Heartbreak fuels Toulouse revenge mission

Toulouse hooker Peato Mauvaka says last year’s painful Investec Champions Cup exit still burns.

The French giants however are ready to settle the score against in Sunday’s quarter-final against Bordeaux-Bègles.

Mauvaka missed that dramatic encounter through injury – along with superstar scrumhalf Antoine Dupont – as Bordeaux stunned the six-time champions on their way to a maiden European crown.

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“We weren’t lucky enough to play that match,” Mauvaka told AFP.

“Seeing your mates losing that semi-final, it was heart-breaking for us.

“We can’t wait for this weekend.”

Both sides booked their places in the quarter-finals in emphatic fashion. Toulouse hammered Bristol Bears in the last 16, while Bordeaux followed up by thrashing Leicester Tigers a day later.

The rivalry between the two clubs has intensified in recent seasons, with Toulouse lifting the Champions Cup in 2024 before Bordeaux claimed the title a year later.

Bordeaux also had the upper hand in their most recent meeting, running out 44-20 winners in the Top 14 last month.

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While the spotlight will inevitably fall on attacking stars such as Dupont and Bordeaux flyer Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Mauvaka believes the real battle will be decided up front.

“The game at their place three weeks ago, the score was heavy but if you watch the game in details, there was a battle up front,” he said.

“Especially in the first half. We blew up a bit in the second half.

“It’s part of the work we have to do, to stay in the game, it promises to be war.”

Elsewhere, Northampton Saints travel to face Johann van Graan’s Bath in the first all-English Champions Cup quarter-final since 2020.

Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson welcomed the clash between two Premiership heavyweights.

“I think it’s good for the game,” said Dowson.

“It’s good for the Saints to be in that position, to be mixing it on these stages.

“We know the power of Bath as a club and that’s something that we enjoy competing with.”

Champions Cup Team of the Week (Round of 16)

Meanwhile, Toulon will travel to face Glasgow Warriors without veteran centre Ma’a Nonu, who has been banned for three weeks following a high tackle in last weekend’s win over the Stormers.

Four-time champions Leinster host Sale Sharks as they chase a sixth straight Champions Cup semi-final appearance.

Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals (SA times)
Friday, 10 April
Bath vs Northampton Saints (9pm)
Saturday, 11 April
Glasgow Warriors vs Toulon (4pm)
Leinster vs Sale Sharks (6:30pm)
Sunday, 12 April
Bordeaux Bègles vs Toulouse (4pm)

– AFP

The post Heartbreak fuels Toulouse revenge mission appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Orlando Pirates are hanging on in there as the Betway Premiership edges towards an exciting conclusion in May.

Pirates dispose of Golden Arrows

Orlando Pirates duo Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis both bagged braces, helping the Buccaneers to a 5-0 win over Golden Arrows. The Sea Robbers stay in touch at the summit of the league, two points adrift of Sundowns with seven matches to play. Next up is a trip to Richards Bay, on Friday 10 April, with kickoff at 19:30. The match will be televised on Supersport PSL, channel 202.

Pirates fixtures for the remainder of the season

• Friday, 10 April vs Richards Bay, Richards Bay Stadium – 19:30
• Saturday, 18 April vs AmaZulu FC, Orlando Stadium – 15:00
• Sunday, 26 April vs Kaizer Chiefs, FNB Stadium – 15:00
• Tuesday, 5 May vs Stellenbosch FC, Athlone Stadium – 19:30
• Saturday, 9 May vs Magesi FC, Seshego Stadium – 20:00
• Saturday, 16 May vs Durban City, Orlando Stadium – 15:00
• Saturday, 23 May vs Orbit College, Royal Bafokeng Stadium – 15:00

Orlando Pirates boss waxes lyrical over Rele

Pirates boss Abdeslam Ouaddou believes Rele Mofokeng is the type of talent that only comes along once in a generation.

Via Flashscore:

“I don’t like to speak individually about the players, because for me, I always say that the individuality, or the individual project, should be at the service of the collective project,” said Ouaddou.

“But as you ask me that question, let me say these kinds of players you get every 10 or 15 years.

“He has talent. It is in his blood; he’s still young. Of course, we need to give him some instructions to be even more efficient, especially in that area (of the field) where there are a lot of duels. It’s crowded,” added the coach.

Le nouvel ambassadeur américain en Afrique du Sud Leo Brent Bozell a officiellement pris ses fonctions ce mercredi 8 avril 2026 lors d'une cérémonie à Pretoria, aux côtés d’une vingtaine d’autres diplomates fraichement arrivés. Si Leo Brent Bozell vient de remettre ses lettres de créance à Cyril Ramaphosa, il est déjà dans le pays depuis deux mois, assez pour avoir été rappelé à l’ordre par Pretoria le mois dernier, dès sa première prise de parole publique. Ce mercredi, le président Ramaphosa a d’ailleurs rappelé l’importance pour les diplomates de respecter leur pays hôte.

Lors de sa visite au pays des Lions de la Teranga qui se sont vus retirer leur titre de champion d'Afrique par le jury d’appel de la Confédération africaine de football (CAF) le 17 mars dernier, son président a cherché à calmer le jeu, mercredi 8 avril. Se disant préoccupé par le sort des 18 supporters sénégalais toujours emprisonnés au Maroc après la finale explosive du 18 janvier, Patrice Motsepe s'est aussi montré ouvert à toute forme d'enquête pour soupçon de corruption au sein de son institution.

Kaizer Chiefs are reportedly looking at several options abroad to bolster their dwindling defensive options.

Kaizer Chiefs target Mabuza

Local reports suggest that 25-year-old defender Mhleli Mabuza is top of Chiefs’ shopping list.

Via Soccer Laduma:

“The club is once again looking at bringing in Mhleli. They want him back. He trained with the team in the pre-season; unfortunately, the coaches were not impressed at that time.

“He went back to Portugal, where he signed a 1-year contract with Amora SAD because there was still hope of him coming back to Chiefs, and that’s why they have reignited the interest in him. But apparently, everything will be decided at the end of the season,” the insider informed Soccer Laduma.

In January, Mabuza signed with Portuguese side O Elvas on a short-term deal which expires in June.

Chiefs aim to continue their winning run

Kaizer Chiefs came from a goal down to beat Orbit College 3-1 on Easter Monday. Wandile Duba equalised in the dying minutes of the first half after Mbulelo Wagaba had given the hosts the lead, before second-half goals from Mduduzi Shabalala and Siphesihle Ndlovu secured three points for Amakhosi. They now sit third in the league with 39 points from 21 matches.

• Sun, 12 Apr: Chiefs vs TS Galaxy
• Wed, 15 Apr: Magesi vs Chiefs
• Sat, 18 Apr: Polokwane vs Chiefs
• Sun, 26 Apr: Pirates vs Chiefs
• Tue, 28 Apr: Siwelele vs Chiefs
• Wed, 6 May: Sundowns vs Chiefs
• Sun, 10 May: Sekhukhune vs Chiefs
• Sat, 16 May: AmaZulu vs Chiefs
• Sat, 23 May: Chiefs vs Chippa