‘The year that rugby chose me’
Just eight months ago, Siba Mahashe took his first steps onto the URC stage, but already, this 22-year-old loose forward is being hailed as one of South African rugby’s most promising talents. His ascent to prominence was crystallised with his selection for a Springboks alignment camp in May, setting the stage for his debut for […]
URC derby round preview and predictions
In what promises to be an electrifying weekend of South African rugby, the Sharks, sitting atop the United Rugby Championship log, and the third-placed Lions are both eyeing to maintain their unbeaten streak as they travel to confront the Stormers and Bulls. These derbies could prove pivotal in shaping the early standings of the season. […]
Cheetahs have a new home
The newly redeveloped St Helen’s stadium in Swansea will become the temporary European home for South African outfit the Cheetahs during the 2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup. In an exciting joint announcement with Ospreys, it was confirmed that the Cheetahs will play both of their “home” pool-stage fixtures at the Welsh venue, bringing an influx of […]
It’s Bok v Bok and brother v brother in the URC derby round
Round Three is set to feature the first South African derby double-header of the season, as the unbeaten Sharks head to Cape Town to clash with the formidable Stormers, while the Lions prepare to take on the Bulls in Pretoria. In a thrilling rematch of last season’s quarterfinal, the Glasgow Warriors will welcome Connacht to […]
A hard-fought homecoming: Behind the scenes of Haashim Pead’s transfer
EXCLUSIVE: Jan de Koning takes a peek behind the scenes of one of the most contentious transfer battles in the South African landscape. Behind the heavily secured gates of Ellis Park, an ongoing struggle has unfolded over the years. The toll of this conflict has notably fallen on the young athletes who don the Lions […]
Technology ‘failed’ the Bulls
Bulls coach Johan Ackermann expressed a mixture of pride, frustration, and disappointment after his team’s narrow 22-26 loss to Munster at Thomond Park at the weekend. While he lauded his team’s defensive resilience and fighting spirit, he lamented poor tactical execution, costly unforced errors, and frustrating officiating calls. Ackermann admitted that his team did not […]
Dobson’s Bok SOS after Edinburgh nightmare
Stormers coach John Dobson expressed deep frustration and disappointment, following his team’s 13- 17 United Rugby Championship loss to Edinburgh this past Friday. He pinned the blame squarely on a “nightmare” line-out performance, where his team lost a staggering 11, including seven before half-time. “From our side, we don’t have to look too much beyond […]
Sharks set the pace in URC race
The Sharks and Lions emerged triumphant in their second-round home fixtures of the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship. In contrast, the travel-weary Stormers and Bulls faced disappointment in the Northern Hemisphere. In a gripping encounter this past Friday, the Capetonians succumbed to Edinburgh, falling 13-17 in Scotland as a malfunctioning lineout in gusty conditions hampered their […]
Decoding the URC’s North-South paradox
The United Rugby Championship has emerged as the definitive arena for testing survival, adaptability, and the depth of team rosters in professional rugby. Spanning two hemispheres and involving five formidable nations, this competition has significantly transformed franchise rugby, particularly since the inclusion of South African teams. Over five thrilling seasons, it’s clear that no matter […]
Springbok player ratings: The heroes and zeros
OPINION: The Springboks suffered a chaotic 38-42 loss against Australia in Perth. Let’s just say the heavily rotated squad struggled to find its footing. Despite a late rally against an undermanned Wallabies side with just 11 players, the team’s defensive frailties overshadowed any potential comeback. Here’s Rugby Unfiltered‘s take on the Springboks’ individual player ratings […]