Super Rugby

Foreign scalps the measure of progress

The next few rounds of Super Rugby will give us a more accurate idea of where the South African teams stand in relation to their more fancied New Zealand counterparts, writes JON CARDINELLI.

Mbonambi blow for Stormers

Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi will miss the Stormers’ tour to Australasia due to a burst appendix.

JON CARDINELLI looks ahead to the Super Rugby clashes at Newlands and Ellis Park in round one. The Super Rugby tournament has undergone significant changes since last season. Fifteen teams will compete across three conferences in 2018, rather than the 18 sides that featured across four conferences in 2017. Two sides, namely the Cheetahs and Kings, have been cut from… Read more →

Bulls may avoid Barrett

Beauden Barrett could sit out the Hurricanes’ first Super Rugby match, against the Bulls at Loftus next Saturday. Canes coach Chris Boyd said the flyhalf would definitely not start, and may not even be included on the bench. ‘We might use it as one of his All Blacks rest weeks yet, we haven’t decided on that.’ Barrett missed the Hurricanes’… Read more →

Rhule to debut for Stormers

Springbok wing Raymond Rhule will make his first start for the Stormers when they take on the Jaguares at Newlands on Saturday. Coach Robbie Fleck has opted for a mix of experience and youth, with many first-choice players out injured. Rhule will form part of a dynamic back three that includes Blitzboks speedster Seabelo Senatla and fullback Dillen Leyds, while Damien… Read more →

Whiteley back for Lions

Warren Whiteley will lead the Lions against the Sharks in Saturday’s clash at Ellis Park.

New recruits start for Sharks

Flyhalf Rob du Preez and wing Makazole Mapimpi have been included in the Sharks’ starting lineup for Saturday’s Super Rugby opener against the Lions at Ellis Park.

Early test for ambitious Sharks

Experienced flanker Philip van der Walt believes the Sharks have a squad capable of going all the way in this Super Rugby season, writes CRAIG LEWIS.

Chiefs edge Brumbies

Chiefs scrumhalf Brad Weber scored a hat-trick to help his side to a 38-26 victory against the Brumbies on the Sunshine Coast. Both sides named strong starting lineups for this Super Rugby warm-up match, with Sam Cane leading an All Blacks-laden Chiefs outfit, while Christian Lealiifano captained a Brumbies lineup featuring Wallabies Tevita Kuridrani and Henry Speight. The Brumbies were… Read more →

Du Toit to miss Stormers opener

Bok lock Pieter-Steph du Toit is set to miss the Stormers’ Super Rugby opener against the Jaguares at Newlands this Saturday due to a back injury. According to Sport24, with Du Toit and Eben Etzebeth unavailable for the Stormers, Chris van Zyl and JD Schickerling are now likely to start in the second row. Meanwhile, the good news is that a… Read more →