Energy and anticipation for new Blitzboks
They have the most experienced Blitzbok of all times in Branco du Preez in their midst, but where the veteran arrived in Dubai for the ninth time, there are also three of his Springbok Sevens team mates that received their first UAE arrival stamps in their passport.

A fertile breeding ground for international players
One of the significant features to come out of the Springboks’ Castle Lager Outgoing Tour this month – and the November international series in general – was how it underlined the role played by the Vodacom United Rugby Championship in breeding players for successful roles in their national teams.

Shining a light on Community Upliftment Projects
The Vodacom United Rugby Championship is launching the URC Unity Awards on Tuesday, to recognise the great work done by players and teams within their communities and for charitable causes.

Duarttee investment paying off in Dubai
At the start of the year, as Ricardo Duarttee walked back to his car after a meeting Philip Snyman – then still the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport Sevens Academy coach – his mind was racing.

Home ground advantage counts in round eight
It was a weekend of success for the home sides in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, with three of the four South African sides victorious, until Cardiff upset the apple cart in Durban in the last match of round eight.

Highlights: Boks' superb win at Twickenham
Relive the action from the Springboks' first win over England at Twickenham in eight years as they delivered a masterclass on attack and defence on Saturday.

Boks reflect on positives from year-end tour
Springbok flyhalf Damian Willemse and utility forward Franco Smith reflected on the positives from their Castle Lager Outgoing Tour as the Boks wrapped up their campaign with a strong 27-13 victory against England at Twickenham on Saturday, which saw them head back to South Africa with two impressive victories and two marginal defeats.

Clinical Cardiff smash Sharks in wet Durban
It was a night to forget for the Cell C Sharks as Cardiff delivered a masterclass in wet-weather rugby to win their Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash in Durban by 35-0 (half-time 23-0) on Sunday evening.

Hendrikse guides Lions to first home win of season
The Emirates Lions outplayed the Dragons by 33-25 at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Sunday to secure a first win of the season at home in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, with both sides scoring three tries apiece, but the impact of the host team's flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse proved the difference.

Brilliant Boks outclass England at Twickenham
Fourteen-man South Africa produced a commanding performance at Twickenham to end the Castle Lager Outgoing tour on a high note with a 27-13 (halftime 14-3) victory over an outclassed England on Saturday.