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From the Bishops gate on Sandown Road to the Rondebosch Boys' High gate on Oakhurst Avenue is about 400 metres. They are neighbours.

SELECTION POSERS: The Chiefs may not be in action this weekend, but they have remained in the spotlight.

INJURY UPDATE: The Stormers have been hit hard by injuries ahead of their final two regular season matches against the Sunwolves and Sharks.

Now in its fifth year, the South African Rugby Union's Get into Rugby (GIR) programme will be active in this part of the Northern Cape.

Three-time Rugby World Cup winners New Zealand head into the 2019 edition of the tournament as the favourites.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Continuity was key when Swys de Bruin named his Lions side to host the Hurricanes in a Round 17 Super Rugby encounter at Ellis Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springboks Damian Willemse will miss the Stormers' Super Rugby match fixture against the Sunwolves.

REACTION: Wallabies hooker Tolu Latu has been cleared to make his return for the Waratahs this week, after pleading guilty to mid-range drink driving last month.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sunwolves have made three changes to the starting XV for their Super Rugby match against the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday.

OPINION: Earlier this week RugbyPass columnist Tom Vinicombe penned an engaging article about New Zealand coaches. It got me thinking.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has revealed his team to face the Jaguares in a Super Rugby Round 17 encounter in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head Coach Dan McKellar has opted for continuity ahead of the Brumbies trip to Parramatta this weekend with only two changes to the starting line-up that defeated the Sunwolves in Tokyo.

NEWS: Wallabies hooker Tolu Latu has pleaded guilty to drink driving without a valid licence two days before a vital clash between his NSW Waratahs team and the Queensland Reds.

REACTION: Rugby Australia and the NSW Rugby Union have issued a joint statement after sacked Wallabies fullback Israel Folau launched legal action after dismissal over controversial social media post.

TRANSFER NEWS: Following loads of implications within their backline, Waratahs have been forced to bring in an extra body for the rest of the season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Melbourne Rebels have made seven changes to their starting XV ahead of the team's crucial clash with the Crusaders in Christchurch.

NEWS: Crusaders vice-captain Ryan Crotty is set to bring up his 150th Super Rugby game this weekend, as the side prepares for their final home game of the regular season against the Rebels.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree has named his team to face the Lions at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

NEWS: Israel Folau's brother has quit the Waratahs - on the same day as lawyers for the sacked Wallabies superstar lodged an unfair dismissal claim against Rugby Australia.

NEWS: Sacked Wallabies fullback Israel Folau launched legal action Thursday against Rugby Australia's decision to dismiss him over controversial social media posts,

SCHOOLS SPOTLIGHT: The Under-18 Craven Week this year is being hosted at Grey College in Bloemfontein in the first week of July - 1-6 July 2019.

HUNGER GAMES: As the penultimate round of the competition dawns on us, the word desperate is more frequently used.

WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN: World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson is backing Dylan Hartley to be included in Eddie Jones’s England squad for this year’s tournament in Japan.

The 2019 Super Rugby season is heading to the business end, but the conference standings are tight. Here are the predictions for Round 17's fixtures.

NEWS: Stephen Vaughan has decided to step down from his role as the chief executive officer of Gloucester.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok Sevens stalwart Kyle Brown has retired from international sevens rugby.

OPINION: Don’t let the title deceive you – the Crusaders remain firm favourites to claim an unprecedented 10th title.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Despite their long list of injuries and their current bottom of the South African conference status, the Stormers camp are fully confident they will make the play-offs.

UNDER-20 CHAMPIONSHIP: The World Rugby U20 Championships started with a bang yesterday, as hosts Argentina lost to Wales 25-30.

RANKINGS: There are some changes again this week but fewer of them, as there are fewer matches.

VIDEO: One of the main complaints from fans across the game of rugby currently is the ever-changing tackle laws, and how they are officiated.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wales will take on the Barbarian for the first time since 2012 in what will be incoming head coach Wayne Pivac’s first match in charge of Wales.

NEWS: Wellington rugby players have been investigated for snorting an illicit drug off a century-old shield.

OPINION: The readers have spoken, cast their votes and we bring you the results of their selections for Super Rugby Round 16.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls head coach Pote Human has named his team to face the Highlanders in a crucial Super Rugby Round 17 clash in Dunedin on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Reds have made three changes to their starting XV for Friday’s match against the Blues at Suncorp Stadium.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Players on leave, others with or returning from injury, and form have led to six changes to the Blues team to take on the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger has revealed his team for their crucial Super Rugby Round 17 clash against the Bulls in Dunedin on Friday.

NEWS: Long-time New Zealand Rugby (NZR) Chief Executive Steve Tew announced Wednesday he will leave his role at the end of 2019, citing a need for "new blood" after his 12 years at the helm.

NEWS: Israel Folau is set to launch legal action against Rugby Australia this week.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Lions players believe that Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies' presence will be vital when they play the Hurricanes in a Round 17 Super Rugby match in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The big international news is the start of World Rugby's Under-20 Championship in Argentina. Craig Evens of Wales in Rosario and Pablo Deluca: lo Deluca of Argentina inland in Santa Fe start the championship with a blow of the whistle.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Lions will have to try and limit Ardie Savea's influence when they meet the Hurricanes at Ellis Park on Saturday.

NEWS: Munster and the IRFU confirmed that Graham Rowntree will join the province as forwards coach on completion of his duties with Georgia Rugby in the Rugby World Cup.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks leave for Argentina to take on the Jaguares in our penultimate pool match of the 2019 Super Rugby campaign.

REACTION: Pro14 runners up Glasgow Warriors beckoned a "new era" on Tuesday by revealing their new badge ahead of next season.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Hurricanes flank Vaea Fifita was handed a three-week ban for a dangerous tackle on Sharks flank Daniel Du Preez. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach Robert Du Preez's decision to substitute Aphelele Fassie has come under scrutiny.

World Rugby's Under-20 Championship starts in Argentina on Tuesday, 4 June 2019. It is the 12th such tournament.

ROUND ONE: The World Rugby Under-20 Championship kicks-off in Argentina on Tuesday.

Westville capitalised on Kearsney's errors to claim a crucial victory.

NEWS: The Melbourne Rebels announced that hooker Anaru Rangi has re-signed with the franchise until the end of 2021.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Highlanders will get a few key players back for their crucial Super Rugby clash against the Bulls in Dunedin on Friday.

REACTION: Rugby Australia isn't planning to relax its rules around overseas players to accommodate the return of giant lock Will Skelton for this year's World Cup.

INJURY UPDATE: The Bulls flew in some reinforcements ahead of the final match of their Australasian tour.

NEWS: Veteran Springbok Elton Jantjies is available to be selected for the Lions again.

NEWS: Scotland wing Damien Hoyland has today signed a one-year extension that will see him remain at Edinburgh for a further season.

Glenwood travelled across the bridge to tackle city rivals DHS, who also celebrated their Founders Day, in a highly anticipated fixture.

PREMIERSHIP REACTION: Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall appears to have distanced himself as a candidate for the England head coach’s job.

OPINION: The match between the Chiefs and the Crusaders was probably the best so far this season.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: It may sound crazy, but with just two rounds remaining 14 teams still have a chance of reaching the play-offs.

WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN: After a youthful England XV beat an experienced Barbarians team 51-43 at Twickenham on Sunday, a number of players have caught the eye of England fans.

NEWS: Glasgow Warriors have confirmed their coaching group for next season.

SCHOOL RESULTS: As usual there were surprise results and predictable results again this week.

OPINION: Here is your chance to have your say. Vote now for your South African Super Rugby Team of the Week!

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson will have to make some tough decisions over the next two weeks.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Israel Folau's sacking has been referred to the Fair Work Ombudsman by a senior senator who suggested Rugby Australia may have broken the law in its treatment of the star fullback.

MATCH REPORT: Brive will return to the French Top 14 next season following their 28-22 defeat of Grenoble in Sunday's promotion/relegation play-off.

It was a magnificent winter's morning when the teams took the field and an appreciative crowd watched SACS win their last match of the term, 20-6.

INJURY UPDATE: England coach Eddie Jones faces an anxious wait to hear the verdict on Jack Nowell.

MATCH REPORT: A young England side, captained by Josh Beaumont beat the Barbarians 51-43 in a thrilling match at Twickenham.

Another season of the World Series Sevens is done and dusted. Here are the players who made the biggest impact - for the BlitzBoks and beyond.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Lions, along with officials, will have to keep a close eye on Hurricanes' breakdown tactics warns head coach Swys de Bruin.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Waratahs' never-day-die win over the Melbourne Rebels has raised the possibility of three Australian teams featuring in the Super Rugby finals for the first time.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Sharks head coach Robert Du Preez believes his team can emulate the Lions and beat the Jaguares in Buenos Aires next week.

PARIS SEVENS WRAP: Fiji wrapped up the season with a win in France and the season title to boot.

PREMIERSHIP REACTION: Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall urged the club to focus on ensuring its continued domination of English and European rugby after completing a second double in three years on Saturday.

WATCH all the highlights from this weekend's Round 16 Super Rugby action.

NEWS: Blues head coach Leon MacDonald isn’t expecting star midfielders Sonny Bill Williams and Ma’a Nonu to return to the Auckland franchise next season.

INJURY UPDATE: The Stormers and Springboks will be holding out with bated breath on news of Eben Etzebeth.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Reds coach Brad Thorn says Super Rugby teams should embrace the challenge of playing the Jaguares, who have faced flak for fielding what is essentially the Argentinian national team.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Hurricanes' win over the Sharks have been marred by a red card to Vaea Fifita.

TOP 14 REPORT: Lyon moved into the last four of the French Top 14 play-offs for the second year in a row on Saturday after battling past last year's runners-up Montpellier 21-16 in a tight quarterfinal clash.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Lions have boosted their chances of making this year's play-offs with a 41-22 bonus-point win over the Stormers in Johannesburg.

PARIS SEVENS WRAP: The BlitzBoks topped their Pool at the Paris Sevens, but it was Fiji who stole the show on the opening day.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: At the end of a classic season, Saracens produced a thrilling finale to halt an Exeter Chiefs siege and retain their Premiership title in an all-time Twickenham classic.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Hurricanes have put a big dent in the Sharks' hopes of reaching the play-offs, beating the home side 30-17 at Kings Park on Saturday.

Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round 16 clash between the Lions and Stormers at Ellis Park.

MATCH REPORT:  The Jaguares have continued their red-hot charge to a historic home Super Rugby quarter-final in Buenos Aires with a 34-23 win over the Queensland Reds.

Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round 16 clash between the Sharks and Hurricanes Kings Park Stadium.

MATCH REPORT: The Chiefs kept their playoff hopes alive with a sensational 40-27 bonus-point win over the Crusaders on Saturday. 

Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round 16 clash between the Reds and Jaguares at Suncorp Stadium.

MATCH REPORT: The Brumbies' powerful pack made sure their march to a 42-19 win over the Sunwolves in Tokyo.

MATCH REPORT: La Rochelle eased into the semi-finals of the Top 14 by winning 19-13 away to Racing 92 in the opening match of the Top 14 playoffs.

Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round 16 clash between the Chiefs and Crusaders at ANZ National Stadium.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: John Cyril Plumtree performed a delicate balancing act in Durban this week.

REACTION: Another weekend. Another refereeing controversy. SANZAAR's match officials just can't stay out of the spotlight.

NEWS: Munster’s recent upheaval is continuing with CEO Garrett Fitzgerald confirming he will retire in June after being at the helm of the Irish club since 1999.

OPINION: It’s been a funny old year for Japanese rugby.

Western Province will have two teams in each of the Under-18 Weeks.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Ospreys have swooped to complete the signing of No.8 Gareth Evans from Gloucester.

Glenwood High School hop over Berea Road to resume their ancient rivalry with Durban High School - always an acute rivalry - not always pleasant, but always tense. This is rugby with feeling.

SPOTLIGHT: After a stunning rise to the top of the game that included a prolific age-grade career with the Baby Boks, Handre Pollard reflects on his maturation as a player before he heads to his second Rugby World Cup in Japan later this year.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England flyhalf prodigy Marcus Smith will have the huge task of steering the sie when they meet the Barbarians in a friendly match at Twickenham.

PREMIERSHIP FINAL: Saracens go hunting an incredible eighth major trophy in as many years when they face Exeter Chiefs on Saturday. 

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Waratahs' Super Rugby season still has a pulse after they stopped the Melbourne Rebels 20-15 in their AAMI Park match on Friday.

NEWS: Former Sharks centre Paul Jordaan is set to return to South Africa.

SUPER RUGBY BUILD-UP: Queensland Reds can still restore some pride to the Australian conference with victory over the red-hot Jaguares on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Bulls got two valuable points after playing out a 22-all draw with the Blues in Auckland on Friday.

Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round 16 clash between Rebels and Waratahs at AAMI Park in Melbourne.

Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Round 16 clash between the Blues and Bulls at Eden Park.

NEWS: Rugby Australia acknowledged Friday the Melbourne Rebels were struggling financially.

NEWS: Brumbies scrumhalf Matt Lucas has made a decision about his future.

REACTION: Jaguares coach Gonzalo Quesada has described calls for the Argentinian franchise to be kicked out of Super Rugby as "disappointing".

END OF AN ERA: The Lions' dominance of the game in South Africa is about to be consigned to the scrap heap.

On Saturday, Wynberg will go across to SACS for the first of their two matches scheduled for this year. They are two ancient schools in South African terms.

Paarl is a beautiful town just off the N1 as you head north out of Cape Town.

World Rugby has named the men to keep check of player behaviour at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Melbourne Rebels may reportedly be unable to afford to host a Super Rugby home final if they top the Australian conference.

TRANSFER NEWS: Wales international flyhalf Sam Davies has signed a two-year contract to join the Dragons.

INJURY UPDATE: Springbok No.8 and Lions captain Warren Whiteley looks to be in a race against time to be fit for the World Cup.

WORLD SERIES ROUND 10: As the season draws to a close, the race for the series title is more fierce than ever - with only two points separating Fiji (164) and United States (162) in first and second position.

INJURY UPDATE: The Stormers have suffered a couple of major blows heading into the final few weeks of Super Rugby.

REACTION: Lions coach Swys de Bruin put up a better defence than his team has done all season on the field, when he was quizzed about the axing of Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Jaguares have shuffled their side that will face the Reds on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Steven Kitshoff will captain the Stormers in their Super Rugby encounter with the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Maritzburg College leave Pietermaritzburg and climb up the steep hill to beautiful Hilton College with its expansive campus.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions will face the Stormers without star flyhalf Elton Jantjies.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: It will be a contrast in styles when the Sharks host the Hurricanes in one of several crucial Round 16 games.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Melbourne's crucial Super Rugby clash with the Waratahs will double as a Wallabies audition.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has revealed his team for their match against the Hurricanes at Kings Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sunwolves have made wholesale changes for their Super Rugby Round 16 clash against the Brumbies in Tokyo on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Brumbies Head Coach Dan McKellar has made just one change to the team that defeated the Bulls at GIO Stadium last week.

TRANSFER: Wallaby wing Henry Speight has decided to stay in Australia.

JERSEY LAUNCH: The Wallabies will wear an indigenous-themed jersey for at least one World Cup match, it was revealed Thursday, as rugby chiefs warned against writing off the team despite poor recent form.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Queensland Reds have made six changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s Indigenous Round match against the Jaguares at Suncorp Stadium.

NEWS: Sunwolves coach Tony Brown announced Thursday he will return home to the Highlanders.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Colin Cooper has revealed his team to face the Crusaders in Fiji on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree has made three changes to his starting XV for their Round 16 Super Rugby match against the Sharks in Durban.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has named his team for their Super Rugby Round 16 match against the Chiefs in Suva, Fiji on Saturday

The @rugby365com team looks into the brittle state of mind some coaches get into when the pressure is on.

TRANSFER NEWS: Bordeaux-Begles revealed that Australia forward Scott Higginbotham will join the club on a two-year deal.

NEWS: French hooker Dimitri Szarzewski announced his immediate retirement from rugby, due to various injury problems.

FRIDAY FRENZY: It may well be the theme for the next three weeks - desperation. That is certainly the case for all four teams in the two Friday matches.

The 2019 Super Rugby season is heading to the business end, but the conference standings are tight. Here are the predictions for Round 16's fixtures.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Lions, after three years of total domination, have yet to beat South African opposition in 2019.

Some were concerned about exams but many boys had the chance to sharpen their minds and their bodies on the rugby field.

WATCH as Wales player Luke Treharne produces one of those unforgettable moments in the game.

NEWS: Johan Ackermann is making waves in the world of rugby.

OPINION: Here it is - the results of the readers' votes for the South African Team of the Week.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Jan de Koning chatted to Hurricanes assistant coach Jason Holland about their plans to counter the Sharks gargantuan pack.

REACTION: Commentator and former Wallabies hooker Phil Kearns has come under some heavy criticism on Twitter after saying that the Jaguares should be axed from Super Rugby.

NEWS: Canterbury head coach Joe Maddock has announced the 2019 season will be his last in charge of the provincial side, having been appointed as an assistant coach at the Toshiba club in Japan.

There is a big weekend at Twickenham this weekend - the final of the Premiership with Wayne Barnes to referee it - his ninth such occasion.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls coach Pote Human has been forced into a few changes to his team for the opening match on the New Zealand leg of their Australasian tour.

NEWS: Michael Cheika's powers of persuasion have seemingly convinced monster lock, Will Skelton, to return to Australia to boost the Wallabies' Rugby World Cup hopes.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Waratahs' play-off hopes took another hit with confirmation that they have lost another key playmaker.

RANKINGS: There were fewer matches this past weekend, what with exams and Craven Week preparations.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Melbourne Rebels head coach Dave Wessels has revealed his team for their crunch clash against the Waratahs on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Blues head coach Coach Leon MacDonald has retained virtually the same starting line-up for their Super Rugby Round 16 clash against the Bulls in Auckland on Friday.

JERSEY LAUNCH: The Wallabies have unveiled their new jersey for the Rugby World Cup – and it marks a significant change from recent designs.

NEWS: Peter de Villiers' time as Zimbabwe's head coach has come to an end.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: A ban from coaching for three matches, a letter of apology and a fine were among the disciplinary sanctions handed down to Geordan Murphy by the RFU on Tuesday.

NEWS: Racing 92's Laurent Labit will join France's coaching set-up earlier than expected to prepare for this year's World Cup, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) said on Tuesday.

Wayne Barnes has been appointed to referee the final of the 2019 Premiership at Twickenham on Saturday when Exeter Chiefs and Saracens meet.

NEWS: Top 14 rugby club Stade Francais said that they have summoned international back Djibril Camara for a hearing for a "grave offence".

NEWS: SA Rugby Chief Executive Jurie Roux has claimed the future of the Springboks is in serious danger if plans for new television rules making key sports free-to-air in South Africa are implemented.

INJURY UPDATE: As the saying goes: 'It never rains but it pours.'

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland named a 44-man training squad for the upcoming World Cup. It includes another South African.

REACTION: Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has finalised his training squad ahead of the World Cup later this year, and there has been one noticeable exclusion that has left fans wondering on social media.

SQUAD UPDATE: ​Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend on Tuesday completed the national team’s training squad in preparation for Rugby World Cup 2019,

The Springboks can assemble a ferocious squad for this year's World Cup in Japan.

WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN: Without sacked superstar Israel Folau - and possibly no David Pocock to call on either - the Wallabies have drifted to 17-1 long shots to lift the Webb Ellis Cup in Japan.

NEWS: The Springbok Sevens team were forced to call up a third replacement on Monday in Dewald Human, in the place of Selvyn Davids, who has withdrawn from the squad due to personal reasons.

INJURY UPDATE: The Chiefs will still be without one of the biggest names in rugby when they head to Suva in Fiji.

NEWS: Injury-plagued Australian great David Pocock retired from Super Rugby Tuesday, but is hanging on to his World Cup dreams as he fights to be fit for the competition in Japan.

OPINION: It was an interesting weekend, with plenty of movement on the standings.

TRANSFER NEWS: Ospreys Rugby announced that scrumhalf, Matthew Aubrey, is the latest player to sign a new deal, committing to the Region for another two years.

INJURY UPDATE: Golden Lions prop Keagan Glade has been included in the Junior Springbok World Rugby U20 Championship squad as an injury replacement for Hanro Jacobs, whose tournament dreams were shattered due to a foot injury.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The basic premise of the territorial kick is trading possession for territory, giving the ball to the opposition but in a disadvantageous position in the field.

INJURY UPDATE: There is some good and bad news on the injury front for the Bulls ahead of their Super Rugby Round 16 clash against the Blues in Auckland.

Hoërskool Klerksdorp, unbeaten this year, were too strong for Hoërskool Lichtenburg in their FNB Classic Clash in Klerksdorp on Saturday and ran out 27-19 winners, despite the intense efforts of the team from Lichtenburg.

WATCH as World Rugby issues a law application guideline and supporting educational materials to assist with the on-field sanction decision-making process for high tackle and shoulder charges.

PARIS SEVENS: Cecil Afrika and Mfundo Ndhlovu have been called up to join the South African team as injury replacements for Kurt-Lee Arendse and Stedman Gans.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Jan de Koning scrutinizes the South African conference and the teams' play-off prospects with just three rounds of league action remaining.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Former Bulls prop Pierre Schoeman could finally get a taste of 'Test' level rugby when the Barbarians take on an England XV on Sunday, June 2.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: One of Australia's most beloved sons David Pocock is expected to announce his retirement from Australian Rugby.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Former Wallabies hooker Phil Kearns has called for the removal of the Jaguares from the SANZAAR competition.

The South African College High School (SACS) produced an excellent performance against the highly-ranked Paarl Gimnasium team. SACS led 19-12 at half-time and 19-17 with twenty-five minutes to go, only to succumb 41-19.

INJURY UPDATE: A return to the playing field from an ongoing shoulder injury for All Blacks and Crusaders prop Owen Franks won’t happen this week.

NEWS: England Sevens legend James Rodwell will join the coaching team of the side once he retires at the end of the season.

TRANSFER NEWS: Isi Naisarani has re-signed with Rugby Australia and the Melbourne Rebels until the end of 2021 on a new two-year deal.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: New South Wales face the Rebels and Brumbies over the next two weeks in two Australian derbies that will double as World Cup auditions.

Here it is. Your chance to vote for your South African Team of the Week for Super Rugby Round 15.

Fiji head to Paris with a narrow lead in the World Series Sevens while the BlitzBoks have secured Olympic qualification, despite a disappointing final day in London.

DAY TWO WRAP: Fiji are the new leaders of the World Rugby Sevens Series and will take a two-point lead over the USA to the final event in Paris.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck will be hoping to have a team ready to fire on all cylinders when they face the Lions in a crucial Super Rugby Round 16 match in Johannesburg.

WATCH all the highlights from this past weekend's main matches.

REPORT: A last-minute penalty goal from Argentina's Martin Bustos Moyano secured Bayonne's promotion back to French rugby's top flight on Sunday.

In a Premier Interschools match in Paarl on Saturday, Paarl Boys' High deserved their 29-16 victory over Paul Roos Gymnasium of Stellenbosch, scoring as they did three tries to one.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland lost another key player to injury ahead of this year's World Cup in Japan.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: It will be extremely tough for the Bulls to qualify for this year's Super Rugby play-offs after their defeat to the Brumbies on Friday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Mario Ledesma has unveiled a 46-man preliminary squad in preparation for the Rugby Championship and the World Cup in Japan.

PREMIERSHIP REACTION: It was not all good news for Saracens after their semifinal victory over Gloucester on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Dejected coach Daryl Gibson is demanding the Waratahs fight until the bitter end after all but conceding his charges won't feature in the Super Rugby finals.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree has named a 27-man squad to tour South Africa for their Super Rugby matches against the Sharks and Lions.

There are fewer results this week, as there are schools that do not play because of mid-year exams. In the Free State there are Craven Week trials/match practices between Free State, Griquas and Griffons.

TOP 14 WRAP: Reigning French champions Castres lost at home in the last round of the regular season on Saturday, to surrender a play-off place to Montpellier.

The Blitzboks put on quite a show on the opening day of the 2019 London Sevens. They finished unbeaten and will face Australia in the quarterfinal.

PRO14 FINAL REPORT: Leinster were made to sweat, but there was to be no denying them a sixth crown.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Joe Simmonds ran the show as Exeter Chiefs blew Northampton Saints away at Sandy Park to book a date with Saracens in next weekend's Final.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Sharks made it a double over the Lions, beating them 27-17 in Durban on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Saracens eased past Gloucester to keep alive their hopes of a big double.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Stormers had too much pace, class and power for the Highlanders, easing to a commanding 34-win at Newlands on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Jaguares put a little bit of breathing space between themselves and the South African teams in the SA Conference with a hard-fought 23-15 victory over the Waratahs in Sydney.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Crusaders cemented their position at the top of Super Rugby standings with an unconvincing 19-11 win over the Blues in Christchurch on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Melbourne Rebels kept their play-off hopes alive with a 52-7 win over the Sunwolves in Tokyo on Saturday.

LISTEN as @king365ed brings you @shrek3oger, who gives his reasons for moving from @TheSharksZA in Durban to @SaleSharksRugby in England.

TRANSFER NEWS: Toulouse captain Julien Marchand, currently out injured, has extended his contract by two years through until 2023, the Top 14 leaders announced.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: When 2019’s World Cup kicks off in Tokyo, rugby will break new ground.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Highlanders captain Luke Whitelock shares his thoughts about the Stormers ahead of Saturday's match.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Melbourne Rebels lock Matt Philip says stopping Amanaki Mafi is the key to beating the Sunwolves and has put his hand up for the massive Super Rugby challenge.

NEWS: The Scarlets confirmed that Dai Flanagan has been promoted to backs coach at the region ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Southern Kings have bagged one of their biggest signings in years.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Waratahs believe they are all but playing the Pumas as they strive to keep their play-off hopes alive against Argentina's in-form Jaguares.

St Andrew's College rugby and hockey teams will be driving the 160km from Grahamstown to East London to face Selborne College.

PRO14 FINAL: After 152 games the most crucial game of the Pro14 season is upon us.

PREMIERSHIP SEMIFINALS: Twelve months on and the wounds have still not healed for some of the Exeter Chiefs players as they head into their semifinal showdown with Northampton Saints on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP SEMIFINAL: Gloucester have the odds firmly stacked against them when they head to Allianz Park to take on the defending champions Saracens on Saturday.

NEWS: Attack coach Duncan Hodge and defence coach Calum MacRae have today extended their contracts with Edinburgh for a further two seasons.

In a Premier Interschools match in Paarl on Saturday, Paul Roos play Paarl Boys' High.

OPINION: Here is a XV composed entirely of players making the shift from Super Rugby to either the Premiership in England, Top 14 in France, Pro14 in Europe, or Top League in Japan.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com law guru Paul Dobson gets his teeth into the controversies at Newlands last week and claims the 'We wuz robbed'.

TOP 14, WEEK 26: Billionaire-backed Montpellier head to Clermont without veteran forwards Louis Picamoles and Fulgence Ouedraogo as they look to clinch a French Top 14 play-off spot.

SQUAD UPDATE: Hooker Maile Ngauamo and prop Angus Wagner have joined the Brumbies squad as injury replacements for the rest of the 2019 Super Rugby season.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Brumbies outmuscled and outthought the Bulls to record a bonus-point 22-10 win in Canberra on Friday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Chiefs produced a remarkable defensive effort to hold out the Reds, winning 19-13 in an arm-wrestle in Hamilton on Friday.

It's not far from Paarl to Durbanville, and the difference between the two teams in ability is also not great.

The Pro14 Dream Team for the 2018/19 season was revealed on Thursday, with two South Africans making the cut.

LEGAL OR LAWLESS: With the World Cup just under four months away, the yammering over refereeing contretemps have become alarmingly more frequent.

The South African Rugby Union's seven Youth Weeks start non Monday 20 June this year. Some 3 000 players will take part in the weeks, hosted by Jeppe Boys High in Johannesburg, Hoërskool Rob Ferreira down in White River in the Lowveld, and Bloemfontein.

TRANSFER NEWS: Wasps confirmed their ninth signing ahead of the 2019/20 season with the addition of promising young lock Theo Vukasinovic.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger has named his team to face the Stormers at Newlands.

WATCH as Ali Williams gets into referee bashing with Scotty Stevenson.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck has named his team to take on the Highlanders on Saturday.

NEWS: Harlequins announced that scrumhalf Dave Lewis will retire from professional rugby.

WORLD SERIES ROUND NINE: Olympic qualification will be at the heart of the motivation for some teams, while the United States and Fiji are locked in a two-horse race for overall honours.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Albertus Smith will lead the Lions against the Sharks on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Jaguares have shuffled their team to face the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Brumbies captain Christian Lealiifano is surprised and delighted to be a step closer to a dream Wallabies recall, less than three years after being diagnosed with cancer.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks coach Robert du Preez has been forced to make changes to his team to play the Lions at Kings Park on Saturday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Never before has one position been required to do so much, or at least be capable of doing so much.

Rondebosch again were first with the results, which we give in the order in which we received them with the source first in the heading for each match.

WATCH as Crusaders coach Scott Robertson speaks about the feedback he got from SANZAAR over the contentious TMO decision which denied the Crusaders victory over the Stormers in Cape Town last week.

The 2019 Super Rugby season is heading to the business end, but the conference standings are tight. Here are the predictions for Round 15's fixtures.

SQUAD UPDATE: Joe Marler will join the Barbarians squad that will face an England XV in a match on June 2.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has resisted resting key Wallabies, naming his first unchanged starting line-up of the season for Saturday’s crucial Super Rugby showdown with the Jaguares in Sydney.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hooker Jordan Uelese is in line to play his first Super Rugby match since Round 16, 2018.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sunwolves have been bolstered ahead of their Super Rugby Round 15 clash against the Melbourne Rebels in Tokyo on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: It will be the toughest of tasks for the Blues this weekend when they travel to Christchurch to take on the Crusaders in a must-win clash.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has named his team to face the Blues in a Super Rugby Round 15 encounter in Christchurch on Saturday.

LISTEN as @king365ed unpacks the real difference between @Springboks and @AllBlacks #rugby.

INJURY UPDATE: Dylan Hartley's chances of a place in England's World Cup squad were further hurt when he was ruled out of this weekend's Premiership semi-final meaning he has missed most of the European season.

World Rugby has announced the appointment of referees to Women's Test matches between June and August this year.

AUSSIE SWEEP: The Bulls will look to turn back the clock when they face the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Danny Cipriani’s stellar debut campaign in Gloucester Rugby colours saw him named Premiership Rugby Player of the Season at the star-studded awards ceremony.

NEWS: Experienced France hooker Benjamin Kayser, who won both the Top 14 and the English Premiership, said he will retire at the end of the season.

NEWS: Racing 92's French Top 14 play-off will have to be moved to their old stadium due to a concert by pop artist Mylene Farmer at their new La Defense Arena, the club's coach Laurent Travers.

NEWS: Ospreys Rugby announced Luke Price as the seventh player to sign a new deal to stay at the Liberty Stadium.

WATCH as we bring you another blast from the past. Wast the England and B&I Lions legend Martin Johnson a truly hard man or one of the game's biggest thugs?

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Leicester Tigers head coach Geordan Murphy will appear before an Independent Disciplinary Panel after he allegedly verbally abused match officials.

NEWS: The Australian Sevens team has announced a major signing in Australian speedster Trae Williams, who has committed to the program until 2021.

NEWS: The Irish Rugby Football Union have extended the contract of Performance Director David Nucifora for a further three years to the end of the 2021/22 season.

REACTION: Playmaker Kurtley Beale insists Israel Folau's sacking hasn't caused any discontentment within the Wallabies ranks just months out from the World Cup.

PREMIERSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Rob Baxter’s machine keeps on moving forward, finishing as the competition's top side after the regular season with a record of 17 wins and five defeats.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former Stormers scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage and Cheetahs star Maxwane are two of the few South African stars that have been nominated for the Pro14 dream team.

LISTEN as Lions centre Harold Vorster chats about the challenge of playing against in-form Springbok centres Lukhanyo Am and Andre Esterhuizen.

OPINION: Here are the results of your votes for the South African Team of the Week for Super Rugby's Round 14.

SCHOOLS SPOTLIGHT: Comparative peace has descended on our houses, after the upheavals of the first two weeks. There are changes but nothing like what has gone before.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Bulls have forced into making a change to their team to take on the Brumbies in a Super Rugby Round 15 encounter in Canberra on Friday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The perennial problem of how to fund the Fiji Rugby Union appears to have forced head coach John McKee to cut one of his support staff in the build-up to the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

NEWS: Pat Lam has been appointed Bristol Bears’ director of rugby, signing a new long-term contract at Ashton Gate.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Reds have made three changes to their starting XV for Friday's clash against the Chiefs in Hamilton.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: With the likes of Springboks lock RG Snyman in the Bulls' second-row, the Brumbies brought in their own tall timber for Friday's clash at GIO Stadium.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Chiefs will return to Hamilton for their final regular season home game, when they face the Reds on Friday.

It must surely be the most unsurprising referees' appointment of all time -0 Nigel Owens to referee the PRO14 Final, as he has done five times before.

INJURY UPDATE: The Sharks have suffered a massive setback in the build-up to their crucial all-South African derby encounter with the Lions.

SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby launched a global campaign to boost women's rugby, with chairman Bill Beaumont saying it was the biggest growth area in the game.

CONTRACT NEWS: With the central contracts for Cian Healy, Robbie Henshaw and Johnny Sexton already announced, Leinster coach Leo Cullen confirmed that an additional 18 singings..

TRANSFER NEWS: New Zealander Glenn Delaney, the former London Irish player and assistant coach, will be back working in the United Kingdom by the end of the year.

As spring races towards summer, lots of northern hemisphere rugby is concerned with the great divide of knock-out matches.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Stormers' upcoming match against the Highlanders is the perfect opportunity for Herschel Jantjies to 'Test' himself against a World-class scrumhalf.  

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The competition has reached its final month of regular season competition.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Waratahs and Wallabies hooker Tolu Latu has been stood down by his Super Rugby franchise until a court appearance for alleged drink driving.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies great George Smith announced his retirement Tuesday after a stint with Bristol in the England Premiership, calling time on nearly 20 years playing rugby.

THE AFTERMATH: The rugby players' union (RUPA) is to set up a committee to review how players can express their faith and beliefs after the Israel Folau sacking saga.

NEWS UPDATE: New Zealand Rugby launched a formal inquiry Tuesday into allegations Crusaders players engaged in homophobic abuse and groped a woman during their recent trip to South Africa.

INJURY UPDATE: The Stormers will be keeping a close eye on two of their Springboks ahead of their Super Rugby Round 15 clash against the Highlanders in Cape Town on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Newcastle Falcons hooker Santiago Socino is returning to his native Argentina to join Super Rugby side, Jaguares.

NEWS: A member of French rugby club Castres' youth academy is under investigation for attempted murder.

OPINION: The Jaguares have continued their strong push to finish on top of the South African Conference.

Although the 1st XV game was not the result the thousands of Kearsney College Old Boys who had gathered from around the world would have wanted on their Founders Weekend, it was an enjoyable spectacle to watch the One-Strip take up the challenge against Glenwood, arguably the top KZN school side.

NEWS: Wallabies and Waratahs hooker Tolu Latu has been interviewed by Rugby Australia's integrity unit over an alleged drink driving offence, but no outcome has been announced.

Michaelhouse travelled to Northwood this past weekend to contest a packed programme of winter sports fixtures.

On Saturday, a 77-year rivalry continued when the Green Machine took on the One Stripes of Kearsney College, on their prestigious Founders Day. The crowd turned out in numbers as the teams took to the field.

In Bloemfontein on Saturday Grey College had a comfortable 50-28 win over Affies from Pretoria in an FNB Classic Clash.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand Super Rugby teams' penalty count is far from a concern for All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: The Stormers may still sit at the bottom of the South African conference and 12th overall, but they have the ability to go all the way.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Sharks have lost another player to an English club.

INJURY UPDATE: The Highlanders have lost the services of one of their players after their Super Rugby Round 14 match against the Lions.

OPINION: Here it is, your chance to vote for your South African Team of the Week, after Super Rugby's Round 14.

REACTION: World Cup-winning former Springbok coach Jake White must have been linked to every vacant job in the world in the last few years.

NEWS: The Crusaders have denied allegations that some of their players displayed "homophobic behaviour" during an altercation in Cape Town over the weekend.

NEWS: Israel Folau lashed out at Rugby Australia Monday for damaging his reputation and signalled an intention to fight on after his contract was torn up

TOP 14 WRAP: Montpellier can continue to dream of making the play-offs, as they moved into sixth spot.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: The Waratahs may soon begin the hum the words of that famous World War I song: 'Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag and smile, smile, smile.'

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: The Lions may have dominated the South African landscape for the last three years, but they are now seen as little more than a speed bump.

WATCH all the highlights from Round 14 of the Super Rugby competition.

After their defeat at the hands of Grey Bloem last week, Paarl Gim are back in charge, beating Paul Roos 42-15 on the Markötter Field in Stellenbosch.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Winning on the road and scoring more tries. Those are key aspects South African teams have to improve on if they want to be serious title contenders.

As should be the case in classic derby encounters, the results on the day were tied at seven wins a piece when the 1st XV’s ran out in front of a good crowd was that was gathered around the Tinkie Heyns Field in Rondebosch. SACS gave all they had in what was a tight contest but Rondebosch eventually won 27-8 after leading 10-8 at half-time.

REACTION: Seasoned Springbok scrumhalf Francois de Klerk will take his World Cup selection for granted.

WEEKEND AT A GLANCE: We bring all the results from around South Africa - up to May 18!

TOP 14 WRAP: Lyon sealed a Top 14 playoff berth when they beat La Rochelle 29-19 at the weekend.

REACTION: South African match officials are back in the spotlight - for all the wrong reasons.

REACTION: It may be a subtle statement, but a prayer circle at the end of the Rebels versus Bulls game in Melbourne this past Friday was a powerful reminder to Rugby Australia that they are on dangerous grounds.

REACTION: Rugby Australia acted swiftly in the wake of revelations that Waratahs and Wallaby hooker Tolu Latu was arrested for drink driving.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Exeter rounded off the regular season in style thumping Northampton 40-21 to ensure a top of the table finish.

PRO14 REPORT: Leinster shrugged off the disappointment of losing their European crown last weekend to beat Irish rivals Munster 24-9 and reach the Final on Saturday.

WATCH as Rugby Australia Chief Executive Raelene Castle explains the mistakes her organisation made with how they handled the Israel Folau saga.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Stormers settled for a draw, rather than go for a win, in their Round 14 encounter with the Crusaders at a packed on Saturday.

REACTION: Rugby Australia has been hit by another bombshell, with the fall-out of the Israel Folau saga still gathering momentum.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Lions stayed in the race for the play-offs with a hard-earned 38-29 win over the Highlanders at Ellis Park on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The NSW Waratahs have skirted an off-field scandal to extend the Super Rugby Club’s interstate dominance over the Queensland Reds to 11 matches.

MATCH REPORT: Blues ended Chiefs'  dominance over them with a hard-fought 23-8 win on Saturday at Eden Park. 

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: They are known, colloquially, as the Cape Crusaders. On Saturday their loyalty will be repaid.

PRO14 SEMIFINAL REPORT: Glasgow Warriors scored seven tries and delivered a statement of intent in beating Ulster 50-20 in their Pro14 semifinal.

NEWS: Tim Visser is to hang up his boots at the end of the season, the Scotland wing announced on Friday.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers are ready to put their try-scoring struggles behind them when they face the Crusaders in their Super Rugby Round 14 encounter at Newlands on Saturday.

SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT: Israel Folau's termination of his multi-million contract certainly highlighted the relations between the professional player and social media.

REACTION: Rugby Australia boss Raelene Castle are standing firm in the face of growing resentment in the wake of Israel Folau's axing.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Just weeks after their highly rated nomination by the Rugby Players Association (RPA, Springbok scrumhalves Faf de Klerk and Cobus Reinach are again up for another top award in England.

THE FINAL SHOT: With just one round of Premiership Rugby action to go first place, the last semi-final berth and Champions Cup places are all still up for grabs.

INJURY UPDATE: England sit with a massive injury concern as the World Cup approaches at a rapid pace.

REACTION: In the wake of Israel Folau's sacking many Wallabies stars have openly display their allegiance to the fullback.

REACTION: Wallabies superstar Israel Folau is weighing up his options after Rugby Australia opted to terminate his contract on Friday.

It's a pleasant trip up from the coast to Botha's Hill - and in KZN the Both part of Botha rhymes with growth and sloth. It is a leafy part of the world, borderline rural, a lovely place to be in autumn.

PRO14 SEMIFINAL: If last season’s epic encounter between these teams in the semifinal was not enough, we get to enjoy round two this weekend.

BREAKING NEWS: Wallabies superstar Israel Folau has had his four-year AU$4 million contract with Rugby Australia terminated because of his controversial social media posts.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Bulls ended a three-year drought in Australasia when they beat the Rebels 32-17 in Melbourne on Friday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Jaguares took a giant leap towards winning the South African conference when they upstaged the Hurricanes 28-20 in Wellington on Friday.

HAPPY HUNTING GROUNDS: The last time the Crusaders lost to a South African team, Scott Robertson was not yet coaching them.

On Saturday, two similar schools in similar neighborhoods meet as they have done for years and years - Rondebosch Boys' High and SACS of Newlands.

On Saturday, the Kwaggas of George host Oakdale of Riversdale, the most powerful rugby schools in the South Western Districts, always a province that does well at Craven week.

WATCH as Crusaders vice-captain Ryan Crotty fronts up to the media ahead of their Super Rugby Round 14 encounter with the Stormers at Newlands.

PRO14 SEMIFINAL: It seems not so long ago that Glasgow Warriors were ripping all asunder on route to their first title win back in 2015.

PODCAST: This week on The Short Ball, Scotty Stevenson & Ali Williams review Alex Goode’s European Cup post-championship bender.

Here's everything you need to know about Australia's 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign. From kick off times to history and the squad when it is announced.

NEWS: France international fullback Scott Spedding announced that he will retire at the end of the season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck revealed his team for the Round 14 clash against Crusaders on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions will take on Highlanders without regular captain Warren Whiteley.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Melbourne have been doing their homework and are bracing for a Bulls midfield charge when they meet in a crucial Super Rugby battle at AAMI Park on Friday.

OPINION: Ben Smith explains why Handre Pollard's departure from South Africa will see him realise his true potential.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has named his side for their Round 14 fixture against the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Four more players have confirmed their future is with the Hurricanes.

UPDATE: Rugby Australia is holding its collective breath, as the protracted Israel Folau saga continues to drag on.

TRANSFER NEWS: Len Ikitau and Noah Lolesio have signed new contracts to extend their stay with the Brumbies.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Waratahs have named their side that will travel across the border to take on rivals the Queensland Reds in Round 14 of Super Rugby.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Reds have made two changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s clash against the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head coach Colin Cooper and his Chiefs team will welcome the return of co-captain Sam Cane.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: A determined Blues side will be looking to even the ledger when they take on the Chiefs at home at Eden Park this Saturday.

LISTEN as @king365ed chats to Hans Scriba, SA Rugby Manager, Academies about how they tackle the abstruse task of preparing players for life after rugby.

In June, the Nations Cup will be played in Montevideo with four teams taking part, in which the match officials are appointed by World  Rugby.

TRANSFER NEWS: Exeter Chiefs lock Toby Salmon will join Newcastle Falcons on a two-year deal.

These are in essence match practices. The World Cup is then imminent and the teams will want to sally forth as well prepared as possible.

CRUNCH TIME: With just five rounds of league action remaining, any defeat could see a team drop out of the play-off race and into the also-rans zone.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger has named his team to take on the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday. 

There are six countries taking part in the 2019 Pacific Nations Cup in July and August 2019 and all six will later be playing in the Rugby World Cup which starts in September.

Before the World Cup starts on September 20, there are 63 Test matches involving World Cup teams to be played. World Rugby has announced the match officials for those 63 Tests.

England have announced the match officials for their team's warm-up matches prior to the 2019 Rugby World Cup which starts on 20 September 2019 when Japan play Russia. England's first match is against Tonga on 22 September 2019.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Every World Cup is always followed by a mass exodus of high profile signings.

PREMIERSHIP AWARDS: Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann has had an impressive season in charge of Gloucester in the Premiership.

There are knock-out rounds in PRO14, France, Italy and Spain, a time when the rugby guillotine falls with a thud. It is a time to bring out the best in the best referees, when concentration needs to be at its sharpest.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springboks and Lions wing Aphiwe Dyantyi has become a marked man during the Super Rugby 2019 season.

Here it is, the results of the readers' votes for the South African Super Rugby Team for Round 13.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jaguares head coach Gonzalo Quesada has made six changes to his team to face the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls head coach Pote Human has named his team to take on the Rebels in Melbourne.

The 2019 Super Rugby season is heading to the business end, but the conference standigns are tight. Here are the predictions for Round 14's fixtures.

OPINION: We thought that, after the upheaval of Wildeklawer, we should be on an even keel this week.

TRANSFER NEWS: Another star player will leave the Bulls at the end of the season.

TRANSFER NEWS: Wing Yaw Penxe, loose-forward CJ Velleman, hooker Tango Balekile and centre Sibusiso Sithole have all committed their future to the Southern Kings.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies hooker Jordan Uelese will take a step closer to a return to Super Rugby action when he lines up for the Rebels' second team against Japan's Wolfpack.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree has made just two changes to the starting XV to face the Jaguares in the Round 14 Super Rugby match at Westpac Stadium on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Melbourne Rebels playmaker Quade Cooper has been cleared to face the Bulls on Friday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Branco du Preez will become the most-capped Springbok Sevens player of all time at the London Sevens next weekend when he runs out for his 70th tournament for the BlitzBoks at Twickenham.

NEWS: The Southern Kings confirmed that they are in talks with head coach Deon Davids about his future.

TRANSFER NEWS: According to South African reports, lock RG Snyman has signed a contract with Japanese club Honda Heat.

TRANSFER NEWS: After numerous media speculations, Cheetahs finally revealed that Franco Smith will leave his posts as head coach.

INJURY UPDATE: Lions captain Warren Whiteley is doubtful for his team's Super Rugby Round 14 clash against the Highlanders at Ellis Park.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers don't have the firepower to match the Crusaders on the field so they will be going with the old South African approach against Kiwi teams - tackle and hope.

TRANSFER NEWS: Ulster Rugby announced that experienced Super Rugby star Matt Faddes will move to Kingspan Stadium next season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson refused to dwell on his side's questionable defeat to Lions.

TRANSFER NEWS: Sale Sharks have confirmed the signings of two more Springboks on Tuesday.

INJURY UPDATE: A big name in New Zealand rugby could be back on the playing field this weekend.

NEWS: The pride of the Maori All Blacks haka will face the fierce Fijian cibi when the two sides play in a home and away two-match series this year, New Zealand Rugby announced on Tuesday.

It is true that the 1st XV match counts most. We beat so-and-so if our 1st XV won, even though they may have won all the other matches.

PRO14 have announced the referees appointed to the two semifinals and to the play-off to see who will play in European Professional Club Rugby's Champions Cup in 2020.

SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION: Australian legend David Campese has sent an interesting message to Saracens captain Brad Barritt, after his side won their third Champions Cup at the weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Fijian-born wing Alivereti Raka was named in France's preliminary squad for this year's World Cup.

Wonderful playing conditions greeted the 1st XV’s from St Andrew’s College and Graeme College as they came together for their latest FNB Classic Clash on Somerset Field this past Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Montpellier owner Mohed Altrad has snagged himself another Springbok.

OPINION: The Crusaders sent a strong message to the pretenders: 'You want the title? You will have to be extraordinarily good!'

Glenwood travelled up to Pietermaritzburg to play St Charles College for the first time in 42 years. It was a beautiful day as the friendly Saints staff welcomed us to their picturesque campus. The rugby on offer did also not disappoint as the crowd geared up for the First XV clash.

SQUAD UPDATE: Munster received a boost ahead of their Pro14 semifinal showdown against Leinster in Dublin on Saturday.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Rebels could have an England-based Wallaby star in their squad when they host Bulls in Melbourne on Friday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REACTION: Saracens star Billy Vunipola has been hailed as the world’s best No.8, following his Heineken Champions Cup final destruction of Leinster.

Michaelhouse hosted Kearsney on their Founders’ weekend in ideal Midlands playing conditions.

Graeme College, St Andrew's Prep and St Andrew's College enjoyed another great derby weekend. St Andrew's started off winning three hockey matches earlier in the week and the rugby followed on Saturday. It is one of the oldest fixtures in the country with the two schools showing great respect and comradery.

The Midlands dished up ideal autumn weather for the backdrop to hundreds of Michaelhouse Old Boys from around the globe gathering to share war stories and to enjoy the sights and sounds of the fifth Michaelhouse Festival of Music and a full programme of hockey and rugby fixtures against visitors, Kearsney College.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Lions coach Zacharia de Bruin labelled the unpredictable and closely contested South African conference a dogfight.

OPINION: The names are in for the 2018/2019 Champions Cup Team of the Tournament.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Israel Folau has revealed how he resisted the "temptation" of a peace offering from Rugby Australia.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: There has been a lot of talk about Egon Seconds' performance during the match between the Lions and the Waratahs in Johannesburg.

TRANSFER NEWS: Steve Diamond continues to bolster his Sale Sharks team with Springboks ahead of the 2019/2020 Premiership season.

Here it is - your chance to vote for your South African Team of the Week, after Super Rugby's Round 13.

REACTION: Leinster Rugby head coach Leo Cullen couldn’t hide his disappointment after his side were beaten 10-20 by Saracens in the Champions Cup final at St James’ Park on Saturday.

INJURY UPDATE: Melbourne's Mr Fixit Reece Hodge's next job could be at flyhalf with Quade Cooper in doubt for the Rebels' Super Rugby match against the Bulls on Friday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Although there may be teams that can buck the tend from time to time, it’s safe to suggest that it’s more difficult to win a game if your kickers aren’t on form.

REACTION: The jostling for a guaranteed Super Rugby finals berth will go down to the wire after the Brumbies seized top spot in the Australian conference for the first time all season.

The most obvious result is that of the match between Grey Bloem and Paarl Boys' High in Bloemfontein. Grey have yet another great team that can strike from anywhere on the field.

REACTION: Every Crusaders' visit to Newlands could arguably be branded as just an extra home game for the New Zealand side.

WATCH all the highlights from Super Rugby's dramatic Round 13!

REACTION: A humiliating defeat to the Crusaders, did not deteriorate Bulls head coach Pote Human's determination to target the Blues and Highlanders on tour.

MATCH REPORT: The Brumbies have gone to the top of the Australian Super Rugby conference with a 33-0 win against the Sunwolves in Canberra on Sunday.

CHAMPIONS CUP REACTION: Saracens coach Mark McCall praised controversial England star Billy Vunipola for "doing his talking on the pitch" after scoring the try that cinched a hat-trick of European Champions Cup titles for the London club.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia's director of rugby Scott Johnson admits the drawn-out Israel Folau saga is hurting the game and revealed he has spoken to Polynesian players concerned their religious beliefs are under attack.

SQUAD NEWS: All Blacks loose forward Liam Squire will miss the Highlanders’ upcoming tour of South Africa to deal with personal issues.

Hilton College played host to Pretoria Boys' High on their magnificent estate in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands, the 1st XV match a Classic clash. The home side were in fine form and won 42-27.

Grey College of Bloemfontein beat the No.2-ranked team , Paarl Gim, 47-33 on 4 May 2019. Now it has beaten No.4, Paarl Boys' High 43-24. Grey is clearly No.1

NEWS: An outstanding European season for Saracens has been capped off with Alex Goode being named EPCR European Player of the Year 2019.

INJURY UPDATE: Veteran French scrumhalf Morgan Parra was Saturday facing a World Cup fitness battle.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The WP Rugby Board confirmed that they have met with head coach Robbie Fleck during the team's bye week to discuss the way forward after a poor season so far.

CHAMPIONS CUP FINAL REPORT: A 67th minute try by England's controversial No.8 Billy Vunipola earned Saracens a third European Champions Cup title in four years with a 20-10 win over Leinster on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: A late Shaun Reynolds penalty helped the Lions edge the Waratahs 29-28 at Ellis Park on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Chiefs bounced back with a hard-fought 29-23 win over the Sharks on Saturday.

LISTEN as Lions coach Swys de Bruin sits down for a one-on-one chat with @rugby365com reporter Josh Isaacson, following his return to duty this week.

MATCH REPORT: The Highlander kept their play-off hopes alive with a narrow 32-27 win over the Jaguares on Saturday.

REACTION: Australian Super Rugby players from the Rebels and the Reds have huddled for a post-match prayer on Friday.

CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: Clermont has won a third title in Europe with a ruthless attacking display, beating La Rochelle 36-16 in Newcastle on Friday.

CHAMPIONS CUP FINAL: Leinster head coach Leo Cullen says his team is not focusing on setting a record with a fifth European title.

SUPER RUGBY REACTION: The Rebels have taken a giant leap towards reaching the play-offs for the first time.

In the land of the samba, beaches and football, there us also rugby, and in July one of World Rugby's tournaments will be hosted there - the World Under-20 Trophy.

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Crusaders once again stamped their authority on the competition and cemented their place at the top of the standings.

DOMESTIC SPOTLIGHT: Ruan Combrinck is not the first Springbok to get the axe and he won't be the last. Josh Isaacson looks at a dramatic call that could salvage his career.

MATCH REPORT: Melbourne have cracked a confidence-boosting win over Queensland to reaffirm their position at the top of the Australian Super Rugby conference.

It's about 60 km up the R346 to get to Dale College in King William's Town from Selborne College in East London. They first did this trip for a rugby match in 1892 and have done so in friendly rivalry many, many times. Since 2012 they have been doing it home and away each year.

NEWS: The new home of Tottenham Hotspur in London will be the destination for European club rugby’s blue-riband event in 2021.

NEWS: Warren Gatland will be heading to South Africa.

LEINSTER V SARACENS: Holders Leinster believe they will need a special display to beat Saracens and win an historic fifth European title in a clash of the continent's heavyweights on Saturday in Newcastle.

It could be seen as a sort of religious war - Anglican against Methodist - but neither is given to fisticuffs and so it will be on the rugby field when Kearsney leave Botha's Hill and climb up to Balgowan, to gracious Michaelhouse.

St Andrew's go up across the road to play Graeme College on Saturday, something they have been doing for years - since 1878, it seems, when Graeme College was then the Public School.

Grey College of Bloemfontein will not leave you guessing. Year after year they take on the best. Last week it was Paarl Gim, ranked No.2; this week its Paarl Boys' High, ranked No.4, and always a formidable opponent, no matter where in the world the opposing team is.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sunwolves have revealed their team to face the Brumbies in Canberra on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Brumbies are aiming for a fifth home win in succession when the Sunwolves arrive at GIO Stadium for their Round 13 Super Rugby clash on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: Hurricanes kept the pressure on New Zealand conference leaders Crusaders with  a hard-fought 22-12 win over the Blues in Auckland.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Crusaders captain and flank Matt Todd is expecting a big battle with the Bulls' pack of forwards when the two teams meet in a Super Rugby Round 13 match in Pretoria on Friday.

CRUEL END: All Black fullback Ben Smith may already have played his last game for the Highlanders.

TRANSFER NEWS: Munster Rugby and the IRFU have confirmed that Tadhg Beirne has signed a two-year contract extension that will see him remain with the province until June 2022.

NEWS: Matt Smith announced that he will retire from the game at the conclusion of the 2018/19 season after 14 years of professional rugby with Leicester Tigers.

It's the big schools mat chg in Kimberley this Saturday, Hoërskool Noord-Kaap vs Hoërskool Diamantveld, a Classic Clash.

TRANSFER NEWS: Days after Wallabies prop Sekope Kepu signed a deal with London Irish, the Premiership managed to lure another Australian stalwart to England.

Two players in the 1st XV of Selborne College in East London have rejected attempts to lure them to France with attractive contracts.

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks have had far greater success on the road than at home this year, but it is not a record that concerns coach Robert du Preez much.

CHALLENGE CUP SPOTLIGHT:  ASM Clermont Auvergne reached their fourth final – and now have the opportunity to lift the title for a third time when they take on first-time finalist La Rochelle on Friday. 

If you need some help with your Super Rugby predictions for the weekend ahead, we've got you covered.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Swys de Bruin has named his team to face the Waratahs in a Super Rugby Round 13 encounter at Ellis Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jaguares head coach Gonzalo Quesada named his starting XV to face Highlanders on Saturday.