Nine months. Give or take a few days. That was more or less the time Kitch Christie had to fashion a team of world champions when he took over from Ian McIntosh as Springboks coach in October of 1994.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) is to introduce a new tough but more rational policy to deal with illegal and foul-play offenders.

South Africa Sevens coach Paul Treu has announced their 15-man squad for the IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens 2005 to be played in Hong Kong from 18-20.

South Africa coach Jake White is to use the wise acumen of some of Europe’s top coaches in order to get the better of Ireland in the two Test series next month.

Connacht added Newport to their growing collection of Celtic League