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Sale circle Papier as Stormers eye Jantjies return
Sale Sharks are pursuing Bulls scrumhalf Embrose Papier while the Stormers are exploring a return for Herschel Jantjies from Bayonne, with injury cover a key driver in Cape Town.
Both SA U18 sides unbeaten heading into series finale at Stellenberg
Both SA Under-18 sides go into Saturday's U18 International Series finale at Stellenberg unbeaten, with the SA U18 'A' facing France at 11h30 and the SA U18 side taking on England at 15h30. Both squads reflect continued rotation, with Jacobus de Villiers, Juvan Burden, Jamie Wimble and Anesu Kuzonyei making their third consecutive starts for the senior side, while Martin van Niekerk and Nathan Aneke are retained to lead the 'A' side.
All Blacks sweat on Jordan fitness as Springbok Test looms
New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie has confirmed Will Jordan remains a doubt for the opening Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park on 22 August. The prolific wing has been sidelined with a back complaint throughout the All Blacks' South African tour and missed warm-up fixtures against the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls.
Latsha leads Springbok Women in Lautoka as Tshiremba set for debut
Babalwa Latsha returns to captain the Springbok Women against Fiji in Lautoka on Saturday, targeting a series sweep after last week's 55-12 win in Suva, with uncapped Maria Tshiremba set to make her Test debut on the wing.
Rennie backs Roigard, Jordan and McKenzie to be fit for Springbok Test
Dave Rennie expects Cam Roigard, Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie to all be available for the first Test against the Springboks despite their absence from the All Blacks' tour match against the Bulls, with Rennie saying selection for the Test team is close to being settled.
Jordan and Roigard fitness concerns cloud All Blacks' Ellis Park preparations
Will Jordan remains doubtful for the opening Springbok Test at Ellis Park on 22 August after failing to shake a back injury that has kept him out of all three All Blacks tour matches, while scrum-half Cam Roigard is also a fitness concern following a calf niggle.
Louw and Grobbelaar released to Bulls for All Blacks clash at Loftus
Elrigh Louw and Johan Grobbelaar have been released from the Springbok camp to appear off the bench for the Bulls against the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, with Johan Ackermann tempering expectations given his squad is three weeks into pre-season.
WSL 2 semi-final spots still up for grabs as Griquas demolish Limpopo
Three teams — the SWD Eagirls, Griffons Women and Leopards Women — go into the final WSL 2 league round on Saturday still fighting for the two remaining semi-final places, with the Pumas and Griquas already through.
Louw and Grobbelaar released to Bulls for All Blacks clash at Loftus
Elrigh Louw and Johan Grobbelaar have been released to the Bulls for Saturday's match against the All Blacks at Loftus, with both named on the bench after a single training session back from Argentina. Coach Johan Ackermann acknowledges the side is well short of peak condition.
Bulls face All Blacks at Loftus with revamped side ahead of Springbok series
The Vodacom Bulls host New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday in the final warm-up before the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series begins in Johannesburg next weekend. While the Bulls field a more experienced side than the Hollywoodbets Sharks managed in Durban, only seven starters from the URC final against Leinster remain available. The match offers JF van Heerden a chance to stake his claim as Ruan Nortje's long-term replacement at lock.
All Blacks wary of Le Roux, Bosch kicking threat and Bulls physicality
Anton Lienert-Brown has singled out Willie le Roux and Curwin Bosch, along with the Bulls' physicality up front, as the primary threats New Zealand must manage on Saturday.
Ackermann urges Bulls to embrace All Blacks challenge despite pre-season constraints
Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has called on his side to relish Saturday's encounter with New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld, even as the Pretoria outfit navigate pre-season preparations and the absence of Springbok-contracted players. The Bulls will be the third South African franchise to face the tourists, who have already beaten the Stormers and Sharks. Veteran loose forward Marcell Coetzee, who last faced the All Blacks in 2014, will bring rare Test-level experience to a youthful Bulls line-up.
All Blacks ramp up mind games ahead of Springboks test series
The All Blacks have intensified their pre-series rhetoric, claiming South African sides are deliberately slowing play ahead of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry. Assistant coach Tana Umaga repeated the assertion following head coach Dave Rennie's earlier comments, with former Springboks hooker Hanyani Shimange warning the tour could turn sour if criticism of match officials continues.
All Blacks ring changes at Loftus as Rennie hands Taylor captaincy in final Springbok warm-up
Dave Rennie has made 19 changes to the All Blacks side that hammered the Sharks 54-0, handing Codie Taylor his first captaincy in his 110th Test as New Zealand prepare for their final tour match against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld. Beauden Barrett returns but has been shifted to full-back, with Chiefs fly-half Josh Jacomb earning a start at number 10. The wholesale rotation offers fringe players a last chance to stake claims ahead of the opening Test against the Springboks.
Mo'unga to miss first Springbok test as Rennie eases All Black back into structures
Richie Mo'unga will not feature in the All Blacks' first test against the Springboks, with Dave Rennie planning to ease the returning flyhalf into action against the Lions while making clear Ruben Love currently holds the 10 jersey.
Hattingh earns first Currie Cup start as Lions ring changes for Boland clash
JD Hattingh earns his first 2026 Currie Cup start as the Lions make multiple changes for their home fixture against Boland Cavaliers at Wits Stadium.
Rennie confirms Mo'unga not in frame for first Test as Love holds No.10 jersey
Dave Rennie says Mo'unga is unlikely to feature in the first Test against the Springboks on August 22, with Ruben Love retaining the No.10 jersey. Mo'unga was called up to replace the injured Billy Proctor and arrives in South Africa on Friday, a day before the All Blacks face the Bulls at Loftus.
Tickets range up to R1,350 for Bulls vs All Blacks at Loftus
Tickets for the Vodacom Bulls vs All Blacks match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday night top out at R1,350, with cheaper options still available.
Esterhuizen signs Sharks extension through to 2030
Andre Esterhuizen has extended his Sharks contract through to 2030, having made 125 senior appearances for the club.
Taylor to captain All Blacks for first time as Rennie names strong side for Loftus test
Codie Taylor captains the All Blacks for the first time in his 110th match as Scott Rennie names a Test-strength side to face the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, the final tour match before the Springbok Test series.