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
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
Nick Mallett says SA teams will continue to struggle in the Investec Champions Cup for as long as their opponents have significantly bigger budgets. For the first time since joining the competition in the 2022-23 season, no side from the Republic will feature in the round-of-16 playoffs. The Vodacom Bulls and Sharks both finished fifth
The Stormers are reportedly set to lose the services of an ace finisher to the English Premiership. RugbyPass reports that Englishman Ben Loader has signed a three-year deal to play for Gloucester from next season, having spent the past two years in Cape Town. Loader joined the Stormers after his former club, London Irish, went
South Africa’s push for Vodacom URC playoff berths resumes this week following the conclusion of the European pool-stage campaigns. Both the Lions and Vodacom Bulls go into the Jukskei derby at Ellis Park on Saturday with confidence having claimed convincing European cup wins over the weekend. By trampling Stade Francais 48-7 at Loftus, the BULLS
Siya Kolisi said South African teams “deserve to be criticised” if they underperform in the Investec Champions Cup, but the Sharks skipper is convinced they can do better. The Springbok talisman was speaking post-match on Sunday after the Sharks exited the prestigious EPCR competition with a crushing 66-12 defeat by Bordeaux Begles at Stade Chaban-Delmas
Coach John Plumtree says the Sharks struggled to play catch-up rugby in their 66-12 defeat to Bordeaux on Sunday. Needing a win, a draw, a bonus point or a defeat by 27 points or less at Stade Chaban-Delmas to qualify for the Champions Cup round of 16, the Sharks started superbly with two tries in
Damian Penaud scored six tries for Bordeaux Begles as the Sharks exited the Investec Champions Cup on Sunday with a crushing defeat at Stade Chaban-Delmas. Penaud dotted down three times either side of half time as the Sharks went down 66-12 in the southwest of France. Needing a win, draw or a defeat by 27
Vodacom Bulls flyhalf Johan Goosen faces weeks on the sidelines after suffering another knee injury at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Goosen left the field in the 27th minute of the Investec Champions Cup pool match against Stade Francais, which the Bulls won 48-7 to qualify for the second-tier Challenge Cup playoffs. “I just asked the
Cobus Reinach is eager to embrace a leadership role and impart his knowledge at the Stormers when he returns to South African rugby next season. The two-time World Cup-winning Springbok scrumhalf, currently with French Top 14 club Montpellier, sees the potential in linking up with the Stormers’ young stars. “Playing attacking rugby with X factor
Sharks owner Marco Masotti has revealed his plans to make the Sharks a global brand. Masotti wants to stage pre-season matches in the USA against the likes of Toulouse, Saracens and the Stormers ahead of the 2031 World Cup, which the country will host. The Sharks could also organise pre-season matches against Major League Rugby
The Vodacom Bulls trampled Stade Francais in their last 2024-25 Investec Champions Cup pool match at Loftus on Saturday to qualify for the second-tier Challenge Cup playoffs. The Bulls came into the game already out of Champions Cup playoffs contention, but needing to win by at least 22 points with a bonus point, while denying
