Blitzboks need loads of luck to stay in Olympics after two losses

Blitzboks need loads of luck to stay in Olympics after two losses

When it mattered, the Springbok Sevens simply weren’t good enough. That’s the verdict after day one at the Paris Olympics, where the Blitzboks crashed to a 17-5 defeat to add to their narrow 10-5 loss against Ireland, leaving them with an uphill climb, and needing plenty of luck to make the playoffs of the tournament. Because after those two losses the Blitzboks need to beat Japan in their final […]

July 25, 2024 6

Sport

Nortje called up for Oz as Boks pick strong 33-man squad

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will lead a strong 33-man squad to Australia for the opening two games of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship early next month. While the Boks named a squad that didn’t include scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, who is injured with an unspecified injury, there was good news as World Cup winners Malcolm Marx and Pieter-Steph du Toit were declared fit for the tour. There was also […]

July 24, 2024 9

Sport

Ben Youngs reveals heart surgery after training collapse

England's most-capped male rugby player Ben Youngs revealed he underwent heart surgery earlier this year after collapsing during an open training session with his club Leicester Tigers. The 34-year-old was speaking on his For The Love Of Rugby podcast when he made the revelation and added that he is recovering and hopes to be fit for the new English Premiership season, starting in September. "You know when we […]

July 23, 2024 27

Sport

All Blacks legend Kirwan casts doubt on Savea’s Moana move

All Blacks legend John Kirwan has cast doubt on Ardie Savea's switch to Moana Pasifika, saying it could affect his Test form for New Zealand. Savea, 30, announced Sunday he would end more than a decade of association with the high-flying Wellington Hurricanes to make the bombshell move to Moana, who finished second bottom of the Super Rugby standings in 2024. Kirwan said the move could hamper Savea's […]

July 22, 2024 13

Sport

Italy fly-half Garbisi says ‘nothing serious’ after knockout

Italy fly-half Paolo Garbisi has brushed off being apparently knocked unconscious in Sunday's victory over Japan, saying it was "nothing serious". "Big bump but luckily nothing serious, now finally space for a bit of rest," Garbisi posted on Instagram a few hours after Italy's 42-14 win in Sapporo. The Toulon outside half was motionless on the ground after tackling Japan centre Dylan Riley in the 67th minute. The medical […]

July 22, 2024 28

Sport

Experimental Springboks tackle Portuguese in historic Test

The last time world champions South Africa played in Bloemfontein a team showing 14 changes suffered a shock first home loss to Wales two years ago. They returned to the central city this week to prepare for a historic first, one-off Test against second-tier Portugal on Saturday, and once again the starting side has 14 changes. But the chances of history repeating itself and the Springboks falling to […]

July 19, 2024 37

Sport

Alaalatoa says crucial Australia keep win streak going against Georgia

Wallabies skipper Allan Alaalatoa stressed on Friday the importance of maintaining momentum under new coach Joe Schmidt, forecasting a physical game against Georgia this weekend. Australia won back-to-back Tests this month against Wales to get the New Zealander's reign off to a flying start. "It's massive, it's something we addressed early in the week," Alaalatoa -- Australia's third captain in as many Tests -- said of keeping the […]

July 19, 2024 8

Sport

Barrett starts as All Blacks ring changes for Fiji Test in US

New Zealand on Thursday made 11 changes to the team to face Fiji in San Diego, with Beauden Barrett starting at fullback, a debut for centre Billy Proctor and five uncapped players on the bench. Proctor, who plays for Wellington Hurricanes, lines up with the experienced Anton Lienert-Brown in midfield for the game on Friday night in California. Playmaker Barrett is restored after hugely influential performances coming off the […]

July 18, 2024 9

Sport

Bok youngsters have everything to gain in Bloemfontein

Given the injuries to key frontline players and the transition to a new attacking game plan, the young Springbok team selected to face Portugal in Bloemfontein on Saturday has everything to gain and little to lose. It was always likely after a World Cup cycle that some players would start to look to the twilight of their careers and young upstarts would start pushing them for places. That […]

July 18, 2024 6