Saffas Abroad

Best of 2023: Saffas charge to Euro cup glory

Home and abroad, South African players took centre stage in European club rugby action in 2023, with all five local franchises involved in the Champions and Challenge cups.

Dublin , Ireland - 4 November 2023; Jason Jenkins of Leinster speaks with Pierre Schoeman and Duhan van der Merwe of Edinburgh after the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Edinburgh at the RDS Arena in Dublin. (Photo By Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Saffa star signs new Scottish deal

Scottish club Edinburgh have made swift work locking down one of South African rugby’s standout exports for the foreseeable future.

Saffas Abroad: Kolisi’s Racing in pole position

Siya Kolisi’s Racing 92 accelerated to the summit of the Top 14, while Johann van Graan’s Bath cleaned up Harlequins in England.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 26: Exeter Rugby players Aidon Davis (l) and Joe Hawkins celebrate victory during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Newcastle Falcons and Exeter Chiefs at Kingston Park on November 26, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

SA back-row export battles cancer

Former Cheetahs loose forward Aidon Davis has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a form of cancer affecting the lymphatic system.

Nienaber drills Leinster to ‘defend like Boks’

Leinster flanker Josh van der Flier has hailed the impact of Jacques Nienaber at the Irish outfit, highlighting the former Springbok coach’s detail-oriented approach.

RG Snyman of South Africa during the Rugby World Cup 2023 South Africa RWC Training Wednesday 25th October 2023. At Stade des Fauvettes Rue de Paris Domont, Île-de-France France.Photo by -(Steve Haag Sports)

Leinster to splash R10m on Snyman

Irish giants Leinster have reportedly tabled a multimillion-rand offer to sign double World Cup winner RG Snyman.

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 16: Faf De Klerk of Yokohama Canon Eagles passes the ball during the NTT Japan Rugby League One match between Yokohama Canon Eagles and Toyota Verblitz on December 16, 2023 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.

Boks in Japan: Faf bests Smith again

Faf de Klerk went head-to-head with Aaron Smith, while Damian de Allende showed off his kicking boots in the second round of Japan’s League One.

Wiese linked with Japan move

Jasper Wiese could reportedly opt to join Japanese side Urayasu D-Rocks, where the Springbok loose forward would link up with former Lions boss Johan Ackermann.