South Africa loose forward Kwagga Smith says he is expecting an "epic" battle against New Zealand in their next Castle Lager Rugby Championship at the Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday.
With 102 days until the new Vodacom United Rugby Championship season kicks off the league can confirm its fixture schedule in full for the 2023/24 campaign.
Kurt-Lee Arendse continued his fine run of form after scoring a hat-trick of tries as the Springboks hammered Australia 43-12 in their Rugby Championship opener at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones has named four uncapped players in his squad to face the Springboks in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship opening round.
Experienced No 8 Duane Vermeulen will lead the Springboks for the third time in their opening Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash against Australia at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The Mastercard Golden Lions Women scored a third tournament win in the SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division, beating the Cell C Sharks Women in Alberton on Saturday to move past their Durban opponents on the points log, while in East London, Border Ladies needed a strong second half to beat EP Queens.
An Eastern Cape showdown and Western Cape bragging rights are lined up in this weekend’s Round Eight fixtures of the SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division, while in the other match, the fourth spot on the overall log is at stake.
Australia head coach Eddie Jones says having a with a winning mentality will play a key role in helping his new-look Australian side feat the Springboks in the Rugby Championship.
New Zealand centre Anton Lienert-Brown is set to miss the first two games of the Rugby Championship next month after receiving a three-week ban on Tuesday.
DHL Western Province won big to maintain their lead at the top of the standings while the Bulls Daisies and Border Ladies claimed bonus-point victories in the fourth round of the Women’s Premier Division staged over the weekend.