow Warriors coach Franco Smith was adamant his side was beaten by a Lions side who played extremely well with just 14 players.

WEEKEND WRAP: Paul Roos made yet another statement when they beat Paarl Gym to secure their 10th consecutive win of the season.

NEWS: Coach Darren Coleman has been sacked by the Waratahs but will see out the Super Rugby Pacific season.

SPOTLIGHT: And then there was one - just one more round of the 2023/24 United Rugby Championship to go, but with so much still to play for.

SPOTLIGHT: As we reflect on the weekend that was, we highlight the players who went above and beyond for their teams in the United Rugby Championship. 

REACTION: Bath Head of Rugby Johann van Graan described his side's achievement in securing a home semifinal in the Premiership play-offs as a "humbling experience".

WEEKEND WRAP: Griquas will host the SA Cup Final next weekend and face Pumas in Kimberley following this weekend’s conclusion of the league phase.

WATCH as we bring you some of the momentous highlights from Round 17 of the United Rugby Championship matches at the weekend!

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White reveals the off-the-wall reason why one of his star players failed his HIA.

REACTION: The back-to-back World Cup champion Springboks may have fallen short of the government's 'transformation targets', but the pathway to a 'fully transformed' team is getting better.

JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE WRAP: The Wild Knights will meet Brave Lupus Tokyo in the Final of the third edition of Japan Rugby League One next weekend at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

ALL THE WEEKEND RESULTS: It has not been a perfect season, but some of South Africa's most prom,inent school teams are bdginning to show some ominous form.

NEWS: Tony O'Reilly, one of Irish rugby's greatest players and later a successful businessman, was lauded as a "trailblazer" by the Republic of Ireland's prime minister after his death aged 88.

REACTION: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen lauded his team for not hitting the panic button during their United Rugby Championship Round 17 clash against Glasgow at Ellis Park on Saturday.

REACTION: The Sharks are busy tweaking some travel arrangements ahead of their Challenge Cup Final against Gloucester at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: John Cooney slotted over a last-gasp long-range penalty to earn Ulster a 23-21 win over Leinster and guarantee them a place in the United Rugby Championship play-offs.

SATURDAY WRAP: A red card for departing back row forward Jasper Wiese will leave Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus with a few sleepless nights.

MATCH REPORT: Manie Libbok kicked three penalties as the Stormers edged Connacht 16-12 in a United Rugby Championship arm-wrestle in Galway on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Cardiff ended their South African tour on a high with a 36-14 win over the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Lions not only kept their United Rugby Championship play-off dream alive, but also did the Bulls a massive favour on Saturday.

URC REPORT: Ospreys kept alive their United Rugby Championship play-off hopes by beating the Dragons 26-13 in bonus-point fashion.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 17 encounter between the Sharks and Cardiff at Kings Park in Durban.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 17 encounter between Connacht and the Stormers at the Sportsground in Galway.

MATCH REPORT: World Cup-winning Springbok Canan Moodie scored a hat-trick as the Bulls eased to a 56-35 win over a willing Benetton in their URC match at Loftus Versfeld.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 17 encounter between the Lions and Glasgow Warriors at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 17 encounter between the Bulls and Benetton at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria

NEWS: All Black great Sid Going has died at the age of 80, New Zealand Rugby said Saturday.

SATURDAY WRAP: The Brumbies ended a 15-year winless streak against the Crusaders on Saturday.

WATCH as Stade Toulousain-based England international Jack Willis talks about life in France and looks forward to the Champions Cup Final.

REPORT: Gareth Davies ran in two of Scarlets’ four tries as they picked up a fourth win of the season with a 32-18 bonus-point victory over Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

REPORT: A brace of tries by Antoine Frisch helped Munster climb to the top of the United Rugby Championship table as they held on for a 29-26 win at Edinburgh.

NEWS: Saracens revealed that Sean Maitland will retire at the end of the season.

PREVIEW: With just two rounds left in this season's United Rugby Championship, teams have been closely monitoring the different permutations for play-off places.

FRIDAY WRAP: The Hurricanes regained top spot in the Super Rugby table with a hard-fought 32-24 home win over Moana Pasifika.

FEATURE: He has the same Sevens pedigree, but admits he may not be up to par in the 15-a-side code just yet.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Stormers added a considerable amount of experience to their starting XV for the United Rugby Championship crunch match on Galway on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Three players could be making their last appearances in Lions colours at Ellis Park, when the Johannesburg-based franchise face the table-topping Glasgow Warriors.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have been bolstered by the return of Johan Goosen from suspension.

NEWS: JF van Heerden has signed his first senior professional contract with the Bulls after an impressive 2023/24 debut season with the Tshwane-based outfit.

SEMIFINAL PREVIEW: We look ahead to this weekend's semifinals and the Raplcement Battle in this season's Japan Rugby League One.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks have named a decidedly second-string team to face Cardiff in a United Rugby Championship Round 17 encounter at Kings Park on Saturday.

PREVIEW: Affies and Paarl Gym will look to stall their Grey College and Paul Roos counterparts this weekend, while a plucky Milnerton outfit will chase a rare southern suburbs 'Triple Crown'.

WATCH as two-time World Cup-winning Springbok Frans Steyn reveals what is the most enduring characteristic of retiring Springbok legend Ruan Pienaar.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Sharks centre Murray Koster has received a five-game suspension for foul play in his team's 24-25 defeat to Benetton in Durban last weekend.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: The United Rugby Championship is in for an entertaining conclusion as just six points separate sixth and 10th place in the table. 

OPINION: @rugby365com contributor Angus Opperman dissects the importance of Manie Libbok in the Stormers set-up amid scrutiny.

SPOTLIGHT: As his four seasons with Leicester Tigers draws to an end, World Cup winner Jasper Wiese looks set to head to Japan next season.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Toulouse centre Santiago Chocobares has been suspended for three weeks for a dangerous tackle in the Champions Cup semifinal against Harlequins.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland will be without one of their key leaders when they head to South Africa to take on the Springboks in July.  

SPOTLIGHT: All Black legend Ma'a Nonu believes Super Rugby has fallen further behind the pack when it comes to the toughest leagues in the world.

NEWS: The Stormers have locked in the services of Evan Roos until at least 2027.

SPOTLIGHT: Bulls loose forward Elrigh Louw admitted it will be costly to underestimate Benetton when the two sides meet this weekend at Loftus Versfeld.

SPOTLIGHT: Hurricanes captain Brad Shields is backing teammate TJ Perenara to regain his All Black place after coming back this season from a ruptured Achilles.

PREVIEW: The SA Cup will reach a decisive juncture this weekend – with Friday’s two clashes in Bloemfontein and Nelspruit crucial in determining the two finalists – as the last round of group matches unfold.

VIDEO: Gianni Lombard has been ready to help the Lions make it into the Top Eight of the Challenge Cup since his injury in January and his time is now to help out his team.

PREVIEW: Melbourne doesn't know if Friday's Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Chiefs will be their last ever home game, but they intend playing like it is to cement a maiden finals berth.

LISTEN as Sharks defence coach Joey Mongalo gives an update on their injured World Cup winners ahead of the big Euro Final.

VIDEO: Jaque Fourie, defence coach of the Lions, is adamant that his team cannot rely on the altitude against a tough side like Glasgow Warriors at Ellis Park this weekend.

NEWS: The French referee Mathieu Raynal will take charge of the Challenge Cup Final between Sharks and Gloucester in London on May 24

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Benetton flyhalf Jacob Umaga did not downplay the immense challenge of facing the Bulls at their fortress Loftus Versfeld.

SPOTLIGHT: In the ballyhoo over the United Rugby Championship play-off race, one significant fact appears to have escaped the attention of pundits.

WATCH as Stormers defence coach Norman Laker explains to @king365ed who are the biggest threats in the Connacht team.

NEWS: England international Billy Vunipola will leave Saracens at the end of the season, the Premiership club announced.

VIDEO: Lions wing Edwill van der Merwe has been tearing up the fields with sterling tries, but the Springbok invite still eludes him.

NEWS: The match officials appointments of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Round 17 fixtures have been confirmed.

WATCH as Bulls lock Ruan Vermaak identifies the reason behind his improved form at the Pretoria franchise.

WATCH as Cheetahs and Springbok legend Ruan Pienaar talks about finally ending his playing career - two decades after it started.

VIDEO: Unlike Rugby League, in Rugby Union every player has a role to play and one part of that is the scrum - a weapon to gain dominance.

NEWS: It is a last chance saloon for the Waratahs and perhaps Western Force in Round 13 of Super Rugby Pacific, as they battle to make the play-offs.

WATCH as two-time World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi gives some insights into the mental fortitude of the world champions.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White pours cold water on 'conspiracy theories' that suggest World Rugby's recent law changes target the Springboks' strengths

NEWS: The Bristol Bears will host Australia in a friendly at Ashton Gate on November 8 this year.

While the plans to develop and grow the women’s game in South Africa have yet to be disclosed, one thing has been made clear: change is needed.

WEEKEND WRAP: The penultimate round of the SA Cup brought forth a series of high-calibre matches, with the top four teams all keeping their final hopes alive with the conclusion of the group stage in sight.

AUDIO: The Sharks have one massive game ahead to achieve something this year and that will be their focus in the next two weeks.

REACTION: Bulls star Wilco Louw said that teams with powerful scrums won't be too discouraged by one of World Rugby's latest law changes.

SPOTLIGHT: Things are heating up as the United Rugby Championship enters the penultimate round this weekend.

WEEKEND UPDATE: Grey College tamed fiery Paarl Boys’ High 40-28 in an epic Interschools encounter in the City of Roses on Saturday.

REACTION: Glasgow Warriors Franco Smith knows his side has no space to slip up with Leinster and Munster hot on their trail in the United Rugby Championship race for the top spot.

WRAP: Paul Roos tightened their grip on the unofficial No. 1 ranking, while Waterkloof and Stellenberg recorded statement wins on another dramatic weekend for South African schoolboy rugby.

NEWS: New Zealand captain Sam Cane will retire from Test rugby at the end of 2024, the side said Monday, calling time on a World Cup-winning 12-year international career.

REACTION: Head coach Bafana Nhleko praised the character and fighting spirit of the Junior Springboks after they staged a successful comeback to beat Argentina in a pulsating Under-20 Rugby Championship match at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Bokarina, Queensland in Australia on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Springboks skipper Bobby Skinstad has named his hardest man in rugby.

REPORT: The Springbok Women successfully defended their title as African champions, but they were made to work very hard for a 46-17 victory over a never-say-die Madagascar side at Stade Makis in Antananarivo on Sunday.

REACTION: The Springboks' first test series since their 2023 World Cup triumph in France has been overshadowed by some daunting allegations.

SPOTLIGHT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen believes that his team will need another six points from their final two games to qualify for the play-offs of the United Rugby Championship.

ROUND THREE WRAP: The New Zealand Under-20 side won the inaugural Rugby Championship U20 title on Sunday after a 36-25 win over Australia in Bokarina.

SPITLIGHT: With just two games left in the round-robin phase of the United Rugby Championship, Stormers head coach Dobson said his team will be going all out to try and secure a home quarterfinal.

REACTION: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White admitted his team’s United Rugby Championship home play-off mission has become difficult, but certainly not impossible.

REPORT: Jordan Larmour scored his first senior hat-trick for Leinster as the Irish province produced a second-half masterclass to hammer Ospreys 61-14 at the RDS Arena.

SATURDAY WRAP: Leaders Northampton secured a home semifinal in the Premiership with a 90-0 annihilation of an under-strength Gloucester, their record win in the competition.

INJURY UPDATE: Less than a fortnight before their big European Final, the Sharks are sweating over the fitness of three key World Cup-winning Springboks.

MATCH REPORT: Munster are within reach of a home quarterfinal in the United Rugby Championship following a runaway 47-12 derby win over Connacht at Thomond Park.

MATCH REPORT: Replacement Emmanuel Tshituka scored two late tries - the second on the stroke of full-time - as the Lions scored a 34-13 bonus-point United Rugby Championship win over Cardiff at Ellis Park on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Benetton replacement Jacob Umaga scored a try and conversion in the 78th minute to snatch an unlikely United Rugby Championsip win over the Sharks at Kings Park, in Durban, on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Ulster strengthened their play-off hopes with a 31-20 bonus-point win over Scarlets on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls bagged five points, but they almost let it slip against the table-topping Glasgow Warriors in a thrilling United Rugby Championship encounter at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springbok Women will run out against Madagascar at Stade Makis in Antananarivo on Sunday with clear focus and clarity on the job at hand and if they can execute, there will be reason to celebrate at the final whistle.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 16 encounter between the Sharks and Benetton at Kings Park in Durban.

UPDATE: A broken arm for Harry Wilson has soured the Queensland Reds' gritty and crucial 26-22 win over an injury-hit Melbourne Rebels.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 16 encounter between the Bulls and Glasgow Warriors at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach John Dobson admitted that his players displayed more confidence than his coaching team during Friday's United Rugby Championship Round 16 match against the Dragons in Newport.

SUPER RUGBY SATURDAY WRAP: Harry Plummer's perfect goal-kicking proved the difference as the Blues beat the Hurricanes 31-27 on Saturday to take over as Super Rugby competition leaders.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok Jasper Wiese joins the Behind the Ruck team to talk about his future plans.

FRIDAY WRAP: Sale Sharks kept their Premiership play-off hopes alive with a 31-22 bonus-point victory over Leicester Tigers on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: Edinburgh had to fight against a spirited Zebre Parma side but in the end, they secured a 40-14 bonus-point victory to give their United Rugby Championship play-off hopes a considerable boost.

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers, ignited by a brilliant second-half performance, marched on in their United Rugby Championship quest after a successful outing against Dragons at Rodney Parade in Newport.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: It is being billed as the 'game of the weekend' - and with good reason - when the fourth-placed Bulls host the table-topping Glasgow Warriors at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 16 encounter between the Dragons and Stormers at Rodney Parade, in Newport.

PREVIEW: It is all to play for in the final round of the inaugural Under-20 Rugby Championship at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Bokarina on Sunday.

REACTION: With last year's World Cup Final defeat still fresh in his mind, Joe Schmidt will now be planning to knock South Africa off their perch in Australia.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has made five changes to his side that will take on the Glasgow Warriors in Round 16 United Rugby Championship crunch match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.

FRIDAY WRAP: All Black centre Anton Lienert-Brown grabbed a second-half try as the Chiefs thumped Moana Pasifika 43-7 in a bonus-point win Friday to go third on the Super Rugby table.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions take on Welsh side Cardiff in a crucial Round 16 United Rugby Championship match at Ellis Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks are not going to hold anything back at Kings Park on Saturday, when they host Italian outfit Benetton a United Rugby Championship Round 16 encounter.

NEWS: Leicester forward Ollie Chessum will miss England's tour of Japan and New Zealand after being ruled out for the rest of the season with an injury.

NEWS: France's match against a World XV featuring former England captain Owen Farrell in June has been cancelled, the organisers told AFP in a statement on Thursday.

UPDATE: World Rugby has announced further details of a revised red card sanction process trial featuring automatic off-field sanctions for players shown red cards.

NEWS: The evolution of the game we love has continued with the World Rugby Council approving a package of law amendments that will come into effect from July 1.

WATCH the video trailer of an interview when Pieter-Steph du Toit, Man of the Match in the World Cup Final, goes on a Walk-&-Talk with Jim Hamilton.

UPDATE: Saracens and England star Billy Vunipola has been given a 'slap on the wrist' following his arrest in Mallorca last month.

PREVIEW: The Stormers are aware that Chris Hollis might want to prove a point in Newport on Friday.

AUDIO: Springbok and Bulls stalwart Marco van Staden will remain a Bull for the next three years following an extension of his contract.

PREVIEW: Paarl Boys' defence will be put to the ultimate test when they face a rampant Grey College in Bloemfontein this Saturday.

WATCH as England-born and Scotland-capped loose forward Ryan Wilson explains what the future of Springbok Franco Smith looks like.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has revealed his team for their United Rugby Championship Round of 16 match against the Dragons on Friday.

VIDEO: Desperate times call for desperate measures and the Lions might spring a surprise on the visiting Cardiff at home at Ellis Park on Saturday.

PREVIEW: Several teams will striving to keep alive their dreams of reaching the SA Cup Final.

INTERVIEW: The Sharks are on the verge of achieving one of their main goals - winning one of Europe's premier competitions.

SPOTLIGHT: Glasgow Warriors will be "one of the fittest teams to go to Loftus Versfeld".

VIDEO: The four years spent playing for the Exeter Chiefs came back to bite Bulls flank Jannes Kirsten when he returned to the playing field for the Bulls against Ospreys at Loftus Versfeld a fortnight ago.

REACTION: Springbok Women head coach Louis Koen praised his squad for transferring the work they’ve done on the training field to match day in their big victory over Kenya in Madagascar on Wednesday, something they have not always mastered in the past.

While there is no doubt that he is an icon at the Stormers, Brok Harris' legendary status will be taken to another level when the South African franchise faces the Dragons this Friday.

VIDEO: Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabkanye is a big unit who doesn't shy away from contact, but when a scrum penalty is awarded against his pack, it really hurts him.

WATCH as two retired players - World Cup winner Schalk Brits and Scotland veteran Ryan Wilson - analyse the URC chances of the two leading South African franchises.

NEWS: Harlequins confirmed Danny Care has signed a new contract with the club ahead of the 2024/25 season.

NEWS: Bulls utility back David Kriel has extended his stay at the franchise by a further three years.

NEWS: Six Nations Rugby is introducing the first of its kind Six Nations Women’s Series, which will debut this July, in Parma, Italy.

PREVIEW: The Hurricanes beefed up their starting side for Saturday's top-of-the-table Super Rugby showdown at the Blues, adding captain Brad Shields, as well ass All Blacks Jordie Barrett and TJ Perenara.

WATCH as @rugby365com brings you all the highlights of the inaugural Under-20 Rugby Championship Round Two action.

VIDEO: The Bulls will welcome back captain Ruan Nortjé to lead the herd against table-toppers Glasgow Warriors in Round 16 of the United Rugby Championship at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The first hurdle has been overcome and Leinster will face Toulouse in a battle of the giants for the Champions Cup later this month, but they are far from where they need to be.

REACTION: A disappointed South African coach Bafana Nhleko bemoaned his team's error-rate in their humbling 19-24 loss to Australia in Round Two of the Under-20 Rugby Championship.

NEWS: The Bulls continue to resign key players on long-term contracts.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Stormers hooker Joseph Dweba identified a couple of key areas that require attention in his effort to reclaim a Springboks spot.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok Schalk Brits talks about the 'real story' behind his decision to sign for the Bulls and not the Stormers. as well as which South African team he now supports.

VIDEO: The Lions’ top-eight dream is still alive and kicking despite the gargantuan task ahead in the next three rounds of the United Rugby Championship to move up from their 11th spot on the table.

ROUND TWO WRAP: New Zealand raced clear in the inaugural Under-20 Rugby Championship, following another day of monsoon-like conditions on Australia's Sunshine Coast.

NEWS: History will be made in South Africa in more than one way when the Springboks meet Portugal for the first time in a Test in Bloemfontein in July.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: A 27-man Stormers squad will leave Cape Town on Tuesday for a crucial two-match United Rugby Championship tour.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Hooker Johan Grobbelaar committed to the Bulls, predicting the franchise will secure some silverware in the near future.

NEWS: The match officials appointments of the United Rugby Championship Round 16 fixtures have been confirmed.

PREVIEW: The Springbok Women’s head coach Louis Koen made nine changes to his starting team and 11 overall when he named his squad to play Kenya in the Africa Women’s Cup at Stade Makis in Antananarivo on Wednesday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Forwards coach Rito Hlungwani confirmed that the Stormers received a much-needed loosehead boost ahead of their United Rugby Championship European tour.

NEWS: With his appearance off the bench against Northampton Saints, Leinster prop Cian Healy surpassed Munster legend Ronan O’Gara to set the all-time Champions Cup appearance record.

NEWS: Byron Kelleher, All Black and Toulouse scrumhalf, was found guilty of domestic violence by a Paris court on Monday.

JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE, ROUND 16 WRAP: Times, dates, teams are confirmed for the semifinals of Japan Rugby League One after the weekend’s final round of the regular season.

PREVIEW: The Junior Springboks will be looking to punish Australia up front when they meet in Round Two of the Rugby Championship Under-20 tournament in Bokarina on Tuesday.

RUGBY AFRICA WRAP: South Africa and Madagascar got off to winning starts in their bid to win the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup 2024 and qualify for WXV 2 and Women’s World Cup 2025.

WRAP: The Bulls Daisies and Boland Dames continued to make their presence felt in the Women’s Premier Division on Saturday, stretching their winning streaks to four matches to remain at the top of the table.

SPOTLIGHT: Varsity Cup rugby aside, chances are the name Ruan Swiegers has not come up in real rugby conversations around braaivleis fires in South Africa much.

SPOTLIGHT: Elton Jantjies has vowed to return to the rugby field in the future.

WRAP: In an exhilarating back-and-forth tussle between SA Cup frontrunners, Griquas and the Pumas, the team from Kimberley managed to snatch a late victory in their game and cemented their spot at the top of the log.

REACTION: Toulouse flank Jack Willis braces himself for a challenging Champions Cup Final against Leinster. 

WRAP: Affies claimed two convincing wins against top opposition at the recent festival at Kimberley, while Rondebosch ended Wynberg’s unbeaten run down in Cape Town.

NEWS: The Springboks and some of their superstars were the headline winners at this year's SA Sport Awards.

REACTION: Veteran England prop Joe Marler has done his already battered reputation more harm with another 'petulant' brainfade.

WATCH as Sharks coach John Plumtree gives his verdict on rising star, flyhalf Siyabonga Masuku.

REACTION: Hat-trick hero James Lowe accepts Leinster must raise their game if they are to end an agonising wait for a fifth European Champions Cup title.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: JF van Heerden will captain a Junior Springbok side showing several changes when they take on Australia in the second round of the Under-20 Rugby Championship.

MATCH REPORT: The two most successful teams in the history of Europe's premier competition, the Champions Cup, will meet in the Final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 25.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Champions Cup semi-final face-off between Stade Toulousain and Harlequins at Stadium de Toulouse.

REACTION: George Skivington says that Gloucester will be braced for "a massive challenge" when they tackle South African heavyweight Sharks in this season's Challenge Cup Final.

WEEKEND UPDATE: Schools results continued to throw up some big surprises.

MATCH REPORT: Argentina, playing for the HSBC SVNS league title, came back hard in the second half of their fifth-place playoff to edge the Springbok Sevens by 14-10 in the teams’ final clash in Singapore this weekend.

NEWS: One try was enough for the Springbok Women’s Sevens team as they finished the HSBC SVNS Singapore on a winning note and secured ninth position with their second victory of the weekend over the USA.

REACTION: Northampton Saints' Director of Rugby Phil Dowson is "incredibly proud" of his side despite their 17-20 loss to Leinster in their Champions Cup semifinal at Croke Park on Saturday.