Two croc-roll incidents in a single URC weekend — both resulting in red cards — has reignited the debate about whether the ban introduced two years ago is actually sticking. The piece centres on the attack on Deon Fourie, arguing that Ian Henderson's action was clearly intentional: once a player knows the move is illegal and still twists a defender down onto his knee, the 'unintentional' defence is gaslighting. The second incident, involving Diarmuid Barron on Dylan Tierney-Martin, is acknowledged as less calculated but equally dangerous in outcome. The author also flags a pattern that won't go unnoticed among Springbok fans — Henderson, Barron, and the players involved in Malcolm Marx's 2024 tibia fracture have all been Irish internationals, though the piece stops short of calling it systemic. The core argument is straightforward: the croc-roll is career-ending in its potential, the spear tackle proves player behaviour can be coached out of the game, and the URC's disciplinary response to these two incidents will signal exactly how seriously it takes that obligation.
Two croc-rolls in one weekend is two too many — and the URC must act
Two URC croc-roll red cards in one weekend — including the attack on Deon Fourie — has the author arguing that 'unintentional' defences don't hold water two years into the ban, and that the URC's disciplinary response will reveal whether it takes player safety seriously.
McCloskey admits 'Zombie' has gotten under Irish skin — and Bok fans know it
McCloskey openly admits the Springbok fanbase's 'Zombie' takeover has gotten under Irish skin, framing it as part of a rivalry that's grown noticeably edgier since South Africa joined the URC.
Stephen Donald: Robertson copied the Boks — Rennie must go back to All Blacks DNA
Stephen Donald backs Hansen's anti-copycat argument, saying Robertson erred by chasing the Springbok blueprint rather than New Zealand's tempo-based strengths — and expects Rennie to correct that course ahead of a blockbuster four-Test series in South Africa.
Bulls land seven signings including Bosch and Abrahams ahead of 2026/27 season
The Bulls have signed seven players for next season, including Springbok fly-half Curwin Bosch from CA Brive on a three-year deal and Thaakir Abrahams from Munster on two years, with Luan Giliomee, Hakeem Kunene, Dylan Maart, Sango Xamlashe and Mawande Mdanda also coming aboard as the club undertakes a major squad overhaul.
Record-breaking Papier back on Springbok radar as Bulls close in on Van der Westhuizen milestone
Embrose Papier is back on the Springbok radar after Rassie Erasmus's management contacted the Bulls scrumhalf following injuries to Grant Williams and Cobus Reinach, with Bulls coach Johan Ackermann confirming the development ahead of Papier's record-breaking 170th appearance for the franchise, which moves him past Joost van der Westhuizen.
McCloskey: 'South Africans just hate the Irish'
Stuart McCloskey says South Africans 'just hate the Irish' more than it goes the other way, pointing to the URC, the 2023 World Cup clash, and even a stolen anthem as fuel for a rivalry he sees as increasingly replacing England and New Zealand as Ireland's defining one.