The Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-finals will play out in a fortnight in Pretoria, Durban, Dublin, and Glasgow, following an exciting final pool round in which the top eight teams and the venues for the four playoff rounds were locked in.
Airlink Pumas will host the 2025 SA Cup final next weekend in Nelspruit against Suzuki Griquas following their dramatic 31-29 win over the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers at Mbombela Stadium, while defending champions Griquas managed to edge Toyota Cheetahs 41-38 in their drama-filled semi-final in Kimberley.
The South African rugby community was shocked and saddened to hear the news of the passing of Cornal Hendricks and Mr Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, paid tribute to the former dual-international who wore the green and gold with distinction.
Anathi Qolo will lead the Springbok Women to Madagascar, where they will defend their Rugby Africa Women’s Cup title next month against Uganda, Kenya and Madagascar.
President of SA Rugby Mr Mark Alexander congratulated the three South African match officials who were included on the panels for the Rugby World Cup in England later this year.
South Africa’s three Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-finalists, the Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks, and DHL Stormers, will have their sights set on building winning momentum with an eye on the playoffs as the curtain drops on the pool stages this weekend, while the Emirates Lions will look to wrap up their campaign on a high note.
The Junior Springboks fell short in their bid to capture the Under-20 Rugby Championship when they lost to New Zealand in Gqeberha, but SA U20 head coach Kevin Foote said the players can take huge positives from their courageous effort against the young Kiwis.
The DHL Stormers have booked their spot in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-finals alongside the Vodacom Bulls and Hollywoodbets Sharks after a good penultimate weekend of league action for the three South African teams.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks will take continuity into their round 17 Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with Ospreys at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Friday night at 7pm.
The Springbok Women’s Sevens’ inability to remain composed in pressure moments proved to be their biggest drawback in a season where they claimed two tournament titles and scored some impressive wins.