SA Rugby President Mr Mark Alexander and Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus paid tribute to double Rugby World Cup-winning prop Steven Kitshoff following the announcement on Tuesday that he had decided to retire from the game after suffering a serious neck injury last year.

DHL Stormers legend Steven Kitshoff has been forced to call time on his illustrious career due to a serious neck injury, following specialist medical advice.

The Vodacom Bulls returned to winning ways in a competitive Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby against their Gauteng neighbours, the Emirates Lions, in Pretoria on Saturday, with the current SA Shield holder building on a 17-14 halftime lead to walk away with a rewarding 31-19 bonus-point win.

MTN, one of South Africa’s leading telecommunications operators, with a stated vision to “lead the delivery of a bold new digital world to our customers,” is rumored to be considering not renewing its headline sponsorship contract with the Rugby World Cup champion Springboks when it expires this year. Sources within Sportswire have indicated that MTN,

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has invited a group of 26 players consisting mainly of overseas-based players, as well as some talented youngsters and injured players, to the first virtual Springbok alignment camps of the year on Wednesday 27 March, following the first in-person camp in Cape Town from Monday 10 to Wednesday 12 March.

The Springboks face a challenging end-of-year tour in Europe as part of the Autumn Nations Series, with tough matches against France and Ireland.

SA Rugby and AfriSam, a leading provider of cement and concrete solutions, have renewed their partnership, which includes sponsorship of the Springboks and an expanded collaboration with South Africa’s other national rugby teams.

Saturday’s thrilling South African derby round in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship delivered victories for the lower ranked teams on the log with the Emirates Lions holding out the DHL Stormers in Johannesburg before the Hollywoodbets Sharks shocked the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria.

A Rugby and Monster Energy, the global energy drink icon, have entered into a new partnership that will incorporate a sponsorship of the Springboks as well as other national teams.