rugbylatest news & developments

More than a game: How South Africans wear sport like a second skin

In South Africa, sport isn’t a hobby parked in a corner of life. It’s a social language. It decides what time people arrive at a family visit, how loud the TV gets on a Saturday, and whether the Monday mood feels light or heavy. Football brings the weekly heartbeat – league matches, cup ties, derbies […]

Patriot: Rassie Erasmus embraces the values of the democratic South Africa, where we celebrate each other and our truly working class origins. Photo: Springboks

Rassie is ours, all of ours!

Even the rugby unions who can’t stand him, would not blink an eye if they could have him as their coach

Nelson Mandela and South Africa’s 1995 rugby World Cup promoted unity in newly democratic South Africa.

In a world of hate, leverage sports to combat it

Sport is critical in curbing racial hatred and hate speech through continuous global awareness campaigns in tournaments such as the Fifa World Cup and the Olympics

Maybe it’s excessive to say James Small lost his life before he died. Maybe it’s more genteel to say he misplaced a life, in the way you might misplace your car keys or gym bag.

James Small went large in rugby, in life – and even his death

The Springbok giant – known for being the man who toppled Jonah Lomu – still lives in our memories five years after his death

Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard Photos: Craig Mercer/Getty Images

The good, the bad and the Boks

There was much to report on this year with multiple World Cups taking place across several sporting codes

Siya Kolisi acknowledges the fans after defeat to Ireland during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between South Africa and Ireland at Stade de France on September 23, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Siya Kolisi is our own Babe Ruth

Rugby, represented by the Springboks, is the country’s most symbolic, just as baseball is to Americans.

Game plan: Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber (back) and South African Rugby Union director Rassie Erasmus should let the leashes off the players. Photo: Warren Little/Getty Images

Let the Boks play for the love of the game

The pressure of playing for South Africa and its myriad problems will be an obstacle to the Springboks beating New Zealand’s All Blacks