Western Province forwards coach Matthew Proudfoot believes his pack will have to be at their physical best to counter the "firepower" of the Cheetahs' four returning Springboks this weekend.
The Bulls have filled the gap left by departing Springbok legend Fourie du Preez by signing Lions scrumhalf Jano Vermaak on a deal that will keep him at Loftus Versfeld until October 2013.
France's World Cup hopes have been boosted by the return of centre Aurelien Rougerie to full training, and wing Vincent Clerc who has recovered from a knee operation.
England's bid to win a second World Cup has been given a pitlane push by British Formula One team McLaren who are lending Martin Johnson's side their best data analysts.
England are gearing up for the Rugby World Cup with the help of Formula One giants McLaren.
Graeme Morrison will return to the Scotland team for Saturday's EMC Test with Ireland, with Rugby World Cup heartache his driving force.
Gareth Delve will realise a lifetime rugby ambition if he makes the Wales squad for next month's World Cup.
The new All Black jersey, which has been designed and tested in conjunction with several senior All Blacks including captain Richie McCaw, was unveiled for the first time when the All Blacks took the field against South Africa in their opening Investec Tri Nations match at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, tonight, Saturday 30 July.
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The last time Australia and New Zealand faced one another the Wallabies brought a 15-match All Black winning streak to an end in dramatic fashion and lock Sam Whitelock is in the mood for some retribution this weekend.
England captain Lewis Moody says he cannot wait to get back on the pitch for his side's first World Cup warm-up game against Wales on Saturday.
Wales coach Warren Gatland hopes that a rigorous pre-World Cup training camp will pay off when his side begin their campaign in New Zealand.
A determined Muir College travelled to Despatch and thumped them 33-13. At the break the visiting Muir was leading 21-8.
Sharks coach John Plumtree will continue with his youth policy rather than turn to his returning Springboks when the defending champions face Griquas in their Currie Cup clash in Kimberley on Friday night.
Just about all the Western Province schools take a breather over this long weekend just ahead of the final three weeks of the campaign this weekend. Apparently two schools out in Paarl have other ideas but someone else is bound to chip in his ten cents worth about that elsewhere and Bishops will be out of sight, out of mind up in Grahamstown for their derby against St Andrews. So the local focus is on a busy midweek for the Boland schools.
