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Springbok Sevens head coach Philip Snyman was the proudest man in the Sports Illustrated Stadium on Sunday after the Blitzboks claimed the HSBC SVNS New York title as well as being crowned overall winners for the 2026 HSBC SVNS Series, pipping Fiji in both races. The Blitzbok coach admitted to an overwhelming feeling of pride …
The DHL Stormers got their Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign back on track on Saturday as they recovered from a three-match losing streak to outplay the Vodacom Bulls 32-19 in Pretoria in their rescheduled round eight fixture. This victory – the Capetonians’ 10th in 12 matches against their foes from Pretoria – saw them leap …
Wales head coach Richard Whiffin has named a side for Sunday’s Italy clash at Rodney Parade with two changes from the starting team which lost to Ireland in round four of the U20 Six Nations. Lewis Edwards has recovered from a lengthy injury lay-off to replace Rhys Cummings at full-back while Scarlets back row Dom …
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has today announced the establishment of its new Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Advisory Group, a key milestone in delivering the ‘Crys I Bawb’ EDI Strategy and strengthening the organisation’s commitment to representing and reflecting the diverse communities of Wales. Created following close work with the Equality and Human Rights …
The Springbok Sevens squad made it an objective at the start of their 2026 HSBC SVNS Series to finish in the top four of each of the six tournaments, to win tournaments and ultimately, claim honours as series champions. Now, a day before the HSBC SVNS New York, the Blitzboks are tied at the top …
The Isuzu Bulls Daisies look set for another clean sweep in the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League 1 when round five kicks off at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, with their commanding performances so far setting the scene for the team from Pretoria to host the final on 4 April. Who they will …
Maceala Samboya and Shanidiné Bezuidenhout are in line to make their Springbok Women’s Sevens debuts later this month when the final two HSBC SVNS 2 tournaments take place in Uruguay and Brazil after SA coach Cecil Afrika confirmed a group of 14 players to travel to South America on Sunday. The tournaments will be played …
Today, Herbert Mensah, President of Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com), met with His Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe, at State House to discuss the need for Rugby Africa and Zimbabwe to support the nation's preparation for the Rugby World Cup 2027, one of the largest sporting events in the world.
After 34 years, Zimbabwe returns to the Rugby World Cup, with the team—known as the Zimbabwe Sables—securing victory in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup in Kampala to confirm their qualification. The achievement marks a historic moment for the nation, as Zimbabwe becomes the only African team to qualify through the regional competition, aside from reigning champions, South Africa's Springboks, who qualify automatically.
Organised by the Zimbabwe Rugby Union, the meeting highlights the importance of strong collaboration between national governments, sports ministries and continental rugby bodies to ensure African teams have the structure, preparation and resources needed to compete at the highest level.
“I had the honour of meeting His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa today, and what stood out to me is how much the government here truly cares about the Zimbabwe Sables and the future of rugby in Zimbabwe. That level of commitment from leadership contributes massively to what this team can achieve. To Zimbabwe, it is not what Zimbabwe can do for you — it is what you can do for Zimbabwe. This moment belongs to the country and to the young men wearing that jersey. The Zimbabwe Sables have earned their place back on the world stage after 34 years, and every Zimbabwean should be proud. When government, the union and Rugby Africa come together with a clear vision, the possibilities for how we move forward are enormous. Our responsibility now is to build the structures, the preparation and the unity around these players so that when they go to the Rugby World Cup, they carry the pride of an entire nation,” said Herbert Mensah, President of Rugby Africa.
Mensah reiterated Rugby Africa's commitment to supporting Zimbabwe rugby as it builds momentum through new leadership structures, improved preparation, and the dedication of its players and staff. He also emphasised the importance of continued investment in the game and the opportunity to bring more continental tournaments to Zimbabwe, praising the strong support shown by government towards the Zimbabwe Sables and the broader development of rugby in the country.
The meeting also emphasised the broader role governments can play in supporting rugby beyond infrastructure, including investing in youth development, high-performance structures and competitive pathways. Also in attendance were Steph Nel, World Rugby Senior High Performance Consultant for Africa, and David Gilbert, former President of Botswana Rugby, former Vice President of Rugby Africa and current adviser to the President of Rugby Africa.
Zimbabwe's qualification reflects the determination of both the government and the rugby community, with players and supporters working together to restore the nation's place on the global rugby stage.
The Rugby World Cup 2027, organised by World Rugby, will take place in Australia, bringing together the best teams from across the globe. Among them will be South Africa, the only nation in history to have won the Rugby World Cup four times, underlining the continental growth and talent of rugby across Africa.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Rugby Africa.
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About Rugby Africa:
Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com) is the governing body of rugby in Africa and one of the regional associations under World Rugby. It unites all African countries that play rugby union, rugby sevens, and women's rugby. Rugby Africa organizes various competitions, including the qualifying tournaments for the Rugby World Cup and the Africa Sevens, a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games. With 40 member unions, Rugby Africa is dedicated to promoting and developing rugby across the continent. World Rugby highlighted Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia as three of the six emerging nations experiencing strong growth in rugby.
Marianne Økland will take over from the departing Malcolm Wall as independent chair of Welsh rugby’s Professional Rugby Board (PRB), on an interim basis, ahead of its next monthly meeting. Malcolm Wall’s three-year term at the helm, which was extended by one-year at the request of PRB members, finishes on 14th March. The PRB was …
Suzuki Griquas, the Griffons, Sanlam Boland Kavaliers, Valke, and Airlink Pumas all hit the ground running in the SA Cup last week and with four coveted Carling Currie Cup Premier Division spots on the line, there is everything to play for as they look to carry that winning momentum into an exciting second round of …
Head coach Steve Tandy has named the Wales team to play Italy on ‘Super Saturday’ in the fifth and final round of the 2026 Guinness Six Nations on 14 March (kick-off 4.40pm, live on BBC1 and S4C). There are no changes to the starting XV for our final home match at Principality Stadium. Blair Murray …
It might look less glamorous to the regular sevens fan, but Springbok Sevens forward David Brits confirmed that it is just as rewarding to win the set piece battle that will lead to an amazing try as it is to score the try itself. Brits was hard at work preparing with the Blitzboks for the …
The Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers will both have their sights set on making an important jump up the Vodacom United Rugby Championship standings when they meet in their rescheduled round eight clash in Pretoria on Saturday. After this eagerly anticipated North-South Derby, which kicks off at 14h00 at Loftus Versfeld, and two other postponed …
France (No. 7), Oscar Jegou, appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee this afternoon via Zoom having been cited for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.12 (specifically, contact with the eye area) in the Men’s Six Nations Championship match between Scotland and France on Saturday, 7th March 2026. The independent Disciplinary Committee comprised …
Still bouyant from a dominating tournament victory in Canada last weekend, the Springbok Sevens arrived on the East Coast of the Unites States of America on Monday afternoon determined to repeat their heroics this coming weekend at the HSBC SVNS New York. The USA event will be the final in a series of six and …
SA Rugby concluded its 2026 Community Rugby Workshop on Tuesday, bringing together provincial unions and key stakeholders to solidify a “data-driven” roadmap for the future of the community game. Held on 9 and 10 March at the Southern Sun O.R. Tambo International Airport, the workshop – themed “Grow Together, Play Together” – focused on making …
Jayden Nell will join the Springbok Sevens squad in the USA on Tuesday for the sixth and final HSBC SVNS tournament of the regular 2026 season in New York this weekend. The utility forward replaces Christie Grobbelaar, who picked up a knee injury in Vancouver last weekend, and was ruled out for selection. The uncapped …
The Guinness Men’s Six Nations has been guaranteeing unpredictability since 1883, with every edition of the iconic Championship keeping global fans hooked at the start of each year. The schedule of fixtures always delivers pure sporting drama, with the strongest international rugby teams in Europe, and stars of the game, making their case to claim …
Springbok Sevens head coach Philip Snyman applauded his squad after a clinical performance in the final of the HSBC SVNS Vancouver as the Blitzboks grabbed their third title in five tournaments in the 2026 season. South Africa had to work hard to beat Australia in their semi-final late on Sunday evening (SA time), but a …
The Sanlam Boland Kavaliers, Airlink Pumas and Valke all got their 2026 SA Cup campaigns off to winning starts on the road, while Suzuki Griquas and the Griffons also secured wins in the opening round as the 10 teams chase qualification for the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division. The Bolanders were off to a flying …
The Isuzu Bulls Daisies delivered a decisive second half performance against DHL Western Province to confirm their dominance in the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League 1 on Saturday, while the Sharks Women secured their very first win in round four of the competition. The Daisies scored 24 unanswered points in the second half of …
The Disciplinary process related to Conraad van Vuuren Red Card in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Round 12 game against DHL Stormers on Saturday, February 28 has resulted in a four game suspension. After an act of foul play by player No 18 (Conraad van Vuuren), referee Christopher Allison showed the Player a Red Card …
The only two undefeated sides in the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League 1, the Isuzu Bulls Daisies and DHL Western Province, collide in a fourth round match that is most likely going to determine hosting rights for the final, which is less than a month away, on 4 April. Last year’s two finalists meet …
No result in the current HSBC SVNS Series is a guarantee and that trend will continue at BC Place in Vancouver this weekend, but according to Springbok Sevens head coach Philip Snyman, there is a firm belief in the camp that they can maintain their good 2026 form and stay on the right side of …