French Top 14

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 06: Dameon Venter of the Cell C Sharks celebrates after scoring his try during the Currie Cup, Premier Division match between Vodacom Bulls and Cell C Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on May 06, 2023 in Pretoria, South Africa.

Weekend picks: Durban to host Currie Cup final

The Sharks and @Vodacom Bulls will come out on top in the semi-finals to set up a showdown in the Currie Cup final at Kings Park, according to the SARugbymag.co.za team.

Bok stars as La Rochelle book final spot

Dillyn Leyds scored as La Rochelle beat Bordeaux-Begles in the semi-finals of the Top 14 on Saturday and will face Toulouse in the final next week.

All Blacks winger to join French giants

One of New Zealand rugby’s rising stars has put pen to paper on a deal to continue his club career with Toulon next season.

Cheslin Kolbe charges forward/Toulouse/Getty

Watch: Kolbe too slippery for French

His stint with French Top 14 giants Toulon ended in Challenge Cup title glory, yet here Bok speedster Cheslin Kolbe rips part La Rochelle’s defence to score for Toulouse.

Bordeaux-Begles Congolese wing Madosh Tambwe (L) celebrates after winning the French Top14 rugby union qualifying match between Lyon Olympique Universitaire Rugby and Union Bordeaux-Begles (UBB) at Gerland Stadium in Lyon, central-eastern France on June 4, 2023.

Tambwe double sends Bordeaux into semis

Madosh Tambwe scored twice as Bordeaux-Begles beat Lyon on Sunday to seal a place in next weekend’s French Top 14 semi-finals in a game played without a television match official (TMO).

All Blacks star joins French club

Two-time World Cup-winning lock Sam Whitelock has signed a two-year deal with Pau, where he will join his younger brother Luke after the World Cup, the club announced.

Kolbe: So long, Toulon

Cheslin Kolbe has confirmed that he will be departing French giants Toulon at the end of the season and is expected to reveal his next move soon.

Ivan van Zyl in action for Saracens against Northampton Saints

Saffas Abroad: Marx, Van Zyl make a mark

Catch up on the South Africans in action during the English Premiership semi-finals, and the Springboks in the thick of things as Japan’s League One playoffs drew to a close.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Saints number 8 Juarno Augustus dives to score the fourth Saints try despite the attentions of Adam Radwan of the Falcons during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Newcastle Falcons and Northampton Saints at Kingston Park on April 21, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Saffas Abroad: Trokkie stars as Saints secure semi spot

There were plenty of South Africans in action as the Premiership, Top 14 and Japan’s League One reached the business end, with teams starting to secure their semi-final places.

Raymond RHULE of Stade Rochelais celebrate his try with Dillyn LEYDS of Stade Rochelais during the Final Champions Cup match between Leinster and La Rochelle at Orange Velodrome on May 28, 2022 in Marseille, France.

Bok stars in Top 14 spectacle

Springbok winger Dillyn Leyds scored as La Rochelle beat Clermont 26-13 in the French top-flight on Saturday ahead of next weekend’s Champions Cup semi-final with Exeter.