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Pollard perfect from the tee as Bulls claim eight-try Champions Cup rout
Handré Pollard converted all eight tries as the Bulls launched their Champions Cup campaign with a 56-20 bonus-point victory over Stade Français at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Wing Cheswill Jooste scored a hat-trick in the Pool Four encounter, crossing after just 20 seconds before completing his treble late on. The Pretoria side ran in eight tries in total to secure maximum points against the French visitors.
Jooste hat-trick leads Bulls to 56-20 demolition of Stade Francais at Loftus
The Bulls crushed Stade Francais 56-20 at Loftus in their Champions Cup Pool Four opener, with Cheswill Jooste scoring a hat-trick and Handre Pollard converting all eight tries in a dominant eight-try performance.
All Blacks close to within 0.82 of Springboks after hammering Wallabies in Sydney
New Zealand's 43-21 win in Sydney cuts their deficit to world-leading South Africa to 0.82 ranking points, while Australia slip to seventh after losing a chance to move into fourth.
Leyds and Moerat on bench as La Rochelle host Lions
Dillyn Leyds and Salmaan Moerat are named on the La Rochelle bench for their Champions Cup match against the Lions at Stade Marcel-Deflandre on Saturday.
Malherbe shows improvement but return timeline remains uncertain
Frans Malherbe has resumed non-contact team training with the Stormers and reports good improvement in his recovery from chronic neck and back injuries, though no decision on his future has been made ahead of what Stormers director of rugby John Dobson expects will be a new-year resolution.
Flament injury leaves Galthié short of locks ahead of Springbok clash
Thibaud Flament has confirmed he needs shoulder surgery and will miss France's entire November Nations Championship campaign, compounding the absence of Toulouse teammate Emmanuel Meafou and leaving Fabien Galthié without his preferred lock pairing for the Springbok clash on November 13.
France lose Flament to shoulder injury ahead of Springbok Test in Paris
Thibaud Flament has been ruled out for several weeks with a shoulder injury, leaving France without both him and Emmanuel Meafou in the second row for the November Tests — including the Nations Championship clash with South Africa in Paris on 13 November.
Roos set for season debut against familiar opposition in Champions Cup
Evan Roos makes his return from the sidelines as the Stormers prepare for a home Champions Cup fixture in Cape Town on Saturday.
Moodie ruled out of Bulls' Champions Cup opener against Stade Français
Canan Moodie has been ruled out of the Bulls' Champions Cup opener against Stade Français at Loftus on Saturday after failing to clear HIA protocols following the URC win over the Lions.
Sharks enter race for Malcolm Marx as Bulls face rival bid for Japan-based hooker
The Sharks have entered the race to sign Malcolm Marx, joining the Bulls in pursuing the Kubota Spears hooker ahead of his mid-2027 contract expiry, with Mbonambi's disciplinary situation a key factor in their interest. The Bulls, meanwhile, are set to sign Stormers tighthead Henco van Wyk on a short-term deal to cover injuries to Mornay Smith and Mawande Mdanda.
Mbonambi facing disciplinary hearing at Sharks after pre-season camp incident
Bongi Mbonambi has been sidelined by a disciplinary hearing arising from a pre-season camp incident, with a ruling expected within two weeks. Nyakane was excused while Mbatha and Swart received warnings.
Mbonambi's Sharks future in doubt amid disciplinary process
Bongi Mbonambi remains sidelined at the Sharks amid an ongoing disciplinary process following a pre-season curfew breach, with his fate expected to be determined within the next two weeks.
Sharks scrum struggles hand Stormers platform in 39-22 Cape Town victory
The Hollywoodbets Sharks conceded crucial scrum penalties at DHL Stadium on Saturday, undermining their front row despite fielding Springbok props Thomas du Toit and Ox Nché. The DHL Stormers capitalised on the set-piece advantage to secure a 39-22 United Rugby Championship win, with head coach JP Pietersen acknowledging his side must improve their contesting on their own put-in. The defeat leaves the Sharks with work to do after their scrum had impressed in the previous round's victory over Leinster.
Mbonambi facing disciplinary hearing over Sharks pre-season camp conduct
Bongi Mbonambi is sidelined from Sharks duty while awaiting a disciplinary ruling over conduct at the franchise's pre-season camp, with a decision expected within two weeks. Nyakane, Mbatha and Swart were also involved, though with lesser consequences.
Bulls demolish Lions 57-15 as returning Springboks make immediate impact at Loftus
The Bulls crushed the Lions 57-15 at Loftus, with five of their nine tries scored by returning Springboks. Man of the match Cameron Hanekom and Johan Grobbelaar each bagged braces as Johan Ackermann praised both his national players and his bench for a commanding all-round performance.
All Blacks rout of Wallabies throws Perth defeat into sharp relief
New Zealand's 50-19 demolition of Australia at Eden Park has provided a useful yardstick for South African supporters still digesting the 42-38 defeat in Perth. The Wallabies arrived on a six-Test unbeaten run but were systematically dismantled by an All Blacks side that had lost three successive Tests to the Springboks. The result underscores the gulf between Rassie Erasmus's first-choice XV and the weakened side that struggled in Western Australia.
Etzebeth and Moyo injury scares compound Sharks' loss to Stormers
Eben Etzebeth and Vusi Moyo both suffered injuries as the Sharks fell 22-39 to the Stormers in Cape Town, with Moyo confirmed to have a dislocated shoulder and Etzebeth carrying a knee or upper leg complaint. Two yellow cards in the first half further compounded the Sharks' afternoon.
Bulls sweat on Moodie HIA after 57-15 demolition of Lions
Canan Moodie faces an HIA protocol review after being forced off during the Bulls' 57-15 win over the Lions at Loftus, with Ackermann hopeful the winger will clear the process ahead of the Champions Cup.
Stormers dismantle Sharks 39-22 in Cape Town derby as Feinberg-Mngomezulu shines
The Stormers beat the Sharks 39-22 in Cape Town, with Hacjivah Dayimani scoring twice and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu earning man of the match in a setpiece-driven performance that secured all five log points.
Stormers dominate Sharks in Cape Town as Etzebeth exits injured
The DHL Stormers secured a commanding 39-22 bonus-point victory over the Hollywoodbets Sharks in their United Rugby Championship clash at DHL Stadium on Saturday. Hacjivah Dayimani scored twice as the hosts dominated the scrums, while the visitors were hampered by two yellow cards and early injuries to Springboks Eben Etzebeth and Vusi Moyo.