The new Top 14 season gets underway on Friday but while most fans can't wait for the World Cup to begin in September the quadrennial global showpiece is a headache most of the domestic coaches could do without.
With apologies to, inter alia, Boishaai, Oakdale, SACS and Wynberg, the major question on the lips of Western Cape rugby followers is whether or not Rondebosch can inflict double misery on Bishops when the Platinum Blues visit Canigou Avenue for the traditional end of season showdown.
The Wallabies have undergone massive changes under Robbie Deans since their traumatic exit to England in the quarterfinals of the last World Cup, and they have set their sights on a record-breaking third title.
Italy will as-ever be relying on their pack when they tackle one of the toughest groups at the World Cup in New Zealand next month but their Achilles Heel remains the lack of a top-class flyhalf.
Ireland will travel to New Zealand with high hopes of redeeming themselves after their worst ever performance in a World Cup four years ago, in what should be a swansong for many of their senior players.
The United States head to New Zealand for their sixth crack at the World Cup knowing that there is little to no chance that they will make it through to the last eight of the tournament.
For 75 years the most famous Russian rugby player has been Prince Alexander Sergeevich Obolensky, an escapee from the purges of the Soviet revolution who famously ran in two tries for England in their win over the All Blacks at Twickenham in 1936.
Waterkloof have a team in each of the four Beeld Trofee Finals to be played at Hoërskool Florida on Saturday. The first team did not have an easy time against HTS Middelburg but they won on Tuesday.
Major off-season Top 14 transfers ahead of the new season which gets underway on Friday.
Hoërskool Tygerberg play Hoërskool Brackenfell in an FNB Classic Clash on Saturday. It obis a great occasion for both schools and communities.
New Zealand have included Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Piri Weepu in their starting XV for Saturday's Tri Nations decider against Australia.
New Zealand centre Conrad Smith insists Australia will still pose a considerable threat in Saturday's Tri Nations decider in Brisbane.
The Blue Bulls were forced to make a late injury-enforced change to their team for Friday's Currie Cup encounter with the Leopards in Rustenburg.
Australia prop Ben Alexander is expecting "big things" from newly-appointed captain James Horwill.
Ben Alexander says World Cup spots will be up for grabs when Australia face New Zealand in the Tri-Nations this weekend.
