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Mchunu: Stormers players needed statement win over Glasgow
Stormers players needed to overcome last week’s heartache on and off the field with a resounding victory over former URC leaders Glasgow Warriors, said prop Ntuthuko Mchunu. catcross.org
The Stormers thrashed Glasgow 48-12 at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, replacing the Scottish side at the top of the United Rugby Championship table with just two games left before play-offs.
The win was especially significant after the Stormers fell 33-24 to Connacht at home while mourning the death of their team manager, Christopher ‘Chippie’ Solomon.
The Stormers hoped to secure a win in honour of their staffer, holding a tribute for him before kick-off, where director of rugby John Dobson and some players were in tears.
Instead, the Cape side went off script, and individuals tried to create opportunities out of nothing. The Irish side broke Stormers’ hearts at the death with an intercept try that put the result beyond doubt.
Stormers make a statement
The Stormers that turned up this weekend were entirely different. They raced out of the blocks with a penalty and two tries to take a 17-0 lead within the first 15 minutes.
Glasgow, who came from their biggest defeat of the season, 54-12 to the Lions, were shell-shocked in the face of another blistering South African attack.
They mustered two tries to trail 24-12 at the break. Although they improved in the second half, they failed to convert further opportunities and conceded three more tries, adding to the three in the first.
“The whole week we were saying we want to focus on us,” said Mchunu, who earned man of the match for strong showings in scrums as well as scoring two tries – one thanks to a Neethling Fouché behind-the-back pass, and one driving over defenders from a lineout.
“Last week happened, and we just wanted to make a statement. More for ourselves than for anyone else.
“I am really proud that the boys went out, started strong and finished strong. It’s something that we want to hammer on throughout the season.”
On a personal note, Mchunu was happy to have contributed through his main role, the scrums.
Of the tries, he said, “You do get a bit of a buzz as a prop because it’s not something we get to do. It was just nice to contribute to and for the team.”
Oberholzer: Tragic if Lions didn’t tour SA
SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer has voiced concern over reports the British & Irish Lions are considering changes to their long-standing 12-year rotation model.
The Telegraph reported earlier this week that the Lions have begun exploring alternative touring models beyond their long-standing rotation between South Africa, New Zealand and Australia – a system in place since 1989.
The Lions are scheduled to return to South Africa in 2033, but are considering new tour destinations such as France, Japan and the Americas beyond 2029, when they tour New Zealand.
MORE: Will SA host Lions in 2033?
“It would be tragic if the British & Irish Lions went ahead with their plans to seek greener pastures and therefore no longer tour South Africa every 12 years,” Oberholzer told Rapport.
“All the more so because we came up short in 2021, when we had to present the Lions tour [in front of empty stadiums] during Covid-19 and could make virtually no money.”
WATCH: Bok coaches’ lekker weekend jol
Lions tours are lucrative as last year’s tour Down Under proved, with Rugby Australia announcing record profits of A$70-million.
Former Scotland No 8 John Beattie and a two-time Lions tourist said while he understands the need to explore new and emerging markets, it would be sad if the Lions no longer toured South Africa.
“South Africa is a real rugby country.”
Photo: EJ Langner/Gallo Images
The post Oberholzer: Tragic if Lions didn’t tour SA appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Umaga: Glimmer of hope for Moana Pasifika
Coach Tana Umaga says he is unsure if a buyer will save Moana Pasifika, but refuses to give up hope.
World Rugby boss Brett Robinson told journalists on Friday the world governing body won’t bail out Auckland-based Moana, whose ownership group said this month it will cease its funding at the end of the season.
NZ Rugby is hoping another entity will purchase the licence for Moana, which was set up as a professional pathway team for Tongan, Samoan and Cook Island players.
Umaga’s side are out of play-off contention, meaning they may have just four games remaining in what is their fifth season in the competition.
The former All Blacks captain said he hadn’t given up hope of attracting a buyer, in an interview after his last-placed team lost 27-17 to the Highlanders in Christchurch.
“It is tough and it’s obviously something that we can’t get away from,” Umaga told Sky Sport. “We’re a group that talks about it every day.
“There’s always hope and there’s a glimmer of that. There’s interest, but how much?
“For these guys, they’ve got to show their wares out here because who knows what will happen?”
LARKHAM: Super Rugby could be stronger
Umaga said disbanding Moana would remove a professional platform for Pasifika players, which is something he believes the game’s authorities should consider.
However, Robinson said World Rugby invests in strengthening international teams, not professional clubs.
“It’s not our job, our responsibility,” he said.
ALSO: McCaw hails ‘spectacular’ NZ stadium
Super Rugby chief executive Jack Mesley said there was “not a massive window” of time for Moana Pasifika to be saved.
But he added: “We’re hopeful that someone might step forward and take over that mantle.”
Photo: Jason McCawley/Getty Images
The post Umaga: Glimmer of hope for Moana Pasifika appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
À Strasbourg, l’année de la confirmation pour l’Ivoirien Guéla Doué
Qui sera l’élu pour le prix Marc-Vivien Foé 2026 ? Ils sont 11 sur la ligne de départ pour le trophée de meilleur joueur africain de la saison de Ligue 1. Chaque jour jusqu’au 11 mai, jour de la proclamation des trois finalistes, RFI vous présente les nommés pour la succession du Marocain Achraf Hakimi. Ce dimanche, place à Guéla Doué, l’international ivoirien. Formé à Rennes, le latéral strasbourgeois de 23 ans est désormais un joueur épanoui pour sa deuxième saison en Alsace.
Gor Mahia coach rules out AFC Leopards derby as title decider
Kenyan Premier League giants Gor Mahia will welcome AFC Leopards for the second round of the FKF Premier League derby popularly known as Mashemeji derby at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.
The fixture, which will be the 99th derby between Kenya’s top giants, will see Gor Mahia open a five-point gap at the top of the 18-team league table if they manage to win.
| NEXT MATCH
We take on AFC Leopards on Sunday in a crunch league tie at Nyayo Stadium Stadium.
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https://t.co/eRUrdVYTxn#Sirkal | #SportPesaNaGor | @AzamTVKenya | @PlasconKenya pic.twitter.com/aCiruE2AKX
— GOR MAHIA FC (@OfficialGMFC) April 23, 2026
However, should AFC Leopards beat their sworn rivals, they will not only move above them, but will have completed a memorable double over the nemesis. Speaking ahead of the game, Gor Mahia coach Charles Akonnor has insisted the outcome will not decide, who wins the title.
Mashemeji derby not title decider
“We are looking at ourselves; we are not looking at AFC, we are looking at what we can do to maintain our place at the top,” the Ghanaian legend told the media ahead of the derby as quoted by Pulse Sports.
“But let’s not forget that this is not the only match we have; we shall be playing other matches. Our match against AFC Leopards is one of the biggest matches as far as the Kenyan league is concerned, but it is not a decider.”
Akonnor added: “Football includes winning and losing matches, and what you have to do is to remain focused. We should be the team that does not give any opponents a chance. We want to focus on this match.”
Gor Mahia must be strong mentally
Gor Mahia will also seek to overturn the first-round defeat which saw AFC Leopards emerge 1-0 winners.
“We know mentally we need to be strong because this match comes with a lot of issues. The boys have trained very well, and we are ready. We have done everything within our power to ensure that the boys are mentally prepared,” added Akonnor.
… preparation ahead of the derby.
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— GOR MAHIA FC (@OfficialGMFC) April 25, 2026
On whether Lewis Bandi will feature in the derby after recovering from injury, Akonnor said: “I won’t be able to tell you that. If I tell you, then it means I’m revealing my setup. But Bundy has done very well since his injury.
“He’s had a couple of chances to play. He’s still doing well. He’s still pushing. But we don’t know yet. On Sunday, we will know.
“Well, we’re waiting till tomorrow or Saturday to confirm. But so far, it’s been good. As you can see, they’re training. They’re doing very well. But it’s not a guarantee that they will be available for the match.
With five matches remaining to conclude the season, Gor Mahia are currently leading the pile with 58 points, two more than second-placed AFC Leopards.
Gor Mahia have registered 17 wins, seven draws, and four defeats, while AFC, under coach Fred Ambani, have managed 16 wins, seven draws, and suffered five defeats.
Last season, the first-round meeting between the two giants ended in a 0-0 draw before the return fixture produced a 1-1 draw. However, during the 2024-25 campaign, Gor Mahia went home smiling after sealing a double over their rivals.