Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

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

Fans welcomed home the victorious South Africa team

Champion Springboks welcomed home to South Africa

Tens of thousands of jubilant fans lined the streets of Pretoria, Johannesburg and Soweto on Thursday to catch a glimpse of champions South Africa at the start of a five-city Rugby World Cup trophy tour.

Rugby • 02 Nov 23

Wayne Barnes refereed the World Cup final

All Blacks want answers on referee calls in RWC final

New Zealand have asked World Rugby to explain some of the officiating during their World Cup final defeat to South Africa, outgoing coach Ian Foster said.

Rugby • 02 Nov 23

Kolisi committed to Springboks ahead of Racing 92 move

Siya Kolisi has no plans to retire from international rugby and will continue to be available for South Africa, he confirmed on Tuesday when he arrived home to a hero's welcome after clinching back-to-back World Cups titles in France.

Rugby • 31 Oct 23

South Africa are experts at building their team to peak at the right time

Springboks mastery of basics is its own kind of torture

The South African rugby team are currently touring their home country to visit the people that they represented during their deserved World Cup victory.

Rugby • 31 Oct 23

WATCH: Springboks celebrate as final whistle blows

South Africa claimed an incredible fourth Rugby World Cup title as they edged out New Zealand 12-11 in Paris.

Rugby • 30 Oct 23

Jacques Nienaber (l) and Felix Jones (c) celebrate with the Webb Ellis

Uncertainty now for Springboks as stalwarts near end

Following their World Cup triumph, South Africa face an uncertain future as they wait for a new coach to be appointed while many of the stalwarts within the squad are coming to the end of their Test careers.

Rugby • 30 Oct 23

Kolisi: 'The All Blacks took us to a dark place'

Kolisi: 'People don't know what this means for SA'

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi hailed his side's fighting spirit and hoped it would prove inspirational for his country at large after they retained the World Cup with a 12-11 win over New Zealand in Stade de France.

Rugby • 30 Oct 23

Siya Kolisi lifts the Webb Ellis Cup again

South Africa hold off 14-man New Zealand in RWC final

New Zealand captain Sam Cane became the first player to be sent off in a World Cup final as South Africa retained their title with a nail-biting 12-11 victory at Stade de France.

Rugby • 30 Oct 23

RWC final: Springboks retain World Cup after thriller

Relive all the action from the Stade de France as New Zealand took on defending champions South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final.

Rugby • 30 Oct 23

Brodie Retallick returns to the starting XV

One change in New Zealand side to face South Africa

New Zealand tweaked their team for Saturday's Rugby World Cup final against South Africa with Brodie Retallick replacing Sam Whitelock in the second row.

Rugby • 26 Oct 23

Springboks start with Pollard in final, go 7:1 on bench

Handre Pollard, who kicked South Africa to an emphatic victory in the last Rugby World Cup final, will start again in this year's decider with another 7:1 split among the forwards and backs on the Springbok bench for Saturday's decider against New Zealand.

Rugby • 26 Oct 23

South Africa celebrate their semi-final win over England

Springboks have faced toughest road to World Cup final

If South Africa go on to lift the Rugby World Cup trophy on Saturday in Paris, they will have done it the hard way by facing every other team in the top six of the current world rankings on their sometimes rocky journey to the title.

Rugby • 23 Oct 23

South Africa in the dressing room after the game

Relief for South Africa after 'ugly' performance

South Africa were relieved to emerge with the narrowest of victories over England in Saturday's Rugby World Cup semi-final, bemoaning an error-filled performance and admitting their unfancied opponents outplayed them for large parts of a nail-biting contest.

Rugby • 22 Oct 23

Owen Farrell kicked all of England's points

Farrell 'proud' as England edged out in Paris

England captain Owen Farrell insisted the future was bright for Steve Borthwick's men despite their narrow semi-final loss to South Africa in Paris.

Rugby • 21 Oct 23

Handre Pollard kicks the winning penalty

Boks back in final after last-gasp win over England

Handre Pollard kicked a last-gasp penalty as South Africa fought back to beat England 16-15 and set up a Rugby World Cup final clash against fellow triple champions New Zealand.

Rugby • 22 Oct 23

Recap: Pollard breaks English hearts with late kick

England and South Africa met in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals, with New Zealand awaiting the winners. Relive the action here.

Rugby • 21 Oct 23

Cobus Reinach will start against England on Saturday

Springboks report online threat against Reinach

South Africa's Cobus Reinach is "in a good space" after an online threat that included a picture of the scrum-half's son following the 29-28 win over hosts France in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Rugby • 20 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

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

The table ahead of the final round of games

Pool Permutations: What Ireland need to do to qualify

It's coming down to the wire ahead of the final round of pool games at the Rugby World Cup. Life is simple for Ireland, win or draw and go through.

Rugby • 02 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

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

Ireland players at training in Tours on Friday morning

Ferris: World Cup schedule working out for Ireland

Stephen Ferris reckons Ireland's World Cup schedule has "panned out really well", as they take a well-earned break from action this weekend.

Rugby • 29 Sep 23

The South African bench looks on as Ireland close out the game

Nienaber: 'Butchered' chances cost us, not kicking

Much of the focus in the wake of South Africa's tense World Cup loss to Ireland was centred around the Springboks' kicking woes, but coach Jacques Nienaber is more concerned with his side's botched opportunities.

Rugby • 28 Sep 23