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Fassi's Japan move leaves the Sharks with a genuine fullback headache
Fassi's confirmed Japan sabbatical strips the Sharks of their first-choice fullback for a season, but with Kunene and Giliomee also gone, Gavin Rich argues the Sharks are dangerously thin in the position — and questions whether teenage prospect Siyaya is ready to carry the load.
Fassi's Japan sabbatical exposes a fullback crisis brewing at the Sharks
Three fullbacks out in one off-season — Fassi to Japan, Kunene and Giliomee to the Bulls — leaves the Sharks dangerously thin at 15, with only a teenager and a few makeshift options to fill the void.
Junior Boks begin title defence with Uruguay clash in Tbilisi
The Junior Springboks open their World Rugby U20 Championship campaign against Uruguay in Tbilisi on Saturday evening, with captain Rambo Kubheka insisting the defending champions will not rest on last year's triumph. Head coach Kevin Foote has emphasised continuity and conditioning after a clean sweep in the U20 International series in Cape Town, while acknowledging the target now painted on South African backs. Pool A also features Wales and hosts Georgia, who recently defeated New Zealand 22-19 in a warm-up fixture.
Kubheka to lead Junior Boks in JWC title defence opener against Uruguay
Rambo Kubheka captains the defending champion SA U20s against Uruguay in their Junior World Championship Pool A opener in Tbilisi on Saturday evening, with regular skipper Siphosethu Mnebelele on the bench.
Fassi heads to Japan on sabbatical as Sharks confirm 2026/27 absence
Aphelele Fassi will join a Japanese Rugby League One club for the 2026/27 season on sabbatical, returning to the Sharks in July 2027 under the terms of his renewed contract.
Wiese's Barbarians masterclass deserves more noise than it's getting
Gavin Rich argues Wiese's Barbarians performance — dominant carries, defensive grunt, a lineout try — deserves the same attention being lavished on Pollock, and that a head-to-head on 4 July could quickly recalibrate English expectations.
In Rassie We Trust — and the Squad Depth to Back It Up
Rich argues the Barbarians game confirmed Springbok depth rather than exposed weakness, defends Erasmus's Van der Mescht omission as data-driven rather than arbitrary, and makes the case that — after everything Rassie has delivered — his selection calls deserve trust rather than social-media-driven second-guessing.
Wallabies prop Bell: South Africa has set the modern template for scrums and bench use
Wallabies loosehead Bell credits his Ulster season with exposing him to South African provincial scrums weekly, concluding that the Bomb Squad model and scrum-as-foundation approach has genuinely revolutionised how forward-dominant rugby is structured globally.
Junior Boks open title defence against Uruguay — Rugby365 predicts 30-point win
Rugby365 previews all round-one JWC fixtures with full lineups and predictions, giving 30-plus points to the Junior Boks over Uruguay as Kevin Foote's reigning champions open their title defence in Tbilisi.
From a Grade 11 wake-up call to the Springbok squad: The making of Vusi Moyo
A profile built around Engelbrecht's recollections maps Moyo's development from a talented but unfocused schoolboy to a composed international prospect — one his former coach believes is destined for greatness.
In Rassie We Trust — and Squad Depth That Proves Why
Rich argues the Barbarians game confirmed Bok depth rather than revealed weakness, defends Erasmus's Nations Championship squad selections — particularly the Van der Mescht omission — and makes the case that Rassie's track record now warrants a default position of trust rather than scrutiny.
Marshall warns Rennie: don't put McKenzie or Beauden at 15 again
Marshall is fuming at the prospect of Rennie again deploying McKenzie or Beauden Barrett at full-back, calling it a failed experiment and proposing Jordie Barrett as the safer option — with Jordan's injury potentially lingering into the first Springbok Test, it's a spine problem that could define the series.
Werner Kok joins Newcastle Red Bulls on one-year deal
Werner Kok has signed a one-year deal with Newcastle Red Bulls, leaving Ulster after two seasons to join the Gallagher Premiership side ahead of pre-season next month.
Bok depth is giving the coaches selection headaches — and England should be worried
Joubert and Rich argue Bok depth is at an unprecedented level, creating real selection dilemmas for the coaches — and a serious warning for England ahead of Ellis Park.
Hougaard: Du Preez was so good the coaches sat down when he spoke
Hougaard recalls du Preez commanding such tactical authority at the Bulls that coaches would defer to him in meetings — a fascinating glimpse into how that era's dominant teams actually functioned.
Werner Kok signs with Newcastle Red Bulls for 2026/27 Premiership season
Werner Kok has signed a one-year deal with Newcastle Red Bulls for the 2026/27 Premiership season after leaving Ulster, with his arrival coming amid speculation Fehi Fineanganofo will not honour his contract at Kingston Park.
Boks regroup in Johannesburg ahead of Nations Championship opener against England
The Springboks wrap up a week of Johannesburg training on Thursday and reassemble Sunday for Test-week preparations ahead of their Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park on July 4.
How former Lions doctor's refusal to testify sealed Ntlabakanye's 18-month ban
The IDT's 44-page ruling in the Asenathi Ntlabakanye doping case reveals that former Lions team doctor Rob Collins refused to testify in the prop's defence, a decision the tribunal identified as critical to the outcome. Ntlabakanye, banned for 18 months until November 2027, argued the prohibited substances entered his system entirely through the Lions' internal medical structure, but the panel found his reliance on that system — genuine as it was — fell short of the 'utmost caution' standard required under anti-doping rules.
Springboks host Wales at Kings Park on 18 July in Nations Championship opener
South Africa host Wales at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban on 18 July (17:40 local) in the Nations Championship, with Andrew Brace refereeing and SuperSport broadcasting.
ENGLAND'S NIGHTMARE? Springbok Depth Has Reached Another Level
The Springboks have two international-quality teams and the Barbarians game proved it. The Money Man and Gavin Rich breaks down the biggest performances, the selection headaches facing the coaches, and why England should be concerned headin