Tuesday Evening Round Up

Rugby World Cup Board recommends South Africa as Rugby World Cup 2023 host

South Africa have been recommended to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup ahead of rivals Ireland & France.

The three nations' bids were assessed and scored by a technical review group on five criteria. These included finance and tournament guarantees; venues and host cities; tournament infrastructure; vision and concept, and tournament organisation and schedule.

South Africa's bid came out top in three of the board's five selection criteria -- tournament, organisation and schedule; venues and hosts cities; as well as tournament infrastructure.

VIDEO: SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux says it will be tough for unions to vote against @WorldRugby's recommendation of SA to host 2023 RWC.#SA2023 pic.twitter.com/1w18WsTiMm

— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) October 31, 2017

Nick Abendanon extends contract with Clermont until 2020

ASM Clermont Auvergne have confirmed the re-signing of Nick Abendanon until June 2020.

The 31-year-old arrived at the club in 2014 and was voted best European player in his first season with Clermont.

Springbok call up for Ruan Botha

The Springboks have called up Ruan Botha as replacement for the injured Jean-Luc du Preez, who suffered a fractured ankle in Saturday’s Currie Cup final in Durban.

Botha will join the Springbok squad on Tuesday afternoon in Johannesburg. The Springboks will fly out to Dublin at the end of the week in two groups, for their Tests against Ireland, France, Italy and Wales.

Chiefs Rugby coaching stuff confirmed for 2018

Chiefs Rugby head coach Colin Cooper has named a highly experienced coaching team to prepare his men for their 2018 Super Rugby title hunt. 

Cooper will be joined by returning coaches Neil Barnes, Andrew Strawbridge and Carl Hoeft, with the addition of Tabai Matson completing a quintet that features a combined 70 years of professional coaching experience.

Springbok medical update pre-November tour

Springbok coach Allister Coetzee reveals Jean-Luc du Preez will be missing the tour, as well as giving an update on Eben Etzebeth and others.

Rob Valentini was the standout performer for NRC Round 9

The Scotland squad undertake their first training session together and welcome some new faces into the training camp