34 h. ago What do the Springboks need to win the Rugby Championship? Title permutations explained

New Zealand and Australia still harbour hopes of overhauling the defending champions at the top of the table

Sport

8 d. ago Mitchell insists his previous final defeat can help England to Rugby World Cup glory

No changes in Red Roses 23 to face Canada on SaturdayMitchell accepts men’s team failed to handle 2019 final John Mitchell has learned from his experience of the men’s 2019 Rugby World Cup final and insists he has not made the same mistakes as coach of England’s women as they target the victory over Canada that will deliver Rugby World Cup glory.Mitchell admits that England’s men failed to “handle the emotional tank well” in 2019 when he was their defence coach. In stark contrast, his Red Roses finalists “have managed it”, he says as the head coach looks forward to Saturday’s showpiece at a sold-out Twickenham. Mitchell was one of Eddie Jones’s assistants when they lost to South Africa in Japan after beating New Zealand in the semi-final. Continue reading...

Sport

2 w. ago The Breakdown | Springboks light up engrossing Rugby Championship so why tinker with it now?

South Africa and New Zealand’s selfish decision to go it alone will lead to competition hiatus and looks foolishEnjoy it while it lasts. The current edition of the Rugby Championship has been captivating, the most open in living memory and with two rounds remaining all four nations are firmly in contention for the title. Last weekend witnessed another thriller between Australia and Argentina – the Pumas edging home 28-26 – while the Springboks produced their most dominant display since the 2023 World Cup with a record victory against the All Blacks.There had been suggestions that South Africa were beginning to decline after a plateau since their triumph in Paris but Saturday’s performance was some riposte. Australia were agonisingly close to another successful comeback at the soldout Allianz Stadium, meanwhile, and there remains a good deal of optimism around the Wallabies. Not least because they sit top of the table and believe they can get their hands back on the Bledisloe Cup in ...

Sport

2 w. ago New World Rugby rankings as New Zealand misery complete amid a World Cup shock

Another weekend of Rugby Championship and Pacific Nations Cup action has shaken things up in the global rankings with South Africa, New Zealand and the United States among the movers

Events

2 w. ago South Africa v New Zealand referee was attacked by fan as 1 million watch video

'This is an absolute lowlight. Really, for our country, this is not a good sign at all,' said the South African commentary team.

Events

2 w. ago New Zealand survive scare against South Africa to progress to Women’s World Cup semi

New Zealand 46-17 South Africa: The Women’s Springboks impressed in Exeter but the class of the Black Ferns eventually told

Events

2 w. ago New Zealand blitz South Africa after break to reach World Cup semi

Quarter-final: New Zealand 46-17 South AfricaBlack Ferns score six tries in second-half rompIn New Zealand rugby the female of the species is currently deadlier then the male. South Africa’s women were always going to struggle to replicate the Springboks’ record-breaking result in Wellington a few hours earlier but, after a stuttering first half, the Black Ferns raised their game significantly in the second to secure their place in next weekend’s World Cup semi-finals.The scoreboard tells only half the story of a contest often as notable for collective South African power as belated Kiwi finesse. South Africa, smartly coached and packed with forward muscle, took their opponents on physically in virtually every area and, at 10-10 at half-time, had the Black Ferns genuinely rattled. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago New Zealand blitz South Africa after break to reach Women’s Rugby World Cup semis

Quarter-final: New Zealand 46-17 South AfricaBlack Ferns score six tries in second-half rompIn New Zealand rugby the female of the species is currently deadlier then the male. South Africa’s women were always going to struggle to replicate the Springboks’ record-breaking result in Wellington a few hours earlier but, after a stuttering first half, the Black Ferns raised their game significantly in the second to secure their place in next weekend’s World Cup semi-finals.The scoreboard tells only half the story of a contest often as notable for collective South African power as belated Kiwi finesse. South Africa, smartly coached and packed with forward muscle, took their opponents on physically in virtually every area and, at 10-10 at half-time, had the Black Ferns genuinely rattled. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago All Blacks humiliated by Springboks in Rugby Championship with heaviest ever defeat

South Africa thump New Zealand 43-10 in WellingtonTourists score 36 unanswered points in second halfThe All Blacks suffered their heaviest-ever Test defeat as South Africa beat New Zealand 43-10 in Wellington to revive their Rugby Championship campaign.Cheslin Kolbe scored a try in each half and Damian Willemse, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman and André Esterhuizen also touched down at the end of ambitious and clinical attacks as South Africa ran in six tries to one. Continue reading...

Sport

2 w. ago New Zealand vs South Africa live: Springboks dismantle All Blacks in record

New Zealand 10-43 South Africa: The world champions made a statement with a record thrashing of the All Blacks in Wellington

Politics

2 w. ago New Zealand vs South Africa live: Springboks seek revenge on All Blacks in Rugby Championship

After defeat at Eden Park, can the world champions hit back in Wellington?

Sport

3 w. ago The exciting new twist to New Zealand and South Africa’s historic rugby rivalry

As the two nations’ men’s and women’s sides prepare to meet on the same day, development behind the scenes suggests two great rivals are about to become even more familiar with one another

Politics

3 w. ago Rassie Erasmus seeking ‘spark’ with major Springboks changes for All Blacks rematch

South Africa went down 24-17 to New Zealand in Auckland and head coach Erasmus has responded by ringing the changes to his starting line-up

Sport

3 w. ago All Blacks survive brutal Springboks battle to seize control of Rugby Championship

New Zealand 24-17 South Africa: The All Blacks extended their unbeaten run at their Auckland stronghold to 51 matches as they held off the world champions

Sport

3 w. ago New Zealand back to winning ways after holding off South Africa in Eden Park battle

All Blacks bounce back from shock defeat to Argentina with 24-17 winNew Zealand’s unbeaten run in Auckland extends to 51 matchesNew Zealand stayed firm at their Eden Park fortress to claim an attritional 24-17 win over South Africa in a heavyweight clash between the world’s top two rugby sides.Under pressure after conceding a first-ever defeat on Argentine soil against the Pumas two weeks ago, the All Blacks responded with a performance of grit and discipline to stretch their unbeaten run at their Auckland stronghold to 51 matches. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago New Zealand bounce back after holding off South Africa in Eden Park battle

All Blacks win 24-17 after shock defeat to ArgentinaNew Zealand’s unbeaten run in Auckland now 51 matchesNew Zealand stayed firm at their Eden Park fortress to claim an attritional 24-17 win over South Africa in a heavyweight clash between the world’s top two sides.Under pressure after conceding a first-ever defeat on Argentine soil against the Pumas two weeks ago, the All Blacks responded with a performance of grit and discipline to stretch their unbeaten run at their Auckland stronghold to 51 matches. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago New Zealand vs South Africa live: All Blacks survive Springboks battle to win crucial Rugby Championship clash

New Zealand 24-17 South Africa: The All Blacks held firm to extend their unbeaten run at Eden Park to 51 matches

Sport

3 w. ago New Zealand vs South Africa live: Inspired All Blacks lead Springboks in crucial Rugby Championship clash

The two southern hemisphere heavyweights collide in a mammoth meeting at Eden Park

Sport

3 w. ago New Zealand vs South Africa live: All Blacks and Springboks battle in crucial Rugby Championship clash

The two southern hemisphere heavyweights collide in a mammoth meeting at Eden Park

Sport