World Cup

Boks wary of ‘brutal’ Tonga

Willie le Roux and Marvin Orie said the Springboks must front up physically against Tonga in Marseille on Sunday, to book a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

GQEBERHA, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 20: Handre Pollard and Lukhanyo Am during a training session in 2021

Nienaber: It’s likely Pollard will struggle

Jacques Nienaber is realistic about the upcoming performance of veteran flyhalf Handre Pollard, who returns for the Springboks against Tonga on Sunday after a calf injury.

Irish props showed Boks who’s boss

Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter epitomised the resilience and character that head coach Andy Farrell spoke of after Ireland’s win over the Springboks last week.

Springboks vs Tonga: Guess Man of the Match and win!

Correctly predict the Man of the Match in Sunday’s clash between the Springboks and Tonga to stand a chance of winning a R3000 shopping voucher, courtesy of Airscream and Airpops!

RECAP: Japan vs Samoa

Japan held on to edge Samoa in a pulsating World Cup Pool D clash in Toulouse on Thursday night.

Duane Vermeulen Boks Shaun Roy:BackpagePix

Boks muscle up for forceful Tonga

Jacques Nienaber said that his team selection for the World Cup clash against Tonga was based around wanting the Springboks to physically match the Pacific Islanders.

Uruguay punish naughty Namibia

Fullback Baltazar Amaya scored a brace of tries as Uruguay ran to a bonus-point victory over ill-disciplined Namibia on Wednesday.

epa09594473 Handre Pollard of South Africa lines out a penalty during the Rugby Union Autumn International Test match between England and South Africa in London, Britain, 20 November 2021. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

Pollard returns as Boks rest Bongi

Handre Pollard will make his return from a calf injury for the Springboks in the number 10 jersey against Tonga in Marseille on Sunday.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JULY 15: Shannon Frizell of the All Blacks (C) scores a try during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and South Africa Springboks at Mt Smart Stadium on July 15, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

All Blacks bulk up for Italian job

The All Blacks have recalled Shannon Frizell in one of nine changes to their Ardie Savea-captained lineup to face Italy in a crucial World Cup pool clash in Lyon on Friday.

Italy's inside centre Paolo Garbisi celebrates Italy's victory at the end of the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between Italy and Uruguay at Stade de Nice in Nice, southern France on September 20, 2023.

Garbisi back at 10 against All Blacks

Paolo Garbsi will shift from the centres to flyhalf as Italy named a strong starting lineup for their Pool A clash against New Zealand in Lyon on Friday.