Controversial New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence will undergo a “rehabilitation” and reports that he will not referee in South Africa this year are simply not true.

The appointment of Heyneke Meyer as Springbok coach might convince a number of Springbok legends to return to the country to play for their nation again.

France manager Philippe Saint-Andre named uncapped lock Yoann Maestri and centre Wesley Fofana on Thursday in his squad for the opening Six Nations championship match against Italy.

SuperSport.com’s senior rugby correspondent Brenden Nel will be available today (Thursday) in a Q&A session between 3pm and 4pm (SA, CAT, GMT+2) to discuss tomorrow’s Springbok coach announcement.

In an enterprising move, it seems the Western Force are looking for some extra games when the Vodacom Super Rugby series takes a break in June.

The Blue Bulls will not stand in Heyneke Meyer’s way of becoming Springbok coach, even though “it is not in their best interests” to do so.

Stuart Lancaster will apply for the job on a permanent basis but his approach to the Six Nations championship will be fully focused on what is best for the long-term success of his team.

The Blue Bulls will not stand in Heyneke Meyer’s way of becoming Springbok coach, even though “it is not in their best interests” to do so.

Earl Rose seems to have found a new rugby home as he is currently training with the Eastern Province Kings.

Legal steps are under way to regain a multi-million rand loan from the Golden Lions Rugby Union, its former potential equity partner said.

Legal steps are underway to regain a multi-million rand loan from the Golden Lions Rugby Union (GLRU), its former potential equity partner said.

All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock will miss the first month of the Super Rugby rugby tournament to recover fully from injuries which hampered his 2011 season.

France will have extra pressure on them in the upcoming Six Nations as they start favourites owing to their going close to winning the World Cup, new backs coach Patrice Lagisquet said on Tuesday.

Heyneke Meyer is one of the most astute coaches in world rugby today, and the Springboks could only benefit by having him as their coach for the next few years.

Steven Sykes has signed again with the Sharks ahead of the new Super Rugby campaign, just over six months after joining Irish club Leinster.

Globetrotting lock Hendrik Roodt will start another chapter in his career when he starts for the Lions in their DHL Series match against the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday.

New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence will not travel to South Africa to officiate Super Rugby matches after he refereed the Springboks in their 11-9 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal defeat against Australia.

Stephan Dippenaar is set to make his Springbok Sevens debut in New Zealand after he was included in the squad of 14 players for the next two legs of the HSBC Sevens World Series

Young Gary van Aswegen restarts his Stormers career in the same place where it all started for him the first time 12 months ago — in a pre-season DHL Series match against the Lions at Newlands.

Young Gary van Aswegen restarts his Stormers career in the same place where it all started for him the first time 12 months ago – in a pre-season DHL Series match against the Lions at Newlands.

The irony of the expected appointment of Heyneke Meyer as Springbok coach on Friday afternoon is that it is an indirect admission of guilt by the South African Rugby Union (Saru) that they chose the wrong man in 2008 to succeed Jake White. Meyer was the hot favourite back then because of the dynasty he had built at the Bulls, only for the unheralded Peter de Villiers to pop up from obscurity to trump Meyer – with the help of an administration that admitted the decision was about “more than rugby”.

Heyneke Meyer is widely expected to be named as the new Springbok coach.

Young Frans Malherbe who will have the biggest say over whether the Stormers blow hot or cold this season.

Victor Matfield could come out of retirement, but only if Heyneke Meyer is indeed unveiled as the new Springbok coach.

Springbok Sevens coach Paul Treu says he was never approached to join the national team as assistant coach.

The Blue Bulls have put out a statement regarding Saru’s intention of offering Heyneke Meyer the Springbok coach position.

The Stormers have lined up most of their big guns for the Lions’ visit to Newlands for their Super Rugby warm-up match.

Steven Sykes has signed again with the Sharks ahead of the Super Rugby campaign, just over six months after joining Leinster.

Former Golden Lions investors, the Guma Tac group, have gone to court to recover the loans they gave the union.

Former Bulls centre Stephan Dippenaar is set to make his Springbok Sevens rugby debut in New Zealand.

The Lions have announced the team that will face the Stormers in their first warm-up match of the 2012 season.

Springbok flanker Schalk Burger will captain the Stormers in Friday’s Super Rugby warm-up clash against the Lions at Newlands.

Stormers’ coach Allister Coetzee has not been approached by Heyneke Meyer to form part of the Springbok coaching team, he said on Monday. Speaking after his team’s training session in Cape Town, Coetzee denied media reports that he had spoken to Meyer about taking a job as assistant coach.

The Varsity Cup will continue its role as a testing ground for rule changes and a breeding ground for future South African stars.

After first-choice Gert Smal said no at the weekend, Heyneke Meyer will now be unveiled as the new Bok boss, a source has said.

Young players in the Stormers setup can stake their claim for a place in the Super Rugby squad if they perform well in this month’s warm-up matches.

The Stormers wrapped up their first 2012 Super Rugby warm-up match with a pleasing 45-14 win over neighbours Boland Cavaliers.

International Rugby Board chief executive Mike Miller is to step down after 10 years in which he oversaw three World Cup tournaments.

Vata Ngobeni has stayed on his knees since Christmas praying that Saru pick the right coach this time.

England’s Six Nations preparations suffered a blow on Thursday after flanker Tom Wood was ruled out of the opening two games through injury.

Newly appointed Springbok coach, Heyneke Meyer says it is humbling to be able to coach the Springboks.

The brainchild of Russell and Grant Cotterell, the Border Bullets were created in 2009 for the inaugural Cape Town Tens tournament.

eigning Currie Cup champions, the Golden Lions, are hopelessly bankrupt, according to a report in The New Age website. Ellis Park Stadium, home of the reigning Currie Cup champions, is more than R70m in the red. The official figures outlining the sorry state of the financial affairs show the total amount owed to debtors in fact exceed the hundreds of millions of rands of assets on the books of the Golden Lions Rugby Union (GLRU).

Rob Houwing on the appointment of Matthew Pearce as successor to troubled long-time anchor Darren Scott on ‘Boots & All’.

The Griqualand-West Rugby Union will this year host an international rugby team for the first time in 12 years. The Volksblad newspaper was reliably informed that Kimberley will host one of the midweek matches when England tour South Africa in June for three Test matches. A Barbarians team will play against England at GWK-Park. The Barbarians will apparently consist of players from South Africa’s so-called eight smaller unions.

The Cheetahs’ Springbok flank Juan Smith has undergone a follow-up operation to his Achilles but is expected back in action soon. Smith went for an operation in Pretoria on Wednesday which has forced him back onto crutches but Cheetahs team doctor Ian Morris says there’s no reason for concern. While this setback will delay Smith’s comeback and could see him miss the Cheetahs’ overseas leg of the Super Rugby tournament, it will be beneficial for the flanker in the long run

The Sharks have now shifted their structure and focus from the gym to the field as they prepare for the Super Rugby competition.

Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal has been suspended after complaining his side were the victims of “refereeing sodomy”.

In an enterprising move, it seems the Western Force are looking for some extra games when Super Rugby takes a break in June.

France manager Philippe Saint-Andre has named uncapped lock Yoann Maestri and centre Wesley Fofana for the opening Six Nations match.

Controversial referee Bryce Lawrence will undergo a “rehabilitation” and reports that he will not referee in SA this year are not true.

Talk of a Springbok comeback by Victor Matfield is premature, if a tweet from the lineout legend is to be believed.

SARU has confirmed that the announcement of the next Springbok coach on Friday, January 27 has been moved from 14:00 to 12:00.

Former Springbok and Bulls captain Victor Matfield could come out of retirement, but only if Heyneke Meyer is unveiled as the new Springbok coach on Friday, the Cape Times newspaper reported on Thursday. Matfield retired at the end of last year after an illustrious career with the Springboks and Bulls, but said he would consider a return to the field if Meyer called on him to do so.

A club from Scotland is apparently hunting the services of Cheetahs prop WP Nel, 11 months before his contract ends in Bloemfontein.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee is not worried about their apparent lack of a “fetcher” after the departure of Francois Louw.

Stormers and Springbok back Gio Aplon is unscathed after he was involved in a car accident in Cape Town.

Dawie Theron, coach of the South African Under-20 side, has made only one change to the team for their friendly against Maties.

Caretaker coach Stuart Lancaster says he wants to take over the England job on a long-term basis, confirming he will apply.

Wales coach Warren Gatland says prop Gethin Jenkins will miss the start of the Six Nations because of a knee injury.

The Southern Kings will be included in Super Rugby in 2013, but how they will be accommodated has not been decided yet. Saru CEO Jurie Roux confirmed the news at the Springbok coach announcement in Newlands on Friday afternoon, where Heyneke Meyer was unveiled as Peter de Villiers’ successor. While the main focus from the …

Saru don’t believe they’re taking a step back in transformation with the appointment of new Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer. At the Springbok coach announcement in Newlands on Friday, the panel made to field numerous questions relating to transformation. ‘Do you think we are taking a step back in terms of transformation?’ and ‘What do black …

Fire away campers. Keo online here to answer all your questions about the new Bok coach.
At the outset let me state I am thrilled Meyer is the man.

JON CARDINELLI writes that contrary to popular perception, Heyneke Meyer boasts an attacking philosophy more ambitious than a 10-man game and an underrated penchant for technical innovation. The appointment of the new Bok coach should evoke a collective sense of excitement among South African supporters. In Meyer the Boks finally have a coach with the …

Fourie du Preez has strongly endorsed Heyneke Meyer for the Springboks coaching role and indicated that he would reconsider retirement from Test rugby if he was appointed. The former Springboks scrumhalf is currently playing for Japanese side Suntory Goliath. The 29-year-old was widely recognised as the world’s finest No 9 before opting to end his international career after the 2011 World Cup. He was initially opposed to the idea of continuing in the green and gold, citing his desire to spend more time with his family, but said he would reconsider that position if Meyer got the nod.

Juan Smith had to undergo follow-up surgery on his troubling Achilles on Wednesday, which will only see him return to training in two to three weeks time. This was the 30-year-old’s fourth operation since picking up the injury during last year’s Super Rugby tournament. The Springbok flanker, who was then forced to miss the World …

Baby Boks coach Dawie Theron expects a different challenge from Maties on Friday compared to the one they received from Ikeys. Theron was delighted with his team’s performance in their 31-29 win over Ikeys at the Greenmile last week Friday. After holding a 21-12 half-time lead, the hosts fought back to take a 29-24 lead at the death. But a late try from replacement lock Jacques du Plessis and the conversion by flyhalf Tony Jantjies secured a hard-fought win.

John Smit and Victor Matfield rode the rugby gravy train in 2011 because of the incompetence of then Bok coach Peter de Villiers, who lacked leadership and the tactical acumen to manage and coach a team at the highest level. He relied too heavily on senior players past their prime and justified their continued selection based on experience, but their form in 2010 and 2011 was never good enough.

RYAN VREDE reports that Heyneke Meyer isn’t tied to a long-term deal with the Bulls, as the Pretoria franchise has claimed. The Bulls on Wednesday released a statement confirming reports that Meyer, who last year signed a four-year contract as director of rugby at the franchise, has been been approached by the South African Rugby Union (Saru) to coach the Springboks.

England’s caretaker coach Stuart Lancaster has a long-term plan for the Roses and is hoping to extend his tenure beyond the Six Nations. Lancaster succeeded Martin Johnson after England’s disastrous World Cup campaign and is contracted until the end of the coming Six Nations tournament. He has worked hard to install a new culture in …

Wales will be without prop Gethin Jenkins for the early stages of the Six Nations, while flyhalf Rhys Priestland and flanker Dan Lydiate are likely to miss the tournament opener against Ireland. Jenkins suffered a knee injury while on European Cup duty for the Cardiff Blues against Racing Metro. He skipped Wales’ training trip to …

RYAN VREDE examines the 10 primary challenges Heyneke Meyer will face as coach of the Springboks. Meyer is set to be unveiled in the role on Friday, and with it comes a myriad challenges. These are the ones, in no particular order, that he will have to master.

In announcing their disappointment with the loss of Heyneke Meyer the Bulls have confirmed him as next in line to coach the Springboks. Saru met with Bulls officials on Tuesday to inform them that Meyer had been offered the position of Bok coach. While Meyer is currently contracted to the Bulls for the next four …

Heyneke Meyer is expected to name John McFarland and Bazil Carzis as part of his management team when he is announced as Springbok coach on Friday. Meyer has enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with the duo at the Bulls. McFarland has served as a defence coach at the Pretoria franchise, while Carzis focused on the players conditioning.

Gio Aplon was involved in a car accident but has escaped serious injury. There were reports on Wednesday morning that the Stormers and Springboks utility back had been involved in a car accident. When keo.co.za contacted the Stormers for more information, they confirmed that the airbags in Aplon’s car had been deployed because of the …

The EP Kings have taken former Griquas flyhalf Earl Rose on a month-long trial. The 28-year-old was released by Griquas at the end of the 2011 Currie Cup campaign after only spending one season with the Kimberley union. Rose will now hope to impress First Division losing finalists the EP Kings over the next four …

The Stormers believe there will be life after Francois Louw and that the omission of a specialist fetcher will not compromise their largely successful game plan. It’s been the topic of much debate in regional and international rugby circles over the past six or seven years, but there is certainly a lot of evidence that …

Adriaan Strauss will captain a strong-looking Cheetahs side when the Bloemfontein outfit plays the Eastern Province Kings this Saturday. The squad is still without Juan Smith, Coenie Oosthuizen and WP Nel due to injuries, but will field some of their stars. Heinrich Brussow will start in the back row alongside Ashley Johnson and Davon Raubenheimer. …

Tony Woodcock and Ma’a Nonu will miss the Blues’ first Super Rugby game against the Crusaders. Blues coach Pat Lam said Woodcock has been ruled out until the fifth round. The All Blacks prop has requested a rest given his problems with injuries over the past year, and Lam has agreed despite the Blues’ lack …

Hooker Ross Ford has been handed the Scotland captaincy for next week’s Six Nations match against England. Coach Andy Robinson had identified Kelly Brown as the man to lead the Scots, but the loose forward was injured recently in a European Cup match. The responsibility will now fall to Ford. ‘It’s a massive honour and …

The Blue Bulls have released an official statement on the issue of Heyneke Meyer and the Bok coaching job. Statement At a meeting called by SARU, on Tuesday, 24 January 2012, with the Blue Bulls Company’s Board of Directors, SARU informed the Blue Bulls Board of their intention to offer Heyneke Meyer the position of National Coach.

The Sharks have confirmed that several of their senior players have extended their contracts at the Durban-based outfit. Speculation has been rife in recent months over the futures of Du Plessis brothers Bismarck and Jannie, but the union said that the two have signed new deals along with several others

STAR Waratahs recruit Sarel Pretorius remembers the crowd booing after NSW lost to the Cheetahs on sodden home turf in March last year. It was the lowest moment of the Super Rugby season for the team he was soon to join, a 20-point smack-down against t…

Golden Lions Rugby Union (GLRU) president Kevin de Klerk says the statement issued on Tuesday from their former partners Guma TAC was “filled with many half truths” and says the union had never been unwilling to pay back any money. Sport24 …

Stephan Dippenaar, the former Vodacom Bulls centre, is set to make his Springbok Sevens debut in New Zealand after he was included in the squad of 14 players for the next two legs of the HSBC Sevens World Series, in Wellington and Las Vegas. Dippenaar …

Springbok loose-forward, Heinrich Brussow, has been named in the Cheetahs team to take on the Kings this weekend. Cheetahs team: No. Position name 1 LOOSEHEAD PROP Marcel van der Merwe 2 HOOKER Adriaan Strauss ( c ) 3 TIGHTHEAD PROP Trevor Nyakane 4 LE…

DHL Stormers coach, Allister Coetzee, picked a strong line up to face the Lions in their SupeRugby pre-season warm-up match at Newlands on Saturday. Allister Coetzee today announced a strong DHL Stormers side to take on the Lion.

Arch enemy Bryce Lawrence has been snubbed by SANZAR refs for games in SA Seems SANZAR’s Kiwi and Aus partners have a modicum of decency somewhere though seeing as on publication of the game schedules this dork has been allocated no games to offi…

The Lions have named their team for the DHL pre-season warm up. John Mitchell has named his strongest possible squad for the warm up against the Stormers, but has enlarged it to 26. Of the starting XV only newcomer from the Griquas, and off season lock…

The CheetahsSpringbok flank Juan Smith has not been included in their pre-season training camp to Jeffreys Bay after experiencing further discomfort in training. mith recently started practicing again after being out for almost a year with an Achilles injury. However, the Volksblad newspaper reports that Smith again experienced discomfort which prevented him from boarding their bus to the coastal town on Monday

Springbok flanker Schalk Burger will captain the Stormers in Friday’s Super Rugby warm-up clash against the Lions at Newlands. Sport24 Stormers head coach Allister Coetzee said on Monday that he was working towards a point where the strongest p…

Although the official announcement will only be made on Friday, Heyneke Meyer will be the next Bok coach – a decision which I can only describe as insane. Calm down, I don’t mean insane from a SA Rugby perspective, they have managed to get the best guy for the job – but for the life of me I cannot figure why Meyer would want to get involved in this mess.

Allister Coetzee spent the whole of last season trying to play down to his team’s prospects to a Cape media too eager to install his Stormers side as champions when the job hadn’t been done, so the upbeat front he put on in Wellington at the weeken…

Blue Bulls director of rugby, Heyneke Meyer, is set to become the new Springbok coach. News24 JJ Harmse of Rapport has been reliably informed that Meyer and Jurie Roux, CEO of the South African Rugby Union (SARU), met in Pretoria on Saturday to finalis…

It’s time for that non-sensical competition being played in front of the proverbial caretaker and his dog. Translation of the satirical column by SKUIMKOP (froth head) in Die Burger. Soccer’s World Cup in 2010 gave rise to the word “A…

If the South African Rugby Union is serious about the Springboks getting to the top of world rugby again, then they need to make Heyneke Meyer the next Bok coach. Let’s be honest, he should have been given the job four years ago. Now, with the spectre of a World Champion All Black team ruling World rugby for the foreseeable future, there are few coaches who have both the tactical nuance and the motivational abilities to get players to play above themselves. Eight years ago, Meyer was asked to recuse himself from the shortlist and he did, on the basis that he wasn’t ready for the job despite success with the Bulls at Currie Cup level.

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers says the SA Rugby Union (SARU) left the appointment of the new national coach too late. Sport24 De Villiers’s contract was extended until the end of January while SARU completed the process of finding his replace…

Former Springbok centre De Wet Barry has retired from rugby to pursue a career in coaching with the Eastern Province Kings. Sport24 Barry, who played for the EP Kings the last few seasons, played most of his 270 first class matches for the Stormers an…

After months of speculation linking him with the vacant position of Springboks’ head coach, Gert Smal is set to remain part of the Irish management rather than return to his native country. Sport24 The Irish forwards’ coach has been strongly linked…

Springbok rugby legend Naas Botha on Monday said he saw no reason why current coach Peter de Villiers could not remain part of the Bok set up. EWN News – Rafiq Wagiet The announcement of Springbok coach will be made at the end of January, with de…

The South African Rugby Union (SARU) has asked media to assist in alerting local businesses to the activities of a Western Cape-based conman who has been attempting to defraud local restaurants. At least two Cape Town establishments have been approached to take bookings for large groups from someone purporting to be “Chair, Organising Committee, SARU”. …

Three players will make their debuts for the Regent Boland Cavaliers in the run-on XV when they face the DHL Stormers at the Boland Stadium in Wellington on Saturday, with a handful of players coming through Boland’s Club Rugby structure were included on the bench. Lock Nolan Clark (EP Kings), Flyhalf Ricardo Croy (Pumas) and …

Warren Gatland today announced the 35-man Wales squad, captained by Sam Warburton, which will travel to Gdańsk, Poland, next week for the 2012 RBS 6 Nations training camp. The Wales head coach has stuck with the majority of his much hailed Rugby World Cup side, adding just four players who did not feature in either …

The withdrawal of the Sharks from the annual pre-season Cape Town based tournament and a change in sponsor will see the DHL Stormers take on the MTN Lions and the Toyota Cheetahs in the “DHL Pre-Season Series”. The 2 fixtures will both take place at DHL Newlands, with the Stormers taking on the Lions in …

South Africa Under-20 coach Dawie Theron has called up Patrick Howard to the national training group currently in camp in Stellenbosch after two players withdrew from the squad due to injury. Western Province centre Kobus van Wyk (back) and Golden Lions scrumhalf Vian van der Walt (ankle) were medically assessed and it was decided to …

A ground breaking initiative aimed at encouraging more children and adults to reap the benefits of getting involved with rugby as a healthy lifestyle hobby which promotes the importance of teamwork has been unveiled by the WRU. The union has recruited fourteen RugbyParticipation Officers (PO’s) to newly created roles in grassroots rugby across Wales to …

 The countdown to the start of the 2012 Vodacom Super Rugby competition has begun and in anticipation of the much-hyped new season, the Blue Bulls Company today announced a three-year partnership with the Polokwane Municipality. The partnership is aimed at generating funds for learners to pursue tertiary education. Last week thousands of matriculants tried desperately …

The national selectors made one change to the South African Under-20 squad for their forthcoming camp in Stellenbosch, which starts on Monday. Springbok Sevens player Paul Jordaan was released from the camp to train with his Vodacom Super Rugby franchise, The Sharks, while Craig Barry is still struggling with a groin injury and will not …

The newly established SA Sevens Academy team returned from Uruguay on Wednesday where they reached the final of their first official tournament this past weekend, in Punta del Este.   The Sevens Academy team lost in the final to Argentina by 14-5, after they had beaten the Puma Sevens team on the first day of …

WP Rugby today confirmed that Senior Professional Coach Rassie Erasmus will be leaving at the end of January 2012.  “The pieces are in place at Province” said Erasmus. “Over the past few seasons we have put the structures in place and they are working well. The management team and player base is settled and there …

Raising the awareness about Cancer has long been been a mission for Sharm Naicker, a mountaineer from Durban, South Africa. As we all know, overcoming odds and beating cancer is a major obstacle, Sharms’ goal is to educate people about the decease and help them overcome the odds. Sharm comes from a family with a …

Vodacom Bulls lock Fudge Mabeta will miss the 2012 Super Rugby campaign after being injured in a car accident. Mabeta will be out of action for at least six to eight months after rupturing a knee ligament and will be operated upon later this month, team doctor Org Strauss confirmed on Wednesday. The Vodacom Bulls …

No Peter de Villiers, no Bryce Lawrence and no politics, but rather, skilled Bok coaches, impartial referees and team selections based on merit. Those are the things that South African Rugby fans want for the sport in 2012. Yesterday we asked our fans/followers what their one wish for South African rugby is for the new …

Cape Town, South Africa, 13 December 2011 – PUMA® has unveiled the striking new kit that the Vodacom Bulls rugby team will sport in Super Rugby 2012. The shirt’s “smash” design is inspired by the phrase “bull in a china shop” and expresses the strong and powerful playing style of the Bulls. The graphic takes …

William Small-Smith and Craig Barry, who are both contracted to the Springbok Sevens team, have been included in a squad of 33 players for the South African Under-20 training camp in Stellenbosch in January.   The South African Under-20s will get together at the brand new Stellenbosch Academy of Sport on January 16, 2012. The …

Morgan Piek – Quickly becoming one of the top fixtures on the South African schools rugby calendar, The Wildeklawer Super Schools Festival 2012 promises to deliver the goods once again. After the hugely successful tournament hosted earlier this early in Kimberley at the picturesque Hoërskool Diamantveld, the organisers have decided to keep the tournament in …

South Africa Rugby Union (SARU) President, Mr Oregan Hoskins, has been elected Vice Chairman of the International Rugby Board (IRB) at a meeting in Los Angeles, USA, overnight. Mr Hoskins, who faced opposition from current Vice Chairman, Bill Beaumont, was elected after securing the Chairman’s casting vote following two rounds of voting which were tied …

England and RC Toulon fly half Jonny Wilkinson has retired from international rugby with immediate effect. The 32-year-old retires after an international career of 91 Tests for England, with appearances at four world cups and five starts at the most recent tournament in New Zealand. Wilkinson’s list of accolades is headed by his 1,246 Test points, with his …

South Africa’s hopes of claiming the IRB Junior World Championship may once again depend on their performance against England, following the announcement of the draw by the International Rugby Board on Monday. Dawie Theron’s young stars have again been pooled with England, having suffered defeat to them at the same stage in this year’s tournament. …

The Investec International Rugby Academy offers high paced action, unrivalled experience and world class coaching. Crammed with position-specific training, interactive sessions, tactical thinking and lessons on mental toughness, the unique two week high performance rugby course is set for the final whistle on Friday, December 16th. The desire to provide a handful of promising players …

The Crusaders want to organise a game against another New Zealand franchise to maintain momentum during the three-week Super 15 competition break.

Hosea Gear has been doubling up his Super Rugby training with gruelling conditioning sessions for months in a bid to kick-start his bid to regain his All Blacks wing spot.

The old chestnut of “arrogant England” was rolled back on to the rugby agenda this week and if caretaker coach Stuart Lancaster achieves just one thing during his spell in charge, it is likely to be the utter destruction of that epithet.

New Zealand rugby sevens coach Gordon Tietjens has named four new caps in his 2012 national contracted squad, while All Blacks winger Hosea Gear has been released to play in next weekend’s Wellington sevens tournament.

England’s caretaker coach Stuart Lancaster will apply for the job on a permanent basis but his approach to the Six Nations championship will be fully focused on what is best for the long-term success of his team.

Heyneke Meyer has been approached by the South African Rugby Union to be the new coach of the Springboks but his Blue Bulls employers are reluctant to let him go.

The Crusaders took a few tackling tips from a good Canterbury man yesterday – Melbourne Storm assistant-coach David Kidwell.

Star Rebels recruit Kurtley Beale is in danger of missing their trial matches with his body unable to handle the increased training workload ahead of the Super Rugby season.

Scotland have named Edinburgh hooker Ross Ford as captain for their opening Six Nations match against England at Murrayfield on February 4.

The boxer who was due to fight Sonny Bill Williams for the New Zealand heavyweight title plans to plead guilty to some of the charges laid against him.

Star Waratahs recruit Sarel Pretorius remembers the crowd booing after NSW lost to the Cheetahs on sodden home turf in March last year.

Sale prop Andrew Sheridan has ended his England career by signing a three-year deal with Toulon starting next season.

Long-serving All Blacks and Blues prop Tony Woodcock will miss the first month of the Super Rugby season as he looks to recover from a series of “niggles” that he carries over from 2011.

The Blues are in contract negotiations with Argentina playmaker Juan Martin Hernandez according to French rugby media.

We drive in the entrance to the Ruakura Research Centre, on Hamilton’s outskirts, down a narrow road, over judder bars and a railway line, past a tennis court and agricultural lab buildings, before being pointed in the direction to where rugby is now p…

Former All Black and current Auckland Blues rugby player Rene Ranger will face assault charges in Whangarei District Court in August, three years after the alleged incident happened.

Edinburgh advanced to the Heineken Cup knockout stages for the first time in eight years when they beat London Irish 34-11 while English champions Saracens battled past Treviso 26-20 to secure their quarter-final spot.

Those attending next month’s Wellington Sevens have been warned – have fun but don’t over-indulge.

More than 1100 people turned out in Kurow to welcome Hakataramea-raised Rugby World Cup-winning All Black captain Richie McCaw “home”.

Leading New Zealand winger James Paterson has been banned from rugby for four months for using a banned substance.

France international Raphael Lakafia has penned a new two-year deal with Top 14 side Biarritz

Former rugby league star Joel Tomkins has been handed his Saracens debut ahead of their Anglo-Welsh Cup clash with Worcester on Sunday

The England Saxons go head-to-head with the Ireland Wolfhounds on Saturday at Sandy Park with both sets of players trying to make a late charge into the senior side ahead of the Six Nations

The Southern Kings will take part in the 2013 Super Rugby tournament though it is unclear which of the five South African franchises they will replace

The South African Rugby Union have confirmed that Heyneke Meyer will replace Peter de Villiers as coach of the Springboks on a four-year deal

Wales have called veteran fly-half Stephen Jones into their Six Nations training squad

The Cardiff Blues have lined up Newport Gwent Dragons fly-half Jason Tovey as the man to ignite their backline, according to reports

Harlequins skipper Chris Robshaw insists he is ready to step up and take the England captaincy despite his lack of international experience

Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal has been hit with a 130-day ban following his incredible outburst after their Top 14 clash with Clermont Auvergne back on January 8

London Wasps have bolstered their options on the wing with the signings of Wales’ Tom Prydie and former Bristol flyer Lee Robinson until the end of the season

The Newport Gwent Dragons have released fly-half Matthew Jones from his contract to enable him to join Championship side Bristol

Interim England backs coach Andy Farrell is adamant he will put family ties to one side when it comes to selecting whether his son Owen will start for England against Scotland on February 4

Ulster’s Chris Henry has been handed the Ireland Wolfhounds skipper’s armband for their match against the England Saxons at Sandy Park on Saturday

The International Rugby Board’s referee manager Paddy O’Brien has asked for more of the same from his referees ahead of the forthcoming Six Nations

Australia rugby legends Stirling Mortlock and George Smith have been awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Australian Day honours

Sale Sharks boss Steve Diamond has revealed for the first time the full extent of the health scare that forced him to be hospitalised for a fortnight

The Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals have been confirmed and it is Stade Francais who will kick-off the action on Thursday April 5

Sale Sharks’ James Gaskell will lead England Saxons for the first time against the Ireland Wolfhounds at Exeter on Saturday

Springboks legend Victor Matfield has revealed that he would consider coming out of retirement should Heyneke Meyer be confirmed as South Africa’s new coach

Stade Francais prop David Attoub was the surprise inclusion in France coach Philippe Saint-Andre’s 23-man squad for their Six Nations opener against Italy

According to reports in France, the Blues are in negotiations with Pumas star Juan Martín Hernández about a stint in Super Rugby.

Crusaders centre Robbie Fruean is ready for a big Super Rugby season and is hoping to finally crack the nod for the All Blacks.

Lock Steven Sykes’s stint overseas with Irish club Leinster has come to an end after opting to return home to the Sharks.

Springbok flanker Juan Smith is still battling with an injury and has not been included in the Cheetahs’ pre-season training camp.

Blues coach Pat Lam has granted All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock’s request to miss the start of the Super Rugby season.

Blues utility back Rene Ranger will go on trial in August for an alleged assault which happened three years ago.

New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence will not officiate Super Rugby matches in South Africa during the 2012 tournament.

Reds coach Ewen McKenzie has extended his contract with the Queensland-based franchise until the end of 2014.

Lions head coach John Mitchell has confirmed that number eight Josh Strauss will captain the side in the upcoming Super Rugby tournament.

Waratahs outside centre Rob Horne is confident he is over his injuries and is looking forward to the upcoming Super Rugby season.

Wallabies lock Rob Simmons has re-signed with the Reds and the Australian Rugby Union for a further two seasons.

Veteran utility forward Hoani MacDonald has signed with Southland and the Highlanders for the 2012 Super Rugby and ITM Cup season.

Ex-Reds centre Will Chambers has agreed a deal to return to former NRL club Melbourne, bringing an end to his spell in rugby union.

The Crusaders will play their first ‘home’ Super Rugby fixture of the 2012 campaign in Napier, against the Chiefs on Friday, March 9.

Waratahs new signing Adam Ashley-Cooper is excited to be celebrating Australia Day back home in NSW for the first time in eight years.

Sharks captain Keegan Daniel believes the team’s current pre-season programme is the toughest in which he has been involved in.

Lock Tom Donnelly is hoping a move to the Crusaders will boost his chances of reclaiming the All Blacks jersey.

Cheetahs fly-half sensation Johan Goosen could be a surprise inclusion in the Springbok squad this year.

Western Force veteran lock Nathan Sharpe said the Perth-based outfit have put the Willie Ripia controversy behind them.

New Rebels recruit James O’Connor insists he would be comfortable to play at fly-half or inside centre for the Super Rugby side.

Sharks hooker Kyle Cooper is in danger of missing out on the start of the 2012 season as the result of a minor knee issue, which may keep him out of action for the next 3 weeks or so. Cooper goes in for a scope this morning, when fluid will be drawn fr…

Cheetahs flank Juan Smith has had to undergo yet another operation after an Achilles injury sustained in last year’s Super Rugby competition. The 30-year-old loose forward missed out on virtually the entire 2011 season as a result of the injury, …

Love is in the air in Durban, it seems, with one of the Sharks’ front-row stalwarts set to take things to the next level a week from tomorrow. “Young Doctors in Love”, for those with long memories, was a spoof movie in the mould of &#…

Hi Guys and Girls Yes, yes..it’s nearly here!! And I guess you are all rugga starving like yours truly!!Okay – this is just testing the waters a little bit…. The first game we are up in JHB (Pretoria, Gauteng, whatever you know what I…

It seems as though either the Western Force or the EP Kings were reading Sharksworld this morning, as news has surfaced that the Western Force are looking to fill the three week break in the SupeRugby campaign with a match against the Kings. If the rep…

How do we accommodate a sixth Super Rugby side and keep everyone happy (I am going to operate on the assumption that South Africa will continue to have six franchises. This seems logical as there has been no indication to the contrary.)? I, for one, of…

This week we have seen team announcements and friendlies being discussed, but there has been the distinct lack of anything from the Sharks squad, who will only play two official warm up matches, and an internal trial match. Mumblings from within the sq…

Cheetahs prop WP Nel is the source of some speculation in Scotland, as clubs Edinburgh and Glasgow are reportedly quite keen to sign the 25 year old, with the view of him qualifying to play for Scotland in the future. Nel, who is currently sidelined wi…

With the dust still settling on news that Heyneke Meyer will be Springbok coach, should he accept the appointment, startling news surfaced that retired lock Victor Matfield might consider coming out of retirement to play for Meyer. Matfield is 34 years…

According to an interview with Rugby365 this morning, Southern Kings head coach Alan Solomons has claimed that the team selection for this weekend’s match against the Cheetahs is all part of a bigger plan. The Cheetahs have raised concerns about …

,Stormers wing Gio Aplon can be forgiven if he thought he’d arrived at practice early yesterday – although it turned out that the first bag he tackled was actually his car’s airbag. The diminutive try-scoring machine was involved in a…

Well okay he’s not quite a great yet but Bulls star in the making, super junior player Jan Serfontein is once again fit and raring to go. Written by a Bulls fan wearing his neutral cap today. It therefore comes as very little surprise that Baby Bok c…

With all of the team announcements taking place recently for warm-up games between the Stormers and the Lions, and the Cheetahs and The Southern Kings, I was hit by a glaring omission…Where is the Kings team? Why haven’t we heard anything f…

After numerous press releases and backwards and forwards amongst SARU, Blue Bulls Rugby, Heyneke Meyer, Gert Smal and even Peter de Villiers, it seems that the cat is now unofficially out the bag, and that the National Coach will be Heyneke Meyer. But …

The Melbourne Rebels start their trial matches this Friday evening, with a game against the Chiefs, but may be without one of their big off-season signings. The Rebels signed both Kurtley Beale and James O’Connor in a bid to be more competitive t…

It seems that the National Coach announcement scheduled to take place this Friday afternoon has been finalised before it has even started, with a fresh press release coming from within the Blue Bulls Rugby Company. According to this press release, SARU…

The Waratahs have lined up warm up matches against international teams Samoa and Tonga over the next three weeks, in a bid to get their players ready for the physical challenge of the SupeRugby campaign. The team will face Samoa in Tamworth on Friday, …

As is typical at this time of year, most of our thinking and our discussions seem to be focused on the Super Rugby competition and the Sharks prospects for it. As always, though, there is a little voice in the back of my head that keeps reminding me ab…

There’s no Juan Smith, unfortunately, but the Cheetahs have hauled out all their available big guns, including the inimitable Heinrich Brüssow, for this weekend’s Super Rugby warm up game against the Kings in East London. Injuries to props…

Reports yesterday confirmed that the Lions erstwhile partners, Robert Gumede’s Guma TAC group, have initiated legal proceedings against the Golden Lions Rugby Union. The issue in question seems to be an oustanding loan to the value of around R14m…

Leicester Tigers were dealt with in no uncertain terms as Ulster handed them a hefty 41-7 blow at Ravenhill on Friday night. It was the largest points total Leicester had conceded in 15 seasons of European rugby, and the biggest margin of defeat too. …

Harlequins’ Mike Brown has been voted the Aviva Premiership Player of the Month for December. Brown has been in fantastic form, making the decision easy for the panel of rugby media that included writers, broadcasters, and photographers.
“Mike has r…

While the Heineken Cup is the biggest thing going on in the rugby world at the moment, the Amlin Challenge Cup chugs along with a few fascinating match-ups of it’s own. In Toulon we saw a fantastic finish to a game which kept the hosts in a strong pos…

Saracens are on the verge of qualification for the next round of the Heineken Cup after they beat Biarritz 20-16 at Vicarage Road on Sunday. Owen Farrell kicked over five from five penalties as they battled past the French outfit.
A little under 7000…

Toulouse played some great rugby as they eased passed Connacht to stay top of Pool Six following their Heineken Cup game at the Stade Ernest Wallon stadium on Saturday. The 24-3 bonus point win leaves them sitting pretty after another impressive displ…

Former All Black wing Sitiveni Sivivatu scored a hat-trick of tries as Clermont thrashed Aironi 82-0 in their Pool Four Heineken Cup match at the Stadio Brianteo to keep their quarter finals hopes alive. The result is Aironi’s heaviest defeat in the t…

Phil Godman secured a valuable last second win for Edinburgh over Racing Metro in France last night in the Heineken Cup. They are now top of Pool Two and heading for their first quarter-final place in eight years.
Not too long ago the two sides met i…

American forward Samu Manoa put in a Man of the Match performance as Northampton Saints dominated Harlequins last Friday. The league leaders went down 24-3 to a Saints performance that was typified by the two tackles featured below.
Northampton outpl…

Toulouse gave Lyon a 51-10 hiding on Saturday as they ran in six tries and consolidated their position at the top of the French Top 14 table. Here’s a quick look at two of the better tries that they scored, with Maxime Medard playing a part in both.Â…

One of the more controversial and action packed Top 14 games of the weekend was the clash between Clermont Auvergne and Toulon which the hosts won 25-19. The match hit the headlines this week following an outburst from Toulon president Mourad Boudjell…

Munster beat Benetton Treviso with a bonus point 29-11 victory in their RaboDirect Pro 12 encounter at Thomond Park on Saturday night. One of the moments that stood out was this amusing piece of officiating from Welsh referee Nigel Owens.
Owens, a st…

Biarritz moved out of the Top 14 relegation zone last night with a 15-6 win over Agen in a match that was fiery to say the least. Dimitri Yachvili kicked most of their points for their second successive win, following on from th 25-6 win over Toulon l…

In a week from now round 5 of the Heineken Cup resumes across Europe so today, and hopefully over the next week, we’ll aim to post a few requested clips from previous rounds. Here’s one that outraged Saracens fans, for more than one reason.
In round …

The game of the weekend in the French Top 14 was Montpellier’s 29-14 win over Racing Metro at the Stade Olympique Yves du Manoir on Saturday. Both sides showed attacking intent throughout, which provided a thoroughly entertaining spectacle.
On New Y…

Happy New Year! Here’s a quick look at a list of the Top Ten Tries of 2011, as chosen by French broadcaster Canal+. You can view a few of them in the related posts with more replays and in the original language.
Please get in touch if you have anyt…

Another fantastic rugby year has come and passed as we now look forward to 2012, which has many big things in store for loyal Rugbydump followers. For now though let’s end 2011 with two big hits from a few days back in the Aviva Premiership.
Perhaps …

A few week’s back we shared a video of three refs taking a tumble and just before it was actually posted, another two incidents occurred. Here’s a look at three of the latest, including one of the bigger tackles on a ref in recent times. 
You may …

Despite New Years Eve approaching rapidly, this weekend the rugby continues up north with action across France, the UK, and Ireland. Here’s an extended look at one of the more entertaining Top 14 games from the last round.
Toulouse beat Montpellier 4…

World Cup Winning All Black captain Richie McCaw was in London last week for an adidas promotion at Harrods, so we sent a crew along, including the boys from the brilliant Don’t Drop the Egg, to have a catch-up chat with him.
If you’re unfamiliar wit…

Will Skinner of Harlequins faces a disciplinary hearing today following the red card he received during Quins’ Heineken Cup victory over Toulouse on Sunday. It was the second similar incident of the game, prompting the swift ‘sending off’.
Tension wa…

bloubulblog sal oudergewoonte weer ‘n SuperBru groep hê vir die komende Super Rugby seisoen. Ons pool code is brawfray. Sluit gerus aan by ons, en kom wys ons wie is baas (eintlik weet ons almal Blou Bulle is Baas…). Ons is nog op die uitkyk vir ‘n prys of drie, as enigiemand dalk idees het, …

Die Vodacom Bulls se onderkaptein, Wynand Olivier, het die naweek ‘n effense beseringsterugslag gehad toe hy ‘n beentjie in sy pols gebreek het. Die besering sal sowat drie weke neem om te herstel, maar benewens die feit dat hy nie aan hanteringsoefeninge sal kan deelneem nie, behoort hy steeds soos beplan, vroeg in Februarie te …

Die Vodacom Bulls-slot, Fudge Mabeta, gaan 2012 se Super Rugby-seisoen misloop ná hy in ‘n motor-ongeluk beseer is. Mabeta gaan sowat ses tot agt maande van die veld wees en ondergaan later vandeesmaand ‘n operasie om ‘n knieligament te heg wat hy in die ongeluk geskeur het, is deur die Vodacom Bulls se spandokter, Org …

Met die Bulls wat gister hul eerste oefening vir die jaar gehad het, het ek so by myself sit en wonder oor hoe die span vir ons eerste wedstryd teen die Sharks op Loftus op Vrydag, 24 Februarie behoort te lyk. Ek reken oor die algemeen sal dit nie te veel verrassings insluit nie. Op …

Die Vodacom Bulls het ‘n kontrak vir die volgende vyf jaar met die sportklerevervaardiger Puma gesluit en alle spanne in die Vodacom Blou Bulle stal sal voortaan dié maatskappy se toerusting dra. Die Blou Bulle Maatskappy (Edms) Bpk se hoofbeampte, Barend van Graan, het sy tevredenheid met dié verwikkeling uitgespreek. “Puma as handelsmerk is jonk, …

Die Vodacom Bulls-vaskopstut, Rossouw de Klerk, gaan die begin van die Super Rugby-seisoen in 2012 misloop. De Klerk, wat in 2011 ‘n gereelde gesig in die Bulls se wedstryd-22 was, het onlangs ‘n voet-operasie ondergaan en sal eers einde Mei aanstaande jaar weer kan speel, het die Bulls se spandokter, Org Strauss, bevestig. “Hy het …

Die gewese Springbok en Vodacom Bulls-legende, Victor Matfield, gaan as tegniese raadgewer die Vodacom Bulls in 2012 bystaan. Matfield sal as spesialis-lynstaanafrigter die leisels neem en ook weekliks raadgee oor algemene voorspelerspel. Die mees ervare slot ooit in Bokrugby begin binnekort ‘n loopbaan as rugbyanalis by SuperSport en sal dié sportkanaal se rugbykanale bedien, maar …

Dertien Springbokke, twee Sewes Springbokke en 23 spelers met Super Rugby-ervaring is deel van die Vodacom Bulls se groter oefengroep wat tans in Pretoria voorberei met die oog op die Vodacom Super Rugby toernooi in 2012. Daar is vyftien spelers in die groep wat reeds die toernooi in vorige seisoene saam met die Vodacom Bulls …

Die Vodacom Bulls het Woensdag in ‘n perskonferensie aangekondig dat Pierre Spies hul kaptein sal wees vir 2012. Dit kom nie as ‘n verrassing dat die groot agsteman aangewys is nie. Vroeer die week is berig dat dit tussen Spies en Chiliboy Ralepelle sou wees. Die rol van onderkaptein sal deur Wynand Olivier vervul word. …

Die Blou Bulle Maatskappy (Edms) Bpk maak hiermee bekend dat, ná suksesvolle onderhandelinge met die Sharks, die veelsydige voorspeler Daniel Adongo onmiddelik by die BBM aanmeld en tot einde Oktober 2013 gekontrakteer is. Hy was nog tot einde Desember 2011 by die Sharks gekontrakteer, maar is van sy kontrak vrygestel om by die Vodacom Bulls …

Die Blou Bulle Rugby Unie (BBRU) hou Woensdag ‘n spesiale perskonferensie by Loftus Versfeld. Die doel van die perskonferensie is om die nuwe kaptein en onderkaptein vir volgende jaar se Super-seisoen aan te kondig. Die nuwe spelers sal ook bekendgestel word aan die media. Daar is ‘n hele klompie kandidate vir die kapteinskap. Voorlangs sal …

‘n Groep van meer as 100 spelers is uitgenooi om aan die eerste rondte proewe vir die SA o20 span deel te neem in Kimberley. In die groep is daar 18 spelers van die Blou Bulle aangesluit. Van die bekende gesigte onder die spelers, is Schalk van Heerden, Tony Jantjes, Wiaan Liebenberg en William Small-Smith …

Die Vodacom Blou Bulle se o.21-span het die Absa o.21-beker Saterdag in Johannesburg gewen deur Natal 46-30 te klop en daarmee seker te maak daar is minstens een beker in die trofeërak op Loftus Versfeld. Hulle moes in die tweede helfte ‘n verwoede aanslag van die Ooskussers afweer, ná die Haaie met ‘n goeie terugvegpoging …

Die Vodacom Blou Bulle se junior rugbyspan kan met ‘n sege oor die Goue Leeus in die eindstryd van Saterdag se Absa o.19-beker op Coca Cola Park in Johannesburg nie net seker maak  hulle word as span onthou nie, verskeie spelers kan ook regmerkies op nasionale vlak verdien. Die Blou Bulle het vanjaar gemaklik in …

Ná hulle eers die boonste plek op die punteleer aan die einde van die ligafase verwerf en daarna hul halfeindstryd van Absa se o.21-reeks oortuigend gewen het, is die Vodacom se Blou Bulle o.21 span gretig om ‘n puik jaar met ‘n sege af te sluit as hy Saterdag op Coca Cola Park in die …

Die Vodacom Bulls veteraan Jaco Pretorius het sy uittrede uit rugby aangekondig. Die 32-jarige buitesenter sukkel die hele seisoen reeds met ‘n rugbesering en het ná mediese advies in dié verband, besluit om dadelik uit die spel te tree. Die gewese toetsspeler vir die Springbokke en voormalige Springbok Sewes-kaptein het die Absa Curriebeker en twee …

Naas Botha is aangestel as Hoerskool Waterkloof se eerste rugby spanafrigter. Volgens Botha was sy doel nog altyd om terug te keer Bulle toe as afrigter. Hy dink egter die pad soontoe is om vanaf junior vlak betrokke te raak en sy pad boontoe te werk. Waterkloof is ‘n baie goeie rugby skool die laaste …

Gerhard van den Heever het die besluit geneem om ‘n kontrak by die Westelike Provinsie te teken, en sal voortaan sy rugby in ‘n streeptrui speel. van den Heever het volgens bronne al verlede Donderdag ‘n kontrak gesluit met die Bulle se tradisionele aartsvyande. Shadow, soos sy spanmaats hom ken, het nog nie weer dieselfde …

Vrydagaand op Loftus het die Vodacom Blou Bulle se o19 span hul eweknieë van die Vrystaat met 48-13 geklop om te kwalifiseer vir die eindstryd van die Absa o19 kompetisie. Tony Jantjes was sy span se generaal in hul halfeindstryd en het “ge-drop, ge-place en ge-score” met ses doelskoppe, ‘n skepskop, ‘n strafskop en ‘n …

Die o21 span van die Vodacom Blou Bulle het Vrydagmiddag op Loftus deurgedring na die finaal van die Absa o21 kompetisie met hul oortuigende oorwinning van 47-18 oor die Leeus. Die Ligbloues het 6 drieë aangeteken teenoor hul opponente se twee. Afrigter Nollis Marais se keuse om sy Curriebeker-sterre te kies, het vrugte afgewerp na …

There isn’t much left for Blues captain Keven Mealamu to achieve but the Rugby World Cup winner is anything but complacent ahead of the 2012 Super Rugby season.

The Western Force are negotiating to fill the June gap in the Super Rugby calendar with a match against South African Currie Cup side Eastern Province Kings.

SANZAR referee’s boss Lyndon Bray has said that despite earlier reports that New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence will not officiate any Super Rugby matches in the Republic he may still visit the country.

Melbourne Rebels new recruit Kurtley Beale could miss his new Super Rugby team’s pre-season warm up matches as his body can’t handle the increased training workload.

Stormers and Springboks flyer Gio Aplon has been involved in a car accident in Cape Town but was not seriously injured.

The Waratahs have set Super Rugby pre-season warm up dates with Samoa in Tamworth next Friday and a second trial match against Tonga at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday, February 17.

The Sharks have confirmed the extension of several prominent players’ contracts ahead of the upcoming Super Rugby season.

The Stormers have announced their team to face the Lions this weekend at Newlands in the Pre-Season Series.

The Lions have named their team to face the Stormers in their first Super Rugby warm-up game for the 2012 season.

Blues veteran prop Tony Woodcock looks set to make a delayed start to the 2012 Super Rugby season due to injuries which are taking longer to heal.

Lock Steven Sykes has opted to return to the Sharks ahead of their upcoming Super Rugby campaign, following a short stint at Leinster.

The Blues are reportedly in contract negotiations with Argentinian playmaker Juan Martin Hernandez.

Springbok flanker Schalk Burger will captain the Stormers in Friday’s Super Rugby warm-up clash against the Lions at Newlands. Stormers head coach Allister Coetzee said on Monday that he was working towards a point where the strongest possible combination could run out on Friday.

Reds Super Rugby winning coach Ewen McKenzie has said that the loss of his star playmaker Quade Cooper to injury in the first half of the Super Rugby season could be a blessing.

Crusaders centre Robbie Fruean is holding thumbs for a big Super Rugby season and is hopeful that, having missed out on All Black selection for the last two years, it will be a case of third time lucky in 2012.

Young players in the Stormers setup can stake their claim for a place in the Super Rugby squad if they perform well in this month’s warm-up matches, according to lock De Kock Steenkamp.

Australian Super Rugby teams will attempt to hold on to their momentum and keep their players match fit in June with friendly matches against Scotland, Wales and a South African Currie Cup team.

The Stormers started their 2012 Super Rugby warm-ups with a 14-victory over Boland Cavaliers in the sweltering heat at a packed Boland Stadium, Wellington on Saturday.

Reds Super Rugby winning coach Ewen McKenzie has extended his contract with Queensland Rugby until the 2014 season.

New Zealand’s top referee Bryce Lawrence will not travel to South Africa to officiate Super Rugby matches after he refereed the Springboks in their Rugby World Cup exit match.

Western Force flyhalf Willie Ripia has resigned from the club after allegedly being caught on CCTV stealing from his team-mates.

New Zealander Vern Cotter has been touted as a leading contender for the role of permanent coach of England.

England halfback Danny Care will be left out of their Six Nations squad after being arrested for drink-driving on New Year’s Eve.

Graham Henry’s masterminding of the All Blacks’ World Cup success not only laid a 24-year demon to rest but has also earned him a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours list.

At a time of year when it is customary to make resolutions for the 12 months ahead one can only hope that those in charge of rugby are tasking themselves with sorting out the shambles that the scrum has become.

Grant Fox, the subject of much speculation in recent days, has been confirmed as the third member of the All Blacks selection hierarchy for the next two years.

Shontayne Hape accepts his England career has run its course as new interim head coach Stuart Lancaster plans a Six Nations overhaul.

Ireland’s Rugby Union moved to strengthen its rugby base by introducing strict new rules regarding foreign players on Wednesday.

A delay in the redevelopment of Rugby League Park means the Crusaders will have to find an alternative base for their opening home match of the 2012 Super 15 season against the Chiefs.

Former Australia rugby union coach Eddie Jones is set to take the helm for Japan’s national side, according to reports on Tuesday.

New Zealand’s worst kept sporting secret of the year was finally revealed today when Steve Hansen was announced as the new All Blacks head coach.

All Black Zac Guildford’s booze-fuelled behaviour in Rarotonga has resulted in a four-week suspension, although he will miss only one Super 15 match as a result.

Sir Clive Woodward has hailed former England rugby international Jonny Wilkinson a ‘very special’ player who had a huge impact on the sport.

Incumbent Bernard Lapasset has retained the chairmanship of the International Rugby Board.

England’s 2003 World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson has announced his retirement from international rugby.

The Australia Rugby Union have made another key signing with loose forward Richard Brown committing for another 12 months.

England have appointed Stuart Lancaster as interim coach for the 2012 Six Nations, the Rugby Football Union announced on Thursday.

Queensland Reds youngster Liam Gill has signed a new contract with the club that will see him stay at the Super Rugby Champions until the end of 2013.

Wallabies midfielder Berrick Barnes says speculation injured flyhalf Quade Cooper will struggle to win back his No.10 jumper next season is more than a little premature.

Leading Wallabies Berrick Barnes and Lachie Turner believe the player drain overseas has dried up to a trickle due to the exciting challenges being presented following the World Cup.

Coming in to this Super Rugby season I had hopes of the Reds making the top 6 teams and maybe getting a home final. I had no expectation of winning the title. Even in the days leading up to that last game I didn’t believe…

G&GR joins the trend for intern and voluntary positions in Australian rugby

Recently I published my Involvement Rates for the Wallabies in 2011.  As you probably know this is a measure of how much work players are doing in key areas during a match and to improve the accuracy of the measure I’m now calculating the Involvement…

Part 2 of 2011′s Rugby Moments

The bad news: the Melbourne Rebel’s defence in 2011 was abysmal. The good news: they’ve now got a ‘defence doctor’ on board to fix it. I was going to say ‘tackle doctor’ but good defence is more than just about tackling. More of that later….

What player cliches REALLY mean

A look at the rugby moments of 2011 (from an Aussie perspective)

Scott Johnson becomes Scotland rugby senior assistant coach

Lee Grant (who remembers rugby from the Black and White days) has a little grump about what pisses him off these days

Lee Grant looks at where the Wallaby team is at the end of 2011

My word, that is the million dollar question? At this point in time 20,000 signed-up Queensland Reds season ticket-holders will be seeking the same answer. The QRU’s anticipated target is about 30,000. Now that will be a very large mass of expectation. On the playing…

Scott Allen, Gagger and I get together for the final show of the year. We reflect on the year that was, after a tweet from @luketerra6 got us to thinking. Not content to just trust our own wisdom, we got someone in who actually has…

Video highlights of James O’Connor’s Wallaby 2011

This year in my analysis of games involving the Wallabies I’ve included a new way of measuring the level of work by players in the game – the “Involvement Rate”.    The Involvement Rate is calculated as follows: (Number Of Carries + Number Of Tackles Made…

Are you searching for the ultimate Christmas present for the rugby-fan in your family? How about somewhere to direct your loved ones when they ask you what you want for Christmas? Well look no further – GAGR is here to help. Simply click on the…

The story goes that a good big man will always beat a good little man. Not so when it comes to the diminutive winger from Swansea, Shakin’ Shane Williams. Wales have a habit of producing outstanding fleet-footed wingers every decade or so like Ken Jones…

Join us as we cover the Wallabies taking on the Welsh this morning. Kick off is 1:15am Sydney, 12:15am Brisbane. Tweet This Post

Scott Allen, Gagger and I get together for a special show. We celebrate our 50th show by talking to Melbourne Rebels Analyst and former Wallaby Ben Darwin. We look over the Babarians match and forward to the test against Wales on the weekend. Podcast Powered…

Tour dates for the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour has just been announced: What are your favourite B&I Lions tour moments? Please share them in the comments below. The Ledger TOTAL MATCHES (excluding 1899 and 1904): 13 Matches won by the Wallabies: 4 Matches…

The Wallabies comprehensively trounced the Barbarians this morning 60-11 in an entertaining but one-sided contest. Maybe contest isn’t quite the word. After the point of no return had been met early in the second half the Wallabies threw caution to the wind, running amok from…

England were dismissed for 327 in their first innings soon after lunch on the third day of the second Test against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi Stadium on Friday.

Australia were on the brink of a series sweep after reducing India to 166 for six at the close of play on the fourth day of the fourth test in Adelaide on Friday.

England have scored 323 for the loss of eight wickets at lunch, on the third day of the second test against Pakistan, at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Australia dismissed both Indian openers before tea, and the visitors went to the break on 92 for two – needing another 408 runs to win – on the fourth afternoon of the fourth test in Adelaide on Friday.

Torrential rain dashed New Zealand’s hopes of building an imposing first-innings lead in the one-off test against Zimbabwe on Friday.

Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal took three late wickets to thrust his team back into contention at the close of the second day of the second test against England on Thursday.

Vaughn van Jaarsveld struck a majestic century to lead the Dolphins to 269 for five at stumps on the first day of their SuperSport Series match against the Warriors in Durban on Thursday.

The Titans were in complete control at stumps on the first day of their SuperSport Series match against the Cape Cobras at Boland Park in Paarl on Thursday.

Legendary Sri Lankan cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga on Thursday slammed his country’s sacking of Australian coach Geoff Marsh as “disgraceful” and “unprofessional”.

Legendary Sri Lankan cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga on Thursday slammed his country’s sacking of Australian coach Geoff Marsh as “disgraceful” and “unprofessional”.

Chris Morris and Pumelela Matshikwe snapped up two wickets each as the Chevrolet Knights limped to 177 for six at tea on the first day of their SuperSport Series match on Thursday.

Albie Morkel delivered a devastating new-ball spell to leave the Cape Cobras reeling on 108 for 5 at lunch on Day 1 of their SuperSport Series match against the Titans at Boland Park in Paarl on Thursday.

England are on 132 runs for the loss of one wicket at tea on the second day of the second test against Pakistan at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

An unbeaten century from skipper Ross Taylor put New Zealand in a commanding position at five for 331 on the first day of the one-off test against Zimbabwe in Napier on Thursday.

Peter Siddle took five wickets as Australia bowled India out for 272 before extending their lead to 382 runs by the close of play on third day of the fourth test in Adelaide on Thursday.

Sri Lanka Cricket on Wednesday sacked its Australian coach Geoff Marsh and replaced him with South African Graham Ford as part of a major shake-up following the national team’s poor run.

We have roped in Neil Manthorp for a Question & Answer session on Tuesday, with the focus on the recently concluded ODI series between South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Pakistan were bowled out for 257 on the second Day of the second test against England at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

India were dismissed for 272 – a deficit of 332 runs – after tea on the third day of the fourth test against Australia in Adelaide on Thursday, thanks to 5-49 from Peter Siddle.

England’s pace-cum-spin attack delivered the goods to keep Pakistan down to 256-7 on the opening day of the second test at Abu Dhabi Stadium on Wednesday.

England’s Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann struck to reduce Pakistan to 54 for three in their second innings at tea on the third day of the second Test.

Australia are on the brink of a series sweep after reducing India to 166/6 in their pursuit of 500 runs for an unlikely victory.

New Zealand’s first inning was hit by rain and an injury to captain Ross Taylor as they only reaches 331/5.

Australia have increased their lead over India to 486 runs at the cost of two wickets before lunch.

New Zealand captain Ross Taylor retired hurt on 122 before rain stopped play on the second morning of the Test match against Zimbabwe.

Judge Mervyn King is expected to be the last person to testify before the sports ministry’s inquiry into the financial dealings of Cricket SA.

England opener Alastair Cook wasn’t surprised his team lost three quick late wickets after Jonathan Trott was removed to end their 139-run stand in the second Test against Pakistan.

Titans seam bowler Rowan Richards and all-rounder Albie Morkel put in the early work to leave the Cape Cobras reeling on the first day of their SuperSport Series match in Paarl .

Middle-order batsman Vaughn van Jaarsveld and captain Imraan Khan laid the foundation as the Dolphins produced a solid first-innings display against the Warriors.

Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal took three late wickets to thrust his team back into contention at the close of the second day of the second Test against England.

Judge Mervyn King is expected to be the last individual to testify before the sports ministry’s inquiry into Cricket SA.

This weekend’s top of the table SuperSport Series encounter between the Titans and Cobras has the making of an enthralling affair.

Virat Kohli accused Australia of “really low” sledging and criticised the boisterous Adelaide crowd after he scored a maiden Test century.

Jonathan Trott and Alastair Cook hit half-centuries to help England recover from the early loss of Andrew Strauss on the second day of the second Test against Pakistan.

It seems Andrew Hudson and his selection panel covered all bases, both pleasing and annoying their critics.

Virat Kohli upstaged his more esteemed team mates and was closing on India’s first century of the series as the tourists reached 225 for six at tea.

India have lost Sachin Tendulkar and two other batsmen despite perfect conditions on the third day of the fourth Test against Australia in Adelaide.

South African Graham Ford has been named as the new coach of Sri Lanka as part of a major shake-up within the team.

England’s pace-cum-spin attack delivered the goods to keep Pakistan down to 256/7 on the opening day of the second Test.

Australia captain Michael Clarke is in the form of his life, but he struggling to even smile about it.

India are lurching towards defeat and a 4-0 series humiliation against Australia after another batting collapse in the fourth Test.

Sachin Tendulkar was out for 13 in the second innings of the fourth Test against Australia to miss out on his 100th international century.

Rowan Richards has captured his fifth career fifth five-wicket haul to give the Titans a decisive edge over the Cape Cobras in Paarl.

New Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has rejected the sports minister’s allegation that there is infighting in the team.

Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal took three late wickets to restrict England at stumps on the second day of the second Test.

Judge Mervyn King is expected to be the last individual to testify before the sports ministry’s inquiry into Cricket SA’s finances.

Former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga has slammed the sacking of coach Geoff Marsh as “disgraceful” and “unprofessional”.

Virat Kohli accused Australia of “really low” sledging and criticised the boisterous crowd after scoring his maiden Test century.

Proteas all-rounder Albie Morkel has been sent to hospital after hurting his wrist in a SuperSport Series match.

England have scored 48 runs for the loss of one wicket at lunch on the second day of the second Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.

Australia took a huge lead after dismissing India and opting not to enforce the follow-on on Day 3 of the Adelaide Test.

Ross Taylor is unbeaten on 111 as he steered NZ to 331 for five at stumps on the first day of the one-off Test against Zimbabwe.

England have dismissed Pakistan for 257 in the first innings inside three overs on the second morning of the second Test.

Australia batsman Ricky Ponting has been awarded one of his country’s highest civil honours in an annual list.

Sri Lanka Cricket has sacked its Australian coach Geoff Marsh and replaced him with South African Graham Ford.

CSA’s Medical Committee has advised several Proteas players to be rested from this week’s round of SuperSport Series matches.

Four Proteas named in the squad to tour New Zealand have been picked in the Cape Cobras’ squad for their clash against the Titans.

The path seems to have been cleared for Mark Boucher to stay Test ‘keeper … right into the mid-year tour of England.

Half centuries by captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq helped Pakistan recover on Day 1 of the second Test against England.

Lance Klusener has been appointed as the Dolphins’ interim coach for the remainder of the season, the KZN franchise has announced.

For once, the choke was almost on the opposition in a game involving South Africa. Sri Lanka almost messed up what had been the perfect big ODI chase

Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq will not travel to play in South Africa’s domestic 20-over competition

In a surprisingly one-sided match, South Africa Under-19s beat Pakistan Under-19s comprehensively in Paarl, and won the tri-nation tournament that also involved Zimbabwe Under-19s

ESPNcricinfo previews the fifth ODI between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Johannesburg

Vernon Philander, the South African fast bowler, has been awarded a national contract in recognition of his strong start to his Test career this summer

AB de Villiers’ bright start as South Africa’s limited-overs captain has hit a speed bump and it did so in embarrassing fashion

David Miller, the South Africa middle-order batsman, has been retained by Kings XI Punjab and given a two-year contract

Tillakaratne Dilshan, the Sri Lanka captain, is targetting a strong finish to the ODI series after his team won the fourth match by five wickets in Kimberley

It took Sri Lanka four games and a series loss to get their batting to fire to its potential as they chased down a stiff 300 in Kimberley

Graeme Swann, the England offspinner, is the only player in the preliminary list for the 2012 IPL auction to command the highest reserve price of US$400,000

Pakistan Under-19 warmed up for the tri-series final with a resounding win in the dress rehearsal against South Africa Under-19 at the Stellenbosch University Ground

ESPNcricinfo previews the fourth ODI between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Kimberley

In the space of a week, AB de Villiers has gone from captaining a team for the first time at any level, to winning an international series with two matches to spare

Had it not rained, and if the full 50 overs of the South African innings had been bowled, Tillakaratne Dilshan may have been able to smile whole-heartedly for the first time this year

South Africa took an unassailable 3-0 lead, with the result settled in anti-climatic fashion by the Duckworth-Lewis method after thundershowers interrupted play

Graham Ford has announced he is quitting as head coach of Dolphins, the Durban-based franchise

Zimbabwe Under-19′s losing streak continued in the tri-series as they succumbed to a three-wicket defeat to the hosts in a low-scoring match at Somerset West

South Africa U-19 halted Pakistan U-19′s three-match winning streak with a 42-run victory in Cape Town

‘Cautious over curious’ has usually been the approach of the South African selectors. Instead of being dynamic and open-minded they have traditionally acted in a risk averse manner, until now

ESPNcricinfo previews the third ODI between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Bloemfontein

The life of Worcestershire and England cricketer Basil D’Oliveira is to be celebrated at a service in Worcester Cathedral.

Alastair Cook believes England are in a strong position to push for a victory in the second Test again Pakistan.

A Pakistan revival undoes the good work of England’s Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott on day two of the second Test in Abu Dhabi.

The England and Wales Cricket Board agrees a new deal with BBC Sport to broadcast ball-by-ball radio commentary on international cricket until 2019.

Surrey re-sign Australian left-arm fast bowler Dirk Nannes for this summer’s FL t20 campaign.

England finish day two of the second Test in Abu Dhabi on 207-5, trailing Pakistan by 50, after losing four late wickets.

Derbyshire re-sign Australia batsman Usman Khawaja as their second overseas player for the 2012 season.

Peter Siddle takes 5-49 as Australia continue to dominate India after three days of the final Test in Adelaide, stretching their overall lead to 382.

Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann both take three wickets as England have the better of the first day of the second Test against Pakistan.

Monty Panesar says he is “excited” after returning to England’s Test team.

Inside Out pays tribute to Basil d’Oliveira n the week of his memorial service

Niall O’Brien has been left out of the Ireland squad to tour Kenya next month because of his involvement in the inaugural Bangladesh Premier League.

“Whatever England do get Pakistan out for, it will be all about how they play the hosts’ spinners”

Pace bowler Chris Tremlett will miss the rest of England’s Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates because of a back injury.

Warwickshire’s bowling coach Graeme Welch expects seamer Chris Wright to shine after agreeing to continue at Edgbaston this summer.

England take charge as Pakistan lose their seventh wicket, while the first day of the second Test draws to a close in Abu Dhabi.

Somerset sign Albie Morkel to replace Roelof van der Merwe for the side’s T20 campaign.

Gloucestershire sign right-handed batsman Dan Housego on a three-year deal.

Ricky Ponting becomes only the third batsman to score 13,000 Test runs as Australia reach 335-3 on the first day of the final Test against India.

Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke hit double centuries for Australia as they reach 604-7 before declaring against India.

A cricket video for Cricket World TV about cricket news today in cricket history and a look back at cricket history being made on this day, from international cricketers born on this day to those scoring centuries and taking five-wicket hauls.

Inc…

Surrey have re-signed Australian fast-bowler Dirk Nannes for their 2012 Friends Life t20 campaign.

The 35 year-old also represented the Lions last season and proved popular with their players, management and supporters.

Pakistan grabbed four late England wickets on day two of the second Test to retain a slender lead and put the tourists under pressure.

England were making bold progress thanks to Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott both scoring half-centuries before …

Virat Kohli stroked his maiden Test century but India still trailed Australia by 382 runs at stumps on day three of the fourth and final Test in Adelaide.

Kohli scored a patient 116 in 213 balls as India were bowled out for 272 in reply to 604 for…

Ross Taylor scored a fluent century to guide New Zealand to a good position at stumps on the opening day of their only Test against Zimbabwe in Napier.

Brendon McCullum also added 83 to help the Black Caps close on 331 for five having lost the tos…

The opening One-Day International between Australia Women and New Zealand Women was abandoned after just 22 overs were possible in Sydney.

In that time, New Zealand had reached 100 for two as they set about building a platform before the weather i…

A cricket video for Cricket World TV about cricket news today in cricket history and a look back at cricket history being made on this day, from international cricketers born on this day to those scoring centuries and taking five-wicket hauls.

Inc…

Derbyshire have confirmed that Australian top-order batsman Usman Khawaja will be joining them from the start of their Friends Life t20 campaign on June 14th, and will become their main overseas player for the rest of the season. He will take over …

The winds of change continue to sweep through Sri Lanka Cricket with the news that they have installed Graham Ford as their new coach.

The South African replaces Australian Geoff Marsh, who has been relieved of his duties just four months into a t…

Ireland have named a 15-man squad to tour Kenya as well as a 17-man provisional squad for the ICC World Twenty20 qualifying tournament in February.

They travel to Kenya to play a four-day ICC Intercontinental Cup match, two One-Day Internationals …

Gloucestershire have signed former Middlesex top-order batsman Dan Housego on a three-year contract.

The 23-year-old was a member of Gloucestershire’s Academy before moving to Lord’s, and played for their Second XI against Denmark as long ago as i…

Somerset have signed Albie Morkel as their second overseas player for the Friends Life t20. It had been thought that fellow South African Roelof van der Merwe was going to fill the role when he took over as the club’s main overseas player at the be…

All-rounder Justin Ontong has been handed a recall to South Africa’s One-Day International and Twenty20 International squads ahead of the tour of New Zealand.

Ontong has been rewarded for outstanding form with the Cape Cobras and will join the squ…

Pakistan struggled to break free of some excellent England bowling on the opening day of the second Test in Abu Dhabi as they closed on 256 for seven.

Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq both scored half-centuries to revive the innings after they had sl…

Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke both scored double-centuries during a 386-run partnership together on day two of the fourth and final Test against India in Adelaide.

Their efforts enabled the home side to declare on 604 for seven and they finishe…

A cricket video for Cricket World TV about cricket news today in cricket history and a look back at cricket history being made on this day, from international cricketers born on this day to those scoring centuries and taking five-wicket hauls.

A cricket video for Cricket World TV about the latest cricket news looking back at two major stories – Australia’s fine start to the fourth and final Test against India in Adelaide and the changes sweeping through Sri Lanka Cricket.

The outcome of yesterday’s meeting between the ECB, the 18 first-class counties, and the MCC appears to be that a 14-match Championship schedule was accepted in principle providing it is made up of an eight-team first division so as not to compromi…

Cricket Ireland have revealed a strategic plan outlining their ambition to be playing Test cricket by 2020 and put into a place a number of new initiatives.

Over the next three years, they aim to increase participation levels, rise to at least eig…

Pakistan quick bowler Mohammad Talha has been ruled out of the rest of the Test series against England with a back injury.

23-year-old right-armer Talha was left out of the opening Test, which Pakistan won by ten wickets in Dubai, and the spinal d…

Theo Walcott says the players should take responsibility for Arsenal’s recent dip in form.

French league leaders Paris Saint Germain are hoping to avoid a costly slip-up Saturday when their title credentials come under the microscope at Brest.

SuperSport.com can reveal that strikers, Ali Sowe and Assan Ceesay,are the Gambian duo presently on trials at top Nigeria Premier League side, Enugu.

Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Michael Ballack has failed to deliver in his 20 months at the Bundesliga club after joining in 2010 from Chelsea, club CEO Wolfgang Holzhaeuser said on Friday.

Adriano Galliani has given Manchester City an 1800 (SA, CAT, GMT+2) deadline on Friday to accept the club’s bid for striker Carlos Tevez, with Catania’s Maxi Lopez waiting in the wings.

Ivory Coast may have secured their ticket to the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals but Wednesday’s win over Burkina Faso came at a price, with injury to influential striker Salomon Kalou.

Olympiakos have completed the signing of former Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll, the Greek champions have announced.

Following their opening match against Gabon, Niger’s assistant coach Rolland Courbis has denied quitting his role in the team after falling out with Harouna Douala.

Gombe United are still early leaders of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) this term after earning a point at 3SC

Scottish Premier League giants, Glasgow Rangers, are lining up to sign Nigerian strikers, Michael Uchebo and Kalu Uche before the January window shuts down.

Chelsea have plenty of reasons to want to avoid a repeat of their last trip to neighbours Queens Park Rangers when they return to Loftus Road on Saturday in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Real Madrid get back to Spanish league action with a home game against bottom side Zaragoza on Saturday after the disappointment of their Spanish Cup exit to Barcelona in midweek.

Rangers have the chance to close the gap on league leaders Celtic this weekend as they look to take advantage of their rivals’ involvement in the League Cup.

Bayern Munich star Bastian Schweinsteiger insists the German league leaders are desperate to put their shock defeat at Moenchengladbach behind them when they host Wolfsburg on Saturday.

Serie A champions AC Milan set up a mouthwatering Italian Cup semifinal against league pacesetters Juventus after a 3-1 quarterfinal home win against Lazio on Thursday.

An early Solomon Kalou strike and a late Bakary Kone own goal propelled Ivory Coast to a 2-0 victory over Burkina Faso and secured a quarterfinal berth at the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday night.

German league leaders Bayern Munich are set to welcome back winger Franck Ribery for Saturday’s Bundesliga clash against Wolfsburg, despite the France star suffering with a bad back.

Ghana star striker Asamoah Gyan limped out of his team’s training on Thursday with a suspected ankle injury.

Mohamed Bashir and Manucho scored a brace apiece as Sudan and Angola shared spoils in an Africa Cup of Nations game that ended in a 2-2 draw at Nuevo Estadio de Malabo.

Gernot Rohr has lauded the merits of his 100 percent homegrown Gabon team who on Friday face a Morocco side motivated by the need for a win to inject life into their Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson’s desire on Friday was simply to talk about “a game of football” ahead of their FA Cup clash with Liverpool.

World number one Novak Djokovic advanced to the final of the Australian Open following an epic five-set semifinal victory over Britain’s Andy Murray.

Wayne Rooney’s availability to face Liverpool in tomorrow’s hugely anticipated FA Cup fourth-round match was in doubt last night.

Blackburn defender Christopher Samba launched a fresh attack on the Indian owners of Premier League strugglers Blackburn.

Arsenal’s Theo Walcott has urged his team-mates to ease the pressure on manager Arsene Wenger after a disappointing run of results.

Ivory Coast may have secured their ticket to the Nations Cup quarter-finals but the win over Burkina Faso came at a price.

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has urged the club’s fans to be on their best behaviour when Manchester United visit Anfield.

Chelsea have plenty of reasons to want to avoid a repeat of their last trip to neighbours Queens Park Rangers.

Valencia’s Pablo Piatti scored twice to set up a meeting with Barcelona in the King’s Cup semi-finals after helping his side to a 7-1 aggregate win at Levante.

Ivory Coast survived an early penalty appeal on their way to victory against Burkina Faso at the African Nations Cup.

Sudan ended a 36-year Africa Cup of Nations goal drought as they came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Angola.

Sixteen players in the Botswana squad at the African Cup of Nations are only semiprofessional, while striker Jerome Ramatlhakwane doesn’t even have a club at the moment.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp can hardly write, has never sent an email or text in his life and cannot even fill in a team sheet, a court heard on Thursday.

Harry Redknapp will swap the dock at Southwark Crown Court for the dugout at Vicarage Road when his Tottenham Hotspur side face Watford in their FA Cup fourth round tie on Friday.

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta could be out for up to three weeks after injuring his thigh in the King’s Cup quarterfinal second-leg match against Real Madrid.

Joey Barton has been warned by the English Football Association not to provide opinions about the outcome of matches.

Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid proved to themselves as much as to the rest of the world that they can more than match Barcelona on the field of play.

As is the norm in every transfer period, Bafana Bafana hitman Katlego “Killer” Mphela is linked with yet another move to Europe.

Bolton Wanderers announced the signing of American defender Tim Ream from the New York Red Bulls for an undisclosed fee.

FA chairman David Bernstein has defended Howard Webb over fierce criticism of his role in the Mario Balotelli stamping row.

Former Bafana Bafana star Thabang Lebese is recovering in the Helen Joseph Hospital after he was admitted for an undisclosed illness.

Ghana star striker Asamoah Gyan limped out of his team’s latest training session with a suspected ankle injury.

Sudan ended a 36-year Africa Cup of Nations goal drought as they came from behind twice to draw with Angola.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has told a court he can hardly write and has never sent an e-mail or sms in his life.

Bolton filled the gap in their squad created by the sale of Gary Cahill by signing Tim Ream from the New York Red Bulls.

QPR captain Joey Barton has lashed out at the FA after being warned about predicting the outcomes of Premier League games.

Nasief Morris says he is delighted to be back at Santos following his loan move from SuperSport United this week.

New Orlando Pirates signing Luis Boa Morte admits he could end his career at the Premier Soccer League giants.

Liverpool have reached the League Cup final after rallying twice for draw against Manchester City to put them through on aggregate.

Equatorial Guinea produced one of its most memorable victories by scoring late in stoppage time for a win against Senegal.

Volatile Italian striker Mario Balotelli began a four match suspension after accepting an FA charge of violent conduct.

Wigan have signed Chile midfielder Jean Beausejour from Birmingham as the bottom-place club aim to stay in the Premier League.

Zambia rallied twice to draw with Libya in an eventful Group A match played on a waterlogged pitch in the African Cup of Nations.

Mamelodi Sundowns and SA striker, Katlego Mphela, has been targeted by English Premiership side, Queens Park Rangers.

Siphiwe Tshabalala’s continued career at Chiefs remains shrouded in doubt after he was given three days to “think over his future”.

Ghana’s defender John Mensah will not be involved against Mali and Guinea in the rest of the team’s group games in the AFCON.

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has been found guilty of gross misconduct and fined six weeks’ wages.

Mali have claimed all three points in their opening AFCON clash with Guinea with Bakaye Traore netting the only goal of the match.

The agent of Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has accused referee Howard Webb of lying over the alleged headstamping.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp denied receiving a “bung” from his former Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric and threatened to sue.

Niger assistant coach Roland Corbis believes that his side is producing their best football, and to expect anything more than that is unrealistic.  

Lionel Messi is on the iconic Time magazine cover – but not in the United States.

Mandla Masango has signed a new three-year contract with Kaizer Chiefs.  

Golden Arrows have released five players including Namibian goalkeeper Virgil Vries just six months after he joined the club from his homeland club Eleven Arrows.

Bad news for Bongani Khumalo, as Reading are closing in on several transfer targets – including centre-back Karleigh Osborne.

Khama Billiat will get a full report on Sunday providing details on how he fared during his trial at Ajax Amsterdam.  

Ghana defender John Paintsil is confident Ghana can book their place in the quarter finals at the 2012 Nations Cup with victory over Mali on Saturday.  

Ghana will have their first choice centre back pairing of Isaac Vorsah and John Mensah back for their final group game against Guinea.  

KickOff.com has found out that Kgosi Nthle from English Championship side Peterborough United has been invited to link up with South Africa’s Under-20 side in March.  

Ivory Coast defeated Burkina Faso 2-0 to qualify for the quarter-finals of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Malabo on Thursday.

Angola remain top of African Cup of Nations Group B after playing out a 2-2 draw with Sudan at Estadio de Malabo on Thursday evening.

A few days since arriving to join Bloemfontein Celtic, midfielder Papi Zothwane is very happy at his new club.  

Following a disappointing first half of the season that saw him being rarely used by Orlando Pirates coach Julio Leal, midfielder Mark Mayambela is ready to mount a stronger challenge for a regular place in the team.  

Heartland coach Ludewijk de Kruif has launched a withering blast at Nigerian referees, claiming that their actions do not allow away teams to win.

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KickOff.com has picked up that AmaZulu have thrown out of the window Mamelodi Sundowns’ advances for their defender-cum-midfielder Thamsanqa Sangweni.

Manchester City are considering taking legal action against the club’s frozen-out striker Carlos Tevez over the issue of the player’s price tag, which has nose-dived in recent months.

Former Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has not ruled out Asamoah Gyan’s playing for the club again, when his loan at Al Ain ends in the summer.

Nigeria Under-23 striker Daniel Uchechi will join Aberdeen on loan until the end of the season after trials this week.

Maritzburg United have been forced to restructure their technical team, after Ian Palmer’s two assistants Aschwin Sutton and Urban de Kock abandoned the club following his dismissal a fortnight ago.

Burkina Faso coach Paulo Duarte feels off-field bungles contributed to his team’s early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.”

Christopher Samba believes it is time to seek a “divorce” from Blackburn as he is no longer fully committed to the struggling club.”

Muhsin Ertugral tells he is confident Clifford Ngobeni and Siphelele Mthembu will add value to Golden Arrows.”

Botswana manager Stanley Tshosane is worried that his players lack the power to match Guinea pound for pound.”

Ivory Coast coach Francis Zaoui is fearing the worst as striker Salomon Kalou struggles with a thigh injury which could end his AFCON.”

Kaizer Chiefs defender Jimmy Jambo is determined to help the club dethrone Premiership champions Orlando Pirates.”

Botswana captain Dipsy Selolwane will make his return in Saturday’s crunch AFCON clash with Guinea in Group D.”

Ghana will be without their captain John Mensah when they clash with west African rivals Mali in the AFCON on Saturday.”

Ivory Coast booked their quarter-final place at the expense of Burkina Faso with a 2-0 win at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo on Thursday evening.”

Sudan twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with Angola in an AFCON group B clash at Nuevo Estadio de Malabo on Thursday night.”

Gabon will be looking to pile more misery on Morocco and go on to claim a place in the quarter-finals when they clash on Friday.”

Tunisia will be hoping to book their place in the AFCON quarter-finals when face Niger in the second round of Group C matches on Friday.”

Burkina Faso midfielder Jonathan Pitroipa knows that anything less than victory against Ivory Coast will mean the end of their AFCON.”

Lucas Thwala admits he will have to buckle down and dig in at Platinum Stars if he hopes to regain his position at Orlando Pirates.”

Ajax CT superstar Khama Billiat has spoken of his delight at training with Ajax Amsterdam following his return to South Africa this week.”

Senegal are out of AFCON 2012, but maybe that’s not such bad news for the neutral. takes a closer look at Day 5.”

Golden Arrows have further bolstered their goalkeeping options following the signing of Stephan Loboue on an 18-month deal.”

Equatorial Guinea captain Juvenal Edjogo Owono says the Africa Cup of Nations co-hosts are targeting a clean sweep of Group A.”

Amara Traore is happy with the way Senegal have performed so far in AFCON, despite their failed bid to progress past the group stages.”

Ernst Middendorp feels his second stint with Premier Soccer League outfit Maritzburg United will prove much more fruitful than the first.”

Preview followed by live coverage of Saturday’s game between West Brom and Norwich in the FA Cup.

Jack Wilshere suffers a blow in his attempt to recover from an ankle injury sustained in pre-season.

Preview followed by live coverage of Friday’s game between Everton and Fulham in the FA Cup.

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis says he has no concerns about playing Jonathan Woodgate at right-back, despite criticism of his form from some supporters.

Preview followed by live coverage of Friday’s game between Watford and Tottenham in the FA Cup.

Greek club Olympiakos sign former Northern Ireland goalkeeper Roy Carroll on an 18-month contract.

Sportsday Live featuring the latest from Andy Murray’s semi-final at the Australian Open, the second Test between England and Pakistan, golf from Abu Dhabi and transfer news ahead of deadline day.

Former Wales striker Nathan Blake reveals he was once the victim of a racist death threat.

The Football Association and Premier League are in talks to avoid the FA Cup final clashing with league games.

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre wants “rivalry not hatred” when his team play Manchester United at Anfield on Saturday.

Ivory Coast beat Burkina Faso 2-0 in Malabo to reach the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Crawley Town sign 20-year-old Arsenal striker Sanchez Watt on loan for the rest of the season.

Sudan hold Angola to a 2-2 draw in Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea and Sudan.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says the chance to play for his hometown club at Wembley is a “superb” feeling.

Fulham academy coach Kit Symons is to become part of new Wales manager Chris Coleman’s backroom staff.

Newcastle’s Senegalese strikers Demba Ba and Demba Cisse may return from the African Cup of Nations in time to face Blackburn on Wednesday.

Hibernian manager Pat Fenlon believes the Scottish FA’s trial-by-television disciplinary process is unfair on referees and players.

Swansea City boss Brendan Rodgers confirms he will sign a new contract extension until the summer of 2015 within the next few days.

Jason Roberts leaves Blackburn for Championship side Reading on an 18-month contract for an undisclosed fee.

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville believes the club are right not to buy players in the January transfer window.