When Springbok assistant coach Johann van Graan finds the time to congratulate Mamelodi Sundowns on their CAF African Champions League success, it is clear how deep the Brazilians' achievement resonates with South Africa's sporting fraternity. Being born, bred and buttered in Pretoria, Van Graan said Sundowns' victory was close to his heart, especially with coach Pitso Mosimane's charges using Loftus Versfeld as a base for their big league games."They say the sky's the limit and the Springboks have spoken about Sundowns' success and it's a fantastic achievement."Coming from Pretoria, I was very privileged to be part of the Bulls and the success the team achieved and that goes along with Sundowns. I was a little boy when I watched them for the first time at Loftus Versfeld and I got a signed Sundowns ball. It's still in my cupboard at home and I still follow their fortunes," Van Graan said.Positivity is something the Boks can do with. Van Graan said they had given themselves time to iron out their small problem areas ahead of their end-of-year tour."It's about time that we put the small things together so we can execute them well against the Barbarians next week. It's been challenging in terms of getting the big plan together. However, we know we need to improve on our defence and kicking game," Van Graan said.AFP reports that China will get its first professional rugby competition as part of a $100- million (R1.38-billion) investment in the currently low-profile sport by e-commerce giant Alibaba, the firm and World Rugby said yesterday.As well as professional men's and women's 15-a-side leagues, a national Sevens programme will be set up. The money will be spent over 10 years.Fewer than 80000 Chinese play rugby and it is far less popular among spectators than football or basketball...