Cheetahs (24) 48 / 14 (7) Warriors (Final Score)
The Toyota Cheetahs and Glasgow Warriors did battle in Round 1 of the Guinness PRO14 2019 / 2020 at
the Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa at 19:05 SA Time (18:05 UK Time, 17:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 5 on TV in SA.
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All eyes will be on Bloemfontein tonight where Glasgow Warriors and Toyota Cheetahs will do battle in the opening game of the new Guinness PRO14 season.
Warriors came within a whisker of winning their second Championship in the 2018/19 campaign, only for defending champions Leinster to fend off their challenge in last season’s pulsating final.
But Glasgow will be looking to hit the ground running when they take on the South African outfit in their own backyard – something that Dave Rennie’s team selection has made clear.
Despite having several players at the Rugby World Cup, the visitors will have no fewer than nine internationals run out when Callum Gibbons leads out his side for their first bout.
Cheetahs will also be in high spirits after being crowned Currie Cup champions, with the hosts hoping to end their losing streak against Warriors – who have won their last four meetings.
Springboks (3) 13 / 23 (17) All Blacks (Final Score)
The South African Springboks and the New Zealand All Blacks did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 International at
International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan on 21 September 2019 at 11:45 SA Time (18:45 Japan Time, 21:45 NZ Time, 09:45 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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France (20) 23 / 21 (3) Los Pumas (Final Score)
France and the Argentinian Los Pumas did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 International at
Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo, Japan on 21 September 2019 at 09:15 SA Time (16:15 Japan Time, 09:15 French Time, 04:15 Arg Time, 07:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Wallabies (12) 39 / 21 (14) Fiji (Final Score)
The Australian Wallabies and Fiji did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 International at
Sapporo Drome, Sapporo, Japan on 21 September 2019 at 06:45 SA Time (13:45 Japan Time, 14:45 AEST, 16:45 Fiji Time, 04:45 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Head Coach Gregor Townsend today named the Scotland side to play Ireland in the national team’s opening Rugby World Cup Pool A match at the International Stadium Yokohama (kick-off 4.45pm local time, 8.45am BST, 9.45 SA time).
The starting team – of which two-thirds have previous world cup experience – features a total of 630 Test caps, with 10 personnel changes made to the one that defeated Georgia 36-9 in the final Summer Test in Edinburgh earlier this month.
Scotland Head Coach, Gregor Townsend, said: “We’ve had a really productive week’s preparation in Nagasaki ahead of our arrival in Tokyo, with our players adapting to the time zone and weather conditions out here in Japan.
“As we’ve got closer to the game our training has been more about fine-tuning the hard work that’s gone in over pre-season into a focus for Sunday’s game.
“Our team has a lot of experience playing together in major games for Scotland, with a bench capable of making a difference when required. That cohesion, experience and leadership is very valuable in a build-up to a match of this magnitude as well as during the 80 minutes on Sunday.”
Russia coach Lyn Jones said he had a cunning plan to ambush hosts Japan in the tournament opener, revealing only that it involves a little mayhem.
The Russians, known as the Bears, will tower over their opposite numbers when they line up in Tokyo on Friday, but few people are giving them much chance of springing an upset against the world’s 10th-ranked side.
“With structured and organised sides like Japan you need to create chaos to get them to think for themselves,” Jones told AFP after naming a full-strength side led by his skipper Vasily Artemyev.
“I don’t know if they’re educated to do that, but it’s all theory anyway.
“We do have a plan,” added the former Wales international.
“We have got a formula and we think we can take Japan on and make life as difficult as possible for them.”
Russia gave Japan a fright the last times the teams met in November, the Brave Blossoms scraping a 32-27 victory in Gloucester.
1,432 days since Scotland last played a World Cup match. 1,432 days since bewildered Scotland fans ran the gamut of emotions in a cruel loss to Australia. Now it’s time to do it all again…
This game will have massive implications for Scotland. Victory means a shot at topping an RWC pool for the first time since 1991. Lose and there is absolutely no margin for error in the remaining three matches if a quarter-final place is to be achieved.
History is not in Scotland’s favour when it comes to this type of fixture. Across 18 games against other Tier 1 teams in World Cups the dark blues have managed just two previous wins.
Sale have signed South Africa scrum-half Embrose Papier on a three-month loan as World Cup cover for compatriot Faf de Klerk.
The 22-year-old plays for the Pretoria-based Bulls franchise in Super Rugby, making 23 appearances so far.
Papier made his South Africa debut against Wales in Washington DC in June 2018 and won his most recent cap in a 20-11 defeat in Cardiff last November.
He narrowly missed out on a place in the Springboks’ World Cup squad.
Stade Francais have announced the arrival of Scotland international Josh Strauss as a medical joker for at least a three-month period.
The 32-year-old South African earned his last Test cap just last Saturday when coming off the bench in Scotland’s win over Georgia in Tbilisi.
However, he was deemed surplus to requirement by Gregor Townsend when the Scots named their World Cup squad on Tuesday and he has now been snapped up on a short-term deal by the Top 14 Parisians. Strauss had been playing in recent times for Sale in the Premiership.
Free State (31) 31 / 28 (7) Golden Lions (Final Score)
The Toyota Free State XV and the Xerox Golden Lions did battle in the Final of the Currie Cup Premier Division 2019 at
Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa on 7 September 2019 at 17:00 SA Time (15:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Ireland (7) 19 / 10 (10) Wales (Final Score)
Ireland and Wales did battle in a Rugby World Cup warm-up International 2019 at
Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland on 7 September 2019 at 15:00 SA Time (14:00 UK Time, 13:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 8 on TV in SA.
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Wallabies (22) 34 / 15 (3) Samoa (Final Score)
The Australian Wallabies and Samoa did battle in a Rugby World Cup warm-up International 2019 at
Bankwest Stadium, Sydney, Australia on 7 September 2019 at 11:30 SA Time (19:30 AEST, 22:30 Samoa Time, 09:30 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Scotland pulled away from a stubborn Georgia in the second half at Murrayfield to earn their third win in four World Cup warm-up matches.
It was a one-point game at the break, with unconverted tries by Ali Price and Blair Kinghorn met by three Tedo Abzhandadze penalties.
But Sam Johnson darted over to edge the Scots clear, and tries by Darcy Graham, and the Horne brothers – George and Pete – sealed victory in Scotland’s final game before their opener in Japan against Ireland on 22 September.
Japan (0) 7 / 41 (22) Springboks (Final Score)
Japan and the South African Springboks did battle in a Rugby World Cup warm-up International 2019 at
Kumagaya Stadium, Saitama, Japan on 6 September 2019 at 12:15 SA Time (19:15 Japan Time, 10:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Free State (11) 51 / 30 (20) Sharks (Final Score)
The Toyota Free State XV and the Cell C Sharks did battle in a Semi-Final of the Currie Cup Premier Division 2019 at
Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa on 31 August 2019 at 17:00 SA Time (15:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Wales (3) 17 / 22 (15) Ireland (Final Score)
Wales and Ireland did battle in the August Internationals 2019 at
the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales on 31 August 2019 at 15:30 SA Time (14:30 UK Time, 13:30 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 8 on TV in SA.
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Golden Lions (21) 34 / 19 (13) Griquas (Final Score)
The Xerox Golden Lions and Tafel Lager Griquas did battle in a Semi-Final of the Currie Cup Premier Division 2019 at
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg, South Africa on 31 August 2019 at 14:00 SA Time (12:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Centre Sam Johnson will make his first Scotland appearance since emerging on the international scene in the 2019 Guinness Six Nations in this Saturday’s Summer Test match against Georgia at the Dinamo Arena, Tbilisi (31 August, kick-off 5pm BST, 8pm local time, 6pm SA time) – live on Premier Sports.
The play-making midfielder is one of 10 changes to the side that defeated France 17-14 at BT Murrayfield last weekend. He will make his comeback alongside 23-year-old Rory Hutchinson, who will start his first Test match for his country.
Scotland will be the first Tier One national side to travel for a Test match on Georgian soil, which doubles as the last opportunity for players to stake their claim for the final 31-man group for Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan, announced by Head Coach Gregor Townsend at a public event at Linlithgow Palace on Tuesday 3 September.
Blue Bulls (21) 40 / 48 (27) Sharks (Final Score)
The Vodacom Blue Bulls and Cell C Sharks do battle in Round 7 of the Currie Cup Premier Division 2019 at
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, South Africa on 24 August 2019 at 19:30 SA Time (17:30 GMT).
This is the live match discussion Article.
The match is broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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England (22) 57 / 15 (10) Ireland (Final Score)
England and Ireland did battle in the August Internationals 2019 at
Twickenham Stadium, London, England on 24 August 2019 at 16:00 SA Time (15:00 UK Time, 14:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 8 on TV in SA.
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Scotland Women head coach Philip Doyle has announced his backroom staff for the upcoming season.
Doyle has confirmed that Bryan Easson will remain in post as Assistant Coach for the season ahead. Easson will be working with the backs with Doyle being the lead defence coach.
New to the management team will be Andy Weir. Weir has worked with Doyle for several years supporting him both with Ireland Women and at Ulster Rugby. Weir will be assisting the team and management with the continued development of a winning culture as well as supporting player welfare.
Scottish Rugby has appointed Jim Mallinder as its new Performance Director.
The highly respected coach has worked throughout the English club game at the highest level and led teams at senior age-grade and England Saxons, alongside roles in the English National Academy. He most recently worked as the performance pathway coach with the RFU.
Mallinder joins Scottish Rugby following Scott Johnson’s departure in April this year.
The former Northampton and Sale Sharks head coach will lead Scottish Rugby’s performance department from the newly created Super6 competition for part-time professional club teams through to the Scotland men’s national team.
Australia coach Michael Cheika has named uncapped teenager Jordan Petaia and David Pocock in his World Cup squad, despite the forward’s fitness concerns.
Pocock, 31, has not played for the Wallabies since November 2018 because of a calf injury but joins an experienced squad with back Adam Ashley-Cooper, who has 117 caps.
Fly-half Christian Lealiifano, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in August 2016, is also in the squad.
“I’m confident,” Cheika said.
“We’ll be a little bit unpredictable, that’s been a little bit of our theme this year, if we don’t know what we’re doing no one will know what we’re doing.”
George Ford and Owen Farrell will start together for the first time in over a year when they line up for England against Ireland on Saturday.
Captain Farrell partners Manu Tuilagi in the centres for the first time in a Test match.
Flankers Sam Underhill and Tom Curry are both named in the back row.
“This weekend we will be looking to gain more match fitness and test different sorts of game strategies,” said boss Eddie Jones.
Ford and Farrell formed a successful partnership for the first two years of Jones’ tenure, before Farrell switched to fly-half regularly last year.
The last time they started in the same midfield was the second Test against South Africa in Bloemfontein last June, which England lost 23-12.
After an incident in the Wales v England match at the weekend, World Rugby has announced an immediate amendment to Law 3 to stipulate that a match cannot restart until a player leaving the field of play for a blood injury or Head Injury Assessment (HIA) has been temporarily replaced.
In the World Cup warm up match, Pascal Gauzere allowed play to restart before the interchange had been fully completed. While England were still replacing their HIA player, they had 13 players on the field (with another in the sin bin). Wales went to to score from the penalty move. While the restart wasn’t wrong in law, most referees would have waited in such circumstances.
Marcell Coetzee
Ulster forward Marcell Coetzee has been ruled out of South Africa’s squad for the Rugby World Cup with an ankle injury.
The back row hurt his ankle and suffered a blow to the head during the Springboks’ warm-up win over Argentina in Pretoria.
Coetzee is expected to be sidelined for 12 weeks.
Italy head coach Conor O’Shea has named his squad for the Rugby World Cup in Japan, with 15 Benetton Rugby and 10 Zebre players included in the 31.
Commencing their campaign against Namibia in Osaka on Sunday 22 September, the Azzurri, skippered by Sergio Parisse, also face New Zealand, South Africa and Canada.
Parisse, set to appear in his fifth World Cup, is joined by Maxime Mbanda, Sebastian Negri, Jake Polledri and Abraham Steyn as the back-row options – with Dean Budd, Federico Ruzza, David Sisi and Alessandro Zanni the locks named.
Simone Ferrari, Andrea Lovotti, Tiziano Pasquali, Nicola Quaglio, Marco Riccioni, Federico Zani, Luca Bigi, Oliviero Fabiani and Leonardo Ghiraldini complete the pack as the nine front rows.
Fiji Rugby named the squad to represent Fiji at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan at a Media Conference at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Fiji.
Head Coach John McKee said the squad, captained by Dominiko Waqaniburotu, has an opportunity to do something special for Fiji and is challenging the players to step up their intensity and commitment to make a real impact in Japan.
“I wish the players selected well and remind them of the responsibility they must take on in representing Fiji in a RWC,” said McKee.
“With 35 days until our opening match against the Wallabies now is the time to step our preparation up in the final phase to ensure we put ourselves in the best position to achieve our performance goals at RWC.”
Scotland’s World Cup build-up got off to a poor start as they were crushed by an impressive France side in Nice.
The hosts claimed the initiative within two minutes through Alivereti Raka’s try and never looked back.
Maxime Medard and Gregory Alldritt scored further first-half tries, with Medard and Antoine Dupont crossing after the break as the free-flowing French ran riot.
The sides meet again at Murrayfield next weekend.
Springboks (8) 24 / 18 (10) Los Pumas (Final Score)
The South African Springboks and Argentinian Los Pumas did battle in the August Internationals 2019 at
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, South Africa on 17 August 2019 at 17:00 SA Time (12:00 Arg Time, 15:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Wales (10) 13 / 6 (0) England (Final Score)
Wales and England did battle in the August Internationals 2019 at
the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales on 17 August 2019 at 15:15 SA Time (14:15 UK Time, 13:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 6 on TV in SA.
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All Blacks (17) 36 / 0 (0) Wallabies (Final Score)
The New Zealand All Blacks and the Australian Wallabies did battle in the August Internationals 2019 at
Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand on 17 August 2019 at 09:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time, 17:35 AEST, 07:35 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Griquas (14) 27 / 23 (3) WP (Final Score)
The Tafel Lager Griquas and DHL Western Province did battle in Round 6 of the Currie Cup Premier Division 2019 at
Tafel Lager Park, Kimberley, South Africa on 16 August 2019 at 19:15 SA Time (17:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Preparations are in full swing and happening in all earnest for the Rugby World Cup 2019, happening in just more than a month, in Japan.
Teams are positioning themselves, showing their hands, building their squads…
Having had a full Sunday und another half day to ponder the past weekend’s Test results, the following:
The Rugby Championship 2019:
Springboks:
Rassie seems to be building nicely for the Rugby World Cup and the Springboks are in a far better place now than a month ago. Depth in positions are fine, combinations seem more sorted… still little errors but a huge improvement overall.