Rugby Union

South Africa

Persistence with 'Pooper' shows Cheika is avoiding hard calls

CARDIFF, WALES - SEPTEMBER 23:  Michael Hooper (l) and David Pocock of Australia in action during the 2015 Rugby World ...

The bad news confronting the Wallabies as they go into Saturday's Test at Brisbane against the Springboks is their six consecutive losses. The good news, of sorts, is that these losses have been against England and the All Blacks, the two best sides in world rugby

Boks pick Hougaard to take on Wallabies

Man of many talents: Francois Hougaard.

Francois Hougaard has been selected on the wing as one of three changes in a revamped South African backline for their Rugby Championship Test against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.

We know Springboks are bullies, says Jones

Fierce competitor: Eddie Jones bats during the Rugby Writers' cricket match against the RFU in July.

Eddie Jones, the England head coach, has labelled South Africa "bullies" ahead of the first Test of the -autumn series at Twickenham on Nov 12. Jones is bracing his men for a physical encounter with the Springboks, whom England have not beaten since 2006.

Boks coach wants substance over style

"We've got to improve in a big way, not just little improvements": South Africa's coach Allister Coetzee.

South Africa coach Allister Coetzee begins his first Rugby Championship campaign on Saturday knowing the Springboks must master their old strengths against Argentina before they can start to spread their wings.

Farewell to the hardest rugby player ever

No quarter given: Jacques Burger in action for Saracens.

​It was one of the most enjoyable interviews I have done. A couple of years ago, I sat with Jacques Burger on a small sofa on the balcony overlooking the Saracens training base at St Albans.

Argentina to host Wallabies at Twickenham

Eyeing an unexpected trip to London: Kurtley Beale.

Argentina will host Australia at Twickenham in their Rugby Championship match on October 8, moving the southern hemisphere competition over the equator for the first time.

Habana called up for Olympic Sevens build-up

Firming for Rio: Bryan Habana.

South Africa winger Bryan Habana has moved a step closer to playing in this year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro after he was named in a training squad for the next two rounds of World Rugby's Sevens Series.

The most valuable try ever scored

Touching down: NWU-Pukke put nine points on the board.

A rugby union revolution might not be too far away if a South African university competition is anything to go by, after fans were left thrilled with the tournament's first nine-point try on Tuesday.

Habana signs off on World Cup career

Bryan Habana: "I will take some time off now and decide where I am as a player."

South Africa's winger Bryan Habana could extend his Springboks career for two more years but has ruled out another tilt at the elusive outright World Cup try record.

Bronze consolation for Springboks

Schalk Burger, Bryan Habana and Victor Matfield celebrate after clinching third place.

South African winger Bryan Habana and flyhalf Handre Pollard fell just short in their bids for individual records despite helping the Springboks to a 24-13 win over Argentina in the bronze medal playoff at the Olympic Stadium on Friday.