Saffas Abroad

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 28: Jesse Kriel of South Africa celebrates victory with team mates during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 Gold Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on October 28, 2023 in Paris, France.

Bok stars go under the knife

Double world champion Springboks Jesse Kriel and Faf de Klerk have both undergone surgery while playing in Japan, and face a spell on the sidelines.

Saffas Abroad: Leyds sets up Stormers rematch

Dillyn Leyds dotted down to sustain La Rochelle’s Champions Cup title defence and set up a playoff rematch against the DHL Stormers in Cape Town.

Siya scores first try to advance Racing

Siya Kolisi scored his first Racing 92 try as the French club secured a place in the last 16 of the Champions Cup with victory over Cardiff in Paris on Saturday.

Saffas Abroad: Kolbe repeats 2019 heroics

Cheslin Kolbe scored a replica of his 2019 World Cup final try in Japan, while a plethora of South Africans dotted down in the Champions and Challenge Cups.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 06: Handre Pollard of Leicester Tigers kicks the ball upfield during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Leicester Tigers and Saracens at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium on January 06, 2024 in Leicester, England.

Saffas Abroad: Pollard bests Farrell, again

Handre Pollard continued his successful streak against Owen Farrell in the Premiership, while Cheslin Kolbe dotted down for his first try of the season in Japan.

Ulster coach hails ‘top man’ Kitshoff

Head coach Dan McFarland has praised the impact of Steven Kitshoff at Ulster, highlighting the Springbok loosehead prop’s credibility and incredible work-rate.

Saffa boss has no regrets after Bath ‘B’ loss

Johann van Graan insisted he had no qualms about fielding a second-string team after defeat at Leicester meant Bath missed the chance to end 2023 top of the Premiership.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Handre Pollard of Leicester Tigers kicks a penalty during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Leicester, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Saffas Abroad: Pollard on song to sink Bath

Handre Pollard kicked eight points as Leicester Tigers took advantage of Johann van Graan’s understrength Bath, while Dillyn Leyds scored in La Rochelle’s rout of Toulouse.

Jacques Vermeulen Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images

Watch: Saffa bruiser bounces Bears star

Exeter Chiefs loose forward Jacques Vermeulen sent Bristol Bears flyhalf Callum Sheedy sprawling with a powerful fend in an English Premiership clash on Friday.

GLOUCESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Leicester Tigers' Jasper Wiese in action during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Gloucester Rugby and Leicester Tigers at Kingsholm Stadium on March 12, 2023 in Gloucester, United Kingdom.

Bath boss in awe of ‘too good’ Boks

Johann van Graan admits Bath have “no specific plan” to stop Leicester Tigers’ World Cup-winning pivot Handre Pollard on Sunday, while hailing Jasper Wiese’s dynamism.