BLACKBURN had keeper Paul Robinson to thank for two penalty saves that sent them into the Carling Cup semi-finals at Chelsea’s expense last night.

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce will make wholesale changes for their Carling Cup third-round tie at Nottingham Forest tomorrow.

Republic of Ireland 1 South Africa 0

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni handed some of his fringe players the chance to play themselves into World Cup contention in tonight’s friendly clash with South Africa.

Blackburn have club captain Ryan Nelsen back in their squad as they go in search of their first points of the new Barclays Premier League season at Sunderland tomorrow.

Blackburn captain Ryan Nelsen will have a late fitness check ahead of their Barclays Premier League kick-off against Manchester City.

SUBSTITUTE Daniel Alves broke South African hearts with an 88th-minute free-kick for Brazil that dumped the hosts out of the Confederations Cup with a narrow semi-final victory in Johannesburg.

Blackburn have signed midfielder Elrio van Heerden from Club Brugge on a free transfer.

South Africa coach Jake White this morning named an unchanged starting XV for Saturday’s World Cup final against England.

Springboks coach Jake White believes his squad can put the Schalk Burger saga to one side and maintain their concentration for Friday night’s crucial clash against England.

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.

SPRINGBOK wing Bryan Habana scored a try two minutes into injury-time to lead the Northern Bulls to a thrilling win over the Coastal Sharks for their first Super 14 title.

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.

The bans imposed last weekend on South Africans Robbie Kempson and Bakkies Botha for, respectively, a late cheap shot on Toutai Kefu and “deliberately attacking the face” of Aussie hooker Brendan Cannon, has highlighted once more the basic fact that rugby probably has more ‘bad boys’ than most sports. Declan Colley looks back at some of the sport’s anti-heroes.

Vodacom Tri-Nations Series