The Hollywoodbets Sharks' injury crisis deepened this week as Springboks Vincent Koch, Jordan Hendrikse, and Makazole Mapimpi were all ruled out ahead of Sunday’s crucial Investec Champions Cup pool match against Bordeaux Bègles at Stade Chaban-Delmas.
Sharks player ratings: The reigning Investec Champions Cup winners Toulouse booked their place in this year's play-offs on Saturday against the Sharks in Durban, leaving the hosts empty-handed in a 8-20 win.
It was the French who caught the eye in round one with six of their eight teams winning, including Stade Rochelais and Toulon away from home.
It's semi-finals Sunday at the World Rugby U20 Championship and following last Tuesday’s weather-affected schedule, the hope will be that all six matches will be played to an 80-minute conclusion unlike on match day three when there were just four and a half matches completed due to the heavy rain making pitches unplayable.
Three matches are scheduled for Athlone: Ireland-Australia (2pm local time), France-Wales (4:30pm) and South Africa-England (7pm). Over in Stellenbosch, it’s Argentina-Fiji (2pm), Georgia-Italy (4:30pm) and New Zealand-Spain (7pm).
The Capetonian, who celebrated his 20th birthday last week ahead of the opening-round win over Fiji at DHL Stadium, was part of Bafana Nhleko’s squad at the recent U20 Rugby Championship on the Gold Coast.
Among the quartet that have committed to the Top 14 club until 2029 is France No8 Gregory Alldritt, who sat out last Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations draw with Italy through injury.
Among the quartet that have committed to the Top 14 club until 2029 is France No8 Gregory Alldritt, who sat out last Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations draw with Italy through injury.
With Montpellier now crowned Top 14 champions, attention turns to the players each side has brought in to better their chances of winning the trophy next season. Newcomers Bayonne have been the busiest in the transfer market, releasing players...
Budgets, players to watch, arrivals and departures - and an overview of each club at the start of the new season. Welcome to the Rugby Pass club-by-club Top 14 season preview