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WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White explains why they signed England lock Charlie Ewels at Loftus Versfeld on a short-term contract.

URC REPORT: The Sharks took a significant step in their quest to qualify for the United Rugby Championship quarterfinals with a thrilling 43-33 bonus-point win over Benetton at Kings Park on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls held out in the face of a determined second-half comeback to record a bonus-point 24-20 Currie Cup Round Six win over the Sharks at Kings Park, in Durban, on Friday.

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

SATURDAY PREVIEW: It is all about securing wins as the Bulls and Lions fight to remain in the race for the playoffs in the penultimate round of the United Rugby Championship pool matches.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Curie Cup Round Six encounter between the Sharks and Bulls at Kings Park in Durban.

If Victor Matfield is to be believed, and as a former lock we have to take his word for it, Eben Etzebeth is the best lock the world has ever seen.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are three changes to the Stormers’ starting forward pack and one in the backline for their United Rugby Championship encounter with Munster at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Johan Goosen will get his first Bulls start in the United Rugby Championship since recovering from his shoulder repair seven weeks ago.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have named their team to face Leinster in Round 17 of the United Rugby Championship on Saturday.

FRIDAY WRAP: The Queensland Reds won for the first time overseas in four years to burst Moana Pasifika's bubble in Samoa with a comfortable 40-28 victory.

SPOTLIGHT: United States President Joe Biden told an Irish audience he would prefer his children to play rugby rather than American football due to the risk of brain injuries.

PREVIEW: New Zealand wing George Bridge said his Montpellier side are "on the up" before hosting Castres on Saturday in a rerun of last season's French Top 14 Final.

PREVIEW: Jake White does not have the luxury of his full United Rugby Championship squad at his disposal, but he is courageously pushing ahead with his two-pronged assault on domestic and international competitions.

VARSITY SHIELD REPORT: UWC have been crowned the 2023 Varsity Shield champions for a third time when they held off CPUT for a brave and valiant 24-18 victory in Bellville, Cape Town.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The United Rugby Championship returns with a vengeance this week and South African-born and raised Benetton playmaker Rhyno Smith is excited to go against his former team when the Italians march into Durban to face the Sharks.

WATCH as former Munster and Ireland star Alan Quinlan hands out some handy advice to the Lions and Bulls ahead of their respective URC face-offs with unbeaten Irish province Leinster.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: The Sharks are entering their United Rugby Championship Round 17 clash against Benetton in a do-or-die situation with a play-off spot and Champions Cup qualification on the line. 

STATS ATTACK: Sixteen rounds of the United Rugby Championship are gone, two to go, and a huge amount in the melting pot.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Gloucester head coach George Skivington has suggested that Ruan Ackermann could still potentially be a World Cup wildcard for England despite talks of a long injury lay-off.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell has revealed his team for a pivotal United Rugby Championship Round 17 clash against Benetton on Friday.

PREVIEW: As the Japan Rugby League One kicks into overdrive and teams jostle for that pivotal semi-final spot, a win for Springbok Faf de Klerk’s Eagles will put Yokohama in pole position for a place in the final four, requiring just one log point from their final round tie with Kobelco Kobe Steelers.

NEWS: Rugby Australia and the Brumbies announced hooker Billy Pollard has committed his future to Australian Rugby until the end of 2025.

NEWS: Michael Hooper is excited about the fact that he is flirting with his career, not knowing what his next move is going to be.

NEWS: Japan wants to bring back the World Cup to Asia for a second time as they aim to host it again as early as 2035, the country's rugby union chief said.

NEWS: Saracens and England No.8 Billy Vunipola will miss the rest of the season after sustaining a knee injury in his club's Champions Cup defeat at La Rochelle.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok and Stormers lock Marvin Orie is not underestimating the threat posed by fellow South African RG Snyman.

SPOTLIGHT: England wing Chris Ashton is to retire at the end of the season after an 18-year career in Rugby Union and Rugby League, Premiership club Leicester announced on Wednesday.

SPOTLIGHT: Lions captain Marius Louw admitted that his team will be relying on the thin air in Johannesburg to do its job when they face Leinster in a United Rugby Championship Round 17 clash.

WATCH as Springbok legend Schalk Willem Petrus Burger chats to @king365ed about the reasons behind the cash-flush Sharks' inability to get full value about their star-studded squad.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby is considering adopting orange cards for the World Cup, according to Joel Jutge, the governing body’s head of match officials.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok lock Jason Jenkins knows that altitude will be a factor as he travels to South Africa with Leinster this week.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Incoming All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson is reportedly looking to raid some Super Rugby franchises to enhance his coaching roster.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Bulls have reportedly bolstered their second-row stocks with an England international.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: An inexperienced Leinster squad will depart Dublin on Tuesday for their final two games in the regular season of the United Rugby Championship.

NEWS: Ireland stars Josh van der Flier and James Ryan have signed IRFU contract extensions.

LISTEN as Leinster coach Leo Cullen opens up about his upcoming URC trip to South Africa and two matches at iconic stadiums - Ellis Park and Loftus Versfeld.

SPOTLIGHT: The match officials appointments for the United Rugby Championship Round 17 fixtures have been confirmed.

WATCH as Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen unpacks the main lessons from his team's debut season in Europe and what awaits his team in the next fortnight.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: A 31-man Munster travelling squad is heading to South Africa ahead of the two final United Rugby Championship rounds of the regular season.

SPOTLIGHT: Scrumhalf Embrose Papier says it is time the Bulls' players take more responsibility as they look to finish the season on a high note.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Angus Blyth has had his suspension reduced from six to three weeks after the Queensland lock was sent off for a late, high hit on Brumbies wing Corey Toole.

The North West University Eagles will host the University of Cape Town Tigers in the Final of the 2023 Varsity Cup.

The final spot for the Rugby World Cup in France in 2023 has been occupied by Portugal and only nine months lay ahead before the big event kicks off.

NEWS: The final verdict is in: Ireland flyhalf Johnny Sexton will not take part in Leinster’s remaining fixtures this season after limping off with a groin injury sustained during the Six Nations.

ANALYSIS: Exeter Chiefs dominated the pride of South Africa when they beat the Stormers (42-17) with a commanding performance in their Champions Cup quarterfinal at Sandy Park at the weekend.

NEWS: Springbok Jasper Wiese says he felt mad and disappointed when both Leicester coaches, Steve Borthwick and Kevin Sinfield, announced their departure to the RFU and the England job at the end of last year.

STATISTICAL SPOTLIGHT: The scoreline might suggest Saturday's quarterfinal between Toulouse and the Sharks was one-sided, but that was far from the case as the visitors showed some fight in France.

REACTION: Dai Flanagan, coach of Welsh side Dragons, says his side must change their habits and shake off the bad ones to set different standards.

WATCH as Springbok and current Glasgow Warriors coach Franco Smith unpacks the South African teams' first season in Europe's premier competitions.

SPOTLIGHT: Exeter's Director of Rugby Rob Baxter has weighed in on the travelling debate after his team smashed the Stormers in their Champions Cup quarterfinal on Saturday.

REACTION: Wallabies coach Eddie Jone, says he didn’t look to pick “the commentators choice” when he announced his first national squad ahead of their training camp.

NEWS: After five of their key forwards hobbled off injured in their bruising loss to the Blues, the Rebels got some good news that at least two of them will be ready to face fourth-placed Crusaders, who are the reigning Super Rugby Pacific champions.

REACTION: New Zealand scrumhalf Tawera Kerr-Barlow said holders La Rochelle need to improve after he scored twice to overcome Saracens 24-10 on Sunday to reach the Champions Cup last four.

REACTION: The possibility of criminal charges has been placed on the table in the wake of a revelation that a Lions coach has accused a colleague of 'spying' on him.

NEWS; The Springbok Sevens conceded valuable ground to their opponents in the race to automatic qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games with their joint-12th placed-finish at the Singapore Sevens on Sunday, but more disappointing was the fact that they could not sustain the good effort from Hong Kong last weekend.

MATCH REPORT: Saracens couldn't match a masterful Stade Rochelais performance in the Champions Cup quarterfinals as they went down 10-24 to the defending champions at the Stade Marcel Deflandre on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: The Cheetahs put their Currie Cup campaign back on track with a commanding 52-15 win over a 14-man Lions team at Ellis Park on Sunday.

NEWS: Queensland Reds captain Liam Wright is still optimistic about their season, opting to stay positive despite his coach Brad Thorn’s despondence after their loss to the Brumbies on Friday.

NEWS: Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has put his faith in Noah Lolesio and believes he still has a future with the Wallabies after the number ten's "superb" response to his Test squad snubbing.

SEVENS WRAP: New Zealand stamped their class as the top nation after winning the Singapore Sevens title fending off the resilient Argentinians 19-17 to cap off a weekend of intense rugby action at the National Stadium on Sunday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round Five encounter between the Lions and Cheetahs at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

ROUND 14 WRAP: The race to the semifinals in the second edition of Japan Rugby League One looks set to go down to the wire after the teams ranked one to five all won on Matchday 14.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach John Dobson said he is disappointed with his role in Saturday's Champions Cup quarterfinal defeat to Exeter Chiefs.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell says his team's disallowed try midway in the second half against Toulouse was the big "turning point in the game".

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach John Dobson admitted that his team missed Deon Fourie's influence in their Champions Cup quarterfinal against Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Springbok Franco Smith snuffed out the last hope South Africa had of its continued participation in Europe.

MATCH REPORT: Western Province scored seven tries for a full house of five log points on their way to a 47-28 win against Griffons in their Currie Cup encounter in Cape Town on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: The Stormers' first Champions Cup campaign has ended after they fell to a 17-42 defeat to Exeter Chiefs in their quarterfinal at Sandy Park on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the European Challenge Cup quarterfinal encounter between Glasgow Warriors and the Lions at Scotstoun.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round Five encounter between Western Province and the Griffons in Cape Town.

MATCH REPORT: Cardiff's hopes of a third Challenge Cup title ended at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo with a 23-27 quarterfinal loss to Benetton on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: The Sharks have been knocked out of the Champions Cup after they suffered a 20-54 defeat to Stade Toulousain in their Champions Cup quarterfinal at Stade Ernest Wallon in Toulouse.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the European Cup quarterfinal encounter between Exeter Chiefs and the Stormers at Sandy Park.

MATCH REPORT: Toulon powered into the Challenge Cup semifinals with an emphatic 48-23 win over reigning champions Lyon at the Stade Félix Mayol on Saturday.

SATURDAY WRAP: Melbourne's Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Blues has ended in misery with a crushing 54-17 defeat as well as losing three key players to injury.

UPDATE: The date for a Celebration of Life event for the late Ian McIntosh has been revealed.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the European Cup quarterfinal encounter between Stade Toulousain and the Sharks at Stade Ernest Wallon, in Toulouse.

SEVENS WRAP: Defending champions Fiji suffered a surprising setback against near-neighbours Samoa at the Singapore Rugby Sevens on Saturday, while series leaders New Zealand asserted their class with wins against Australia and South Africa in the pools.

WATCH as Bulls forwards coach Russell Winter unpacks his team's demolition of Griquas, their first Currie Cup win of the season.

MATCH REPORT: A 77th-minute Sam Costelow conversion proved the difference as Scarlets reached the Challenge Cup semifinals for the first time with a dramatic 32-30 win over ASM Clermont Auvergne at the Parc y Scarlets on Friday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Leinster emphatically underlined their Champions Cup credentials with an impressive 55-24 thrashing of Leicester Tigers in the quarterfinals in Dublin on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks' impressive defensive effort in the second half made sure they record a 19-12 win over the Pumas at Kings Park on Friday.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: It will be a battle of the Springboks when Glasgow Warriors host the Lions at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls finally recorded their first Currie Cup win of the season.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round Five encounter between the Sharks and Pumas at Kings Park in Durban.

WATCH as Reds lock Angus Blyth commits an act of foul play that is likely to earn him a very long ban.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY PREVIEW: The South African rugby public will be eager to see if their country will be represented in the Champions Cups semifinals this season.

FRIDAY WRAP: Brad Thorn fears he has taken the Reds as far as he can after the floodgates opened in the first loss to the Brumbies in Brisbane since 2015.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round Five encounter between the Bulls and Griquas at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth is set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has made two forced changes to his team for their European Challenge Cup quarterfinal encounter with an in-form Glasgow Warriors on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell has been forced to make some changes to his matchday squad for Saturday's Champions Cup quarterfinal against Toulouse in France.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers head coach John Dobson has revealed his team for their Champions Cup quarterfinal at Sandy Park on Saturday.

REACTION: Seasoned Stormers utility forward Deon Fourie has given his side of the story on the altercation between himself and controversial England prop Joe Marler.

SPOTLIGHT: Legendary former referee Nigel Owens has reportedly turned down an offer to join the Springboks' coaching team ahead of this year's World Cup in France.

WORLD SERIES ROUND NINE: Fresh off a thrilling weekend in Hong Kong, the world's 16 best teams have arrived in Singapore for the next stop on the global calendar.

SPOTLIGHT: After surviving a cancer scare, Melbourne hooker Jordan Uelese knows there are far worse things than being called big and ugly.

NEWS: SA Rugby has established a task team to consider World Rugby's recommendations on lowering tackle height in schools and club rugby.

CHALLENGE CUP QUARTERFINAL: Having beaten two French teams in their last two Challenge Cup ties, Scarlets will be bidding for the hat-trick when they host three-time winners Clermont Auvergne at Parc y Scarlets on Friday.

NEWS: European Professional Club Rugby announced the venues which are in line to host the Champions Cup semifinal matches later this month.

PREVIEW: The Easter Weekend will serve up a sweet dose of Currie Cup action as the fifth round of matches are spread over three days, from Friday to Sunday.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White makes a bold statement, following his reinstatement as Currie Cup coach.

WATCH as Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie delivers an unhealthy dosage of bad news on the knee injury of veteran Springbok utility Francois Philippus Lodewyk Steyn.

Leicester Tigers will be looking to be the first club to inflict defeat on Leinster this season when they meet in Dublin on Friday.

PREVIEW: Japan Rugby League One boasts a batch of quality international flyhalves to rival any league in the world, and three of them will look to helm their sides towards the semifinals as competition resumes after last weekend’s bye.

WATCH as England scrumhalf Ben Youngs talks about the South African influence at Leicester Tigers ahead of their European Cup quarterfinal trip to Leinster.

INTERVIEW: South African sides the Stormers and the Sharks will compete in the Champions Cup quarterfinals on Saturday, in a first for the country.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: La Rochelle prop Georges-Henri Colombe has been banned for four weeks ban for dangerous play at a ruck during last weekend's Champions Cup last 16 win, tournament organisers European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) announced on Wednesday.

SPOTLIGHT: Heads down and work is the theme inside the Stormers camp as they prepare for their first Champions Cup quarterfinal fixture against Exeter Chiefs.

SPOTLIGHT: Stade Toulousain and the Sharks will go head-to-head in a European Cup quarterfinal at Stade Ernest-Wallon in the Sept Deniers district of Toulouse, in southwestern France.

SPOTLIGHT: Racism has been experienced by players at all levels of elite rugby in England, according to a survey published by the Rugby Football Union.

REACTION: The tributes continued to pour in in the wake of the passing of the legendary ex-Sharks and Springbok coach Ian McIntosh.

NEWS: His early days as a Blitzbok were a breeze for Shaun Williams.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Just a month ago the Lions found themselves facing one of the biggest internal face-offs.

WATCH as former Springbok assistant coach Swys de Bruin points out the disgusting tactic used by England and Harlequins prop Joe Marler.

NEWS: The Bulls have announced adjustments to its Currie Cup coaching structures for the remainder of the season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS: James O'Connor has been benched and Suliasi Vunivalu left out altogether from the Reds side to face the Brumbies in Super Rugby Pacific.

#RIP MASTER: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ian McIntosh - a great man of rugby who gave back so much and worked tirelessly to promote the game of rugby."

NEWS: Former Wales international Dafydd James has revealed he has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia as a legal case of former sportsmen and women claiming they suffered brain injuries during their careers has grown to 380.

INJURY UPDATE: The Sharks will be without one of their Boks during key stage in the season.

SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks took down some important notes when the Bulls faced Toulouse over the weekend.

STAT ATTACK: Springbok No.8 Jasper Wiese was one of three Premiership players that stood out in the Champions Cup Round of 16 clashes.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: The Lions backrow Emmanuel Tshituka has been suspended for three weeks.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions have named their 25-man squad to travel to Scotland for their EPCR Challenge Cup quarterfinal encounter against Glasgow Warriors.

NEWS: All Blacks prop Ethan de Groot has re-signed with New Zealand Rugby until the end of 2026.

VARSITY CUP WRAP: The visiting UFS Shimlas put on a masterclass of attacking rugby as they thrashed the Maties 44-12 and booked a home semifinal.

SPOTLIGHT: Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter believes his team will be underdogs against the Stormers in their Champions Cup quarterfinal on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland star Garry Ringrose will be available for Leinster's Champions Cup quarterfinal match against Leicester Tigers on Friday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Exeter Chiefs have been busy in the transfer market, announcing the signings of two new players following the acquisition of  Wales centre Joe Hawkins.

NEWS: EPCR have announced the referees for the quarterfinals of the Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup who have been appointed by a committee chaired by the organiser’s Head of Match Officials, Tony Spreadbury.

TRANSFER TALK: Springbok loose forward Pieter-Steph du Toit’s move to French rugby club Toulon has reportedly fallen through due to his high price tag.

SPOTLIGHT: Rassie Erasmus made no secret of his desire to take on another coaching challenge one day.

REACTION: Head coach Hawies Fourie hopes that the Cheetahs’ recent run in the European Challenge Cup will open more ‘doors’ to international competition.

REVIEW: There were of course disappointed teams who failed to make the cut, but the line-ups for the quarterfinal round of both the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup provide a good advertisement for the strength of the United Rugby Championship.

REACTION: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake said his team's losing streak is "irrelevant" as they pick up the pieces after their Champions Cup exit.

SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones has taken a brutal swipe at veteran lock Rory Arnold.

REACTION: When you play the Challenge Cup quarterfinals you field your strongest team.

Following a highly-competitive Round of 16 weekend, EPCR announced the dates, venues and kick-off times of the Heineken Champions Cup quarterfinal matches.

MATCH REPORT: Saracens twice came from behind to beat Ospreys 35-20 on Sunday, securing their place in the Champions Cup quarterfinals.

MATCH REPORT: Toulouse march into the Champions Cup quarterfinals with a commanding 33-9 win over Bulls on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: Hooker Jack Yeandle crossed in the final play of extra time to send Exeter Chiefs into the Champions Cup quarterfinals on tries scored as they drew 33-33 with 14-man Montpellier Hérault at Sandy Park on Sunday.

DAY THREE WRAP: Leroy Carter beat the dead-ball line and two defenders in a high-speed chase as New Zealand raced to a big early lead in the first half before Fiji - looking for consecutive win number 42 in Hong Kong - hit back from 90 metres out.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Champions Cup Round of 16 encounter between Stade Toulousain and the Bulls in Toulouse.

Following the conclusion of the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16, the fixtures for the quarterfinals on the weekend of April 7/8 are now confirmed.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach John Dobson praised his team for sticking to the plan in their Champions Cup Round of 16 clash against the Harlequins in Cape Town on Saturday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Teenage sensation Max Jorgensen and Melbourne playmaker Carter Gordon are among six uncapped players in Eddie Jones's first Wallabies squad ahead of this year's Rugby World Cup.

REACTION: Glasgow head coach Franco Smith believes his team can be a lot more clinical despite their 73-33 win over the Dragons in their Challenge Cup Round of 16 clash.

SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks could be forced to make some big changes for their Champions Cup quarterfinal next weekend.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Western Force were left to rue a poor first half after falling just short against the Hurricanes, with the Super Rugby Pacific heavyweights taking a 45-42 win in Palmerston North on Sunday.

CHALLENGE CUP WRAP: Connacht exited the Challenge Cup at the Round of 16 stage following a 41-19 defeat at the hands of Benetton at the Stadio Comunale di Mongio on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: Gloucester were minutes away from the Champions Cup quarterfinals before Stade Rochelais wing Teddy Thomas’ 78th-minute try broke English hearts in a 26-29 defeat at the Stade Marcel Deflandre on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Leinster powered into the Champions Cup quarter-inals after seeing off a dogged Ulster side 30-15 at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

WATCH as Stormers star Damian Willemse produced an "outrageous" finish in his team's Champions Cup Round of 16 victory over Harlequins at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: Griquas produced a second-half fightback to beat Western Province 32-13 in their Currie Cup Round Four clash at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: The Stormers booked their spot in the Champions Cup quarterfinals with a 32-28 win over Premiership side Harlequins at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT:  A resilient Lions team survived an early red card to book a spot in the Challenge Cup quarterfinals. 

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Champions Cup Round of 16 encounter between the Stormers and Harlequins in Cape Town.

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: The Sharks advanced to the quarterfinals of the Champions Cup after they thumped Munster 50-35 in their Round of 16 clash at Kings Park on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Lions recorded their second successive Currie Cup win, beating the Sharks 34-22 at Ellis Park on Saturday.

DAY TWO WRAP: The BlitzBoks will face Fiji in their Cup quarterfinal at the Hong Kong Sevens on Sunday.

SATURDAY WRAP: Wing Emoni Narawa has scored two first-half tries as the Chiefs extended their winning start to the Super Rugby Pacific season to six matches with a 20-13 win over the Blues.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Champions Cup Round of 16 encounter between the Sharks and Munster at Kings Park in Durban.

WELCOME to the readers' forum for the challenge Cup Round of 16 encounter between Toulon and the Cheetahs.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and the country’s four regions have agreed to a new financial package aimed at enabling sustainability and growth over the next six years.

INTERVIEW: The Cheetahs will feature in their first big European play-off match when they face Toulon in the Round of 16 on Saturday.

FRIDAY WRAP: Bristol Bears exited the Challenge Cup at the Round of 16 stage as they fell to a 26-33 reverse at the hands of ASM Clermont Auvergne at Ashton Gate.

MATCH REPORT: Springboks Jasper Wiese and Handre Pollard scored all their team's points as Leicester Tigers booked their place in the Champions Cup quarterfinals.

DAY ONE WRAP: Results went largely as expected on a rainy day in Hong Kong with victories for New Zealand, Australia (defending Sevens World Series champions), Fiji, Argentina and France among others.

MATCH REPORT: The defending-champion Pumas routed the Cheetahs 61-21, to replace them at the top of the Currie Cup standings.

PREVIEW: If South African sides were unsure of the challenge of playing in Europe, they will get a full-on reality check this weekend when three massive games involving South African franchises take place in the Champions Cup.

MATCH REPORT: The Griffons recorded their first win since returning to the Currie Cup competition, edging a Bulls 32-28 in Welkom on Friday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round Four encounter between the Cheetahs and Pumas in Bloemfontein.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: The Cheetahs and Lions face the toughest assignments of their debut Challenge Cup campaign.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell has made two changes to his forward pack for Saturday's Champions Cup Round of 16 clash against Munster at Kings Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs travelled to France this week, where they will face French giants RC Toulon on Saturday at Stade Felix Mayol.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round Four encounter between the Griffons anbd Bulls in Welkom.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have made just one change to their matchday 23 that will take on Stade Toulouse in the Round of 16 of the 2022/23 Champions Cup.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen opted for continuity as he made one change for the historic Challenge Cup Round of 16 match against Racing 92.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers head coach John Dobson has revealed his team to face the Harlequins in a Champions Cup last 16 clash on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY WRAP: The depleted Crusaders have made it 12 straight wins over the Queensland Reds, who are again counting the costs of unforced errors in a second-straight Super Rugby Pacific loss.

SPOTLIGHT: For a player who suffered multiple concussions that forced his premature retirement from rugby at the age of 28, former Springbok playmaker Pat Lambie is an important voice in the debate around making the game safer.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: A group of 41 players will attend this year’s SA Rugby Academy programme, which will also kick-start the Junior Springboks’ preparations for the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in South Africa later this year.

SPOTLIGHT: Munster head coach Graham Rowntree has compared the Sharks to Europe's most successful club ahead of their Champions Cup Round of 16 clash in Durban on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones has added another layer of spice to the Super Rugby Pacific clash in Canberra, with the Test coach declaring Wallabies jerseys are on the line.

PREVIEW: The Cheetahs' status as the Currie Cup pace-setters will be put to the test when they host the defending champion Pumas in Bloemfontein on Friday.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: Leicester Tigers will be hoping for a return to winning ways in front of their home fans when they host Edinburgh in the Champions Cup Round of 16 on Friday.

NEWS: The Springboks will be losing one of their coaches after this year's World Cup in France.

NEWS: European Professional Club Rugby [EPCR] have announced the key 2023/24 dates for its tournaments.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: Two former Challenge Cup winners Bristol Bears and Clermont Auvergne meet for the first time in the competition in the Round of 16 at Ashton Gate on Friday.

ROUND EIGHT: Time is running out for teams hoping to catch the pace-setting New Zealand team, as the Hong Kong leg of the Sevens World Series gets underway on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White believes pressure will be the key to limiting Antoine Dupont's influence in their Champions Cup Round of 16 clash.

WATCH as talismanic Stormers coach John Dobson explains how he will deal with the absence of cup-tied lock Ruben van Heerden in their Round of 16 European Cup encounter with Harlequins.

SPOTLIGHT: The Bulls' Champions Cup last 16 trip to Toulouse on Sunday will have additional significance for the French club's Springboks loose-forward Rynhardt Elstadt.

NEWS: Super Rugby Pacific has become more fluid and high-scoring this season, with time spent on stoppages drastically reduced by a slew of rule changes, data from the opening four rounds showed Thursday.

WATCH as Lions Currie Cup captain Jaco Visagie chats to @king365ed and unpacks the lack of spectators at the iconic Ellis Park Stadium.

INJURY UPDATE: Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall said they are increasingly confident flyhalf Owen Farrell will be fit for this weekend's Champions Cup last 16 tie with the Ospreys.

NEWS: France captain Antoine Dupont has been named the Six Nations player of the championship for a third time.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has kept changes to the minimum for his team's top-of-the-table Currie Cup Round Four encounter with the Cheetahs.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have revealed their team for their Currie Cup Round Four clash against the Griffons in Welkom.

SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks are ready to right the wrongs in the Champions Cup after their poor performance against Scarlets in Llanelli in the United Rugby Championship last weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: Lions backline coach Ricardo Loubscher believes the unpredictability that comes with French rugby makes his team's preparations for their Challenge Cup Round of 16 clash a tad hard.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok legend Bismarck du Plessis doesn’t seem too happy about some of the antics going on in the modern game at the moment.

INTERVIEW: The city of Cape Town could host the grand final of Europe's two most prized events - the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup - in the not-too-distant future.

NEWS: New Zealand wing Sevu Reece will miss the Rugby World Cup after it was revealed Wednesday that a serious knee injury will sideline him for the rest of the year.

UPDATE: South African wing Cheslin Kolbe suffered only a 'sprained' ankle during Toulon's win over Lyon in a Top 14 encounter at the weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Two World Cup-winning Springboks will face off at Durban's Kings Park in a European Cup Round of 16 match.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Saturday’s Champions Cup match between Stormers and Harlequins is going to be an interesting affair.

SPOTLIGHT: Jake White's Bulls team may be on an unprecedented losing streak, but they have received 'encouragement' from a most-unlikely source.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: There is no need to reach for the panic button at the Bulls. 

N THE SPOTLIGHT: The South Africa Sevens team have arrived in Hong Kong and are looking forward to getting back on the field and fixing what went wrong in North America a month ago.

UPDATE: An attempt by a powerful Blue Bulls Rugby Union club to 'highjack' the floundering Mzansi Challenge competition failed dismally.

VARSITY CUP WRAP: Wits did the unthinkable and relegated UP-Tuks to the Varsity Shield for the first time in the history, beating the defending champions 33-21 in Johannesburg.

Scottish rugby star Stuart Hogg is to hang up his boots following the Rugby World Cup later this year, he announced on Monday, saying he felt the physical demands of the sport were beyond him.

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton looks likely to miss the rest of the European season after suffering a groin injury in the win against England that sealed the Six Nations title earlier this month.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Sharks' wing Thaakir Abrahams will join Lyon next season, the French club said on Monday.

INJURY UPDATE: The Cheetahs suffered a huge setback on the even of their departure for France and the historic Round of 16 match against French giants Toulon.

STAT ATTACK: Sharks, the Stormers and the Bulls will have their first taste of Champions Cup knockout rugby this weekend.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White warns about rugby going down the slippery slope like soccer when players 'fake injuries' for penalties.

REACTION: The Bulls' Currie Cup team might be able to find their rhythm in absence of all the franchise's United Rugby Champions stars.

WATCH as Ospreys flyhalf Jack Walsh cops several late, cheap shots from Dragons players.

NEWS: SA Rugby President Mark Alexander congratulated the South Africa Sevens team for scooping the Team of Year Award at the 16th annual SA Sports Awards on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Hurricanes have announced the signing of Hurricanes Centurion and England international, Brad Shields.

REACTION: The Springbok-laden Sharks team will return from a disappointing United Rugby Championship trip to Wales in desperate need of a solution to their Irish conundrum.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Exeter Chiefs’ Premiership play-off hopes suffered a huge blow as Bath shredded the form book to claim a 36-19 victory at the Recreation Ground.

The Scarlets’ stunning 32-20 victory over the star-studded Sharks and the Lions’ 32-28 comeback triumph away to Benetton mean 14 of the 16 sides in the league can still finish in the top eight.

NEWS: Member clubs of the Welsh Rugby Union voted overwhelmingly in favour of "momentous" governance reforms on Sunday after the ruling body had been rocked by sexism allegations and a damaging row with its players.

JAPAN LEAGUE ONE WRAP: The Wild Knights remain on course for their third straight title in Japan’s League One rugby competition after becoming the first team to qualify for the semi-finals.

MATCH REPORT: The Western Province's experiment proved to be a costly affair as the team suffered their first Currie Cup defeat of the season on Sunday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round Three encounter between the Sharks and Western Province at Kings Park in Durban.

REACTION: Stormers coach John Dobson said they are looking forward to welcoming Premiership giants Harlequins to Cape Town this coming Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Blues have cruised past the Western Force at Eden Park, beating them 30-17 in their round five Super Rugby Pacific showdown.

TOP 14 WRAP: South Africa's Cheslin Kolbe was carted off the pitch on Saturday with a suspected ankle injury as Toulon beat Lyon 27-23 in the French Top 14.

REACTION: Richard Wigglesworth heaped praise on a 'world-class' Handre Pollard as Leicester beat Bristol 46-24 to boost their Premiership semifinal hopes.

SATURDAY WRAP: Owen Farrell had the better of his duel with Test flyhalf rival Marcus Smith as Saracens defeated Harlequins 36-24 in the Premiership on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Ulster kept the pressure on the Stormers in the race for second place on the United Rugby Championship standings.

MATCH REPORT: Glasgow Warriors turned in a ruthless five-try performance to claim a 38-26 bonus-point United Rugby Championship win over Munster at Thomond Park.

MATCH REPORT: The Scarlets may well be out of the play-off running, but the struggling Welsh region impacted the tournament in a big way.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 16 encounter between Ulster and the Bulls at Ravenhill in Belfast.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 16 encounter between the Scarlets and Sharks at Park Y Scarlets in Llanelli.

MATCH REPORT: Ospreys kept alive their hopes of winning the Welsh Shield with a 37-18 bonus-point win over ill-disciplined Dragons in their United Rugby Championship Round 16 match in Swansea.

MATCH REPORT: The Lions kept alive their play-off hopes with a come-from-behind bonus-point win over Benetton in a URC Round 16 match at Stadio Monigo, in Treviso, on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 16 encounter between Benetton and the Lions at Stadio Monigo, in Treviso.

SUPER RUGBY SATURDAY WRAP: Moana Pasifika's torrid start to this season's Super Rugby Pacific goes on thanks to a 59-0 hammering by the title-chasing Hurricanes in Auckland.

REACTION: Mziwakhe Nkosi could not contain his frustration with the Lions' first-half display during their Currie Cup 41-26 win over Griffons on Friday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Australian rugby league star Joseph Suaalii will switch codes and be available to bolster the Wallabies when the British and Irish Lions tour in 2025, it was announced Saturday.

CURRIE CUP, ROUND THREE PREVIEW: There is no love lost as the Sharks host the Western Province in the coastal derby at Kings Park on Sunday.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Newcastle Falcons edged Gloucester 17-12 at Kingston Park despite playing for more than an hour with 14 men.

URC REPORT: Cardiff held off a furious fightback from Zebre Parma to keep their United Rugby Championship play-off hopes alive with a 34-30 victory at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

SATURDAY PREVIEWS: There is no margin for error as the scrap for places in the play-offs heats up, with just three rounds of league action remaining.

URC REPORT: The Stormers blew a 17-point lead on their way to a 22-all draw with Leinster at the RDS Arena in Dublin on Friday.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Pumas made it three wins from three matches in this season's Currie Cup after they beat Griquas 28-13 in a tense clash at the Mbombela Stadium on Friday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the United Rugby Championship Round 16 encounter between Leinster and the Stormers at the RDS Arena.

MATCH REPORT: The Cheetahs cemented their place at the top of the Currie Cup standings with an impressive 32-7 demolition of the Bulls in a Round Three encounter in Bloemfontein on Friday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round Three encounter between the Pumas and Griquas at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks host coastal rivals Western Province at Kings Park in an enticing Currie Cup derby clash on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: Lions recorded their first Currie Cup win of the season, beating the Griffons 41-26  at Ellis Park on Friday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round Three encounter between the Cheetahs and Bulls in Bloemfontein.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell had the pleasure of a full squad to select from and has chosen a Springbok-heavy side to take on Scarlets this Saturday at the Parc Y Scarlets in Wales.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round Three encounter between the Lions and Griffons at Ellis Park in Johannesburg,

FRIDAY WRAP: A short-handed Brumbies line-up has been brushed aside in Christchurch, smashed 35-17 by the Crusaders in their Super Rugby Pacific clash.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has revealed the team he hopes can bring him a much-needed win against Ulster in a United Rugby Championship outing in Belfast on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have brought in some fresh legs, on the bench, for their United Rugby Championship Round 16 encounter with Benetton in Treviso on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Province have undergone wholesale changes for their Currie Cup Round three clash against the Sharks in Durban.

WATCH as the Ireland squad gatecrashed Garry Ringrose's parents' house four days after winning the Six Nations Grand Slam.

WATCH as Lions and Springbok fullback Andries Coetzee gives his teammates some tips on what to do and what not to do on tour in Treviso.

The Parisian derby on Sunday could be decisive as Stade Francais and Racing 92 battle to reach the French Top 14 playoffs but it will be personally significant for two Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks.

NEWS: England's policy of refusing to select overseas-based players for international duty is set to remain, according to Premiership Rugby chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor.

WATCH as Griquas coach Pieter Bergh unpacks his team's plans for a four-match road trip in the Currie Cup.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach John Dobson revealed that he received some inside info from Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones ahead of his team's URC clash against Leinster in Dublin.

Round Three of the Currie Cup sees three action-packed matches happening on Friday.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: The headline game of the weekend is surely Friday's match between the table-topping Leinster and the champions, the Stormers, in Dublin.

SPOTLIGHT: The polemical Mzansi Challenge will officially get underway this weekend, albeit under a growing cloud of controversy and a new legal threat.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Pumas have revealed their side to face the Griquas at Mbombela Stadium on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Stormers welcome back a host of Springboks for their United Rugby Championship clash with Leinster in Dublin on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs have made several changes to their starting XV to face the Bulls in the Round three of the Currie Cup.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have named their team to face the Griffons in Round three of the 2023 Currie Cup at Ellis Park on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Benetton veteran Dewaldt Duvenage says the Lions' first visit to Treviso will be made less daunting by Andries 'Boeboes' Coetzee sharing his experience of Stadio Monigo with the tourists.

JAPAN LEAGUE ONE: Springbok lock Lodewyk de Jager's Wild Knights and Kubota Spears will continue their charge towards semi-final qualification in Division One. 

NEWS: Bath scrum coach Neal Hatley joined the Wallabies backroom staff Thursday, as Eddie Jones builds his team ahead of this year's World Cup in France.

SPOTLIGHT: Two of the United Rugby Championship's finest minds have committed long-term to their respective teams and will face off in what is bound to be the start of a new rivalry when Leinster host the Stormers.

REACTION: South Africa prop Vincent Koch said one of his Test teammates helped convince him to return home and join the Durban-based Sharks.

SPOTLOGHT: Irish kingpin Jonny Sexton will be one of a number of star players that will be missing from Leinster's line-up for their top-of-the-table clash against the Stormers on Friday.

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

WATCH as @king365ed goes one-on-one with Jimmy Stonehouse, coach of the defending Currie Cup champion Pumas team.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Sharks have added another Springbok to their ranks.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: He may be too old for 'Gangnam Style', however, Juan de Jongh's passion for the Currie Cup is still very much alive and well at the age of 34.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Currie Cup head coach Edgar Marutlulle has named his side to take on Cheetahs in Round three of the 2023 Currie Cup competition in Bloemfontein.

SPOTLIGHT: Utility back Werner Kok said the mood in the Sharks' camp has been "lifted' since their top Springboks returned to training recently.

TRANSFER NEWS: Bath confirmed the signing of Rugby World Cup-winning international tighthead prop Thomas du Toit.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: England fullback Freddie Steward is free to resume playing after appearing before an independent Disciplinary Committee.

NEWS: France head coach Fabien Galthie's son Mathis has signed his first professional rugby contract with the club where his father spent much of his own career as a player.

SPOTLIGHT: The big impact the South African sides have made in the United Rugby Championship has come as no surprise to Michael Ala’alatoa.

NEWS: Springbok Courtnall Skosan is set to leave Northampton Saints at the end of the season.

NEWS: Madrid's Metropolitano stadium will host a revamped World Rugby Sevens Series grand final from next season, the sport's governing body announced on Tuesday.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers lock Ruben van Heerden said he can see himself staying in Cape Town for a long time as he is flourishing in the environment and culture that the Stormers have created.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has announced a strong 28-men touring squad that will travel to the United Kingdom and France.

SPOTLIGHT: Jacob Stockdale has achieved a good deal in his career already, but he will be looking to tick another box this weekend.

NEWS: Ahead of what promises to be a compelling series of knockout matches on the road to the 2023 Dublin finals, EPCR announced the referees for the Rounds of 16 of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.

OPINION: Jamie Lyall runs the rule over the stars of the just-completed Six Nations and comes up with his Team of the Tournament.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has revealed a 25-man squad for their trip to Italy.

NEWS: Unions have reportedly agreed to a new global tournament that is set to shake up the rugby calendar from 2026

WATCH as new Bulls Currie Cup coach Edgar Marutlulle explains to @king365ed the path they will take to get out of the slump they find themselves in.

SPOTLIGHT: Scott Robertson is the New Zealand rugby coach who breakdances after winning titles, surfs to relax and was confirmed Tuesday as the next boss of the All Blacks.

VARSITY CUP, ROUND FIVE WRAP: There were wins for the Maties, NWU Eagles, UCT and Shimlas in Round Five of the Varsity Cup on Monday.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby on Tuesday announced the All Blacks coach from 2024.

BREAKING: The South African Rugby Union is forging ahead with the Mzansi Challenge, despite another team having to cancel fixtures due to financial constraints.

NEWS: The shortlist for the 2023 Six Nations Player of The Championship has been revealed, with the top two teams in world rugby dominating the list of contenders for the coveted award.

TRANSFER NEWS: French club Clermont will be bolstering their forward pack with a Wallaby.

SPOTLIGHT: Steve Hansen insists the ‘world No.1’ tag brings with it a pressure that will be Ireland’s cross to bear as they look to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time.

WATCH as Sharks coach Joey Mongalo unpacks his team's second-half implosion against Griquas in a Currie Cup match at the weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: There will be a huge spotlight on the Stormers' top-of-the-table URC clash against Leinster this week, but the Capetonians will be using the fixture to help them focus on the bigger picture.

REACTION: England coach Steve Borthwick said he was "excited" about what his players could do at this year's World Cup despite a mediocre Six Nations.

REACTION: While the senior management was scrambling to find the 'leak' in their boardroom, the Lions' Currie Cup team produced a pride-restoring performance at the weekend.

MATCH REPORT: Griquas produced one of the most remarkable comebacks to record a bonus-point 48-40 Currie Cup Round Two win over the Sharks in Kimberley on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: The Cheetahs, one of three teams with a full-house of 10 points after two rounds, gave the Griffons another timely reminder of the enormous step up from the First Division to the Currie Cup.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round Two encounter between Griquas and the Sharks in Kimberley.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round Two encounter between the Griffons and Cheetahs in Welkom.

JAPAN LEAGUE ONE, ROUND 12 WRAP: A few Springbok players made headlines in Japan again with their performances in Japan League One.

REACTION: Stormers and Western Province head coach John Dobson believes Clayton Blommetjies will be another success story at the union.

SPOTLIGHT: France head coach Fabien Galthie said Saturday his side will be "the team to beat" at this year's Rugby World Cup on home soil.

REACTION: England regained a measure of self-respect before failing to deny Ireland a Six Nations Grand Slam but underlying issues still confront Steve Borthwick's men just months out from the September start of the Rugby World Cup.

REACTION: "Roll on the World Cup" was the message from Ireland captain Johnny Sexton after his side completed a Six Nations Grand Slam in a campaign that showed just why they are the world's top-ranked rugby team.

SUNDAY WRAP: The Western Force have missed a chance in New Zealand after the Highlanders escaped with a comeback Super Rugby Pacific win in Invercargill.

OPINION: It’s said you cannot reason with a tiger when your head is in its mouth, but the No1 ranked Ireland were like nervous pussy cats in Dublin for the guts of an hour chasing their Grand Slam triumph.

REACTION: South African referee Jaco Peyper has received plenty of criticism for his red card decision in Saturday's Six Nations clash between Ireland and England in Dublin

SPOTLIGHT: Gregor Townsend indicated he would be prepared to extend his tenure as Scotland coach after his team ended the Six Nations with an encouraging 26-14 win over Italy at Murrayfield.

OPINION: A deathly hush around the Aviva Stadium set the tone for an eerily nervous opening for Andy Farrell’s Ireland – who were very much rabbits in the headlights in face of Grand Slam history in Dublin.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: Hooker Dan Sheehan scored two tries to help steer Ireland to a 29-16 victory over England on Saturday for their fourth Five/Six Nations Grand Slam.

OPINION: It’s been a strange Six Nations for Wales, but Warren Gatland’s side went to Paris off the back of a positive win over Italy. How would they fare against a world-beating French side, off the back of a 50-point win at Twickenham?

OPINION: In order to maintain pressure on the undefeated tournament leaders and Grand Slam hopefuls Ireland, France required a bonus-point triumph over Wales.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: Damien Penaud scored two tries as France beat Wales 41-28 on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Six Nations Round Five encounter between Ireland and England in Dublin.

OPINION: A hat-trick of tries from Blair Kinghorn saw Scotland home despite a below-par performance against Italy at Murrayfield.

WATCH as Duhan van der Merwe goes airborne to score the first try in Scotland's 26-14 win over Italy at Murrayfield on Saturday.

SIX NATIONS REPORT: Blair Kinghorn scored a hat-trick of tries as Scotland defeated Italy 26-14 at Murrayfield on Saturday to condemn the Azzurri to a Six Nations whitewash.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Six Nations Round Five encounter between France and Wales at Stade de France in Paris.

NEWS: Wales' four regional teams can begin to offer their players new deals following an agreement to introduce standard contracts.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Six Nations Round Five encounter between Scotland and Italy at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

WATCH as a philosophical Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White - in conversation with @king365ed - takes full responsibility for his team's current run of poor form in all competitions.

SATURDAY WRAP: Melbourne have failed to inflict a first loss on Super Rugby Pacific leaders the Chiefs, going down 25-44 in Hamilton.

SPOTLIGHT: Johnny Sexton could go out on a high note in his 60th and final Six Nations match if Ireland beat England on Saturday.

SUNDAY PREVIEWS: Sharks Currie Cup coach Joey Mongalo has thrown down the gauntlet to his team, ahead of their Round Two trip to Kimberley.

NEWS: The new president of the French Rugby Federation, who will pick up the reins after the departure of the disgraced Bernard Laporte, will be known on June 14, the FFR announced Friday.

MATCH REPORT: Western Province claimed a 41-33 bonus point win against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Friday. 

MATCH REPORT: The Pumas maintained their dream start to the Currie Cup season with a  hard-fought 34-27 win over the Lions at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round Two encounter between the Bulls and Western Province at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round Two encounter between the Pumas and Lions at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks head for the Northern Cape this weekend for a Sunday date with Griquas - taking some additional muscle with them to Kimberley.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Niel Otto has decided to step down from the Griquas captaincy.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are two changes to the Griffons' starting team for their Currie Cup Round Two clash against the Cheetahs in Welkom on Sunday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Waratahs accept they need to take a good, hard look in the mirror after collapsing to a third Super Rugby Pacific defeat from four starts to open the season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie has made a number of changes to his team for their Currie Cup Round Two outing against the Griffons in Welkom on Sunday.

PREVIEW - ROUND FIVE: Andy Farrell has the opportunity to become the first Ireland head coach to seal a Five or Six Nations Grand Slam in Dublin should his side beat England on Saturday.

PREVIEW - ROUND FIVE: Holders France host Wales in the Six Nations' final round on Saturday with the two teams' paths since the 2019 Rugby World Cup having taken very different directions.

PREVIEW - ROUND FIVE: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has backed his side to flourish without key backs Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: There's simply nothing like a good old North-South derby to get the South African rugby fraternity going.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jamison Gibson-Park has been handed the scrumhalf role by Ireland coach Andy Farrell as the Irish bid to seal the Six Nations Grand Slam by beating England at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England captain Owen Farrell was recalled to the starting XV for the Six Nations climax against Grand Slam-chasing Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have made wholesale changes to the matchday 23 that will do battle in round 2 of the 2023 Currie Cup competition. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Italy has made four changes for the trip to Murrayfield and a final round Six Nations encounter with Scotland.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Pumas have made minor changes for their Currie Cup round two clash against Lions on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have named their team to face the Pumas in round two of the Currie Cup on Friday in Nelspruit.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales No.8 Taulupe Faletau will win his 100th cap after being named in Warren Gatland's team to play France in Paris on Saturday.

NEWS: As Morné Steyn prepares to wind down his playing career, the Springbok and Bulls legend is already thinking of the future with the launch of his new kicking academy.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Uini Atonio and Romain Taofifenua were named by France head coach Fabien Galthié in the holders' starting lineup to face Wales in the Six Nations this weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Gregor Townsend has made four changes to the Scotland starting line-up to play Italy in the final round of the 2023 Six Nations at Murrayfield this Saturday.

REACTION: Rugby Australia's Andy Marinos isn't overly concerned about losing stars to rival countries but accepts head office needs to step up its talent identification.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Loose forward Willie Engelbrecht will make his Western Province debut in the Currie Cup game against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

INTERVIEW: A fan of Eddie Jones' recruitment strategy, former three-code star Karmichael Hunt says Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray could excel in the Wallabies' back row.

JAPAN LEAGUE PREVIEW: Second plays third in what shapes as a big weekend for the second edition of Japan Rugby League One.

SPOTLIGHT: The anthem "Ireland's Call" has divided opinion among supporters, but former international players Hugo MacNeill and Trevor Ringland say it has served a greater purpose by giving a voice to the Northern Irish players in the team.

BOARDROOM UPDATE: The Lions' boardroom saga has taken an intriguing twist, with a suggestion that the coaching staff, en masse, approach company Chief Executive Officer Rudolf Straeuli with their grievances.

Johnny Sexton says even though Saturday's Six Nations match at home to England will be his last in the tournament and could end in fairytale fashion with the Grand Slam, it does not feel as momentous as winning his 100th cap.

WATCH as Griquas assistant coach Barend Pieterse gives @king365ed an injury update after his team's 19-42 loss to the Cheetahs in Round One of the Currie Cup.

SPOTLIGHT: A week in rugby is a long time and for Bulls’ supporters that phrase needs to ring true this Friday.

TEAM UPDATE: The BlitzBoks have added four players to their training group in the build-up to the next tournament in the World Rugby Sevens Series in Hong Kong.

NEWS: Former England flyhalf Andy Goode has revealed there is a 'personal' issue between new coach Steve Borthwick and one of the star forwards.

SPOTLIGHT: Only a few players are fortunate enough to play against their childhood heroes.SPOTLIGHT: Only a few are so lucky to play against their childhood hero.

OPINION: Hamish Bidwell looks at the reasons for the dramatic decline in interest in Super Rugby Pacific.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones was hailed as the saviour of the Australian game in January, when it was announced that he has replaced Dave Rennie as the Wallaby coach.

The Waratahs, wisely, have no plans to rattle Ardie Savea's cage when the destructive back-row makes his return from suspension in a pivotal Super Rugby Pacific encounter in Wellington.

SQUAD UPDATE: England's Ollie Chessum will miss his side's final Six Nations fixture against title-chasing Ireland on Saturday due to an ankle injury.

WATCH as Juarno 'Trokkie' Augustus bumps off would-be tacklers during Northampton's Premiership clash with Bath over the weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: Ireland may be hot favourites to beat England and seal the Six Nations Grand Slam this weekend but veteran prop Cian Healy said on Tuesday their opponents were "bloody dangerous".

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Western Province are under no illusion of the mammoth challenge they face this Friday at Loftus Versfeld.

NEWS: England women’s player Maggie Alphonsi has been included in the panel that will investigate allegations of sexism, misogyny, homophobia and racism at the Welsh Rugby Union.

WATCH as the Sharks' new Currie Cup coach, Joey Mongalo, chats to @king365ed and spells out his coaching philosophy.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Warren Gatland has selected a 32-player squad for a training camp in Nice ahead of the final round match against France in the 2023 Six Nations.

REACTION: Lions coach Mzwakhe Nkosi will be hoping his side can show some more maturity when they come up against the Pumas in the Currie Cup in Nelspruit on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: The Fijian Drua became the story of round three of Super Rugby Pacific with a last-gasp 25-24 win over the defending champion Crusaders at a packed Churchill Park in Luatoka.

VARSITY CUP WRAP: The nightmare is continuing for UP-Tuks as they suffered their fourth consecutive defeat this season, with log leaders NWU Eagles beating the defending champions 26-22 in Pretoria.

NEWS: A group of amateur Rugby Union players have launched legal proceedings after claiming the sport's governing bodies failed to sufficiently protect them from brain injury.

NEWS: Injured Scotland pair Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell have been ruled out of Saturday's final Six Nations clash with Italy.

NEWS: France have suffered a blow ahead of their final Six Nations clash against Wales on Saturday.

NEWS: The top of the 2023 Six Nations table is mirrored by the rankings with Ireland and France still in first and second position.

REACTION: Griquas head coach Pieter Bergh admitted Cheetahs' European Challenge Cup experience is a major advantage in the 2023 Currie Cup season.

WATCH as Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie tells @king365ed the true value of veteran Springboks Ruan Pienaar and Frans Steyn.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Ireland squad flew back to Dublin on Sunday and the focus is on recovery after a physically tough Test match against Scotland in Murrayfield.

REACTION: The Bulls' coaching staff will have a hard look at themselves after their team's humiliating 15-63 defeat to the Pumas in a Currie Cup Round One clash in Pretoria on Sunday.

The Bulls and Lions will host consecutive double-header weekends over Rounds 17 and 18 of the 2022/23 United Rugby Championship, at Ellis Park and Loftus Versfeld Stadium respectively.

REACTION: Pumas head coach Jimmy Stonehouse is hoping his team will be included in an international competition and attract bigger investors in the near future.

REACTION: The Jeffreys Bay club had all its home fixtures suspended, following an incident of violence in which three Port Elizabeth Harlequins players were stabbed and reportedly hospitalised.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Steve Borthwick has selected a 36-man England squad for their Six Nations match this weekend.

REACTION: SA Rugby will discuss the possible implementation of experimental law changes to lower the height of a legal tackle in amateur rugby, following an announcement by World Rugby on Monday.

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton said the chance to clinch a Grand Slam on home soil against England next week is the "stuff of dreams" after his side defeated Scotland 22-7 at Murrayfield on Sunday.

NEWS: World Rugby says it will encourage member unions to join a global trial of lowering tackle height to below the sternum in the community game.

WATCH as Italy head coach Kieran Crowley struggled to contain his frustration following his team's Six Nations 17-29 defeat to Wales in Rome.

OPINION: Scotland were denied a first Triple Crown since 1990 as Ireland continued their quest for a Grand Slam with victory at Murrayfield.

OPINION: In the most consequential Six Nations game of the round, Ireland’s Grand Slam steam train was pitted against a Scotland side that can rightly lay claim to being the best of its generation – and one eager to spoil Andy Farrell and Co’s party.

MATCH REPORT: Ireland remained on course for a Six Nations Grand Slam after overcoming stiff Scottish resistance to win 22-7 at Murrayfield on Sunday.

SUNDAY PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Leicester Tigers further enhanced their semi-final ambitions with a bonus point 26-5 win over Gloucester Rugby at Kingsholm.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Six Nations Round Four encounter between Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

SPOTLIGHT: Jonny Wilkinson said England's record-breaking 10-53 defeat to France represented a "real humility check" but also a "learning experience" that could yet benefit Steve Borthwick's outclassed side.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Pumas sent a big warning to all future opponents with their performance against the Bulls in Pretoria on Sunday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round One encounter between the Bulls and Pumas at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

ROUND 11 WRAP: Malcolm Marx extended his try tally to eight from ten appearances for the Spears in their 40-27 win over the Blue Revs in Round 11 of the Japan Rugby League One over the weekend.

REACTION: Sharks coach Joey Mongalo believes hooker Fez Mbatha has the potential to represent the Springboks at a World Cup one day.

REACTION: Stormers and Western Province head John Dobson was proud to see the similarities between his United Rugby Championship team and his Currie Cup team in Johannesburg on Saturday.

REACTION: England coach Steve Borthwick accepted his side had been given a huge reality check following a record-breaking 10-53 defeat by France at Twickenham on Saturday.

REACTION: Fabien Galthie was left in tears, almost too emotional to speak after France's 53-10 humiliation of England in a stunning Six Nations match on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Test referee Nigel Owens revealed that he is torn between the possibility of working with the Springboks and his commitments in Wales.

EXCLUSIVE: Chaotic ineptitude at the South African Rugby Union headquarters is at the heart of the likelihood that the Mzansi Challenge could fail to lift off at all.

Wales captain Ken Owens said his team have nothing to lose in their final Six Nations match against France next weekend after seeing off Italy in Rome on Saturday and ending a miserable period for his team.

OPINION: This was savage, a brutal record beating as England were blown away by France.

OPINION: No matter what the fortunes of either side going into it, England-France in the Six Nations is always a highly anticipated, muscular affair and this contest was no different.

France made a huge statement, handing England their heaviest home defeat of all time with a crushing 53-10 win at Twickenham on Saturday.

OPINION: Warren Gatland’s Wales have been under fire so far this tournament, not favoured to win a wooden spoon battle with Italy.

MATCH REPORT: Jack Nowell's quick thinking gave Exeter Chiefs a 24-5 win over Newcastle Falcons at Sandy Park.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Six Nations Round Four encounter between England and France at Twickenham in London.

MATCH REPORT:  Wales recorded their first win of the 2023 Six Nations season with a 29-17 victory over Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Saturday. 

CURRIE CUP REPORT: Western Province got their 2023 Currie Cup campaign off to a great start with a 44-28 bonus-point win over the Lions in Johannesburg.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Six Nations Round Four encounter between Italy and Wales at Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: Joey Mongalo started his tenure as the Sharks' Currie Cup coach on a winning note against the Griffons in Durban on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round One encounter between the Lions and Western Province at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round One encounter between the Sharks and Griffons at Kings Park in Durban.

SIX NATIONS, ROUND FOUR: Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has warned his side they will be up against the best Scotland team of the Six Nations era when they continue the quest for a coveted Grand Slam at Murrayfield on Sunday.

SUPER RUGBY SATURDAY WRAP: Fijian Drua recorded the biggest win of their two seasons in Super Rugby Pacific.

NEWS: One of New Zealand's top coaches confirmed on Saturday he won't lead the All Blacks next year, saying his focus will not extend beyond this year's Rugby World Cup.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Northampton recovered from an embarrassing defeat at Bristol to pick up a bonus-point 45-26 victory over Bath at Franklin's Gardens on Friday.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY PREVIEWS: 'When two Bulls clash, only the grass suffers."

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Gregor Townsend proclaimed Stuart Hogg "one of the best players in the history of Scottish rugby".

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White speaks about the 'BIG PLAN' they have with new Currie Cup coach Edgar Marutlulle.

MATCH REPORT: The Cheetahs put down a massive marker, beating last year's losing finalists Griquas ?? in the Currie Cup season-opener in Kimberley on Friday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Currie Cup Round One encounter between Griquas and the Cheetahs in Kimberley.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland Captain Johnny Sexton returns to the side to face Scotland this Sunday in Edinburgh in Round 4 of the 2023 Six Nations Championship.

FRIDAY SUPER RUGBY WRAP: The Chiefs made it three from three in 2023 with a 28-7 bonus point win over the Highlanders in Hamilton in the Super Rugby Pacific while Melbourne playmaker Carter Gordon was instrumental in his side’s surprise win over the Waratahs.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT:  Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has invited eight new players to a two-day alignment camp in Cape Town this weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Fullback Clayton Blommetjies will make his debut for Western Province against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Steve Borthwick has put his reputation and that of Marcus Smith on the line after recalling the flyhalf in place of dropped England captain Owen Farrell for Saturday's Six Nations clash against France.

VARSITY SHIELD WRAP: The Varsity Shield match between Madibaz and CPUT at the Madibaz Stadion will go down as one of the most classic encounters in the history of the competition.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT:  The Lions have opted for youth with Johannesburg-born Travis Gordon leading the side against WP at Ellis Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Joey Mongalo made some interesting selections as he named his team to face the Griffons in Round one of the 2023 Currie Cup.

SIX NATIONS, ROUND FOUR: Italy are in the uncommon position of being favourites for a Six Nations match as they host troubled Wales in Rome on Saturday battling to avoid yet another Six Nations wooden spoon.

NEWS: Gloucester prop Fraser Balmain has extended his contract at Kingsholm Stadium.

NEWS: Another big-name Wallaby has committed to the Melbourne Rebels and Rugby Australia until the end of the 2025 season.

INTERVIEW: Warren Gatland said the threat of possible player strike action before Wales' Six Nations clash against England caused "a significant split" within his squad.

REACTION: England coach Steve Borthwick has explained why captain Owen Farrell has been dropped for Saturday's Six Nations match against France.

CURRIE CUP ROUND ONE: South Africa's premier domestic competition gets underway in the Northern Cape capital, Kimberley, on Friday with a game between two teams with vastly differing goals.

CONTRACT NEWS: The Sharks have managed to secure the services of another Springbok.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Owen Farrell has been dropped from the England starting line-up for the first time since 2015.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France coach Fabien Galthié said Jonathan Danty was eager to face England this weekend after being selected for the game.

WATCH as national Sevens coach Sandile Ngcobo reveals the players he is hoping to lure back from the 15-a-side game.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scrumhalf Rhys Webb will make his first start for Wales in more than two years when they face Italy in the Six Nations this Saturday at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Tommaso Allan will replace star Ange Capuozzo for Italy's Six Nations match with Wales on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs have named some of the biggest names in the game in their team for their opening Currie Cup match.

JAPAN LEAGUE PREVIEW: Two of the traditional titans of the Japanese domestic game are set to face one another when Round 11 of the Japan rugby League One kicks off in Tokyo this weekend.

NEWS UPDATE: SANZAAR has confirmed the match schedule for the condensed 2023 Rugby Championship.

SPOTLIGHT: Josh van der Flier said on Wednesday it would be "naive" of Ireland to talk about a Grand Slam ahead of their Six Nations clash against a resurgent Scotland in Edinburgh.

NEWS: A key member of the All Blacks' forward pack has put pen to paper.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales assistant coach Neil Jenkins believes his team's current woes could end up helping them by the time they travel to the World Cup in France later this year.

NEWS: France could be without one of their playmakers for their Six Nations clash against England at Twickenham.

WATCH as South Africa's Director of Rugby Johan Erasmus reveals the motivation behind bringing legendary referee Nigel Owens on board the Springbok coaching panel.

SPOTLIGHT: SA Rugby Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus said he was pleased with the strides made by the Rugby Department in the last few years.

NEWS: SA Rugby's Director of Rugby is making some changes.

SPOTLIGHT: Richard Hardwick's Super Rugby Pacific form is set to see him rewarded with a Rugby World Cup berth, only not with the Wallabies.

SPOTLIGHT: The Pumas are defending champions after a fairytale 2022 season, while the Griquas are desperate to end a five-decade-long Currie Cup drought.

SPOTLIGHT: Hurricanes head coach Jason Holland says it has been a ‘tough week’ for Ardie Savea and his family as the reaction to his throat-slitting gesture has been intense.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England star Courtney Lawes has been ruled out of his side's Six Nations match against France.