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☆ Pollard gamble pays off for South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-21 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Oct 21 (Reuters) - An injury to hooker Malcolm Marx early in the Rugby World Cup threatened a major blow to South Africa’s hopes of retaining the title but the opportunity to call up Handre Pollard was a gamble that paid off handsomely in Saturday’s semi-final. Pollard, who kicked South Africa to the title at the last World Cup in Japan, was left out of the original 33-man squad after failing to prove his fitness. "We needed some energy and that's why we decided to bring on the bench early," the Springbok coach said. When South Africa won a scrum penalty two metres inside the England half with two minutes to go, the stage was set for Pollard. "Firstly the scrum penalty, that is what got us the opportunity," said Pollard.

Persons: Malcolm Marx, Africa’s, Handre Pollard, Pollard, Libbok, Jacques Nienaber, Siya Kolisi, ” Kolisi, It’s, Ed Osmond Organizations: Rugby, Springboks, New Zealand, Stade de France, Tonga, France, Springbok, South Africa, England, Leicester, Thomson Locations: Saturday’s, England, South Africa, Japan, Yokohama, France

☆ Champions slam door shut to maintain World Cup hegemony
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Ossian Shine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

While Ireland have never progressed beyond the World Cup quarter-finals – losing all eight they have contested – the All Blacks are three-times champions. France had been seeking a maiden World Cup triumph, buoyed by the support of a host nation. Their opponents South Africa have also won the trophy three times, most recently four years ago in Japan. Stuff like that happens, they’ve been there before, they’ve been at a World Cup before and they’ve found solutions during the game." With 2003 champions England also in the semi-finals, only Argentina could break the hegemony this time around and it seems the proven powerhouses will prevail at the Rugby World Cup once again.

Persons: France’s, Fabien Galthie, Naivety, Jacques Nienaber, they’ve, Handre Pollard, Faf, Klerk, Ed Osmond Organizations: France, Blacks, Springbok, Springboks, England, Rugby, Thomson Locations: Paris, Ireland, France, Africa, Japan, South Africa, Argentina

☆ France coach Galthie has no regrets, Dupont slams referee
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | 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: +2 min

"For four years, we wrote a beautiful picture for French rugby, the players can be proud, coaches can be proud." "This doesn't take anything away from the South Africans, who beat us in the fight tonight, they played really well." Galthie, who is contracted until after the next World Cup in 2027, said he would continue as coach. "There is a French team that will continue to play, they will soon be playing the first match of the Six Nations in Marseille," he said. "What we've been through at this tournament is another chapter in the story of the French team."

Persons: Fabien Galthie, Galthie's, Antoine Dupont, scrumhalf, Ben O'Keeffe, Dupont, I'm, Eben Etzebeth's, Galthie, Nick Mulvenney, Ken Ferris Organizations: Springboks, rugby, Namibia, Six Nations, Thomson Locations: France, New Zealand, Africa, South Africa, French, Marseille

☆ 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

☆ Ruthless South Africa extinguish French fire to reach last four
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

We had good opportunities but unfortunately we couldn't convert them into points," France manager Raphael Ibanez said. South Africa captain Siya Kolisi said the bench was critical. Jonathan Danty was held up and Arendse dived over for South Africa after collecting a fortunate bounce from a speculative kick. With barely time to breathe, South Africa regained control when Kolbe outpaced Damian Penaud with astonishing ease to collect Jesse Kriel's kick and score. Pollard added another penalty before Ramos brought France back within a point, but South Africa defended brilliantly to keep out a late French onslaught.

Persons: France's, Fabien Galthie, Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, Mannie, Handre Pollard, Antoine Dupont, scrumhalf, Les Bleus, Cyril Baille, Peato Mauvaka, Thomas Ramos, Raphael Ibanez, Siya Kolisi, Jacques Nienaber's, Dupont, Baille, Jonathan Danty, Arendse, De Allende, Mauvaka, Kolbe, Damian Penaud, Jesse Kriel's, maul, Ramos, Atonio, Nienaber, Etzebeth, Pollard, Julien Pretot, Ed Osmond Organizations: France, Galthie Springboks, Springboks, England, Kurt, Mauvaka, South, Thomson Locations: Africa, France, England, PARIS, South Africa, South

☆ France expect another brutal clash against South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Oct 11 (Reuters) - South Africa have based their domination on a powerful and skilful pack and France expect to face just that when they meet the holders in the World Cup quarter-finals on Sunday. The Stade de France clash comes 11 months after France earned a 30-26 win in Paris in a brutal affair that saw Pieter Du Toit and Antoine Dupont red carded. About two thirds of that victorious France team should start on Sunday so they know what to expect. They (South Africa) are physical and they're well known for that. Lock Thibaut Flament was replaced early on last November but he had a taste of the South Africa pack.

Persons: Pieter Du Toit, Antoine Dupont, Reda Wardi, Lock Thibaut, We're, Laurent Labit, they've, Emile Ntamack, Julien Pretot, Ken Ferris Organizations: Stade de France, France, Springboks, Ireland, RMC Sport, Thomson Locations: South Africa, France, Paris

☆ Alldritt warns France need to increase intensity in World Cup quarter-final
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Oct 11 (Reuters) - France will need to increase their intensity to match the physical challenge posed by South Africa in Sunday's Rugby World Cup quarter-final, eighthman Gregory Alldritt said on Wednesday. It's up to us to put in more intensity than usual for 80 minutes," Alldritt told a press conference. "As we saw in Marseille last year they're a team that stays in the game for 80 minutes. One of the key battle in the game will be that between the loose forwards and Alldritt praised the opposing trio. "I think they're a reflection of the team, a back row that gives a lot in defence and attack for 80 minutes.

Persons: eighthman Gregory Alldritt, Alldritt, they're, We've, I'm, We're, we're, it'll, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Sunday's Rugby, Stade de France, Springboks, South, Thomson Locations: France, South Africa, Marseille, Paris

☆ Springboks delay naming team as they ponder bench options
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Springboks have been regimented in naming their team four days before a test, but director of rugby Rassie Erasmus says there are still deliberations over whether to go with a 5-3, 6-2 or 7-1 split between forwards and backs on the bench. In some cases we are not even sure who is the best," Erasmus told reporters on Tuesday. "We are keeping our options open for a 7-1, 6-2 or 5-3 (bench split) with both Handre and Manie being available. I think having everybody fit and seeing what the French team looks like may influence us going 7-1 or 6-2." "I have been in World Rugby meetings where we break into little groups and he's a very interesting character with the way he looks at the game," Erasmus said.

Persons: Rassie Erasmus, Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo, Erasmus, Antoine Dupont, Shaun Edwards, Andy Farrell, Nick Said, Toby Davis Organizations: France, Springboks, Namibia, Rugby, Rugby League, Thomson Locations: South Africa, Paris, France, Ireland

☆ Remembering Namibia’s record-breaking 142-0 Rugby World Cup defeat
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Namibia has always been an underdog at the Rugby World Cup. Facing host Australia in Adelaide, Namibia was beaten 142-0, the largest winning margin in Rugby World Cup history. “But what an occasion just to be at a World Cup, no matter what the score was. David Davies/PA Images/Getty Images‘What chance did we have?’Expectations were realistic amongst the Namibian squad heading into the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty ImagesIn the end, the margin of the defeat of 142 points was a record for a Rugby World Cup match.

Persons: Eben Izaacs, England –, Chris Latham, Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Mat Rogers, ” Izaacs, David Davies, Jurgens van Lill –, –, “, ”, team –, Webb Ellis, ” van Lill, Latham, Stirling Mortlock, Rogers, van Lill, Izaacs, Mat Rogers –, Christophe Simon, – Izaacs, Nathan Sharpe, Kees, hasn’t, Deon Mouton, Cliff Loubser, Gerswin, we’ve, Allister Coetzee, ” Van Lill’s Organizations: CNN, Rugby, CNN Sport, Australia –, England, Namibia, Adelaide Oval, Namibian, Australia, rugby, team, Argentina, Getty, Springboks Locations: Namibia, Qatar, Botswana, Gabon, South Africa, Australia, Adelaide, Argentina, Ireland, AFP, France, Italy, New Zealand, America, England, Uruguay

☆ Biggest Irish TV audience of the year tuned in for win over South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

To put the figures into perspective, the All-Ireland Gaelic Football final - typically the country's biggest sporting event of the year - drew an average audience of 971,000. That year the biggest Irish audience tuned in for their side's quarter-final loss to New Zealand, with 776,000 watching. The consistent number one in Ireland's top TV audience list is The Late Late Toy Show, a special Christmas edition of a popular talk show. Last year's edition brought in over 1.5 million viewers, and it keeps the biggest sporting events off the top spot year after year. This could all change, however, depending on what happens in France at the World Cup in the coming weeks.

Persons: Trevor Stynes, Ken Ferris Organizations: South, Rugby, RTE, Ireland's, Springboks, Ireland Gaelic Football, Nations, Ireland, New Zealand, Thomson Locations: South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand, France, New

☆ Kickers worth their weight in gold at Rugby World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Nick Said | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

There have been 14 tries scored in the previous eight World Cup finals, less than two per match, with 73% of the points in those deciding games coming from kicks at poles. The tournament in France has already shown that when two heavyweights collide it is the boot that makes the difference. The Wallabies scored two tries to one in that match but it was kicks at poles that took Fiji to the win. The conditions so far in the tournament have been made for kickers with warm weather and the particular balls used. Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Thomas Ramos, Richie Mo’unga, George Ford, Emiliano Boffelli, Opta, Nick Said, Ken Ferris Organizations: Ireland, South Africa, Springboks, New Zealand, Blacks, Fiji, Australia, Pacific Islanders, Wallabies, Argentina, Samoa, Nations, Rugby, Thomson Locations: MARSEILLE, France, Paris, Fiji, Portugal, Georgia

☆ Ireland beat South Africa 13-8 in bruising Paris showdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Ireland underlined their status as the number one team in the world with a bruising 13-8 Rugby World Cup victory over defending champions South Africa in Paris on Saturday, though the Springboks will rue their inaccuracy off the kicking tee. Ireland scored their only try in the first half through wing Mack Hansen as he found some rare space out wide and led 7-3 at the break but had to withstand a barrage of Springbok pressure in the second half amid a raucous atmosphere. South Africa’s only try came from winger Cheslin Kolbe but they missed the conversion and three penalty chances to highlight their goal-kicking woes and perhaps hasten the return of experienced flyhalf Handre Pollard to the team. Ireland will be odds-on to win the pool as they claimed a 16th test win in a row, while South Africa suffer defeat in a World Cup game for the first time in nine matches and will likely have to beat Tonga in their final group game on Oct. 1. Reporting by Nick Said Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mack Hansen, Cheslin Kolbe, flyhalf Handre Pollard, Nick Said, Christian Radnedge Organizations: South Africa, Springboks, Ireland, Tonga, Thomson Locations: Ireland, Paris, South Africa

☆ Ireland come out on top of bruising clash with South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

PARIS, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Top-ranked Ireland claimed a 13-8 statement victory over defending champions South Africa in a high-octane heavyweight World Cup clash that lived up to the hype at a sweltering Stade de France on Saturday. Scotland and Tonga, who both lost their opening game in Pool B, face each other in Nice on Sunday. South Africa captain Siya Kolisi hailed his team's performance despite the loss. South Africa came into the contest with a 7-1 split between forwards and backs on the bench and Ireland boldly looked to keep the ball in play as much as possible, going for the corner instead of kicking early penalties. South Africa got onto the scoreboard first in a brutal start with a Libbok penalty as huge tackles and collisions drew oohs and aahs from the 78,542 crowd.

Persons: Andy Farrell's, Mack Hansen, Johnny Sexton, Jack Crowley, Cheslin Kolbe, Manie, Klerk, Farrell, Siya Kolisi, Hugo Keenan ghosted, Sexton, Robbie Henshaw, Hansen, James Lowe, Kolbe darted, Libbok, Crawley, flyhalf Handre Pollard, Julien Pretot, Ken Ferris Organizations: Ireland, South, Stade de France, Springboks, Scotland, Wales, New Zealand, Thomson Locations: South Africa, Tonga, Nice, Africa, Ireland, France

☆ Springboks still on track to win World Cup - coach Nienaber
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Sept 23 (Reuters) - South Africa's lack of accuracy close to the Ireland tryline and off the kicking tee were major contributors to their epic 13-8 loss in a Rugby World Cup Pool B showdown on Saturday but the belief that they can win the World Cup still burns bright. By contrast, South Africa had numerous entries into the Ireland 22 but a mixture of excellent defence and their own inaccuracy proved costly as they slipped to a first World Cup defeat in nine games. "Hats off to Ireland, we missed a couple of points off the tee but I won't say it's only goal-kicking (that was the problem)," coach Jacques Nienaber said. "We lost two balls close to the Ireland tryline and we had another opportunity late on in the game. Nienaber said the defeat did not in any way diminish their belief that they could retain their World Cup crown.

Persons: Manie Libbok, scrumhalf Faf, Klerk, Jacques Nienaber, Nienaber, Siya Kolisi, haven't, Kolisi, Nick Said, Benoit Van Overstraeten, Marine Strauss, Clare Fallon Organizations: Ireland, Rugby, Springbok, Thomson Locations: Ireland, South Africa, Tonga, Marseille

☆ Romania eager to learn from another tough World Cup outing
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BORDEAUX, France, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Romania know they are outgunned but believe they will be able to take much from their meeting with world champions South Africa in a Rugby World Cup Pool B clash in Bordeaux on Sunday as coach Eugen Apjok relishes another fixture against a tier 1 nation. "We expect a very tough game," Apjok told reporters on Friday. All the players played their first game in a World Cup so all the emotions and everything is gone now. "We have analysed them, they have a strong pack and they have a good scrum, so we expect (it to be tough). The teams have met before at the World Cup as South Africa won 21-8 on home soil on their way to lifting the trophy for the first time in 1995.

Persons: Eugen Apjok relishes, Apjok, Alexandru Gordas, Gordas, Nick Said, Ken Ferris Organizations: South, Rugby, Oaks, Springboks, South Africa, Thomson Locations: BORDEAUX, France, Romania, South Africa, Bordeaux

☆ '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

☆ England hope to avoid repeat of soccer team's Nice disaster
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NICE, France, Sept 15 (Reuters) - England face Japan in the Rugby World Cup in Nice on Sunday hoping to avoid any sort of repeat of one of the country's lowest sporting moments when the national soccer team were humbled in the city by Iceland at the 2016 Euros. The footballing disaster was the final act for manager Roy Hodgson, paving the way for Gareth Southgate to start the rebuilding job that took England to a World Cup semi-final and a penalty shoot-out final defeat in the last Euros. England's rugby team had gone through a similar process eight months earlier as their pool-stage exit from their own World Cup in 2015 after Twickenham defeats to Wales and Australia spelled the end for Stuart Lancaster. It was a brilliant performance and, coming on the back of a Six Nations title earlier in the year, there was huge confidence surging through the England set-up. They have struggled though to reproduce anything like that form since though and the chances of another shock look slim - even in Nice.

Persons: Roy Hodgson, Gareth Southgate, Stuart Lancaster, Wayne Rooney's, Eddie Jones's, Jones, Mitch Phillips, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Rugby, soccer, Stade de Nice, England, rugby, Twickenham, England's rugby, Nations, New Zealand, South, Argentina, Australia, Springboks, Ireland, Thomson Locations: France, England, Japan, Nice, Iceland, Stade, Wales, Australia, South Africa, Fiji, Scotland

☆ 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’ ‘Mr Versatility’ is a rare breed in modern rugby
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Nick Said | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Fourie has a rare talent in the modern game, he can play in both the front and back row of the scrum, oftentimes in the same game. He last played hooker for Lyon in 2018 but is in the Bok World Cup squad as the third option for coach Jacques Nienaber, while also being a candidate for the loose trio. "I’ll cover both positions, we’ll see what happens in the game," Fourie told reporters on Tuesday. "I have not played hooker at test match level, but I have been training there with the Boks for two years. "I played hooker in the first year in France, second year I was flank and then third year I was hooker again, before I moved back to flank."

Persons: Deon Fourie, Fourie, Jacques Nienaber, I’m, Nick Said, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Wales, Romania, Lyon, Super Rugby, Melbourne Rebels, Currie, Thomson Locations: TOULON, France, South, Bordeaux, Western Province, Lyon

☆ Captain Kolisi backs flyhalf Libbok to lead Springbok attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Nick Said | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

But Kolisi said his side have no concerns around Libbok in potentially tight knockout contests and there were others who could take over kicking duties if required. "We play as a team and sometimes you are not good at one thing on the day," Kolisi told reporters. "But the way he attacked and the way he takes control of the team, people forget that and remember only the other stuff. "Faf (de Klerk) can kick, Cheslin (Kolbe) can kick, there are a lot of guys we can call upon. South Africa led 6-3 at halftime but Kolisi was not happy with the intensity they showed.

Persons: Siya Kolisi, Libbok, Kolisi, de Klerk, Cheslin, Kolbe, Duane, Vermeulen, Eben, Etzebeth, Libbok’s, Lee Arendse, Nick Said, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Rugby, Scotland, Springboks, Kurt, Thomson Locations: MARSEILLE, France, South Africa, Marseille, Africa

☆ Fearless Scotland have belief they can top a tough World Cup pool
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Nick Said | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MARSEILLE, France, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Scotland have one win in 21 years against world champions South Africa over their last 15 meetings, but there is a genuine belief among the class of 2023 they can claim victory in their Rugby World Cup Pool B opener in Marseille on Sunday. This is despite the fact they are in a tough group that also includes world number one Ireland, with two teams to progress to the quarter-finals. "We've done well recently with an underdog tag, but I don't think we need it. Scotland have lost their last seven in a row against the Boks but have only met them twice in the previous five years. A hallmark of this Scotland team is their speed at the ruck and that will be crucial against a well-drilled South African defence.

Persons: Jamie Ritchie, Ritchie, they've, we've, Nick Said, Mike Harrison Organizations: South, Rugby, Springboks, Thomson Locations: MARSEILLE, France, Scotland, South Africa, Marseille, Glasgow, Edinburgh

☆ All Blacks have a point to prove in blockbuster opener
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | 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: +2 min

PARIS, Sept 7 (Reuters) - New Zealand coach Ian Foster said the All Blacks had a point to prove in their World Cup opener against hosts France on Friday, a match he thought was unprecedented in terms of hype but which ultimately might not turn out to be hugely important. "Do we have a point to prove? Then we'll really assess after that to see where we're at, and how we progress in this tournament." "The All Blacks have learned over history, you just don't turn up at a World Cup and get what you want just by being here," he added. The All Blacks have never lost a World Cup pool match but Foster said it might not matter much in the greater scheme of the tournament if they were beaten on Friday.

Persons: Ian Foster, Foster, You've, you've, there's, haven't, We've, I've, we've, Nick Mulvenney, Toby Davis Organizations: Blacks, France, Twickenham, New Zealand, Stade de France, Zealand, South Africa, Springboks, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, South Africa

☆ South Africa flyhalf Jantjies reveals failed drug test
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 26 (Reuters) - South Africa flyhalf Elton Jantjies said he had tested positive for the banned substance Clenbuterol, but denies intentionally ingesting the substance as he faces a ban that could end his career. Janties played for French second-tier side Pau this past season and has not turned out for the Boks this year. South African Rugby confirmed they are aware of the failed test. "SA Rugby has noted the statement issued on behalf of Elton Jantjies and confirms it was advised of the adverse finding. Former Springbok wing Aphiwe Dyantyi has recently returned to professional rugby following a four-year ban after he failed a drugs test in December 2019.

Persons: South Africa flyhalf Elton Jantjies, Jantjies, Janties, Elton Jantjies, Dyantyi, Nick Said, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Springboks, Rugby, South African Institute for Drug, South African Rugby, SA Rugby, Springbok, Thomson Locations: South Africa, France, Pau, Durban

☆ Foster picks big guns in New Zealand team to face Springboks
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Coach Ian Foster has selected the same backline that helped beat the Springboks 35-20 during the Rugby Championship in Auckland last month. Foster is keen to give his team a good run ahead of their World Cup opener against France in Paris on Sept. 8 and this presents an excellent opportunity to do so against the old enemy and reigning world champions. "This is our final game before the Rugby World Cup and this test is critical in our preparation," Foster said. "With just two weeks to go, it’s an important opportunity to get us battle-ready for the start of the tournament. "These games (against South Africa) are always intense and physically challenging, and I’m sure this one will be no different."

Persons: Ian Foster, Russell Cheyne, Barrett, Luke Jacobson, Shannon Frizell, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Foster, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo'unga, Jordie Barrett, Telea, Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett, Ardie, Sam Cane, Jacobson, Scott Barrett, Whitelock, Tyrel Lomax, Ethan de Groot, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Dalton Papali'i, Cam Roigard, Anton Lienert, Nick Said Organizations: Rugby Union, International, New Zealand, Murrayfield, REUTERS, Rugby, South, Twickenham, Springboks, France, Blacks, Australia, Argentina, Pool A . New Zealand, Brown, Thomson Locations: New, Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, Zealand, South Africa, Auckland, Paris, Coles, France, Italy, Uruguay, Namibia, Pool A . New

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