Munster are confident inexperienced new head coach Johann van Graan will not need the oversight of a director of rugby when he takes the reins from Rassie Erasmus.

Munster’s search for a new director of rugby has taken another twist after present incumbent Rassie Erasmus cast doubts on the province’s chances of getting their reported top target.

Munster’s search for a new director of rugby has taken another twist after present incumbent Rassie Erasmus cast doubts on the province’s chances of getting their reported top target.

The South African government have approved a €170m guarantee to strengthen the country’s chances of hosting the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Reports Springbok centre Jaco Taute is on the brink of joining Munster on a short-term contract appear premature with the province waiting for Stormers to give the the go-ahead.

South Africa - Ireland’s chief rivals in the battle to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup - will not be permitted to bid for the event, according to their Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula.

Chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald ushered in a new era for Munster Rugby by insisting incoming director of rugby Johan “Rassie” Erasmus would not undermine existing head coach Anthony Foley.

South Africans must be patient with the pace of transformation in the country’s national rugby side and will not be asking for more black players at the World Cup, sports minister Fikile Mbalula said yesterday.

Joe Schmidt has chosen New Zealander John Plumtree as the man to take charge of Ireland’s forwards and the 48-year-old will join the Irish coaching set-up next month.

South Africa lock Alistair Hargreaves has agreed a deal to join Saracens next season.

Leinster’s CJ van der Linde will move to the Super-14 Cheetahs next season in an effort to win back his place in the South African squad for the 2011 World Cup.

MUNSTER have signed Cheetahs prop Wian du Preez on a two-year contract.

SOUTH AFRICAN rugby bosses have moved to defuse a potentially explosive row over the Springboks’ behaviour during the national anthem before Saturday’s test win over the British and Irish Lions.

South African Rugby has moved quickly to quash rumours the country is considering ending its involvement in the Super 14 to join the European-based Magners League.

South African Rugby has today moved to quash rumours that it is interested in joining the Magners League.

The South African Rugby Union has failed in their attempt to scrap the controversial sanctions regulation from next season’s Super 14 and Tri-Nations.

South African rugby’s governing body have denied they are using the Springbok emblem illegally.

South Africa have confirmed they will select their "strongest possible squad" for the November Tests against Wales, Scotland and England.

Ireland have shelved plans to play South Africa at a neutral “non-traditional” venue in November after running out of time.

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has refused to describe Craig Dowd’s description of him as a “puppet” as racism.

Ireland could take on world champions South Africa in a Test match in the United Arab Emirates later this year.

South Africa lock Victor Matfield has been appointed captain for the Test against Italy on Saturday.

World Cup-winning second row Bakkies Botha must join French second division club Toulon by April 1 or face the prospect of legal action.

Former South Africa captain Corne Krige has predicted “seven lean years” ahead for the Springboks after the appointment of Peter de Villiers as national-team coach.

WORLD Cup-winning South Africa coach Jake White yesterday appeared to rule himself out of the immediate running for the England job.

WORLD CUP winning coach Jake White confirmed his departure as South Africa coach yesterday — but left with a blistering attack on organising body, SA Rugby.

South Africa coach Jake White today confirmed he will leave the post when his contract expires on December 31.

THE World Cup-winning South Africa rugby team have arrived back in the country to a rapturous welcome at the OR Tambo International airport in Johannesburg.

The World Cup-winning South Africa rugby team have arrived back in the country to a rapturous welcome at the OR Tambo International airport in Johannesburg.

EDDIE JONES has been confirmed as technical advisor to the South Africa national side until the end of their World Cup campaign.

UNDER-FIRE Springbok coach Jake White’s future is on a knife edge after he was ordered to return to South Africa next week for a crunch meeting.

JAKE WHITE has vowed to stand firm against his critics after South Africa’s most powerful rugby province called for his resignation as Springbok coach.

BELEAGUERED Springbok coach Jake White faces the biggest crisis of his career after the most powerful regional province in South African rugby passed a motion of no confidence in him and called on him to resign.

Jaque Fourie has been ruled out of South Africa’s tour of Ireland and England after suffering an injury in training today.

SA Rugby have come to an agreement with the South Africa rugby players to end the stand-off that threatened to disrupt the Springbok’s tour of Argentina, Wales and France next month.

A new cup competition between the Celtic nations and Italy and South Africa has been announced.

Piers Robertson

Former Springbok captain Morne du Plessis has quit as South African Rugby board director.

South Africa coach Rudolf Straeuli and SA Rugby managing director Rian Oberholzer both stepped down from their respective positions today, according to reports in South Africa.

Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli will keep his job – at least until the board of SA Rugby convenes on December 4.

PHOTOS of Springbok players huddled naked up to their waists in a lake rocked South African rugby yesterday, piling pressure on coach Rudolph Straeuli to quit after his team’s World Cup exit.