Jared Payne believes a Springbok backlash at Ellis Park this Saturday is guaranteed and Ireland will need a massive improvement on their first Test performance if they are to withstand it.

South Africa 20 Ireland 26: The air may be thinner up here on the Highveld but it tasted oh so sweet for Ireland as they touched down in Johannesburg yesterday after their Cape Town heroics.

When New Zealand and South Africa clash, all bets are off.

Warren Gatland insists Wales are “not ready to go home” as they seek the fulfilment denied them at the last World Cup. The injury-ravaged Welsh are targeting only their third victory over South Africa when they face Heyneke Meyer’s revived southern hemisphere giants in tomorrow’s opening quarter-final at Twickenham.

South Africa 34 Scotland 16: Stand-off Duncan Weir hopes his stunning second-half burst against South Africa on Saturday will help seal his place in coach Vern Cotter’s plans as Scotland look to book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

A compilation of some the latest gossip and news from inside RWC2015.

Ireland may be going into the final game of the November series with two wins under their belts, but head coach Joe Schmidt warned that Australia would provide a tough final test.

South Africa have recalled World Cup winners JP Pietersen and Schalk Burger among five changes for Saturday’s QBE International against England at Twickenham.

Ireland 29 South Africa 15

Everybody loves to see the schoolyard bully getting a bloody nose now and again and that’s exactly what happened when South Africa pitched up at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Victor Matfield has challenged South Africa to heed their World Cup “wake-up call” after a 29-15 defeat in Ireland.

Jared Payne could miss Ireland’s autumn Test against Georgia next weekend after suffering a suspected foot sprain in the 29-15 victory over South Africa.

Coach Heyneke Meyer has announced the South African team that will play Ireland in Dublin on Saturday in the first of Ireland’s Autumn rugby internationals.

South Africa have beaten Scotland 55-6 in their Test in Port Elizabeth.

Scotland 0 South Africa 28

England 15 South Africa 16

Ireland 12 South Africa 16

Ireland 12 South Africa 16

Ireland’s preparations for Saturday’s Test against South Africa have been dealt another serious blow after Paul O’Connell was ruled out of the Guinness Series opener due to a back injury.

South Africa head coach Heyneke Meyer has entrusted 22-year-old Pat Lambie with flyhalf responsibilities for Saturday’s meeting with Ireland in the Aviva Stadium (5.30pm).

Ask a Kiwi, Aussie or Springbok to talk about Ireland and the response is guaranteed to mention Brian O’Driscoll and/or that hoary old nod to passion. Beyond that, the well of platitudes tends to dry up.

Andrew Trimble hopes JP Pietersen will be only too aware of his name by the end of Saturday’s Guinness Series opener between Ireland and South Africa.

South Africa 14 England 14

England scrum-half Ben Youngs could be out for up to three months following surgery on his injured shoulder.

South Africa 36 England 27

England head coach Stuart Lancaster claims his players already have their minds set on revenge after their narrow first Test loss to South Africa.

South Africa 22 England 17

AUSTRALIA crept into the World Cup semi-finals after James O’Connor landed a late penalty to send champions South Africa crashing out.

South Africa captain John Smit stopped short of claiming the underdog tag ahead of Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final but acknowledged Australia have had the upper hand over them in the past two years.

Wales 16 South Africa 17

WALES coach Warren Gatland has tipped history-maker Sam Warburton to leave a lasting impression on the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bath fly-half Butch James is a notable absentee from the South Africa bench for this weekend's Tri Nations encounter against Australia in Bloemfontein.

South Africa 44 Australia 31