Koch scores as Sarries stay alive

SARugbymag.co.za looks back at the past weekend’s European Champions Cup and European Challenge Cup matches involving South African players.

Goosen set for comeback?

Montpellier owner Mohed Altrad has suggested there is a ‘30% chance’ that former Springbok Johan Goosen could come out of retirement to join the French club ahead of the 2018-19 season.

Lance leaves Rebels for Reds return

Jono Lance has rejoined the Reds, months after signing for the Rebels. The flyhalf, who went to the Rebels after the Force were kicked out of Super Rugby, is back at the team that gave him his Super Rugby debut in 2011. With the Reds forcing out Wallaby Quade Cooper and Karmichael Hunt facing a drug conviction, Lance will be… Read more →

Munster secure home quarter-final

Munster, Racing 92 and La Rochelle all booked their places in the European Champions Cup playoffs, while Wasps missed out despite beating Ulster. Johann van Graan’s Munster claimed an emphatic 48-3 victory against Castres to top Pool 4 and book a home quarter-final against Toulon. Scrumhalf Rory Kockott put Castres in front with an early penalty, but that’s as good… Read more →

Pocock blow for Brumbies

Brumbies flank David Pocock will be out of action for three months after having minor knee surgery. Pocock took a year-long sabbatical from Australian rugby, but played for the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan between August and January. He featured in the recent Top League final, which the Wild Knights lost 12-8 to Suntory Sungoliath. ‘Upon David Pocock’s return from… Read more →

Duane set to miss Rugby Championship

Duane Vermeulen’s contract with his new Japanese club could prevent him from playing for the Springboks in the Rugby Championship. Vermeulen will leave French club Toulon at the end of the current European season. According to Rapport newspaper, he will join Frans Ludeke’s Kubota Spears and then return to the Stormers early next year to play in the 2019 Super… Read more →

Coetzee saga drags on

There is still no clarity over Allister Coetzee’s position as Springbok coach after his meeting with SA Rugby on Thursday. Speculation has been rife that Coetzee is set to be sacked, with director of rugby Rassie Erasmus taking over the reins. According to Rapport newspaper, no one would say after Thursday’s meeting when an announcement on Coetzee’s future would be made…. Read more →

Super Rugby pre-season fixtures

All the warm-up matches leading up to the 2018 Super Rugby tournament. 20 January SWD vs Stormers 27 January Lions vs Bulls Bulls vs Sharks Jaguares vs Argentina XV 2 February Chiefs vs Blues Crusaders vs Hurricanes Highlanders vs Waratahs 3 February Stormers vs Bulls Brumbies vs Rebels Sharks vs Racing 92 (Hong Kong) Super Rugby player transfers 9-10 February… Read more →

Duane’s Toulon into quarters despite loss

The Scarlets, Clermont and Leinster secured home quarter-finals in the European Champions Cup, while Toulon also booked their place in the playoffs on Saturday. In a straight shootout for top spot in Pool 5, the Scarlets held on desperately to clinch a riveting 30-27 win over Toulon. The result sees the Scarlets secure a first home quarter-final and makes them… Read more →

Stormers whack Eagles in warm-up

Juarno Augustus and Herschel Jantjies scored two tries each as the Stormers cruised to a 77-0 win over the SWD Eagles at Outeniqua Park on Saturday. The Stormers fielded a young match-day squad, but still had enough firepower to run 11 tries past the Eagles in front of their home crowd in George. Despite playing in damp, misty and rainy… Read more →