SA teams face huge task to retain Super 14 title

South Africa's five Super 14 teams will have to produce some of their best rugby yet if they are to retain the title they so famously won, for the first time, last year. After years of being denied the title by the Australian and New Zealand teams, South Africa's Northern Bulls finally went all the way in 2007.

Bakkies Botha's Toulon move blocked

The Blue Bulls have refused to allow South Africa lock Bakkies Botha to join French second division Toulon. Ian Schwartz, media spokesperson for the Blue Bulls, said on Monday that Botha would not be released from his contract. "We had no option but to decline his request," Schwartz was quoted as saying.

Bakkies Botha set to join Toulon

South Africa lock Bakkies Botha is set to join French second division club Toulon, sports daily L'Equipe reported on Monday. Botha (28) agreed a three-year contract on Sunday and could start playing for Toulon in April, L'Equipe said.

Bulls take stock of injuries among players

It was mostly good news in the Bulls camp on Monday regarding injuries following their warm-up match against the Lions in Windhoek over the weekend, but they were waiting anxiously for an X-ray report on Bryan Habana's ribs. The star winger was injured in the Bulls' last warm-up match before the Super 14 competition starts.

Wayne Julies out for six months

The Bulls' chances of defending their Super 14 rugby title suffered a blow Monday when inside centre Wayne Julies was ruled out of the competition with a knee injury. Team doctor Tommie Smook, who will stay on with the Bulls until the end of the Super 14, on Monday said Julies had to undergo an operation and will not be able to play for at least six months.

SA teams face tricky Super 14 build-up

The early stages of the 2008 Super 14 competition could be especially challenging for the five South African franchises -- three of the teams have new coaches, and the training of all five has been affected to various degrees by the resting of their Springboks after the United Kingdom tour.

Muller to lead Boks in Baa-baas clash

South Africa have made three changes for Saturday's non-cap international against the Barbarians at Twickenham -- Jake White's last match as coach of the world champions. Bismarck du Plesis takes the place of World Cup-winning captain John Smit after the hooker's French club, Clermont Auvergne, refused to release him for this fixture.

Ackermann called as cover for injured Botha

Johan Ackermann joined South Africa on Monday as cover in case injured lock Bakkies Botha was unavailable for the Springboks' season finale against the Barbarians this weekend. Botha hurt his ankle in the Boks' 34-12 win over Wales at Cardiff on Saturday.

Habana hopes Boks build on White legacy

Springbok World Cup hero Bryan Habana believes South Africa have been given a great inheritance by departing coach Jake White. This Saturday sees White, barely a month after masterminding the Springboks' march to the World Cup title in France, coach South Africa in a full international for the final time when his side face Wales.

Kankowski set for Springbok debut

South Africa captain John Smit and star wing Bryan Habana are among nine members of the Springboks' victorious World Cup final starting XV named to face Wales in Saturday's one-off rugby union international at the Millennium Stadium. Although several players are missing from the two-match tour, the side still contains plenty of experienced campaigners.

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