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.
James Horwill says he’s taking no comfort from Australia’s recent success against South Africa ahead of their Rugby World Cup quarterfinal clash.
While the other teams in the World Cup quarterfinals have made a show of being blasé, Bok captain John Smit admits the heat is on: "It’s do or die."
The Springboks managed a scrappy 13-5 victory over Samoa in their final group game of the Rugby World Cup, carrying them through to the quarterfinals.
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/ 30 September 2011
In the final round of pool matches some underdogs can still sneak through to the quarterfinals — but upsets are unlikely.
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/ 29 September 2011
South Africa, England and Ireland head into the final round of World Cup pool action top of their groups, but are not set for quarterfinal spots.
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/ 27 September 2011
A lot of hard work lies ahead of the South African rugby team before they will reach their peak, Springbok Tendai "Beast" Mtawarira says.
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/ 27 September 2011
The Springboks will have to be on high alert on Friday as Samoa’s scrums have become a legitimate weapon after their impressive show against Fiji.
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.
If Bryan Habana returns to form, we will win the World Cup — period.
John Smit left for the World Cup under siege to hold his place in the Bok team, yet he will be creating new records when he leads SA against Namibia.
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/ 20 September 2011
The scheduling row that has soured the World Cup took on a new dimension with a Samoan player accusing the IRB of exploitation akin to "slavery" and
South Africa feel they have what it takes to successfully defend their World Cup title defence with minnows Namibia their next tournament indicator.
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/ 16 September 2011
South Africa’s second-row forward crisis has been compounded, with flanker Francois Louw replacing injured lock Johann Muller.
Fiji says they refuse to be intimidated by SA’s lineup for Saturday’s World Cup match, and the Boks’ list of injured player won’t make them complacent
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.
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/ 14 September 2011
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.
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/ 13 September 2011
Springbok hooker Bismarck du Plessis says South Africa need to improve their lineout play ahead of Saturday’s Rugby World Cup match against Fiji.
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/ 13 September 2011
Former Wallabies front rower Michael Foley will help prepare Fiji’s forwards for their Rugby World Cup clash with South Africa on Saturday.
Lock Victor Matfield and centre Jean de Villiers’ World Cup dreams are still alive, Springbok team doctor Craig Roberts confirmed on Monday.
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/ 11 September 2011
The Springboks beat Wales 17-16 in their opening match of their Rugby World Cup title defence in Wellington on Sunday.
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/ 10 September 2011
Wales will be offered "no second chances" when they kick off their World Cup against defending champions South Africa.
The Springboks are an important ingredient in "the medicine" used to treat "wounded South Africans", says Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
The 2011 Rugby World Cup tournament kicks off with the All Blacks feeling the pressure and the Springboks seeking a good start against Wales.
Bakkies Botha will almost certainly miss SA’s rugby World Cup opener, with the Springboks further hurt by an injury concern over winger Bryan Habana.
South Africans should focus their attention on the Springboks and not on issues like transformation in rugby, Fikile Mbalula has said.
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.
Even though the Boks played more matches at Westpac Stadium, it does not necessarily mean they would have an advantage, says Victor Matfield
Lock Bakkies Botha could miss the Springboks’ opening match of the Rugby World Cup against Wales because of an Achilles injury.
After a poor Tri-Nations campaign, the Boks are under increasing pressure as the president orders the World Cup home and fans hope for their success.
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/ 1 September 2011
Fans in green and gold lined the streets of Sandton to bid farewell to the Springboks as they depart for New Zealand ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
Springbok skipper John Smit said on Thursday the defending champions were under more pressure ahead of this year’s World Cup, compared to 2007.