First Test - Springboks v New Zealand
The Springboks put in a massive performance in their Castle Lager Rugby Championship Test against New Zealand in Townsville, but a 78th minute penalty goal by Jordie Barrett – his fourth of the match – saw the All Blacks snatch a 19-17 victory.

Benetton comeback stuns Stormers in Treviso
Benetton scored 15 unanswered points in the final quarter to win their Vodacom United Rugby Championship season opener against the DHL Stormers by 22-18 in Treviso on Saturday.

Leinster overpower Bulls in Vodacom URC opener
Irish powerhouse Leinster gave the Vodacom Bulls a proper welcome to Northern Hemisphere rugby when they won their Vodacom United Rugby Championship opener convincingly by 31-3 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday.

Six-try Munster too strong for the Sharks
Simon Zebo and Gavin Coombes scored two tries apiece as Munster started their Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign with an emphatic 42-17 victory over the Cell C Sharks in Limerick on Saturday.

Blitzboks ready to excel in Edmonton
A much-shortened version of the usual 10-city HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series concludes in Edmonton on Sunday, with the Blitzboks in an ideal position to claim overall bragging rights for the 2021 season.

Boks look to extend Heritage Day celebrations
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi said the team would give their best in their Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand in Townsville on Saturday to bounce back from their defeats against the Wallabies and give the country something to celebrate as South Africans marked Heritage Day on Friday.

Bulls debut for Bismarck du Plessis in Dublin
Bismarck du Plessis will make his Vodacom Bulls debut when the side takes on Leinster Rugby in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship opening match at Aviva Stadium, in Dublin, on Saturday.

Libbok on debut for DHL Stormers in Treviso
Manie Libbok will make his DHL Stormers debut at flyhalf in their opening Vodacom United Rugby Championship encounter with Benetton in Italy on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 14h00 on at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo in Treviso.

Lions out of the Vodacom URC blocks in style
The Emirates Lions got their Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign off to a perfect start with a superb 38-26 victory over Zebre in Parma on Friday evening, despite a strong second half comeback by the Italian hosts.

Savea leads NZ against Boks in Townsville
Experienced loose forward Ardie Savea will lead a strong New Zealand team against the Springboks in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville on Saturday.