Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

New Zealand hold off South Africa in Eden Park battle

New 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 on Saturday.

Rugby • 06 Sep

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JUNE 25: Teboho Mokoena #4 of Mamelodi Sundowns FC looks ahead during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group F match between Mamelodi Sundowns FC and Fluminense FC at Hard Rock Stadium on June 25, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Phot

FIFA remain silent on sanction for errant South Africa

FIFA's reticence to dock World Cup points from South Africa for using a defaulter in a March fixture is casting a cloud and creating confusion ahead of this week's potentially decisive round of African qualifiers.

Soccer • 02 Sep

New Zealand's centre Theresa Setefano dives to score a try during the Women’s Rugby World Cup pool C match between New Zealand and Spain at York Community Stadium, York, northern England, on August 24, 2025. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP)

Women's RWC wrap: Wins for New Zealand and South Africa

Champions New Zealand began the defence of their title with a 54-8 win over Spain at LNER Community Stadium in Women's Rugby World Cup Pool C.

Rugby • 24 Aug

South Africa's fly-half Handre Pollard kicks the ball during the Rugby Championship second round Test match between South Africa and Australia at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on August 23, 2025. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP)

Pollard inspires Boks to victory over Australia

Handre Pollard put in a commanding performance at fly-half as a more pragmatic South Africa beat Australia 30-22 in their second Rugby Championship Test in wet conditions in Cape Town on Saturday to reignite the defence of their title.

Rugby • 24 Aug

Double World Cup winner Kitshoff forced to retire

Double World Cup winning prop forward Steven Kitshoff has been forced to retire from rugby after a serious neck injury, his club Stormers announced.

Rugby • 25 Feb

Eben Etzebeth runs in for a South African try in their 33-point win in Cardiff

Wales hit historic low in Springbok thrashing

Wales slumped to a 12th successive Test match defeat and head coach Warren Gatland saw the pressure ramped up on him as world champions South Africa won 45-12 at the Principality Stadium.

Rugby • 23 Nov 24

Paul Stirling helped Ireland to a memorable win

Ireland claim just second ODI victory over South Africa

Ireland claimed just their second ODI victory over South Africa as half-centuries from Paul Stirling and Harry Tector contributed to a 69-run consolation triumph in Abu Dhabi.

Cricket • 07 Oct 24

Andrew Balbirnie opened for Ireland in a big defeat

Ireland thrashed as South Africa seal ODI series

South Africa sealed an emphatic series win after beating Ireland by 174 runs in the second one-day international in Abu Dhabi.

Cricket • 04 Oct 24

Ireland defeated by South Africa as ODI series begins

Ireland suffered a 139-run defeat in their series-opening ODI in Abu Dhabi as South Africa avenged Sunday's T20 loss.

Cricket • 02 Oct 24

Ireland earn landmark T20I win over South Africa in UAE

Ireland earned a landmark first win T20I over South Africa in their second test in the UAE to tie the series 1-1.

Cricket • 29 Sep 24

Eben Etzebeth became the most capped Springbok

Springboks claim title on Etzebeth's special day

Full-back Aphelele Fassi and flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit scored two tries each as dominant South Africa claimed the 2024 Rugby Championship with a comprehensive 48-7 victory over Argentina at a festive Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.

Rugby • 28 Sep 24

Eben Etzebeth equalled Victor Matfield's tally of 127 caps against Argentina on Saturday last

Etzebeth set for Springbok record in reaching 128 caps

Lock Eben Etzebeth is set to become the most capped South African international of all time in the Rugby Championship decider against Argentina in Nelspruit on Saturday as the Springboks also offer a rare start to flyhalf Manie Libbok.

Rugby • 27 Sep 24

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

Eben Etzebeth has played in every South Africa Test against the All Blacks since 2012

Etzebeth out as Du Toit starts for Boks against NZ

Eben Etzebeth will miss South Africa's crunch Rugby Championship meeting with New Zealand in Johannesburg on Saturday, with Pieter-Steph du Toit named for a rare appearance at second row due to the Springboks' lock shortage.

Rugby • 27 Aug 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

Young outhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu keeps his place for Saturday's test

Springboks ring changes for second clash with Australia

South Africa have made 10 changes to their starting line-up for the Rugby Championship test with Australia in Perth on Saturday, including first starts for scrumhalf Morne van den Berg and lock Ruan Nortje.

Rugby • 13 Aug 24

Kurt-Lee Arendse of the Springboks runs with the ball

Springboks romp to victory in Australia

Winger Kurt-Lee Arendse scored two tries as South Africa matched their biggest ever win over the Wallabies on Australian soil with a 33-7 victory over their error-strewn hosts in the Rugby Championship opener in Brisbane.

Rugby • 10 Aug 24

Rassie Erasmus is expecting 'another spectacle of top-class rugby'

South Africa name unchanged side for second Irish duel

South Africa have named an unchanged matchday 23 for Saturday's second Test against Ireland in Durban.

Rugby • 09 Jul 24

Bundee Aki of Ireland makes a break during the 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B match

South Africa v Ireland: All you need to know

Ireland face the Springboks in their first test at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. Here's all you need to know ahead of kick-off.

Rugby • 05 Jul 24

James Ryan, left, and Eben Etzebeth during the Ireland v South Africa clash in 2022

Jackman has 'sinking feeling' for South Africa tour

Bernard Jackman says Ireland's tour of South Africa could "turn nasty" unless Andy Farrell's side are able to muster high-octane performances at the end of a draining season.

Rugby • 03 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

'At openside, Van Der Flier is the probable selection, but I'd go with Nick Timoney'

Brave selection calls can deliver exciting Irish side

Ireland are loath to enact wholesale changes but the South African tour is a great opportunity for the younger crop of players, writes Jonny Holland

Rugby • 02 Jul 24

Jasper Wiese was sent off after this ruck

South Africa's Wiese suspended for Ireland Tests

South Africa will be without Jasper Wiese for their two Tests against Ireland after the forward was suspended for six matches.

Rugby • 23 May 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

Ronwen Williams saves the spot-kick of Mischack Elia

AFCON: South Africa secure third place after shootout

South Africa claimed third place in the Africa Cup of Nations, beating DR Congo 6-5 in a tense penalty shootout after surviving a second-half onslaught in a 0-0 draw.

Soccer • 11 Feb 24