South Africa 18 New Zealand 5

South Africa 9 Australia 14

Fourie du Preez and Heinrich Brussow have been recalled to the South Africa starting line-up for the first time in 21 months for Saturday’s Tri Nations clash with Australia in Durban.

South Africa have named seven uncapped players in a 51-man squad called up for a team planning session in Cape Town next month ahead of the World Cup and international season.

ULSTER head coach Brian McLaughlin has warned his side must not lose focus ahead of their Pool Four showdown with Biarritz next month after their epic 26-22 Heineken Cup weekend victory at Bath.

Bath 22 Ulster 26

ULSTER were dealt a major blow ahead of this afternoon’s must-win Heineken Cup trip to Bath, barnstorming flanker Stephen Ferris pulling out with a leg injury.

Victor Matfield admits the recent spate of injuries that has struck South Africa is far from ideal, but is adamant the squad has enough depth to overcome Ireland.

SOUTH AFRICA coach Peter de Villiers has been forced to delay naming his team to face Ireland at the weekend until Thursday.

South Africa were dealt a major blow today after experienced flanker Schalk Burger and rookie centre Juan de Jongh were both ruled out of the Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland that starts this week.

Bath fly-half Butch James is a notable absentee from the South Africa bench for this weekend's Tri Nations encounter against Australia in Bloemfontein.

Butch James, Jannie du Plessis and Flip van der Merwe are all doubts for South Africa ahead of this week's final Tri Nations encounter against Australia in Bloemfontein.

South Africa 44 Australia 31

SOUTH AFRICA’S conditioning coach Neels Liebel claimed yesterday he had proof to show northern hemisphere rugby was slower than the game played in the southern hemisphere.

Front row pair BJ Botha and Tendai Mtawarira are among five player that have been dropped from the South Africa squad to face New Zealand in their Tri Nations encounter in Johannesburg on Saturday.

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has rung the changes ahead of Saturday’s Tri Nations clash with Australia at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has made two enforced changes for the second Tri Nations Test in Wellington on Saturday as his team look to make amends for their humbling loss to New Zealand.

THE All Blacks have vowed to repay fans with an entertaining style of rugby against Ireland after they were mobbed for a second straight day in Taranaki.

Bath back Butch James has been formally withdrawn from South Africa’s line-up for their clash against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

Warren Gatland believes Wales’ daunting June Test match programme is perfect preparation for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

JAMES HOOK is ready to face South Africa’s renowned physical approach on Saturday by playing through the pain barrier for Wales. Ospreys midfield star Hook will delay shoulder surgery by a week as Wales target only a second win in 104 years of fixtures against the reigning world champions.

ULSTER have confirmed that South African fly half Ruan Pienaar will move to Belfast on a two-year contract from his province, the Sharks.

Jean de Villiers has withdrawn from the South Africa team to play Wales on June 5 due to injury.

Wales will be without four key players for next month’s clash against world champions South Africa and the two-Test tour of New Zealand.

EOIN REDDAN has seen some outstanding number 10s waiting outside him, hands extended for him to whip the ball out from scrum or ruck.

MUNSTER’S status as one of Europe’s leading attractions for the world’s best players was confirmed yesterday when Springbok centre, Jean de Villiers, agreed terms to join the two-time Heineken Cup champions.

SOUTH AFRICA rugby bosses face one inevitable downside to their national side’s series win over the Lions – their best players’ appearance in the shop window makes them prime targets for British and French clubs.

GORDON D’ARCY’s slim Lions prospects were eliminated yesterday when head coach Ian McGeechan confirmed he would not be calling up a replacement for the injured Tom Shanklin.

Iain Balshaw looks set to become the latest England international who will ply his trade in French club rugby next season.

Leicester 20 Bath 15

HARRY ELLIS is ready to resume his ride on rugby’s “roller-coaster” when Leicester meet Bath in today’s Heineken Cup quarter-final.

Newport Gwent Dragons 12 Bath 15

Matt Banahan inflicted another dose of Heineken Cup heartbreak on gutsy Glasgow with a try double at Firhill.

ANDREW HIGGINS came off the bench to rescue Bath’s Heineken Cup campaign with a 67th-minute try as they edged out Newport Gwent Dragons 13-9 in Pool Five.

Bath 13 Dragons 9

BUTCH JAMES insists Bath will learn from their last-gasp Heineken Cup defeat away to Toulouse yesterday.

Toulouse 18 Bath 16

South Africa 63 Argentina 9

Ulster will begin their short pre-season of friendlies against English premiership side Bath on Friday August 15 at Ravenhill.

Australia kick-started their Tri-Nations campaign with victory over South Africa at Subiaco Oval.

New Zealand 28 South Africa 30

New Zealand extended their unbeaten home run to 30 matches with a gutsy victory over South Africa.

South Africa 37 Wales 21

South Africa 43 Wales 17