Tour Tales – Paris

JON CARDINELLI on rugby banter at the Sacre Coeur, an emotional farewell, and an impromptu interview with a Springbok player in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

Boks bounce back in Paris

The Springboks ground out an 18-17 win against France on Saturday to end a five-game winless streak. JON CARDINELLI at the Stade de France reports.

Preview: France vs Boks

The Springboks face a mental as well as a physical challenge ahead of the must-win clash against France on Saturday, writes JON CARDINELLI in Paris.

Coetzee: Bid loss won’t distract us

Allister Coetzee maintains that the Springboks are in a good mental space in spite of the record defeat to Ireland and South Africa’s loss in the 2023 World Cup bid race. JON CARDINELLI in Paris reports.

Boks revert to type

Allister Coetzee says that No 8 Duane Vermeulen and flyhalf Handré Pollard will be key as the Springboks look to play a pragmatic game against France. JON CARDINELLI in Paris reports.

Changes to boost Boks

The move to start Duane Vermeulen and Handré Pollard should lead to an improved physical and tactical performance against France, writes JON CARDINELLI in London.

Dark day for rugby

The decision to award France the 2023 World Cup has robbed South Africa of a golden opportunity and made a mockery of World Rugby’s selection process, writes JON CARDINELLI.

Coaching debacle shows poor planning

A bizarre situation that sees the Springboks losing their lineout coach and defence specialist in the middle of a four-Test tour could have have been avoided, writes JON CARDINELLI in Paris.

Du Toit to miss France clash

Pieter-Steph du Toit has been ruled out of the Test against France on Saturday due to concussion, reports JON CARDINELLI in Paris.

‘Boks deficient in many areas’

What the French newspapers are saying on Monday about the Test against the Springboks and the 2023 World Cup bid.