Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Jones calls for ref respect ahead of Boks showdown

England head coach Eddie Jones insists referees must be treated with respect as he once again prepares to face a South Africa team who will be without Rassie Erasmus at Twickenham.

Rugby • 24 Nov 22

Ferris critical of latest Erasmus social media post

Former Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris has said that South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus is "letting himself down" with his social media postings about the decisions of officials during games.

Rugby • 17 Nov 22

Andy Farrell's Ireland came out on top against South Africa

Farrell getting exactly what he wants from Irish squad

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell says there is more to rugby than "beating your chest" on the back of his side's bruising victory over physical world champions South Africa.

Rugby • 07 Nov 22

Farrell is yet to face South Africa as a head coach

'It doesn't get any bigger' - Farrell ready for SA

With three games this month, the Six Nations next spring and at least two World Cup warm-up matches confirmed, it leaves Andy Farrell with just 10 games - 11 if they arrange an extra warm-up - to work through until France 2023.

Rugby • 04 Nov 22

South Africa finished second behind New Zealand in this year's Rugby Championship

Springbok challenge to provide a welcome variety

With the Six Nations regulars, four games against New Zealand and even a couple versus Japan, there's been a familiarity to the opposition Ireland have faced in this World Cup cycle, writes Neil Treacy.

Rugby • 30 Oct 22

Rassie Erasmus and Wian du Preez will form part of the South Africa 'A' coaching team

Erasmus and Du Preez to coach South Africa A v Munster

Rassie Erasmus will lead South Africa 'A' when they face Munster in Cork next month, with the province's former prop Wian du Preez also set to be part of the coaching team.

Rugby • 04 Oct 22

South Africa won the 2019 Rugby World Cup under former Munster coaches Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber

Munster to host South Africa in November tour match

Munster have confirmed their will host Springboks this November as part of the world champions' northern hemisphere tour.

Rugby • 24 Aug 22

Vermeulen missed the summer Test series against Wales due to knee surgery

Vermeulen returns for Boks among five changes for NZ

Ulster's Duane Vermeulen will return to the South Africa team for Saturday's second Rugby Championship meeting with New Zealand at Ellis Park.

Rugby • 09 Aug 22

Rassie Erasmus insists he wasn't behind the leaking of a video criticising referees

Erasmus denies leaking infamous Lions tour video

South Africa's director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has denied he made public his now infamous 62-minute video critique of the performance of the match officials after the first test against the British & Irish Lions last year.

Rugby • 06 Mar 22

Erasmus says sorry and withdraws misconduct appeal

Springboks director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has apologised to referee Nic Berry and withdrawn his appeal against his suspension for misconduct.

Rugby • 25 Nov 21

Rassie Erasmus (left) has been suspended for his conduct surrounding referee Nic Berry (right)

Toxic fallout of Erasmus report damages all involved

As each of the 80 pages get turned in the full written judgement into Rassie Erasmus's misconduct hearing, the only thing that's clear is that there are no winners in this toxic mess.

Rugby • 18 Nov 21

Rassie Erasmus has been suspended from all rugby activity for two months

Erasmus suspended following Lions' officials rant

South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has been hit with a ten-month suspension from all match-day activities with the Springboks.

Rugby • 18 Nov 21

Rassie Erasmus will face a misconduct hearing later this month

Erasmus to face misconduct hearing at end of October

Rassie Erasmus and the South Africa Rugby union are to face a disciplinary hearing at the end of this month.

Rugby • 07 Oct 21

Johann van Graan is entering his fourth full season in charge of Munster

Munster coach Van Graan staying quiet on contract talk

Munster head coach Johann van Graan is keeping quiet on reports that he and two of his assistants are set to extend their contracts with the province.

Rugby • 21 Sep 21

Jones urges swift resolution to Rassie Erasmus case

Eddie Jones has called for a swift resolution to the disciplinary action launched against South Africa boss Rassie Erasmus in order to set an example to the game.

Rugby • 06 Sep 21

'Rassie will feel vindicated and has opened a can of worms with officiating going forward'

Forget the Springboks in red and find new plan, Gatland

Former Munster out-half Jonny Holland outlines the need for the Lions to discover their own way of playing after losing the second Test in Cape Town.

Rugby • 05 Aug 21

'The last thing we need is a war of words and being accused of doing certain things'

War of words not on Gatland agenda ahead of 'cup final'

Warren Gatland says the British and Irish Lions must prepare for a 'cup final' after their 27-9 defeat by South Africa in the second Test set up a series decider next Saturday but was reluctant to comment on Rassie Erasmus' pre-match video.

Rugby • 31 Jul 21

The Lions are on the verge of a first series in in South Africa since 1997

South Africa v Lions second Test: All you need to know

South Africa are in do-or-die territory against the Lions in the second Test. Find out all you need to know here.

Rugby • 30 Jul 21

Rassie Erasmus aired his concerns about the officiating in an hour-long video on Thursday

Lenihan: Latest 'Rassie rant' plays into Lions' hands

Donal Lenihan and Bernard Jackman join the RTÉ Rugby Podcast to discuss South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus' latest online criticisms of the officiating on the Lions tour.

Rugby • 29 Jul 21

Rassie Erasmus is unhappy about the length of time it took to receive feedback from the officials

Erasmus criticises officials in hour-long video rant

Rassie Erasmus has offered to step back from South Africa's series against the British and Irish Lions in an hour-long video that intensifies his online campaign against Warren Gatland's tourists.

Rugby • 29 Jul 21

RTÉ Rugby Podcast: 'Rassie rant' and Lions game-plan

Bernard Jackman and Donal Lenihan join Hugh Cahill on the RTÉ Rugby Podcast to discuss the Lions' build-up to the second test against South Africa as they look to win again as well as discussing Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus' latest tweet complaints over refereeing decisions.

Rugby • 29 Jul 21

Johan 'Rassie' Erasmus: 'I actually follow Jaco Johan, he's a big supporter of us'

'I'm not Jaco Johan' - Erasmus addresses Twitter query

Rassie Erasmus has accused the Lions of compromising "the integrity of the game" by questioning Marius Jonker's officiating role in Saturday's Test series opener.

Rugby • 27 Jul 21

Lions coach urges Erasmus to lay off Twitter criticism

Lions assistant coach Steve Tandy believes if South Africa's director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has any complaints about rough play from the tourists he should direct them through the appropriate channels and not social media.

Rugby • 26 Jul 21

'The Boks aren't subtle with their tactics. They almost tell you how they'll play'

Lions on front foot after winning tactical battle

The Lions are in the ascendency after a tactical first Test in Cape Town, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 27 Jul 21

Erasmus oversaw South Africa's 22-17 defeat to the British and Irish Lions in Cape Town on Saturday

Erasmus fires more criticism at Lions 'dangerous' play

South Africa's director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has resumed taking pot shots at the British and Irish Lions on Twitter after posting footage to highlight what he describes as "reckless and dangerous" play.

Rugby • 26 Jul 21