Rugby’s biggest unions aiming to grow revenuesNew rights management agency to oversee salesThe Six Nations and Sanzaar unions have agreed to sell all their media rights and commercial deals collectively for the first time in a new revenue-sharing model.In an innovative arrangement that is the first of its kind in sport, the southern hemisphere nations will receive a share of the profits generated by the Six Nations and British & Irish Lions tours, while the European countries will benefit from broadcast and sponsorship deals generated by the Rugby Championship and the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series between New Zealand and South Africa. Continue reading...

Andy Farrell may have lost some key players but has been able to select a few more after injury absences for Ireland’s Nations Championship Test with Argentina on Friday. Experienced prop Andrew Porter and loose forward Ryan Baird, who like wing Mack Hansen and fullback Hugo Keenan, missed Ireland’s Six Nations Triple Crown campaign, return to the starting XV. It has been a long road back for Keenan, who was out of action for last year’s November Tests and Hansen last played in the final one of those matches, the defeat by the Springboks. TEAM: Fully-loaded Los Pumas pick lippy flyhalf Their return is some consolation for the absences of captain Caelan Doris, back- rower Jack Conan, centre Garry Ringrose and flyhalf Jack Crowley. Hooker Dan Sheehan captains the Irish as they bid to preserve their record of having beaten Argentina in all 11 previous home Tests at the Aviva Stadium. Crowley had appeared to have finally resolved Ireland’s major headache in filling the vacuum left by legend Johnny Sexton’s retirement but a rare case of a narrowing of a blood vessel in a leg has kept him on the sidelines since April. Sam Prendergast is entrusted with the 10 jersey, though Farrell has sprung a bit of a surprise in selecting Crowley’s Munster teammate Craig Casey at scrumhalf instead of regular choice Jamison Gibson-Park. IRELAND – 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Mack Hansen, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Sean Jansen, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan (c), 1 Andrew Porter. Bench: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Tom O’Toole, 18 Sam Illo, 19 James Ryan, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Bundee Aki. Photo: Joe Allison/Getty Images The post Ireland welcome back star quartet appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Damian Willemse is excited by the prospect of playing for silverware on an end-of-year tour for the first time, but warns the Springboks can’t look past the threat of Italy. The world champions resume their Nations Championship campaign on Saturday in Turin, unbeaten after big wins over England, Scotland and Wales in July. Rassie Erasmus’ men lead the southern hemisphere table of the inaugural competition, with the final standings in three weeks’ time deciding their opponents for the finale at Twickenham from 27-29 November. Willemse said the Boks’ approach is always to “go to the end”, and stressed that a defeat this week could end their hopes of competing for the trophy. JASPER: Boks won’t underestimate Italy “Ja, it is a bit different. This is the first time that we are trialling this competition … it’s very exciting for us because there is something we’ll be playing for towards the end of the year,” the fullback told the media on Wednesday. “There’s a cup on the line, which we are all looking forward to. “But we’ve got to keep one foot in front of the other. We’ve got Italy this week and we’re very much focused on that game.” FLANNERY: We’ve got to win first The 28-year-old believes the Boks have the right personnel to face Italy, yet they are aware how dangerous the Azzurri can be. The Boks beat Italy 42-24 in Pretoria on 5 July last year, and followed that up with a 32-14 win in Turin in November 2025, scoring four tries despite playing with 14 men for more than an hour following Franco Mostert’s red card. “It’s not going to be an easy game. They are a strong side, and they’ll come up with good plans,” Willemse said. “We’ve got to stay dialled in and make sure we don’t lose track or any focus on what’s ahead. We saw last year when we played them here in Turin how dangerous they are.” ALSO: Azzurri brace for monster Bok pack The 55-cap Willemse’s last Test outing was in Baltimore two months ago, and the double World Cup winner intends to build on the 43-28 win that clinched the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series 3-1 for South Africa. “Our approach to any tournament or any cup that we’re playing in or playing for is to take it seriously. Everyone is feeling confident … “We’re looking forward to getting onto the field on Saturday and making sure we get off to a great start and pick up where we left off in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.” MORE: Why Rassie picked a ‘full metal jacket team’ Photo: Timothy Rogers/Getty Images The post Focused Gaza got a ‘different feeling’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Veteran playmaker has been recalled to Australia’s squad for the Nations Championship rugby Tests after a ‘rollercoaster’ few yearsRugby Australia have been open about their ambition to revive union’s golden past at next year’s men’s World Cup. Wallabies coach Les Kiss appears to have taken it literally.His recall of Kurtley Beale, who turns 38 in January, for the Nations Championship this month is the final sweep in the playmaker’s staggering story arc. One that began with birth in Blacktown in the late 1980s, through a childhood in Mount Druitt, that loops through his private high schooling and debut for the Waratahs in – check that date – 2007. The ensuing two decades? We’ll get to that. Continue reading...

Jasper Wiese says the Springboks will guard against complacency going into Saturday’s Nations Championship Test against Italy in Turin. The world champions are overwhelming favourites to beat the 11th-ranked Azzurri, with coach Rassie Erasmus selecting his strongest available side and opting against handing Test debuts to any of the six uncapped players in the squad. Italy, meanwhile, are without 16 injured players, including captain and flank Michele Lamaro, centres Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello, and winger Louis Lynagh. However, Wiese insists the Boks will not take their opponents lightly, having lost to the seventh-ranked Wallabies in Perth last time out, albeit with an understrength side. ALSO: Azzurri brace for monster Bok pack “We spoke about it this week,” the No 8 told the media on Wednesday. “We want to win and learn, but you can learn bigger lessons in defeat. “We don’t want to become complacent and then lose. Obviously, we all want to win. “I think there were just a couple of things that went against us [against Australia]. So I don’t think it will be the case [that we are complacent against Italy].” FLANNERY: We’ve got to win first Having earned his 50th Test cap in Perth, Wiese will start again on Saturday as the Boks look to retain top spot in the Nations Championship southern hemisphere standings. “It was very special for me [to reach the milestone], but every match is special for me,” he said. “I’m so privileged to be here and it’s an incredible honour to represent my country. “I never thought I would be in this position. So I’m very grateful, not just for everyone who is here, but for the Heavenly Father who has given me the talent to be here.” Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images The post Jasper: Boks won’t underestimate Italy appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Tomás Albornoz returns to the Argentina side following his suspension, joining a line-up with an average of 50 Test caps for Friday’s Nations Championship clash against Ireland. Head coach Felipe Contepomi has named a starting XV boasting a combined 750 appearances for Los Pumas, with captain Julián Montoya, No 8 Pablo Matera and lock Guido Petti all having passed the 100-cap mark. Flyhalf Albornoz returns after completing a four-match ban for misconduct following Argentina’s 31-24 defeat against England in July. He was banned after confronting referee Angus Gardner following the disallowed late try that denied the Argentines a chance to draw the match. ALSO: Why Rassie picked a ‘full metal jacket team’ He partners Gonzalo García at halfback, with Santiago Chocobares and Justo Piccardo named in midfield. There is also experience in the back three, where Mateo Carreras and Bautista Delguy occupy the wings, with Juan Cruz Mallía at fullback. Mallía scored Argentina’s only try in their previous meeting with Ireland in Dublin, a 22-19 defeat in 2024. Eight members of the run-on group featured in that match, while Los Pumas will have to manage without Santiago Carreras, who is sidelined by a season-ending knee injury. Argentina have yet to beat Ireland in 11 Tests in Dublin and will be looking to end that run at the Aviva Stadium. ARGENTINA – 15 Juan Cruz Mallía, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Justo Piccardo, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Tomás Albornoz, 9 Gonzalo García, 8 Pablo Matera, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Juan Martín González, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Francisco Moreno, 2 Julián Montoya (c), 1 Boris Wenger. Bench: 16 Leonel Oviedo, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Ephraim Elias, 20 Juan Martín Scelzo, 21 Simón Benítez Cruz, 22 Gerónimo Prisciantelli, 23 Lucio Cinti. Photo: Getty Images The post Fully-loaded Los Pumas pick lippy flyhalf appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Jack Conan tells the Ireland Rugby Social podcast of Andy Farrell's influence in implementing a cultural shift in camp, his shoulder injury and desire to keep playing while he feels physically and mentally able.

Despite the hosts missing a slew of star players, the Springboks are expecting a tough challenge from Italy when the sides meet in their Nations Championship encounter at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 1:40pm). The Italians are missing some of their best players, including midfielders Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex, as well as loose forward Sebastian Negri, among others, due to injury, and will thus have to rely on a number of less experienced players to do the job against the world champions. But at a press conference on Tuesday Springbok defence coach Jerry Flannery pointed to the clash between the Boks and Italy at Loftus last year, when the Italians brought an understrength side to tour the country and pushed the South Africans all the way, to show how difficult they can be. Big challenge “We still respect them enormously, when they came to Pretoria last year, they were also missing key players and ran us very close,” explained Flannery. “They have a really strong set-piece. Their scrum is probably up there with one of the best in the Six Nations, and that gives them a big advantage going into the game. They are also a very well-coached team who do the basics well. “They still have players like (utility back) Ange Capuozzo, who can break a game open if you give him half a chance. Obviously, they will miss Brex because he is a really good footballer, while Menoncello is one of the best centres in the world and incredibly powerful. “But they have a strong kicking game, with players like Paolo Garbisi, who has an excellent left foot, and they have good aerial players, so we need to be strong in that area. And if there are any scraps off the back of their kicking game, Capuozzo can create something from nothing, so controlling those areas will be key.” ‘Well-coached team’ Although the injuries will have thrown a spanner into the Boks’ preparations in terms of the players they were expecting to face, Flannery said that they were preparing for the team as a whole and were not focused on individual players. “Italy have shown that they are building depth in their squad, and heading towards the World Cup (in Australia next year), that will benefit them in the long term as those (fringe) players gain more Test caps. “We’ve identified some dangerous individuals, but they are a really well-coached team, so we’re looking at defending them as a team rather than just focusing on the individuals.” With the Boks having only gotten together as a team on Sunday, Flannery believes this is perfect preparation for the World Cup next year, with the short preparation time and a number of big games in a short period of time. “I think the tour is a good representation of what’s coming heading into a World Cup year. The squad must get together and play games consistently in a short period of time,” explained Flannery. “We’re not yet sure how much we’ll rotate through this period, but for me it’s almost like knockout rugby, with the group stages, round of 16, quarterfinal, semifinal, and final. It’s that kind of intensity.”

Veteran utility back Kurtley Beale believes he still has what it takes to make a meaningful contribution to the Wallabies. The 37-year-old was called up as a late replacement for centre Hunter Paisami ahead of Australia’s Nations Championship tour, earning another opportunity after a career interrupted by injuries and lengthy spells on the sidelines. The Wallabies are gearing up to face England at Twickenham on Sunday. While the rest of the squad travelled from Sydney, Beale made the journey from Perth, where he plays for the Western Force. “I was still pinching myself on the flight over, to be fair, but really glad to be here,” he said on Wednesday. “I feel very honoured and it’s very humbling to be back in the Wallabies environment. It’s been a while now, but I’ve been working really hard. I just kept believing, to be able to get another opportunity, and obviously started that with the Force. “The body’s feeling good. Physically and mentally, good to go.” MORE: Azzurri brace for monster Bok pack Beale last played for Australia in 2021, making three appearances. His road back since then has been anything but straightforward. After returning to the Waratahs in 2023, he spent more than two years out of professional rugby following an injury in 2022 and being stood down after facing a sexual assault charge. He was found not guilty at trial and returned to rugby with the Force in 2024. Just weeks after being selected in Joe Schmidt’s first Wallabies squad in 2024, Beale ruptured his achilles tendon while playing club rugby, sidelining him for another nine months. But even through the difficult periods, he was confident he could wear the gold jersey again. ALSO: England lose playmaker to injury “With my experience, and being in and around the Force and Super Rugby the last couple of years, I always thought I was able to still add to the group, to the game, and I just kept believing,” he said. “I felt like there was some unfinished business, but I guess the focus was always on trying to make sure my body was right, my mind was in a good headspace.” Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images The post Beale never stopped believing appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

The new Nations Championship continues this weekend with round four action across various venues in Europe. It follows rounds one, two and three that took place in the Southern Hemisphere nations in July. As things stand on the Nations Championship points table, the Springboks lead the way on the South log, while France are on top on the North log. Here then are all the remaining fixtures: Round 4 Friday 6 November: Ireland v Argentina (Dublin, 9.10pm)Saturday 7 November: Italy v South Africa (Turin, 1.40pm), Scotland v New Zealand (Edinburgh, 3.10pm), Wales v Japan (Cardiff, 5.40pm), France v Fiji (Lyon, 10.10pm)Sunday 8 November: England v Australia (London, 4.10pm) Round 5 Friday 13 November: France v South Africa (Paris, 10.10pm)Saturday 14 November: Italy v Argentina (Genoa, 1.40pm), Wales v New Zealand (Cardiff, 3.10pm), England v Japan (London, 5.40pm), Ireland v Fiji (Dublin, 9.10pm)Sunday 15 November: Scotland v Australia (Edinburgh, 4.10pm) Round 6 Saturday 21 November: England v New Zealand (London, 3.10pm), Scotland v Japan (Edinburgh, 3.10pm), Ireland v South Africa (Dublin, 5.40pm), Italy v Fiji (Udine, 6.40pm), Wales v Australia (Cardiff, 9.10pm), France v Argentina (Parisa, 10.10pm) Finals Weekend, London (Twickenham) Friday 27 November: North 6 v South 6 (5.40pm), North 3 v South 3 (9.10pm)Saturday 28 November: North 5 v South 5 (2.10pm), North 2 v South 2 (5.40pm)Sunday 29 November: North 4 v South 4 (2.10pm), North 1 v South 1 (5.40pm)

Assistant coach Jerry Flannery insists the Springboks’ focus will be on beating Italy on Saturday before chasing bonus points that could decide their Nations Championship fate. South Africa and New Zealand are level on 15 log points, with the Boks ahead on points difference (+81 to +51). Only the top team in each hemisphere reaches the final at Twickenham on 29 November. “We are aware that we could win all our matches and not feature in the final,” Flannery said on Tuesday, ahead of the Boks’ clash with the Azzurri in Turin. “At the moment our points differential is superior, but we are aware that it will come down to teams getting bonus points.” ALSO: Azzurri brace for monster Bok pack The teams met last year in Pretoria, where the Boks won 42-24. Rassie Erasmus’ men dominated early, running in four tries for a 28-3 lead. Italy fought back, outscoring South Africa 21-14 in the second half before Marco van Staden’s late try sealed the win. “We don’t want to go into matches being disrespectful of the contest and target bonus points,” Flannery continued. “We’ve played Italy before, and they pushed us really close. “We want to focus on winning … After that, you can switch to scoring four try bonus points, but I think it’s difficult to head into a match with the mentality of winning with a bonus point. “You’ve got to win the game first, and the quality of teams we are playing is too high to think of bonus points initially.” PLUS: Bok coach admits he’s ‘under the pump’ The Boks had their first training session on Monday, with many players having featured for their clubs in the URC on Saturday.  “The [Nations Championship] tour is a good representative for us going into a World Cup next year where players have to assemble and play matches on a consistent basis in a short period of time,” Flannery added. “We’re not sure how much we will rotate [players] during this period, so for us it’s very much like knockout stages to play group stages, head into a Round of 16 before the quarter-final, semi-final and final.” Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images The post Flannery: We’ve got to win first appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Former Springbok prop Robbi Kempson has backed Rassie Erasmus’ decision to select Jan-Hendrik Wessels as a specialist hooker. Malcolm Marx and Wessels were the only two hookers named in the 37-man Bok squad for the European leg of the Nations Championship, with Johan Grobbelaar left out. Marx will start in the No 2 jersey and Wessels on the bench for Saturday’s Test against Italy in Turin. The 15-cap Wessels has previously been used by the Boks at loosehead prop and hooker – he wore the No 1 jersey against the Wallabies in Perth last time out – while scrum coach Daan Human believes he could also develop into a tighthead prop. That, though, appears to be on hold as Wessels gets the chance to settle into one position. “Being a hybrid in two positions does help, but specialising in this tour would benefit him more,” Kempson told News24. “This is an opportunity to grow, one that will provide further opportunity to add to his experience at the higher level. “Ultimately, the good faith around the selection would definitely benefit his growth in confidence. It’s an affirmation of the hard work put into his abilities.” ALSO: Why Grobbies good for World Cup, not tour Kempson says Wessels has the attributes to succeed. “He’s an honest, strong player that is technically proficient. He makes very few errors, a grafter in the tight exchanges. “Intelligent at the breakdown, and with that low error rate, you can add very few indiscretions – so very limited penalty count.” Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images The post Kempo: Specialising will benefit Wessels appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Italy prop Muhamed Hasa is relishing the physical battle against the Springboks in Turin on Saturday. With Bok coach Rassie Erasmus having named an experienced match 23 for the Nations Championship Test, the Albanian-born Hasa will get his first taste of a front row featuring Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit, with Gerhard Steenekamp, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Wilco Louw providing further muscle off the bench. Hasa, who has earned 11 Test caps since making his debut last year, says he’s excited but admits Italy face a serious challenge against the world champions, especially at scrum time. “South Africa are arguably the best team in the world in that area,” the 25-year-old Zebre prop said at a media briefing in Turin. “It’s going to be a challenge. We know their strengths, and we’re well aware that they’ll try to impose their style of play.” MORE: Bok coach admits he’s ‘under the pump’ Coach Gonzalo Quesada’s Azzurri head into the Test without several injured first-choice players, including flank and captain Michele Lamaro, centres Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello, and winger Louis Lynagh. “We have some significant absentees,” Hasa admitted, “but at the same time, it creates an opportunity for other guys to step up. “One of the key aspects of the match will undoubtedly be the scrum,” he added. “It’s going to be a tough match against the best teams in the world. “We’re training well and staying focused on our own tasks and on the things we can control.” ALSO: Krappie focused on the here and now Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images The post Azzurri brace for monster Bok pack appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Nick Mallett believes Rassie Erasmus has good reason to select his strongest available Springbok lineup for Saturday’s Nations Championship Test against Italy in Turin. Erasmus on Monday named an experienced match 23, opting against handing any of the six uncapped players in his touring squad – including youngsters like Riley Norton and Markus Muller – their Test debuts. The Boks also face France in Paris (13 November) and Ireland in Dublin (21 November) before the finals weekend at Twickenham (27-29 November). South Africa and New Zealand are level on 15 log points at the top of the southern hemisphere standings after claiming three home bonus-point wins in July. BEAV: All Blacks to outscore Boks Mallett believes Erasmus’ selection may have been influenced by the Boks’ defeat to the All Blacks in the first Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at Ellis Park. The world champions lost 33-16 before winning the next three Tests. “What I believe, having looked at this team, is that first loss against the All Blacks was perhaps because of a lack of cohesion in the team,” Mallett said on the Talking Boks podcast. “We’re going into France and Ireland, and it looks like we’re sort of preparing a 23 for four games in a row.” MALLETT: Moerat in Bakkies category The former Bok coach expects Erasmus to stick largely with his strongest available combinations as South Africa target a place in the Nations Championship final. “Rassie has changed his ideas a little bit about this,” said Mallett. “The northern hemisphere tour used to be to blood some youngsters and mix it up, but it looks like he is going with the best team possible despite a couple of guys missing. “[Eben] Etzebeth obviously, [André] Esterhuizen, [Cheslin] Kolbe. One would argue [Handré] Pollard would have been on the bench anyway. “This is really a full metal jacket team, and I’m really looking forward to this next month. We have got four amazing games to look forward to.” Photo: Timothy Rogers/Getty Images The post Why Rassie picked a ‘full metal jacket team’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.