Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
Michael Mentz

Creator

Michael Mentz

All eyes on Bok top job

Appointing a new coach for the Springboks will be a top priority for the Saru while they re-evaluate the implementation of the quota system.

Bereft

Bereft, bedondered: Boks bid breker Bakkies Botha bye-bye

Boks don’t cry, but there’s no shortage of emotion in the Springbok camp following the news that injured lock Bakkies Botha will be returning home.

Beast bets Boks’ best is yet to come

A lot of hard work lies ahead of the South African rugby team before they will reach their peak, Springbok Tendai "Beast" Mtawarira says.

New Zealand cops detain SA reporter for ‘drug dealing’

SA rugby journalist Vata Ngobeni was detained on Monday morning when Taupo police removed him from a local pub on suspicion he was a dealing drugs.

Bismarck du Plessis: ‘Rugby is a contact sport’

Bismarck du Plessis: ‘Rugby is a contact sport’

Bismarck du Plessis said filling captain John Smit’s boots would be one of the goals he would like to achieve when South Africa take on Samoa.

Matfield to lead Boks against Samoa

Matfield to lead Boks against Samoa

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has confirmed that Victor Matfield will captain South Africa for the first time in a Rugby World Cup match.

Namibia match could be final World Cup trial for Boks

Namibia match could be final World Cup trial for Boks

While the Boks respect their Namibian opponents, they also see Thursday’s World Cup match as an way to fine-tune their game for more brutal battles.

Bakkies to return for Bok game against Fiji

Bakkies to return for Bok game against Fiji

After fears that he may not feature in the Rugby World Cup, Springbok lock Bakkies Botha has made a miraculous recovery from an Achilles injury.

Habana out, Muller in doubt for Fiji clash

Bok wing Bryan Habana is out because of a knee injury, while lock Johann Muller is nursing a hamstring injury — highlighting the Boks’ lock crisis.

Bismarck calls for better Bok lineouts

Springbok hooker Bismarck du Plessis says South Africa need to improve their lineout play ahead of Saturday’s Rugby World Cup match against Fiji.

Injuries plague Springboks at World Cup

Injuries plague Springboks at World Cup

Lock Victor Matfield and centre Jean de Villiers’ World Cup dreams are still alive, Springbok team doctor Craig Roberts confirmed on Monday.

‘Focus on the Boks

‘Focus on the Boks, not transformation’

South Africans should focus their attention on the Springboks and not on issues like transformation in rugby, Fikile Mbalula has said.

Debate rages as Matfield considers return

It’s about the team, not my retirement, says Matfield

Victor Matfield says the team’s timeout between now and their match against Wales is being used to focus on the team, and not his upcoming retirement.

Cake Tin’s winds worries Matfield

Cake Tin’s winds worries Matfield

Even though the Boks played more matches at Westpac Stadium, it does not necessarily mean they would have an advantage, says Victor Matfield

Injury could force Bakkies to miss World Cup opener

Injury could force Bakkies to miss World Cup opener

Lock Bakkies Botha could miss the Springboks’ opening match of the Rugby World Cup against Wales because of an Achilles injury.

Tough pool game will prepare us: Muller

Springbok lock Johann Muller says their three world cup pool matches may be the best possible preparation for the team ahead of the knockout stages.

Defending champions feeling the pressure

Defending champions feeling the pressure, says Smit

Springbok skipper John Smit said on Thursday the defending champions were under more pressure ahead of this year’s World Cup, compared to 2007.

Steyn remains calm as pressure increases

Rugby World Cup squad member Morne Steyn manages to stay calm ahead of the game, despite all the pressures of good goal kicking.

History is on our side: Botha

History is on our side: Botha

Former Springbok flyhalf Naas Botha says the history books show that Australia’s victory in the Tri-Nations series should count in favour of SA.

Lions reign supreme over Sharks

The Lions retained their status as the Absa Currie Cup’s pace-setting team by securing a 28-19 victory over the Sharks in Johannesburg.