As Munster’s director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus saw at first hand how to exploit opposition weakness under the high ball and now he believes that is the area he must improve quickest as he takes control of South Africa.

Just 27 months after his playing career was cut short, Felix Jones is developing quite the reputation as an innovative attack coach. Speculation of offers abound but Jones is keen to deflect the limelight and focus on adding more strings to Munster’s bow.

If last Saturday proved a pretty humbling experience for South African rugby, it wasn’t a great week for the game’s governing body, World Rugby, either.

If Ireland charge out of the blocks after four months of international inactivity, this callow Springbok side will struggle to cope, writes Donal Lenihan

The battle for supremacy over the Springboks will extend all the way to the pre- and post-match functions at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, writes Donal Lenihan.

There was some degree of befuddlement in UCD earlier this week when Ross Byrne and Ross Molony found themselves being quizzed on the possibility of featuring in a Rugby World Cup in Ireland in 2023.

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.

Rassie Erasmus has defended his position in the midst of an apparent tug of war over the services of his touted replacement as Munster’s director of rugby.

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.

Rassie Erasmus will confirm his departure as head coach of Munster today, Examiner Sport understands.

Rassie Erasmus is definitely staying on as Munster director of rugby having finally ended the speculation he was about to leave the province just a season into his three-year contract.

Munster’s squad needs stability and another two seasons under the watchful eye of the former Springbok, writes Donal Lenihan.

When Allister Coetzee touched down in Port Elizabeth with his team last Sunday afternoon, he had a spring in his step, and not just from the previous night’s series-levelling victory over Ireland.

New Munster director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus has drafted in compatriot Jacques Nienaber as the province’s new defence coach.

A new Springboks coach will be named this morning with Allister Coetzee expected to be tasked with making the team a formidable force again while radically altering its racial composition.

Ireland forwards coach Gert Smal last night spoke of his decision to continue his role in Declan Kidney’s management set-up rather than pursue the head coaching role of his native South Africa.

South Africa have called Sharks back-rower Jean Deysel into their World Cup training squad to provide injury cover.

South Africa have named seven uncapped players in a 51-man squad called up for a team planning session in Cape Town next month ahead of the World Cup and international season.

South Africa internationals Chiliboy Ralepelle and Bjorn Basson have been cleared to play on after a judicial hearing found they were not to blame for returning positive drug tests.

The judicial committee investigating the anti-doping charges against South Africa duo Chiliboy Ralepelle and Bjorn Basson has reserved its judgement after hearing evidence from both players in Cape Town today.

Chiliboy Ralepelle and Bjorn Basson face possible drug bans after the South African Rugby Union today confirmed they had returned positive 'B' samples.

SOUTH AFRICAN rugby has reversed its policy of refusing to play against the New Zealand Maori, paving the way for match-ups between the two sides.

IRELAND coach Declan Kidney yesterday refused to be drawn into the IRFU ticketing debate but said his side has a bigger responsibility than ever to perform, no matter how many people turn up at the Aviva Stadium this Saturday.

Peter de Villiers will remain as South Africa coach until at least the end of the next year’s World Cup, after a meeting with his employers in Johannesburg.

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers will come face-to-face with his employers in exactly two weeks time for a review of the performances of his embattled team.

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers should employ a spokesperson to help him deal with the media, according to the country's Sport and Recreation Minister.

Peter de Villiers should employ a spokesperson to help him deal with the media, according to the country’s Sport and Recreation Minister.

ALLISTER COETZEE insists there is no truth in reports of a planned coup involving himself and Jake White aimed at toppling South African national coach Peter de Villiers.

Allister Coetzee insists there is no truth in reports of a planned coup involving himself and Jake White aimed at toppling national coach Peter de Villiers.

JAKE WHITE is desperate to oust South Africa coach Peter de Villiers, even on an interim basis, and has revealed that contact with his former employers over the role has already been made.

Heinrich Brussow will miss South Africa’s year-end tour to Europe after it was discovered the flanker needs further surgery to rectify a long-term knee problem.

A split looks to be quickly brewing in southern hemisphere rugby after South Africa conceded it was exploring the possibility of breaking away from SANZAR.

FRANS STEYN has been ruled out of next week’s Tri Nations encounter against New Zealand in Johannesburg due to injury.

Peter de Villiers has been given a vote of confidence by his employers at the South African Rugby Union and assured that his job is safe.

SOUTH AFRICA lock Bakkies Botha has apologised to his team-mates after being banned for his head-butt on New Zealand scrum-half Jimmy Cowan.

SANZAR have ruled out the possibility of a ’Battle of the Hemispheres’ competition, despite admitting “liking the concept”.

The South African Rugby Union (SARU) has played down a weekend report that Peter de Villiers is part of a company that has acquired shares in a local rugby union – a move that could affect the future of the Springbok coach.