Time of the essence as 2021 season kicks off
Speeding up play to ensure more action on the field will be key as the 2021 season kicks off this weekend with a series of preparation matches between eight provincial sides, which will feature a countdown clock for kicks and a focus on speeding up set pieces from match officials.

Pienaar on Toyota Cheetahs' bench for Cape Town trip
New recruits Schalk Ferreira (prop) and Rynier Bernardo (lock) were both included in the Toyota Cheetahs' starting line-up for their 2021 Kick-Off Pools match against the DHL Stormers at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday afternoon, while experienced Springbok scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar is set to return to action off the bench.

Fouche back at flyhalf for New Nation Pumas
Eddie Fouche has fully recovered from his injuries and was drafted into the New Nation Pumas’ starting team for their season opener against the Lions in Johannesburg on Friday evening.

Raubenheimer pleased with Bok Women’s progress
Springbok Women’s coach Stanley Raubenheimer expressed his satisfaction with the strides being made by his charges at their training camp in Stellenbosch as the countdown continues to the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in September.

Hollis, Van Jaarsveld return to old stomping ground
Former Vodacom Bulls age-group players Christopher Hollis (centre) and Luigy van Jaarsveld (No 8) will return to their old stomping ground when Eastern Province travel to Pretoria for their season opener at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday.

Van Zyl leads DHL Stormers at CT Stadium
Chris van Zyl (lock) will captain the DHL Stormers in their 2021 Kick-off Pools match against the Toyota Cheetahs at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

Nkosi to coach Lions in season openers
Former SA Schools coach Mzwakhe Nkosi will take the reins at the Lions in the forthcoming series of preparation matches for the 2021 season.

More pre-season player movements
With the local 2021 season officially starting this week with a series of preparation matches between eight provincial unions, the player transfer market has also kicked into gear.

Battle for Champions Cup places on in Guinness PRO14
Leinster and Munster retained their strangleholds on their respective Guinness PRO14 conference standings and appear to be on course to clash in the final.

Increased rest days confirmed for RWC 2023
Rugby World Cup 2023 in France will feature increased rest periods for all teams after the Rugby World Cup Board, the World Rugby Executive Committee, the France 2023 organising committee and International Rugby Players agreed a ground-breaking package of player welfare principles that will underpin a greatly enhanced match schedule when it is announced later this month.