SA rugby: Never a dull moment

Stephen Nell|Published

It was everything you would expect from a South African rugby year - a wild ride on the field and drama off it, writes Stephen Nell.

Watson to miss Stormers training camp

Stephen Nell|Published

Stormers skipper Luke Watson will miss his team's training camp in George because of an ankle injury.

Currie Cup system entrenched until 2011

Stephen Nell|Published

The Currie Cup will be strength-versus-strength for at least the next five seasons.

White gets backing of PC

Stephen Nell|Published

Springbok coach Jake White says he is happy that he can "relax a bit and get on with the job" after he received a vote of confidence from the SA Rugby President's ...

Young hooker to rewrite history books

Stephen Nell|Published

Chiliboy Ralepelle will become the first black player to captain a Springbok XV when he leads them out against a World XV in Leicester.

Springbok assistants may get the chop

Stephen Nell|Published

Springbok rugby coach Jake White appears to be safe, but the heads of assistant coaches Gert Smal and Allister Coetzee are both likely to roll in a shake-up of the ...

Visagie would've 'liked to play for Boks'

Stephen Nell|Published

Prop Cobus Visagie has dismissed suggestions that he turned down the opportunity to play for the Springboks against the World XV in Leicester.

White called home to explain poor showing

Stephen Nell|Published

Springbok coach Jake White has been summoned to Cape Town to explain the national team's inept performances to top-ranking South African Rugby officials.

WP trio to bolster Boks for World XV match

Stephen Nell|Published

Bolla Conradie, Selborne Boome and De Wet Barry will swell the Western Province contingent in the Springbok squad before the match against the World XV in Leicester. ...

Kaplan 'over the moon' to ref final

Stephen Nell|Published

Jonathan Kaplan will referee his third Currie Cup final when he takes charge of the clash between the Cheetahs and Blue Bulls in Bloemfontein.

'Luke The Crook' vows to 'give it horns'

Stephen Nell|Published

Luke Watson has warned the whinging Blue Bulls that there's more of his impressive play at the breakdown to come in the Currie Cup semifinal at Loftus in Pretoria. ...

WP make sure ref won't be taking any bull

Stephen Nell|Published

Western Province coach Kobus van der Merwe has urged referee Marius Jonker to keep a close eye on off-the-ball incidents when they take on the Blue Bulls in the ...

'Afrikaanse treffers' help psych up WP

Stephen Nell|Published

Steve Hofmeyr's Die Blou Bul is the last thing you would expect to hear blaring from the speakers at Newlands ahead of a Currie Cup semifinal between Western Province ...

WP bay for Blue Bulls blood

Stephen Nell|Published

The psychological warfare before the Currie Cup semifinal is now in full swing: Western Province coach Kobus van der Merwe believes Blue Bulls centre JP Nel should ...

Louw fights to keep No 7 jersey

Stephen Nell|Published

Western Province loose forward Pieter Louw knows he has to put in an outstanding performance during the Currie Cup game against Griquas as the impressive Justin ...

Tsimba issues come and get me plea to WP

Stephen Nell|Published

Former Cheetahs flyhalf Kennedy Tsimba has admitted he would love to swap Pretoria for Cape Town, saying his game is not suited to the Blue Bulls' style of rugby. ...

WP suffer double injury blow

Stephen Nell|Published

Western Province will have to set about beating Griquas in the Currie Cup this weekend without two of their best performers this season - Robbie Diack and Gio Aplon. ...

Aplon '50-50' for Griquas game

Stephen Nell|Published

Star fullback Gio Aplon could miss Western Province's must-win Currie Cup clash against Griquas at Newlands because of an injury.

Province left to sweat over Greeff

Stephen Nell|Published

Western Province will only find out later in the week whether or not they can select Werner Greeff for their must-win Currie Cup match against Griquas at Newlands. ...

'Stormers to help Jake if Spears put on hold'

Stephen Nell|Published

Stormers coach Kobus van der Merwe will be prepared to rest top Springboks at national coach Jake White's request in next year's Super 14 if SA Rugby are able to ...

WP want Britz and Bekker to lock up Lions

Stephen Nell|Published

Not too long ago the lack of quality second-row forwards was considered a significant reason for a decline in Western Province's fortunes - but this season things ...

WP's Potgieter takes aim at Lions buddy

Stephen Nell|Published

Western Province's Sarel Potgieter had a prolific day out against the Falcons last week, but it would probably end up meaning a lot more to the WP cause if he does ...

Stormers in economy seats on 'tour from hell'

Stephen Nell|Published

Half the Stormers squad have been booked on the same flight to New Zealand as the opposition they will be facing in a Super 14 clash.

'Kakkerlakkie' can bug Lions again

Stephen Nell|Published

Western Province coach Kobus van der Merwe is hoping that Zhahier "Kakkerlakkie" Ryland can turn back the clock when he runs out against the Lions at Ellis Park. ...

Breyton's back to play for Stormers

Stephen Nell|Published

Experienced Springbok rugby wing Breyton Paulse is back in Cape Town, and has signed on to play for the Stormers in next year's Super 14.