Stormers bolster flyhalf stocks

Griquas flyhalf George Whitehead has joined the Stormers on loan ahead of the 2018 Super Rugby season.

Sopoaga confirms New Zealand exit

All Blacks flyhalf Lima Sopoaga says the decision to take up a contract with Wasps in England was ‘one of the hardest decisions’ of his life.

Title success for SA Sevens Academy

Coach Marius Schoeman has applauded the winning effort of the SA Rugby Sevens Academy team at the Punta del Este tournament on Sunday. The academy side beat Ireland, France and Chile on the way to the title, despite only having nine players available for the final. ‘It was a great start to the year for us, and the guys really… Read more →

Ex-All Blacks coach in cancer scare

Former All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith has revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer last year. Smith ended a highly-successful 20-year association with the All Blacks in October, but his diagnosis apparently played no part in his decision to step down. However, Smith admitted that he kept the news largely to himself after an annual medical check-up saw the doctors pick… Read more →

Try, yellow card for Schalk in Sarries win

Schalk Burger scored a try as Saracens thrashed hosts Wasps 38-15, while there were also wins for Newcastle, Bath, Leicester, Northampton and Sale in the English Premiership. Saracens led 18-13 at half-time thanks to tries to wing Chris Wyles, fullback Alex Goode and Burger, who started at openside flank. But Burger was yellow-carded late in the first half when he came in from an… Read more →

Upsets rule the day in Top 14

La Rochelle relinquished top spot after being held to a 38-38 draw by bottom-feeders Oyonnax, while Agen, Brive, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Pau and Racing 92 won in the Top 14. Shock results were the order of the day on Saturday, when – with the exception of Montpellier beating Stade Français – all the top teams failed to win against their lower-ranked… Read more →

Leinster run Ulster ragged

Leinster claimed a 38-7 bonus-point victory over Ulster, while there were also wins for Munster, Glasgow, the Ospreys, Scarlets, Edinburgh and Treviso in the Pro14. The highly anticipated Irish derby turned out to be a one-sided show as Leinster produced a brilliant performance which reduced Ulster to bystanders. The result keeps Leinster in second position in Conference B, 11 points… Read more →

Yellow cards cost Cheetahs

Two tries against 13 men propelled Treviso to a 27-21 win against the Cheetahs at Stadio Monigo on Saturday. SIMON BORCHARDT reports. The Cheetahs, who had last played in the Pro14 on 2 December, were leading 16-8 after 54 minutes when hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld was sent to the sin bin for a breakdown infringement in the red zone. He… Read more →

Edinburgh crush Kings

The Kings suffered an 11th successive defeat in the Pro14 as they slumped to a 37-7 loss against Edinburgh at Myreside Stadium on Friday night. Although the Kings started this clash with plenty of endeavour, they were ultimately no match for their Scottish hosts in wet and muddy conditions. Despite a scoreless opening quarter, Edinburgh took control of proceedings before… Read more →

Blitzboks, Steinhoff part ways

Steinhoff is no longer the Blitzboks’ sponsor after the global retail giant was hit by an accounting scandal. According to Netwerk24, the parties came to an agreement on the termination of the partnership in December, but it has not been made public yet. The #LoveRugby logo will appear on Blitzboks jersey until a new sponsor is found. When Steinhoff CEO Marcus Jooste… Read more →