Latest

Madiba invited to World Cup final

Former South African president Nelson Mandela has been invited to attend next weekend's World Cup final between the Springboks and England. South Africa coach Jake White said the current president Thabo Mbeki had already confirmed he would attend the match and there was a chance Mandela might also come to Paris if he was healthy enough to make the trip.

All Blacks scarred for life, says coach

New Zealand coach Graham Henry admitted the All Blacks were scarred for life by their agonising World Cup exit as the team received an unexpectedly warm welcome home on Wednesday. About 1 000 fans broke into chants of "All Blacks, All Blacks" as 17 of the 30-man squad arrived at Christchurch airport.

Winger Doug Howlett arrested in London

All Blacks winger Doug Howlett was arrested in London and may face charges after an incident at the team's hotel near Heathrow Airport, the New Zealand Rugby Union said. The union is investigating the incident at the Hilton Hotel in which two cars were damaged.

Jones points finger at Connolly for Aussie Cup exit

Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has blamed his successor, John Connolly, for Australia's shock World Cup exit last weekend at the hands of old enemy England. Connolly replaced Jones two years ago and there has been no love lost between the pair, particularly since Jones signed up as an adviser to South Africa for this year's tournament in France.

Pumas wary of Springbok power

Argentina are expecting their World Cup semifinal against South Africa in Paris on Sunday to be a bruising, no-holds barred encounter. The Pumas won through to the last four of the tournament for the first time with a narrow 19-13 win over Scotland in the quarterfinals at the Stade de France last Sunday.

French defeat brings Henry's All Blacks time to an end

Graham Henry will be replaced as All Blacks coach by the end of the year after his highly fancied team crashed out of the World Cup at the hands of France in the quarterfinals. The New Zealand Rugby Union board said on Sunday that a new coaching team should be in place by Christmas, even though Henry and his assistants have contracts until March 2008.

Springboks handed favourites tag

South Africa's media on Monday declared the Springboks as the new favourites to win the Rugby World Cup after they narrowly avoided becoming the third victim of a weekend of quarterfinal upsets. Newspapers breathed a sigh of relief that the Boks saw off a brave challenge by Fiji, who at one stage were level-pegging at 20-20.

Australian media taunt All Blacks

Australian newspapers on Monday sought to ease the pain of the Wallabies' Rugby World Cup exit at the hands of England -- and the boot of Jonny Wilkinson -- by taunting the All Blacks. "At least we didn't choke," Brisbane's Courier-Mail screamed across its back page.

Argentina beat Scotland to reach semifinals

The battle of the brothers swung decisively in Argentina's favour at the Stade de France on Sunday as the Pumas charged into the World Cup semifinals for the first time. The South Americans won a closely fought quarterfinal 19-13 and will play South Africa next Sunday for a place in the World Cup final.

Boks batter Fiji into submission

South Africa progressed to the Rugby World Cup semifinals on Sunday by eking out a hard-fought 37-20 victory over Fiji in a brutal but enthralling game in which no quarter was given. Some monumental hits were exchanged between two immensely physical sides.