Super Rugby – Wholesale changes for Sharks

The absence of captain Bismarck du Plessis from the starting XV highlighted a massive seven changes made by Sharks director of rugby Jake White for their crunch Super Rugby encounter against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday. There was still no Patrick Lambie, who was expected to return after the June international break, while the … Read more

The Lions are roaring in the concrete jungle

Super Rugby – Lions look to finish with a flourish

With only two matches left in the round-robin stage of the 2014 Super Rugby competition, the Lions will be looking to finish with a flourish to complete one of their best seasons. Coach Johan Ackermann said on Tuesday his team would be looking to bow out of this year’s edition with seven victories but they … Read more

Two changes as Wales look for more steel against Springoks

NELSPRUIT (Reuters) – Wales’ determination to match the muscle of South Africa has seen coach Warren Gatland make two changes to his pack for the second test at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday. The Welsh were second-best in all departments during their 38-16 loss in the first test in Durban last weekend, but Gatland … Read more

Kings aiming for Bulls scalp

EP Kings coach Carlos Spencer wants nothing less than a win over the Bulls when the two sides meet in a Super Rugby friendly on Friday. “Whatever team the Bulls put out, it will be a competitive unit and we are definitely targeting a win to build our confidence for the Currie Cup season,” Spencer … Read more

Matfield to set caps milestone in Wales test

By Nick Said CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – Victor Matfield will become the most-capped South African player of all time when the giant lock leads the Springboks in the second test against Wales in Nelspruit on Saturday. When he takes to the pitch, the 37-year-old will beak the record of 2007 World Cup-winning skipper John Smit … Read more

South African Rugby Player Awards

Louw wants Springboks improvements

The Springboks needed to work on correcting their scrum ahead of the opening Test against Wales this week, flanker Francois Louw said in Durban on Tuesday. After questions were raised over the pack during the 47-13 victory against the World XV in Cape Town over the weekend, the England-based loose forward said it was a … Read more

South African Rugby Player Awards

De Villiers blow for Boks

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – Captain Jean de Villiers has withdrawn from South Africa’s training camp after a knee problem forced him out of Saturday’s Super Rugby match between the Stormers and Cheetahs, the South African Rugby Union said. De Villiers will undergo a scan in Cape Town on Sunday to determine the full extent of … Read more

Sharks dig deep to give Auckland the blues

(Reuters) – The Sharks put in another defiant defensive performance to claim a 29-23 victory over the Auckland Blues and extend their lead at the top of the Super Rugby standings on Friday. Tries from skipper Bismark Du Plessis and scrumhalf Cobus Reinach and 16 points from the boot of Francois Steyn kept the visitors … Read more

Bulls keen to maintain winning home run

The Bulls and Brumbies meet in Super Rugby clash on Friday at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria — where the home side has not yet lost in 2014. In fact, in the last two seasons, the Bulls have won everything at home except for two matches – their semi-final defeat to the Brumbies last year and … Read more

Super Rugby – Van Der Merwe back for Bulls

Regular Vodacom Bulls captain, Flip van der Merwe, is back at the helm of the team to face the Brumbies in a Super Rugby match in Pretoria on Friday. “Flip’s leadership is very important to the team and as a senior player he does set an excellent example,” Bulls coach Frans Ludeke said. “We will … Read more