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Mail & Guardian
rugby world cup 2023latest news & developments
SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO, ARGENTINA – SEPTEMBER 21: Manie Libbok of South Africa reacts during the the Rugby Championship 2024 match between Argentina Pumas and South Africa Springboks at Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades on September 21, 2024 in Santiago del Estero, Argentina. (Photo by Rodrigo Valle/Getty Images)

Lay off Libbok. Instead, do what Rassie did and get behind the player

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus didn’t let social media get in his way in selecting Manie Libbok as he produced an eye-catching display against Argentina

Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth pose with the Webb Ellis Cup during the South Africa Winners Portrait shoot after the Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on October 29, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Adam Pretty – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

The Boks’ real gift to South Africa is leadership

Rugby has shown us what real leaders look like – leaders who will fight for the people they represent

South Africa’s flanker and captain Siya Kolisi lifts the Webb Ellis Cup after South Africa won the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris, on October 28, 2023. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)

South Africa celebrates as Boks win again – by one point

The All Blacks were winning the battle for both territory and possession but the Springboks drew on their reservoirs of self-belief to win 12-11

Willie Le Roux after the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final match between France and South Africa at the Stade de France in Paris, France. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Never write off All Blacks, warns Bok veteran Le Roux

The full-back said there was a long history of rivalry between the teams, but also a lot of respect

Ox Nche during the Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter final match between France and South Africa at Stade de France on October 15, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Philippe Lecoeur/FEP/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Cake-loving Nche hopes for sweet success in Rugby World Cup final

The 123kg Nche made his Test debut under Rassie Erasmus in 2018 and has gone on to make 27 appearances

A tough game lies ahead as South Africa take on New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images)

Laughing through the lead-up to another Boks thriller

The only way to get through the tension before the RWC final is with memes, banter, and snacks

Bongi Mbonambi during a South Africa training session ahead of their Rugby World Cup France 2023 Final match against New Zealand at Stade des Fauvettes  on October 23, 2023 in Domont, France. (Photo by Michael Steele – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

World Rugby looking into Mbonambi’s alleged racial slur

An official investigation has been launched into Bongi Mbonambi allegedly directing a racial slur at Tom Curry of England

Siya Kolisi of celebrates victory with members of the crowd at full-time following the Rugby World Cup France 2023 Quarter Final match between France and South Africa at Stade de France on October 15, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Boks beat France in World Cup thriller to reach semis

Siya Kolisi said it was a hard game for the defending champions, who eventually walked away with a 29-28 win and will face England next week

Andre Esterhuizen of South Africa during the Rugby World Cup 2023 Pool B match between South Africa and Tonga at Stade Velodrome on October 01, 2023 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Boks beat Tonga to edge towards World Cup quarters

The Tongan side stayed competitive throughout the match

Damian de Allende of South Africa is tackled by Josh Van der Flier of Ireland during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between South Africa and Ireland at Stade de France on September 23, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Franco Arland/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Ireland beat Springboks in World Cup thriller

The win extended Ireland’s record winning run to 16 Tests and brought to an end the Springboks’ run of six in a row

All eyes on Boks and Ireland for epic clash

Will Manie Libbok spot-kick at number 10? Arguably the better kicker, Handré Pollard is back from injury

Damian Willemse of South Africa scores his team’s fourth try during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between South Africa and Romania at Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux on September 17, 2023 in Bordeaux, France. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

SA demolishes Romania at Rugby World Cup

The humid conditions failed to stop the Springboks from starting strongly in Bordeaux

Springboks captain Siya Kolisi poses for a portrait during the South Africa Rugby World Cup 2023 Squad photocall.  Photo by Alex Livesey – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images

A World Cup that Africa could actually win

Only two African teams are playing in the tournament this year. One has never won a RWC game, the other could win it for the fourth time

Showing the love: Bok captain Siya Kolisi takes a photo with fans after the match between Wales and South Africa in Cardiff. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Why we love the Springboks: The green and gold bring light relief in dark times

With South Africa’s first Rugby World Cup match on Sunday, the coming weeks will be a time of frantic activity for the Springboks. Luke Alfred tries to unravel the tangle of…

(John McCann/M&G)

Can the Springbok, which divided us so painfully, again inspire us?

The history of our rugby team often runs parallel to that of our conflicted, divided society