Britain was given a full outline of an illegal coup plot in a vital oil-rich African state, including the dates, details of arms shipments and key players, several months before the putsch was launched, according to confidential documents obtained by UK newspaper <i>The Observer</i>.
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New Zealand crushed France 45-6 off almost flawless kicking by flyhalf Daniel Carter, who also scored one of four second-half tries in a bruising encounter. The All Blacks’ other tries came from Rodney So’oialo, Jerry Collins, Byron Kelleher and substitute Ma’a Nonu. Carter converted four tries and four penalties.

Bryan Habana scored two tries on his first start and Jaco van der Westhuyzen collected a try and three drop goals on Saturday as South Africa outplayed Scotland 45-10. It was a far different result from the last time the South Africans came to Murrayfield when they lost 21-6 two years ago for their first defeat there since 1969.

South African captain Graeme Smith suffered a freak injury off the field, when a car ran over his foot outside the team hotel, but was likely to play in the second Test against India, a team official announced on Saturday.

Australia coach Eddie Jones was proud of his team after a 21-19 victory over world champions England ended the Wallabies’ poor run away from home against rugby’s major nations. Not since a 23-15 victory against the All Blacks in 2001 had Australia enjoyed a win in either New Zealand, South Africa, England, France or Ireland.

Ronan O’Gara landed a last minute 40-metre drop goal and scored all of his team’s points as Ireland edged Argentina 21-19 at Lansdowne Road on Saturday. O’Gara kept his nerve to score the decisive strike in a match which had earlier seen Ireland, buoyant after their win over the Springboks earlier this month, trailing 13-9 at the break.

Lamontville Golden Arrows collected maximum points when they beat Black Leopards 1-0 in a Castle Premiership encounter played at Kings Park Soccer Stadium on Saturday night. The home side led 1-0 at the interval thanks to a goal by Mabhuti Khanyeza in the 8th minute.

Wits University played to a goalless draw against Bloemfontein Celtic at the Bidvest Stadium on Saturday. Wits started like a house on fire, but failed to convert their chances into goals. Jonathan Solomon had a chance to score in the fifth minute of the game, but his powerful strike hit the goalpost.

Bush Bucks registered their second victory on Saturday when they beat Moroka Swallows 1-0 in a nailbiting Castle Premiership match at the Absa Stadium. The first half was a ding-dong battle, with both teams threatening to score. The only goal came in the 59th minute — Mduduzi Mdladla connected Agent Fawu cross to beat the Swallows goalkeeper.

Vincent Tshabalala and Ernie Els took the first round lead of the Nelson Mandela Invitational on eight-under par at the Arabella Country Estate course on Saturday. The South African duo carded 12 birdies between them in the betterball format to ensure a one stroke lead over three teams on seven-under.