Team announcement

Springbok Sevens coach Sandile Ngcobo included three uncapped players in the Blitzbok squad for the next two tournaments on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, with Donovan Don, Ethan James and Sebastiaan Jobb in line for their first taste of international sevens rugby in the next fortnight.

News

They may have obvious personal reasons to be excited for the Springbok Women season to start in Madrid on Saturday, but for experienced flanker Lusanda Dumke and uncapped lock Danelle Lochner, there will a unified desire come Saturday 17h00 (SA time).

Vodacom United Rugby Championship

The South African Vodacom United Rugby Championship franchises will be wary of the fact that a massive effort will be required to topple the opposition in crucial matches for their playoff hopes when they return to the field in the big north versus south showpiece this weekend.

Currie Cup

Three Currie Cup Premier Division matches take place on an action-packed Friday, with log leaders the Toyota Cheetahs hosting Vodacom Bulls in Bloemfontein in a clash which should again be full of intrigue, while the Mzansi Challenge also kicks off this weekend.

Team announcement

Springbok Women interim coach Louis Koen named three uncapped players – Mary Zulu (fullback), Shaunique Hess (centre) and Danelle Lochner (lock) – in the starting team and added Byrhandré Dolf (utility back) to the bench to face Canada in Madrid on Saturday