The demise of Boks' guts and glory

Liam Del Carme|Published

The national team's inept performance against the Wallabies in Brisbane have many pundits asking: "What's wrong with our game?" There are several problematical areas ...

Springboks Blackwashed on all fronts

Liam Del Carme|Published

The All Blacks have prized open all the Springbok wounds coach Rudolf Straeuli believed his team had patched up in their stirring win against Australia at Newlands. ...

'One of the best Springbok tries in history'

Liam Del Carme|Published

The Springboks have breathed new life into their World Cup build-up with a bruising but morale-boosting 26-22 victory over Australia at Newlands. "The press is probably ...

Currie Cup hopefuls feel the strain

Liam Del Carme|Published

It may not take its toll physically but mentally the qualifying rounds of the Currie Cup are weighing heavy on its protagonists. ...

Shimange must pass the scrum examination

Liam Del Carme|Published

Springbok rugby's topsy-turvy nature in recent seasons is reflected in the Cheetahs' squad due to play an Argentinian XV in Bloemfontein. Five discarded Springboks ...

Shimange to finally get more game time

Liam Del Carme|Published

Cheetahs coach Peet Kleynhans will be without his South African A team players - Juan Smith, Eddie Fredericks, Anton Pitout and Wayne Julies for the weekend's match ...

White set to unleash 'Baby Bulls' on Wales

Liam Del Carme|Published

The South Africa under-21 team may have been unrestrained exhibitionists in their 102-10 win over Canada, but coach Jake White believes his cards are still welded ...

Straeuli's still keen on Koen

Liam Del Carme|Published

Louis Koen's case for a place in the Springbok World Cup squad was immeasurably strengthened this weekend. Koen's performance with the boot in the two-Test series ...

Bok wounded set to return to the front lines

Liam Del Carme|Published

If the second Test against Scotland was indeed the last chance several Springboks had to impress the national coach, there could be sweeping changes for the next ...

Boks win but the questions remain

Liam Del Carme|Published

The result at Ellis Park on Saturday was somewhat predictable but, sadly, so too was the languid performance of the victors. Again the Springboks struggled to bring ...

Boo boys not welcome at Ellis Park

Liam Del Carme|Published

Ellis Park officials say they are hoping they don't see a repeat of what happened at Kings Park in Durban where the Springboks were booed for their inept performance ...

Falcons hope to draw from opening stalemate

Liam Del Carme|Published

The Falcons learnt a valuable lesson in the opening week of the Currie Cup's qualifying competition. Any side in an eight-team competition are capable of toppling ...

Butch on standby in event of further injury

Liam Del Carme|Published

Jaco Van der Westhuizen, the lone cover for Louis Koen at flyhalf in the Springbok squad to play Scotland on the weekend, is expected to be confirmed fit for the ...

Brave Straeuli puts faith ahead of form

Liam Del Carme|Published

Coach Rudolf Straeuli's faith in their ability rather than their most recent form has earned an inordinate number of Springboks selection into the 24-man squad for ...

Media in Martina's firing line

Liam Del Carme|Published

The media have to clean up their act in coverage of women's sport. Some of sport's most celebrated female achievers concurred in Monaco that women deserve an equitable ...

Mark and Natalie join stellar cast in Monaco

Liam Del Carme|Published

In exploring the extremities of human endeavour and spirit Mark Shuttleworth and Natalie du Toit have had few rivals. Their headline-grabbing achievements did not ...

Lions hit with hefty quota fine

Liam Del Carme|Published

The Lions have been found guilty of contravening a quota regulation, but they will be able to defend their Vodacom Cup title in the final against the Bulls. A three-man ...

Bulls must pray for a miracle

Liam Del Carme|Published

The Bulls may have saved South African face in the penultimate round of the Super 12, but events elsewhere have lengthened the odds against them as they make a last-ditch ...

Desperate Brumbies recall fiery Finegan

Liam Del Carme|Published

Although the mathematicians will tell you there are seven, those convinced more by form than figures will argue that there are only five teams in contention for ...

Have a break - have a kitty Cat!

Liam Del Carme|Published

Just when you thought the Cats could not sink any lower in the estimation of their peers, the Blues have delivered a psychological blow that could further undermine ...

Straeuli, Lane back beleaguered Bob

Liam Del Carme|Published

National coach Rudolf Straeuli and his assistant, Tim Lane, have sprung to the defence of the beleaguered former Springbok captain Bob Skinstad. The Cats captain ...

Cats change their spots again

Liam Del Carme|Published

Springbok flank Joe van Niekerk is the most significant addition to another radically revised Cats team for their match against the Chiefs. Coach Tim Lane has again ...

I'll always be a Bok, says Bob

Liam Del Carme|Published

Bob Skinstad has committed himself to Springbok rugby until June of next year. That's the buzz after a Springbok media briefing where Bok coach Rudolf Straeuli outlined ...

Tappe Henning handed a World Cup red card

Liam Del Carme|Published

Tappe Henning's omission from the panel of World Cup referees is hardly surprising, according to a local insider. Henning's name did not appear on the provisional ...

'Crusaders mauled young Cats team like cubs'

Liam Del Carme|Published

When Cats coach Tim Lane was handed the most youthful team in the Super 12 competition he never thought he would have to refer to them as "boys" in a literal sense. ...