Travel still biggest playoff hurdle

The grueling travel demands associated with the Vodacom Super Rugby playoff schedule continue to hand the hosting teams a grossly unfair advantage, writes JON CARDINELLI.

Pollard vs Jantjies: A Song of Ice and Fire

Ice-cool Handré Pollard goes into the crucial derby at Loftus Versfeld with a significant advantage over the volatile Elton Jantjies, writes JON CARDINELLI.

Injuries open door for Du Preez

Injuries to Warren Whiteley and Sikhumbuzo Notshe should see Dan du Preez trialled at No 8 at some stage in the Rugby Championship, writes JON CARDINELLI.

Super Rugby’s rocking rookies

JON CARDINELLI identifies five South African youngsters who have excelled in their first full season of Vodacom Super Rugby.

Boks still losing player tug of war

The decision to play and ultimately risk Handré Pollard this week is not in the Springboks’ World Cup interests, writes JON CARDINELLI.

Saluting Burger, the ultimate warrior

Schalk Burger will be remembered as one of the toughest players to wear the Springbok jersey, writes JON CARDINELLI.

Kolisi setback may force Rassie’s hand

Rassie Erasmus may need to explore his captaincy options in the Rugby Championship following news of Siya Kolisi’s serious injury setback, writes JON CARDINELLI.

Can Boks prosper without Pollard?

Handré Pollard’s latest injury setback poses an uncomfortable question about the flyhalf position ahead of the World Cup, writes JON CARDINELLI.

Brain drain continues to hit SA hard

The ongoing exodus of experienced players will continue to hamper South Africa’s Vodacom Super Rugby challenge in the years to come, writes JON CARDINELLI.

Back-row race heating up

JON CARDINELLI picks his 31-man World Cup squad, exactly four months before the Springboks’ first fixture against the All Blacks in Yokohama.