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Die Losgemaal: Rugby Gesels - 16 April
Die fokus is weer voluit terug op die URC hierdie week!
Pretorius signs new Lions deal, set for return against Glasgow
JC Pretorius has signed a new deal with the Lions and is in line to return from a long-term knee injury against Glasgow Warriors at Ellis Park on Saturday. Assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher confirmed the former Blitzbok flanker has been match-ready for several weeks. Morne van den Berg and Asenathi Ntlabakanye have also been cleared for the URC clash against the log leaders.
Four SA Franchises, One Playoff Dream: The Round 15 Stakes Explained
Round 15 could prove decisive for all four SA franchises still chasing URC playoff spots — the Stormers and Lions are well-positioned, the Bulls are surging, but the Sharks need a result away to Ospreys to stay alive.
From Shield relegation to record Cup: How Swartbooi rebuilt Tuks in three seasons
Dewey Swartbooi opens up on Tuks' three-season arc from Shield relegation to a record sixth Varsity Cup title — and what it took to rebuild a squad that went deeper than anyone expected.
Jake White and Derek Page quit Selborne College amid headmaster interference claims
Jake White and director of rugby Derek Page have both walked away from Selborne College, with White submitting a formal complaint to the school's Foundation Trust accusing headmaster Andrew Dewar of interfering with rugby operations and blocking key appointments. Page, who has not received a response to his own earlier letter, says their hands were tied from the outset on coaching appointments, fixtures, and recruitment. Selborne's first side has struggled on the field, with heavy losses to Rondebosch, Pearson, and Framesby this season.
Jake White and Derek Page quit Selborne College amid headmaster standoff
Jake White and director of rugby Derek Page have both quit Selborne College after clashing with headmaster Andrew Dewar, who they accuse of blocking coach appointments, restricting fixtures, and refusing to implement a bursary system. White has written to the Selborne College Foundation Trust outlining his frustrations, while Page says a similar letter sent weeks earlier has gone unanswered. The school's first side has since suffered heavy defeats to Rondebosch Boys' High and Pearson, and currently has no director of rugby in place.
Seven SA players who could define the URC playoff race over the final four rounds
Rugby365 identifies seven SA players whose current form makes them pivotal to the URC playoff race — from Roos and Papier to Chris Smith's 123-point season and Rudolph's competition-leading turnover count.
Seven SA players who could swing the URC playoff race in the final four rounds
Wynona Louw profiles the seven in-form South African players she believes will be decisive in the URC playoff race, with Roos, Papier, Smith and Buthelezi among those highlighted as their franchises push for a top-eight finish.
Dobson eyes Champions Cup history as Stormers prepare to 'spin and win' against Toulon
Dobson knows the Stormers can't out-muscle Toulon and is planning to spin and win — but he's also flagged some attacking patience issues that will need fixing before Saturday's Champions Cup last-16 clash.
Ackermann flags defensive frailties as Bulls target Glasgow upset
Ackermann warns that the defensive lapses from the Munster win will prove fatal against Glasgow, while insisting the Bulls are travelling to Scotland to genuinely compete — not just participate.
Stormers exit Champions Cup on heartbreak as late try ruled out in Toulon thriller
The Stormers were eliminated from the Champions Cup after a 28-27 defeat to Toulon at the Stade Mayol, with the match ending in controversy when a late Adre Smith try was ruled out by the TMO. Coach John Dobson questioned the decision, pointing to Toulon flank Charles Ollivon's position on the ground as a key factor, while acknowledging the Stormers were below their best in the scrum and some defensive sequences. The squad now refocuses on the URC, with Connacht coming to Cape Town on April 18.
Stormers exit Champions Cup on heartbreak call as Dobson questions TMO ruling
The Stormers were eliminated from the Champions Cup 28-27 by Toulon at Stade Mayol, with the game decided by a TMO ruling that disallowed a late Adre Smith try in debatable circumstances. Coach John Dobson disputed the call, arguing Toulon flank Charles Ollivon was on the ground and offside when he prevented the grounding. The Stormers now refocus on the URC, with Connacht coming to Cape Town Stadium on April 18.
Stormers exit Champions Cup on heartbreak call as Toulon edge thriller 28-27
The Stormers fell 28-27 to Toulon in the Champions Cup last 16 at Stade Mayol, eliminated by a controversial late TMO ruling that denied Adre Smith a match-winning try. Coach John Dobson questioned the call, pointing to Toulon flank Charles Ollivon being on the ground and in the field of play during the intervention. The Stormers now refocus on the URC, with Connacht at Cape Town Stadium on April 18 next up.
Ackermann pinpoints discipline and execution failures as Bulls bow out of Champions Cup
Ackermann says discipline failures and missed opportunities in Glasgow's 22 — not the conditions — ultimately cost the Bulls their Champions Cup campaign.
Ackermann: Missed chances and poor discipline cost Bulls in Glasgow exit
Ackermann identifies poor discipline and wasted chances in Glasgow's 22 as the decisive factors in the Bulls' 25-21 Champions Cup exit, with brutal second-half conditions compounding self-inflicted errors.
Nortje to leave Bulls for Japan after decade of one-club loyalty
Ruan Nortje will leave the Bulls at the end of the season to join a Japanese club, bringing to a close a career spent entirely at Loftus. The 27-year-old lock departs with 146 Bulls caps, 37 games as captain, and 18 Springbok appearances to his name. The move follows David Kriel's recently confirmed departure to La Rochelle.
Nortje to leave Bulls for Japan after near-decade of one-club loyalty
Ruan Nortje will leave the Bulls at the end of the season to join a Japanese club, ending a one-club professional career spanning 146 appearances and 37 captaincies at Loftus. The 27-year-old lock, who holds 18 Springbok caps, cited family considerations as central to the decision. The departure follows the recent confirmation of David Kriel's move to La Rochelle.
Pollard backs SA franchises to redirect European hurt into URC push — and heaps praise on Papier
Pollard calls for SA franchises to convert European disappointment into a URC title push, while making a compelling case — perhaps unintentionally — for Embrose Papier's Springbok recall.
Dobson urges Cape Town to fill DHL Stadium in honour of Chippie Solomon
The Stormers are mourning the death of long-serving team manager Chippie Solomon, who died from a heart attack on Saturday aged 64. John Dobson has urged Cape Town supporters to fill DHL Stadium for Saturday's URC clash with Connacht as a tribute to Solomon, who served the franchise from 2004. Player welfare manager Duncan Cruickshank will cover Solomon's duties this week.
Eight tries, five MOMs: Papier's form demands a Springbok conversation
Embrose Papier has eight tries, five MOMs and the Bulls' attack running through him — Nel examines why his renaissance is forcing even Springbok selectors to take notice.