Sports

Coach John Dobson has confirmed Hacjivah Dayimani’s return as the Stormers reset for the business end of the season. The explosive loose forward is heading back to Cape Town after securing an early release from Racing 92. Dayimani arrived in Paris in July 2024 on a two-season contract, but the Top 14 club confirmed his […]

All Blacks coach frontrunner Jamie Joseph masterminded an attacking Highlanders to a thrilling win against the champion Crusaders on Friday. Cameron Millar’s penalty goal from halfway with two minutes left sealed a see-sawing 25-23 victory at Forsyth Barr Stadium on the opening night of competition. Joseph is one of two favourites for the All Blacks

Bringing Scott Robertson into the Springbok set-up would be “straight out of Rassie Erasmus’ playbook”. This is according to New Zealand Herald rugby writer Gregor Paul, who has suggested that while unlikely, the move is not entirely impossible. Robertson is currently weighing up his next step after his abrupt departure as All Blacks coach, with

Rassie Erasmus has taken to social media to defend the Springboks’ highly-effective high-ball tactics. A key pillar of the Boks’ recent dominance has been their ability to turn the contestable kick into an attacking weapon. Since the outlawing of escorts around the catcher, the aerial battle has become far more competitive – and few sides

Former Test referee Nigel Owens believes one of Super Rugby Pacific’s new law trials could create confusion and inconsistency for match officials this season. The Sanzaar competition has confirmed that under Law 8.3 it will no longer be mandatory for a referee to issue a yellow card when awarding a penalty try. Any further sanction

England may be on a run of 12 straight wins but they travel to Edinburgh for a Six Nations clash against Scotland on Saturday with a point to prove. An opening 48-7 rout of Wales at Twickenham last weekend underlined England’s credentials as contenders for a first Six Nations title in six years, with coach

Veteran wing James Lowe returns to the Ireland starting XV for Saturday’s Six Nations match against Italy in Dublin. Coach Andy Farrell has made six changes following a desperately disappointing opening 36-14 defeat by France. Lowe, who will win his 44th cap, was a surprise omission from the match 23 in France and is one

Lorenzo Pani will make his first start for Italy in almost two years after being named in the side to face Ireland in Dublin on Saturday. The 23-year-old fullback replaces Juan Ignacio Brexin the only personnel change to the team that beat Scotland 18-15 last weekend in atrociously wet conditions in Rome. “We’ve decided to

Coach Fabien Galthie’s bold selections are paying off for France, writes MARK KEOHANE. Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane says he ranks Les Bleus “second only to the world champion Springboks” after their ruthless dismantling of Ireland in Paris and bold selection policy that prioritises form over sentiment. France were “even more impressive in performance than the

Eddie Jones has cast doubt over whether the Springboks can sustain their current level through to the 2027 World Cup. Since winning the 2023 global showpiece, Rassie Erasmus has guided the Boks to back-to-back Rugby Championship titles, unbeaten November tours and a firm grip on the No 1 spot in the World Rugby rankings. “I’ve