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State of Nations Championship: Boks, Les Bleus on top
As it stands, the Springboks would face France in the inaugural Nations Championship final at Twickenham on 29 November. chickenroadslot.pro
The two teams lead the southern and northern standings respectively after three rounds of the tournament.
However, the Boks are only above the All Blacks on points difference (+81 to +51) with both teams having claimed a full haul of 15 log points from three bonus-point victories. South Africa beat England, Scotland and Wales in July, while New Zealand defeated France, Italy and Ireland.
In November, the Boks will travel to Europe to take on Italy, France and Ireland, with the All Blacks up against Scotland, Wales and England.
ALSO: Nations Championship confirms Bok strength
France have 12 log points after winning two of their three Tests in July, but are followed closely by Scotland (11), England and Ireland (both 10) who also recorded two victories but picked up fewer bonus points.
The final standings will decide opponents for the Nations Championship finals weekend at Twickenham from 27-29 November – first-placed northern nemisphere team versus first-placed southern hemisphere team, all the way through to sixth versus sixth.
Nations Championship fixtures
Round 4
Friday, 6 November
10:10pm Ireland vs Argentina, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Saturday, 7 November
1:40pm: Italy vs South Africa, Estadio Camilo Cano, La Nucia
4:10pm: Scotland vs New Zealand, Murrayfield, Edinburgh
6:40pm: Wales vs Japan, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
10:10pm: France vs Fiji, Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon
Sunday, 8 November
5:10pm: England vs Australia, Twickenham, London
WORLD RANKINGS: All Blacks close gap on Boks
Round 5
Friday, 13 November
10:10pm: France vs South Africa, Stade de France, Paris
Saturday, 14 November
1:40pm: Italy vs Argentina, Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa
4:10pm: Wales vs New Zealand, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
6:40pm: England vs Japan, Twickenham, London
10:10pm: Ireland vs Fiji, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Sunday, 15 November
5:10pm: Scotland vs Australia, Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Round 6
Saturday, 21 November
4:10pm: Scotland vs Japan, Murrayfield, Edinburgh
4:10pm: England vs New Zealand, Twickenham, London
6:40pm: Ireland vs South Africa, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
6:40pm: Italy vs Fiji, Stadio Friuli, Udine
10:10pm: Wales vs Australia, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
10:10pm: France vs Argentina, Stade de France, Paris
Finals Weekend (Twickenham, London)
Friday, 27 November
6:40pm: Northern 6th vs Southern 6th
10:10pm: Northern 5th vs Southern 5th
Saturday, 28 November
3:10pm: Northern 4th vs Southern 4th
6:40pm: Northern 3rd vs Southern 3rd
Sunday, 29 November
3:10pm: Northern 2nd vs Southern 2nd
6:40pm: Northern 1st vs Southern 1st
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
The post State of Nations Championship: Boks, Les Bleus on top appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Mondial 2026 : pour Gianni Infantino, le pari de la démesure l'emporte sur les polémiques
Après la victoire finale de l'Espagne face à l'Argentine, il est temps de dresser un premier bilan à chaud de cette Coupe du monde. Matches spectaculaires, stars au rendez-vous, stades pleins... le Mondial de la démesure voulu par Gianni Infantino l'a conforté dans ses choix. Mais l'allégeance du président de la Fifa à Donald Trump, cristallisée par le scandale autour de la (non) suspension de Balogun, a créé un dangereux précédent.
Blistering KLA sets sights on All Blacks
With the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series fast approaching, Springbok try-scoring machine Kurt-Lee Arendse insists there’s no time to relax for Rassie Erasmus’ charges.
Known for his speed and aerial prowess, Arendse’s touchdown in Saturday’s 43-0 win over Wales at Kings Park in the Nations Championship took his tally to 25 tries in 32 Tests.
The Boks have a two-week break before a 26-man squad travels to face Los Pumas in Buenos Aires on 8 August, while a separate group stays behind to begin preparing for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry against the All Blacks, starting 22 August.
“The Greatest Rivalry is going to be massive, and to be a part of it will be special,” Arendse said. “We’ll prepare well for it and make sure we’re ready for the All Blacks.
“I still have a lot of work to do, under the high ball and on attack. That’s what I’m going to focus on and if I get another chance, I’ll grab it with both hands.”
MORE: André the Giant targets All Blacks return
The 30-year-old speedster’s blistering finish against Wales moved him alongside the legendary Percy Montgomery among the Boks’ most prolific try-scorers, with seventh-placed Breyton Paulse (26) now in his sights.
Arendse, however, insists he doesn’t dwell on the milestones: “To be honest, I don’t keep track of it. I’m just grateful to represent my country and play with the boys.”
Humid, slippery weather in Durban on Saturday affected the Boks’ handling, but Arendse explained that the local contingent in the team helped them adapt.
RENNIE: Boks a different beast
“It wasn’t frustrating for us because Vusi Moyo and Aphelele Fassi play for the Sharks, so they know the conditions well,” he said. “Even the guys that didn’t play, they know the conditions well.
“We prepared well; during the training sessions, we made the ball wet. It wasn’t ideal conditions but we adapted.”
Despite scoring seven tries, the Boks botched several scoring opportunities, with the conditions prompting a boot-to-ball-first approach.
“The kicking game is always part of our plan,” Arendse noted. “If the conditions are not ideal, or even if it is ideal, we always try to kick and get into the contest.”
ALSO: All Blacks close gap on Boks
The World Cup winner also praised 20-year-old flyhalf Moyo, who kicked three conversions and a cross-kick that set up outside centre Jesse Kriel’s try just before half-time.
“He controlled the game really well with Cobus Reinach, who’s very experienced, and Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel, who played alongside him,” Arendse said.
“They all helped him a lot during the week, and you could see he controlled the game for the first half. I’m happy for him.
“He’s a Springbok now, so he can just learn from this experience.”
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
The post Blistering KLA sets sights on All Blacks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Coupe du monde 2026 : l’Espagne signe un record historique d’invincibilité
Sacrée championne du monde 2026 après sa victoire face à l’Argentine, l’Espagne n’a pas seulement décroché une deuxième étoile. La Roja a également marqué l’histoire en établissant une nouvelle référence mondiale avec une série de 38 matches consécutifs sans défaite.
La Roja dépasse la marque de l’Italie
Ce record appartenait jusqu’ici à l’Italie de Roberto Mancini. Entre 2018 et 2021, la Squadra Azzurra avait réalisé une incroyable série de 37 rencontres sans revers, une période marquée notamment par son sacre à l’Euro 2020 face à l’Angleterre.
L’Espagne dépasse donc cette performance et devient la sélection nationale avec la plus longue invincibilité de l’histoire. Une récompense qui souligne la régularité d’un groupe installé au sommet depuis plusieurs années.
Une domination construite après l’Euro 2024
Cette série exceptionnelle accompagne la montée en puissance de la Roja sous les ordres de Luis de la Fuente. Après son titre européen en 2024, l’Espagne a conservé son identité basée sur la possession, le pressing collectif et l’émergence d’une génération talentueuse.
Sa force réside aussi dans sa capacité à gagner dans différents scénarios, en imposant son jeu face aux grandes nations tout en affichant une grande solidité défensive.
Une nouvelle génération entre dans l’histoire
En réalisant le doublé Euro 2024 – Coupe du monde 2026, tout en battant le record d’invincibilité, l’Espagne confirme son retour parmi les références du football mondial.
Après l’âge d’or de 2008-2012, marqué par deux Euros et une Coupe du monde, la Roja semble avoir lancé une nouvelle ère avec une génération capable de prolonger son règne au plus haut niveau.
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