Watch: Biggest hits of 2017
This year’s biggest and most brutal hits in rugby.
Saffas snubbed in player rankings list
England flyhalf Owen Farrell has been rated as the best player in the world by Rugby Worldmagazine, while no South African made the top 20. Beauden Barrett, the 2017 World Rugby Player of the Year, was selected in second place, while lock Brodie Retallick is the only other All Black in the top 10. In the magazine’s list of the world’s… Read more →
Rhodes eyes England ‘dream’
Former Stormers loose forward Mike Rhodes says he would ‘jump at the chance’ to play for England once he qualifies in July. Rhodes spent time with the Sharks, Lions and Stormers before making the move to Saracens in 2015, where he has enjoyed great success. The 30-year-old is now close to completing his three-year residency qualification, and he told The… Read more →
Hunt sidelined after drugs charge
Karmichael Hunt has been stood down from all rugby activities after being charged with drugs possession. Hunt and another man were allegedly caught with cocaine during a random street search by police in the early hours of Saturday morning in Brisbane. The Queensland Rugby Union and Rugby Australia said Hunt ‘agreed’ that it is in the best interest of all… Read more →
Wallaby faces drugs charge
Karmichael Hunt has been charged with cocaine possession after being allegedly caught by police in Brisbane. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Hunt and another man were walking along a street at about 00:40 on Saturday when they were approached by officers during what a police spokesman described as ‘a random street stop’. Police officers found a bag of white… Read more →
McCaw: England will push All Blacks
Former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw believes England will pose the biggest threat to New Zealand in the lead-up to the 2019 World Cup. England have improved a great deal since Eddie Jones was appointed head coach in the wake of the 2015 World Cup. The side has won 22 of its 23 Tests, and claimed two Six Nations titles,… Read more →
Brunel new France coach
Guy Novès has been sacked as France coach and replaced by Jacques Brunel. Novès was in charge for 21 Tests over the past two years, of which Les Bleus won just seven, lost 13 and drew one. Novès’ assistants, Yannick Bru (forwards) and Jean-Frederic Dubois (backs) have also lost their jobs. ‘I wish it had lasted all the way to [the… Read more →
Elton keen to nail down RWC spot
Elton Jantjies concedes that consistency throughout the season will be key if he wants to cement his position as first-choice Springbok flyhalf in the lead-up to the 2019 World Cup. In a candid interview with Rapport newspaper, Jantjies admits his performances for the Springboks in 2017 were below par and that he needs to improve his game immediately, in order to… Read more →
Wales want Bok clash in USA
The Springboks could face Wales in Washington on 2 June next year. Wales are looking for an additional fixture ahead of their two-Test tour of Argentina. ‘We are probably going to have an extra fixture on the summer tour next year in the US,’ said Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Martyn Phillips. ‘We are pretty close to getting that done.’ BBC… Read more →
Player drain plaguing SA rugby
SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux admits it is becoming increasingly difficult to compete on an international level as a result of the player exodus. In an interview with Rugby World magazine, Roux highlighted the challenges facing South African rugby due to the ever-increasing player drain. ‘Last year we had 373 players playing in European club competitions. Any other country that… Read more →
