Gloucester are set to go head-to-head with West Country rivals Bristol Bears in the race to land Blue Bulls tighthead Mornay Smith on a deal from the start of next season.
South Africa wings Canan Moodie and Makazole Mapimpi have been selected to start for their respective Currie Cup sides this weekend after being released by the Springboks.
The 30-year-old, who notched a Heineken Champions Cup/Gallagher Premiership double in his first season in England in 2019/20, decided to return to Pretoria on a three-year deal following his last Chiefs appearance versus London Irish in May.
Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White pushed back strongly against suggestions he is deliberately fielding a ‘B-Team’ in the Champions Cup quarterfinal face-off against Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday.
Bulls director of rugby Jake White gave plenty of warning that changes were in the offing for their Investec Champions Cup quarter-final against Northampton Saints on Saturday, but the team he has named has nevertheless proven to be controversial.
Springbok fullback Willie Le Roux is set to make his debut for the Bulls as they welcome Connacht to Loftus Versfield this Saturday in the URC.
World Cup-winning coach Jake White has committed to buying a round of drinks for 1,000 Bulls fans following Saturday’s home URC match versus Edinburgh in Pretoria.