Rugby – Sowetan

Springboks brace for tough Nations Championship opener against Italy in Turin, expecting a fierce set-piece battle

Young prospects included with tried-and-tested World Cup winners for last four Tests of the season

Stormers and Scarlets combine for 14 tries in high-octane encounter

Franchise will fulfil fixture against French side La Rochelle in honour of teammate

Eighthman Cameron Hanekom scored two first-half tries to break Lions' challenge and help secure 57-15 victory for Bulls

Australia held on with 11 men in a dramatic finish to beat a second-string South Africa outfit 42-38 at Perth Stadium on Sunday and extend their unbeaten run to five games since new coach Les Kiss took over.

A Zoe Harrison intercept try after the fulltime siren snatched a gripping 26-19 win for world champion England against archrival New Zealand in WXV women’s rugby at Twickenham on Saturday.

Flyhalf Chris Smith booted the Lions to a 27-19 victory over defending champions Leinster in their URC opener at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon.

Springbok scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies is relishing the opportunity of his return to the national team

Jasper Wiese to earn 50th Test cap from the bench in Perth, while Handré Pollard is back from injury

Coach and captain emphasise need to adapt for fresh Australian threat

Team set sights on Wallabies after gruelling travel and tough tests

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus reiterated the team’s motivation in the wake of a 43-28 victory over New Zealand to claim the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry title in Baltimore

The Springboks beat New Zealand 43-28 in Baltimore to win the four-Test series 3-1,

South Africa produced a devastating second-half display to beat New Zealand 43-28 in the final fourth Test in Baltimore on Saturday and clinch their first series against the All Blacks in 50 years