The United Rugby Championship kicks off this weekend to herald a new era for the competition. Four leading clubs from South Africa – the Vodacom Bulls, DHL Stormers, Cell C Sharks and Emirates Lions – have joined the other 12 Northern sides to form a 16-team league.There will be 18 rounds in the regular season with home and away fixtures in each of the four Shields – Irish, Welsh, Scottish/Italian and South African – with the other 12 encounters being played either home or away before the top … [Read more...] about Are You Ready for the Start of the URC?
Sport
Scottish Rugby Schools Week
Thousands of pupils are preparing to engage with rugby as the inaugural Scottish Rugby School’s Week, supported by Saltire Energy, is set to be delivered across the country.Scottish Rugby’s Rugby Development teams will be facilitating the programme for both primary and secondary schools from today (Monday 20 September) with a blend of digital and in-person support. Of the 234 schools signed up to participate, nearly a quarter will be delivering new or rekindling rugby activity. To meet the … [Read more...] about Scottish Rugby Schools Week
Sport, creative sectors rallied to drive vaccination campaign
The sport and creative industries can play a catalyst role in South Africa reaching its vaccination targets, and in turn, ensuring life returns to pre-COVID-19 levels, says Deputy President David Mabuza.The Deputy President, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on COVID-19 Vaccines, made the call during the “Return to Play – It’s in your hands” social mobilisation vaccination tour in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, on Friday. He said even under depressing circumstances, … [Read more...] about Sport, creative sectors rallied to drive vaccination campaign
Sates and Coetzé’s rivalry heats up on third day of SA Short Course Championships
Pietermaritzburg, Friday, 17 September 2021 – Two of the youngest swimmers on South Africa’s Olympic team to Tokyo, Pieter Coetzé and Matt Sates, continued to fire up the competition on day three of the SA Short Course Championships in Pietermaritzburg.18-year-old Sates picked up another national title in the 400m freestyle, cruising to victory over nine and a half seconds ahead of second-placed Danté Nortjé. The Maritzburg swimmer’s time of 3:41.02 also saw him securing another A qualifying … [Read more...] about Sates and Coetzé’s rivalry heats up on third day of SA Short Course Championships
Nienaber opts for continuity in Bok selection for Aussie Test
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber opted for continuity in selection for their Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday, making only three changes to his matchday squad – one of which was enforced – as the Boks aim to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat to the Wallabies.In the two personnel changes in the starting lineup, Marvin Orie takes over at lock from Lood de Jager, who has started his concussion return to play protocol, and Trevor Nyakane was named … [Read more...] about Nienaber opts for continuity in Bok selection for Aussie Test
Swimmers fired up for SA Short Course Championships
Pietermaritzburg, Tuesday, 14 September 2021 – Close to 300 swimmers, including several who competed at the recent Tokyo Olympics, have converged on Pietermaritzburg to compete at the SA Short Course Championships from 15-19 September 2021.Many of them will be gunning for qualifying times for the rescheduled FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in Abu Dhabi from 16-21 December 2021. South Africans have traditionally excelled in the short course format, contested in a 25m pool, with the … [Read more...] about Swimmers fired up for SA Short Course Championships
Boxer Elites gunning for fast times at JOBURG 10K CITYRUN Virtual Edition!
A strong contingent of Boxer Athletics Club’s Elite Athletes will celebrate National Heritage Day on Friday 24 September 2021 by targeting fast times at the much-anticipated JOBURG 10K CITYRUN Virtual Edition! Photo: Boxer Athletics ClubA strong contingent of Boxer Athletics Club’s Elite Athletes will celebrate National Heritage Day on Friday 24 September 2021 by targeting fast times at the much-anticipated JOBURG 10K CITYRUN Virtual Edition! A preeminent club for SA’s greatest middle-distance … [Read more...] about Boxer Elites gunning for fast times at JOBURG 10K CITYRUN Virtual Edition!
Four more years for Evan Roos
Dynamic loose forward Evan Roos has signed a contract extension with Western Province Professional Rugby (WPPR) that will see him playing for the DHL Stormers and DHL Western Province until at least 2025.The 21-year-old has been a revelation at the back of the scrum for both the DHL Stormers and DHL Western Province, since signing an initial contract earlier this year. The all-action No.8 had an eye-catching Carling Currie Cup campaign, which saw him score eight tries and make consistent … [Read more...] about Four more years for Evan Roos
Jacques Nienaber: “Ill-discipline cost us”
Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber singled out ill-discipline as the main factor behind South Africa’s defeat against Australia in their Castle Lager Rugby Championship encounter in Gold Coast on Sunday.The Springboks scored three tries to one by the hosts at the CBUS Super Stadium, but despite this they trailed 19-11 at the break and went down 28-26 at the death as Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper kicked his seventh penalty goal shortly after the final hooter had sounded to snatch a victory for … [Read more...] about Jacques Nienaber: “Ill-discipline cost us”
Two from Two
The Vodacom Bulls made it two from two in as many seasons when they successfully defended the Carling Currie Cup title against the Cell C Sharks in a one-sided final in Pretoria on Saturday.The same two teams that contested the 2020 final were in action again at the end of the 2021 season, but unlike the last time, when the winner was only determined after 100 minutes of nail-biting rugby, the Vodacom Bulls simply had too much class for the Cell C Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday … [Read more...] about Two from Two
Scotland team named for Italy opener
Scotland Women Head Coach Bryan Easson has named his team to face Italy in this Monday’s opening Rugby World Cup 2021 Europe Qualifiers match (13 September, kick-off 2pm BST / 3pm local time) – live on BBC ALBA.In the front-row, hooker Lana Skeldon packs down alongside Leah Bartlett and Christine Belisle, while Emma Wassell links up with Sarah Bonar in the second-row. Captain Rachel Malcolm joins Louise McMillan and Jade Konkel to form a formidable back-row. Jenny Maxwell gets the nod at … [Read more...] about Scotland team named for Italy opener
WRU National League Fixtures
The Leagues, which kick off from Saturday 13 November for all divisions from Championship to Division Three, and December 11 for the Indigo Group Premiership, will be run on a home OR away basis this season.In Divisions 1 – 3, League winners will be entered into play-offs to determine National Divisional Champions, while in the Championship and Indigo Group Premiership the top four teams will enter Championship or Premiership play-offs to determine the champion of their RESPECTIVE League.In … [Read more...] about WRU National League Fixtures
Heyns, Lill crowned 2021 Fedhealth MTB Challenge Champions!
Gert Heyns and Candice Lill claimed gold in the Marathon (+-58km) Distance of the 6th annual Fedhealth MTB Challenge. Photo: Chris HitchcockGert Heyns and Candice Lill claimed gold in the Marathon (+-58km) Distance of the 6th annual Fedhealth MTB Challenge that took place at the beautiful Blaauwklippen Wine Estate on Sunday 12 September 2021 amidst wet and muddy conditions. The Fedhealth MTB Challenge Marathon consisted of a +-58km route that boasted a total climb of 1200m. Riders got to … [Read more...] about Heyns, Lill crowned 2021 Fedhealth MTB Challenge Champions!
New Hall of Fame Inductions
Scottish Rugby’s determination to recognise the growing diversity of the game and celebrate the huge role that women play in enhancing rugby, is celebrated today.Five women who have made pioneering and ground-breaking contributions to rugby and wider society are being inducted into Scottish Rugby’s Hall of Fame. They are Dee Bradbury OBE, Vicky Galbraith, Keri Holdsworth, Kim Littlejohn and Ally Ratcliffe. The famous five will join Scottish Rugby’s most capped player of all time, Donna Kennedy, … [Read more...] about New Hall of Fame Inductions
Four debutants for Canada trip
Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell has named four uncapped players in his 13-man squad to travel to Canada this weekend for tournaments in Vancouver and Edmonton later this month.Ronald Brown, Darren Adonis and Shaun Williams will all make a first HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series trip with the Blitzboks, while Christie Grobbelaar is in line to make his first appearance for South Africa, although he has travelled with the team before – to Dubai in 2019 as 13th player. Brown represented South Africa … [Read more...] about Four debutants for Canada trip
