World Cup

World Rugby confirms Test rugby shake-up

World Rugby has officially announced the biggest overhaul of international rugby since the game went professional, expanding the World Cup and introducing the bi-annual Nations Championship.

(COMBO)(FILES) This combination of file pictures created on October 11, 2023, shows (L) South Africa's fly-half Handre Pollard arriving for a training session at the Mayol Stadium in Toulon, southern France, on September 28, 2023, during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup and (R) South Africa's fly-half Manie Libbok handling the ball during the captain's run in Johannesburg on July 28, 2023 ahead of their Rugby Championship match against Argentinia on July 29, 2023. - South-Africa, France's opponent for Rugby World Cup 2023's quarter final match, has yet to announce which of these two different fly-halfs will figure in the team's startng roster.

Carter: Boks need Pollard ‘from the get-go’

Dan Carter has backed Handre Pollard to “play a key role from the get-go” for the Springboks in Saturday’s World Cup final against the All Blacks.

Dublin , Ireland - 12 May 2022; World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin, left, and World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont during a World Rugby Cup future hosts announcement media conference at the Convention Centre in Dublin.

World Rugby greenlights Nations Championship

World Rugby’s council has reportedly approved a significant change to the international rugby calendar by giving the new Nations Championship the green light.

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 21: Rassie Erasmus, Director of Rugby of South Africa look on prior to the Rugby World Cup France 2023 semi final match between England and South Africa at Stade de France on October 21, 2023 in Paris, France.

Jake: Rassie doesn’t need to fuel Boks’ fire

Drawing on his experience of guiding the Springboks to the 2007 World Cup, Jake White says the opportunity to write a piece of history is more than enough motivation for the defending champions.

Boks brace for All Blacks blitz

The Springboks will try to deny New Zealand an early lead as they expect the All Blacks to fly out of the blocks in Saturday’s World Cup final.

South Africa's fly-half Handre Pollard hits and converts a penalty kick leading to South Africa winning the France 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-final match between England and South Africa at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris, on October 21, 2023.

Mils: Pollard to make All Blacks ‘uncomfortable’

Former New Zealand international Mils Muliaina says the Springboks need to start Handre Pollard if they want to beat the All Blacks in Saturday’s World Cup final.

South Africa's flanker Kwagga Smith (C) celebrates scoring a try during the pre-World Cup Rugby Union match between New Zealand and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium in west London, on August 25, 2023.

All Blacks take lessons from Twickenham massacre

In Saturday’s World Cup final, the Springboks can expect an All Blacks side that will know how to cope with the challenges they faced when the two teams last clashed at Twickenham.

Barnes to blow World Cup final

World Rugby has officially confirmed that veteran English referee Wayne Barnes has been appointed as the man in the middle for Saturday’s World Cup final in Paris.

Ian Foster coach of New Zealand (L) and Rassie Erasmus coach of South Africa chat duringg the Rugby Championship test match between New Zealand and South Africa played at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on July 15, 2023.

Rassie versus the All Blacks

The 2023 Rugby World Cup final marks the 11th meeting between the Springboks and All Blacks since the appointment of Rassie Erasmus in 2018, South Africa having won four and drawing once.

James Small Jonah Lomu 1995 RWC Ross Kinnaird Getty Images

When big Jonah had a Small problem

In an extract from No Rules – The James Small Story, former Springbok centre Japie Mulder explains how they stopped All Blacks wing Jonah Lomu in the 1995 World Cup final.