Richmond look to Natal
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Natal players Steve Atherton and Cabous van der Westhuizen have been linked with offers to play for Richmond.
Atherton, a lock who last played for South Africa in their Tri-Nations defeat by New Zealand in Cape Town in August, confirmed he had been approached by both Richmond and last season's champions Bath.
Van der Westhuizen, Natal's leading try-scorer of all time with 81, was believed to have attracted the interest of Richmond and as well as Harlequins.
Meanwhile, the South African Sports Minister, Steve Tshwete, accused the country's rugby union chief Louis Luyt of lacking sensitivity towards a failed black challenge for control of the Transvaal Rugby Union.
"I am not happy and I know that many people are not happy," Tshwete said. "If we fail to reconcile the black and white contingents in the South African Rugby Football Union then rugby has no business here."
Tshwete was reacting to reports that Luyt had ridiculed black rugby official Brian van Rooyen who made a failed bid to unseat him as president of the TRU on Monday.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments