11 h. ago Your Guardian sport weekend: Premier League, Rugby Championship and more

Here’s how to follow the Premier League and more with our coverage – the finest writing and live reports Continue reading...

Sport

12 h. ago Rugby Championship marks next phase of Wallabies’ redemption arc | Jack Snape

Australia appear on the up after a memorable Lions series but playing South Africa at a venue where they haven’t won for over 60 years poses a daunting challengeThe Wallabies will look to the past against the world champion Springboks by rolling out two 35-year-olds in the halves to open their campaign in the Rugby Championship, the southern hemisphere’s most prestigious trophy that now also appears on its last legs.Saturday’s clash at Ellis Park, beamed into Australia’s east coast early on Sunday morning, marks the next phase of the Wallabies’ redemption arc which has risen from the pool stage exit of the 2023 World Cup, through this year’s valiant British & Irish Lions series defeat and towards a tilt at the Webb Ellis Cup on home soil in 2027. Continue reading...

Sport

21 h. ago Why an uncertain future could set up a thrilling Rugby Championship

The southern hemisphere competition reaches the end of an era with change on the way – but there is optimism for a strong campaign for each competing nation

Sport

33 h. ago Wallabies and Springboks in identity swap for clash amid thin air of Highveld | Daniel Gallan

The frenemies meet in this year’s Rugby Championship opener at Ellis Park where they are expected to rip pages out of the other’s playbookOne team boasts some of the most menacing forwards found anywhere in the world. The other is developing a scintillating backline capable of tearing apart any defence. Business as usual, then, for a Wallabies versus Springboks clash. Except this time, like the characters of Freaky Friday, the two sides have switched identities ahead of the first round of the Rugby Championship.Australia might have lost the British & Irish Lions series but they were one referee’s decision at the breakdown away from causing a seismic upset. That the margin was so small was thanks largely to the thundering cameos of Will Skelton, Rob Valetini, Taniela Tupou and a handful of other meaty men who provided the front-foot grunt that was absent in the first Test in Brisbane. Continue reading...

Politics

37 h. ago Wallabies recall veteran James O’Connor at No 10 for South Africa showdown

Return for 35-year-old after three-year absenceBlow as Ben Donaldson ruled out of Johannesburg clashVeteran James O’Connor has been called on to take on the playmaking duties as the Wallabies seek to build on the impetus of their third Test win over the Lions with a rare victory in South Africa at the start of the Rugby Championship.But a plan for the 35-year-old O’Connor, back in the green and gold after three years, to share the No 10 role has had to be shelved after Ben Donaldson went down injured in training on Thursday. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Nic White immediately reverses Australia retirement after impressive Lions performance

White retired from Wallabies duty after the Lions series but has answered an SOS call from Joe Schmidt

Events

8 d. ago My dog ate my passport... Leroy Carter nearly misses All Blacks call

Chiefs star Carter is one of four uncapped players called up to the New Zealand squad for the Rugby Championship but a doggy disaster nearly cost him his place

Politics

8 d. ago ‘The dog ate my passport’: All Blacks rookie sorts pet’s mess to rescue debut

Leroy Carter sorts shock call-up for Rugby ChampionshipCanine chewed passport he needed for Argentina tripLeroy Carter was still coming to terms with his inclusion in the All Blacks squad to play in Argentina in the opening rounds of the Rugby Championship when he made the shocking discovery. “The dog ate my passport.”The utility back with the Hamilton-based Chiefs was one of four uncapped players included in Scott Robertson’s Championship squad. The phone call from Robertson informing him of his selection had come as a massive surprise. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago The dog ate my passport: Family pooch dogs rookie's All Blacks call

Rookie Leroy Carter was still coming to terms with his inclusion in the All Blacks squad to play in Argentina in the opening rounds of the Rugby Championship when he made the shocking discovery

Politics

3 w. ago South Africa vs Georgia live: Springboks continue winning streak in emphatic fashion

Can the Springboks continue to build momentum ahead of the Rugby Championship?

Politics

3 w. ago Tonight's rugby news as Wales lose and Australia's superstar cavalry to play Lions second Test

The latest rugby news headlines as Wales' Under 20s World Championship campaign ends and the Lions win

Politics

3 w. ago South Africa vs Georgia live: Latest score and updates as Springboks bid to continue winning streak

Can the Springboks continue to build momentum ahead of the Rugby Championship?

Sport