Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

South Africa came from behind to beat New Zealand 31-27 last weekend

Springboks change seven as All Blacks bench Barrett

Siya Kolisi has been passed fit for South Africa as they make seven changes, while New Zealand have dropped Beauden Barrett and TJ Perenara to the bench for the Rugby Championship clash.

Rugby • 05 Sep 24

Cheslin Kolbe (l) in action against New Zealand

Springboks aim to repel All Blacks' fast start - Kolbe

South Africa's nerveless run through the knockout stages at the Rugby World Cup last year has instilled the belief that no mountain is too high as they seek a fourth successive victory over old foes New Zealand on Saturday.

Rugby • 04 Sep 24

Kilisi suffered a facial injury in South Africa's win over New Zealand

Springboks to play waiting game on Kolisi injury

South Africa will assess captain Siya Kolisi through the week and have not ruled him out of the second Rugby Championship Test against New Zealand in Cape Town on Saturday after delaying their team announcement by two days.

Rugby • 03 Sep 24

Grant Williams dives over for the winning try

Springboks produce storming comeback to beat All Blacks

South Africa scored two late tries to come back from a 10-point deficit to edge New Zealand 31-27 in a bruising Rugby Championship clash at Ellis Park on Saturday that came close to matching the intensity of last year's World Cup final.

Rugby • 31 Aug 24

Siya Kolisi's South Africa are two from two in the Rugby Championship

Kolisi: 'You cannot relax in a Springbok jersey'

The fierce competition for places in the matchday squad is driving South Africa to new heights, according to captain Siya Kolisi, as his side prepare to face old foes New Zealand in a Rugby Championship Test at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Rugby • 30 Aug 24

Scott Barrett (C) and former skipper Sam Cane (L) are back in the XV

NZ captain Barrett and Cane back to face South Africa

New Zealand captain Scott Barrett has returned from a broken finger to lead the side in their Rugby Championship test against South Africa at Ellis Park on Saturday, while former skipper Sam Cane will also start against the world champions.

Rugby • 29 Aug 24

Eben Etzebeth will take his place on the bench

Etzebeth added to Springboks bench for All Blacks

South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth has been passed fit to face New Zealand in a Rugby Championship showdown on Saturday, but will start from the bench having originally been excluded from the team announced this week due to injury.

Rugby • 28 Aug 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

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

New Zealand and Australia look to rebound after defeats

New Zealand and Australia will be out to restore some pride with Rugby Championship victories this weekend after chastening reverses at the hands of Argentina and South Africa last Saturday.

Rugby • 15 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

RG Snyman contests a high ball against Ireland last month

Springboks boosted by Irish battles, says Snyman

The Test series against Ireland last month could prove ideal preparation for South Africa's opening two matches in the Rugby Championship against Australia over the next fortnight, Leinster lock RG Snyman said.

Rugby • 05 Aug 24

Springboks hammer Portugal, All Blacks beat Fiji

Winger Makazole Mapimpi scored a hat-trick of tries as South Africa overwhelmed a gutsy but outgunned Portugal, while New Zealand had a big win over Fiji.

Rugby • 20 Jul 24

A long season has ended and Jonny Holland takes a look back

Winners and losers from Ireland's South Africa trek

Ireland finished off their long season with a remarkable Test victory over South Africa, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 16 Jul 24

Ciarán Frawley, right, celebrates with team-mate Jack Crowley who he replaced with 21 minutes to go in Durban

Farrell: Frawley deserves the chance to slot in at 10

Andy Farrell believes Ciarán Frawley deserves the opportunity to line out more regularly at out-half after his late heroics earned Ireland a last-gasp win in their second Test in South Africa.

Rugby • 15 Jul 24

James Ryan with Bundee Aki after Ireland won at the death at Kings Park

Ryan: I said 'nah, it didn't go over' - then the relief

For Ireland lock James Ryan, it was almost a surreal moment watching Ciarán Frawley's dropgoal go over to give Ireland victory over South Africa on Saturday.

Rugby • 15 Jul 24

Ireland's players celebrate after their win over South Africa

'As good as it gets' - Farrell delights in comeback win

In the moments after last week's first Test defeat to South Africa in Pretoria, Andy Farrell was quick quick to point out that even in defeat, his team hang around like a bad smell.

Rugby • 14 Jul 24

Frawley's last minute dropgoal sealed the win

Frawley: This is the best moment of my career

Ciarán Frawey says his match-winning dropgoal to beat South Africa is the best moment of his career, even if he admitted it was the "ugliest" strike of his life.

Rugby • 13 Jul 24

Ireland player ratings: Frawley steals the show

Ireland claimed a memorable win over South Africa to level the series in Durban. Read how we rated the players here.

Rugby • 13 Jul 24

Ciarán Frawley landed the last-minute dropgoal

Frawley heroics give Ireland famous win in South Africa

For just the second time ever, Ireland have won a Test match in South Africa, and their 25-24 win looked unlikely, if not impossible with just 15 minutes to play.

Rugby • 13 Jul 24

Recap: South Africa 24-25 Ireland

Relive all the action from Durban as Ireland attempt to level up the series against world champions South Africa.

Rugby • 15 Jul 24

Springbok and Irish players ger aquainted during the first Test

South Africa v Ireland: All you need to know

Ireland head into the second Test with South Africa looking to tie the series at a win apiece.

Rugby • 12 Jul 24

Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris tackle South Africa's Eben Etzebeth during last week's first Test

Preview: History shows Ireland can react in second Test

Neil Treacy previews Ireland second Test against the world champions South Africa in Durban.

Rugby • 13 Jul 24

Caelan Doris will captain Ireland in Saturday's second Test

Doris: Ireland have their 'edge' back for Boks rematch

Succession-planning hasn't always been the greatest strength of Irish rugby, but when it comes to the current captaincy, there appears to be a roadmap for this World Cup cycle.

Rugby • 12 Jul 24

Peter O'Mahony has been named on the bench by Ireland coach Andy Farrell

Farrell: O'Mahony reaction shows 'proper leadership'

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has praised his captain Peter O'Mahony for his reaction to being dropped ahead of Saturday's second Test with South Africa in Durban.

Rugby • 11 Jul 24