All News

WORLD CUP WARM-UP: Australia on Saturday head into their final game before leaving for Japan.

CURRIE CUP FINAL: A gripping cat fight is set to play out at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday when the Free State Cheetahs host the Golden Lions in the Currie Cup Final.

NEWS: Another Wallabies star has announced his retirement from Test rugby.

TRANSFER NEWS: Stade Francais have announced the arrival of Scotland international Josh Strauss as a medical joker for at least a three-month period.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Expectations are that South Africa will be on a mission for revenge. However, Springbok skipper Siyamthanda Kolisi expects the Brave Blossoms to turn up the heat.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Free State Cheetahs coach Franco Smith made just one change to his team for his last game in charge.

The third Marius Schoeman Sevens Festival will take place at Paarl Gim on Friday and Saturday, 6 and 7 September 2019.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland captain Rory Best will win his 120th cap on his last appearance in a World Cup warm-up match in Dublin on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP FINAL SPOTLIGHT: Leonard Solms spoke to Free State Cheetahs lock Sintu Manjezi, ahead of their encounter with the Golden Lions on Saturday.

WORLD CUP WARM-UP: England and Italy's preparations for the global showpiece will be taken up a notch on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Golden Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has named his team to face the Free State Cheetahs in this year's Currie Cup Final in Bloemfontein.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales have named a team showing 15 changes for Saturday’s final World Cup preparation game against Ireland in Dublin with captain Alun Wyn Jones returning to the starting line-up.

SPOTLIGHT: Rugby lovers in countries like South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, England, and others are spoilt.

WORLD CUP WARM-UP: Japan is the only country that has a 100 percent success record against South Africa's Springboks.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika Thursday said he was expecting a fast and physical game from Samoa at the weekend, with places in his World Cup starting side up for grabs.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Argentina coach Mario Ledesma is hoping their stopover in Sydney will help acclimatise his squad and overcome jetlag, leaving the Pumas in prime condition to tackle the World Cup.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The man who orchestrated one of Australia's most grim Test rugby defeats will return to haunt them after Tusi Pisi was named Samoa's flyhalf for Saturday's Test in Sydney.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hooker Siua Maile was named Thursday to make his debut for Tonga against the All Blacks this weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The All Blacks named a revamped side Thursday for their final World Cup warm-up against Tonga.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Alex McLeod runs the rule over those players that will miss out on the global showpiece - from injury-enforced absences to some real selection shockers.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Conor O’Shea has made 11 changes to his Italy team to face England this Friday in Newcastle following last weekend’s loss to France in Paris.

NEWS: Griquas wasted little time in replacing departed coach Brent Janse van Rensburg.

Every final of the Currie Cup was special. Every one had stories that could be told about it. Every one had men who became heroes.

LISTEN @King365ed and @LoffieEloff unpacks the @Springboks team to face @JRFURugby in their final @WorldRugby warm-up match.

CURRIE CUP PROMOTION-RELEGATION: The Pumas and Griffons will know their fate on Friday, as they battle it out at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: On the even of their final warm-up match, against North American rivals the United States, Malcolm Anderson looks at Canada's prospects at the global showpiece.

WORLD CUP WARM-UP: Glasgow Warriors back row Ryan Wilson will captain Scotland for the first time in the national team’s final Test match against Georgia at BT Murrayfield Stadium this Friday.

WATCH as entertainer Leon Schuster unveils his latest Springbok 'anthem'.

TRANSFER NEWS: Edinburgh secured the signature of South African back row Ruan Steenkamp on a short-term deal from Super Rugby side Bulls.

Club matches will go ahead this week with referees provided by the Western Province Referees' Society.

NEWS: Hosting the European Championship Cup and Challenge Cup proved to be very beneficial for the city of Newcastle.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus wants his team selection to send a 'strong' message about the respect they have for Japan.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former England captain Chris Robshaw is tipping either the nation of which he played 66 times for or South Africa to win the World Cup ahead of the All Blacks.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Coach Jamie Joseph insisted that World Cup hosts Japan will have no fear going into their final warm-up against revenge-seeking South Africa.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies flank David Pocock will captain Australia on his return from injury in Saturday’s Test against Samoa at Bankwest Stadium in Western Sydney.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Eddie Jones named a mix and match side to play Italy in a World Cup warm-up match at St James' Park in Newcastle on Friday.

REACTION: After Saracens secured the signing of Damian Willemse yesterday as a medical joker, the deal has been seen as one that benefits everyone involved.

There are several warm-up matches with the air of unreality that goes with them but there is a match in Bloemfontein that is thoroughly real - the final of the 2019 Currie Cup in a competition which has run since 1889.

INJURY UPDATE: Henry Slade faces the prospect of entering the World Cup without any game time in the bank after failing to train at England’s camp in Treviso on Tuesday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: South African-born and Glasgow Warriors wing DTH Van der Merwe will appear in his fourth World Cup after being named in Canada's 31-man squad.

REACTION: Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has slammed Agustin Pichot's criticism of his decision to select Jean Kleyn instead of Devin Toner in his World Cup squad.

NEWS: Western Province hooker Chad Solomons has joined the Southern Kings in Namibia on a one-match loan.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: After more than a decade and 200 first-class matches, Jacobus Petrus Adriaanse is ready to call time on his career.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Two players with strong South African links have been axed from Scotland's World Cup squad.

This is a crunch weekend in South African rugby, enormously so with five matches that will produce final results of great moment.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Georgia's leading try-scorer Mamuka Gorgodze was included in his country's squad for the Rugby World Cup, more than two years after announcing his international retirement.

REACTION: South Africa is determined not to repeat the blunders of four years ago.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Since all-time legend Dan Carter vacated the 10 jersey for the All Blacks following the 2015 Rugby World Cup, basically one man has followed in his footsteps.

WATCH this unique preview of the 2019 World Cup - including what makes a winning model based on trends from previous winners.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Eyebrows were raised earlier this year when co-investments between Saracens owner Nigel Wray and current and former Saracens players were found to exist.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Fiji head coach John McKee has finalised his 31-man squad for this month’s World Cup in Japan by omitting one player from his original 32-man side.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Wallabies' training camp in Noumea for the World Cup has been anything but an island holiday, according to inside back Matt Toomua.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: With Japan set to host South Africa in a warm-up match in Kumagaya City on Friday, we feel it is worth revisiting the greatest moment in the Brave Blossoms' history.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus revealed the matchday squad to face Japan in their final World Cup warm-up game in Kumagaya on Friday.

NEWS: Oliver Kebble has signed a two-year extension to his Glasgow Warriors contract, which was due to expire next year.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Tonga announced their squad for the World Cup on Monday with coach Toutai Kefu declaring "we're not there to be merely making up the numbers."

SQUAD UPDATE: France head coach Jacques Brunel dropped lock Felix Lambey and prop Dany Priso from his final Rugby World Cup squad on Tuesday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Lizo Gqoboka is relishing the challenge of playing in the French Top 14.

NEWS: Damian Willemse will be playing Premiership rugby.

INJURY UPDATE: England's Jack Nowell has suffered a setback ahead of the World Cup after having his appendix removed.

NEWS: The Sharks have revealed their 2020 coaching team and a new role for Gary Teichmann.

OPINION: After careful scrutiny, we have produced the following list after taking into consideration results and the calibre of opposition.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Phil Davies has named a 31-man Namibia squad with an abundance of Rugby World Cup experience for the upcoming tournament in Japan.

Marius van der Westhuizen of Western Province has been appointed to referee the final of the 2019 Currie Cup.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Ireland coaching group have named the 31 man squad that will travel to Japan on the September 11 to compete at Rugby World Cup 2019.

NEWS: New Zealand are back on top of the World Rugby Men's Rankings following Wales' defeat to Ireland at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

OPINION: And then there were two.

TRANSFER NEWS: Jacques du Toit revealed that he will leave the Cheetahs at the end of the Currie Cup season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The amount of talent and overpowering potential that sensational All Blacks wing Rieko Ioane possesses is no secret to anyone.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Stuart Barnes says New Zealand are "cynical cheats" when it comes to their approach to the breakdowns.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Last year Faf de Klerk’s defensive role was compared to that of an NFL free safety, all about disguise, surprise, and pressure, roaming freely around the secondary or blitzing off the edge to cause disruption.

NEWS: A Wallabies veteran will hang up his Test boots after this year's World Cup in Japan.

WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN: Experienced Italy lock Dean Budd said facing England on Friday in their final Rugby World Cup warm-up Test will be a massive ask after last week's "slap in the face" defeat to France.

REACTION: The Golden Lions will have to raise the bar considerably when they face the Free State Cheetahs in the Currie Cup Final.

REACTION: Warren Gatland says Wales are among seven teams who have a genuine chance of winning the World Cup.

TOP 14 WRAP: French champions Toulouse lost for a second straight weekend, as they were beaten 22-12 by last year's losing semifinalists Lyon on Sunday.

REACTION: The Free State Cheetahs will look to give long-standing coach Franco Smith the perfect parting gift - a Currie Cup title.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand will enter the 2019 tournament as favourites - maybe not by a huge margin, but the shortest odds will definitely be on the All Blacks taking out the competition for the third time in a row.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Cory Hill was selected for Wales' 31-man World Cup squad, despite suffering from a leg fracture.

WATCH as we bring you the highlights of the Currie Cup semifinals at the weekend.

Uruguay's coach, Esteban Meneses, has announced his squad of 31 Teros for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. There are 12 players who have been to a Rugby World Cup previously.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: South Africa's final warm-up match, against Japan in Kumagaya on Friday, is a potential banana skin.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Veteran back Tusi Pisi will represent Samoa at a third World Cup, while uncapped prop Michael Alaalatoa completes a family storyline in Japan.

REACTION: Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt hopes he gets the balance of his squad right for the World Cup admitting he failed to do so four years ago.

REACTION: Warren Gatland believes Wales will go a "long way" at the World Cup and are capable of beating anyone to give him a winning farewell.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Following cameo displays at the last two tournaments, veteran back Sonny Bill Williams is poised to play a central role in Japan for the All Blacks.

TOP 14 WRAP: Young France flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert scored 19 points as Union Bordeaux-Begles beat Toulon 34-12 on Saturday.

OPINION: Hapless as the records tumbled for all the wrong reasons in London last weekend, Ireland badly needed to bounce back against the Welsh in Cardiff and they ultimately did despite a frantic finish to a match that ended 22-17 in their favour. 

OPINION: Wales were unable to pile further misery on an Ireland squad licking their wounds at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, as they fell to a 17-22 defeat on home soil.

REPORT: Flyhalf Finn Russell starred as Scotland hammered Georgia 44-10 in a Rugby World Cup warm-up Test in Tbilisi on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP MATCH REPORT: The Free State Cheetahs will host the Golden Lions in the Final in Bloemfontein next week.

REPORT: Wales head coach Warren Gatland lost his last home Test in Cardiff as Ireland bounced back from their thrashing by England last week to edge the hosts 22-17 at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Currie Cup semifinal between the Free State Cheetahs and the Sharks in Durban.

MATCH REPORT: The Golden Lions booked a spot in the Currie Cup final with a 34-19 win over the Griquas at Ellis Park on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup warm-up match between Wales and Ireland in Cardiff.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Currie Cup semifinal between the Golden Lions and Griquas at Ellis Park, Johannesburg.

WORLD CUP WARM-UP MATCH REPORT: Fiji tuned up for the global showpiece with a hard-fought win over Tonga at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday.

WORLD CUP WARM-UP MATCH REPORT: Manu Samoa were thoroughly tested as they continue to build towards the global showpiece.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand's ageing squad could be their biggest downfall, even though experience is vital at the global showpiece.

MATCH REPORT: Wing Yoann Huget starred as France thumped Italy 47-19 in their final Rugby World Cup warm-up Test on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: The Jaguares XV claimedSouth Africa's First Division title with a hard-fought 27-14 win over the Griffons in Potchefstroom on Friday.

Ten teams will battle it out in two sections in the new format of the SA Rugby Under-19 Championship, which will be hosted in Paarl and Johannesburg respectively over one week in September 2019.

TOP 14, WEEK TWO: Australian flyhalf Zack Holmes says he is comfortable with becoming one of Toulouse's most experienced squad members.

NEWS: World Rugby has announced an amendment to the Television Match Official (TMO) protocol.

REACTION: In the wake of the Springboks' Aphiwe Dyantyi testing positive for anabolic steroids, there has been a clear split in opinion amongst fans.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Premiership will continue to be a 12-team league with promotion and relegation in the 2019/20 season.

REACTION: "The Western Province Rugby Football Union has backed the decision of the WP Referees Society not to officiate any club games this weekend.

WOLRD CUP WARM-UP: Namibia will face South African Pro14 side the Southern Kings as part of their World Cup preparation on Saturday at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek.

WORLD CUP WARM-UP: Wales and Ireland move into the stage of their preparations for the global showpiece when they face off in Cardiff on Saturday.

NEWS: Springboks wing Aphiwe Dyantyi's B-sample has tested positive for "performance-enhancing substances"

CURRIE CUP SEMIFINAL: The match in Johannesburg will mark the second week in a row the Golden Lions and Griquas meet after they crossed paths in the final round in Kimberley last week.

CURRIE CUP SEMIFINAL: In Bloemfontein, the Free State Cheetahs will go in search of their first Final berth since 2016, while the Sharks will have their sights on their third consecutive appearance in the Final.

SPOTLIGHT: Few teams in Europe will feel as big a World Cup pinch as Saracens are about to experience, as the reigning Premiership champions about to lose more players to the international tournament in Japan than any of their domestic rivals.

REACTION: There was a dramatic twist in the ongoing saga involving veteran Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth and a brawl in Langebaan.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Free State Cheetahs were dealt a cruel blow on the eve of their Currie Cup semifinal encounter with the Sharks.

WORLD CUP WARM-UP: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend made 10 changes to the side that boosted their preparations with victory over France last weekend for the trip to Georgia on Saturday.

WATCH: Two of the best try-saving tackles you are likely to see. But which was better?

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has made a few changes to the side that will face Wales on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas coach Brent Janse van Rensburg made three changes to his team to tackle the Lions in a Currie Cup semifinal at Ellis Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Golden Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has revealed his team to face Griquas in their Currie Cup semifinal in Johannesburg.

PASIFIKA CHALLENGE: Fiji coach John McKee has named an experienced side to take on Tonga at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby vice president Agustin Pichot has joined the chorus of criticism surrounding the world rankings system, which saw New Zealand lose its decade-long spell at No. 1 to Wales a fortnight ago.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales have named two uncapped players in their side to face Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday with prop Rhys Carre and wing Owen Lane both set to make their international debuts.

REACTION: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has wasted no time in setting the record straight, following the publication of a book.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks coach Sean Everitt has made only one change to the side that will take on the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in Saturday’s Currie Cup semi-final.

REACTION: Ireland scrumhalf Conor Murray says Felix Jones will be an influential presence in the Springbok squad.

WORLD CUP WARM-UP: France are expecting a very difficult challenge when they meet Italy in France on Friday.

LISTEN as @King365ed and @LoffieEloff unpacks the @Springboks @rugbyworldcup squad and what they believe will be Rassie Erasmus' starting XV.

NEWS: Sacked rugby star Israel Folau has broadened his legal case against Rugby Australia, arguing his dismissal over controversial comments was "an unreasonable restraint of trade" because it stopped him playing the sport.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has named his 2019 World Cup squad.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Highlanders have recruited four players for the 2020 season.

Rasta Rasivhenge is not taking part in World Rugby's Sevens Series in 2019-20. That he was included in the first release by World Rugby, was a clerical error.

REACTION: After 108 tests, Owen Franks’ tenure as the All Blacks’ incumbent tighthead prop has come to an abrupt end.

NEWS: Griquas head coach Brent Janse van Rensburg will leave the Currie Cup side at the end of the season.

@rugby365com's Law guru Paul Dobson takes a look at the highly disputed moment during England's win over Ireland

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Italy coach Conor O'Shea warned the Azzurri were looking to build on their rout of Russia as he made three changes to his side for Friday's World Cup warm-up against France in Paris.

REACTION: One of the most pressing concerns to All Blacks fans over the past few weeks has been whether the injured Brodie Retallick would make the World Cup next month.

NEWS: England wing Jack Nowell's hopes of making the Rugby World Cup are "touch and go" according to his Director of Rugby at Exeter Rob Baxter.

Because of increased abuse, the Western Province Referees' Society has, with regret, decided that it will not provide referees for club matches in the Western Province until such time as adequate steps are taken against those guilty of abuse, physical or verbal.

SQUAD UPDATE: England will keep a close eye on one of their stars over the next few days.

MATCH REPORT: The Southern Kings came within four minutes of a major scalp as they went down narrowly to Georgia in a pre-season clash in Tbilisi.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt expects to see young star Aphelele Fassi in a Springbok jersey in the near future.

There are more match practices for teams going to the World Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Frans Steyn believes Rassie Erasmus has enough 'superstars' in his squad to mount a serious challenge for the World Cup title.

NEWS: Rassie Erasmus completed his Rugby World Cup coaching team on Wednesday with the confirmed appointment of defence consultant Felix Jones.

INJURY UPDATE: World Cup selection bolter Jordan Petaia will return early from the Wallabies camp in New Caledonia.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Veteran Sekope Kepu is proud of the increasing diversity of the Wallabies, with around half of Australia's Rugby World Cup squad of Polynesian and Pacific Island heritage.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) has confirmed the Queensland Reds playing squad for the 2020 Super Rugby season.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen unveils his World Cup squad.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Paul Gabrillagues will only miss France's opening game at the Rugby World Cup.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wing Alivereti Raka was dropped from France's side to face Italy this weekend in their final warm-up Test ahead of the Rugby World Cup, head coach Jacques Brunel announced on Tuesday.

NEWS: Eben Etzebeth said he was given the all-clear by police following allegations that he was involved an unsavoury incident in Langebaan at the weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Kwagga Smith fulfilled another dream when his name was read out during the Springboks' World Cup squad announcement in Johannesburg.

SQUAD UPDATE: Glasgow Warriors forward Tim Swinson has been invited to train with Scotland’s wider squad for Rugby World Cup 2019 as cover for Sam Skinner, who has been ruled out through injury.

NEWS: Raelene Castle insists her organisation is committed to developing and promoting local coaches despite suggestions three of the nation's plum posts could next year be occupied by New Zealanders.

NEWS: Rassie Erasmus has been on the lookout for a new man to take charge of the side’s offence.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen will name a 31-strong squad for Japan in the confines of the Eden Park changing rooms on Wednesday.

SPOTLIGHT: The Western Province Rugby Union is on the brink of sealing a deal that could end its long-standing cash crunch.

NEWS: Rugby Australia boss Raelene Castle says the national body will review the overseas-player eligibility rule, a move which may yet allow blockbusting centre Samu Kerevi to continue playing for the Wallabies.

NEWS: Widely respected coach Chris Gibbes has joined the Hurricanes on a two-year deal as an assistant coach.

REACTION: The public are talking and the bookmakers are shortening the odds on the Springboks.

The Springbok team has been announced. Alleluia! South Africa's millions are behind them as Francois Pienaar said memorably in 1995 when he received the trophy from President Nelson Mandela.

REACTION: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has backed the version of seasoned lock Eben Etzebeth in the infamous Langebaan brawl.

NEWS: Will Skelton has made a decision about his playing future

NEWS: England's record win over Ireland lifts them up to third in the World Rugby Men's Rankings.

OPINION: And then there were four.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the LIVE STREAMING of the Springbok World Cup squad announcement.

TRANSFER NEWS: Toulon have bolstered their squad by signing a Springbok prop.

REACTION: The South African Rugby Union has reacted swiftly to calls from a political group for Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth to be axed and arrested for assault.

REACTION: Not seeing Western Province and Blue Bulls' names in the semi-finals fixture list is a very rare occasion.

NEWS: The All Blacks are set to bring in some more muscle for the World Cup.

NEWS: A further five players have re-committed to the Queensland Reds ahead of the 2020 Super Rugby season.

In the dying seconds of the final of the Villager Sevens, Paarl Boys High started running from their own goal-line and raced down the field for the try which beat Bishops by two points.

TOP14 REPORT: Australia international Peter Betham had a hand in all of Clermont's tries on Sunday as last season's Top 14 runners up began their campaign with a 28-10 victory over La Rochelle.

NEWS: Springbok and Stormers lock Eben Etzebeth has been accused of racially abusing and attacking a man in Cape Town.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Free State Cheetahs and Golden Lions will host the Currie Cup semifinals after the pool stages came to a dramatic close.

INJURY UPDATE: Scotland's hard-fought win over France has been accompanied with an extended injury list.

REACTION: Owen Farrell reflected on England’s crushing 57-15 victory over Ireland that saw records tumble at Twickenham by declaring the best is yet to come.

REACTION: The Golden Lions will have to fix some tactical issues ahead of their semifinal match against the Griquas says head coach Ivan van Rooyen.

NEWS: Springbok and Western Province hooker Scarra Ntubeni took to social media to defend his character following his team's Currie Cup match against Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

WATCH as we bring you all the highlights from the weekend's Currie Cup matches.

INJURY UPDATE: When the World Cup rolls around in a few weeks there will inevitably be injuries.

REACTION: A shocked Joe Schmidt said there was a malaise about his Ireland team that was routed 15-57 by England in their Rugby World Cup warm-up Test on Saturday.

TOP 14, SATURDAY WRAP: We take a look at all the results in the French Top 14 on Saturday.

OPINION: The days of Twickenham annihilation and embarrassment by a massive scoreboard were supposed to be a thing of the past for Ireland.

OPINION: Having named their strongest line-up yet in the 2019 Rugby World Cup warm-up games, England were rewarded with a 57-15 victory over a strong Ireland side.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Sharks beat a 14-man Blue Bulls team 48-40 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Free State Cheetahs have secured the top spot on the Currie Cup log after a thrilling 38-33 win over Western Province in their final-round clash in Bloemfontein.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Currie Cup Round Seven encounter between the Blue Bulls and Sharks in Pretoria.

MATCH REPORT: Joe Cokanasiga scored twice as England laid down a warning to their Rugby World Cup rivals with an astonishing 57-15 trouncing of Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Golden Lions secured a home semifinal with a thrilling 27-26 win over Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Currie Cup Round Seven encounter between the Free State Cheetahs and Western Province in Bloemfontein.

MATCH REPORT: Chris Harris's converted second-half try gave Scotland their first win in six Tests as they beat France 17-14 in a Rugby World Cup warm-up Test at Murrayfield on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup warm-up match between England and Ireland in London.

NEWS: Springbok wing Aphiwe Dyantyi has tested positive for a banned substance.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Currie Cup Round Seven encounter between Griquas and the Golden Lions in Kimberley.

TEAM UPDATE: Joe Marchant has replaced Jonathan Joseph on the replacements bench for England's Rugby World Cup warm-up Test with Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.

OPINION: Andy Goode, a RugbyPass pundit and former England flyhalf, explains why England might be moving backwards.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Joe Cokanasiga performed Fiji’s traditional Cibi war dance at the 2015 World Cup’s opening night, all the while thinking he would never play in the global spectacle.

NEWS: Vaea Fifita’s dream of making the All Blacks’ 2019 Rugby World Cup squad is in jeopardy after being a late scratch from Wellington’s National Provincial Cup game with a knee injury.

As we build towards the naming of the Springbok squad for the World Cup, we felt the need to revive a very popular, previously published alternative XV.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: They have become a fixture at Springbok Tests. They are loud and jovial.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Michael Hooper has warned Australia's opponents that the Wallabies are about to benefit from the return of a fit and motivated David Pocock.

WATCH as Springbok Jaco Kriel tells Gloucester Rugby TV that he feels like a different player, as he prepares for a big 2019-20 season.

INJURY UPDATE: Centre Wesley Fofana has been ruled out of France's Rugby World Cup warm-up Test with Scotland this weekend.

TRANSFER NEWS: The mass exodus of senior players from the Bulls have an additional member.

NEWS: The Free State Cheetahs have an ally when it comes to the development of their players.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: For the second time in the space of a week, there could be a new name at the top of the World Rugby's Rankings once they are officially updated on Monday.

REACTION: Belief will be the fuel the Wallabies feed on in the World Cup, according to returning back row star David Pocock.

FIXTURES: Saracens will begin the defence of their title with a mouthwatering Champions Cup clash against Racing 92 at Paris La Défense Arena on Sunday, November 17.

WORLD CUP WARM-UP: With just under a month to go until the World Cup, England and Ireland are stepping up their preparations when they face-off at Twickenham on Saturday.

WORLD CUP WARM-UP: Scotland and France are in Edinburgh as Scotland look to avenge their Championship defeat in round three earlier this year to Les Bleus.

NEWS: Scottish Rugby has appointed Jim Mallinder as its new Performance Director.

TOP 14, WEEK ONE: New Zealand loose forward Victor Vito said it will be tough to begin the new French Top 14 season without four of his La Rochelle teammates who will be away on Rugby World Cup duty.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The pool stages of the Currie Cup Premier Division will reach a dramatic conclusion on Saturday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Michael Cheika unveils his Wallabies World Cup squad.

OPINION: When the World Cup pools were first announced way back in 2017, it was hard to get too excited about the flagship competition which was still almost two years away.

NEWS: Former Wales and Lions captain Sam Warburton believes Cardiff City Stadium will provide the best atmosphere possible when the 2020 PRO14 final comes to the Welsh capital next season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Free State Cheetahs coach Franco Smith made a number of changes to his team for their Currie Cup crunch match against Western Province in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby has announced that its flagship 15s and sevens Rugby World Cup properties will no longer include gender in their titles.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Eddie Jones brought out the big guns for his team's World Cup warm-up encounter with Ireland at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Golden Lions added some much-needed experience to their team for the trip to Kimberley and a Currie Cup crunch match on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After falling out of favour with England over the course of the last couple of seasons, James Haskell announced his retirement from professional rugby back in May at the age of 34.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas have been forced to make changes to their team for their final Currie Cup league fixture, against the Lions in Kimberley on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Ireland team to play England at Twickenham on Saturday has been revealed.

NEWS: A few of Western Province's players will be heading abroad while their fellow teammates are preparing for the World Cup said head coach John Dobson.

WATCH as we take a look at some of the greatest World Cup moments from all the teams competing. Which is your favourite?

REACTION: England head coach Eddie Jones has been accused of complaining to get his way after a law amendment was made this week by World Rugby.

NEWS: The Queensland Rugby Union has continued to secure homegrown talent for the future.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks team to face the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in the final Currie Cup clash of the pool stages has been bolstered by two returning Springboks.

NEWS: World Rugby have made an immediate change to one of the laws of the game.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Hurricanes have signed scrumhalves Jamie Booth and Jonathan Taumateine for the next two Super Rugby seasons.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Michael Cheika could end the international careers of a handful of veteran Wallabies with the stroke of a pen as he finalises his squad to contest the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby revealed Thursday that no current All Blacks will represent their country in Sevens at next year's Tokyo Olympics.

LISTEN as @King365ed and @LoffieEloff unpack the @Springboks @rugbyworldcup squad that will be unveiled this coming Monday.

PREMIERSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Sale Sharks captain Jono Ross believes the club’s uncanny ability to revive seemingly stalled international careers will enable the newly arrived trio of Rob, Jean-Luc and Dan du Preez to return to the Springbok colours.

TRANSFER NEWS: Discarded from the England World Cup squad, this midfielder has signed a contract with French outfit Toulon.

Following a highly successful inaugural Under-17 Sevens rugby tournament last year, Framesby have increased their offering in 2019 to include an Under-15 Sevens category, as well as a Fast5 netball tournament.

NATIONAL PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Asafo Aumua may have been among the first players to be cut from the All Blacks this season, but his desire to put his best foot forward remains the same.

There are several warm-up matches for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, three of them involving World Cup participants. Referee Jaco Peyper was in Auckland, New Zealand, last week and this week is in London. Have whistle, will travel.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Province head coach John Dobson has revealed his team to face the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Blue Bulls wasted no time to recall their Springbok World Cup discards for their Currie Cup Round Seven encounter with the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Fullback Stuart Hogg is the only player to be reselected in the starting Scotland side as several experienced campaigners return for this Saturday’s Test rematch against France at Murrayfield Stadium.

Former England and British & Irish Lions player John Bentley, full-time carer of Japanese Encephalitis survivor Robert Annewandter, speaks about the disease that could be a potential threat to World Cup fans.

WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN: Faf de Klerk could be the difference between success and failure for South Africa at the Rugby World Cup.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Conor Wilson has a look at the ways a ball-in-hand attack can defeat a defence.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: This is the last of our Top 20s that depends on what happened the Saturday before. Next week we shall examine the whole year and come up with the final Top 20 of the year, which may in fact not differ a lot from this one.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: As Japan gears up to host Asia's first Rugby World Cup, they might give a nod of thanks in the direction of continental neighbours Hong Kong for helping to make it all possible.

WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN: Kurtley Beale is relaxed about the outcome of 11th-hour talks to squeeze Will Skelton into the Wallabies' Rugby World Cup squad.

NEWS: The Queensland Reds have continued to shore up their squad for the future after securing the signature of Angus Blyth for a further four years.

@rugby365com law guru Paul Dobson looks at another incident where the referee got it wrong. This is from the South Africa versus Argentina encounter.

WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN: England have mounted a staunch defence of Eddie Jones' training approach ahead of next month's World Cup, following claims players feared national camps.

WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN: Shots have been fired ahead of that intriguing Pool D encounter.

NEWS: John Afoa has committed to Bristol Bears for a further season, extending his time at Ashton Gate until 2021.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: France’s World Cup plans have suffered another setback.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: The world's top-ranked team, Wales, moved into a crucial phase of their build-up to the global showpiece.

REACTION: After loose forward Marcell Coetzee was ruled out of the World Cup next month with an ankle injury, South Africa and Ulster fans have shown their sympathy after a number of injury-plagued years.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France head coach Jacques Brunel has made four changes to his team for their second World Cup warm-up match with Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday.

WATCH as Featherstone Rovers and Hull go to town on each other - forcing the referee to issue five cards in 15 minutes.

SQUAD UPDATE: Virimi Vakatawa has been called into the France World Cup squad.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt is thrilled with the way his inexperienced halfbacks have stepped up to the plate in this year's Currie Cup.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: On Monday, August 26, South Africa's World Cup squad will be unveiled in Johannesburg.

@rugby365com's law guru Paul Dobson takes a look at a contentious restart in the Bledisloe Cup showdown between New Zealand and Australia.

WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN: Coach Michael Cheika says Christian Lealiifano has his nose in front for the Wallabies' No.10 jersey at the Rugby World Cup.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Tasman are backing their star loose forward Liam Squire to earn a re-call back into the All Blacks ahead of next month’s World Cup.

NEWS: Japan winger Akihito Yamada said on Monday he is still targeting a spot in his country's Rugby World Cup squad after joining French club Lyon on-loan.

REACTION: Ali Price says Scotland’s crushing loss to France in Nice is a World Cup wake-up call.

INJURY UPDATE: Damian Willemse's long-awaited return to the starting line-up could be delayed as Western Province prepare to take on Free State Cheetahs on Saturday.

For South African schools the 15-a-side game is over. It's time for Sevens. +

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: France-based loose forward Facundo Isa was a shock omission from the 31-man Argentina Rugby World Cup named Monday by coach Mario Ledesma in Buenos Aires.

INJURY UPDATE: The Blue Bulls have not received any positive news ahead of their must-win final round-robin match against the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

OPINION: It was a weekend of big movements, with the Sharks moving past Western Province into the play-off zone.

BREAKING NEWS: Another player has been ruled out of the World Cup through injury.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT:  Seilala Mapusua, the former London Irish and Samoa centre, has warned World Rugby that frustration over the constant loss of talent from the Pacific Islands nations is reaching “boiling point”.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After nearly 10 years at the top, New Zealand’s reign as the number one team in the World Rugby Rankings is over.

CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Strap yourself in. The seventh and final round of league action is going to be manic!

INJURY UPDATE: Discarded All Blacks playmaker Josh Ioane could be in line to return to the national side after an injury to Richie Mo’unga during New Zealand’s 36-0 thrashing of the Wallabies at Eden Park on Saturday.

“You’re only as good as your last game,” someone once said. Wynberg Boy’s High will head off into summer with a good feeling having scored four converted tries in comfortably overcoming arch-rivals The South African College High School (SACS) by 28 points to nil (Half-time 21-0).

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Italy head coach Conor O'Shea firmly believes his side have the prowess to cause an upset against the Springboks at this year's World Cup.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Brumbies have signed Waratahs flank Will Miller on a two-year deal as they prepare for Super Rugby life without David Pocock.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: France’s Paul Gabrillagues has been cited for foul play.

The Grey College 1st XV of 2019 is an exceptional team, even for Grey College which, year after year, produces world class schoolboy teams. They showed it again on Saturday when the beat an excellent Paul Roos Gymnasium side 51-28 on the Markötter Field in Stellenbosch, Paul Roos's home ground.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Four players who were part of the Springboks' matchday 23 that played against Argentina in Pretoria on Saturday, were released back to their provinces for Currie Cup duty.

REACTION: Leigh Halfpenny admitted his legs were "killing" him as he stepped up to take the penalty that sealed Wales's 13-6 win over England.

The main rugby field at Rondebosch Boys' High, now called the Tinkie Heyns Field, was packed again at lunchtime on Saturday when Rondebosch hosted near-neighbours Bishops yet again in one of the very best schools rugby derbies in South Africa, and, as happened in the second term, hosts defeated the visitors. 21-10 this time and a thoroughly deserved victory.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has some tough decisions ahead.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Sharks moved into the top four in the Currie Cup standings after a thrilling 30-28 win over the Golden Lions at Ellis Park.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Round Six Currie Cup encounter between the Golden Lions and the Sharks in Johannesburg.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Italy head coach Conor O'Shea has unveiled his 31-man squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

SQUAD UPDATE: Wing Rieko Ioane has been released by the All Blacks.

REACTION: Argentina coach Mario Ledesma feels that his team might have been hard done by during their 18-24 defeat to the Springboks in Pretoria on Saturday.

REACTION: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen dismissed concerns about losing their number one world ranking Sunday as he concentrated on a World Cup selection conundrum after demolishing Australia.

REACTION: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika admitted Sunday he was hurting after watching the All Blacks crush his Bledisloe Cup dream.

This is almost certainly the last set of schools results for 2019. The season has flown by. Bless all those who played and all those who allowed them to play.

On the third and last round of the Under-18 International Series, played at Hoërskool Hugenote in Wellington on Saturday, the SA Schools team battled but beat England Under-18 to end the tournament unbeaten. They won all three of their matches.

REACTION: All Black coach Steve Hansen refused to get carried away by the comprehensive 36-0 thrashing of the Wallabies on Saturday.

REACTION: Wales top the world rankings for the first time in their history, but coach Warren Gatland was more pleased with the character they showed in the gritty 13-6 win over England on Saturday.

Wynberg went up the road to Rondebosch and their 1st XV enjoyed a surprise victory. Not all the Wynberg teams won in the 15 well-matches games.

WORLD CUP WARM-UP MATCH REPORT: Veteran fullback Maxime Medard scored twice as France hammered Scotland 32-3 in Nice on Saturday.

OPINION: Wales and England played out a weird game of rugby that never really took off as a spectacle, despite moments of brilliance on both sides.

OPINION: After the highs of their win at Twickenham, England were brought back to earth with a hard-fought 13-6 loss to Wales at the Principality Stadium.

REACTION: South African coach Rassie Erasmus said on Saturday that at least three players are set to miss the World Cup as a result of injuries.

MATCH REPORT: Captain Sergio Parisse touched down on his return as Italy ran in 13 tries for an 85-15 victory over Russia in their second World Cup warm-up clash in San Benedetto del Tronto on Saturday.

OPINION: Argentina gave South Africa an almighty scare, but ultimately fell short - losing 18-24 in their World Cup warm-up match in Pretoria on Saturday.

OPINION: South Africa retained their unbeaten record for 2019 with a scrappy 24-18 win over a willing Argentina in Pretoria on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Two by wing Sibusiso Nkosi helped South Africa record a hard-earned 24-18 win over Argentina in Pretoria on Saturday - maintaining the Springboks' unbeaten run in 2019.

MATCH REPORT: Wales moved to the No.1 ranking in the world, a week after they first let slip an opportunity to do so.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to this World Cup warm-up encounter between South Africa and Argentina in Pretoria.

OPINION: The Wallabies had one hand on the Bledisloe Cup heading Saturday's match, but they quickly learned that the All Blacks weren’t just going to roll over and submit as they did a week prior.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Free State Cheetahs climbed to second in the Currie Cup standings with a 43-37 win over the Pumas on Saturday.

REACTION: Wallaby coach Michael Cheika insisted Saturday's thrashing at the hands of the All Blacks had not derailed Australia's World Cup preparations as he drew up a list of errors to be addressed.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to this World Cop warm-up encounter between Wales and England in Cardiff.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Round Six Currie Cup encounter between the Pumas and the Free State Cheetahs in Nelspruit.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The All Blacks' impressive 36-0 victory over the Wallabies in Auckland on Saturday, to retain the Bledisloe Cup, added to a phenomenal list of statistics chalked up by the world champions.

TEAM UPDATE: Ruaridh McConnochie, who was a surprise choice in Eddie Jones's England World Cup squad, will have to wait to make his debut after pulling out of the Test with Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

OPINION: The All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup in convincing fashion, thumping the Wallabies 36-0 at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup once again when they crushed the Wallabies 36-0 in Auckland on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to this Bledisloe Cup Round Two encounter between New Zealand and Australia in Auckland.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: When Schalk Brits formally retired in May 2018, he started preparing for life as a 'student'.

NEWS: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has been lauded for his work overseeing the transformation on South African rugby.

MATCH REPORT: Griquas cemented top spot in the Currie Cup standings with a 27-23 win over the Western Province on Friday.

NEWS: South African centre Tiaan Loots has left Dragons with immediate effect.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Round Six Currie Cup encounter between Griquas and Western Province in Kimberley.

The third and final round of the Under-18 International Series ends at Hoërskool Hugenote in Wellington on Saturday. As in the pervious two rounds, there will be three matches involving all six teams - Argentina Under-18, England Under-18, France Under-18, South African Schools and South African Schools A.

NEWS: A Kenyan court sentenced two rugby players to 15 years in prison for the gang rape of a female singer at a birthday party last year.

REACTION: The Southern Kings have confirmed their brazen bid to lure Springbok hooker Mbongeni Theo Mbonambi away from Cape Town.

WATCH as @rugby365com brings you a real blast from the past - when rules were still uncomplicated and just about anything was acceptable.

NEWS: The Southern Kings will return 'home' to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium when their Pro14 campaign resumes next month.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Golden Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has unveiled his team to face the Sharks in a Currie Cup Round Six clash in Johannesburg on Sunday.

WORLD CUP WARM-UP: Is there 'revenge' in the air? Perhaps for Wales, if you look at the side they are fielding.

REACTION: Ahead of this week’s deciding Bledisloe Cup test at Eden Park, All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has rung the changes in his starting XV.

BLEDISLOE CUP TWO: All Black captain Kieran Read warned he was in a "prickly" mood Friday as he demanded a marked improvement in discipline and defence for Saturday's Trans-Tasman decider against the Wallabies in Auckland.

REACTION: It is less than a week after Eddie Jones named his 31-man England World Cup squad, and he is already pushed to his limits regarding his back row.

The family of Bruce Deans have confirmed that the former All Black has passed away, aged 58. He was All Blacks number 891.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former Wallaby Peter FitzSimons mocked the All Blacks as "old and slow" Friday just days after a Sydney tabloid labelled them "senior citizens", stirring the pot ahead of a crunch Bledisloe Cup clash.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Fiji on Friday named a youthful squad containing 15 World Cup debutants for the Rugby Union showpiece starting in Japan next month.

NEWS: Rugby Australia and the Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) have confirmed that rising star Tate McDermott has signed a new four-year deal.

WORLD CUP WARM-UP MATCH: Is this really a Test match?

TRANSFER NEWS: Northland back Scott Gregory will shift South to play for the Highlanders in 2020.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A little heads-up from Rassie Erasmus would have been appreciated, nonetheless, Siyabonga 'Scarra' Ntubeni's Springboks call-up has left Western Province head coach John Dobson 'absolutely thrilled'.

The two schools are close in many ways. They are nearly within shouting distance, have the same sort of staff, the same sort of boys with the same sort of parents, the same sort of keen Old Boys, for both schools have similar ways of working with similar ideals. And when neighbours meet on the rugby field with unpredictable outcomes, the matches are always that much more intense.

Two of South Africa's top schools teams, Grey College of Bloemfontein and Paul Roos Gymnasium of Stellenbosch, meet in a Premier Interschools match in Stellenbosch on Saturday as they both drop the curtain on the 2019 season. It is always a grand match and more often than not a close thriller.

SPOTLIGHT: A world rankings shake-up could be on the cards this weekend, and the All Blacks could face the biggest drop.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The trials and tribulations of being a Currie Cup Premier Division coach will be highlighted in dramatic fashion this weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: On Saturday, 17 August 2019, Schalk Brits will lead the Springboks out onto  Loftus Versfeld for a Test match against Argentina.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Which one of these offloads are better - Sonny Bill Williams or Duane Vermeulen?

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has been forced into making several changes to his team for their Currie Cup Round Six encounter with the Free State Cheetahs.

OPINION: Season Four of the Rugby Pod aired this week - with hosts Andy Rowe, Jim Hamilton and Andy Goode all returning to the fold.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Free State Cheetahs have moved the captain to make room for a Springbok.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Mario Ledesma has unveiled a new-look team to face the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.

REACTION: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has opened up about the "unfortunate" departure of Swys de Bruin from the national team.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has named his team to play Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales have made three changes to their side to face England in Cardiff on Saturday with Jake Ball, James Davies and Dan Biggar coming into the starting XV.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has revealed that 80 percent of his squad has been finalised.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France head coach Jacques Brunel has named his team to face Scotland in their first World Cup warm-up match next Saturday in Nice.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Italian veteran Sergio Parisse has been handed the captain's armband for Italy's second World Cup warm-up clash against Russia in San Benedetto del Tronto.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has named his team to face the Golden Lions in a Currie Cup Round Six clash in Johannesburg on Sunday.

REACTION: Flank David Pocock came agonisingly close to a Bledisloe Cup call-up before Wallabies coach Michael Cheika stepped in to make the final call.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: There were not many matches over the long weekend and so there is little to change on this week's Top 20.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Scrumhalf Willi Heinz believes his Gloucester teammate Danny Cipriani played an influential role in propelling him into England’s World Cup squad.

REACTION: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen insisted he was "loving it" as he axed three senior players.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has made one injury-enforced change to his team as he looks to build on their upset win over the All Blacks in the Bledisloe Cup decider this weekend.

@King365ed and @LoffieEloff unpack the @Springboks' success in the @SanzarTRC - the first time in a decade they have won a major international trophy.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Siya Kolisi will be captain of the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup in Japan next month - if he is fit.

Lots of rugby eyes will be on Eden Park on Saturday - the second Bledisloe Cup match after the Wallabies spilt All Black blood in Perth last Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australian rugby legend David Campese has expressed his disappointment at being overlooked for the NSW Waratahs coaching position.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The All Blacks team has been named to play Australia in the Bledisloe Cup at Eden Park, Auckland on Saturday, August 17.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland flyhalf Joey Carbery faces World Cup fitness race following his injury during his side's win over Italy.

NEWS: A new coach for the NSW Waratahs is expected to be in place next month, with the position attracting significant interest from candidates around the rugby world.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus unveiled a new-look team for their one-off 'friendly' international against Los Pumas.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas retained their 'winning formula' for their Currie Cup crunch match against Western Province on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: A number of Springbok call-ups have forced Western Province into changes for their Currie Cup encounter with Griquas in Kimberley on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Gregor Townsend has named his team to face France in Nice at the weekend for Scotland’s first of four warm-up games before the World Cup kicks off in Japan.

OPINION: @rugby365com columnist Eugene Eloff, a celebrated coach who has won two Junior World Cups, gives us his thoughts in the wake of Swys de Bruin's decision to quit the Springboks.

@rugby365com's law guru Paul Dobson looks at the inconsistencies in how officials deal with foul play!

ANALYSIS: In English Rugby since 2014, the most prominent subject line has been the consistent debate between the two English 10’s; George Ford, and Owen Farrell.

Over the weekend there were four - at least four - incidents of stoppage and closer examination of an incident in which there was possible contact of a seriously dangerous kind. We are going to look at the four.

BLEDISLOE CUP: As one of the few Wallabies who knows what it's like to win at Auckland's Eden Park, former captain Andrew Slack wants coach Michael Cheika and his selectors to resist making changes for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup decider.

BLEDISLOE CUP SPOTLIGHT: The All Blacks know what is required of them come Saturday night when they face the Wallabies at Eden Park.

NEWS: Former Melbourne Rebels star Amanaki Mafi, who is accused of beating his teammate in Dunedin last July, is likely free to play for Japan at this year's World Cup.

NEWS: Three more established Hurricanes players have extended their contracts at the franchise.

NEWS: Swys de Bruin advised Springbok management on Tuesday that he wished to be released from his role as an attack consultant with the team.

SELECTION SPOTLIGHT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has always earmarked the Loftus Versfeld outing as a final fling for some fringe players.

It was Round 2 of the Under-18 International Series on Paarl Gim's muddy field on Tuesday, 13 August 2019. SA Schools and England Under-18 won while SA Schools A drew with Wales Under-18 - a lavish 31-all.

BLEDISLOE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Rookie Wallaby Isi Naisarani is one-from-one in Tests, but expects to feel the full force of the All Blacks in the Auckland decider.

INJURY NEWS: French flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc will miss the early part of the new Top 14 season after breaking his right arm in a warm-up match, his club Racing 92 announced.

WATCH as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus speaks about ending a 10-year trophy drought and how it was achieved.

INJURY UPDATE: The Golden Lions have a few new injuries concerns as they prepare for this week's Currie Cup clash against Sharks.

Wallabies' Nic White had a blinder in Perth as he helped lift his side to a historic victory over the All Blacks in Bledisloe One in Perth at the weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The All Blacks warned Australia will face an intense physical battle in the Bledisloe Cup decider but vowed to stay on the right side of the law.

REACTION: Wallaby Rod Kafer's assertion that Michael Hooper was a target of deliberate foul play in Bledisloe One has been met with disdain by the All Blacks.

SQUAD UPDATE: Uncapped Stormers hooker Scarra Ntubeni and teammate Wilco Louw (prop) were called up to the Springbok squad in Pretoria.

BLEDISLOE CUP SPOTLIGHT: All Black legend Dan Carter was an interesting observer, spotted at the New Zealand training in the build-up to the Bledisloe Cup decider in Auckland.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones believes off-field problems will be part and parcel of his side's campaign.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Shaun Berne's influence as Wallabies attack coach blossomed in Perth and Kurtley Beale thinks their all-encompassing approach to running rugby will only be better at the World Cup.

NEWS: Wallaby star Israel Folau will get his day in court next February, unless he and Rugby Australia can reach an agreement over his sacking for social media posts.

NEWS: His red card was labelled as 'ridiculous' by, amongst others, England coach Eddie Jones. Yet he was still banned.

In Round 2 of SARU's Under-18 International Series, France Under-18 play England Under-18, old rugby rivals in what the French call Le Crunch. The match is at Paarl Gim on Tuesday, 13 August 2019.

SA Schools and SA Schools A both have changes for the second round of the Under-18 International Series being played in the Western Cape, this time at Paarl Gimnasium.

WATCH as veteran lock Eben Etzebeth explains South Africa's improved from ahead of the World Cup in Japan.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones gave a blunt assessment on Ben Te’o's omission from his England squad.

OPINION: Players from Western province lead the way in rugby365's Currie Cup Team of the Week for Round Five.

REACTION: Patience is wearing thin with Richie Mo’unga at flyhalf and Beauden Barrett at fullback for the All Blacks

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks have dropped to fifth place in the wake of their Rugby Championship triumph in Salta on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Wales have suffered a massive injury blow ahead of this year's World Cup

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has confirmed his official 31-man squad to participate in the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan next month.

OPINION: South Africa are the champions and it comes as no surprise that their players dominate rugby365's Team of the Tournament.

NEWS: Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that Siya Kolisi will feature in Saturday's clash against Argentina at Loftus Versfeld.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Scott Barrett’s red card against Australia during the 2019 Rugby Championship caused a right old kerfuffle. Well, in New Zealand anyway.

REACTION: Joe Schmidt was pleased with the impact made by debutant Jean Kleyn as Ireland began their Rugby World Cup warm-up games with a 29-10 victory over Italy at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

NEWS: Fallen rugby star Israel Folau's social media accounts, which he used to promote controversial comments that got him sacked, disappeared Monday on the eve of a court hearing into his dismissal.

SQUAD UPDATE: The Wallabies selectors face a dilemma before Saturday's Bledisloe Cup decider.

REACTION: Former coach John Hart is calling for an overhaul of the All Blacks front row, saying they were completely outplayed by the Wallabies big men in the Perth Bledisloe Cup boilover.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Teams have until September 8 to name their 31-man parties for the tournament in Japan but England head coach Eddie Jones has decided to announce his squad several weeks earlier.

NEWS: Taniela Tupou has signed a long-term deal with Rugby Australia.

REACTION: Wales coach Warren Gatland insisted the "biggest prize" was still to come.

INJURY UPDATE: The desperate need to "accelerate" his recovery, may well have ended Warren Whiteley's World Cup dream.

Now this was rugby. On a lovely, sunny afternoon in Riversdale, there was a match between two agricultural schools, Oakdale and Bold Landbou, that would uplift the heart most pessimistic about the future. It was a wonderful match.

OPINION: With the official World No.1 spot up for grabs, this was always going to be more than a warm-up match for both Wales and England.

OPINION: England got their World Cup preparations underway at Twickenham on Sunday, as they beat Wales, 33-19.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones urged officials to make clear what constitutes a head-high tackle ahead of the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

MATCH REPORT: Wales' brief reign as the world's top-ranked team was ended in smashing fashion at Twickenham on Sunday.

REACTION: Japan has beaten the United States 34-20 to win the Pacific Nations Cup tournament as they prepare to host the World Cup.

REACTION: A bust-up between players Ben Te'o and Mike Brown has cast a shadow over England's build-up to their Test with Wales.

REACTION: Wallaby vice-captain Samu Kerevi says the job is half done and landing the Bledisloe Cup at the All Blacks' spiritual home Eden Park is a huge task.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup warm-up match between England and Wales at Twickenham.

WATCH as @rugby365com brings you all the highlights from the weekend's main matches.

There may not have been a large number of results for this long weekend, but there were some interesting one.

MEDIA REACTION: The All Blacks' record loss to the Wallabies in Perth left the proud rugby nation struggling to find positives Sunday.

REACTION: All Black coach Steve Hansen insisted Sunday there was no need to "push the panic button".

REACTION: South Africa will enjoy their victory over Argentina and their triumph in the Rugby Championship.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: All Black lock Scott Barrett will have a dangerous tackle charge heard by the SANZAAR foul play review committee, following the loss to the Wallabies.

WATCH the highlights and celebrations following the Springboks' win over Argentina.

OPINION: Handre Pollard scored 31 points as South Africa thrashed Argentina 46-13 in Salta Saturday, to win the Rugby Championship for the first time.

MATCH REPORT: The Springboks have been crowned Rugby Championship 2019 winners with an impressive 46-13 win over the Los Pumas in Salta, Buenos Aires.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Rugby Championship Round Three encounter between Argentina and South Africa in Salta.

OPINION: Australia showed just how vulnerable New Zealand is, as the World Cup looms large.

OPINION: Few would have expected the absolute drubbing that the Wallabies handed to the All Blacks in last night’s Bledisloe Cup match.

MATCH REPORT: A 14-man Blue Bulls team managed to keep the Golden Lions at bay with a 31-26 win at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

MATCH REPORT: Flyhalf Joey Carbery suffered an ankle injury as Ireland beat Italy 29-10 in Dublin in their first warm-up Test on Saturday ahead of this year's Rugby World Cup.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks kept their play-off hopes alive with a 27-20 win over the Free State Cheetahs in Durban on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Currie Cup Round Five encounter between the Golden Lions and Blue Bulls at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com's law guru Paul Dobson takes a look at the game-changing red card to All Black lock Scott Barrett.

NEWS: Alex Dombrandt, Ben Spencer, Mike Brown and Ben Te'o were all excluded from England's latest World Cup warm-up squad.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup warm-up match between Ireland and Italy in Dublin.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Currie Cup Round Five encounter between the Sharks and Free State Cheetahs in Durban.

TEAM UPDATE: England head coach Eddie Jones has made changes to his team to play Wales on Sunday at Twickenham Stadium due to injuries.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT: Australia kept alive their hopes of winning the Bledisloe Cup with their biggest win ever over New Zealand.

MATCH REPORT: Japan captain Michael Leitch bagged two tries on Saturday as the enterprising Brave Blossoms celebrated their return to the Pacific Nations Cup with a 34-20 win over the United States in Fiji.

In Round 1 of the Under-18 internationals played on the muddy Markötter Field at Paul Roos Gymnasium on 9 August 2019, France Under-18 beat South African Schools A, Argentina Under-18 beat England Under-18 and South African Schools beat Wales Under-18.

Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale of Riversdale will play host to Hoër Landbouskool Boland of Paarl as they do every year. This year it's a Premier Interschools match.

REACTION: England's new scrumhalf Willi Heinz may have been born and brought up in New Zealand, but he insisted his English links had been a part of his life since childhood.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Rugby Championship Round Three encounter between Australia and New Zealand in Perth.

REACTION: Mining magnate Andrew Forrest has committed to next year's Global Rapid Rugby season with its million-dollar first prize quashing rumours he was pulling out.

WORLD CUP WARM-UP: Excitement will be mixed with concern when four of Europe's leading nations begin their Japan 2019 programme this weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Until a few months ago she never touched a rugby ball. Now she is determined to help the South Africa Women's Sevens team reach the 2020 Olympic Games.

DAY ONE WRAP: The opening day of the SA Rugby Under-18 International Series delivered some cracking rugby at Markotter Stadium in Stellenbosch on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Christian Wade never dreamed he would score the first time he touched the ball in an NFL game, but that's exactly what the former England Rugby Union international did.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks know they will be greeted by a hostile reception when they take on Argentina at the Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena in Salta.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: There are numbers driving the All Blacks ahead of their Bledisloe Cup clash with the Wallabies but the motivation to stay No.1 in the world isn't one of them.

CURRIE CUP REPORT: Western Province boosted their play-off hopes with a 45-14 win over the Pumas in Cape Town on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: Tonga claimed their first win in the Pacific Nations Cup, as they held off a strong finish by Canada to take a 33-23 victory in Lautoka Friday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the Currie Cup Round Five encounter between Western Province and the Pumas at Newlands.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Alun Wyn Jones will become Wales's most capped player of all time when he leads out his side for the World Cup warm-up match with England at Twickenham on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England has another New Zealander on their Test roster.

SEVENS SPOTLIGHT: The United States of America will play host to the first standalone men's competitions of 2020 Sevens Series in February.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND THREE: The Wallabies are seeking confirmation of progress ahead of the World Cup as they attempt to loosen the power-packed All Blacks' vice-like grip on the Bledisloe Cup on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Brumbies have agreed to allow scrumhalf Matt Lucas to be released early from his contract to take up an offer with Japanese Top League side the Ricoh Black Rams from September.

The South African Under-18 International Series gets underway on Friday, 9 August 2019, Women's Day in South Africa.

INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT: Ireland are solely focused on building cohesion and momentum when they kick off the International Series against Italy at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND THREE: They love the Springboks in Argentina but that, it seems, spurs the Pumas on.

BLEDISLOE CUP REACTION: All Black offensive weapon Beauden Barrett believes Kurtley Beale's inclusion at fullback for the sacked Israel Folau makes the Wallabies more threatening.

Round 1 of the South African Under-18 International Series is on Friday, 9 August 2019.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland rugby fans will get an indication of what the future could hold for their national team against Italy in Dublin on Saturday with the Azzurri's attack masterminded by Mike Catt, the former England World Cup winner.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Every match will be vital in the Currie Cup this weekend as two teams play their penultimate pool games, while the other four sides enter the second half of the competition.

It’s final weekend in the truncated edition of the 2019 Rugby Championship. Here are some predictions.