South Africa 49 Fiji 3

THERE are so many talking points since the commencement of the World Cup that it is difficult to know where to begin.

South Africa coach Peter De Villiers will rely on the core of the squad that became world champions four years ago after naming his 30-man World Cup squad tonight.

Fourie du Preez and Heinrich Brussow have been recalled to the South Africa starting line-up for the first time in 21 months for Saturday’s Tri Nations clash with Australia in Durban.

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has named a severely weakened 27-man squad for the away leg of their Tri Nations campaign due to injuries suffered by a host of key players.

WE HAVE a lot to be grateful to Scotland for. Had they not beaten South Africa in Murrayfield last Saturday week, both the Springboks and New Zealand would return home from their respective tours of the four home unions with a clean sweep.

RICHIE McCAW has history with Ireland. Lots of it.

Victor Matfield admits the recent spate of injuries that has struck South Africa is far from ideal, but is adamant the squad has enough depth to overcome Ireland.

South Africa were dealt a major blow today after experienced flanker Schalk Burger and rookie centre Juan de Jongh were both ruled out of the Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland that starts this week.

Blue Bulls centre Wynand Olivier has been ruled out of South Africa’s year-end grand slam tour due to a groin injury.

SPRINGBOK coach Peter de Villiers has named 11 uncapped players in his preliminary 39-man training squad for their Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland.

South Africa head coach Peter de Villiers has named 11 uncapped players in his preliminary 39-man training squad for their Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland.

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.

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.

NEW ZEALAND centre Conrad Smith believes New Zealand are putting the foundations in place for their latest tilt at ending their recent World Cup hoodoo.

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.

Brian O’Driscoll insists Ireland must adapt to the controversial new interpretation of the tackle law as soon as possible.

PADDY O’BRIEN, the International Rugby Board Referees’ manager, who came in for sharp criticism after last Saturday’s Ireland-Wales game at Croke Park, addressed the situation in forthright fashion in Killiney yesterday.

John Smit and Victor Matfield are among a group of 10 players to be awarded national contracts by the South African Rugby Union that will run until next year’s World Cup.

THE Six Nations last night confirmed to the IRFU that none of a number of referrals made by South Africa against Ireland players during Saturday’s international at Croke Park were upheld by citing commissioner Douglas Hunter.

IN the professional environment of a rugby-mad country where bulk is almost a condition of employment, Heinrich Brussow doesn’t quite fit the bill.

South Africa have made six changes for Saturday’s test at Croke Park against Ireland.

IRELAND won’t beat the world champions at Croke Park on Saturday unless the entire team plays out of its boots from the kick-off.

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has made four changes from the team beaten by France last weekend for Saturday’s clash with Italy in Udine.

MARCUS HORAN missed Ireland team training time yesterday in the University of Limerick as the squad began preparations for the Guinness Series games this November.

I LOVE this phase of the season when the big boys from down under come to town and we are treated to a host of quality international rugby.

Davon Raubenheimer has been brought in to the South Africa starting line-up for Friday night’s match against Leicester at Welford Road.

SCHALK BURGER has been recalled to the South Africa squad for the next stage of their Tri-Nations campaign, following the eight-week ban he picked up during the British and Irish Lions tour of the country.

SPRINGBOKS coach Peter de Villiers yesterday accused sections of the British and Irish Lions travelling press of trying to whip up unnecessary controversy during the current tour.

Peter de Villiers has made 10 changes to his South Africa side to face the British and Irish Lions in the third Test at Ellis Park on Saturday.

VICTOR MATFIELD believes referee Christophe Berdos should be left to do his job and the rest should adapt when the second Test against the British and Irish Lions kicks off today.

Adam Jones was told by Phil Vickery to “make sure you stuff him” after being picked to face ’The Beast’ in Saturday’s second Test against South Africa.

SOUTH Africa assistant coach Gary Gold has revealed Schalk Burger was always going to be in the starting line-up for the series against the British and Irish Lions as long as he was fit.

Schalk Burger returns to the starting line-up for South Africa when they take on the British and Irish Lions in the second Test match in Pretoria on Saturday.

Jamie Roberts insisted the 2009 British and Irish Lions are capable of making history by coming back from 1-0 down to win the Test series against South Africa.

Lions captain Paul O’Connell accused Bryce Lawrence of only refereeing one side after South Africa held off a late fightback to win the first Test 26-21 in Durban.

South Africa 26 British and Irish Lions 21

South Africa 26 British and Irish Lions 21

The British and Irish Lions are ready to paint Durban red tomorrow by backing their unshakeable belief that they can stun world champions South Africa.

ONE day in the limelight has set Heinrich Brussow’s pulse racing, and believing he can be architect of the British and Irish Lions’ downfall.

ASSISTANT coach Dick Muir believes South Africa are well prepared for the first Test against the Lions despite the absence of Schalk Burger for the opening match in Durban on Saturday.

Heinrich Brussow has walked straight into South Africa's starting line-up for the first Test against the British and Irish Lions in Durban on Saturday.

HEINRICH BRUSSOW has been added to the South Africa squad as cover for Schalk Burger ahead of Saturday’s first Test against the Lions.

Heinrich Brussow has been added to the South Africa squad as cover for Schalk Burger ahead of Saturday’s first Test against the British and Irish Lions.