Kyle Steyn’s big day in the Shadow of Table Mountain
SPOTLIGHT: From meeting Mandela to playing for the land of his mother, Kyle Steyn certainly has a tale to tell. Born in Johannesburg, he lived in South Africa for the first 24 years of his life. But then came a huge change as he moved over to the UK and joined Glasgow Warriors. Eligible through […]
No margin for error in SA teams’ URC play-off dash
PREVIEW: There will be no room for error for the four South African teams in the United Rugby Championship in the third-last round of pool matches this weekend. Every result is set to have notable implications in their play-off hopes. The Sharks, who must win all their remaining matches with bonus points and hope that […]
URC road to the play-offs
PREVIEW: Round 16 in the United Championship is headlined by a huge clash at the Cape Town Stadium, where second-placed Stormers host leaders Glasgow Warriors in a meeting between the top two sides in the table. Glasgow begins the weekend on 55 points, four clear of Stormers and Leinster, while the Capetonians have the chance […]
The #BIG winners and losers of URC Round 15
The Lions and Bulls made strong statements of their intent in a round of mixed fortunes for the South African teams in the United Rugby Championship as they achieved significant victories. In contrast, the Stormers and Sharks stumbled in matches that could have big implications in their campaigns. The Lions registered the biggest upset of […]
Road to Bilbao: Euro quarterfinals confirmed
WRAP: We look ahead to the Champions Cup and Challenge quarterfinals. Bath, Northampton Saints, Glasgow Warriors, Toulon, Leinster, Sale Sharks, Union Bordeaux Bègles and Stade Toulousain all remain in the race for the semifinals. The first knockout round of the Champions Cup certainly lived up to the hype as the final eight clubs were confirmed. […]
Rugby is ‘so emotional’ for Stormers
Having provided the perfect response to those who had written them off, the Stormers now have their sights firmly set on a top-four finish in the URC. It’s been something of a rollercoaster ride for the Cape Town-based side so far this season. They won their first ten matches in all competitions, but then lost […]
URC race to the eight: How the drama can unfold
SPOTLIGHT: With just six rounds remaining, the URC’s Race to the Eight is set for another thrilling and unpredictable finish as teams battle for the play-off places. The top eight will qualify for the play-offs, with the top four earning home advantage in the quarterfinals. The fight for those home ties is incredibly tight, with […]
URC Round 12 match official appointments
NEWS: The match officials appointments of the United Rugby Championship Round 12 fixtures have been confirmed. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27 Cardiff v Leinster(Arms Park, Cardiff – Kick-off: 19.00 IRE & UK/20.00 ITA/21.00 SA) Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)Assistant referees: Ben Whitehouse (Wales), Carwyn Sion (Wales)TMO: David Sutherland (Scotland) Edinburgh v Scarlets(Edinburgh – Kick-off: 19.45 IRE & UK/20.45 […]
Jan de Koning’s URC predictions
It is Round 10 of the URC, a crucial stage if the play-off race. The Champions Cup has given some teams momentum, and for others has been rather humbling. But for now the focus is firmly on league positions, and getting bodies through this final hurdle before international season starts. In the URC, Leinster remain […]
Champions & Challenge Cup Round Three
PREVIEWS: The Champions Cup returns this weekend with two pool stage matches remaining and every point crucial to qualify for the knockout stage and secure home advantage in the Round of 16. With a rematch of last year’s Final, rivalries and statement fixtures across the pools, Round Three promises a standout weekend. Round Three headlines […]