CONNACHT 32 - SOUTHERN KINGS 10: Connacht coach Kieran Keane was the first to admit that facing newcomers the Southern Kings so early in the season was a welcome gift but he feels the bonus point win secured on Saturday night will propel his new side.

IRB Junior World Championship Pool B: South Africa u-20s 19 Ireland u-20s 23

PAUL O’CONNELL was described as “a man on a mission” by Royal XV coach Chaka Willemse after the Irishman had hauled his Lions & team through a few sticky patches in the first game of the 2009 tour.

British and Irish Lions boss Ian McGeechan labelled his team’s uninspiring 37-25 victory over the Royal XV as “a good start” to their South Africa tour.

Royal XV coach Chaka Willemse expects a strong physical threat from the British and Irish Lions in Saturday’s tour opener.

Eleven players from GWK Griquas have been included in the starting line-up for the Royal XV team to play the British and Irish Lions in Rustenburg on Saturday.

THE British and Irish Lions will face a team made up mainly of players from the GWK Griquas and Platinum Leopards in their opening tour match on May 30. A Royal XV side, which the Lions will face at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Phokeng, will be led by flanker Wilhelm Koch.

BATTLING Glasgow were denied a Heineken Cup double over Biarritz after conceding two late tries last night.

IRELAND A coach Michael Bradley has warned England A they must be ruthless if they are to have any hope of toppling the New Zealand Maori in Saturday’s Churchill Cup final.

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.

SOUTH AFRICA coach Jake White has recalled the moment when he feared time might have run out on the Springboks’ Grand Slam bid.

Ashwin Willemse is a shock inclusion by South Africa coach Jake White in the team to play Wales at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium next Saturday.

Ashwin Willemse was the shock inclusion when South Africa coach Jake White named his team on Friday to play Wales at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on Saturday, November 6.

SOUTH AFRICAN rugby boss Brian van Rooyen yesterday announced the first national squad under coach Jake White, including six black players, to play Ireland and Wales in tests next month.

A new race row threatens to overshadow the Springboks’ biggest game in four years after South African Rugby Union boss Mvuleli Ncula today voiced concerns that the side selected to take on the All Blacks is too white.

South Africa coach Rudolf Straeuli believes he has a squad rich in youthful talent but has also backed the importance of his veterans going into Saturday’s quarter-final against New Zealand in Melbourne.

Samoa’s World Cup adventure came to an abrupt end today as fly-half Derick Hougaard steered South Africa towards a potential quarter-final showdown with New Zealand.

Vodacom Tri-Nations Series

South Africa 28 Scotland 19