SA RUGBY March 2026

It took one breakdown steal at the death to change the Bulls' season. Pau looked certain to score a match-winning try in the Investec Champions Cup pool match at the Stade du Hameau in January when loose forward Jeandré Rudolph won a penalty on the visitors' 5m line to spark wild celebrations. The 31-year-old was still smiling minutes after receiving the Man of the Match award. Six months earlier, Rudolph had been contemplating retirement after his five-year stint with the Cheetahs ended, but a short-term offer from new Bulls coach Johan Ackermann proved too tempting to ignore. Playing with a nothing-to-lose mindset, Rudolph seized his opportunity and earned a contract extension until 2027. In this issue, Rudolph reflects on a rugby journey that has taken him from Potchefstroom to Nelspruit,…

VS LINDIZ VAN ZILLA SAYS PAUL DE VILLIERS Stormers star Paul de Villiers has taken the first important step towards Springbok selection by attending Rassie Erasmus' first alignment camp of 2026. The camp featured a 49-man group that assembled in Cape Town ahead of a pivotal international season which will feature the new Nations Championship as well as the Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks. But an invite to the alignment camp should be the beginning, not the end, of the conversation around the 23- year-old flank who has been knocking loudly on the Springbok door with his performances all season. The perfect testing ground will be the three home Nations Championship matches against England, Scotland and Wales in July. There is also a noncap match against the Barbarians…

WHAT WAS IN THE MAY 2007 ISSUE OF SA RUGBY MAGAZINE? POTENT PARTNERSHIP SA Rugby magazine chatted to Jake White and Mark Andrews about Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield, who had become the world's best second-row pairing. 'Victor is a great lineout forward,' said the Bok coach. 'He's unmatched at reading support on opposition ball. Bakkies scrums well and has an immense presence. I'm scared to rev him up too much before a game in case he starts running through walls. Andrews said, "For an optimum pairing you require one athlete and one hard guy. the "dog". You seldom get both together. South Africa is very lucky because having the right mix allows the athletic one to dominate the kick-offs, lineouts and general play. The other can dominate with his…

WHAT PLAYERS HAVE BEEN SHARING ON SOCIAL MEDIA SACHA FEINBERG-MNGOMEZULU 'Recharged off the grid.'- The Stormers flhal njyed trp Baliuring e URC mid-season break. CHRISTIE GROBBELAAR 'Perth 2026! - The Blitzboks prop with fellow hardman Zain Davids after securing their first title on Australian soil since 2017. HUW JONES 'Have some of that!' - The Scotland centre celebrated regaining the Calcutta Cup with Sione Tuipulotu and Finn Russell after beating England at Murrayfield. EBEN ETZEBETH 'LANGebaan.'- The Sharks lock enjoyed a brief trip to the West Coast town with Springbok teammates Lood de Jager and RG Snyman. DAVID BRITS 'Third time lucky - where it all started. So proud to be a part of this team.' - The Blitzboks centre enjoyed a cold one with Tristan Leyds after their Perth…

SA RUGBY MAGAZINE HAS OVER 680 O00 FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS. HERE'S HOW THEY RESPONDED TO SOME OF OUR BIGGEST POSTS LAST MONTH SA Rugbymagazine Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a 49-man squad featuring 11 uncapped players, Bo p m mp e ar Cap Tow JF Wess Lawyers at World Rugby scrambling to ascertain whether this is all legal. Sean Squier And Matt Williams having chest pains.. Clement le Roux Very happy for Paul de Villiers. Karabo Ntseki Markus Muller is really good but if he is good enough then Ethan Adam is more than good enough. Richard Paterson And what about Jurenzo Julius? Clark Manuel This boy is good, but at this stage Jurenzo Julius is much better. Bentley Rankwana I think Embrose Papier must pack his bags and go…

WHO SAID WHAT IN THE RUGBY WORLD LAST MONTH 'WE WANT TO BE SPECIAL. OUR GOAL IS A RUGBY BUSINESS THAT ENSURES THAT THE SHARKS COMPETE FOR A TROPHY IN EVERY COMPETITION THAT WE PLAY IN, INCLUDING THE INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP AND LIKELY WORLD CLUB CUP' SHARKS OWNER MARCO MASOTTI 'WE BELIEVED THAT A LOGICAL DECISION WOULD BE MADE' GRIQUAS COACH PIETER BERGH ON THE REIGNING CURRIE CUP CHAMPIONS HAVING TO QUALIFY AGAIN THROUGH THE SA CUP 'WE GOT REALLY, REALLY LUCKY THAT HE WAS AVAILABLE TO LEAVE PARIS. YOU CAN NEVER GET THOSE PLAYERS OUT OF CONTRACT, ITS IMPOSSIBLE COACH JOHN DOBSON ON LOOSE FORWARD HACJIVAH DAYIMANI'S RETURN TO THE STORMERS FROM RACING 92 WE'LL SELECT BASED ON FORM' NEW ALL BLACKS COACH DAVE RENNIE SAYS PLAYERS WILL HAVE…