World Cup

Boks pumped for Tonga scrum battle

Assistant coach Daan Human is confident the Springboks will be able to front up to “the heaviest pack” in the World Cup when South Africa and Tonga lock horns on Sunday.

British referee Wayne Barnes (R) validates a try scored by Tonga during their rugby union World Cup group A match South Africa vs. Tonga, 22 September 2007 at the Bollaert stadium in Lens, north of France. South Africa won 30 - 25. AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN

World Cup rewind: When Tonga nearly shocked Boks

The bounce of the ball was all that prevented Tonga from causing a major upset when they last faced the Springboks at the 2007 World Cup.

Italy's flanker Toa Halafihi is tackled during the Six Nations international rugby union match between Italy and Scotland on March 12, 2022 at the Olympic stadium in Rome.

Italian Kiwis mulling Haka ‘challenge’

Lining up against the All Blacks in Lyon on Friday will be a special occasion for Italy forwards Toa Halafihi and Hame Faiva.

Tonga star banned for Bok clash

Loose forward Vaea Fifita will miss Tonga’s last two World Cup pool games, that includes Sunday’s match against the Springboks, due to suspension.

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 regret SA’s Super Rugby exit

Forwards coach Jason Ryan says the All Blacks have suffered for the exit of tough South African packs from Super Rugby.

Watch: Habana, the World Cup try hero

The most prolific Springbok finisher of all time, Bryan Habana is the all-time joint top try-scorer in World Cups, and here we relive some of the winger’s standout touchdowns.

South Africa's flanker and captain Siya Kolisi (R) looks on as South Africa's fly-half Manie Libbok takes a penalty kick during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Scotland at Stade de Marseille in Marseille, southern France on September 10, 2023.

Dobson: Let Manie build a Bok innings

John Dobson questions the Springboks’ strategy of long-range penalties on goal, instead of setting up lineouts for rolling mauls in their World Cup loss to Ireland.

‘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.