The DHL Stormers, Cell C Sharks and Vodacom Bulls will have everything to play for on Saturday in a tough round of Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-finals – their biggest challenge of the season so far.
The Women’s Premier Division kicks off this weekend with a host of new coaches, new-look squads and the presence of international players set to deliver another season of top-class provincial women’s rugby action.
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi’s participation in the World Cup later this year remained in the balance as SA Rugby said on Wednesday it was too early to say following his knee surgery last week.
Vodacom Bulls coach Jake White is drawing inspiration from Schalk Burger Snr, Morné du Plessis and Ernie Els as his side prepares for their Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against the DHL Stormers in Cape Town this weekend.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones believes he was afforded enough time to transform his side into a World Cup winning team.
The commitment of his squad over the last three months in preparing for the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series and immense courage under pressure in the last minute of Sunday’s final in Stellenbosch were the cornerstones of their success in winning core status to next season’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
SA Rugby President Mr Mark Alexander congratulated Springbok captain Siya Kolisi on behalf of the entire rugby fraternity for being honoured with the National Order of Ikhamanga, which recognises South African citizens who have excelled in arts, culture, literature, music, journalism, and sport.
The Springbok Women’s Sevens team completed their mission on the opening day at the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in Stellenbosch on Friday by staying undefeated, but that is now done and dusted and the next job, to do the same on the second day of the tournament at Markötter Stadium, starts now.
The Cell C Sharks kick off the second half of the Currie Cup competition when they host the Windhoek Draught Griquas at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday afternoon.
SA Rugby announced on Wednesday that three current Springbok assistant coaches Mzwandile Stick, Deon Davids and Daan Human, as well as Head of Athletic Performance, Andy Edwards, had signed contract extensions for another four years, which will see them remain with the team until the conclusion of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.