Is there anyone home?
Kenny Rogers’ late 1970s country and western hit The Gambler comes to mind regarding the Springboks coaching group for this one as they have weighed up holding or folding and decided instead to push all their chips into the middle.
When South Africa’s team selection landed on Thursday morning, it was not the decision to rip out and replace the half-back partnership – normally a call that would have dominated discussion – that seemed brave.
Instead it was the balance of the bench. Willie Le Roux is on one end – the only back riding the pine – while the other is weighed down with seven forwards.
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The phoney war is almost over.
England are the only team through to the Rugby World Cup semi-finals with a 100% record, progressing with five wins from five games.
They are unbeaten, but not undoubted.
Victories over Argentina, Japan, Chile, Samoa and Fiji have kept England’s campaign purring steadily forward. Not all the wins have been convincing, but on each occasion they have ended up on the right side of the scoreline.
The caveat is that they have also been on the right side of the draw.
On Saturday night, the velvet rope drops and they bash shoulders with the tournament’s big rollers.
Scotland’s starting lineup shows 5 changes from the side that lost 7 – 22 to Ireland at Murrayfield back in March with Blair Kinghorn, Darcy Graham and Ali Price in for Stuart Hogg, Kyle Steyn and Ben White in the backs plus Grant Gilchrist and Rory Darge replacing Jonny Gray and Matt Fagerson in the forwards. In total, 14 of the 23 featured against Ireland during the Six Nations.
The Irish XV only shows 2 changes to how they started earlier this year – Iain Henderson for James Ryan and Jamison Gibson-Park for Conor Murray. 18 of the 23 (including all of the starting XV) played some part in that most recent victory for Ireland over Scotland.
South Africa fly-half Handre Pollard says his return to international rugby at the World Cup will be “a big jump” that will not be “perfect”.
Pollard, 29, who was a late injury replacement to the squad, will start his first game since May against Tonga.
The fly-half has only played 30 minutes for Leicester Tigers on 15 September since sustaining a calf injury.
The kick off for arguably the biggest game of the World Cup so far, although the Cockerel and Kiwi supporters may disagree, is less than a few hours away. About time to express long held concerns regarding some of the selection choices by the Springbok brain trust. No, fear not am not going to jump on the 7-1 substitutes split hysteria bandwagon. That has been covered by so many outlets with various differing views.
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Wales survived a couple of nervy final minutes to record a 32-26 win over Fiji in a pulsating encounter in Bordeaux on Sunday.
Dan Biggar set a new Wales Rugby World Cup overall points record as his side held on by the skin of their teeth.
Flyhalf Biggar scored 12 points to move to a tally of 109 and pass Neil Jenkins total of 98 as both sides opened their campaigns in the tournament.
The two teams scored four tries and Fiji could have had a fifth right at the death if Semi Radradra had not spilt the ball – the look of agony on his face tells its own story.
Scotland and England meet in the Six Nations at Murrayfield on Saturday with the hosts tipped for a famous victory.
Scotland secured historic wins in London and Paris last year and have continued to improve, sparking hopes of a first Six Nations title.
England are aiming to bounce back from a fifth-place finish last year and gain revenge for their defeat at Twickenham.
Their transitional side won every game in the autumn, signing off by beating world champions South Africa.
Venue: Murrayfield Date: Saturday, 5 February Kick-off: 16:45 GMT/18:45 South African Time.
Stormers (12) 19 / 37 (13) Lions (Final Score)
The DHL Stormers and Sigma Lions did battle in Round 7 of the United Rugby Championship 2021 at
Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa, on 4 December 2021 at 17:00 SA Time (15:00 UK Time & GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby on TV in SA.
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Sharks (9) 30 / 16 (13) Bulls (Final Score)
The Cell C Sharks and the Vodacom Bulls did battle in Round 7 of the United Rugby Championship 2021 at
Jonsson Kings Park, Durban, South Africa, on 3 December 2021 at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 UK Time & GMT, 18:00 Italy Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby on TV in SA.
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France (24) 40 / 25 (6) All Blacks (Final Score)
France and the New Zealand All Blacks did battle in a November International of 2021 at
X on 20 November 2021 at 15:00 SA Time (13:00 UK Time & GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby on TV in SA.
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Wales (16) 29 / 28 (13) Wallabies (Final Score)
Wales and the Australian Wallabies did battle in a November International of 2021 at
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales on 20 November 2021 at 19:30 SA Time (17:30 UK Time & GMT, Sunday 04:30 AEDT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby on TV in SA.
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England (17) 27 / 26 (12) Springboks (Final Score)
England and the South African Springboks did battle in a November International of 2021 at
Twickenham Stadium, London, England on 20 November 2021 at 17:15 SA Time (15:15 UK Time & GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby on TV in SA.
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Scotland (19) 29 / 20 (6) Japan (Final Score)
Scotland and Japan did battle in a November International of 2021 at
BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland on 20 November 2021 at 15:00 SA Time (13:00 UK Time & GMT, 22:00 Japan Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Action on TV in SA.
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England (16) 32 / 15 (12) Wallabies (Final Score)
England and the Australian Wallabies did battle in a November International of 2021 at
Twickenham Stadium, London, England on 13 November 2021 at 19:30 SA Time (17:30 UK Time & GMT, Sunday 04:30 AEDT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby on TV in SA.
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Ireland (5) 29 / 20 (10) All Blacks (Final Score)
Ireland and the New Zealand All Blacks did battle in a November International of 2021 at
Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland on 13 November 2021 at 17:15 SA Time (15:15 UK Time & GMT, Sunday 04:15 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby on TV in SA.
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Scotland (10) 15 / 30 (8) Springboks (Final Score)
Scotland and the South African Springboks did battle in a November International of 2021 at
BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland on 13 November 2021 at 15:00 SA Time (13:00 UK Time & GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby on TV in SA.
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Wales (12) 18 / 23 (9) Springboks (Final Score)
Wales and the South African Springboks did battle in a November International of 2021 at
Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales on 6 November 2021 at 19:30 SA Time (17:30 UK Time & GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby on TV in SA.
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England (29) 69 / 3 (3) Tonga (Final Score)
England and Tonga did battle in a November International of 2021 at
Twickenham Stadium, London, England on 6 November 2021 at 17:15 SA Time (15:15 UK Time & GMT, Sunday 04:15 Tonga Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby on TV in SA.
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Italy (6) 9 / 47 (21) All Blacks (Final Score)
Italy and the New Zealand All Blacks did battle in a November International of 2021 at
Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy on 6 November 2021 at 15:00 SA Time (14:00 Italy Time, 13:00 UK Time & GMT, Sunday 02:00 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby on TV in SA.
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Wales (6) 16 / 54 (18) All Blacks (Final Score)
Wales and the New Zealand All Blacks did battle in a November International of 2021 at
Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales on 30 October 2021 at 18:15 SA Time (17:15 UK Time, 16:15 GMT, Sunday 05:15 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby on TV in SA.
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Scotland (36) 60 / 14 (9) Tonga (Final Score)
Scotland and Tonga did battle in a November International of 2021 at
BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland on 30 October 2021 at 15:30 SA Time (14:30 UK Time, 13:30 GMT, Sunday 02:30 Tonga Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby on TV in SA.
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Cardiff (17) 23 / 17 (10) Sharks (Final Score)
The Cardiff Blues and Cell C Sharks did battle in Round 4 of the United Rugby Championship 2021 at
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff, Wales, on 16 October 2021 at 20:35 SA Time (19:35 UK Time, 20:35 Italy Time, 18:35 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby on TV in SA.
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Edinburgh (14) 17 / 10 (3) Bulls (Final Score)
Edinburgh Rugby and the Vodacom Bulls did battle in Round 4 of the United Rugby Championship 2021 at
Edinburgh Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland, on 16 October 2021 at 18:15 SA Time (17:15 UK Time, 18:15 Italy Time, 16:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby on TV in SA.
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Dragons (10) 10 / 24 (9) Stormers (Final Score)
The Newport Gwent Dragons and the DHL Stormers did battle in Round 4 of the United Rugby Championship 2021 at
Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales, on 15 October 2021 at 20:35 SA Time (19:35 UK Time, 20:35 Italy Time, 18:35 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby on TV in SA.
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Edinburgh (20) 20 / 20 (20) Stormers (Final Score)
Edinburgh Rugby and the DHL Stormers did battle in Round 3 of the United Rugby Championship 2021 at
Edinburgh Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland, on 9 October 2021 at 18:15 SA Time (17:15 UK Time, 18:15 Italy Time, 16:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby on TV in SA.
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Glasgow (10) 13 / 9 (6) Lions (Final Score)
The Glasgow Warriors and the Sigma Lions did battle in Round 3 of the United Rugby Championship 2021 at
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland, on 9 October 2021 at 16:05 SA Time (15:05 UK Time, 16:05 Italy Time, 14:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby on TV in SA.
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Ospreys (6) 13 / 27 (6) Sharks (Final Score)
The Ospreys and the Cell C Sharks did battle in Round 3 of the United Rugby Championship 2021 at
Swansea Stadium, Swansea, Wales, on 8 October 2021 at 20:35 SA Time (19:35 UK Time, 20:35 Italy Time, 18:35 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby on TV in SA.
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Munster (7) 34 / 18 (15) Stormers (Final Score)
Munster Rugby and the DHL Stormers did battle in Round 2 of the United Rugby Championship 2021 at
Thomond Park, Limerick, Ireland, on 2 October 2021 at 20:35 SA Time (19:35 UK Time, 20:35 Italy Time, 18:35 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby on TV in SA.
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Glasgow (28) 35 / 24 (10) Sharks (Final Score)
The Glasgow Warriors and Cell C Sharks did battle in Round 2 of the United Rugby Championship 2021 at
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland, on 2 October 2021 at 16:05 SA Time (15:05 UK Time, 16:05 Italy Time, 14:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby on TV in SA.
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Springboks (14) 31 / 29 (20) All Blacks (Final Score)
The South African Springboks and New Zealand All Blacks did battle in Round 6 of The Rugby Championship 2021 at
Robina Stadium, Gold Coast, Australia, on 2 October 2021 at 12:05 SA Time (20:05 Gold Coast Time, 22:05 NZ Time, 07:05 ARG Time, 10:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby & CSN on TV in SA.
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Los Pumas (3) 17 / 32 (15) Wallabies (Final Score)
The Argentinian Los Pumas and Australian Wallabies did battle in Round 6 of The Rugby Championship 2021 at
Robina Stadium, Gold Coast, Australia, on 2 October 2021 at 09:05 SA Time (17:05 Brisbane Time, 19:05 NZ Time, 04:05 ARG Time, 07:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby & CSN on TV in SA.
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Connaught (10) 34 / 7 (7) Bulls (Final Score)
Connaught and the Vodacom Bulls did battle in Round 2 of the United Rugby Championship 2021 at
The Sportsground, Galway, Ireland, on 1 October 2021 at 20:35 SA Time (19:35 UK Time, 20:35 Italy Time, 18:35 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby on TV in SA.
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Munster (20) 42 / 17 (3) Sharks (Final Score)
Munster Rugby and the Cell C Sharks did battle in Round 1 of the United Rugby Championship 2021 at
Thomond Park, Limerick, Ireland, on 25 September 2021 at 20:35 SA Time (19:35 UK Time, 18:35 GMT, 20:35 Italy Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby & CSN on TV in SA.
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Leinster (17) 31 / 3 (3) Bulls (Final Score)
Leinster Rugby and the Vodacom Bulls did battle in Round 1 of the United Rugby Championship 2021 at
Landsdown Road, Dublin, Ireland, on 25 September 2021 at 18:15 SA Time (17:15 UK Time, 16:15 GMT, 18:15 Italy Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Rugby & CSN on TV in SA.
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