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☆ Fittingly fraught finale for fantastic World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

World Rugby addressed that with a major overhaul of the calendar they described as "the most significant development in the sport since the game went professional" but those long-suffering countries are going to have to suffer for a few years yet before they start to feel the benefits. Elsewhere, England overcame a terrible build-up to win all their pool games and Fiji shocked Australia to go through alongside Wales. FABULOUS BRANDFiji's final pool game against Portugal was one of the best seen at a World Cup, with the Portuguese playing a fabulous brand of all-court rugby reminiscent of France at their pomp. Amid emotional scenes and roared on by neutrals the world over, they secured their first-ever World Cup victory in the last minute, with Fiji scraping through via their losing bonus point. Wales will forever rue their missed chances in the first of them against Argentina before Ireland and New Zealand produced an absolute classic.

Persons: Denis, Mbonambi, Webb Ellis, Sarah Meyssonnier, agonising, England's, Owen Farrell's, Antoine Dupont, Handre, Sam Cane, Mitch Phillips, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, Stade de France, Saint, Rights, Two Nations, New Zealand, Ireland, South, Fiji, Wales, Portugal, Argentina, England, Pumas, Springboks, Thomson Locations: Zealand, South Africa, France, Portugal, England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, Portuguese, Fiji, Marseille, Paris, New Zealand, Argentina, New

☆ South Africa hold off 14-man All Blacks to win record fourth World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | Thomson Reuters | Leads Coverage Of Sport Across The Asia-Pacific. Still Reports On The Full Panoply Of Sport. Many Olympics World Cups World Championships Grand Slams Grands Prix | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

No team had ever recovered from a halftime deficit to win a World Cup final and the Springboks came out flying in the second half looking to drive home their advantage. It was the first try South Africa had conceded in four World Cup finals but Mo'unga missed the conversion from wide-out and the Springboks held on to the lead. Kolisi had by now returned to the fray after his card was not upgraded and South Africa brought their famed "bomb squad" off the bench to relieve fatigued forwards. South Africa winger Cheslin Kolbe was the fourth player to be yellow-carded seven minutes from time but New Zealand's Jordie Barrett struck the subsequent 48-metre penalty attempt wide of the posts. New Zealand had also been hoping to win a fourth World Cup and coach Ian Foster thought the way the cards for Cane and Kolisi played out had been a decisive factor.

Persons: Denis, Webb Ellis, Cyril Ramaphosa REUTERS, Gonzalo Fuentes, Cane, Beauden Barrett, NZ Handre Pollard, Sam Cane, Pieter, Steph du Toit, Handre, Siya Kolisi, Black Richie McCaw, Kolisi, Shannon Frizell, Flyhalf Pollard, Richie Mo'unga, Pollard, Cane clattered, Jesse Kriel, Mo'unga, Ardie Savea, New Zealand scrumhalf Aaron Smith, Mark Telea, Cheslin Kolbe, Zealand's Jordie Barrett, Ian Foster, it's, Nick Mulvenney, Ed Osmond Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, Stade de France, Saint, South, NZ, Zealand, Blacks, Springboks, New Zealand, All Blacks, Thomson Locations: Zealand, South Africa, France, Africa, South Africa PARIS, New Zealand, New

☆ Rugby World Cup final: Inspirational South Africa captain Siya Kolisi chases history against New Zealand
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Patrick Snell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —South Africa and New Zealand will meet on Saturday in a Rugby World Cup final for the first time since 1995. On that occasion, it was tournament host South Africa which won a close fought contest 15-12 to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time. Twenty-four years on from that enduring moment, it was the inspiring Siya Kolisi who led his country to victory in the 2019 final against England, becoming the first Black captain to lead South Africa to World Cup glory. Indeed, his participation in this year’s World Cup is also nothing short of remarkable. South Africa or New Zealand will become the first nation to win the Rugby World Cup four times.

Persons: Webb Ellis, Nelson Mandela, Francois Pienaar, Mandela, Siya Kolisi, Kolisi, Richie McCaw, Jeanne Accorsini, ”, England’s Tom Curry, ” Kolisi, he’d, Curry, Thomas Samson, it’s, “, Unwisely, Sam Whitelock, Whitelock, Ian Foster, we’ve, ” Foster, Samuel Whitelock, Sebastien Bozon, Foster, Barrett, – Scott, Jordie, Beauden –, Will Jordan Organizations: CNN, Rugby, South, Springboks, England, All Blacks, World Rugby, Rugby World, Getty, While New Zealand, Kiwis, South Africa, Blacks, Twickenham, New Zealand, New, Stade de France Locations: South Africa, New Zealand, Africa, Zwide, Port Elizabeth, England, AFP, While New, London, France , New Zealand, France, Zealand, Paris

☆ Springbok hooker Mbonambi cleared to play in World Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

World Rugby were subsequently asked to review a similar incident in a match between the two teams in London last year. "Any allegation of discrimination is taken extremely seriously by World Rugby...," it said in a statement. World Rugby added that it accepted that Curry made the allegation in good faith, "and that there is no suggestion that the allegation was deliberately false or malicious." "World Rugby is also concerned by the social media abuse that both players have been subjected to this week. There is no place in rugby or society for discrimination, abuse or hate speech, and World Rugby urges fans to embrace the sport’s values of respect, integrity and solidarity."

Persons: Rassie Erasmus, Lorraine O'sullivan, Bongi Mbonambi, Tom Curry, Mbonambi, Curry, Tom Curry’s, Siya Kolisi, Kolisi, Nick Said, Jason Neely, John Stonestreet Organizations: Aviva, REUTERS, Rights, Saturday’s Rugby, Rugby, England, Springbok, New Zealand, South Africa, World Rugby, Rugby Football Union, RFU, Springboks, Twickenham, Thomson Locations: Africa, Ireland, South Africa, Dublin, New, Paris, London, Mbonambi

☆ Springboks start with Pollard, go 7-1 on the bench
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

In the end, Pollard proved the match winner again as he kicked over a 48 metre penalty to hand South Africa a place in the final. South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber surprised with his choice of replacements, going with seven forwards and a single back for the third time in the last two months. It means South Africa are gambling on fresh forward power winning them the game but risking having no cover should there be any injury among the backs. New Zealand, who like South Africa have won three previous World Cups, will name their team later on Thursday. South Africa: 15-Damian Willemse, 14-Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13-Jesse Kriel, 12-Damian de Allende, 11-Cheslin Kolbe, 10-Handre Pollard, 9-Faf de Klerk, 8-Duane Vermeulen, 7-Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6-Siya Kolisi (capt.

Persons: Handre Pollard, Pollard, Faf, Klerk, Jacques Nienaber, Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt, Lee Arendse, Damian Willemse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter, Steph du Toit, Kolisi, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Steven Kitshoff, Deon Fourie, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, Kwagga Smith, Jasper Wiese, Willie Le Roux, Mark Gleeson, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: Rugby, Springbok, New Zealand, South, England, Libbok, Blacks, Twickenham, Ireland, Leinster, Thomson Locations: COURCELLES, France, South Africa, Japan, flyhalf, scrumhalf, Africa, South Africa’s, Zealand

☆ World Cup braced for second superpower showdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

That means that should they triumph on Saturday they will have an incredible 50% success rate - four finals from eight tournaments. New Zealand won the inaugural event in 1987 then became the first to win back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2015 - an achievement defending champions South Africa are also desperate to emulate. Their previous final meeting was in 1995, the first World Cup South Africa were allowed into. At the other end of the experience spectrum is winger Will Jordan, whose eight tries in France equal the tournament best. Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)Reporting by Mitch Phillips; editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Nelson Mandela, Francois Pienaar, Chester Williams, Siya Kolisi, Richie McCaw, Handre Pollard, Ian Foster, Sam Whitelock, Will Jordan, Jordie Barrett, flyhalf Richie Mo'unga, Ardie, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Sam Cane, Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Nepo Laulala, Dalton Papalii, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert, Damian Willemse, Kurt, Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter, Steph du Toit, Kolisi, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Steven Kitshoff, Deon Fourie, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, Kwagga Smith, Jasper Wiese, Willie Le Roux, Wayne Barnes, Mitch Phillips, Ken Ferris Organizations: Springboks, New Zealand, South, France, England, Twickenham, Zealand, Blacks, Ireland, Webb, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, South Africa, Africa, England, flyhalf, Argentina, Ireland, France, Zealand, Brown

☆ Springbok focus on final despite Mbonambi controversy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Rugby Union - Championship - New Zealand All Blacks vs South Africa Springboks - Auckland, New Zealand - September 16, 2017 South Africa's Bongi Mbonambi reacts after their loss to New Zealand. REUTERS/Nigel Marple/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPRESLES COURCELLES, France, Oct 25 (Reuters) - South Africa have no problem focusing on Saturday's Rugby World Cup final despite the controversy hanging over hooker Bongi Mbonambi and World Rugby's investigation into alleged discriminatory behaviour, assistant coach Felix Jones said. World Rugby are formally reviewing the allegation that Mbonambi directed a racial slur at England's Tom Curry in Saturday's semi-final, where South Africa secured a 16-15 win to set up a final against New Zealand this weekend. "Everyone, as you can expect for a World Cup final, is hugely excited and there is a high level of focus. World Rugby said separately an investigation into the allegations was being conducted by its disciplinary structures but no time line on the process was known.

Persons: Mbonambi, Nigel Marple, Bongi Mbonambi, Felix Jones, Tom Curry, Jones, Curry, Ben O'Keeffe, Malcolm Marx, flyhalf Handre Pollard, Deon Fourie, Marco van Staden, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Rugby Union, Zealand, Blacks, South Africa Springboks, REUTERS, Saturday's Rugby, Rugby, South, New Zealand, Springboks, South Africa Rugby, Stade de France, England, France, Thomson Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, New Zealand, COURCELLES, France, South Africa, Saturday's, England, South, flyhalf

☆ Online abuse of Curry unacceptable, says Farrell
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS, Oct 25 (Reuters) - England flanker Tom Curry has been on the receiving end of relentless online abuse this week and captain Owen Farrell, usually a player who says the minimum in his media dealings, took to the microphone on Wednesday to say it was unacceptable. "What isn't understandable is the amount of abuse he's got," Farrell said in press conference ahead of Friday's bronze final against Argentina. But that is Tom Curry. "This is not a Tom Curry incident - someone has said something in the game that he has reported and he is getting on with preparing. This is a World Rugby and SA Rugby matter to deal with."

Persons: Tom Curry, Owen Farrell, Curry, Bongi Mbonambi, he's, Farrell, it's, we've, Tom, It's, Steve Borthwick, Mitch Phillips, Christian Radnedge Organizations: World Rugby, South Africa Rugby, New Zealand, Argentina, Rugby, SA Rugby, Curry's, Sharks, Thomson Locations: England

☆ Tight margins made the difference for Springboks in win over France
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"We knew it was going to be this tight. South Africa’s replacements outmuscled the tiring French and after Etzebeth’s try they went ahead and held on in the end to extinguish home hopes. “I must give credit to the guys that came off the bench, they came and made a huge difference,” added captain Siya Kolisi. In the knockout rounds anything can happen, there are going to be small margins right to the end," added Nienaber. And Mbonambi warned that South Africa’s defence of the title was not yet complete.

Persons: Jacques Nienaber, Eben Etzebeth, they’ve, Nienaber, Etzebeth’s, “, ”, Siya Kolisi, Mbonambi, “ We’ve, Mark Gleeson, Ken Ferris Organizations: France, South Africa, England, Stade de France, Springboks, Thomson Locations: South Africa, France, Paris

☆ 'Sad' Springboks mull over Marx replacement in World Cup squad
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

It was in a contact session, it was a team run and it was just unfortunate," Nienaber told reporters on Friday. Rugby players work incredibly hard for four years to come to a World Cup, the players sacrifice a lot and their families sacrifice a lot. "Every individual in our team adds something to the Boks, so we lose that (with Marx). The Boks are holding off naming a replacement until after their Pool B clash with Romania in Bordeaux on Sunday, with Nienaber saying all options remain open. We will discuss it after the game, we are fully focused on Romania because we should show them that respect."

Persons: Malcolm Marx, Jacques Nienaber, Marx, Bongi, Nienaber, Malcolm, flyhalf Handre Pollard, Manie Libbok, Pollard, Malcolm wouldn't, Nick Said, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Rugby, Springboks, Leicester Tigers, Thomson Locations: BORDEAUX, France, Toulon, Bordeaux, Romania

☆ Key Springboks hooker Marx under injury cloud
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 14 (Reuters) - South Africa face a potentially huge blow to their bid to retain the Rugby World Cup after hooker Malcolm Marx was sent for scans for an undisclosed injury picked up in training on Wednesday. Team officials did not elaborate on Marx’s issue but said an update on his fitness would be provided in the coming days. South Africa do not have a third specialist hooker in the squad, with regular loose forwards Deon Fourie and Marco van Staden nominated cover. Fourie will be on the bench against Romania with Mbonambi starting the game. Marx is the second key player under an injury cloud for South Africa after lock Eben Etzebeth left last weekend’s 18-3 victory over Scotland due to a shoulder issue.

Persons: Malcolm Marx, Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Deon Fourie, Marco van Staden, Joseph Dweba, Eben Etzebeth, Rassie Erasmus, Etzebeth, Nick Said, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Rugby, Romania, Springboks, Team, Mbonambi, Stade de France, Thomson Locations: South Africa, France

☆ South Africa hooker Marx ruled out of World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Rugby Union - Rugby Championship - South Africa v New Zealand - Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela, South Africa - August 6, 2022 New Zealand's Samisoni Taukei'aho in action with South Africa's Malcolm Marx REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 14 (Reuters) - South Africa's World Cup title defence suffered a major blow on Thursday when hooker Malcolm Marx was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with a long-term knee injury as coach Jacques Nienaber delayed naming a replacement in the squad. The pair were not deemed fit enough when the World Cup squad was announced on Aug. 8 but both played a major role in the team's 2019 triumph. Stormers hooker Joseph Dweba was the nominated standby option when the squad was announced. One of the leading hookers in world rugby, Marx has also been a strong ball carrier for the Springboks and a key source of turnovers at the breakdown. Reporting by Julien Pretot and Nick Said; Editing by Alison Williams; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Africa's Malcolm Marx, Siphiwe, Malcolm Marx, Jacques Nienaber, Nienaber, Bongi Mbonambi, flyhalf Handre Pollard, Pollard, Joseph Dweba, Marx, Malcolm, Deon, Marco, Mbonambi, Van Staden, Julien Pretot, Nick Said, Alison Williams, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, New Zealand, Mbombela, Africa's Malcolm Marx REUTERS, World, Leicester Tigers, South African Rugby, Romania, Sunday, Springboks, Bongi, Thomson Locations: Africa, New, Mbombela, South Africa, Bordeaux

☆ Springboks include injured skipper Kolisi in World Cup squad
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 8 (Reuters) - South Africa captain Siya Kolisi was included in the squad for next month’s Rugby World Cup but other key players left out because of injury, including influential flyhalf Handre Pollard and World Cup-winning centre Lukhanyo Am. There are 12 World Cup debutants but the Boks kept the bulk of the side that won the tournament in Japan four years ago. Also out is Lood de Jager, the giant lock who was also part of team four years ago. He heads a list of players who compete at a third World Cup tournament. South Africa play in Pool B at the World Cup where they also meet Romania, Ireland and Tonga.

Persons: Siya Kolisi, flyhalf Handre Pollard, Kolisi, Pollard, de Jager, Jacques Nienaber, De Jager, Nienaber, Frans Malherbe, Trevor Nyakane, Eben Etzebeth, Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Kurt, Lee Arendse, Faf de Klerk, Andre Esterhuizen, Jaden Hendrikse, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Cobus Reinach, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams, Pieter, Deon Fourie, Steven Kitshoff, Jean Kleyn, Vincent Koch, Malcolm Marx, Kubota Spears, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Nche, Marvin Orie, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Rugby, Lukhanyo, Scotland, Argentina, SA Rugby, Wales, New Zealand, Twickenham, Romania, Tonga, Squad, Panasonic, Knights, Canon Eagles, Harlequins, Suntory, Eagles, Toyota, Honda, Snyman, Leicester Tigers, Thomson Locations: JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Marseille, Japan, Cardiff, New, Ireland, Montpellier, Ulster, Munster, Stormers

☆ Springboks overcome scrappy first half to beat Argentina 24-13
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"I’m just very happy, we worked very hard," South Africa’s stand-in captain Bongi Mbonambi said. "It is always tough to come and play here in Argentina. It was a proper test match but this was a good game for us before the World Cup." And they got another shortly afterwards as Libbok’s cross-kick was collected by wing Moodie and he had an easy run-in to score. The win may have come at some price after the Boks' experienced centre Lukhanyo Am was forced off at halftime with a knee injury.

Persons: Canan Moodie, Agustin Creevy, Jacques Nienaber, Mapimpi, Moodie, Manie Libbok, Bongi Mbonambi, scrumhalf Gonzalo Bertranou, Creevy, Libbok, Franco Mostert, Nick Said, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Argentina, Rugby World, Springboks, Lukhanyo, Thomson Locations: South Africa, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Argentine, Bertranou, Mapimpi

☆ Springboks change 14 for Argentina rematch in Buenos Aires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

He has continued to cast his net wide and manage the minutes of the players with a further 14 changes for Saturday’s test. The only one to retain their place is flyhalf Manie Libbok, with regular starter Handre Pollard still working his way back from injury. Jasper Wiese is in at number eight, with versatile loose-forwards Franco Mostert and Deon Fourie on the side of the scrum. "There is not a player in our enlarged squad who is fully confident that he will be in the World Cup squad, so the competition for places is intense." The Boks scraped a barely deserved win at Ellis Park on Saturday as they withstood intense pressure from Argentina, and will expect a backlash from the home side.

Persons: Manie Libbok, Andrew Boyers, Hooker Bongi Mbonambi, Gerhard Steenekamp, Jacques Nienaber, Handre Pollard, Fullback Damian Willemse, Canan Moodie, Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo, Andre Esterhuizen, Cobus Reinach, Thomas du Toit, Trevor Nyakane, Marvin Orie, Jean Kleyn, Jasper Wiese, Franco Mostert, Deon Fourie, Nche, Nienaber, Damian Willemse, – Jasper Wiese, – Deon Fourie, Mbonambi, Joseph Dweba, – Vincent Koch, Jean, Luc du Preez, Evan Roos, Herschel Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Kurt, Lee Arendse, Nick Said, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Rugby Union, International, England, South Africa, Twickenham, Rugby World, Argentina, Springbok, Rugby, Fullback, Ireland, South African Rugby, World, Ellis, Thomson Locations: South, London, Britain, Africa, Buenos Aires, New Zealand, Johannesburg, Mbonambi, France, Argentina

☆ Boks shuffle pack ahead of Italy test as Wiese returns
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 15 (Reuters) - South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber has made several changes to his pack with the return of number eight Jasper Wiese and a new lock pairing for the autumn international test against Italy in Genoa on Saturday. He replaces Kwagga Smith, while Salmaan Moerat and Marvin Orie make up the second row with Eben Etzebeth rested on the bench and Franco Mostert moving to flank in place of Pieter-Steph du Toit. "It’s also good to have Jasper back against the physical Italian pack, and we know that Kwagga will spark something different when he takes the field. "Evan (Roos) also gets a chance off the bench and his skills will work well with Kwagga’s in the loose trio." Italy have had some past joy against the Springboks, beating them for the first time 20-18 in Florence six years ago.

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