Bok duo miss Toulon trip

Willem Alberts and Jannie du Plessis have been excluded from the Sharks' 26-man squad for the pre-season match against Toulon at the Stade Mayol next Thursday.

Pretorius off to Wales

Cheetahs scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius will join the Newport Gwent Dragons at the end of the season on a long-term deal.

Ashley Johnson’s dangerous tackle

The Wasps flanker received a three-week ban for this tackle on Leinster winger Dave Kearney.

Lions mix and match

The Lions have named two sides of varying strengths to face Pukke and the Leopards in Potchefstroom on Saturday.

Johnson handed suspension

Wasps flanker Ashley Johnson has received a three-week ban for his tackle on Leinster winger Dave Kearney during a European Champions Cup fixture on Saturday.

Brown to skipper Sarries

Scottish flank Kelly Brown will captain Saracens in their exhibition match against the Bulls at Allianz Park on Saturday.

Bulls arrive in London

Sarries TV caught up with Pierre Spies, Jacques du Plessis, Handré Pollard and Frans Ludeke after they touched down in London.

Carter to bench for Crusaders

All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter will come off the bench for the Crusaders in their pre-season match against the Hurricanes in Eketahuna on Saturday.

Chiefs batter Blues

The Chiefs ran in six tries to beat the Blues 41-20 in their first pre-season match at Whangarei on Thursday.

Wallabies boost Brumbies

The Brumbies have named a 28-man squad including a number of Wallabies for their final pre-season match against the Highlanders in Wagga on Saturday.