Rowan Callaghan

South African sports writer and journalist who covers a wide range of sporting codes.

Tristan Leyds grabs extra-time winner as Blitzboks edge Great Britain in Valladolid thriller

Rowan Callaghan|Published

A sudden-death thriller in Spain saw the Springbok Sevens rely on Tristan Leyds' brilliance to edge past a stubborn British outfit 17-12.

European crown on the line: Five key battles that could decide Arsenal v PSG

Rowan Callaghan|Published

With Ballon d’Or contenders, elite defenders and match-winning goalkeepers on display, the Champions League final promises a series of heavyweight individual contests. ...

Watch VideoBlitzboks wary of another slow start as World Championship race heads to Spain

Rowan Callaghan|Published

South Africa head into the second leg of the HSBC SVNS World Championship in Spain on top of the standings, but captain Impi Visser says a repeat of their sluggish ...

Watch Video'The Siya Kolisi effect': Rugby edges soccer as SA’s most-watched sport ahead of All Blacks tour

Rowan Callaghan|Published

New BrandMapp research reveals that 44% of South Africa’s consumer-class adults now watch rugby — officially dethroning soccer as the nation's top spectator sport. ...

Sloppy defensive blips give inexperienced Springbok Women vital African lesson

Rowan Callaghan|Published

Despite extending their spectacular unbeaten continental run with a 47-20 victory over Uganda, the Springbok Women have been warned to radically lift their defensive ...

Watch VideoURC quarter-final: Why danger lurks for favourites Bulls against resilient Munster at Loftus

Rowan Callaghan|Published

The Bulls are heavy favourites to secure a United Rugby Championship semi-final spot against Munster, but history proves the Irish province always find a way to ...

Watch VideoURC quarter-final: The key Lions players who could fuel 'Miracle in Dublin' against Leinster

Rowan Callaghan|Published

The Lions head to Dublin as massive underdogs for Saturday's URC quarter-final against a wounded Leinster side, but these key players have the fire power to script ...

Watch VideoNo 4G excuses for Stormers ahead of crucial Cardiff revenge URC quarter-final clash

Rowan Callaghan|Published

The Stormers are refusing to rely on the comfort of Cape Town Stadium's grass pitch as they look to avenge their recent defeat against a street-smart Cardiff Rugby ...

Why Arsenal and Manchester United are primed to reignite English football’s 'Grand Reboot'

Rowan Callaghan|Published

With Mikel Arteta guiding Arsenal to long-awaited glory and Michael Carrick restoring seriousness to Manchester United, the Premier League's most iconic rivalry ...

Not a 'galactico deal': Why financial sacrifice proves Kolbe is joining Stormers to win trophies

Rowan Callaghan|Published

Stormers director of rugby John Dobson reveals that Cheslin Kolbe made massive financial sacrifices and rejected far more lucrative global offers to secure his fairytale ...

Cheslin Kolbe’s return the crown jewel in Stormers’ ambitious Project 2029

Rowan Callaghan|Published

Cheslin Kolbe is heading home. The double World Cup-winning Springbok superstar has signed with the Stormers, joining Siya Kolisi in Cape Town for next season as ...

Watch VideoMohamed Esa hails record-breaking Cape Town Marathon win as triumph for African running

Rowan Callaghan|Published

Ethiopia's Mohamed Esa celebrated his historic 2:04:55 victory at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, calling it a major milestone for the sport on the African continent. ...

Springbok Women look to fix disciplinary flaws despite 10-try thumping of Madagascar

Rowan Callaghan|Published

September praised the team's character and effort after 64-5 win over Madagascar, but warned discipline and unforced errors must improve ahead of Wednesday’s clash ...

Kipchoge upstaged as Esa smashes African marathon record in Cape Town

Rowan Callaghan|Published

Ethiopia dominated a historic day at the Cape Town Marathon as Mohamed Esa produced the fastest marathon ever run on African soil while Eliud Kipchoge finished outside ...

Champions Fireballs reignite title defence with commanding revenge victory over Flames

Rowan Callaghan|Published

Producing a ruthless defensive masterclass, the Gauteng Golden Fireballs avenged their Power Week 1 heartbreak by hammering the North West Flames 58–28.

Debut delight as Logan Welman helps Springbok Women open African title defence in style

Rowan Callaghan|Published

Debutant No 8 Logan Welman starred with a brilliant long-range try as the South African women overwhelmed Madagascar 64-5 to begin their Rugby Africa Women’s Cup ...

Watch VideoMorne Steyn: Lions No 10 Chris Smith is the best flyhalf in SA right now

Rowan Callaghan|Published

Legendary Springbok pivot Morné Steyn has questioned the national selectors after Lions playmaker Chris Smith was left out of the latest alignment camp.

Watch VideoLocal runners eye upset against marathon giants in Cape Town

Rowan Callaghan|Published

Inspired by Arthur Jantjies’ stunning Totalsports Two Oceans triumph, South Africa’s marathon hopefuls will believe they can challenge the sport’s global elite at ...

Watch VideoGood and bad news for Lions on the injury front ahead of Leinster URC quarter-final

Rowan Callaghan|Published

A torn biceps has ruled Morné van den Berg out for up to six months, leaving the Lions without their star scrumhalf for next weekend's historic URC quarter-final. ...

Springbok Women begin African title defence with bigger Tests on the horizon

Rowan Callaghan|Published

With clashes against the Black Ferns and USA looming later this year, the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup offers nine uncapped Bok Women players an opportunity to force ...

Joburg giants eye home-court advantage as TNL Power Week 2 raises the stakes

Rowan Callaghan|Updated

Joburg giants eye home-court advantage as TNL Power Week 2 raises the stakes

Five rising URC stars aiming to catch Rassie Erasmus’s eye at Springbok alignment camp

Rowan Callaghan|Published

With 40 players assembling for the latest Springbok alignment camp, we look at five young United Rugby Championship standouts pushing for higher honours.

Two fallen giants, one defining night: Spurs and Chelsea meet in turmoil at toxic London derby

Rowan Callaghan|Published

Tottenham need a single point at Stamford Bridge to mathematically secure Premier League survival, while Chelsea enter the derby following the shock appointment ...

Leinster eye historic double as South African hurdles await in URC play-offs

Rowan Callaghan|Published

After prioritising Europe throughout the season, Leinster are now two trophies away from completing a historic Champions Cup and URC double — though South African ...

Watch VideoSharks owner Marco Masotti defends investment after ‘tough tough’ season

Rowan Callaghan|Published

Despite missing out on the URC play-offs, Sharks owner Marco Masotti has firmly hit back at critics, calling his investment in the Durban franchise an " absolute ...