Passion and skill power Japan engine

Japan have their fans as well as their coaching staff to thank for a historic victory against Scotland on Sunday, writes JON CARDINELLI at the Yokohama Stadium.

Beast a national treasure

Beast Mtawarira’s legend continues to grow in an important year for South African rugby, writes JON CARDINELLI.

Player welfare key in World League debate

Proposals to form a World League and expand the Pro14 tournament to include more South African teams pose more questions than answers, writes JON CARDINELLI.

Halfback hopefuls must embrace pressure

The game management of South Africa’s premier scrumhalves and flyhalves must improve in the lead-up to the World Cup, writes JON CARDINELLI.

Saffa teams must kick on in 2019

The South African franchises – as well as the Springboks – would do well to emulate a well-balanced England side in the coming months, writes JON CARDINELLI.

Bok assets deserve extended break

Rassie Erasmus has to manage the overplayed trio of Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi and Handré Pollard more carefully in the lead-up to the World Cup, writes JON CARDINELLI.

North finishes year on top

The home nations have outperformed South Africa and Australia for the better part of three seasons and will head into the 2019 World Cup with a psychological edge, writes JON CARDINELLI.

Rassie will get backline answers

The absence of several frontline backs will force Rassie Erasmus to experiment with new individuals and combinations with a view to the World Cup, writes JON CARDINELLI.

Bok giants rise from slumber

The win in Wellington was a triumph in isolation as well as a timely reminder of the Springboks’ latent powers a year out from the World Cup, writes JON CARDINELLI.

Rassie needs to get Bok on track

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to tell what Rassie Erasmus is trying to achieve with this Springbok side in the short and long term, writes JON CARDINELLI.