Carling Currie Cup log leaders the Vodacom Bulls are favoured to continue on their unbeaten run when they travel to Nelspruit for their Premier Division clash with the Airlink Pumas on Friday.
With heavy underfoot conditions expected in Paarl on Friday, the SA Under-18s are under no illusion that a tough challenge awaits them when they face Ireland in their first outing of the 2024 U18 International Rugby Series.
Morne van den Berg and Ruan Nortje will earn their first Test starts in a Springbok team that shows 10 changes to the starting line-up for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash with the Wallabies at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday.
Springbok scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse will make his long-awaited return from injury when he runs out for the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV in Sunday’s Carling Currie Cup clash with the Suzuki Griquas in Durban.
The DHL Stormers have confirmed that loose forward Dave Ewers has signed a short-term contract with the club ahead of the 2024–25 season.
The Bulls Daisies and SWD Eagirls not only finished top of their respective competitions this year and earned the right to host the finals of the Women’s Premier and First Divisions, but both teams also delivered exceptional performances during the season, making them firm favourites to be crowned champions this weekend.
The Bulls Daisies and DHL Western Province will contest the 2024 SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division final in Pretoria after winning their respective semifinals against Border Ladies and Sanlam Boland Dames.
After last week’s Carling Currie Cup victory over the Fidelity ADT Lions, the Hollywoodbets Sharks are in week five action against the Airlink Pumas in their return leg match, taking place in Mbombela on Saturday.
The Springboks touched down in Australia on Thursday in high spirits following an overnight flight from Johannesburg and will have the rest of the day off to recover from the long journey before resuming their on-field preparations on Friday.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said his 33-member squad were beaming with excitement for what he anticipates will be a challenging tour to Australia as they prepare to depart Down Under for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.