Tough return to Test action for Springbok Women
Canada scored a comprehensive 66-7 victory over the Springbok Women in Madrid on Saturday, with the South Africans reduced to 14 players for more than 70 minutes upon their return to Test action for the first time since last year's Rugby World Cup.

Bulls go down fighting against Ulster in Belfast
The Vodacom Bulls went down fighting against Ulster in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast on Saturday, going down 32-23 in a gripping round 16 fixture.

Sharks come up short against determined Scarlets
Scarlets flyhalf Sam Costelow kicked 22 points as the Welsh club beat the Cell C Sharks by 32-20 (half-time 13-7) in a Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash in Llanelli on Saturday evening.

Koen remains positive after Madrid wake-up call
Springbok Women interim coach Louis Koen said the 10 tries to one defeat to Canada in Madrid on Saturday was a reality check for his side, but that they are more determined than ever to close the gap on the top sides of the world.

Lions keep playoff hopes alive with Treviso win
The Emirates Lions kept their Vodacom United Rugby Championship playoff hopes alive with a memorable 32-28 victory against Benetton in their round 16 clash at Stadio Monigo in Treviso on Saturday afternoon.

From Mandini to Madrid: Zulu’s unlikely journey
It will be in the unlikeliest of homes where the biggest cheer will be heard on Saturday when Mary Zulu runs onto the field for her first international cap for South Africa, starting at fullback for the Springbok Women.

Top of the table Vodacom URC draw in Dublin
After 80 minutes of going hammer and tongs in horrendous Dublin conditions, there was nothing to separate the two top teams in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship as Leinster and the DHL Stormers - the two top teams on the log - played to a 22-22 draw (halftime 17-5) at the RDS Arena on Friday evening.

Four SA teams named for final round abroad
The four South African teams in action in crunch Vodacom United Rugby Championship matches in Ireland, Wales and Italy this weekend, have been named, with a host of Springboks returning from a compulsory eight-week rest and regeneration block.

Blitzbok squad named for important Far East trip
Springbok Sevens coach Sandile Ngcobo included three uncapped players in the Blitzbok squad for the next two tournaments on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, with Donovan Don, Ethan James and Sebastiaan Jobb in line for their first taste of international sevens rugby in the next fortnight.

Dumke and Lochner set to shine in Spain
They may have obvious personal reasons to be excited for the Springbok Women season to start in Madrid on Saturday, but for experienced flanker Lusanda Dumke and uncapped lock Danelle Lochner, there will a unified desire come Saturday 17h00 (SA time).