Boks bid to end season on high

The Springboks take on Wales in the season-ending international Test on Saturday at a time when the gulf between the two rugby nations has never been more apparent. The Boks are back-to-back world champions and arrive in the Welsh capital in high spirits on the back...

Erasmus brilliance dwarfs awards snub

Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks keep redefining excellence despite World Rugby overlooking him for Coach of the Year, writes MARK KEOHANE. Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane argues that Erasmus needs no external validation after producing the most dominant two-season run of...

Mallett: Boks must build an innings

Nick Mallett says the Springboks shouldn’t try to run Wales off their feet in Cardiff on Saturday. Bok coach Rassie Erasmus has made nine changes to the team that beat Ireland in Dublin for their final Test of 2025, with several players released to their clubs as this...

Nigel: Ireland lock deserved straight red

Former Test referee Nigel Owens says Ireland lock James Ryan should have received a permanent red card for his “reckless” cleanout on Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx. Initially shown a yellow card in the 20th minute, the 29-year-old saw it upgraded to a 20-minute red...
‘Hungry’ Lions primed to face Bulls

‘Hungry’ Lions primed to face Bulls

Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen hopes the international break has prepared his team for a second Vodacom URC block they’ve traditionally found tough. Van Rooyen said his side is “refreshed, prepared and hungry” ahead of Saturday’s Jukskei derby against the Vodacom Bulls...

Dupont set to face Sharks in Champions Cup

France captain Antoine Dupont is set to return for Toulouse this weekend after more than eight months out injured. The scrumhalf suffered a serious knee injury in March but is expected to be in the French champions’ match 23 for Saturday’s home Top 14 game against...