South African professional rugby returned to action on Super Fan Saturday. The event was held at Loftus Versveld in Pretoria on Saturday, with the four Super Rugby franchises on display. A return to rugby action It is too easy to make assumptions about teams and players, but the context of the matches does need to […] READ MORE
Tag: Cell C Sharks
South Africa’s Super Rugby break-up and the Pro16 idea
A Super Rugby break-up could be imminent, and with the South Africans looking north at a spot in the Guinness Pro14, is this really the right option for all involved? Last Word delves into the issues surrounding the move. ‘It must be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to plan, more doubtful of success, nor […] READ MORE
Super Rugby Week 6: The South African results
In Super Rugby week 6, the South African teams won two out of the three games they were involved in. The Sharks and Bulls won easily and the Lions were soundly beaten by the Rebels. Super Rugby Week 6 Ryan Jordan comments on some of the significant points coming out of Super Rugby Week 6. […] READ MORE
Round 6 matches rescheduled, with no unbeaten Super Rugby teams
Getting to one-third of the way through the season, the one fact that is unquestionable is – there are no unbeaten Super Rugby teams left. Hardly a ‘season changer’ but, many of the leading teams would not have envisaged such parity; to start with. There are always factors that can influence losses. Injuries, weather conditions, […] READ MORE
Super Rugby Week 3: Stormers remain unbeaten but only just
After Super Rugby week 3 the Stormers are the only South African team to retain their unbeaten record. It took an 82nd minute try to secure an away win against the Lions. Super Rugby Week 3 Ryan Jordan considers the most important aspects coming out of this weekend’s action. Hurricanes 38 Cell C Sharks 22 […] READ MORE
Super Rugby 2020 Week 2: The South African report card
After Super Rugby 2020 week 2, the South African teams have started to give us an early indication of what they have to offer in the competition. The early results The Sharks and the Stormers have come out of the blocks fast and each has two wins after their opening two games. The Lions have […] READ MORE
Super Rugby 2019: And then there were none
The Super Rugby 2019 tournament is over for the South African franchises. The Stormers and Lions didn’t make the playoffs, and the Bulls and Sharks both lost their quarterfinal matches. Super Rugby 2019 over for SA franchises It will be of little solace to South Africans that a team competing in the South African Conference, […] READ MORE
Super Rugby 2020: Change is the theme for South African teams
The Super Rugby 2020 season is approaching fast, with Friday 31 January being the start of 21 consecutive weeks of action. Super Rugby 2020: A year of change In the past, the pre-season chat has all been about travel and the scheduling of games. Now, it is more about the amount of change that each […] READ MORE
‘Beast’ Tendai Mtawarira retires with a Golden Glow
If you can recall watching any Springboks match, then the cry from the crowd ‘Beast’ whenever Tendai Mtawarira received the ball, will be recalled with fond memories. And now, as the prop forward retires from International rugby, he leaves under the shine of a Golden Glow. The 34-year old veteran of 117 Tests confirmed his […] READ MORE
Super Rugby 2019 Finals Series to be confirmed within 48 hours
Within the next 48 hours, all the qualifiers for the Super Rugby 2019 Finals Series will be decided. Eight sides have chances to join the top-seeded teams, for the quarterfinals matches beginning on June 21. A real weekend of ‘tie-breaker’ fixtures, due to both the close nature of this year’s contest but, as much to […] READ MORE