Blitzboks advance to knockout stages at the Los Angeles leg of HSBC World Series

France centre Wesley Fofana has been ruled out of the final match of the Six Nations on Saturday against Italy in Rome through injury, and will be replaced by Geoffrey Doumayrou, the French Rugby Federation announced.

Former Springbok wing, Cornal Hendricks, will make his first appearance in a Super Rugby match since 2015, when the Bulls take on the Jaguares in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

A new-look Melbourne Rebels stormed past the ACT Brumbies while a 14-man Otago Highlanders beat the Waikato Chiefs in a thrilling start to the Super Rugby season Friday.

Captain Warren Whiteley has returned to training with South African Super Rugby side the Lions after suffering a calf injury with the Springboks in November, coach Swys de Bruin said.

New Zealand's Nehe Milner-Skudder has decided to join French club Toulon at the conclusion of the upcoming Super Rugby season, ruling him out of next year's World Cup in Japan.

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus and his assistants are to spread out across the country’s four Super Rugby teams to offer support as they look to harmonise preparations for next year’s World Cup in Japan.

Liam Williams has been chosen at fullback as Wales coach Warren Gatland restored Gareth Anscombe to the flyhalf berth for their final November international against South Africa at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Stuart Hogg will be available to play for Scotland in their test against Argentina at Murrayfield on Saturday, despite being forced off in last weekend’s narrow defeat to South Africa.

Wales will be South Africa’s most difficult opponents on their November tour of Europe, even after losing at Twickenham to England and scrapping narrow wins over France and Scotland, Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus said on Monday.

The Isuzu Southern Kings might soon have to look for a new coach, after confirming that a process of engagement between the Blue Bulls and Kings Head coach Deon Davids has taken place.

Scotland strengthened their side on Wednesday as coach Gregor Townsend made six changes to his starting line-up to take on South Africa in their test at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The Springboks team should be bolstered by the return of steely lock Eben Etzebeth in contention for Saturday's November international against Scotland at Murrayfield, but could be without number eight Warren Whiteley.

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has added experience in key kicking positions in his backline for the test against France in Paris on Saturday with the inclusion of England-based duo Willie le Roux and Faf de Klerk.

Scrumhalf Faf de Klerk has answered an SOS from South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus and joined the Springbok squad for their test against France in Paris on Saturday, adding significant experience in a problem position for the side.

New Zealand have made wholesale changes for their clash against Japan on Saturday, opting for an experimental lineup against a Jamie Joseph-coached Brave Blossoms side seeking to avoid another mauling at the hands of the All Blacks.

Mike Brown was the most high-profile absentee from a 25-man squad named by England coach Eddie Jones on Tuesday for Saturday’s Twickenham test against South Africa.

World champions New Zealand crushed old foes Australia 37-20 in Japan on Saturday to complete a 3-0 Bledisloe Cup series whitewash.

Danny Cipriani’s World Cup hopes were left hanging by a thread on Thursday after the flyhalf was left out of the England squad for the November internationals despite a stellar start to the season for new club Gloucester.

South Africa expect an all-out assault from world champions New Zealand when the two countries meet in their Rugby Championship test on Saturday, home captain Siya Kolisi said.

Australia are hoping that hosts South Africa will buckle under the pressure from eager home fans in the Rugby Championship on Saturday after the Springboks upset world champions New Zealand away in their last test.

South Africa will be without fullback Willie le Roux and loose-forward Francois Louw for the Rugby Championship clash against Australia in Port Elizabeth on September 29 after the pair were released to their English clubs.

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi did little to ease any fears that his side can arrest their slide in the Rugby Championship ahead of their clash with the All Blacks on Saturday.

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus may have been exaggerating when he said defeat to the All Blacks on Saturday could have him fired but the comments underscored how desperate the Springboks are to be competitive at the World Cup.

South Africa wing Makazole Mapimpi has been ruled out of Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with world champions New Zealand in Wellington after sustaining a knee injury in the defeat to Australia this past weekend.

South Africa's national rugby team have suffered their second successive defeat in the Rugby Championship. The Springboks lost 23-18 to Australia at the Sun Corp Stadium in Brisbane.

South Africa is working to improve their consistency and execution after an embarrassing loss to Argentina as they prepare for an intense clash against the Wallabies this weekend.

South Africa are back at number seven in the World Rugby rankings, for the third time since the rankings system was introduced, back in 2003.

New Zealand's dominance of world rugby is set to continue on Saturday when they take on Australia in the Rugby Championship in Auckland.

Lock Franco Mostert is the only change to South Africa’s team for Saturday’s Rugby Championship test against Argentina in Mendoza as coach Rassie Erasmus looks to repeat last weekend’s home win at the start of the southern hemisphere competition.

South Africa number eight Warren Whiteley believes the forward battle will be key when the Springboks meet Argentina in the Rugby Championship in Mendoza on Saturday.