South Africa 'A' mauled by the Bears in Bristol
South Africa 'A' side suffered a disappointing 26-18 defeat against the Bristol Bears on Thursday, with the second defeat of their short European tour coming after another underwhelming performance, this time at a packed Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol.

Smith: “Italy Test won’t be a walk in the park”
Springbok loose forward Kwagga Smith is expecting a bruising encounter against Italy when the sides meet in Saturday’s Castle Lager Outgoing tour showdown in Genoa, saying the South African tourists certainly won’t underestimate their hosts at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Disciplinary: Du Toit suspended for three weeks
Springbok loose forward Pieter-Steph du Toit has been suspended for three weeks after appearing before an independent judicial committee via video link on Wednesday morning, having received a red card for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.12 (a player must not physically or verbally abuse anyone) in South Africa’s Test against France last Saturday.

Italy tweak front row for Bok Test in Genoa
Italy coach Kieran Crowley has made two changes to his team from last weekend’s historic victory over Australia as they prepare to host the Springboks in Genoa on Saturday.

Libbok and Roos thrilled about Italian opportunity
Springbok utility back Manie Libbok and No 8 Evan Roos were thrilled about receiving the opportunity to face Italy in their Castle Lager Outgoing Tour Test in Genoa on Saturday, and said they expected the clash to be a tough grind.

Improvement key as SA ‘A’ prepare for Bristol threat
Additional time to prepare and get to know each other should stand the South Africa ‘A’ team in good stead when they face a dangerous Bristol Bears outfit in England on Thursday evening, with one of the main aims for the men in green and gold being to build on their second half performance from last week against Munster.

Familiar faces return to prepare for Dubai Invitational
Rugby World Cup players Nadine Roos, Rights Mkhari, Sizophila Solontsi, Eloise Webb, Simamkele Namba and Jakkie Cilliers will join the Springbok Women’s Sevens training squad in Stellenbosch on Sunday to start preparations for the Emirates Dubai Sevens, to be played from 1-3 December.

Joyce to captain Bristol Bears against SA ‘A’
Joe Joyce will captain the Bristol Bears when they host South Africa ‘A’ in front of the biggest-ever crowd for a sporting event at Ashton Gate Stadium since its redevelopment.

Wiese back as Boks show minor switches for Italy
Jasper Wiese (No 8) returns to a Springbok starting lineup which features new lock and centre pairings for Saturday’s third Castle Lager Outgoing Tour match against Italy in Genoa, as coach Jacques Nienaber made four changes and two positional switches for the Test.

Williams thrilled to face Bristol on Thursday
Springbok scrumhalf Grant Williams was thrilled to be handed teh No 9 jersey for Thursday’s second and final South Africa ‘A’ tour match against the Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate Stadium and said he was looking forward to forming a halfback combination with the exciting Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.