AFP Africa

South African director of rugby Rassie Erasmus describes himself in his biography as “a quiet, uncomplicated person” and far from the extrovert many perceive him to be.The 50-year-old is certainly someone who divides opinion, with his supporters as forthright in their defence of him as those in the opposing camp are in venting their spleen.On …

Erasmus the Springboks puppet master who divides opinionFri, 27 Oct 2023 02:50:24 GMT Read More »

Defending champions South Africa and New Zealand battle it out on Saturday bidding to become the first team to win the Rugby World Cup four times.There are many engrossing battles to be played out across the Stade de France pitch. AFP Sports highlights three of them:Tale of the hookersWith two tightly matched teams, the game …

Three duels to savour in Rugby World Cup finalFri, 27 Oct 2023 01:19:05 GMT Read More »

Defending champions South Africa expect Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final against “greatest foes” New Zealand to be a “grind” as both teams eye what would be a record fourth tournament title.The Springboks and All Blacks share an unparalleled rivalry in the oval-ball sport and have reached the final at the Stade de France thanks largely …

Boks expect ‘grind’ against All Black rivals in World Cup finalFri, 27 Oct 2023 01:10:45 GMT Read More »

Sudan’s warring parties resumed talks in Saudi Arabia on Thursday aimed at ending a conflict that has raged for over six months and left thousands dead, the Saudi foreign ministry said.Since April, the war between regular forces loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by his former deputy …

Sudan peace talks resume in Jeddah with limited goalsThu, 26 Oct 2023 15:37:15 GMT Read More »

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma admitted Thursday that he was so stunned by seeing Pakistan described as “mercurial” that he had to “Google the word” out of respect for his opponents ahead of their World Cup clash.Pakistan, the 1992 champions, have hit a roadblock at the World Cup with their opening two wins followed by …

‘I had to Google it!’: Bavuma wary of ‘mercurial’ Pakistan threatThu, 26 Oct 2023 15:17:30 GMT Read More »

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed insisted Thursday that Ethiopia would not invade another country or pursue its interests “through war” after previous remarks he made about seeking access to the Red Sea aroused regional concerns.”There are fears that Ethiopia may carry out an invasion after our recent strong demand for access to the sea,” Abiy told thousands …

PM Abiy says Ethiopia will ‘not pursue interests through war’Thu, 26 Oct 2023 14:20:12 GMT Read More »

Nigeria’s Supreme Court validated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s election victory on Thursday, dismissing the opposition’s final appeal against his mandate five months after he came to office.Most Nigerian elections have ended up in legal battles since Africa’s most populous nation emerged from military rule in 1999, but the Supreme Court has never overturned a presidential …

Nigeria Supreme Court validates President Tinubu’s election, dismisses appealThu, 26 Oct 2023 12:47:07 GMT Read More »

The Rugby Football Union says it is “deeply disappointed” that South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi has been cleared of a racial slur and will play in Saturday’s World Cup final.Mbonambi — the only specialist hooker in the Springbok squad — was alleged to have addressed the slur at England’s Tom Curry in South Africa’s 16-15 …

England ‘disappointed’ that Mbonambi has been cleared of racial slurThu, 26 Oct 2023 09:08:50 GMT Read More »

From restaurant cooks to street workers, Springbok jersey-wearing South Africans are ubiquitous in Johannesburg, as a frenzied mood grips the nation in anticipation of Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final.In fact, the only places where the iconic green and gold t-shirts are almost impossible to be found are sportswear stores, where they have run out. “We received …

Green and gold fever grips S.Africa ahead of Rugby World Cup finalThu, 26 Oct 2023 01:16:19 GMT Read More »

Bongi Mbonambi, alleged to have addressed a racial slur at England’s Tom Curry, is regarded as key to South Africa retaining their world title on Saturday — not bad for someone once told he was too small to play the game.The remark made by a rugby coach when he was a junior player is even …

Mbonambi: the Springboks ‘Iron’ manThu, 26 Oct 2023 01:15:22 GMT Read More »