Tag Archives: south africa

South Africa star Cheslin Kolbe insists that his side will not be getting caught up in their shock defeat to Japan at the 2015 World Cup when the teams meet again on Sunday. Four years ago, a late try by Karne Hesketh saw Japan stun the Springboks with a 34-32 victory but given their performances so far, and their finish …

Italy duo Andrea Lovotti and Nicola Quaglio have both received a three-game ban following their dangerous clearout on Duane Vermeulen during their loss to South Africa.  Lovotti received a straight red in the 42nd minute of the 49-3 loss following a nasty tip-tackle on Duane Vermeulen when Italy were only five metres from the South African try-line. The prop was …

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus does not believe that his knowledge of the Ireland players will give his side any advantage should they meet in a World Cup quarter-final.  New Zealand were handed the advantage in Pool B today following their thrilling 23-13 win over the Springboks in Yokohama with tries from George Bridge and Scott Barrett. The result …

New Zealand 23 South Africa 13 _____ It was touted as the biggest and best fixture of the group stages of the Rugby World Cup and the meeting of New Zealand and South Africa didn’t disappoint. Rassie Erasmus’ side brought their ferocious intensity from the Rugby Championship straight into this game in Yokohama and put the All Blacks to the …

New Zealand head coach Steven Hansen has accused his South African counterpart Rassie Erasmus of trying to influence referee Jerome Garces ahead of their titanic World Cup battle this weekend.  During a press conference on Wednesday, Erasmus commented that the era in which the All-Blacks benefit from marginal calls because they are the best in the world has ended. The …

It is a hot topic once more in the build-up to the Rugby World Cup but Ireland powerhouse CJ Stander has said that he was never aware of doping during his time in South Africa.  The 29-year-old previously played for Currie Cup side Blue Bulls and represented South Africa at the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship in Japan. Stander was called up to …

South Africa have made three changes to the side that drew 16-16 with New Zealand with all three changes coming in the front row.  Tendai Mtawarira, Bongi Mbonambi and Trevor Nyakane will face down the challenge awaiting the Springboks when they take on Argentina in Salta on Saturday. Duane Vermeulen captains the side from number eight once again where he …

The All Blacks have named Crusaders’ out-half, Richie Mo’unga, to start against the Springboks for Saturday’s Rugby Championship encounter.  The decision means that two-time World Player of the Year, Beauden Barrett, will make the switch to full-back for this weekend’s South Africa test. New Zealand scraped over the line in last week’s opening round match with Argentina on a scoreline …

Warren Gatland has said that he would not have taken the role of British & Irish Lions head coach if he didn’t believe his side could win the series in South Africa in 2021. The 55-year-old was confirmed as the head coach this morning making him just the second man to take charge for three consecutive tours, following in the …

South African out-half, Pat Lambie, is set to announce his retirement from rugby due to an accumulation of concussions, according to reports.  The Racing 92 star has been out of action for months following a knee injury that he suffered during his side’s Champions Cup final defeat to Leinster in May. However, according to a report in Midi Olympique, the 28-year-old will retire …

South Africa will play 2019 Rugby World Cup hosts Japan in Saitama on September 6 in their final warm-up match for the tournament, the national rugby union announced Monday. Japan caused one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history when they stunned South Africa 34-32 at the pool stage in England three years ago. “This is an ideal opportunity …

Former South African hooker, Naka Drotske, is in intensive care following a setback to his recovery from injuries sustained during an armed robbery last month. The 47-year-old was wounded in the abdomen and arm at the home of his brother near Pretoria when he charged at three intruders, two of whom were armed, tackling them and pushing them out of …

Former Springbok World Cup winner and Super Rugby coach Naka Drotske was pictured Saturday making a thumbs-up sign from his hospital bed after being shot during an armed robbery.   The 47-year-old was wounded in the abdomen and arm late Thursday at the home of his brother near Pretoria when he charged at three intruders, two of whom were armed. …

Montpellier lock forward Paul Willemse will be available to play for France in the Six Nations after announcing on Friday that his French citizenship had been confirmed this week. Pretoria-born Willemse, who won the Under-20 World Cup with the Springboks in 2012, qualifies for French citizenship through residency having left his native South Africa to play for Top 14 side …

Former Springbok hooker Naka Drotske was in critical condition in hospital on Friday after being shot during an armed robbery outside the South African capital Pretoria. The 47-year-old, a member of the 1995 World Cup winning squad, was at his brother’s property in Kameeldrift when three men broke into the house on Thursday evening, police told local media. “There was …

Angus Gardner, the referee who oversaw the November Series clash between England and South Africa, has admitted that he should have awarded a penalty following Owen Farrell’s ‘no-arm’ tackle on Andre Esterhuizen. The shoulder-led tackle came at the end of the game when Rassie Erasmus’ side trailed by 12-11  in Twickenham. A penalty would have won the game for the southern …

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus said that he was impressed by side’s attitude to claim an overtime victory against France one week on from an agonising one-point defeat to England. The Springboks beat the French on Saturday 29-26 thanks to an 85th minute try from hooker Bongi Mbonambi despite trailing by four points going into the final 30 seconds of …