Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Siya Kolisi has been left out of this week's 23

No Kolisi for Springboks; Erasmus looks to wider squad

Livewire wing Kurt-Lee Arendse returns to the South Africa starting line-up as one of 10 changes for the Rugby Championship test in Argentina on Saturday, but Eben Etzebeth starts on the bench and there is no Siya Kolisi in the matchday 23.

Rugby • 17 Sep 24

RG Snyman should be fit to face the All Blacks

Springboks get fitness boost ahead of New Zealand tests

South Africa have beefed up their squad with several World Cup winners for the two Rugby Championship home tests against old foes New Zealand, and also offered a recall to lock Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg to boost their second row options.

Rugby • 20 Aug 24

Australia lost 3-12 to the Springboks at the weekened

Erasmus: Wallabies can be competitive against Lions

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has backed Joe Schmidt to lead Australia into next year's high-profile Test series against the British and Irish Lions despite making a mixed start to his tenure with the Wallabies.

Rugby • 19 Aug 24

South Africa say they were frustrated with their scrum performance early on against Ireland last week

Irish scrum 'tricks' frustrate Boks hooker Mbonambi

South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi has highlighted how Ireland's scrum 'tricks' left the Springboks frustrated at times in last week's first Test.

Rugby • 10 Jul 24

Erasmus doubles down as Springboks look to win series

If there was any hope that the Springboks might take their foot off the pedal after beating Ireland last weekend, those notions were quickly dismissed this afternoon.

Rugby • 09 Jul 24

Andy Farrell was speaking at the Irish team base in Sandton, Johannesburg

'It's brilliant' - Farrell enjoying Rassie mind games

Andy Farrell says he's been enjoying the mind games coming out of the South Africa camp, ahead of Saturday's first Test against the world champions.

Rugby • 05 Jul 24

Craig Casey will hope to start against South Africa

Casey needs to start against Springboks - Jackman

Bernard Jackman believes that Rassie Erasmus is probably correct in his assumption that Craig Casey will start against South Africa in Saturday's first Test in Pretoria.

Rugby • 03 Jul 24

Erasmus stokes the flames ahead of first Irish Test

As the Irish players and coaches do their utmost to duck and dodge any questions about some verbal hand grenades coming out of the South African camp, Rassie Erasmus has continued to operate in the only way he knows how.

Rugby • 02 Jul 24

Handre Pollard gets the nod over Manie Libbok at out-half

South Africa locked and loaded for first Test v Ireland

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has laid his cards on the table ahead of Saturday's game against Ireland, naming a strong and settled starting team for the first Test in Pretoria.

Rugby • 02 Jul 24

Rassie Erasmus: 'I believe we are in the right frame of mind for the challenge ahead'

'Huge excitement' as Erasmus gets Boks set for Ireland

South Africa have advanced their preparations for the two-test home series with Ireland following the arrival of all their players in camp this week, but coach Rassie Erasmus warns the tourists will be a step up in quality from their convincing 41-13 win over Wales.

Rugby • 28 Jun 24

Four new caps in Springboks squad to face Wales

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus will give out four new caps this weekend, as his Springbok side warm-up for their Test series against Ireland with a game against Wales at Twickenham.

Rugby • 18 Jun 24

Kurt-Lee Arendse (with ball) is out for South Africa's first game against Ireland in July

Springboks face injury problems ahead of Ireland Tests

World champions South Africa will be missing Canan Moodie, Damien Willemse and Kurt-Lee Arendse for their two-Test home series against Ireland next month.

Rugby • 14 Jun 24

Siya Kolisi looks set to stick with the Springboks

Kolisi part of Springboks plans but may not be captain

Double World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi is playing excellent rugby for French club Racing 92 and will be considered for South Africa this year, though he may not lead the side.

Rugby • 12 Mar 24

Rassie Erasmus is recovering in hospital after a 'freak accident'

Erasmus recovering in hospital from 'freak accident'

South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus is recovering in hospital after undergoing a medical procedure for chemical burns.

Rugby • 27 Jan 24

Rassie Erasmus will return to the head coach role with the Springboks

Erasmus to return to head coach role with Springboks

Rassie Erasmus is to return as head coach of South Africa for the foreseeable future, he confirmed to local media on Sunday, reprising the position he held when the side lifted the World Cup in 2019.

Rugby • 05 Nov 23

South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus (l) with head coach Jacques Nienaber (r)

South Africa taking 'the biggest risk' with 7:1 bench

Bernard Jackman believes South Africa could be taking too big a risk with their 7:1 bench selection for the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand on Saturday.

Rugby • 26 Oct 23

England expect Boks to bring big hits & clever wits

England are ready for scheming from South Africa at the Stade de France on Saturday night [8pm kick-off] but believe the World Cup will be decided in other areas.

Rugby • 21 Oct 23

Rassie Erasmus has been having fun on social media during the World Cup

Tickles from 'uncomplicated' Erasmus touching nerves

The reaction to Rassie Erasmus's press conference this week suggests a sensitivity among Irish rugby followers unbecoming of the top team in the world, writes Mikey Stafford.

Rugby • 05 Oct 23

Makazole Mapimpi was injured in a clash of heads with Augustine Pulu

South Africa wing Mapimpi ruled out of World Cup

South Africa wing Makazole Mapimpi has been ruled out of the remainder of the Rugby World Cup in France with a fractured eye socket.

Rugby • 02 Oct 23

Springboks shocked by Irish breakdown bite - Snyman

Munster lock RG Snyman was left to rue South Africa's missed chances as the world champions fell to defeat to Ireland on Saturday night.

Rugby World Cup • 25 Sep 23

Mack Hansen scored a try in Ireland's win over South Africa in November

'Friends say Ireland are our bogey team' - Erasmus

Ireland have beaten South Africa in the last two meetings and Rassie Erasmus mused over the suggestion that Andy Farrell's side are his "bogey team".

Rugby • 19 Sep 23

Handre Pollard only joined up with the Springboks squad on Monday morning

Erasmus adamant Pollard won't play against Ireland

Out-half Handre Pollard will not play for South Africa against Ireland, says Springboks director of rugby Rassie Erasmus, while lock Eben Etzebeth is on course for the World Cup clash on Saturday.

Rugby • 18 Sep 23

Siya Kolisi captained South Africa to their third World Cup title

The story of the RWC: Springboks time their run in 2019

In the last of our features looking back at the history of the Rugby World Cup, Neil Treacy reviews the 2019 tournament in Japan, where South Africa completed a remarkable turnaround to become champions for a third time.

Rugby • 03 Sep 23

Seven of South Africa's replacements against New Zealand were forwards

Jackman: Rassie's 7:1 bench split should be encouraged

Former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman says he welcomes the creativity from the Springboks' coaches

Rugby • 30 Aug 23

Pollard will miss the Rugby Championship due to a calf injury

Calf injury rules Pollard out of Rugby Championship

South Africa out-half Handre Pollard will miss the Rugby Championship with a calf injury as director of rugby Rassie Erasmus concedes the loss of his first choice number 10 was a "worry" ahead of the World Cup in France.

Rugby • 27 Jun 23