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Nche plays down personal duel with Louw ahead of Sharks-Stormers clash
Ox Nche has played down the anticipated personal scrum battle with Wilco Louw ahead of the Sharks' trip to Cape Town, stressing collective pack performance after their dominant set-piece display in last week's 26-20 win over Leinster.
Owen Doyle fires back: Hooper and Hansen are 'totally out of order' over Piardi criticism
Owen Doyle dismantles the Hooper-Hansen critique of Andrea Piardi, defends the Perth yellow cards on their merits, and broadens his attack on the push for a rugby league-style report system — part of his ongoing case against a widening north-south officiating divide.
Rennie's scrum crusade isn't about the laws — it's about the World Cup
Nel cuts through Rennie's latest scrum complaints to argue the real play is simple: create enough referee uncertainty around the scrum that, come a World Cup knockout, the Boks' set-piece edge gets neutralised by chaos rather than beaten on the field.
Rennie's scrum obsession isn't about the laws — it's about the World Cup
Rennie's scrum complaints aren't about fixing the laws — the author argues he's deliberately muddying the waters to create referee uncertainty ahead of a potential World Cup clash with the Boks.
The Japanese tip that's sharpening Lonergan's edge against the Boks
The piece profiles how Lonergan's grip technique — courtesy of a Japanese scrumhalf's tip in 2023 — has underpinned his consistent goalkicking and distribution form, including his starring role in the Wallabies' four-point win over the Boks in Perth.
Fourie backs Paulo as Stormers own line-out collapse collectively
Deon Fourie has defended Vernon Paulo over the Stormers' 11 line-out losses against Edinburgh, calling the set-piece failure a collective issue rather than the young hooker's fault, with the side now turning their focus to hosting the Sharks at DHL Stadium on Saturday.
Matfield flags Australia's aerial game as the All Blacks' biggest Bledisloe danger
Matfield argues the All Blacks' RGR failing — poor decision-making in big moments — could be compounded in the Bledisloe opener by Australia's aerial dominance, the same weapon that hurt the Boks in Perth.
Etzebeth and Van der Merwe silence the Sharks' big-name critics
Van der Merwe, Etzebeth, and Esterhuizen combined for a moment that directly challenged the 'saves it for the Boks' criticism — the piece breaks down why it matters for the Sharks' season.
Kirwan: Boks showed the All Blacks exactly who they need to be
Kirwan uses the Bok series as a blueprint for what the All Blacks must replicate — their intensity, physicality and desperation — now that South Africa isn't on the other side to force it out of them.
Etzebeth, Van der Merwe and Esterhuizen flip the script on the Sharks' big-name problem
A brilliant Sharks counter against Leinster — built around Etzebeth, Van der Merwe, and Esterhuizen — is held up as the clearest answer yet to the long-running criticism that their Springbok stars only turn it on for test rugby.
Pietersen hails Sharks' 'unreal' URC start after Springboks deliver against Leinster
JP Pietersen says he was nervous about fielding his returning Springboks on one training session before the Sharks' win over Leinster, but the side's perfect 10-point start to the URC has left him pleasantly stunned ahead of Saturday's trip to face the Stormers.
Etzebeth brilliance seals Sharks statement win over Leinster
Eben Etzebeth produced a moment of attacking magic to set up André Esterhuizen's decisive try as the Hollywoodbets Sharks defeated defending champions Leinster 26-20 in round two of the United Rugby Championship. The victory, built on the defensive steel of returning Springboks, leaves the Sharks top of the standings with maximum points from two matches. Coach JP Pietersen credited his World Cup winners with providing the injection needed to overcome the Irish province.
Etzebeth-to-Esterhuizen try highlights Sharks' Bok combination in URC round two
Edwill van der Merwe, Eben Etzebeth and André Esterhuizen combined for a coast-to-coast try in the Sharks' URC round two match.
Stormers' Springbok flood vs Sharks' momentum: who has the edge in Cape Town?
The Stormers welcome back almost their entire Bok contingent for Saturday's Cape Town derby, but the Sharks arrive with cohesion, confidence and a fresh scalp over Leinster — the piece weighs whether a rested-but-rusty Stormers attack can overhaul a Sharks side already firing on all cylinders.
Returning Boks flood back for Stormers ahead of derby clash with Sharks
The Stormers host the Sharks on Saturday bolstered by a wave of returning Springboks, though complex loose forward selection and a looming fitness test for Evan Roos cloud an otherwise positive picture after a six-point URC tour. Cheslin Kolbe remains the only Bok unavailable, still out with a broken jaw.
Fourie at 40: Stormers' secret weapon in more ways than one
Rich unpacks how Fourie's hooker versatility gives Dobson an unexpected option after Edinburgh's lineout horror show, and raises the prospect of a hybrid role given the logjam Kolisi's return creates at 6.
Barrett: Boks leaned into their DNA — and the All Blacks know it's not a quick fix
Barrett pinpoints the Boks' scrum and maul as the series-deciding factors, dismisses referee complaints as a slippery slope, and warns the gaps exposed aren't overnight fixes — while Ryan suggests losing the captaincy could unlock Barrett's best rugby.
Graham Henry blames Super Rugby for All Blacks' Bok problem
Henry argues the All Blacks' recurring problems against the Boks in the scrum and high ball are partly structural — without South African franchises in Super Rugby, New Zealand players have no competition-level exposure to that style until they're standing in a Test.
Etzebeth brilliance and Bok steel carry Sharks past Leinster as SA franchises dominate URC standings
The Sharks lead the URC with a perfect 10 points after beating defending champions Leinster 26-20, sparked by a stunning Eben Etzebeth break and try assist in the 69th minute. The Lions are third after a 35-19 bonus-point win over the Ospreys, while the Bulls (lost 26-22 to Munster) and Stormers (lost 17-13 to Edinburgh) both dropped points in games their coaches felt were there for the taking.
Stormers set for near-full Springbok contingent against Sharks
Norman Laker confirms the Stormers will have a near-full Springbok contingent available for Saturday's clash against the Sharks at Cape Town Stadium.