Rugby Championship (Southern Hemisphere Tests)
Australia staged a remarkable comeback against South Africa at Ellis Park, overturning a 22-5 deficit to secure a 38-22 victory. It was their first win in Johannesburg since 1963. Captain Harry Wilson led from the front with two tries, while Dylan Pietsch, Joseph Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, and Tom Wright also crossed the line. The Springboks had moments of brilliance with tries from Kurt-Lee Arendse, Andre Esterhuizen, and skipper Siya Kolisi, but they couldn't hold off the Wallabies’ resurgence.
Meanwhile, New Zealand kicked off their Rugby Championship campaign with a 41-24 win over Argentina in Córdoba. Winger Sevu Reece and hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho both bagged doubles for the All Blacks, who built a commanding 31-10 halftime lead. Argentina mounted a spirited fightback in the second half with tries from Isgro, Albornoz, and Oviedo narrowing the gap to 31-24. But Taukei’aho’s late lineout maul try put the game beyond doubt, ensuring New Zealand started the tournament on a strong note.
The Wallabies have suffered a few setbacks ahead of their next match. Dylan Pietsch is out with a broken jaw, James Slipper is sidelined due to concussion protocols, and Ben Donaldson won’t be available either after picking up a groin strain. To fill the gaps, Filipo Daugunu, Rhys van Nek, and Hamish Stewart have been brought into the squad. There’s also some concern around Harry Wilson’s fitness—the captain is nursing a leg injury, and his availability remains uncertain.
On the other side, Rassie Erasmus didn’t mince words after South Africa’s recent defeat. He called it a poor performance in every sense and hinted at shaking things up. The team for next week had already been decided, but he admitted that changes were likely coming. It sounds like some players might be on thin ice after that result.
Player Transfers and Signings
Welsh winger Louis Rees-Zammit is heading to the Bristol Bears for the 2025-26 season. This move signals his return to rugby union after spending a year and a half trying to make it in the NFL.
The transition back to rugby comes after his American football experiment didn’t quite pan out. Bristol will be hoping he can rediscover the form that made him one of Wales’ most exciting talents.
As for injuries and squad updates, the key details have already been mentioned earlier. There’s nothing new to add on that front right now.
Women’s Rugby World Cup (England 2025) Build-up
Ticket sales for the 2025 Rugby World Cup are breaking records, with organizers confirming this edition has already surpassed previous tournaments in pre-sales. As the event draws closer, supporters are busy arranging their trips across England to catch the matches.
The BBC recently announced its lineup of commentators and presenters for the Women’s Rugby World Cup coverage. The team includes well-known figures like Maggie Alphonsi, Katy Daley-McLean, and Ruby Tui, alongside presenters Gabby Logan and Ugo Monye. Tui, who won the World Cup in 2017, mentioned she’s genuinely excited to be involved. Meanwhile, fan zones and exhibitions—such as the Scrum: Women in Rugby display in Northampton—have started popping up to engage fans before the tournament kicks off.
Rugby League News
Payne Haas, the Brisbane Broncos prop, has decided to change his international representation from Australia to Samoa. This move means he’ll be eligible for the upcoming Pacific Championships and the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
Meanwhile, in the English Super League, Salford Red Devils are facing serious backlash. Claire Bradbury, the club’s COO, stepped down after accusing the owners of using misogynistic language. Her resignation letter included disturbing claims, such as being told to sleep with someone at the Rugby Football League to help resolve the club’s financial troubles. Fans have reacted strongly, canceling planned meetings with the owners and calling for their resignation. The situation has cast a shadow over the club’s operations.
The Wests Tigers managed to secure a 26-12 victory over the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles on Sunday, further prolonging Manly’s struggle to make the finals. Meanwhile, earlier in the day, the North Queensland Cowboys delivered a dominant performance, crushing the Newcastle Knights 38-4 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. The Knights could only muster a single try compared to the Cowboys’ six. Injuries from both matches were confirmed by club officials, though the specifics weren’t immediately detailed. The results leave Manly in a tough spot while reinforcing the Cowboys’ strong form.