Watch: The 12-year wait is over – Boks vs B&I Lions
Go behind the scenes with the Springboks during their buildup in the week ahead of the eagerly anticipated first Test against the British & Irish Lions.
Rugby pundit sacked for racist comment about Lions star Smith
Former Ireland international Neil Francis was sacked from his role as a rugby pundit on Friday after making a racist remark about British & Irish Lions flyhalf Marcus Smith, who he described as having an “Oompa Loompa tan”.
Boks refuse to react to Lions bait
Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick says the Springboks will do their talking between the “four lines” when they tackle the British & Irish Lions on Saturday. CRAIG LEWIS reports.
Bakkies: Rassie will always have a new plan
2009 Springbok squad members Pierre Spies and Bakkies Botha chat about the Rassie Erasmus ‘water boy’ controversy, saying all the media talk from the British & Irish Lions camp will only rev up the Springboks more ahead of the Test series.
Erasmus can continue as water carrier, but may be monitored
Rassie Erasmus will be able to continue his role as a water carrier for the Springboks, but World Rugby have reportedly briefed officials to monitor the role he performs.
Lions’ criticism of TMO ‘blatant intimidation’
A former South African Test referee has said that British & Irish Lions’ criticism of local Marius Jonker being the TV match official for the first Test against South Africa is “blatant intimidation”.
Watch: Kwagga will bring work rate
Springbok great Schalk Burger believes that while the Springboks will miss Duane Vermeulen’s presence at No 8 in the first Test against the British & Irish Lions, Kwagga Smith’s qualities should not be underestimated.
Surprise choice Conan says starting for Lions is “surreal”
No 8 Jack Conan, who was a surprise inclusion in the British & Irish Lions lineup for the first Test, says it was “surreal” hearing his name called out as a starter against world champion Springboks on Saturday.
Lions coach infuriated by South African TMO appointment
Warren Gatland is reportedly furious that South African Marius Jonker, rather than a neutral official, has been appointed as the TMO for the Test series between the British & Irish Lions and the Springboks.
Versatile Elstadt ready to make his mark for the Boks
Versatile forward Rynhardt Elstadt says the Springboks’ substitutes have a responsibility to uphold the reputation of the ‘bomb squad’ by lifting the intensity when the Boks front the British & Irish Lions.
