Gaza feels different with a cup on the line

Damian Willemse is excited by the prospect of playing for silverware on an end-of-year tour for the first time, but warns the Springboks can’t look past the threat of Italy. The world champions resume their Nations Championship campaign on Saturday in Turin, unbeaten...

Jasper: Boks won’t underestimate Italy

Jasper Wiese says the Springboks will guard against complacency going into Saturday’s Nations Championship Test against Italy in Turin. The world champions are overwhelming favourites to beat the 11th-ranked Azzurri, with coach Rassie Erasmus selecting his strongest...

Teich hails ‘reliable’ Hatton

Former Sharks and Springbok captain Gary Teichmann has praised Nick Hatton’s consistency and leadership during the Durban-based club’s strong start to the season. Hatton has featured in all six of the Sharks’ matches, including five starts at No 8, helping them win...

Ireland welcome back star quartet

Andy Farrell may have lost some key players but has been able to select a few more after injury absences for Ireland’s Nations Championship Test with Argentina on Friday. Experienced prop Andrew Porter and loose forward Ryan Baird, who like wing Mack Hansen and...

Fully-loaded Los Pumas pick lippy flyhalf

Tomás Albornoz returns to the Argentina side following his suspension, joining a lineup with an average of 50 Test caps for Friday’s Nations Championship clash against Ireland. Head coach Felipe Contepomi has named a starting XV boasting a combined 750 appearances for...

Ex-Irish ref: Something nasty in Wessels case

Former head of Irish referees Owen Doyle insists the testicle-grabbing incidents involving Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Tadhg Furlong were different. Leinster prop Furlong was cleared of foul play last week after being cited for allegedly grabbing Munster No 8 Gavin...

Flannery: We’ve got to win first

Assistant coach Jerry Flannery insists the Springboks’ focus will be on beating Italy on Saturday before chasing bonus points that could decide their Nations Championship fate. South Africa and New Zealand are level on 15 log points, with the Boks ahead on points...

Azzurri brace for monster Bok pack

Italy prop Muhamed Hasa is relishing the physical battle against the Springboks in Turin on Saturday. With Bok coach Rassie Erasmus having named an experienced match 23 for the Nations Championship Test, the Albanian-born Hasa will get his first taste of a front row...

Why Rassie picked a ‘full metal jacket team’

Nick Mallett believes Rassie Erasmus has good reason to select his strongest available Springbok lineup for Saturday’s Nations Championship Test against Italy in Turin. Erasmus on Monday named an experienced match 23, opting against handing any of the six uncapped...