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 […]
Rassie responds to high-ball critics Read More »
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
Nigel warns of ref ‘inconsistency’ in new trial Read More »
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
England seek statement Six Nations win Read More »
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
Lowe back in Ireland shake-up Read More »
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
Azzurri put faith in Pani for Ireland clash Read More »
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
Fearless France surge forward Read More »
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
Eddie: Boks may have peaked too soon Read More »
SA Rugby’s high-performance GM David Wessels says Ireland should get a loyalty card after Ulster snapped up another South African youngster. Reacting on X to the latest academy intake in Belfast, Wessels quipped: “We must get the @IRFURugby a Loyalty Shopper Rewards card!” His comment followed confirmation that Ulster have added two Irish-qualified teenagers to
Ireland poach another SA schoolboy Read More »
Pierre Schoeman has been relegated to the bench after Scotland coach Gregor Townsend rang the changes for Saturday’s Six Nations clash against England at Murrayfield. The South African loosehead is one of several Edinburgh players to lose their place in the starting XV following last week’s 18-15 defeat to Italy in Rome. Schoeman, hooker Ewan
Schoeman benched, still no Duhan for Scotland Read More »
England get the better of Scotland in Edinburgh while France cruise past Wales in Cardiff, according to the SA Rugby magazine team. Ireland vs Italy (Saturday, 4:10pm SA time) Simon Borchardt: Ireland by 12 Juandre Joubert: Ireland by 12 Morne Esben: Ireland by 15 Lindiz van Zilla: Ireland by 18 Dylan Johnson: Ireland by 17 AFRICA
Superbru: Poms outplay Scots, Les Bleus batter Wales Read More »
