Former Wales captain Rob Howley has paid tribute to Scotland star Chris Paterson on the eve of him joining international rugby’s 100-cap club.

SOUTH AFRICA assistant coach Gary Gold insists there is no danger the Springboks will go into tomorrow’s first Test against the British and Irish Lions under-prepared.

FORMER South Africa coach Carel du Plessis does not believe the country’s current injury woes in key positions is a problem ahead of the British and Irish Lions series that begins next month.

JOHN SMIT is hoping “to put things right” when the Lions tour South Africa later this year.

South Africa’s most-capped player Percy Montgomery announced his retirement from international rugby after the Springboks’ 53-8 win over Australia at Coca-Cola Park today.

SOUTH AFRICA coach Peter De Villiers has made some tough calls ahead of tomorrow night’s Tri-Nations Test in Perth against Australia with the Springboks looking to head home with another win.

New Zealand 28 South Africa 30

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

South Africa 43 Wales 17

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers handed debuts to two players, but left out World Cup stars Victor Matfield, Percy Montgomery and Francois Steyn from his team to face Wales in the first Test at Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers insists the world champions will be ready for a “forward onslaught” from Wales when the Test series begins on Saturday in Bloemfontein.

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers sprang several surprises when naming his 30-man squad for the Tests against Wales and Italy next month.

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has named 12 uncapped players in his first squad since taking charge of the Springboks earlier this year.

London Irish 20 Perpignan 9

LONDON IRISH boss Brian Smith vowed his men will fight fire with fire in today’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against fierce and physical rivals Perpignan.

Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan is determined not to abandon his attacking principles in the cauldron of a Heineken Cup quarter-final against European heavyweights Munster.

Newport Gwent Dragons 0 Perpignan 25

Perpignan 23 London Irish 6

WORLD Cup superstar Bryan Habana has led the tributes to departing Springboks coach Jake White, declaring: “He has taken us on an unbelievable journey.”

South Africa will field nine of their victorious World Cup final starting line-up against Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

South Africa’s forthcoming tour to Wales and England has been rocked by Victor Matfield’s withdrawal from the squad.

Uncapped prop Heinke van der Merwe has been included in the South Africa squad for the clashes with Wales and the Barbarians.

It is difficult to disagree with outgoing International Rugby Board chairman Dr Syd Millar that France 2007 was “the best ever World Cup”.

MARK CUETO has reflected on the moment England’s dream of making World Cup history drifted into oblivion, claiming: “It was 100% a try.”

Mark Cueto has reflected on the moment England’s dream of making World Cup history drifted into oblivion, claiming: “It was 100% a try.”

Jonny Wilkinson claimed the England team had been on “a hell of a journey” after they relinquished their World Cup crown to South Africa.

England flanker Martin Corry spoke of his team’s “heartbreak” after their 15-6 defeat to South Africa tonight saw them relinquish their World Cup crown.

England 6 South Africa 15

England 3 South Africa 9

Argentina captain Agustin Pichot predicted the “end for rugby” if tournament organisers followed through with plans to reduce the number of teams competing in the 2011 World Cup.

ENGLAND will face South Africa in the World Cup final on Saturday after the Springboks emphatically ended Argentina’s tournament hopes at Stade de France last night.

SPRINGBOK coach Jake White saluted the leadership of his senior players after South Africa survived a major World Cup quarter-final fright against Fiji at Stade Velodrome.

South Africa 37 Fiji 20

South Africa 64 United States 15

England 0 South Africa 36

England 0 South Africa 20

SPRINGBOK coach Jake White has dismissed any prospect of complacency creeping into the South African camp as they prepare for a World Cup showdown with England.

South Africa coach Jake White has handed 20-year-old full-back Francois Steyn a starting berth at inside centre for Saturday’s World Cup warm-up match against Scotland.

South Africa 21 New Zealand 26

South Africa 22 Australia 19

South Africa 35 Samoa 8

South Africa have made three changes to their side to face England in the second test at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

South Africa 58 England 10

Winger Ashwin Willemse could play his first Test in two years for South Africa after coach Jake White named him in the side to face England on Saturday.