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Barrett ruled out for five months as back injury derails All Blacks captaincy
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett will miss the next five months after a back injury requiring surgery, ruling him out of the four-Test tour of South Africa and the Nations Championship fixtures against France, Italy and Ireland. The 32-year-old lock had taken a sabbatical to address ankle and Achilles issues but suffered the setback upon returning to training.
Barrett ruled out of South Africa tour as back injury requires surgery
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett will miss the four-Test tour of South Africa after a back injury forced him to undergo surgery this week. The 32-year-old lock, who took a sabbatical to address ankle and Achilles problems, will be sidelined for up to five months and also miss the Nations Championship fixtures against France, Italy and Ireland.
Scrumhalf headaches on both sides as England-Bok Nations Cup opener looms
Both England and the Boks head into their 4 July Nations Cup opener with scrumhalf injury concerns — Mitchell is doubtful for England, while Erasmus faces a deeper crisis with four No. 9s sidelined, potentially opening the door for Faf, Papier, and Van Zyl.
Barrett ruled out of South Africa tour with back injury requiring surgery
Scott Barrett faces back surgery and is ruled out for up to five months, missing the four-Test series against the Springboks in August and September as well as the July Nations Championship Tests — with his All Blacks captaincy already under question ahead of Dave Rennie's first squad announcement.
Coetzee: Bulls' URC struggle was actually the perfect knockout prep
Coetzee makes the case that the Bulls' rocky URC campaign was unintentional preparation for the pressure of knockout rugby — with Munster coming to Loftus on Saturday.
Dobson draws a line: Kolisi and Kolbe are the Stormers' limit on marquee Bok signings
Dobson explains why Kolisi's signing sits outside the Project 2029 timeline but is justified on merit, while Kolbe is a genuine long-term fit — and why both represent the hard limit on marquee Bok acquisitions at the Stormers.
Kolbe takes pay cut to return to Stormers, Dobson eyes 2029 with two icons back
Cheslin Kolbe returns to the Stormers on a below-market deal, taking a substantial pay cut from his Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath salary to join John Dobson's Project 2029 rebuild alongside fellow returning icon Siya Kolisi.
Kolbe took pay cut to force Stormers return after four failed attempts
Cheslin Kolbe accepted a significant pay cut to rejoin the Stormers for 2026/27, with coach John Dobson confirming the deal came after four previous failed attempts and that Kolbe turned down far more lucrative options to return to Cape Town.
Kolbe made financial sacrifices to seal Stormers return after four failed attempts — Dobson
John Dobson says Cheslin Kolbe took a significant financial cut to rejoin the Stormers for 2026/27, dismissing suggestions it is a Galactico or retirement signing and insisting Kolbe is driven by the desire to win trophies in Cape Town.
Keo & Zels: Come home Jacques, SA still loves you
World Cup-winning coach Jacques Nienaber did not fail Leinster. Leinster failed him. Keo & Zels break down the Irish backlash, Bordeaux’s physical domination and why South Africans will always back one of the architects of the Springboks’ w
Leinster failed Nienaber — not the other way around
Keo & Zels defend Nienaber against Irish criticism, arguing Leinster failed him rather than the reverse — and make the case that South African supporters have every reason to keep the faith.
Kolbe confirms Stormers return through 2029 as Dobson hails commitment
Cheslin Kolbe has finalised his return to the DHL Stormers on a deal running until 2029, with director of rugby John Dobson confirming the double World Cup winner made financial sacrifices to rejoin the Cape Town side. The move forms part of the Stormers' Project 2029 vision, which also sees Siya Kolisi and Wilco Louw returning to bolster the squad.
Kolbe returns to Stormers with trophy ambitions as Dobson assembles 2029 project
Cheslin Kolbe has confirmed his return to the DHL Stormers on a deal through to 2029, joining Siya Kolisi and Wilco Louw in a Cape Town recruitment drive aimed at silverware. Director of rugby John Dobson emphasised that the double World Cup winner has made commercial sacrifices to rejoin the franchise, dismissing suggestions of a retirement move. The signing forms part of Dobson's Project 2029, targeting Champions Cup success.
Kolbe confirms Stormers return through 2029 after Japan stint
Cheslin Kolbe has signed with the DHL Stormers through to the end of 2029, ending his spell in Japan and returning to the Cape Town franchise where he made 49 appearances earlier in his career. The double World Cup winner described the move as a homecoming and expressed his commitment to the club's Project 2029 vision.
Dobson: Kolbe returning to win trophies, not to wind down
John Dobson says Cheslin Kolbe has made a major financial sacrifice to return to the Stormers, motivated by winning trophies rather than winding down his career, while warning the franchise is close to its limit on high-profile signings.
Papier backs improved decision-making and kicking game for Springbok recall after eight-year absence
Embrose Papier has discussed the improvements in his decision-making, kicking and game management that earned him a place in the Springboks' second alignment camp — his first national involvement since 2018 — after a standout 2025/26 season with the Bulls.
Kolbe confirms Stormers return: 'It was always with the hope that one day I would come back home'
Cheslin Kolbe has signed with the Stormers through to 2029, returning from Japan to Cape Town in a deal linked to Roc Nation and SportyBet, joining fellow returnees Siya Kolisi and Wilco Louw at the franchise.
Kolbe set to rejoin Stormers in homecoming move from Suntory
Cheslin Kolbe is poised to return to the DHL Stormers from July, ending his stint with Suntory Sungoliath. The double World Cup winner's homecoming has been facilitated through combined efforts involving the Stormers, Roc Nations Sports and third-party backing, with SA Rugby's PONI funding also contributing to the deal.
Kolbe set to rejoin Stormers in homecoming deal from July
Cheslin Kolbe is poised to return to the DHL Stormers from 1 July after finalising a deal that will bring the double World Cup winner back to Cape Town from Suntory Sungoliath. The move, achieved through combined efforts involving the Stormers, Roc Nations Sports and third-party backing, will see Kolbe reunite with fellow returnee Siya Kolisi as part of the franchise's Project 2029.
Kolbe's homecoming fills the Stormers' most glaring gap — but this isn't a Galáctico pivot
Cheslin Kolbe's return to the Stormers fills a genuine tactical gap — pacy wide strike power — while Gavin Rich makes clear this is a family-and-PONI-driven recruitment model, not a Galáctico spending spree.