The dates and times of the round of 16 fixtures for the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup competitions have been confirmed. In the Challenge Cup, the Lions travel to Scotland to face fellow Vodacom URC outfit Edinburgh on Friday, 4 April, at Hive Stadium. Edinburgh topped Pool 3, while the Lions finished fourth
Bulls winger Kurt-Lee Arendse could reportedly miss the end of the Vodacom URC season due to his commitments with Japanese club Mitsubishi Dynaboars. According to Sport24, Arendse, who joined the Dynaboars on a sabbatical deal, may not return in time for the URC registration deadline on 30 April. Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone explained the situation:
“Beware of the team that comes in through the back door because that is generally the hungriest,” says Jake White as his Vodacom Bulls EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 clash against French Top 14 outfit Aviron Bayonnais has been confirmed for Saturday, 05 April. The South African outfit qualified for the 2024/25 Challenge Cup
The Springboks’ chances of becoming the first team to beat New Zealand at Eden Park since 1994 have been boosted by news that All Blacks negotiations to recall playmaker Richie Mo’unga have stalled. Coach Scott Robertson’s plans to restore the All Blacks to the top of the world rankings have been dented by news that
Vodacom Bulls wing Sergeal Petersen says he’s loving life in Pretoria despite limited playing opportunities. Petersen, who burst onto the scene in 2013 as an 18-year-old speed merchant for the Southern Kings, has earned just 12 caps since making his debut for the Bulls in November 2023. The Bulls are well-stocked in the speed department,
Concerns have arisen around the availability of wing Duhan van der Merwe for Scotland’s 2025 Six Nations opener against Italy, with another SA-born star ruled out altogether. Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has called up Arron Reed to his Six Nations squad as cover for Van der Merwe, who is recovering from an ankle injury
Unbeaten Leinster have never lost to the Stormers at home, but Rito Hlungwani and Paul de Villiers say the Cape outfit are “not fearful of the battle” that awaits them on Saturday. The Stormers lost 31-22 to Racing 92 in Paris last Saturday to bow out of the Investec Champions Cup and will be eager
The Sharks could be without fullback Hakeem Kunene for a clash against Cardiff at Arms Park on Saturday for a dangerous hit in the Investec Champions Cup. The EPCR received a citing complaint against the outside back after a heavy defeat by Bordeaux Begles for the Sharks in their final match of the pool stages
With Wales in a slump dating back to October 2023, under-pressure head coach Warren Gatland said there is “no expectation” going into the 2025 Six Nations championship. Wales will be in Paris on 31 January to open the tournament against France, desperate to snap a record run of 12 straight losses. Their last victory came
Marcell Coetzee can’t wait to tackle the Lions on Saturday, saying the Vodacom Bulls are targeting the Jukskei derby as the next step in their trophy hunt this season. Both the Bulls and Lions go into the Ellis Park clash in round 10 of the Vodacom URC with confidence having claimed convincing European cup wins
Vice-captain Jamie George has been ruled out of England’s Six Nations opener against defending champions Ireland, the RFU announced on Tuesday. The 34-year-old hooker, who was last week replaced by Maro Itoje as captain, suffered a hamstring injury in Saracens’ Investec Champions Cup defeat by Castres on Sunday. Northampton scrumhalf Alex Mitchell sustained a knee
The Stormers have completed another shrewd bit of business by securing the services of tighthead prop Neethling Fouche on a new long-term contract. The experienced scrum anchor has signed a three-year extension with the Cape outfit, who last week confirmed the signing of double World Cup-winning Springbok Cobus Reinach from next season. Since joining the
