The match between DHL Western Province and Sanlam Boland Dames highlights another intriguing round of the SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division, with this coastal derby a straight shoot-out for second spot on the log.
The Carling Currie Cup First Division for 2024 kicks off with a bang on Saturday, when the Valke host defending champions Sanlam Boland Kavaliers in a rematch of last year’s final at the Barnard Stadium in Kempton Park, in one of three opening-round matches.
The Junior Springbok squad for the forthcoming World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Cape Town was announced, with Zachary Porthen – one of five players who will feature in the tournament for a second time – named as the captain of the team.
Zain Davids and Shilton van Wyk return to the Springbok Sevens squad that will contest the World Rugby Sevens Repechage in Monaco from 21-23 June.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus was pleased with the bedrock laid at the first week of the national training camp in Pretoria and was satisfied that they have a solid base to build from as the squad prepares to face Wales in the opening Test of the season at Twickenham next week Saturday.
The SA Rugby Women's First Division kicks off in three major rugby centers of the country on Saturday with all squads well aware of the possibilities of this journey for the team and individual players in the next couple of months.
The Vodacom Bulls will have their sights set squarely on booking their second Vodacom United Rugby Championship grand final spot in three seasons when they host Leinster in the first semi-final at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon, when they will fly the flag as the last remaining South African team in the cross-hemisphere showpiece.
Double Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe has rejoined his teammates in Pretoria and will do his rehabilitation under the supervision of the Bok medical staff with an eye on possibly being available for selection for the opening Test of the Castle Lager Incoming Tour against Ireland.
The Carling Currie Cup will kick off as scheduled, as one of the results of a ground-breaking alignment between employers and players to maximise player welfare, while facilitating a 12-month-long South African season.
Celimpilo Gumede received his first Springbok call-up and immediately got stuck into the action at the team’s afternoon training session in Pretoria following the release of double Rugby World Cup-winning wing Cheslin Kolbe, who will undergo a medical examination for a knee niggle.