[ad_1] In addition to confirming Kolisi's retention as captain, Erasmus said full-back Willie le Roux and wing Cheslin Kolbe are both fit to face Ireland in the opening Test in Pretoria on 6 July. "Willie and Cheslin are clear to play, but we'll have to manage [wings] Edwill van der Merwe and Makazole Mapimpi. Both of them stand a chance of being available for Ireland," said Erasmus, who returned as
[ad_1] England will face stiff opposition from Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne if in-form Blues No8 Hoskins Sotutu decides to give up hopes of breaking back into the All Blacks squad.The 25-year-old played a huge role in helping the Blues win the Super Rugby Pacific title against the Chiefs last weekend but then found himself surplus to requirements as Scott Robertson, the new All Blacks head coach, left him
[ad_1] Garry Ringrose says that he finds something to admire in Damian de Allende’s admission that the Springboks are “desperate” to beat Ireland in the upcoming Test series. Several senior Springboks, including Eben Etzebeth and Damian de Allende, have started stoking the fire for the two-Test series, that will see the two-time defending world champions look to get their first win against Ireland since 2016. LISTEN: Why Boks are buzzing
[ad_1] A Set small text size A Set the default text size A Set large text size Ten months after overseeing Fiji’s greatest World Cup victory by upsetting the Wallabies in Saint Etienne, Simon Raiwalui is set to become the head of performance at the Waratahs.In a full-circle moment for Raiwalui, who moved to Tempe in Sydney with his mother at a young age before starting out his remarkable rugby
[ad_1] An already-intense rivalry between Ireland and South Africa has been spiced up by comments made by the Springboks in recent weeks, with Eben Etzebeth and Damian de Allende among those to have stoked the flames.De Allende spoke of how the Springboks felt "disrespected" by heavy media criticism after a crushing defeat by Ireland in Dublin in 2017, while Etzebeth said the Irish had been "arrogant" by telling South Africa's
[ad_1] Superstar speedster Maddison Levi steadfastly believes Australia’s all-conquering women’s sevens team can overcome a mounting injury toll and bring home gold from the Paris Olympics.Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, a hero of Australia’s 2022 Commonwealth Games and Rugby Sevens World Cup successes, was the latest influential figure ruled out of the Games this week.Lefau-Fakaosilea – the niece of 2023 Wallabies World Cup captain Will Skelton – suffered a devastating ACL injury during
[ad_1] The Junior Springboks are leaving no stone unturned as they prepare for Saturday’s U20 World Championship opener against Fiji at Cape Town Stadium. The SA U20 side moved into their official tournament base in the Mother City from their home base in Stellenbosch, and immediately went about their business with an afternoon session against their Australian counterparts at the Hamilton rugby club grounds in Sea Point. The time has
[ad_1] A Set small text size A Set the default text size A Set large text size One of the country’s best young second-row prospects will stay in Australian rugby, with Josh Canham signing a two-year deal to join the Queensland Reds from the Rebels.The 23-year-old was a shock omission from Joe Schmidt’s maiden Wallabies squad last week, but that doesn’t mean the rising star won’t play on the international
[ad_1] Williams is now hoping to end what has been a long, hard season on another high as Wales prepare to take on Spain in the WXV2 play-off.Wales endured a disappointing Six Nations, finishing bottom of the table with just one win over Italy.Saturday's stakes are made even higher with the winner also securing Rugby World Cup qualification for next year."Everyone is in really good spirits at the minute because
[ad_1] Northampton Saints have confirmed the departure of Fiji hooker Sam Matavesi with immediate effect to “pursue a playing opportunity overseas”.The 32-year-old has spent the last five seasons at Franklin’s Gardens, amassing 89 appearances and scoring 13 tries.The move means his final Saints appearance was the Gallagher Premiership final victory over Bath, where the 25-cap Fijian enjoyed a 20-minute cameo from the bench.Kurley Beale eager to help Wallabies back to
