#Du Toit

England face their day with destiny as they take on South Africa with the title of being world champions on the line England are the bookmakers' favourites heading into the Rugby World Cup Final. South Africa stand in England's way of their second-ever world title - and already have a victory over the Red Rose in this fixture. Back in 2007, they…

The official men's World Rugby rankings have, for some time now, been widely dismissed. Too often the prescriptive modelling does not accurately reflect the true balance of power. At present World Rugby's top fivereads: 1. South Africa (90.61) 2. France (88.88) 3. All Blacks (88.75) 4. Ireland (88.22) 5. England (84.50) This week, following the…

Pieter-Steph du Toit says he was confident of victory in the last Rugby World Cup final after the first 10 minutes. In that opening spell in Yokohama two years ago, England's Owen Farrell chose to spin the ball wide from behind his own posts and team-mate Billy Vunipola, facing a fast-advancing South Africa defence, chucked a pass to ground deep in…

Wales have announced the team that will take on South Africa in Saturday's second Test today. Wayne Pivac has largely kept faith with the 23 that pushed the world champions so close last weekend, with Alex Cuthbert the only addition to the starting XV. Josh Adams moves to the bench, while Tomas Francis is replaced by uncapped Sam Wainwright after…

Some of the biggest stars of world rugby continue to be liked with moves around, in and out of the Premiership as directors of rugby look to build their squads ahead of the 2023/24 season and plug holes in their teams as injuries bite. Here are all the latest transfer rumours, contract renewals and confirmed moves from around the Gallagher…

South Africa's Northern Hemisphere tour continues when their second string take on Munster in a challenge match this week. Here's all you need to know about the game. Where and when is it on? Thursday's match takes place at the Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork with a 7.30pm kick-off. Where can I watch the match? The game will be shown live on Virgin Media…

The Autumn Nations Series concluded at the weekend, with the Wallabies mounting an incredible comeback against Wales in Cardiff, while South Africa ended their tour on a high with a resounding win over England at Twickenham. We take a look at where those games were won and lost and look at some of the positives for each team in this year's series.

The port city of Marseille is no stranger to debate. Each election cycle this ancient place is used by the governing and the challenger to prove a point. Ask a hundred French what they think of Marseille and at least seventy will mention crime, with a generous dose of'code words.' To critique Marseille as a seething hotbed of vice, contraband, turf…

The Major League Rugby playoffs are here after what was a crazy end to the season. Now it all comes down to these next two weeks to determine who will be crowned as champions in the second season of MLR. Four teams, one champion. Of the four teams in these playoffs, two return with the San Diego Legion and Seattle Seawolves and the two expansion…

France will be out for an improved performance from their narrow win over the Wallabies when they host the Springboks. Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 7am (AEDT). South Africa have recalled the experienced duo of fullback Willie le Roux and scrumhalf Faf de Klerk while adding goal-kicking insurance on the bench. Le Roux…

France continue their end-of-year internationals with another supreme test of their mettle and quality, as the world champion Springboks head to Marseille's Stade Velodrome. Les Bleus needed a last-gasp try from Damian Penaud to edge Australia in a 30-29 victory in Saint-Denis, overcoming the Wallabies in a match that saw both teams edge in front…

IRELAND take on South Africa in heavyweight rugby clash today, pitting the No1 side in the world and the reigning World Cup holders. It is the first of Andy Farrell's side's November internationals, which will also see them face Fiji and Australia. Here's everything you need to know about the match. Ireland vs South Africa takes place this evening…

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa have included uncapped flyhalves Manie Libbok and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in their squad for next month's autumn international series, and electric winger Cheslin Kolbe returns after recovering from injury. The Springboks will play four tests, starting against Ireland in Dublin on Nov. 5, followed by matches on…

The Autumn Nations Series certainly delivered over the weekend, with gripping contests played out in Dublin, Paris and London. And did the All Blacks finally turn the corner of their topsy-turvy season in a runaway victory over Wales in Cardiff? Perhaps Scotland can halt New Zealand's mini resurgence this weekend in Edinburgh? Read on for all the…

Week two went next level in the drama and force of the north-south conflict. Despite the win-loss count, the south made some ground back. North No. 1 (Ireland) struggled to put an experimental version of South Africa (south No. 2) away, their attack stymied and depending on marginal passes, looking spent in the last ten minutes and like the final…

South Africa have recalled hooker Malcolm Marx and scrumhalf Faf de Klerk to the starting lineup for their Rugby Championship opener with New Zealand at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday. A third change from the side that beat Wales 30-14 in Cape Town last month sees rookie wing Kurt-Lee Arendse come in for the injured Cheslin Kolbe, who is nursing…

No other Irish U21s or U20s squad has produced as many Lions as the squad from 2012. The 2007 squad came close, with Cian Healy, Seán O'Brien, and Keith Earls (Luke Fitzgerald, who was of that age group, went straight from school into the Irish and Leinster senior teams). Not only were Lions made from the 2012 crop, there was an ensemble of…

South Africa'A' coach Mzwandile Stick, meanwhile, included nine capped Springboks in a 19-man squad that will travel to Ireland next week Saturday for their two-match tour against Munster and the Bristol Bears, where they will be joined by seven players from Nienaber's squad following the Springboks' opening Test against the top-ranked team in the…

South Africa have included uncapped flyhalves Manie Libbok and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in their squad for next month's autumn international series, and electric winger Cheslin Kolbe returns after recovering from injury. The Springboks will play four Tests, starting against Ireland in Dublin on Nov. 5, followed by matches on consecutive Saturdays…

South Africa host Argentina in their final Rugby Championship match with everything still to play for. Heading into the final round, New Zealand sat on top of the table on points difference as South Africa closely followed them with Argentina and Australia on the chase. The All Blacks' big 40-14 victory over Wallabies earlier on Saturday means that…

South Africa host Argentina in their final Rugby Championship match with everything still to play for with all four teams able to take the trophy. New Zealand sit on top of the table on points difference but South Africa closely follow them with Argentina and Australia on the chase. Last week the Springboks beat Argentina in their own back yard…

As the Stormers kick off the defence of their United Rugby Championship title, there will be marauding stuff; counters and passes out of contact. But should there be even a splinter of a second to pause and think, will anyone consider just how mad it is that they are the champs? You should. But let's examine why. "It was very unsettling," says…

Argentina travel to South Africa in the Rugby Championship on Saturday and Michael Cheika's side will be seeking revenge. They lost at home to the Boks last weekend and Cheika says it was a poor first half that cost them. "The first half is one of the worst I remember, we conceded many penalties," Cheika said. "In the second, we got into the game.…

The famous'bomb squad' is back for the deciding contest of the 2022 Rugby Championship when the Springboks take on Argentina in Durban on Saturday. Coach Jacques Nienaber has returned to a six/two split between forwards and back on the bench after two weeks of the more traditional five/three split. It was in part forced on him, with all three…

We were treated to a stunning spectacle of rugby last weekend which saw all four Southern Hemisphere nations take the chocolates, while France was the only team from up north to collect a win. With several series on the line can England, Ireland or Wales fight their way to victory in Game 2? Read on for all the line-ups and key team news as it…

The 2022-23 Gallagher Premiership season kicks off on Friday with a west country derby between Bristol and Bath at Ashton Gate. It is the 26th Premiership campaign, and 11-time champions Leicester will defend the crown they won after a thrilling Twickenham final against Saracens. Here, the PA news agency looks at the 13 runners and riders,…

Leinster survived a strong comeback from opponents Zebre to prevail 33-29 in their opening United Rugby Championship game of the new season. The Irish province scored four first-half tries to lead 28-10 at the break, their bonus point already in the bag. Last season's bottom side fought back and their five tries, plus their four-point deficit,…

Head coach: Marco Bortolami Captain: Dewalt Duverago/Michele Lamaro Last year: 13th Betting: 150-1 Players In: S Hildago-Klyne (Exeter Chiefs), T Menoncello (promoted academy), A Garbisi (Mogliano), G Nicotera (Rovigo), G Da Rae (Rovigo), F Drago (Mogliano), M Drudi (Mogliano), S Scrafton (Hurricanes), O Ratave (Fijian Drua), M Zanon (Pau), M…

The Springboks will have no trouble maintaining their unbeaten streak on home soil against Wales in Saturday's second Test in Bloemfontein. Photo: SA Rugby website The Springboks will have no trouble maintaining their unbeaten streak on home soil against Wales in Saturday's second Test in Bloemfontein. Photo: SA Rugby website The Springboks will…