Boks can’t lose No 1 ranking

The Springboks cannot surrender the No 1 ranking this weekend. Rassie Erasmus’ men will stay top even if they lose by more than 15 points to Ireland in Dublin. World Rugby has also confirmed that the Boks, All Blacks, England, Ireland and Argentina cannot drop out of...

Visser captains experienced Blitzboks

Eleven players involved in the Blitzboks season-ending SVNS World Championship victory in Los Angeles in May will be part of the squad for next weekend’s Dubai Sevens. Blitzboks coach Philip Snyman has also added experienced stalwarts Christie Grobbelaar and Donavan...

Watch: ‘Sacha as good as I’ve ever seen’

Former Ireland flyhalf Ian Madigan analyses the all-round abilities of Springbok No 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu ahead of Saturday’s Test in Dublin. READ: Why Sacha FM wasn’t nominated for award Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images The post Watch: ‘Sacha as good as I’ve...

Welsh rugby in fight for survival

Wales take on the All Blacks on Saturday and the Springboks a week later in full knowledge that a victory over either would be a monumental upset.Welsh rugby woes come with an under-pressure national federation, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), bent on scrapping one of...

Fiery Farrell jumps to flyhalf’s defence

Ireland coach Andy Farrell has pushed back against “loaded questions” around flyhalf Sam Prendergast’s defensive ability. The 22-year-old will start for Ireland against the Springboks in Dublin on Saturday. Prendergast impressed with ball in hand during last week’s...

Boks look to scale emotional high once more

Coach Rassie Erasmus says the Springboks must channel the emotional intensity of a long, dramatic season into Saturday’s Test against Ireland in Dublin. The Boks are into what Erasmus called their “14th match of the season at Test level”, a run that has included...

Watch: ‘Bomb Squad works when RG’s there’

Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth and Grant Williams pay tribute to Bok lock RG Snyman, who will earn his 50 Test cap in Dublin on Saturday. RASSIE: It would’ve been lovely to start RG Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images The post Watch: ‘Bomb Squad works when RG’s there’...

Wallabies forced into two late changes

Wallabies flyhalf Carter Gordon has been ruled out of Sunday’s Test against France in Paris. Gordon has succumbed to a quad complaint and is joined on the sidelines by Billy Pollard, who is out with a hip pointer issue. Incoming Brumbies playmaker Tane Edmed and Reds...

Lood learns appeal fate

Lood de Jager has received a final ruling on his challenge to the red card he picked up during the Springboks match against France in Paris. De Jager, who was sent off on the stroke of half-time in Paris for a shoulder-to-head collision with fullback Thomas Ramos,...

Munster tragedy ‘life-changing’ for Rassie

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus puts a lot of the success behind two consecutive World Cup triumphs down to time at Munster. The 53-year-old – who is back in Ireland hoping to beat the Irish in Dublin on Saturday and make it three wins from three on their northern...