Sports

George Ford has been recalled to start at flyhalf for England’s heavyweight showdown with New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday. Ford is one of seven changes to Steve Borthwick’s side from the one that beat Fiji last weekend. GEORGE: All Blacks best team in world The Sale Sharks pivot, who guided England to victory over […]

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has given a typical veiled, tongue-in-cheek assessment of the suspension handed down to lock Lood de Jager. MORE: Lood to miss rest of Bok tour We not doing to great in the boardrooms currently, feels like the creativity is moving off the field and becoming more important inside the boardroom, anyway

Edwill van der Merwe is eager to build on his red-hot start in Test rugby when the Springboks face Italy in Turin. The winger has been electric in green and gold, scoring five tries in just four Tests – including a brace against the Azzurri in Port Elizabeth earlier this year – but says his

Springbok lock Lood de Jager has been suspended for four matches following his red card in South Africa’s win over France in Paris on Saturday. De Jager was sent off in the first half of the 32-17 victory after making a no-arms tackle on French fullback Thomas Ramos. The incident drew immediate attention from referee

Ethan Hooker expects Italy to provide the Springboks with “a serious challenge” in Turin on Saturday. The 22-year-old has made six appearances for the Boks this year, all on the wing, and could get the opportunity to wear the No 12 jersey for the first time on Saturday with Canan Moodie at 13. While inside

Damian Willemse says the Springboks are preparing for a fierce aerial contest when they face Italy in Turin on Saturday. The 10th-ranked Azzurri head into the match on a high after beating the Wallabies 26-19 in Udine last weekend, while the No 1-ranked Boks are coming off a 32-17 victory over France in Paris. The

Jean de Villiers believes the Springboks would have beaten France in Paris even if they had been reduced to 13 men. The former Bok captain hailed the world champions’ 32-17 victory at the Stade de France as “a coaching masterclass” – and said the plan was so complete that even the red card to Lood

Former Irish Test referee Owen Doyle says Springbok lock Lood de Jager deserved a straight red card against France. De Jager’s shoulder made contact with fullback Thomas Ramos’ head just before half time of Saturday’s Test in Paris. After consulting with the TMO, referee Angus Gardner deemed the tackle “always illegal” and issued a permanent

Fullback Rhyno Smith has extended his contract with Benetton. The South African has signed on until June 2028, continuing a memorable spell with the Treviso-based URC side. Smith joined Benetton in 2021 and quickly became a fan favourite. Since then, he has scored 390 points in 78 appearances – including 35 tries, 31 conversions, 55

England are facing an anxious wait over the fitness of two British & Irish Lions ahead of Saturday’s showdown against the All Blacks at Twickenham. Tommy Freeman and Ollie Chessum picked up injuries in last weekend’s 38-18 win over Fiji, and neither took part in Monday’s training session – raising doubts about their availability for