France are rugby’s great illusion: Celebrated as royalty at home, but on the road they have too often travelled as peasants, as witnessed with the Murrayfield massacre in Scotland scoring 50 points.

The Six Nations match ended 50-40 to Scotland, but don’t be fooled. The story is Scotland scoring 40 unanswered points in the 20 minutes before half time and the 20 after the break.

Charitable tries to France in the final five minutes was never going to change the result, and it should not change the reflection of the match.

Rugby has always been seduced by France. The jerseys, the flair, the romance, the idea that somewhere inside the chaos lies genius. But the professional record, since 1996, tells a colder story.

Four wins from 40 Tests in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
No World Cup gold in 8 tournaments over 30 years
No southern hemisphere series victories.
Nine European titles in three decades.

I am among those always seduced by the folklore of the French, by the celebrated one-off World Cup wins against the All Blacks at Twickenham in the 1999 RWC semi-final and the 20-18 win against the All Blacks at the 2007 RWC quarter-final in Cardiff.

What followed was France losing the next match, one in a final and one in a semi-final.

France, when they hosted the 2007 World Cup, lost the opening match to Argentina and they lost the play-off for third and fourth place to Argentina.

France, in hosting the 2023 World Cup, lost to the defending champion Springboks in the quarter-final.

No Test rugby nation has ever enjoyed such continued hype and delivered such consistent failures.

Tests in the southern hemisphere against the Big Three:

• Played: 40

• Won: 4

• Lost: 35

• Drawn: 1

• Win rate: 10%

The Breakdown:

• New Zealand in New Zealand: 1 win from 18 Tests

• Australia in Australia: 1 wins from 14 Tests

• South Africa in South Africa: 2 wins from 8 Tests

France have not won a Test series in New Zealand, Australia or South Africa since the game turned professional in 1996.

At home against the same three nations:

• Played: 40 Tests

• Won: 17

• Lost: 22

• Drawn: 1

The All Blacks between 2004 and 2017 won seven times in succession in France.

• 27 Nov 2004, Stade de France New Zealand 45-6 France

• 11 Nov 2006, Stade de Gerland New Zealand 47-3 France

• 18 Nov 2006, Stade de France New Zealand 23-11 France

• 28 Nov 2009, Stade Vélodrome New Zealand 39-12 France

• 9 Nov 2013, Stade de France New Zealand 26-19 France

• 26 Nov 2016, Stade de France New Zealand 24-19 France

• 11 Nov 2017, Stade de France New Zealand 38-18 France

The Springboks, between 2013 and 2025, have won five from six

• 23 Nov 2013, Stade de France South Africa 19-10 France

• 18 Nov 2017, Stade de France South Africa 18-17 France

• 10 Nov 2018, Stade de France South Africa 29-26 France

• 12 Nov 2022, Stade Vélodrome France 30-26 South Africa

• 15 Oct 2023, Stade de France South Africa 29-28 France

• 8 Nov 2025, Stade de France South Africa 32-17 France

Even in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse, France lose more than they win against the southern hemisphere trio of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

Six Nations / Five Nations (1996–2025):

• Tournaments: 30

• Titles: 9

• Runner-up: 7

• Third: 4

• Fourth: 7

• Fifth: 2

France, under Fabien Galthié, between 2020 and 2025, have finished second, second, first, second, second and first in the Six Nations. They should add a 10th Six Nations title (in 31 attempts) this weekend when they play England in Paris.

But even that renaissance came with its defining moment on home soil in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris, when France lost to the Springboks in the quarter-final in Paris.

The margin was just that one point, but one point was as powerful at 20 on the night.

The Boks, defending the World Cup title, won the tournament in beating England in the semi-final and New Zealand in the final, each play-off win being with a point.

France felt they had been a dirty but one year later, hyped again, they fell once more to the Springboks, who won 32-17 in Paris, despite playing 14-15 for 30 of the 80 minutes.

The Boks, in their last 11 matches against France, six in France and five in South Africa, have won five in France and five in South Africa. They have lost one, 30-26 in Marseilles in 2022.

Saturday’s visit to Murrayfield was significant in the assessment of a French team that had been dominant against Ireland in Paris, Wales in Cardiff and Italy in Lille.

Scotland, at Murrayfield, would be as good a measure as any to the mental resolve of a French squad that must travel further than the flight to Edinburgh when challenging for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

Scotland, at Murrayfield, was a reinforcement of the fragility of the French player psyche when not playing at home.

The defeat, given the hype around France, shocked many, but the manner in which they fell apart was consistent with the past 30 years of professionalism.

FRENCH MEDIA REACTION TO MURRAYFIELD MAYHEM

The World Cup myth

France’s World Cup record since professionalism:

World Cups since 1996: 8
Titles: 0

France, on those big rugby days when expectation leads them into battle, are not the aristocrats rugby imagines them to be.

They are the sport’s most celebrated illusion, so magnificent in the telling, but far less imposing in the reckoning.

SIX NATIONS LATEST: EVERY PLAYER AND TEAM STATISTIC

Dave Rennie, the new All Blacks coach, is a red flag for Rassie & his world champions Boks. Here is why as the Boks prepare for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry four-Test series against the All Blacks, three in South Africa and the final Test in Baltimore, USA.

Rennie’s record against the Springboks, when coach of the Wallabies between 2020 and 2022, is a powerful statement.

Rennie’s Wallabies beat the Springboks three times in four Tests

Against the Springboks coached by Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber, Rennie’s Australia team went:

• 3 wins

• 1 loss

Victories came in:

• Gold Coast (2021)

• Brisbane (2021)

• Adelaide (2022)

The Boks won 24-8 in Sydney a week after the Adelaide defeat. It marked Canan Moodie’s Test debut as a 19 year-old.

Even more powerful is Rennie’s record, as Chiefs coach between 2012 and 2017, against South African Super Rugby Teams.

Rennie’s tenure at the Chiefs (2012-2017):

Chiefs vs South African franchises

• Played: 24

• Wins: 18

• Draws: 2

• Losses: 4

Rennie’s Chiefs vs South African teams (2012–2017)

2012

1. Cheetahs 11 – 29 Chiefs
   Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

2. Sharks 18 – 28 Chiefs
   Kings Park, Durban

3. Chiefs 34 – 18 Lions
   Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

4. Chiefs 28 – 19 Bulls
   Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

5. Chiefs 37 – 6 Sharks (Final)
   Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

Record: 5 wins, 0 losses

2013

6. Chiefs 34 – 20 Cheetahs
   Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

7. Stormers 36 – 34 Chiefs
   Newlands, Cape Town

8. Chiefs 56 – 29 Kings
   Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

9. Chiefs 34 – 22 Sharks
   Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

Record: 3 wins, 1 loss

2014

10. Chiefs 28 – 19 Stormers
    Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

11. Chiefs 22 – 16 Lions
    Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

12. Bulls 34 – 34 Chiefs
    Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

13. Cheetahs 20 – 20 Chiefs
    Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Record: 2 wins, 2 draws

2015

14. Stormers 19 – 29 Chiefs
    Newlands, Cape Town

15. Chiefs 41 – 27 Bulls
    Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

16. Chiefs 27 – 24 Cheetahs
    Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

17. Sharks 18 – 17 Chiefs
    Kings Park, Durban

Record: 3 wins, 1 loss

2016

18. Chiefs 37 – 29 Kings
    Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

19. Chiefs 24 – 22 Sharks
    Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

20. Lions 43 – 20 Chiefs
    Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

21. Stormers 21 – 60 Chiefs (Quarter-final)
    Newlands, Cape Town

Record: 3 wins, 1 loss

2017

22. Chiefs 28 – 12 Bulls
    FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

23. Stormers 34 – 26 Chiefs
    Newlands, Cape Town

24. Stormers 11 – 17 Chiefs (Quarter-final)
    Newlands, Cape Town

Record: 2 wins, 1 loss

Overall Rennie Chiefs record vs South African teams

Matches: 24
Wins: 18
Draws: 2
Losses: 4

Win rate: ~75%

Record in South Africa

Played in South Africa: 8

• Wins: 4

• Draws: 2

• Losses: 2

Unbeaten in 6 of 8 matches in South Africa.

Losses were:

• Sharks 18 – 17 Chiefs (Durban, 2015)

• Stormers 34 – 26 Chiefs (Cape Town, 2017)

Of Rennie’s 20 positive results (18 wins + 2 draws) against South African opposition:

• 6 came in South Africa

• 14 came in New Zealand

Against individual SA franchises

• Sharks: 4–1

• Stormers: 3–2

• Bulls: 3–0–1 (incl. draw)

• Cheetahs: 3–0–1

• Lions: 2–1

• Kings: 2–0

Playoff record vs SA teams

• 2–0

2016 Quarter-final

Stormers 21–60 Chiefs
Newlands, Cape Town

2017 Quarter-final

Stormers 11–17 Chiefs
Newlands, Cape Town

The Stormers team beaten 60-21 at home in 2016 included seven Springboks (at the time). Six of those Springboks would become World Cup winners.

• Siya Kolisi – future Springbok captain

• Eben Etzebeth – Springbok lock & the most capped Test Bok.

• Frans Malherbe – Springbok tighthead

• Bongi Mbonambi – Springbok hooker

• Steven Kitshoff – Springbok loosehead

• Damian de Allende – Springbok centre

• Juan de Jongh – Springbok centre

Rennie, who won three successive under 20 World titles, won his final one against the Junior Springboks 37-6. It was the only time his under 20s met South Africa in the three tournaments. 

RUGBY’S GREATEST RIVALRY: AFTER 30 YEARS THE ALL BLACKS ARE TOURING SOUTH AFRICA 

Rennie has been appointed All Blacks coach until the completion of the 2027 World Cup in Australia. He replaces Scott Robertson who was axed after two seasons, having won 20 from 27 Tests for a 75 percent win record. Robertson, however lost three from four Tests to the Springboks, including a record 43-10 home defeat in Wellington in 2025.

KEO: MARKUS MULLER WILL PLAY FOR SPRINGBOKS IN 2026

SPRINGBOKS LEAD LATEST WORLD RANKINGS AND ENGLAND DROP TO 6th 

1 South Africa 93.94

2 New Zealand 90.33

3 Ireland 88.89

4 France 87.03 (-1.37)

5 Argentina 84.97 (+1)

6 England 84.34 (-1.28) (-1)

7 Scotland 83.08 (+1.37)

8 Australia 81.53

9 Fiji 81.14

10 Italy 81.09 (+1.28)

The French rugby media called it Murrayfield’s madness. The Scottish rugby media called it Murrayfield’s magical night. Scotland’s 50-40 Six Nations win crushed France’s Grand Slam and turned the tournament’s last round into a three-horse race for the title.

France, Scotland or Ireland can win the title.

France hosts England and Ireland is at home to Scotland.

Ireland have beaten Scotland 11 successive times, but this season’s Six Nations has been about rewriting history.

How French Media Reported the Scotland Win

Shock and disbelief France’s Grand Slam hopes destroyed.

Typical framing in L’Équipe-style coverage:

• “La France renversée à Murrayfield”

• “La gifle écossaise”

• “Un match fou”

Meaning:

• France overturned in Edinburgh

• A Scottish slap

• A crazy match

Narrative themes

1. Defensive collapse – France conceding 50 points was central to the coverage.

2. Discipline problems – yellow cards and loss of control.

3. Scottish attacking brilliance – especially Finn Russell’s orchestration.

French outlets emphasised the humiliation of conceding a half-century rather than Scotland’s title credentials.

🇫🇷 Midi Olympique

Editorial tone

Rugby analysis rather than emotional headlines.

Midi-Olympique focused on:

• France’s defensive structure breaking down

• Scotland’s tempo and width

• The tactical battle between Gregor Townsend and Fabien Galthié

Typical angle:

France lost the collision battle and could not control Scotland’s attacking rhythm.

They also highlighted the fact that Scotland scored seven tries, one of the biggest attacking displays against France in modern Six Nations rugby.

🇫🇷 Rugbyrama

Editorial tone

“Match de folie” match of madness

Rugbyrama leaned heavily into the spectacle of the game.

Typical themes:

• 13 tries

• chaotic momentum swings

• Scotland blowing the title race open

The site emphasised that Scotland were 40-14 up before France mounted a late comeback, reinforcing the idea that the damage had already been done.

KEO: SIX NATIONS STUNNER

How Scottish Media Reported the Match

🏴 The Rugby Paper

One of Scotland’s greatest modern performances.

Themes highlighted:

• Scotland scoring seven tries

• Scotland blowing open the Six Nations title race

• Finn Russell masterclass

Scottish media leaned heavily on the idea that this was Townsend’s best Scotland performance.

🏴 The Scotsman

Typical narrative:

“A Murrayfield classic.”

Focus points:

• Scotland’s attacking brilliance

• Darcy Graham becoming Scotland’s record try scorer

• belief that Scotland can challenge for the title

The tone was celebratory but also analytical about Scotland’s development under Gregor Townsend.

🏴 Scottish Sun

Tabloid framing:

• “FRENCH FRIED”

• “MURRAYFIELD MAYHEM”

The tabloids leaned heavily into the spectacle of 50 points against France, something rarely seen in the Six Nations era.

 SIX NATIONS: EVERY PLAYER STAT, TEAM STAT AND LAST ROUND PERMUTATION

The English rugby media treated Rome – and England’s first ever defeat to Italy – as a national embarrassment. The Italian rugby media media treated Rome as a national coming-of-age. In England, the theme was blame. In Italy, it was belief.

Here’s your summary of Italy’s 23-18 win against England in the Six Nations. It was the first time Italy had beaten England in their 33rd match-up over 35 years.

The English media line

1) The broad English newspaper angle: crisis, collapse, pressure on Borthwick
The dominant English framing was not “Italy were lucky”; it was England hit a new low. The Guardian called it a historic first victory for Italy and linked it directly to England’s worsening form and a potential crisis under Steve Borthwick. The Telegraph’s line was even harsher: England’s Six Nations is “in ruins” and the defeat was “shattering.” The Independent pushed the same direction, focusing on the “horror half-hour,” the squandered lead, and the pressure now building on Borthwick’s future.

2) The rugby specialist English angle: self-destruction and indiscipline
The rugby-first English platforms were even more forensic. RugbyPass framed it as a historic defeat that piles pressure on Borthwick, while Planet Rugby went bigger: a history-making Italy result that leaves Borthwick’s job “on the line.” Reuters, reporting the post-match reaction, zeroed in on Borthwick’s own explanation: ill-discipline. Across those outlets, the common English diagnosis was clear: England were in control, then lost composure, bled penalties/cards, and handed Italy the game.

3) The key English match narrative
Across Sky Sports, Reuters, the Independent and the Guardian, the repeated turning points were the same: England built a lead, then yellow cards to Sam Underhill and Maro Itoje swung the match, Italy attacked the space and momentum, and Leonardo Marin’s late try finished it. So the English press consensus is: this was less an accident than an England implosion under pressure.

4) The official England Rugby tone: controlled, stripped of drama
England Rugby’s own match report was the least emotional of the English sources. It acknowledged the “first-ever” Italy win and the late try, but the wording was institutional rather than alarmist. That contrast matters: where newspapers saw embarrassment and political heat, the RFU house style presented it as a narrow defeat decided late.

The Italian media line

1) The dominant Italian framing: history, taboo broken, national step forward
Italian coverage was almost unanimous in tone: historic breakthrough. Gazzetta dello Sport said Italy “made history” and broke the last taboo in the Six Nations. The FIR official site called it an “heroic” Italy that beat England for the first time. Corriere dello Sport led with “storica impresa,” while Corriere della Sera called it the first historic win over the English and the end of an era of chasing.

2) The rugby specialist Italian angle: Italy are now a real team
OnRugby’s tone was especially revealing. Their post-match report and ratings were not just celebratory; they argued this was proof that Italy is now a proper, dangerous side. Their language around the team being “una squadra vera” was important because it moved the story beyond one upset and into a larger idea: Gonzalo Quesada has built a side with belief, cohesion and edge.

3) The Italian narrative emphasis: courage, crowd, growth, Quesada
Italian outlets kept returning to four ideas: the crowd at the Olimpico, the emotional significance of finally beating England, the character of the comeback, and Quesada’s long-build project. FIR explicitly described Italy as courageous in a messy, difficult match that had seemed to be slipping away. Gazzetta and Corriere framed it not as a freak day but as the latest step in an upward curve.

KEO: SIX NATIONS STUNNER

The real split between England and Italy

The English press mostly wrote the match as an England failure.
The Italian press mostly wrote it as an Italy arrival.

That is the essential media divide.

England’s outlets asked:

• How bad is this for Borthwick?

• Why is England so ill-disciplined?

• How do you lose from there?

• Is this the tournament hitting rock bottom?

Italy’s outlets asked:

• How big is this moment for Italian rugby?

• What does it say about Quesada’s team?

• Has the final Six Nations taboo now been removed?

• Can this side go on and make more history?

Outlet-by-outlet quick breakdown

England

• Guardian: historic Italy win, England crisis, discipline and drift.

• Telegraph: England implosion, campaign in ruins, serious pressure on Borthwick.

• Independent: tactical collapse, yellow cards, Borthwick future now a live issue.

• Sky Sports: historic first Italy win, England misery, inquest mode.

• RugbyPass: humiliation and heat on Borthwick.

• Planet Rugby: history made, pressure severe, job-on-the-line framing.

• Reuters: cleanest straight-news read England lost control through indiscipline.

• England Rugby: sober official language, late loss, no emotional panic.

Italy

• Gazzetta dello Sport: history, last taboo broken, emotional national milestone.

• Corriere della Sera: historic first, comeback, national significance.

• Corriere dello Sport: “storica impresa,” celebratory and big-picture.

• OnRugby: detailed rugby reading Italy are now a genuine side, not a novelty winner.

• FIR / Federugby: heroic, historic, proof of growth under Quesada.

 SIX NATIONS: EVERY PLAYER STAT, TEAM STAT AND LAST ROUND PERMUTATION

The romance of the Six Nations reached a peak in Rome when Italy beat England for the first time & in Edinburgh Scotland fried France’s Grand Slam.

What joy for the Italians, the biggest movers in world rugby in the past three seasons.

They won 23-18, having led 10-5 in the 39th minute, then trailed 18-10, only to find something out of the ordinary in 23 year-old midfielder Tommaso Menoncello who scored a spectacular try and made an equally imposing break as the try-assist for the winner in the 73rd minute.

England had beaten Italy 32 times in succession, gone past 50 on nine occasions and blanked the Italians twice in the past 35 years, but in Rome history was there to be written, given England’s Six Nations slump, and Italy duly rewrote history.

It was glorious for the Italians and equally mesmerising for the rugby neutral. This was a win that has been building for a bit. Italy, this season, won against Scotland in Rome, were in touching distance of toppling Ireland in Dublin and trailed France 19-11 with 10 minutes to go in Lille.

France, in scoring three late tries, won more comfortably than the first 70 minutes played out, and Italy took those painful lessons and applied them in Rome. They played until the 81st minute, refusing to cave to expectation or implode in what is among their biggest wins in history.

Italy have won against the Springboks once and Australia a couple of times. They have beaten France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, but never England and the All Blacks. Now that list is down to just the All Blacks.

England, in the last month, have gone from a team unbeaten in 12 matches, to one shell-shocked with three successive defeats, hammerings to Scotland (away) and Ireland (home).

Now this result in Rome and France in Paris still to come next weekend.

Their next Test is on the 4th July against the world champion Springboks in Pretoria.

A month ago the English were pleading to play the Boks the next weekend. The ‘Bring on the Boks’ chorus is now on mute.

Scotland, beaten in the opening round in Rome, responded with a comprehensive home win against England before a late seven pointer in the 75th minute downed Wales in Cardiff.

On Saturday, at Murrayfield, Scotland were irresistible in scoring 40 unanswered points in as many minutes in the last 20 of the first half and the first 20 of the second half to turn a 14-7 deficit into a 47-14 lead. France scored two tries in the back end to bring it back to 47-26 with less than 10 minutes to go. Finn Russell kicked a penalty to bring up the 50 and in a bizarre finish to the Test, France scored two more tries in the last three minutes to force a scoreline of 50-40, which was everything but how the match had played out for 65 minutes.

Scotland travel to Dublin in next weekend’s final round with the hopes of winning the title, should France stumble at home to England.

Ireland can also win the title if they beat Scotland and France lose to England.

SIX NATIONS: EVERY MATCH REPORT, PLAYER STAT AND TEAM STAT FROM ROUND 4

*Ireland, on Friday night needed a late try to beat Wales 27-17 in Dublin in what was the round of the tournament.

SIX NATIONS: ROUND 3 REMINDER

SPRINGBOKS LEAD LATEST WORLD RANKINGS AND ENGLAND DROP TO 6th 

1 South Africa 93.94

2 New Zealand 90.33

3 Ireland 88.89

4 France 87.03 (-1.37)

5 Argentina 84.97 (+1)

6 England 84.34 (-1.28) (-1)

7 Scotland 83.08 (+1.37)

8 Australia 81.53

9 Fiji 81.14

10 Italy 81.09 (+1.28)

South Africa’s URC franchises continue to make their presence felt across the competition’s statistical landscape, with Round 12 offering another reminder of the attacking firepower and individual quality spread across the Vodacom Bulls, DHL Stormers, Hollywoodbets Sharks and Fidelity SecureDrive Lions.

From the Bulls’ scoring spree to the Stormers’ territorial dominance and several standout individual performances, the numbers from the latest round – and the season as a whole – underline just how influential the South African sides remain.

Bulls lead the attacking charge

If there was one South African side that truly lit up Round 12, it was the Vodacom Bulls.

Jake White’s men finished the round top of the tries scored chart with seven, while also leading the competition for points scored with 41. 

Those numbers reflect a Bulls side that has increasingly leaned into its attacking weapons. With players such as Canan Moodie, Sebastian de Klerk and Embrose Papier capable of breaking games open, the Pretoria outfit continues to show why it remains one of the competition’s most dangerous attacking teams.

Over the course of the season, that attacking consistency has also paid dividends. The Bulls sit third overall for tries scored with 45, trailing only Glasgow Warriors and Leinster. 

Individually, Bulls players also featured strongly in the Round 12 metrics. Centre Harold Vorster topped the round’s line-break statistics with four, while scrumhalf Embrose Papier was among the leaders for metres gained. 

Stormers creating pressure

The DHL Stormers may not have dominated the Round 12 scoreboard, but the numbers show they still spent plenty of time on the front foot.

John Dobson’s side finished first for visits to the opposition 22 with 15, highlighting the territorial pressure they were able to apply. 

That ability to create opportunities remains one of the Stormers’ biggest strengths. Even when finishing proves difficult, the Cape side consistently generates attacking platforms.

Among the individual standouts, Evan Roos once again showed his influence with 15 carries in the round, placing him among the most active ball carriers in the competition. 

Roos’ work rate and dynamism have been a hallmark of the Stormers’ pack all season.

Lions continue to deliver attacking output

The Fidelity SecureDrive Lions have quietly built one of the more productive attacking records in the competition.

In Round 12 they finished joint second for points scored with 24, underlining their ability to convert opportunities when they present themselves. 

Across the season the Johannesburg side has maintained that attacking momentum, ranking among the top teams for points scored with 325. 

Players like Henco van Wyk and Quan Horn continue to provide attacking spark, with Horn also featuring prominently in the season-long kicking metrics.

Sharks battling in the physical exchanges

For the Hollywoodbets Sharks, Round 12 highlighted the defensive demands they faced.

The Durban side recorded 92 tackles during the round, reflecting the physical workload they had to absorb. 

The Sharks’ attacking threats remain clear, however, with players such as Andre Esterhuizen continuing to feature among the competition’s most effective ball carriers. 

As the season progresses, converting pressure into points will be key to ensuring the Durban side climbs further up the standings.

SA influence remains strong

Zooming out across the full season statistics, South Africa’s presence across the URC remains significant.

The Bulls are among the competition’s leading attacking sides, the Lions continue to accumulate points, the Stormers remain dangerous in opposition territory and the Sharks continue to bring their physical edge.

On the individual front, players like Sebastian de Klerk, Evan Roos, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Quan Horn all feature prominently across the competition’s attacking metrics.

With the URC season entering its decisive stretch, the numbers suggest South Africa’s franchises will continue to play a major role in shaping the race for the playoffs.

WHAT SA TEAMS MUST DO TO MAKE THE PLAY-OFFS

And if Round 12 is anything to go by, the best may still be to come.

Key SA team stats

Round 12 – team highlights

• Vodacom Bulls

  • 1st – Tries scored: 7 

  • 1st – Points scored: 41 

• Fidelity SecureDrive Lions

  • Joint 2nd – Points scored: 24 

• DHL Stormers

  • 1st – Visits to opposition 22: 15 

• Hollywoodbets Sharks

  • Tackles made: 92 

• Vodacom Bulls

  • Metres gained: 471 (3rd overall) 

• DHL Stormers

  • Defenders beaten: 30 (2nd overall) 

Season totals – SA teams

• Vodacom Bulls

  • 3rd – Tries scored: 45 

  • 5th – Points scored: 304 

  • 4th – Metres gained: 4430 

• Fidelity SecureDrive Lions

  • 5th – Points scored: 325 

  • 6th – Metres gained: 4363 

• Hollywoodbets Sharks

  • 7th – Tries scored: 38 

• DHL Stormers

  • 13th – Metres gained: 3458 

Key SA player stats – Round 12

• Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers)

  • 17 carries made 

• Evan Roos (Stormers)

  • 15 carries made 

• Harold Vorster (Bulls)

  • 4 line breaks (top in the round) 

• Embrose Papier (Bulls)

  • 75 metres gained 

• Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks)

  • 6 defenders beaten 

• Henco van Wyk (Lions)

  • 5 defenders beaten 

Season player highlights (SA players)

• Sebastian de Klerk (Bulls)

  • 584 metres gained this season 

• Quan Horn (Lions)

  • 2,529 kick metres gained 

• Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers)

  • 52 points scored this season 

• Embrose Papier (Bulls)

  • 5 tries scored this season 

ALL THE URC LATEST NEWS

Markus Muller will play for the Springboks in 2026. Good enough is old enough, and Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has never had an issue picking a young one or an old one.

Muller and SA under 20 captain Riley Norton are experiencing the Springboks culture in Cape Town this week as part of Erasmus’s first national alignment camp for the season as the Boks coach counts down the 21 matches (20 Tests and the Barbarians season opener) before the start of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

The Boks, their four World Cup golds the most in the 10 tournament history, would make history in winning a third successive World Cup. They won the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, a back-to-back feat only achieved once before by Richie McCaw’s All Blacks in 2011 and 2015.

Here’s a piece I did on Muller for the Sunday Times.

Markus Muller, the schoolboy sensation from Paarl Gimnasium, needs backing more than protection from the hype.

And that is exactly the endorsement he got from Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus earlier this week with inclusion in the Springboks alignment camp, in Cape Town, next week.

Muller, 18 years-old, signed with the Stormers in 2026 and has already trained with the senior squad. He played for the SA under 20s against Georgia last weekend.

He is an exceptional talent, and age has never been a consideration for talents of his ilk. They transition straight onto the biggest stages

Canan Moodie made his Springboks Test debut in 2022 as a 19-year-old winger against Australia in Sydney. He was superb. A year later he was a World Cup winner.

Frans Steyn made his Test debut against Ireland in 2006 as a 19 year-old winger and was South Africa’s Player of the Match. A year later he was a World Cup winner.

Muller has the potential and pedigree to write a similar script, given the next World Cup is in Australia in 2027.

Erasmus has never referenced age as a negative in his selections. He picked hooker Schalk Brits (38) for World Cup duty in 2019 and entrusted the then 37 year-old Deon Fourie with a multi-faceted role at the 2023 World Cup. Brits and Fourie are World Cup winners.

Some of the sport’s iconic backs were playing Test rugby in their teens. John Kirwan, Jeff Wilson and Jonah Lomu were all All Blacks wingers as 19 year-olds. James O’Connor played wing for the Wallabies as an 18 year-old and the midfield duo of Tim Horan and Jason Little were Wallabies as 19 year-olds.

Muller, comfortable wearing No 12 and No 13, scored more than 50 tries in his Grade 11 and 12 years playing for Paarl Gim, Western Province and SA Schools.

He also kicked many points and in 2025 he scored 43 points in one match.

Having watched him through SuperSport’s Schools broadcasts and seen several of his matches live, his point of difference is not in size, but in a rugby IQ that complements a physical presence.

He is a back, who in his final schools’ year, relished joining the forwards in a lineout maul, as much as he did running a try-scoring support line as a midfield back.

I can see him developing into a hybrid player as he physically evolves.

His try-scoring headlined most of his school matches, but his assists were even more impressive. He is not a one-trick pony who dominated schools rugby because of superior size.

He is a player with an understanding of the nuances of the sport and a natural appreciation that rugby is a team sport.

Erasmus has recognised his on-field quality and will get to experience the youngster’s energy up close. Culture is the essence of Erasmus’s World Cup-winning Springboks.

If a player doesn’t fit in, no matter his pedigree, he won’t get selected.

Muller will fit in and there is no ‘if’ about him playing for the Springboks; the only question is when he plays for the Springboks.

STORMERS SNAP UP MULLER

URC latest: SA’s road to the play-offs looks good, despite the Stormers mid-season slump. The Cape-based club remain in a strong position, with the resurgent Bulls and Lions running hot.

The Sharks have work to do to make the top eight.

Here’s everything you need to know about what the Stormers, currently in fifth place, the Lions, in seventh, the Bulls in eighth, and the Sharks, in 11th have to do to make the play-offs.

Bulls

14 Mar – 14:00

Bulls vs Stormers

20 Mar – 19:00

Bulls vs Cardiff Rugby

28 Mar – 14:00

Bulls vs Munster

17 Apr – 20:45

Dragons vs Bulls

25 Apr – 20:45

Scarlets vs Bulls

09 May – 13:45

Bulls vs Zebre

16 May – 16:00

Bulls vs Benetton

Stormers

14 Mar – 14:00

Bulls vs Stormers

22 Mar – 15:00

Stormers vs Dragons

28 Mar – 19:00

Stormers vs Edinburgh

18 Apr – 13:45

Stormers vs Connacht

25 Apr – 13:45

Stormers vs Glasgow Warriors

08 May – 20:45

Ulster vs Stormers

15 May – 20:45

Cardiff Rugby vs Stormers

Lions

21 Mar – 14:45

Lions vs Edinburgh

28 Mar – 16:30

Lions vs Dragons

18 Apr – 16:00

Lions vs Glasgow Warriors

25 Apr – 16:00

Lions vs Connacht

09 May – 18:30

Leinster vs Lions

16 May – 20:45

Munster vs Lions

Sharks

21 Mar – 17:00

Sharks vs Munster

27 Mar – 19:00

Sharks vs Cardiff Rugby

18 Apr – 20:45

Ospreys vs Sharks

24 Apr – 20:45

Edinburgh vs Sharks

09 May – 16:00

Sharks vs Benetton

16 May – 13:45

Sharks vs Zebre

KEO ON THE BULLS RESURGENCE

A recap of the Fidelity Secure Drive Lions winning the South Africa Shield, courtesy of the URC official communications team.

Their trophy triumph was confirmed when their 24-10 victory over the DHL Stormers was followed by the Hollywoodbets Sharks losing 41-12 to the Vodacom Bulls.

The Lions won four of their six domestic derbies to finish three points ahead of the Sharks, with the Bulls and Stormers – who meet in Pretoria later this month – now unable to catch them.

As well as topping the South African table, they are also looking good in the overall Vodacom URC log as they set their sights on the play-offs. They have moved into seventh spot following back-to-back Ellis Park victories over the Sharks and now the Stormers.

Skipper Francke Horn said: “It’s been a fantastic last two weeks. Two really good wins, local derbies that in previous seasons could have gone the other way.”

Head coach Ivan van Rooyen added: “I think we’ve grown a lot over the last month. The experienced leaders are driving hard and pushing what’s needed.

“We spoke during pre-season about needing to be better and more consistent against South African teams, as that’s where we felt we lost points in the past. So I’m incredibly proud.”

Playing their first game since the announcement of their new sponsored branding, the Lions built a solid lead against the Stormers in Johannesburg with tries from flanker Sibabalwe Mahashe, centre Henco van Wyk and wing Erich Cronje.

They then defended heroically, keeping their opponents out even when they were down to 13 men following two yellow cards in quick succession, one of which – to prop Conrad van Vuuren – was upgraded to a 20 minute red card.

The defeat for the Stormers came on a weekend when the league table was turned on its head with the top three going into the Origin round of matches all being beaten.

Leaders Glasgow Warriors suffered a dramatic last minute loss to Connacht Rugby in Galway with Kiwi No 8 Sean Jansen scoring a lineout maul try in the final play to secure a 15-10 triumph.

Second-placed Leinster Rugby saw their seven game winning run in the league come to an end as they were defeated 8-7 by Cardiff Rugby in monsoon-like conditions at the Arms Park.

That result sees Cardiff move up to third, overtaking the Stormers who have now lost their last three Vodacom URC matches having won their first eight.

Munster Rugby have advanced into fourth spot thanks to a hard-fought 21-7 win over Zebre Parma at Thomond Park where it was 7-7 at half-time.

The Stormers are down to fifth, while Ulster Rugby have dropped to sixth after losing 21-10 to the Ospreys in Bridgend.

Below the celebrating Lions, the top eight is completed by the Bulls who ran in seven tries in beating the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld, with two apiece from scrum-half Embrose Papier and centre Harold Vorster.

The weekend’s other games saw Edinburgh Rugby beat the Scarlets 24-19, while Dragons RFC and Benetton Rugby drew 15-15 amid more late drama at Rodney Parade.

Ospreys On The Play-Off Hunt

Ospreys coach Mark Jones believes his team can make the play-offs having moved within a point of the top eight by extending their unbeaten league run to five matches with a 21-10 win over Ulster.

They secured the spoils with late tries from Player of the Match James Ratti and winger Dan Kasende in front of their delighted fans at Bridgend’s Brewery Field.

Reflecting on his team’s hopes of qualifying for the knock-out stages, Jones said: “There are six rounds left. We have got to go on the road a little bit in the next few weeks, but we’ve also got some derbies in there.

“There’s a lot of rugby to be played. It is tight. Anybody at any time can get in that top eight at the moment, right down to about 14th.

“One bonus point win, one loss can shift you up and down the table three or four places.

“So we are going to have to string some games together. But that’s five now we are undefeated in the league, so that’s a bit of momentum.

“I do think we can make the top eight. I really believe in the group.”

Trailing 10-7 at the break, the Ospreys hammered away through the second half, but couldn’t turn pressure into points until flanker Ratti went over from a tap penalty 12 minutes from time, with winger Kasende then pouncing to seal the victory late on.

“We made very hard work of it in patches, particularly the second half,” said Jones.

“I think with about 15 minutes to go, it was 70 per cent territory and not a lot to show for it.

“Our conversion rate in the red zone was well below what it normally is.

“But we found a way. We went away from the lineout and went after a tap strike. It was smart from the boys there just to mix it up.

“We have got it up our sleeve. It’s another way of us trying to convert in that area of the pitch.

“We showed some good leadership on the field there to identify it and adjust well. I was really pleased with the composure and just pleased for the boys overall.”

Adding his assessment, blindside Ratti said: “It was a big physical battle.

“Ulster are having a good season and we knew they were going to bring it physically, so it was up to us to match it and try and go beyond.

“We back ourselves against anyone here at the Brewery Field. It’s always a good occasion down here. You can hear the fans all the time. When you are blowing, you hear the crowd. They get behind you and it gives you that little extra bit in your legs to keep fighting.

“Even after we went behind quite early, we were confident we were still going to be in the game. We stuck to our process, fought back and I thought we deserved it in the end.”

Saturday evening’s other game in Wales saw a dramatic ending at Rodney Parade where the Dragons and Benetton drew 15-15.

It looked as though the Italian visitors were going to claim the spoils with Player of the Match Onisi Ratave having crossed twice to put them in front.

But, in the final play of the game, the Dragons’ centre Fine Inise touched down to level the scores.

That gave Angus O’Brien the chance to secure a fifth successive home win for his team, but the full-back’s touchline conversion just drifted wide.

His coach Filo Tiatia said: “What I said to the group is the silver lining is we’ve got two points out of it.

“I was very proud of the performance. The character, the grit, the scrap and the fight wanting to stay in it was excellent.”

Giving the view from the Benetton camp, their skipper Andy Uren said: “We let that one go. We should have won the game. I think we were the better team. We are very, very disappointed.”

Belcher Blown Away By His Team’s Fighting Spirit

Cardiff captain Liam Belcher has paid tribute to the “unbelievable fight” from his team in the wake of their victory over league champions Leinster.

Belcher’s boys triumphed 8-7 at a rainswept Arms Park as they held firm in the tense closing stages to end their opponents’ 11-match winning run in all competitions and move up to third in the Vodacom URC table.

The way they saw the game out was all the more impressive given they were down to 14 men for the final 15 minutes with winger Jacob Beetham unable to get back on the field following his yellow card as his team ran down the clock in a protracted final play.

“From the boys’ point of view, the fight they showed in that weather was unbelievable,” said Wales hooker Belcher.

“It was sopping out there. It was like a monsoon in the first half, so fair credit to them.

“We did the last 15 minutes with 14 men because we didn’t get Jacob back on quick enough. That’s just a credit to the squad.”

Reflecting on the win, he added: “For the table, it’s quite big. It hopefully puts us in a better position than we were last year.”

Beetham was understandably relieved, with Leinster having crossed straight after his 65th minute sin binning for a deliberate knock-on to cut the deficit to just a point.

“When they scored that try, I was thinking the worst and thinking ‘Oh no’ because it feels like it comes back on you if you are the one that has got the yellow,” he said.

“I wanted to get back on and I was a little bit nervous at the end. I was just so happy when we managed to keep them out and come away with the win. It was really cool.

“A win against Leinster is amazing. They are such a great outfit, so whenever we get a chance to play a team like that you are licking your lips thinking this could be an amazing win if we get it. To be fair, we stuck to our game plan and it worked.”

Head coach Corniel van Zyl picked out one area of his team’s performance for particular praise.

“Our discipline was the best it has been this season and potentially what I can remember in my coaching experience because we only conceded three penalties which was massive,” he said.

“It’s always nice to get on the right side of the result. I thought we adapted well to the conditions. Obviously the kicking came into play and I was pleased with how the plan unfolded.

“We pride ourselves on performing at home. We want to make this place a fortress and be as good as we can at the Arms Park in front of our friends and families. That was the biggest focus.”

Cardiff’s try came from scrum-half Aled Davies who claimed his first touchdown for the club.

“It was great. The weather was tough, but we played some good rugby,” he said.

“We have got big games coming up and we know that, so it’s important for us to really crack on with the end of the season.”

Leinster coach Leo Cullen said: “I thought Cardiff deserved to win. They were better in terms of their kicking strategy and they were incredibly disciplined with everything that they did.”

In Friday night’s other game, Edinburgh played some sparkling rugby as they came from 14-0 down to beat the Scarlets 24-19 at the Hive Stadium, with full-back Harry Paterson claiming the winning try 11 minutes from time.

Their coach Sean Everitt commented: “My nerves were shot after that! It must have been enjoyable to watch from the side, I’m sure.

“I didn’t think it would be perfect, but I didn’t expect to have conceded 15 turnovers by half-time. So that put us under the pump.

“It was then just about looking after the ball and tidying up the breakdown. We put together the first 10 minutes in the second half really well and that set the foundation for us.”

Scarlets director of rugby Nigel Davies said: “We were on top in the main in the first half, but Edinburgh played some great rugby in the second half and we couldn’t contain them. We had opportunities, but we just weren’t clinical enough.”

What’s Coming Next?

There’s a break from league action next week as the focus switches back to the Guinness Six Nations.

But there are three rearranged fixtures on the eve of the Super Saturday finale to the Championship, with Connacht hosting the Scarlets and Edinburgh entertaining Ulster on Friday, March 13. The Bulls are at home to the Stormers on Saturday, March 14.

Then there’s a full programme on the weekend of March 20-21.

The Bulls were brutal in their slaughter of the Sharks, but the rugby they played was beautiful.

And 33 000 made it to Loftus for the celebration.

This was another statement made by Johan Ackermann’s Bulls. A few weeks ago they were as imposing in scoring 52 points against the Lions at Ellis Park.

They won 41-12 against the Sharks at Loftus on Saturday, but with more accurate goal kicking, they would have passed 50 points.

The Sharks, but for a brief period in the second half, were never in this game. They were shut out defensively in the opening quarter and when the Bulls got a chance to strike, they did so through the Midas touch of Canan Moodie.

Moodie is a special player, whether playing right wing or outside centre.

On Saturday, he played in the No 13 jersey, and defensively he produced a masterclass to contain the dangerous Jurenzo Julius. On attack, he was even better. Moodie glides, but there is an acceleration that is a differentiator. He showed this in scoring his try after inside centre Harold Vorster had made the initial running.

Vorster was outstanding against the Lions and he was influential against the Sharks. He was up against the in-form Andre Esterhuizen, the Sharks captain and bulldozer.  He stood his ground and provided pivotal attacking moments.

Esterhuizen is a beast and he is always going to keep three defenders busy, but on Saturday even he was powerless to halt a Bulls stampede that yielded four tries within 35 minutes.

Vorster made two tries and scored the final one of the match.

Bulls scrumhalf Embrose Paper benefitted from accuracy in his support line running, but his all-round game was impressive. He kicked with authority and he played with balance. His partnership with veteran World Cup-winning flyhalf Handre Pollard will be significant in the Bulls charge for the play-offs.

The Bulls forwards, collectively, were united and in sync. Individually, Elrigh Louw, Nizaam Carr and Ruan Nortje were prominent, and it took replacement prop Wilco Louw just one scrum to stabilise the Bulls scrum when introduced in the 55th minute and just a second scrum to win the Bulls a penalty.

The Bulls, transformed in playing style, discipline, conviction, attacking shape and defensive mongrel from the side that lost seven successive matches in all competitions earlier in the season, made it four wins on the bounce in the URC, with three of them being away from home.

I was at Loftus for the Bulls Investec Champions Cup defeat to Bordeaux when they conceded 21 unanswered points in the second half and failed to score a point in the last 40 minutes after scoring 33 points in the first half.

I watched them disintegrate against Bristol in conceding four tries within 15 minutes and 61 points.

Ackermann was at a loss to explain the ineptness of such quality players, the lack of care for the ball when in possession, the ease with which they raised the white flag defensively and the lack of appetite for the jersey.

They were a shambles.

URC ORIGIN WEEKEND: SA SCHOOLS SYSTEM WORKS

Ackermann had inherited support staff coaches in Andries Bekker and Chris Rossouw, who had been long-time assistants to the departed head coach and Director of Rugby Jake White.

Ackermann had to make a change and get his own assistants into the coach’s box, take charge of the forwards and lay down the law that this was his team and that they would play his way, which has always been a convincing mixture of power and pizzaz.

What I saw at Loftus against the Sharks was a team coached by Johan Ackermann, playing with the balance he preaches as a coaching philosophy and with the heart that he has always demanded from players.

They cared.

They defended their try line when leading 36-12 as if they were leading 13-12.

There has been a cultural shift for the Bulls, led by Ackermann, who in the seven successive defeats in all competitions earlier in the season, insisted that things would change for the better.

They have and the wins against the Lions and Sharks are confirmation that the Bulls are back and that alone is a thing of beauty in the context of South African rugby.

As for the Sharks, to borrow from their coach JP Pietersen, the past fortnight has been a case of one step forward and three back, especially after the back-to-back wins against the Stormers.

AFRICA PICKS: WINNING WITH THE BULLS

Scorers

For the Bulls:
Tries: Moodie, De Klerk, Papier 2, Vorster, De Wet, Vorster
Cons: Pollard 3

For the Sharks:
Tries: Van der Merwe, Jacobs
Cons: Hendrikse

Teams:

Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier; 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Elrich Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Morne Smith, 2 Jan Hendrik Wessels, 1 Alulutho Tshakweni
Substitutes: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Jeandre Rudolph, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Willie le Roux, 23 Stravino Jacobs

Sharks: 15 Jaco Williams, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Ox Nche
Substitutes: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Thomas Dyer, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Siya Masuku, Yaw Penxe

Scorers

Lions

Tries: Siba Mahashe, Henco Van Wyk, Erich Cronje.

Conversions: Chris Smith (3)

Penalties: Smith

Stormers

Try: JD Schickerling

Conversion: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Penalty: Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Teams:

Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Batho Hlekani, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze.
Substitutes: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Conrad van Vuuren, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Siba Qoma, 21 Renzo du Plessis, 22 Nico Steyn, 23 Erich Cronjé

Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling (captain), 4 Adré Smith, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 JJ Kotzé, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Substitutes: 16 André-Hugo Venter, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Marcel Theunissen, Hacjivah Dayimani, 22 Imad Khan, 23 Jurie Matthee

The elite layer is concentrated but across the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers there are 64 schools represented. That tells you the base of the South African game is broad and that the state of Origin on this celebratory United Rugby Championship Origin weekend is healthy.

The natural feeder system is in Paarl and Stellenbosch. It has always been the case with Paarl Boys High, Paarl Gim, Paul Roos and Boland Landbou producing elite professional players with each matric cycle.

Grey College, in the past 30 years, has owned the title of a Springboks and professional rugby player factory more than any other school in the country. Others, like Boshaai, Gim and Paul Roos are always present, but over this period Grey College has produced the greatest number.

In this URC season, Grey College and Boshaai share the top spot of providing 18 players, split across all four South African URC clubs.

Krugersdorp’s Monument (Lions) and Bishops (Stormers) are a celebration of home grown talent graduating from schoolboy to professional rugby without having to relocate, while the traditional rugby powerhouses in Kwazulu-Natal (Glenwood, Hilton, Westville and Maritzburg College) continue to make a statement that local is lekker in KZN.

The Bulls, of the four SA clubs, have the most extensive recruitment drive, and have over the years consistently been leaders in securing the most sought after talent, be it out of school or at a later stage.

Bloemfontein, by way of Grey College, and Paarl, are greater feeders for the Bulls, who have not relied exclusively on the Schools Big Five. Many a player from local schools has proven good enough to be contracted.

SA URC ORIGIN – THE SCHOOLS

18 Players

• Grey College

• Paarl Boys’ High

12 Players

• Paul Roos Gymnasium

10 Players

• Paarl Gimnasium

9 Players

• Hoërskool Monument

8 Players

• Glenwood High School

• Bishops (Diocesan College)

5 Players

• Westville Boys’ High School

• Maritzburg College

4 Players

• Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies)

• Hilton College

3 Players

• Northcliff High School

• King Edward VII School (KES)

2 Players

• St Albans College

• Hoër Landbouskool Boland

• Hoërskool Garsfontein

• Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale

• Michaelhouse

• Jeppe High School for Boys

• Potchefstroom Gimnasium

1 Player Each

• St Stithians

• Bersig

• Hudson Park

• Linden

• SACS

• Stellenberg

• Transvalia

• Frikkie Meyer

• Fichardtpark

• Graeme College

• Ben Vorster

• EG Jansen

• St Andrew’s College (Makhanda)

• Dale College

• HTS Middelburg

• Durban High School (DHS)

• Hoërskool Klerksdorp

• Hoërskool Tygerberg

• Huguenot High School

• Grey High School

• Jim Mvabaza Senior Secondary

• Piet Retief High School

• Churchill Boys High School

• HTS Louis Botha

• Queens College

• Hoërskool Oos-Moot

• Diamantveld

• Wonderboom

• Outeniqua High School

• Hoërskool Eldoraigne

• Northwood

• St John’s College

• Rondebosch Boys’ High

• Wynberg Boys’ High

• Hoërskool Pietersburg

• Welkom Gimnasium

• Hoërskool Brandwag

• Hermanus High School

• Hoërskool Riebeeckstad

• Klein Nederburg

• Hoërskool Standerton

• Total schools represented: 64

• 2 schools with 18 players

• 1 school with 12

• 1 school with 10

• 1 school with 9

• 2 schools with 8

• 2 schools with 5

• 2 schools with 4

• 2 schools with 3

• 7 schools with 2

• 42 schools with 1

Springboks and Wild Knights Damian de Allende continues to set the standards among No 12s in world rugby. He is the best – and has been for some time.

In the Keo & Zels show earlier this week, there was agreement that De Allende remains the standout No 12 in the game.

Keo: Damian de Allende has done it all. Two World Cups. Rugby Championships. Outstanding for Munster in the URC and Investec Champions Cup. A superstar in Japan. A force for the Stormers and Western Province.

Yet when the “best No 12 in the world” debate starts, his name is often an afterthought.

Ireland’s Stu McCloskey has had a strong Six Nations and suddenly some commentators are calling him the benchmark. That’s recency bias. De Allende has been the benchmark for a decade.

He is the glue in the Springbok midfield. When he plays, they are a different side. When he doesn’t, you feel it. Sonny Bill Williams said last season that the most undervalued piece of the South African World Cup puzzle is Damian de Allende. He’s right.

De Allende has strength in contact, a complete passing game and a rugby IQ that the public underrates but coaches don’t. Tony Brown rates him the best passer in the Bok set-up.

The move to Japan extended his career. League One is improving every season, but it’s not the weekly collision of the URC or Top 14. It has preserved him and I believe he has another World Cup in him.

 If we’re picking a No 12 tomorrow? I take him. Every time. He is the best No 12 in the world.

ALL BLACKS GREATS RAVE ABOUT DE ALLENDE

Zels:
That’s the difference between media noise and player reality.

In player circles, “Doogz” gets huge respect. It’s the same story as Franco Mostert. At the Lions people asked what he actually did. Then he became a Bok and suddenly everyone understood the work rate and detail.

De Allende does the heavy lifting. He wins collisions. He cleans up. He organises. He makes the right decision more often than not. Players and coaches see it immediately.

In his prime? For me, absolutely – he’s the best 12 in world rugby.

RECALL: HOW RASSIE REINVENTED DE ALLENDE IN 2019

Last weekend he played his 50th match for the Wild Knights in Japan – another reminder of his consistency and professionalism. Whether it was Milnerton High in Cape Town, a World Cup final with the Springboks, Munster on a European night, or League One in Japan, the standard never drops.

ALL BLACKS MIDFIELD MASTER SONNY BILL WILLIAMS GIVES DOOGZ HIS DUES

 

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URC: The Lions, with Morne van den Berg massive, roared the loudest at Ellis Park with an emphatic win against the Sharks, for whom Jurenzo Julius was the best player.

Morne van den Berg was the pick of the Lions and the best player on display in the Lions bonus point win. The Springboks scrum half was at the heart of everything good about the Lions performance, in a Round 8 match that was played between Rounds 11 and 12 of the competition.

The win moves the Lions into seventh place in the URC and it also kept alive the SA Shield. Had the Sharks won, they would have claimed the Shield, given they already had three bonus-point wins in four matches against their South African colleagues.

The Sharks have beaten the Bulls and the Stormers twice and lost in the final play against the Lions in Durban a month ago.

But it is the Lions who now can claim the Shield if they beat the Stormers at Ellis Park next Saturday.

The Sharks will play the Bulls at Loftus in Pretoria next week and the Stormers and Bulls will complete the South African derbies within the URC in Pretoria on the 14th March.

The Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen picked his strongest match 23 and they were too powerful and precise for a Sharks match 23 missing seven of their first choice Springboks. Sharks coach JP Pietersen invested in youth and some hardened veterans, but the collective of the Sharks could not match the individual class of 21 year-old centre Jurenzo Julius, who ran with condition and with reward, scored a try, had one disallowed and always made metres in the tackle.

JULIUS IN BOKS MIDFIELD AUDITION

Veteran lock Jason Jenkins battled hard, but that was the lot for the visitors who are ninth in the URC league standings. They have four wins in 11 matches.

Van den Berg was the general at No 9, his halfback partner Chris Smith did not miss a kick at posts and the Lions midfield of Bronson Mills and Henco Van Wyk were convincing as a pairing.

Wingers Angelo Davids and Kelly Mpeku chased everything and turned every kick into an attacking one.

Lions fullback Quan Horn was confident and flanker Ruan Venter, lock Ettienne Oosthuizen were a menace and a presence. My personal favourite Asenathi Ntlabakanye produced trademark tackles, handled the tighthead side of the scrum effectively and was regular in taking the ball to the line.

Van den Berg was very good and the Lions were very good in responding from the 52-17 defeat a fortnight ago against the Bulls at Ellis Park.

The Lions have beaten the Sharks in the last three matches at Ellis Park in the URC, each time comfortably, and have won five of the last six matches against the Sharks.

UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP LATEST – WATCH THE LIONS v SHARKS HIGHLIGHTS

Ireland are celebrated for finding their identity in a record 42-21 win against England at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham and Scotland are lauded for finding a way to win a Six Nations match away from home. Here’s your media summary.

What the English media led with

• England’s recurring fast-start problem became the story again – an opening half-hour where Ireland went 22-0 up and effectively ended the contest.

• The post-match tone is brutal: “humiliation”, “nightmare”, “questions everywhere” around England’s direction, selection calls, and a side that’s messy under pressure (turnovers, set-piece errors, poor exits).

• Even where England “had entries”, the message is the same: they didn’t convert pressure into points, and Ireland did –  clinically.

What the Irish media led with

• A statement win built on speed, accuracy and edge – Ireland’s first-half blitz, then second-half control (Sheehan’s early score after the break = the hammer).

• The Irish framing is “old guard / leaders / selection calls justified” – Crowley steering, Gibson-Park snapping, McCloskey giving them gainline ballast.

• Farrell’s tone in reaction coverage: values + connection + belief (less “tactics board”, more “identity restored”).

Former players / influential voices (social + pundit loop)

• Dan Sheehan (via ITV quote carried by SA Rugby Mag): framed it as hunger + belief + emotional lift after the France loss – and called it one of their best performances.

• The wider pundit theme (echoed across liveblogs + post-match reaction): Ireland’s dominance wasn’t fluke finishing – it was system + tempo + accuracy, with England chasing shadows and confidence.

• “I backed England” regret content is already circulating (ex-player prediction culture) with former England fullback Mike Brown getting stick in UK rugby-content spaces after calling it wrong. He is just one of many. Andy Goode called for a rethink of Steve Borthwick as head coach and challenged Borthwick for a rethink of his selections.

South African view (SA Rugby Mag)

Two clean angles SA Rugby Mag are pushing:

• Mocke the notion that three weeks ago England were favourites to win the World Cup, according to their media, and now they have been destroyed, away to Scotland and at home to Ireland on successive weekends.

• Player-reaction line: Sheehan’s “special” framing – Ireland tapped into travelling support and came out of the blocks.

What Six Nations official platform says …

The official match report leans hard into:

• Frenetic start, Crowley penalty, then Gibson-Park’s quick-tap try as the tone-setter.

• The decisive rhythm: England scratched (Dingwall / Lawrence / Underhill), but Ireland had answers (Sheehan + Osborne) and controlled the contest after going 22-0 up.

KEO’S VIEW

I had England to win 30-21 based on Ireland’s lack of form in November against the All Blacks and the Springboks, and their defeat against France in Paris, coupled with their escape at home against Italy a week ago. What I overestimated was the quality of the England team to respond to last weekend’s drubbing against Scotland at Murrayfield. I also thought England would lift for captain Maro Itoje’s 100th Test for England. I underestimated that Ireland would find their identity or play in a way that speaks to the identity that made them a top two side and momentarily had them ranked one in the world. The visitors were superb. This is the first time they have beaten England by more than 20 points. I thought they were as inspiring as England were inept.

EVERY PLAYER AND TEAM STAT AFTER ROUND 3 OF THE SIX NATIONS

WALES v SCOTLAND – Wales improved, Scotland escaped

Result: Wales 23 Scotland 26 (Turner try + Russell conversion in the 75th minute).

Scottish media tone (and Scotland lens generally)

• The Scotland lens is “not pretty, but champion teams steal these” – resilience, finish, Russell influence, and bench impact (Turner delivering the match winner).

• Scotland’s broader narrative: they’re alive in the championship picture (table pressure) because they can now win away, even when off their game.

Welsh media tone (and Wales lens generally)

• The Wales lens is heartbreak with a sliver of hope: this was their best showing of the championship so far, but they still found a way to lose it late (errors, discipline, closing moments).

• The hard number that will sit in every Welsh recap: 14 straight Six Nations losses (and counting).

Former players / influential voices (social + pundit loop)

• The Guardian’s live coverage explicitly notes former Welsh captain Sam Warburton praising Wales’ belief/performance despite the late gut-punch.

South African view (SA Rugby Mag)

• Scotland “snatch” it from a “passionate Wales” – which tells you the editorial emphasis is Wales’ emotional performance and Scotland’s late ruthlessness.

What Six Nations official platform says …

The official report makes it very usable for your structure:

• Wales deserved the first-half lead: Carre + Adams tries, Costelow kicking, and a genuine edge in the arm-wrestle.

• The swing: Scotland’s second-half surge, and Wales being denied their first win again a “remarkable comeback” headline win for Scotland.

KEO’S VIEW

The question is what hurts most for the hapless Welsh supporters; to concede 50 points each time at home or to be five minutes away from winning and then to lose by a late converted try after leading 20-5 early in the second half? Scotland showed composure in the final 10 minutes and Wales, so desperate and filled with desire, had nothing left in the tank once Scotland took the lead 26-23. For a neutral it was a bloody good Test, filled with every drama.

SIX NATIONS ROUND 3 … WHAT WE CALLED

Jurenzo Julius and Henco van Wyk were colossal midfielders as schoolboys. Now they get the chance to make a statement to Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus that they should be on the national radar, if not for 2027, then definitely for the 2031 World Cup in the USA.

The Lions host the Sharks in the URC at Ellis Park on Saturday, and it is the performances of Julius, for the Sharks, and Van Wyk, for the Lions, that excites me the most in this match.

Julius, many forget, is still just 21 years-old. Equally is Van Wyk’s youthfulness at 24. The latter seems to have been around for a decade.

Both have carried the tag for best of in their class, with Van Wyk the Junior Springbok of the Year in 2021 and Julius the Junior Springbok of the Year in 2024.

Erasmus has never selected on sentiment and he has always been consistent that he differentiates between who is considered the best in a particular position and who is the best for his national squad.

He rates Julius and Van Wyk, having invited them to national alignment camps and picked Van Wyk for the senior SA XV that toured the north a few seasons ago.

Both players fit the mould of what Erasmus wants in a player. They have physical presence, skill and an engine.

Julius was so good when playing for Paul Roos in Stellenbosch, and equally imposing for SA under 18s and SA under 20s. Van Wyk, a few years before that, enjoyed as many accolades as the premier South African junior midfielder.

CASH IN WITH AFRICA PICKS

Van Wyk’s biggest challenge has not been that of selection at the Lions, but being consistently fit and available, whereas Julius walked into a Sharks set-up of Springbok midfielders in Lukhanyo Am, Francois Venter and current captain Andre Esterhuizen.

Ethan Hooker, who was used at centre and on the wing, played Test rugby for the Springboks in 2025 as a winger, but Sharks coach JP Pietersen has paired him with Esterhuizen in the past month. AM has left for Japan and Venter, alongside Julius on Saturday, has a greater mentoring role.

The beauty of Julius is that each time he has been given an opportunity, he has delivered. Van Wyk has shown the same pedigree when injury has not derailed his season.

Julius can play 12 and 13 and would not be out of place on the wing, and Van Wyk’s skillset makes him an option at 12 and 13.

SHARKS SCHOOL STORMERS IN THE URC

Van Wyk, at Monument High and with the Golden Lions Craven Week side, was exceptional at age group level. His transition into junior international rugby and senior rugby was as smooth, until injuries rocked him. From 2022 to 2024, injuries were more damaging than any opponent.

Photo: Christiaan Kotze/Gallo Images

What he is showing this season is the result of uninterrupted rugby. He is sharp, his confidence is obvious and he is the primary point of attack in a talented Lions backline.

South African rugby produces outstanding schoolboy midfielders every year, and the latest is Paarl Gim’s Markus Muller, who is part of the Stormers squad and is currently on national duty with the SA under 20s.

Julius and Van Wyk will be mindful of the hype around Muller and they will be keen to remind him and another 2025 schools graduate, Grey College and Free State’s Ethan Adams, that there is a senior midfield queue and that the class of 2019 and 2024 are on the rise.

 

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Recent head-to-head (URC meetings)

• Jan 2026: Sharks 22–23 Lions (Durban)

• Mar 2025: Sharks 14–38 Lions (Johannesburg)

• Mar 2025: Sharks 22–25 Lions (Durban)

• 2024: Lions 40–10 Sharks (Johannesburg)

• 2024: Sharks 20–18 Lions (Durban)

Recent encounters show a clear home-field bias in Johannesburg, with the Lions winning comfortably there and edging the most recent contest in Durban.

LIONS v SHARKS: ALL THE TEAM NEWS

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21

Lions v Hollywoodbets Sharks

Ellis Park, Johannesburg – KO 12.00 IRE & UK / 13.00 ITA / 14.00 SA

Referee: Griffin Colby (SARU, 12th league game)

AR 1: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU) AR 2: Zoe Naude (SARU)

TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)

Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

LATEST URC NEWS

Teams, kick-off times, data, match-ups. Look no further. We have everything you need to know for Round 3 of the Six Nations as France plays Italy, Wales host Scotland and England take on Ireland.

The big talking point this weekend will be the flamboyant England loose-forward Henry Pollock’s first start at No 8.

AFRICA PICKS: WHERE TO MAKE YOUR SIX NATIONS MONEY THIS WEEKEND

WHO’S RUNNING THE HOTTEST IN SIX NATIONS

Six Nations Round 3: Pollock’s Call, Ireland’s Test, Scotland’s Edge, France’s Warning

The headline is at Allianz Stadium. Henry Pollock gets his first start at No 8 for England against Ireland. It is refreshing from England coach Steve Borthwick and it changes the shape of England’s loose trio. Pollock joins Tom Curry and Ben Earl in a back row built for tempo and confrontation.

ENGLAND v IRELAND

Kick-off: 18:00 (UK), Saturday 21 February
Venue: Allianz Stadium

England
Steward; Freeman, Lawrence, Dingwall, Arundell; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Heyes, Itoje (capt), Chessum, T Curry, Earl, Pollock.
Replacements: George, Rodd, Davison, Coles, Pepper, Underhill, Van Poortvliet, M Smith.

Ireland 
Osborne; Baloucoune, Ringrose, McCloskey, Lowe; Crowley, Gibson-Park; Loughman, Sheehan, Furlong, Ryan, McCarthy, Beirne, Van der Flier, Doris (capt).
Replacements: Kelleher, O’Toole, Bealham, Conan, Timoney, Casey, Frawley, O’Brien.

England’s 12-match winning run ended at Murrayfield, but at home they remain reliable. Their last defeat in London came in November 2024. Since then, nine straight wins. That matters.

Ireland, though, have owned this fixture recently. Five wins from the last six. The only loss in that stretch was a last-minute drop goal in this stadium two years ago.

Andy Farrell reshapes his spine. Jack Crowley starts at fly-half for control. Tadhg Furlong returns to strengthen the scrum. Beirne, Van der Flier and Gibson-Park are back. Ireland are leaning into experience because England at Twickenham demands it.

Recent results:
2025 (Dublin): Ireland 27–22 England
2024 (London): England 23–22 Ireland
2023 (Dublin): Ireland 29–16 England

 

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WALES v SCOTLAND

Kick-off: 16:40 (UK), Saturday 21 February
Venue: Principality Stadium

Wales
Rees-Zammit; Hamer-Webb, James, Hawkins, Adams; Costelow, T Williams; Carre, Lake (capt), Francis, Jenkins, Carter, Plumtree, Mann, Wainwright.
Replacements: Elias, Smith, Griffin, F Thomas, Botham, Hardy, J Evans, Murray.

Scotland
Kinghorn; Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu (capt), Van der Merwe; Russell, White; McBeth, Cherry, Z Fagerson, Williamson, Cummings, Brown, Darge, M Fagerson.
Replacements: Cherry, Schoeman, Millar-Mills, Williamson, M Fagerson, Horne, Hastings, Graham.

Wales are 0-from-2 and hurting. Scotland arrive confident after reclaiming the Calcutta Cup against England. Momentum says Scotland, recent history in this clash and Wales’s woeful two wins in their last 25 Tests, says it has to be Scotland.

Welsh coach Steve Tandy has made changes. Sam Costelow takes over at 10. Taine Plumtree strengthens the back row and Ben Carter’s form earns him reward. Blair Murray offers bench spark. Scotland have recalled power winger Duhan van der Merwe and Toulouse fullback Blair Kinghorn.

Recent results:
2025 (Edinburgh): Scotland 35–29 Wales
2024 (Cardiff): Wales 26–27 Scotland
2023 (Edinburgh): Scotland 35–7 Wales

 

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FRANCE v ITALY

Kick-off: 15:10 (UK), Sunday 15 February
Venue: Stade Pierre Mauroy

Italy left Dublin believing they are good enough to beat the very best, but still vulnerable in the big clutch plays. They pushed Ireland and were frustrated not to get the job done. The problem now is scale. France have opened this championship with authority and pace.

Last year in Rome, France dismantled Italy, but the more relevant match is the 13-all draw in Lille in 2024. Paolo Garbisi hit the post from a penalty attempt with the last kick of the match. It would have been Italy’s first win against France in France.

Italy’s backline is ambitious and their pack is no longer passive, but France, in the 2025 Six Nations and in the opening fortnight of 2026, have set the standard.

Recent results:
2025 (Rome): Italy 24–73 France
2024 (Marseille): France 13–13 Italy
2023 (Rome): Italy 24–29 France

If you want a snapshot of the weekend’s matches, England have entrusted youth in the name of Pollock, Ireland have opted for experience and the old guard, Wales, well they continue to search for relevance, and Scotland want consistency. Italy have belief but they are up against the best team in the competition who are playing with the authority of a champion.

ALL THE LATEST FROM THE SIX NATIONS