The Hollywoodbets Sharks, playing in the sweltering heat of Kings Park Stadium in Durban, secured the SA Shield by defeating the Emirates Lions 25-22 on Saturday, finishing atop the South African standings.
Loosehead prop Ox Nche makes a welcome return to the Hollywoodbets Sharks side named to host the Emirates Lions at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Saturday’s return leg Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby match.
The Springboks are planning for a very full international season which can include up to 15 matches – the most in a single season for the men in green and gold since 2007 – which will provide national coach Rassie Erasmus the opportunity to test players and increase the depth at their disposal with the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia in mind, and beyond that.
There was excitement all around on Wednesday as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer drilled into the details of Felix Jones’ role in South African rugby after rejoining the organisation from England earlier this week, while Jones said he was delighted to return.
Springbok loosehead prop Ntuthuko Mchunu has signed with the DHL Stormers and will join the squad at the end of the current season.
The Emirates Lions delivered a spectacular performance, dismantling the Hollywoodbets Sharks at Emirates Airline Park Stadium in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship on Saturday.
The Vodacom Bulls can confirm the signing and return to Loftus Versfeld of Springbok flyhalf, Handre Pollard.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks, Vodacom Bulls, and DHL Stormers will not only be focused on log points but also on securing pole position in the race for the SA Shield as the Vodacom United Rugby Championship reaches round 12 this weekend.
The Springboks will return to the Eastern Cape for the first time since 2021 when they take on Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in the second Test of the Incoming Series in July, with SA Rugby confirming the venues of the six local Tests on Thursday.