Blog

For years, Leinster have carried the burden of a reputation they desperately want to shake. Despite their immense resources, international stars, and consistent dominance throughout regular seasons, they have often been labelled rugby's "bridesmaids". Good enough to reach finals, but not always able to finish the job when the pressure is at its greatest. Yet as the Bulls prepare to face Leinster in Friday's United Rugby Championship final at Croke Park, it may be worth asking

When Jacques sat down in front of the media this week and admitted that he doesn't feel valued at Leinster, it struck a nerve with me and I am sure a lot of South Africans. Not because we haven't heard coaches express frustration before, but because it feels almost impossible to reconcile those words with everything Nienaber has achieved throughout his career. For many of us, Jacques isn't simply another coach. He is one of the architects of the most successful era in Spring

The URC regular season has ended, and with it, the Sharks’ 25/26 season comes to a close too. It’s not the first time they haven’t made the playoffs, but it is the first time they are the only South African team not to feature in the top eight. Obviously, it’s disappointing. For the fans, but even more so for the players and coaches. No one will be feeling the heavy weight of expectation, and the frustration of not living up to that, more than them. So, if you’re hoping for a

The Stormers suffered their first defeat of the URC season at home this weekend, going down 30–19. On the surface, it’s a result that dents momentum and bruises pride, particularly in Cape Town where home dominance has long been a cornerstone of Stormers success. But scratch a little deeper and this may turn out to be one of the most valuable results of their campaign. Tune into this weeks episode of the Podcast as we chat about this season defining moment. In recent URC seas

When the Sharks confirmed that head coach John Plumtree will step down at the end of the season, moving into a more advisory capacity, it didn’t come as much of a shock to anyone paying attention. For months now, something has felt off in Durban. The body language, the results, the lack of spark, all have pointed to a franchise slowly losing its pulse. Neil Powell’s shift to focus on other areas within the franchise only adds to the feeling that the Sharks are at a crossroads

Big news from the United Rugby Championship this week: South African rugby has officially joined the URC boardroom as the league’s sixth...

Like so many kids in the ‘80s, I had a weird fear of quicksand when I was young. Completely irrational, of course – how many of us have...

The Vodacom Bulls find themselves one step away from glory as they prepare to take on Irish giants Leinster in Saturday’s United Rugby...

For many South Africans, one of the biggest reasons to get excited about the Six Nations kicking off over the weekend was that it...

The Bulls’ approach to the Champions Cup this season has raised eyebrows across the rugby world. Head coach Jake White’s consistent...

Ah, the start of a new year. Quite often a time for reflection and well-meaning, if short-lived, promises to be a better version of...

Forget Spotify Wrapped, or pondering the personal and professional triumphs and failures of the year that is currently drawing to its...

There is no longer any denying it, the Sharks are in a dire situation and fans are tired of waiting weekend after weekend to see if their...

There’s a lot of negative talk about the Sharks at the moment, and I’m loathe to add to it. I don’t believe it’s particularly helpful....

The significance of second chances has been top of mind for many in the rugby world since the official announcement from the Sharks on 13...

South African sides the Sharks, Lions, Bulls and Stormers have had two full seasons in Europe, enjoying varied success along the way....

This weekend, South Africa's longest running competition, the Currie Cup will reach its conclusion with a final being played on Saturday...

The Springbok squad announcement by head coach Jacques Nienaber last weekend added extra spice to the United Rugby Championship final...

Sitting here on a Sunday morning, having a coffee and writing this, puts a big smile on my face. Things looked glum when the South...

The second of the United Rugby Championship semi-finals kicks off this afternoon as the DHL Stormers host Ulster at the Cape Town...