World Cup

All Blacks duo Richie Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett

Fully-loaded All Blacks for Bok duel

Richie Mo’unga is back at flyhalf as the All Blacks have named a strongest possible lineup for the World Cup warm-up against the Springboks at Twickenham on Friday.

‘Rees-Lightning’ bolting for World Cup

Welsh speedster Louis Rees-Zammit has revealed that he is quicker than ever and reaching numbers that rival Usain Bolt in a warning to his World Cup rivals.

England's number 8 Billy Vunipola (C) looks on after the final whistle of the Autumn Nations Series International rugby union match between England and South Africa at Twickenham stadium, in London, on November 26, 2022. - South Africa beat England 13-27.

England’s World Cup naughty list grows

England’s Billy Vunipola has joined captain Owen Farrell in being banned for the start of next month’s Rugby World Cup after receiving a suspension for his red card in a warm-up match against Ireland.

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - AUGUST 05: Makazole Mapimpi of South Africa runs with the ball during the Rugby World Cup 2023 warm up match between Argentina and South Africa at Jose Amalfitani Stadium on August 05, 2023 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Juan Jose Gasparini/Gallo Images)

Mapimpi flying against ‘difficult’ critics

Speedster Makazole Mapimpi is revved up to silence his critics when the Boks race the All Blacks at Twickenham on Friday.

England's flyhalf Owen Farrell leaves the pitch after the Six Nations international rugby union match between Wales and England at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales, on February 25, 2023.

Farrell banned for World Cup openers

Owen Farrell will only miss two of England’s World Cup pool matches after a successful World Rugby appeal saw him handed a backdated four-week ban for his dangerous tackle.

(12971682ac) Ulster vs Munster. Referee Jaco Peyper United Rugby Championship Quarter-Final, Kingspan Stadium, Belfast - 03 Jun 2022

Peyper gets World Cup opener

South African referee Jaco Peyper has been given the whistle for the World Cup opener between the All Blacks and France, as World Rugby revealed the officials in charge of the Springboks’ pool matches.

Eben Etzebeth leads out the Springboks at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland

Etzebeth rubbishes ‘friendly’ talk

Eben Etzebeth says the Springboks will hold nothing back when they clash with New Zealand at a sold-out Twickenham on Friday in their final hit-out before the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

CARDIFF, WALES - AUGUST 19: RG Jesse Kriel of South Africa runs with the ball during the Rugby World Cup 2023 warm up match between Wales and South Africa at Principality Stadium on August 19, 2023 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Juan Jose Gasparini/Gallo Images)

Mulder: Jesse deserves to start

1995 World Cup hero Japie Mulder says in-form Jesse Kriel should be considered the Springboks’ first-choice at outside centre after scoring a brace against Wales.

Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan celebrates against Wales at the Principality Stadium

Ireland facing hooker headache

Ireland are set to be without hooker Dan Sheehan for the World Cup pool clash against the Springboks after the Leinster star suffered a foot injury in the warm-up matches.

Ardie Savea in action against the Springboks in Auckland

Ardie: All Blacks not here to make friends

A fired-up Ardie Savea says friendships will be put to the side when the All Blacks take on the Springboks in their final World Cup warm-up at Twickenham on Friday.