The Hollywoodbets Sharks go into this weekend’s first of two consecutive Vodacom United Rugby Championship clashes with the Emirates Lions in high spirits as they look to continue their fine away form of recent past.

Double Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones will reunite with national coach Rassie Erasmus and his coaching team in an assistant coach position in the Bok management team from 1 March, following a short stint with England.

Hollywoodbets Sharks flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse says his family was immensely proud when he and his brother Jaden were selected to play together in the half-back positions for the Springboks against Wales during the Autumn Nations Series in November.

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.