Rugby

For Sako Makata, watching the Blitzboks grind to a stuttering halt in Toulouse was a painful and frustrating experience, especially knowing how much the team was hurting following their unexpectedly disappointing showing at the HSBC France Sevens. Sitting in the Western Cape and unable to do anything about the happenings in the south of France made him feel helpless too. The situation will be vastly different for him at Twickenham on Saturday as Makata promises to bring heaps of energy to his … [Read more...] about Makata, Davids to bring the energy

Certain things were predictably good about the Springbok Sevens and their HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in recent years – their processes and system, but also the importance of setting the standard for a tournament by laying the foundation in the very first match of the opening day.That has not changed, despite some disappointing results of late, and when the Blitzboks take on Argentina at the HSBC London Sevens at 10h54 (SA time) on Saturday morning, the focus would be exactly the … [Read more...] about Argentina opener crucial for Blitzboks in London

With three rounds remaining and the top two positions on the Carling Currie Cup log a two-horse race between the Vodacom Bulls and the Toyota Cheetahs, the spotlight now turns firmly to the fight for the two remaining playoff spots.The Vodacom Bulls kick off the weekend’s fixtures on Friday evening when they host the Airlink Pumas in Pretoria, where the starting time is 19h00. This match is followed by two games on Saturday: Windhoek Draught Griquas tackle the unbeaten Toyota Cheetahs in … [Read more...] about 2022 Carling Currie Cup Bulletin #21

The learning curve was a steep one indeed, but the Springbok Women’s Sevens squad will benefit hugely from the opening day of the HSBC France Sevens in Toulouse on Friday.That is the view of Zintle Mpupha, who returned to the squad for this weekend’s tournament, where South Africa are one of two invitational teams competing against 10 core teams on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. The newly crowned champions for the 2022 season, Australia, outplayed Mpupha and her teammates 50-0 in their … [Read more...] about Defence highlights day of learning – Mpupha

The Springbok Women’s Sevens team left their best effort for last on day two of the HSBC France Sevens by beating Spain by 21-19 and in securing their first win in Toulouse, booked their spot in the ninth-place final against Scotland, the other invitational team at the tournament.The match will kick off at 09h52 on Sunday morning and will be broadcasted by SuperSport. The victory over Spain, one of the core teams in the 2022 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, showed the progress made by the South … [Read more...] about Win over Spain highlights progress in Toulouse

The Springbok Sevens squad failed to progress to the Cup quarter-finals of the HSBC France Sevens tournament in Toulouse when they were beaten 19-7 by Samoa in their final Pool D clash on Saturday.This, together with defeat to Ireland on Friday, meant that the South Africans only finished third in their pool and lost the opportunity to extend their lead on the overall HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series log. They did recover to beat Japan 40-0 in the ninth-place quarter-finals and will face Scotland … [Read more...] about Springbok Sevens Out

The Springbok Sevens team will have to beat Samoa with a convincing score in Toulouse at 12h22 on Saturday if they want to proceed to the Cup quarter-finals of the HSBC France Sevens, and keep their lead in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series for the 2022 season.The Blitzboks might have to do so without playmaker Dewald Human though, who will have to be declared fit from a head injury assessment before he can play against Samoa on Saturday at Stade Ernst-Wallon. Blitzboks coach, Neil Powell, … [Read more...] about Blitzboks need big second day in Toulouse

But, South Africa still lead the men’s Series standings with 111 points, ahead of Argentina on 105 and Australia on 100.The three contenders for the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title faced setbacks on a thrilling opening day at the HSBC France Sevens as South Africa, Argentina and Australia suffered shock defeats, but women’s champions Australia showed no signs of slowing down in Toulouse. The full complement of 16 men’s and 12 women’s teams lined up for the first time at the Stade … [Read more...] about South Africa, Argentina and Australia are all beaten on day one of the HSBC France Sevens in Toulouse

Wales men’s head coach Wayne Pivac has named a 33-player squad for the three-Test Series in South Africa this July – the national squad’s first visit to the country since 2014.George North and Dan Lydiate return for international duty after extended periods out with injury. Ospreys’ teammate Sam Parry will join them in camp with Wales. Scarlets duo Johnny Williams and Rhys Patchell are also named. There are two uncapped players: Cardiff Rugby’s James Ratti is called up after featuring in the … [Read more...] about Wales squad for South African Test Series

The Springbok Women’s Sevens rugby journey in 2022 makes a brief stop at the HSBC France Sevens in Toulouse this weekend, but for team captain, Sizophila Solontsi, it will be an important stop in their ultimate season.South Africa will play as one of the invitational teams at this event (alongside Scotland) against the top 10 teams in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, and come 10h36 on Friday morning, they will face the best of them all in Australia, who have already won this year’s World … [Read more...] about Working towards the future in France

This is the question Davlon Blood asked himself on Sunday morning when he received two phone calls in quick succession, the first from Springbok Sevens team doctor Janesh Ganda, to come and see him, and immediately thereafter from SA Rugby Sevens High Performance Manager, Marius Schoeman.Blood was expecting a call from Ganda, who checked out his shoulder after he took a bump the day before, playing with the SA Rugby Sevens Academy in a tournament at Markötter Stadium, but when Schoeman called, … [Read more...] about “What have I done now?”

Editor: One cannot help but speculate that the catalyst for this was the Springboks highly paid ‘Water Carrier’, SA Director of Rugby and former coach Rassie Erasmus (see further down for confirmation). The trial follows an extensive review by the international federation of the current elite rugby environment, including research into player hydration needs, and increasing disruption to play caused by multiple water carriers entering the field of play every time there is a … [Read more...] about World Rugby moves to trial limits on non-playing personnel

The race to finish top of the log in the SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division is hotting up with two crucial matches in Round Four of the competition that could have a huge impact to determine who will play in the final on 11 June.The Border Ladies and Boland Dames will clash in Mdantsane on Sunday, with both coming of good wins last weekend, while the Cell C Sharks Women can ill-afford another defeat in the competition, although they have the unkind matter of the Blue Bulls Ladies at Loftus … [Read more...] about Big guns clash in Round Four of SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division

World Rugby has confirmed the locations for the next three women’s and two men’s Rugby World Cups as it accelerates global development and growth.At its Annual Meeting in Dublin, the World Rugby Council unanimously approved the staging of Rugby World Cup in the following countries, delivering a golden decade for the sport: England to host Rugby World Cup 2025 (women’s) Australia to host Rugby World Cup 2027 (men’s) and 2029 (women’s) USA to host Rugby World Cup 2031 (men’s) and 2033 … [Read more...] about Rugby World Cup host locations confirmed through to 2033

The most capped Blitzbok ever, Branco du Preez, has been included in the 13-man Springbok Sevens squad for the next two HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournaments in France and England, in one of four changes to the team that returned from a fifth-place finish in Canada last month.Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell recalled Du Preez after the playmaker recovered from a shoulder injury he picked up at the World Series event in Seville, Spain in January, which the Blitzboks won. Du Preez, who will … [Read more...] about Du Preez and Du Plessis return for Blitzboks’ Euro trip