United Rugby Championship

Williams at 9, Mchunu replaces Ox against Zebre

Grant Williams gets a chance to fire for the Sharks in the No 9 jersey against Zebre in Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash at Kings Park.

Stormers celebrate a try scored by Adre Smith of the Stormers during the United Rugby Championship 2021/22 game between the Stormers and the Sharks at Cape Town Stadium on 5 February 2022 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Stormers ‘gelling as a team and it’s working’

If the Stormers can click as a cohesive unit, they are confident of “getting the upper hand” over the Cardiff Blues in Sunday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash at the Cape Town Stadium.

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 12: Damian de Allende of Bank of Ireland Munster during the United Rugby Championship match between Vodacom Bulls and Munster at Loftus Versfeld on March 12, 2022 in Pretoria, South Africa.

Jaque wants to see Lions face De Allende

Lions defence coach Jaque Fourie is hopeful Munster deploy Springbok centre Damian de Allende when the teams clash at Ellis Park in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship on Saturday.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Massimiliano Carnabuci/LiveMedia/Shutterstock/BackpagePix (12823234k) Lionel Mapoe (Bulls) carries the ball United Rugby Championship match Zebre Rugby vs Vodacom Bulls, Sergio Lanfranchi stadium, Parma, Italy - 25 Feb 2022

Mapoe: Bulls players happy to go back-to-back

Being in back-to-back action does not faze the Vodacom Bulls, according to experienced centre, Lionel Mapoe, who will start in Wednesday’s Currie Cup match against the Sharks after facing Munster on Saturday.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Evan Treacy/INPHO/Shutterstock (12824107au)/BackpagePix Connacht vs DHL Stormers. DHL Stormers' Steven Kitshoff is tackled by Jarrad Butler and Shane Delahunt of Connacht United Rugby Championship, Sportsground, Galway - 26 Feb 2022

Kitshoff back to ease Stormers’ front-row woes

Stormers skipper Steven Kitshoff is set to return for Saturday’s clash against the Cardiff Blues, but Andre-Hugo Venter faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Sharks desperate for a dominant voice at 10

The Sharks showed plenty of character to scrape a bonus-point win against a Scarlets team missing 19 first-choice players, but there should be bigger concerns over the team’s options at flyhalf, writes DYLAN JACK.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Evan Treacy/INPHO/Shutterstock (12824107ba)/BackpagePix Connacht vs DHL Stormers. DHL Stormers' Evan Roos United Rugby Championship, Sportsground, Galway - 26 Feb 2022

Roos not ruffled by talk of Bok call-up

Evan Roos is focused on becoming the best version of himself for the Stormers, and not on earning a call-up for the Springboks, reports DEVIN HERMANUS.

Western Province lock David Meihuizen is the subject of interest from Scotland

Stormers lock retires suddenly

Stormers lock David Meihuizen has announced his retirement from rugby with immediate effect.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 29: Jaco Kriel of the Emirates Lions in action during the United Rugby Championship match between Emirates Lions and Vodacom Bulls at Emirates Airline Park on January 29, 2022 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

‘Relieved’ Kriel keeps it real after Cardiff win

Jaco Kriel can breathe a sigh of relief after the Lions’ win against the Cardiff Blues last Saturday, but the skipper knows far more “hard work” lies ahead for his side.