Sports

Former All Blacks flyhalf Stephen Donald believes Cheslin Kolbe could become the Springboks’ version of Christian Cullen. With Aphelele Fassi and Damian Willemse injured and veteran Willie le Roux being phased out, Rassie Erasmus has handed the 32-year-old speedster the No 15 jersey for Saturday’s Test against Japan at Wembley – only the second time […]

Japan’s New-Zealand born captain Warner Deans brought fighting talk to a press conference ahead of Saturday’s match against the Springboks at Wembley. Coming off a 19-15 defeat to the Wallabies in Tokyo last week, the Brave Blossoms are looking to repeat their 2015 World Cup heroics when they shocked the Boks 34-32 in Brighton. Japan

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt insists Tane Edmed needs time to develop as the flyhalf prepares to face England at Twickenham on Saturday. Edmed, who featured in Australia’s unconvincing 19-15 win over Japan in Tokyo last weekend, has kept his place after Carter Gordon’s long-awaited return to Test rugby union was again put on hold by

Ireland coach Andy Farrell says his team’s clash with the All Blacks in Chicago on Saturday marks the start of the long build-up to the 2027 World Cup. Farrell, who stepped away from Ireland duties in late 2024 to oversee the British & Irish Lions’ victorious tour of Australia earlier this year, said Saturday’s Test

Eddie Jones has called on his Japan team to try to emulate the 2015 side that pulled off one of sport’s biggest upsets. Japan, then coached by Jones in his first stint at the helm of the Brave Blossoms, upset the Springboks 34-32 at the 2015 World Cup in a match that became known as

Zachary Porthen and Batho Hlekani step into the global spotlight on Saturday, writes MARK KEOHANE. Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane says “one city, two big South African kids” headline a weekend that showcases the future of Springbok rugby. “This is Porthen’s day in a Bok jersey, and it’s Hlekani’s afternoon in black-and-white hoops, and together they

South African utility forward Tyler Paul has been named on the bench for Japan’s Test against the Springboks at Wembley on Saturday. The 30-year-old made his Test debut as a 71st-minute substitute in the 19-15 loss to the Wallabies in Tokyo last weekend. Paul played for Eastern Province and the Sharks, before heading to Japan

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has made four changes to his starting line-up for Saturday’s clash with Ireland in Chicago. Beauden Barrett, who missed New Zealand’s 28-14 victory over Australia in Perth earlier this month, returns at flyhalf in place of Damian McKenzie, while Caleb Clarke replaces Leicester Fainga’anuku on the left wing. In the

The world champs face the fearless Blossoms — who comes out on top? The Money Man and Gavin Rich give you their raw predictions and what to expect from both sides.   The post The Boks Are Back! Money Man & Rich Pickings Preview appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. The world champs face the

South African winger Duhan van der Merwe will earn his 50th Test cap for Scotland against the USA at Murrayfield on Saturday. Stafford McDowall will captain the team, having led Scotland against the New Zealand Maori in July and Portugal last November. Coach Gregor Townsend has handed debuts to Edinburgh loose forward Liam McConnell and