Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

England v South Africa is a repeat of the 2019 final

Donal Lenihan's Rugby World Cup semi-final predictions

Donal Lenihan looks ahead to the two Rugby World Cup semi-finals and is not expecting any surprises, as he tips New Zealand and South Africa to advance to the showpiece decider.

Rugby • 20 Oct 23

Freddie Steward and Ben Earl both start for England

England make three changes for Springboks showdown

Freddie Steward returns at full-back in one of three changes made by England for Saturday's World Cup semi-final against South Africa at Stade de France.

Rugby • 19 Oct 23

South Africa are able to name to same side again

Springboks unchanged for World Cup semi-final

South Africa have named the same side that eliminated hosts France from the Rugby World Cup last week for Saturday's semi-final against England.

Rugby • 19 Oct 23

Warren Gatland's first tenure as Wales boss lasted from 2007 to 2019

Gatland to remain with Wales until next World Cup

Warren Gatland is to remain as Wales head coach and lead them to the 2027 World Cup.

Rugby • 18 Oct 23

Andrew Porter had three penalties called against him

Botha: Scrum calls against Ireland were correct

Ireland were correctly pinged at scrum time against New Zealand on Saturday, former South African prop BJ Botha has told the RTÉ Rugby Podcast.

Rugby World Cup • 17 Oct 23

Manie Libbok viewed the win over France as one of 'the best games he has ever played in

Springboks full of confidence with England to come

Manie Libbok admitted South Africa will be loaded with confidence going into their World Cup semi-final with England after coming through one of the greatest rugby matches in living memory with a one-point victory over hosts France.

Rugby • 16 Oct 23

The players of South Africa celebrate victory

Springboks edge out France in breathtaking encounter

South Africa beat France 29-28 in an explosive battle for the ages on Sunday to set up a Rugby World Cup semi-final against England and consign the hosts to the exit.

Rugby • 17 Oct 23

Rugby World Cup Q/F recap: France 28-29 South Africa

Hosts France bow out of the Rugby World Cup as South Africa edge a thrilling quarter-final 29-28 in Paris.

Rugby • 15 Oct 23

Antoine Dupont will win his 52nd cap for France on Saturday

Dupont fit to start for France against South Africa

France captain Antoine Dupont returns to the starting XV for Sunday's World Cup quarter-final clash with South Africa just over three weeks after suffering a broken cheekbone that jeopardised his involvement in the tournament.

Rugby • 13 Oct 23

Manie Libbok starts at fly-half for the Springboks despite his awful kicking performance against Ireland in the pool stages

Libbok and Reinach to start for South Africa

South Africa have named a surprise half-back pairing of Manie Libbok and Cobus Reinach and only five forwards on the bench for Sunday's Rugby World Cup quarter-final against hosts France.

Rugby • 13 Oct 23

South Africa's Quinton de Kock celebrates after scoring a century

De Kock's knock helps South Africa thump Australia

Quinton De Kock's second successive century at the World Cup helped South Africa to a thumping 134-run victory over Australia in Lucknow.

Cricket • 12 Oct 23

Kwagga Smith of South Africa scores the team's seventh try

South Africa edge towards quarters with win over Tonga

Defending champions South Africa saw off Tonga 49-18 to pick up a bonus-point win in Marseille which moved them temporarily top of Rugby World Cup Pool B.

Rugby • 02 Oct 23

It was a night of celebration for Ireland after overcoming the challenge posed by the reigning world champions

Ferris: I'm still saying Ireland will win the World Cup

Stephen Ferris speaks to RTÉ 2fm's Game On about what he thinks would happen if Ireland and South Africa were to be reunited in the Rugby World Cup final.

Rugby • 26 Sep 23

Dan Sheehan contests the last maul resulting in an Ireland penalty which secured victory over South Africa

Sheehan savours timely return for role in Boks epic

Injury meant Dan Sheehan had to wait in the wings at the start of Ireland's Rugby World Cup campaign but the hooker struck a decidely content figure after returning to feature in the enthralling pool victory over reigning world champions South Africa.

Rugby World Cup • 24 Sep 23

Farrell and Sexton determined to capitalise on Boks win

Andy Farrell was in jubilant mood after Ireland's tense 13-8 Rugby World Cup win over South Africa, while acknowledging that precious little separated the two sides in a game that could have gone either way.

Rugby • 24 Sep 23

Ireland get better of Springboks after titanic tussle

Ireland took a massive step towards topping World Cup Pool B with a thrilling 13-8 victory over champions South Africa in Paris.

Rugby • 24 Sep 23

Andy Farrell has opted to make just one change to the starting XV for the clash against the Springboks

Lenihan: I give Ireland the edge in game fit for final

The Irish presence in Paris has been picking up over the last few days and the South Africa game is one that Ireland have been gearing for since they beat England on 18 March to win the Grand Slam, says Donal Lenihan.

Rugby World Cup • 22 Sep 23

Siya Kolisi leading out South Africa against Ireland in last November's Test

Kolisi relishing 'as big as it gets' date with Ireland

South Africa's Rugby World Cup Pool B clash with Ireland in Paris on Saturday is as big as it gets according to captain Siya Kolisi, while coach Jacques Nienaber knew their 7:1 bench "innovation" would get a negative response.

Rugby • 21 Sep 23

Ireland held their captain's run at the Stade de France on Friday

South Africa v Ireland: All you need to know

Team news, TV and radio coverage and everything else you need to know ahead of Ireland's crunch Rugby World Cup Pool B meeting with South Africa at Stade de France

Rugby • 22 Sep 23

Jonny Holland: 'It's going to be a top class tactical battle between two of the form sides in the world, a showdown that we've been waiting months for'

Two areas likely to decide outcome against South Africa

If Ireland can brush up on their accuracy at the breakdown and the penalty count, victory over world champions South Africa is well within reach, according to Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 19 Sep 23

Garry Ringrose looks to break through a South Africa gap between Jaden Hendrikse and Kurt-Lee Arendse when the sides met last November

Jackman: 'Kamikaze' defence will present Irish chances

South Africa's "kamikaze" defensive system along with a regimental lineout strategy will present Ireland with opportunities if they can execute their own gameplan correctly, according to Bernard Jackman.

Rugby • 18 Sep 23

Rob Herring (L) is making an impact at his first Rugby World Cup

No split loyalties for Herring clan

South Africa-born Ireland hooker Rob Herring insists there will be no split loyalties among his family and friends when his side face the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup in Paris.

Rugby • 18 Sep 23

South Africa made light work of Romania in their second pool game

Nienaber proud of Boks defence ahead of Ireland clash

South Africa's defence will be one of the key challenges Ireland will need to overcome in Saturday's blockbuster Rugby World Cup pool stage clash, with Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber highlighting the pride they take in their defensive structure.

Rugby World Cup • 18 Sep 23

Makazole Mapimpi, one of two South African players to score hat-tricks, breaks past Romania's Gabriel Pop for his third try of the game

Springboks gear up for Ireland with Romania demolition

South Africa thrashed Romania 76-0 to secure a bonus point win in Bordeaux on and mirror the ominous form shown by Pool B leaders Ireland in the tournament's toughest group.

Rugby • 17 Sep 23

Johnny Sexton leads Ireland against South Africa next week

Sexton eyes 'huge challenge' from South Africa

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton will continue to let his performances do the talking after warming up for world champions South Africa with another record-breaking display.

Rugby • 17 Sep 23