Under-fire officials in a spot of bother

The game is being brought into serious disrepute over confusion surrounding refereeing inconsistencies at the tackle point, and there’s no clear solution in sight, writes CRAIG LEWIS.

The time for tolerance is now

The Makazole Mapimpi and Eben Etzebeth incidents have revealed the ugly underbelly of a sport still divided by some along racial lines, writes CRAIG LEWIS.

Cheetahs giving SA a reason to smile

While the Cheetahs may not grab the back pages during the World Cup, there are plenty of reasons to keep an eye on their PRO14 progress, writes DYLAN JACK.

Can Boks block out the noise?

The Eben Etzebeth saga, as well as the social-media reaction to the ‘bomb-squad’ celebration, are distractions that the Springboks could do without, writes JON CARDINELLI in Kobe.

World Cup Tour Tales: Week 3 (Omaezaki)

JON CARDINELLI reflects on conversations about Nelson Mandela on a far-flung Japanese beach and a sleepy town with terror at its core.

Stat attack: Bok centres, Kolbe fired

DYLAN JACK looks at where the World Cup clash between the Springboks and Italy in Shizuoka on Friday was won and lost.

Ratings: Kolbe, De Allende on cloud nine

The Springboks produced a powerful forward performance to see off Italy. JOHN GOLIATH rates the Boks following their crucial Pool B win.

Bok selection shake-up a good thing

Rassie Erasmus’ bold selections this week should serve as a timely reminder that long-serving ‘first-choice’ players cannot rest on their laurels, writes CRAIG LEWIS.

Kriel injury a blow to Bok depth

Rassie Erasmus may be forced to play Frans Steyn and Damian de Allende in tandem if first-choice No 13 Lukhanyo Am breaks down in the coming weeks, writes JON CARDINELLI in Omaezaki.

Boks seriously locked and loaded

Lood de Jager deservedly gets another start for Springboks, but having so many locks in the 23-man squad and only two reserve backs for the Italy clash is quite bizarre, writes JOHN GOLIATH.