Three SA teams hit the road as Vodacom URC picks up pace
The DHL Stormers will be looking to build on their strong start to the third season of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship when they host Scarlets on Saturday – the only game in South Africa with the Hollywoodbets Sharks, Emirates Lions and Vodacom Bulls playing abroad.

Nienaber recalls record-breaking 2019 RWC final halfback duo for NZ showdown
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber made only two changes to his starting team for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final, recalling the 2019 final halfback pairing of Handré Pollard and Faf de Klerk to the run-on side, making them the most capped nine-and-ten combination in Springbok history.

Etzebeth, Libbok and Nienaber nominated for World Rugby awards
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber, centurion lock Eben Etzebeth and flyhalf Manie Libbok are among a top-class list of nominees for the 2023 World Rugby Awards, which will be presented at the Opéra Garnier in Paris on Sunday, 29 October – a day after Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final at the Stade de France.

Lots to prove for Bok Women in final test of the year
WXV 2 delivered on so many fronts in the Springbok Women's quest for improvement, that words can hardly describe the gratitude to all involved in bringing this showpiece event to the Western Cape in its inaugural season.

World Rugby investigation outcome
SA Rugby has noted World Rugby’s announcement concerning their investigation into an incident arising from the Rugby World Cup semi-final and welcomes the decision that no further action will be taken.

Kolisi: “This is probably the biggest game of my life”
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi described Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand at the Stade de France as one of the biggest matches in his life – a sentiment widely shared by some of his team-mates – as the Boks strive to become the first nation to win the Webb Ellis Cup four times and secure back-to-back titles away from home.

World Rugby statement on Mbonambi investigation
World Rugby has undertaken a review of allegations made by England’s Tom Curry in relation to the use of discriminatory language by South Africa’s Mbongeni Mbonambi during the England versus South Africa Rugby World Cup 2023 semi-final on Saturday along with a further allegation brought forward in recent days about a previous match in the Autumn Nations Series 2022.

New Zealand name experienced team for RWC final
All Blacks selectors Ian Foster, Jason Ryan and Joe Schmidt have named their team for the Rugby World Cup Final in Paris, with a combined total of 1387 Test caps.

“High level of focus” for Boks as kick off nears
The Springboks lasered in on what they needed to do to win a fourth Rugby World Cup, said assistant coach Felix Jones, as they fine-tuned their match tactics at their final training session on Wednesday (apart from the captain’s run, on Friday) before meeting New Zealand at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Koen tweaks Bok Women team for final WXV match
Springbok Women head coach Louis Koen tweaked the midfield and loose trio combinations of his match day squad for their final WXV 2 clash against Samoa at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Friday, while also bringing in Rights Mkhari as replacement.