Mark Keohane

epa10945937 Will Jordan (top) of New Zealand tackles Handre Pollard of South Africa during the Rugby World Cup 2023 final between New Zealand and South Africa in Saint-Denis, France, 28 October 2023. EPA/YOAN VALAT

Nothing beats Boks vs All Blacks in SA

South Africa to host New Zealand in the 2024 Rugby Championship is more appealing than Friday’s Six Nations opener between France and Ireland, writes MARK KEOHANE.

‘Polly of old’ continues to roar

Playmaker Handre Pollard is flourishing at Leicester Tigers, showcasing a remarkable transformation from his underwhelming stint with Montpellier, writes MARK KEOHANE.

epa10879661 Ireland’s James Ryan (C) in action during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Ireland in Saint- Denis, France, 23 September 2023. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

Bok test awaits ‘haunted’ Ireland

Ireland haven’t recovered from last year’s Rugby World Cup trauma, and face a tough challenge away from home against South Africa in July, writes MARK KEOHANE.

Photo: BackpagePix New Zealand attack coach Joe Schmidt before the Rugby World Cup 2023 final match at the Stade de France in Paris, France. Picture date: Saturday October 28, 2023.

Rassie set for ‘chess battles’ with Schmidt

Joe Schmidt’s appointment as Wallabies head coach sets the stage for epic tactical duels in the 2024 Rugby Championship, and a real test for Rassie Erasmus, writes MARK KEOHANE.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Paul Phelan/ProSports/Shutterstock (14182988k) Stormers Head Coach John Dobson before the United Rugby Championship match between Glasgow Warriors and Stormers at Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow Glasgow Warriors v Stormers, United Rugby Championship - 03 Nov 2023

Stormers must find grit on foreign soil

If the DHL Stormers are to transition from a good team to an exceptional one, they have to replicate their ‘granite’ home form when playing overseas, writes MARK KEOHANE.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ashley Crowden/INPHO/Shutterstock (14229241an) Cardiff Rugby vs DHL Stormers. Andre-Hugo Venter of DHL Stormers celebrates scoring his side's first try BKT United Rugby Championship, Cardiff Arms Park, Wales - 24 Nov 2023

Bok rugby is in red-hot Venter’s veins

It is inevitable that DHL Stormers hooker Andre-Hugo Venter will follow in his legendary father’s footsteps and play for the Springboks, writes MARK KEOHANE.

Jaden Hendrikse of the Sharks during the 2023 United Rugby Championship game between the Stormers and Sharks at Cape Town Stadium on 30 December 2023 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Sanity must prevail on when Boks can play

MARK KEOHANE argues for a crucial discussion between Rassie Erasmus and South Africa’s franchise coaches to find a balance in managing the availability of Springbok players.

Coastal derby a showcase of SA strength

MARK KEOHANE hails the positive advertisement for South African rugby provided by the @Vodacom #URC derbies at Cape Town Stadium.

Geordin Hill Lewis (Mayor of Cape Town), Zizi Kodwa (Minister of Sport), Siya Kolisi and Mark Alexander (Saru President) during the 2023 Rugby World Cup South Africa Trophy Tour through Cape Town on the 3 November 2023 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

‘Dark days’ are over for SA rugby

South African rugby is in a good space, and SARU president Mark Alexander has several reasons to be upbeat about the future of the sport in the country, writes MARK KEOHANE.

North-South derby a win for SA

The DHL Stormers’ seventh win in a row against the Bulls was colossal in meaning, but the big winners in Cape Town were South African rugby and the @Vodacom #URC, writes MARK KEOHANE.