The Glasgow Warriors delivered an impressive, polished second-half performance to clinch the Vodacom United Rugby Championship with a pulsating 21-16 triumph over the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
Springbok captain Pieter-Steph du Toit expected a physical onslaught from Wales at Twickenham on Saturday as the Boks kick off their 2024 season while admitting facing the Welsh had personal meaning for him given his history with the team.
Western Province and the Free State XV finished the Grant Khomo Week unbeaten after claiming convincing wins on day three of the tournament at Grey High School.
The Vodacom Bulls will not give an inch on Saturday when they host the Glasgow Warriors in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship grand final at Loftus Versfeld, where they will have their sights set on becoming the second South African franchise to win the title.
It will be an epic clash of two former finalists in Round Two of the SA Rugby Women’s First Division in George on Saturday, where the outcome could influence hosting rights for the play-offs later in the season. Elsewhere there will be action in Polokwane and Welkom.
Currie Cup First Division champions Sanlam Boland Kavaliers travel to Gqeberha for their second-round clash with Eastern Province on Saturday at the Wolfson Stadium, while Phangela SWD Eagles and Border Bulldogs will slug it out in George to see who can register their first win of the new campaign.
There can hardly be a better motivation for the Blitzboks and their haphazard season than winning the World Rugby Sevens Repechage in Monaco this weekend.
The Sharks Women will take on their southern neighbour, Border Ladies in Uvongo on Friday in what will be a crucial measure of their ambitions in this year’s SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division.
The Blue Bulls and Western Province claimed important wins while a resurgent Golden Lions side edged the hosts on day two of the Grant Khomo Week at Grey High School in Gqeberha.
Springbok No 8 Evan Roos expected a physical battle against Wales on Saturday as the team kicks off their 2024 international season at Twickenham, saying the Welsh have a similar demeanour to South Africans in their approach to Test rugby.