Ireland banking on Nienaber know-how

Ireland insist they haven’t copied Jacques Nienaber’s famed Springbok defence, but there’s no denying the former Bok coach’s fingerprints sit deep within the Irish system. Andy Farrell has pushed back at the idea that Ireland, through their Leinster-heavy squad, have...

Marshall blasts Razor’s bench

Justin Marshall has accused Scott Robertson of refusing to modernise New Zealand’s bench strategy while their rivals cash in on forward-loaded replacements. The former All Blacks scrumhalf says the head coach’s commitment to the traditional 5-3 split is holding the...

Williams hails Gibson-Park as world-class

Springbok No 9 Grant Williams says a potential duel with Ireland’s tempo-driving scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park is driving his preparation for Saturday’s Test in Dublin. Williams, who has injected speed and sharpness into the Bok attack over the past two seasons, made...

‘Boks have two teams that can beat anyone’

Former Ireland loose forward Alan Quinlan believes the Springboks’ extraordinary depth makes them the most dangerous team in world rugby. The world champions are hunting their first win in Dublin since 2012 against an Ireland team that has won four of the last five...

Wales lock: We can beat All Blacks

Few expect Wales to trouble New Zealand in Cardiff on Saturday, but lock Dafydd Jenkins says belief remains high. Wales suffered a record run of 10 straight defeats in Cardiff before edging Japan last weekend to remain 12th in the world rankings. While bookmakers and...