The third round of the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division kicks off in Kimberley on Friday, when Suzuki Griquas host DHL Western Province.
The Under-18 International Series kicks off on Friday at Hoërskool Durbanville in Cape Town, with South Africa's top young rugby talent taking on top-class international opponents from Europe.
Springbok Women flanker and Isuzu Bulls Daisies captain Lusanda Dumke is stepping away from rugby due to health concerns.
Experienced campaigners Ayanda Malinga, Danelle Lochner and Lindelwa Gwala will return to the Springbok Women match-23 for Saturday’s second international friendly against the Black Ferns XV as Swys de Bruin again tweaked combinations for their final match before the Rugby World Cup in England next month.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks XV have been bolstered by experience and youthful success as they negotiate their way through the Carling Currie Cup, eying the Vodacom Blue Bulls for their second round clash this Saturday.
Final tweaks aside, a positive result will be massively important for the Springbok Women when they take on the Black Ferns XV at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, as this will be their final match before the Rugby World Cup starts in England next month.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said the team were gearing up for a testing Castle Lager Rugby Championship campaign, which kicks off against the Wallabies on Saturday 16 August in Johannesburg, and stressed the importance of their two-week training camp saying it was vital in ensuring that the coaches, players, and entire management team were aligned and prepared for the competition.
They were caught napping at times and were outplayed at others, but the Springbok Women resumed their training on Monday with renewed energy as they prepare to take on New Zealand’s Black Ferns XV for a second time this weekend.
The Springbok Women took another positive step towards the Rugby World Cup in England as they recovered from being outplayed by New Zealand’s Black Ferns XV in the first half of their match at Athlone Stadium on Saturday, to “winning” the second half.
The talented Nick Hatton will lead the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV, having stepped into the leadership role last year, as the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV open their Carling Currie Cup campaign this weekend against the Fidelity ADT Lions in Johannesburg.