Vodacom United Rugby Championship

While the DHL Stormers, Vodacom Bulls, and Lions will look to kick on from their victories in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship last weekend to build on their campaigns, the Hollywoodbets Sharks will be desperate to end their winless streak in round five of the cross-hemisphere competition.

Statement

Mr Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, has expressed his deep concern and unequivocal condemnation following the circulation of a disturbing video on social media, in which a learner is assaulted by a group of fellow learners.

News

Match official appointments for the next few days have been made with the traditional year-end Tests kicking off in Tokyo, while the Vodacom URC continues in South Africa and beyond, and Stephan Geldenhuys is in charge of the Pick n Pay Gold Cup final in Cape Town.

Squad announcement

Former Junior Springbok prop and captain Zachary Porthen earned his first Springbok call-up on Monday as national coach Rassie Erasmus named a quality 36-man squad for the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour in November, which features four players who will return to the Bok set-up for the first time this season.

Tournament news

The Hollywoodbets Sharks claimed the SA Rugby Under-21 title on Saturday when they defeated the Fidelity ADT Lions 63-31 in a high-scoring final in Durban on Saturday, while the Vodacom Bulls edged DHL Western Province by 20-14 in the SA Rugby U19 Cup final staged in Pretoria on Friday.