Wessels takes charge of Rebels

Dave Wessels has been appointed as head coach of the Melbourne Rebels from 2018 through to 2019.

Joseph takes on dual-coaching role

Jamie Joseph will coach the Sunwolves and the Japanese national team from next season.

Bok coaches in deep denial

Allister Coetzee and Brendan Venter’s comments since the Springboks’ record 57-0 loss to the All Blacks are as concerning as the performance itself, writes SIMON BORCHARDT. On Saturday, the Boks suffered their biggest defeat in 126 years of Test rugby. They conceded eight tries, and could not score any points themselves. They were humiliated. Yet in his TV interview directly after the match… Read more →

Dempsey: Rassie will boost Boks

Former Ireland fullback Girvan Dempsey believes that Rassie Erasmus’ return to South Africa will aid the struggling Springboks, reports JON CARDINELLI. In late June, SA Rugby confirmed the worst-kept secret in the country. Erasmus will leave Irish club Munster at the end of 2017 and take up a director of rugby position (officially) at SA Rugby on 1 January 2018. The… Read more →

Healy kicked off SA Express flight

Leinster prop Cian Healy was forced off their flight from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town on Sunday for disobeying a direct order from the cabin crew. Leinster beat the Kings 31-10 in PE on Saturday and will take on the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein this weekend. The Irish province decided to train in Cape Town this week before departing to the… Read more →

Kolbe’s star continues to rise in France

SARugbymag.co.za looks back at the past weekend’s English Premiership, Pro14 and French Top 14 matches, involving South African players. ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP – Ex-Western Province lock David Ribbans bagged a brace to guide the Northampton Saints to a 24-6 bonus-point win over Bath. Scrumhalf Nic Groom started for the Saints, with compatriot Cobus Reinach serving as his deputy. – The Exeter Chiefs, with Don Armand at flank, beat the Worcester Warriors… Read more →

WP’s poor handling a ‘freakish event’

Coach John Dobson is at a loss to explain Western Province’s poor handling skills that led to a 22-12 defeat against the Pumas in Nelspruit. The Pumas’ first win against Province in eight years came after an error-ridden match that produced a staggering 67 combined handling errors, of which 34 were made by WP, according to the AllOutRugby stats. Speaking at a… Read more →

Louw to bolster Boks

Springbok coach Allister Coetzee is set to recall veteran flanker Francois Louw ahead of the home Tests against Australia and New Zealand. The Boks are already without loose forwards Warren Whiteley and Duane Vermeulen. Jaco Kriel sustained a shoulder injury in the recent match against Australia and missed the clash against New Zealand as a result. Coetzee may need to… Read more →

Trolls target Bok wives, girlfriends

Eben Etzebeth has slammed Springbok supporters for targeting the players’ wives and girlfriends after their 57-0 loss against the All Blacks. Upon the team’s arrival in Johannesburg on Monday afternoon, Etzebeth said some of the Boks’ partners had been subjected to ‘nasty messages’. ‘I can understand people being upset with us. They’re allowed to be, but keep our families out… Read more →

Fraud charges laid against WP Rugby

Former commercial partner Aerios has filed criminal charges against WP Rugby’s board of directors. Investment company Remgro, which had a 24.9% stake-holding in WP Rugby before withdrawing in August, has two board members included, as they were part of the board when WP Rugby was liquidated last December. Remgro CEO Jannie Durand told Sport24 that Aerios’ allegations were ‘unfounded’. ALSO READ: WP, Remgro part ways… Read more →