Image: Steve Haag Sports Springbok centre Jesse Kriel scored a sensational solo try in Japan Rugby League One for the Yokohama Canon Eagles against Saitama Wild Knights at the weekend. Although the game ended in a comprehensive 43-14 defeat for Kriel’s side, it might be remembered for the South Africa international’s epic 80-metre score. With his side trailing 10-0 early on after a penalty and converted try, the Wild Knights were looking to build on their lead as they entered the opposition 22. However, a loose pass was gobbled up by Kriel off his bootlaces before space opened up and he set ..read more

History will be made in more than one way when the Springboks meet Portugal for the first time in a Test in Bloemfontein in July. The match will be refereed by Hollie Davidson, the first woman to take charge of a Test involving the Springboks. The appointment of Scotland’s Davidson was announced by World Rugby on Tuesday, along with the match officials for all the June and July internationals. Chris Busby from Ireland will be the man in the middle when the Boks kick off their 2024 season against Wales at Twickenham in London on 22 June, while Australia’s Angus Gardner and Karl Dickson from ..read more

Image Copyright - Steve Haag Sports Hollywoodbets Sharks coach John Plumtree was delighted with the character his side showed in downing Clermont Auvergne 32-31 at The Stoop on Saturday to reach the final of this season’s Challenge Cup. Three-time champions La Yellow Army led 31-18 lead at a stage after capitalising on some poor defence and lineout work, but the Durbanites fought back valiantly to ultimately secure a famous semi-final win. “We looked a little bit nervous in the first 25 minutes/half an hour of the game,” said Plumtree. “We never really got the opportunity to build any press ..read more

The Hollywoodbets Sharks pulled off a remarkable late fightback against Clermont to clinch a 32-31 victory in Saturday's Challenge Cup semi-final in London. The men from Durban looked dead and buried before two late tries saw them pip the French side and become the first South African side to reach a European final. Flyhalf Siya Masaku was the hero for the Sharks on the day, kicking six penalties and two conversions for a 22-point haul – including a clutch conversion from out wide to put them in front – while Springbok stars Vincent Koch and Makazole Mapimpi scored two second-half tries ..read more

Image Copyright - Steve Haag Sports It’s Champions Cup semi-final weekend! Leinster face Northampton before a tantalising clash between Toulouse and Harlequins. Darry Worthington previews. The iconic Croke Park is where this weekend’s Champions Cup semi-finals will get underway with an Irish-Anglo affair as last season’s runners-up Leinster play-host to current Gallagher Premiership leaders, the Northampton Saints. Saturday 3 May Leinster 1/9 | Draw 28/1 | Northampton 58/10 (18:30) Handicap Leinster (-14.5) 9/10 | Northampton (+14.5) 9/10 This will be a rather emotional moment for Leinster ..read more

Image Copyright - Steve Haag Sports The Hollywoodbets Sharks will be out to make history when they host Clermont Auvergne in Saturday’s first Challenge Cup semi-final at The Stoop in London before Gloucester entertain Benetton at the Kingsholm in the second. Saturday 4 May Hollywoodbets Sharks 78/100 | Draw 18/1 | Clermont 11/10 (13:30) Despite having to play their ‘home’ semi-final on neutral ground, John Plumtree’s brigade have what it takes to outdo Clermont and reach their first-ever European rugby final. Their miserable start to the URC season has been well documented, but the Durbanite ..read more

Image Copyright - Steve Haag Sports Hollywoodbets Sharks captain Lukhanyo Am thinks beating Clermont Auvergne in Saturday’s blockbuster Challenge Cup semi-final will come down to a team effort. The French outfit have won the competition three times, the last of which coming in 2019. They have struggled domestically this season though and currently lie 10th on the Top 14 log standings but their experience will give them a big boost this weekend. Speaking ahead of the all-important matchup at The Stoop in London, Am says the hard graft in the Sharks’ camp has already started. “In games like t ..read more

Image Copyright - Steve Haag Sports Hollywoodbets Sharks winger Werner Kok has his sights firmly set on finishing his career at the Durban franchise on a high ahead of their Challenge Cup semi-final clash with Clermont Auvergne. Saturday’s game at the Twickenham Stoop will be one of the biggest of the 31-year-old’s career but he remains confident that his team has what it takes to reach the Grand Final. “[My] biggest one in the 15-man game was a Currie Cup game, but this is massive. I love play-off games; this is very important. Not just for me but for every single player in the team. “And ..read more

Image Copyright - Steve Haag Sports We’re well and truly into the business end of Super Rugby’s round-robin stage with the mad scramble for play-off places heating up. This weekend’s main attraction? A tie between an improving Crusaders and an inconsistent Reds outfit. Darry Worthington previews round 11. Like the Crusaders, my poor run of form came to an abrupt end last weekend with all my ante-post tips arriving. I must admit, however, my suggestion of a high-scoring clash between the Drua and Moana Pasifika fell flat despite the Drua going in for a try less than five minutes into the fix ..read more

Image Copyright - Steve Haag Sports All the latest from the past weekend’s URC and Gallagher Premiership action on a weekend which saw a Werner Kok hattrick for the Hollywoodbets Sharks and Bears come back from the dead against Tigers at Welford Road. URC R15: Warriors summit log as SA teams bounce back Glasgow Warriors’ 40-9 pasting of Zebre at the Sergio Lanfranchi, followed by the Stormers’ 42-12 thumping of a weakened Leinster outfit in the Cape, saw the Scottish club go top of the log with just three rounds of play remaining. That said, Franco Smith’s men face tough challenges in the fo ..read more