Vodacom and SA Rugby have signed a landmark partnership agreement, naming Vodacom the first and exclusive official telecommunications partner to all national Springbok teams and SA Rugby affiliated competitions.

Edinburgh Rugby prop Boan Venter won his second cap for South Africa, coming on as a 59th-minute replacement for Ox Nche, but he and his teammate were unable to fend off their visitors.

Wallabies’ enforcer Will Skelton is delaying his return to Europe in the hope of extending his involvement in The Rugby Championship following Australia’s historic win over South Africa.

The annual Rugby Championship, featuring World Cup title-holders South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina, kicks off on Saturday amid uncertainty over its future.

Latest men’s World Rugby rankings (unchanged unless stated): 1 New Zealand 92.51pts (up 1 place), 2 Ireland 89.83 (up 1), 3 South Africa 89.78 (down 2), 4 France 87.82, 5 England 87.64, 6 Australia 85.08, 7 Argentina 81.60, 8 Scotland 81.57, 9 Fiji 80.50, 10 Italy 77.77.

The hardiness of green shoots cultivated by the Wallabies in their test series against the British and Irish Lions will be tested by the storm they're likely to face against the World Cup champion Springboks in the first round of The Rugby Championship.

Four leading South Africa internationals have signed up to play in the new R360 league after an explosion of interest from players following the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.

The Wallabies recovered from 22-0 down to prevail 38-22 and record their first triumph over the Springboks at Ellis Park since 1963. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.