World Cup

‘No doubt’ Dupont could return for quarter-final

France forwards coach William Servat said on Tuesday he had “no doubt” that emblematic captain Antoine Dupont could return from injury in time for the World Cup playoffs.

Japan's centre Dylan Riley breaks away during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool D match between England and Japan at Stade de Nice in Nice, southern France on September 17, 2023.

Japan change two for Samoa clash

Jamie Joseph has announced two changes to Japan’s starting lineup for the Pool D match against Samoa on Thursday.

(FILES) Namibia's outside centre and captain Johan Deysel (R) is tackled by France's outside centre Gael Fickou during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and Namibia at the Stade de Velodrome in Marseille, southern France on September 21, 2023. - World Rugby announced on September 26, 2023 that the Namibia captain has been suspended at least five matches after his uncontrolled tackle during the 2023 World Cup on France captain Antoine Dupont who received a broken jaw as a result. World Rugby announced on Tuesday. The suspension is to last six matches, but it can be reduced to five matches if the Namibian center three-quarter agrees to participate in a tackling training program, the world rugby body said in a statement.

Namibia’s Deysel hit with long ban

Namibia’s Johan Deysel has been suspended for at least five matches for the brutal tackle on Antoine Dupont that resulted in the France captain suffering a fractured cheekbone.

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 08: Manie Libbok of South Africa celebrates during the Rugby Championship match between South Africa and Australia at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on July 08, 2023 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

Monty: Play Libbok and Pollard

World Cup-winning icon and record point-scorer Percy Montgomery believes the Springboks don’t have to choose between Manie Libbok and Handre Pollard, there’s place for both.

South Africa's flanker Kwagga Smith reacts at the end of the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Ireland at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris on September 23, 2023.

Boks have bonus-point fever

Kwagga Smith says with no more opportunities to slip up, the Springboks need to get all five points from their final World Cup pool match against Tonga on Sunday.

Ireland's centre Bundee Aki scores a try during the 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Tonga at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, western France on September 16, 2023.

The Bundee Burger is an Irish delicacy

Bundee Aki, in rugby-playing terms, is more Irish than he is Kiwi, and his professional rugby development is down to nine years in Ireland, playing for Connacht.

France fire early shots at Boks

France have taken a subtle swipe at South Africa ahead of their potential World Cup quarter-final clash by saying the Springboks are not “supermen”.

Tonga's players perform the Sipi Tau dance prior to the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Scotland and Tonga at Stade de Nice in Nice, southern France on September 24, 2023.

Rassie wary of ‘slippery’ Tonga

Rassie Erasmus is not taking a Springbok win over Tonga for granted, as he predicts plenty can still happen in the conclusion of the World Cup pool stage.

epa10576482 Head coach Eddie Jones attends an Australian Wallabies training session at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast, Australia 17 April 2023.

Mortlock backs Eddie to build Wallabies ‘runway’

Former Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock has said “the worst thing” Rugby Australia can do is sack embattled head coach Eddie Jones, despite the team’s poor World Cup campaign.