SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer congratulated the Springboks, SA Rugby President Mr Mark Alexander, and the impressive list of individuals who were recognised for their excellent achievements in 2023 by being nominated for the prestigious SA Sports Awards.
Securing the best possible positions on the log will be the main driving force when the Vodacom United Rugby Championship returns to action this weekend as the pressure mounts with only five rounds remaining before the quarter-finals.
The Airlink Pumas, Suzuki Griquas, Toyota Cheetahs and Leopards again made it a profitable weekend for home teams in the SA Cup when all of them gained important victories at home to pick up crucial league points, while only two sides remain unbeaten.
The defending champions and runners-up in the Women’s Premier Division, the Bulls Daisies and DHL Western Province, scored convincing wins in the opening round of the 2024 season on Saturday, while Sanlam Boland Dames and the Golden Lions Women also started their campaigns with impressive home victories.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks succeeded in their quest to become the first South African team to advance to the semi-final of the EPCR Challenge Cup, but it was a weekend of disappointment for the Vodacom Bulls who were knocked out of the Investec Champions Cup competition.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks take a strong, settled and successful side into Saturday’s EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final against Edinburgh at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.
With the new SA Cup competition fast approaching the halfway mark of the league phase, log leaders Suzuki Griquas will face their most difficult outing to date when they host third-placed NovaVit Griffons in Kimberley, in one of three matches kicking off at 15h00 on Saturday.
Newly promoted Free State Women will add some spice to the 2024 Women’s Premier Division when the tournament kicks off in four different venues across South Africa on Saturday, but the main question will be if anyone can stop the Bulls Daisies from another clean sweep.
The Vodacom Bulls and Hollywoodbets Sharks will look to make history on Saturday as they attempt to advance to the in the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup semi-finals for the first time when they line up against Northampton Saints and Edinburgh in the quarter-finals.
Five members of last year’s Junior Springbok squad were included in the 31-player touring group for the inaugural Under-20 Rugby Championship in Australia, that was announced by SA U20 head coach Bafana Nhleko.