A 'global season' is the only way to determine the best

Gavin Rich|Published

A global season is the only way to determine which international side is the best in world rugby, writes Gavin Rich.

Boks were bad as a team

Gavin Rich|Published

The lessons learnt against the Barbarians is the Boks rely too much on the forwards and turn to playing as individuals.

Scots turn it into a ‘Grand Slump’ for Boks

Gavin Rich|Published

It is evident the Springboks cannot always just expect to survive on the blood and guts approach.

Boks to face a ‘better combination’

Gavin Rich|Published

The Springboks are bracing themselves for a different challenge from the one they faced in Ireland in their first tour match in Dublin.

Just, just losing never good enough for Boks

Gavin Rich|Published

Victor Matfield's admission that four consecutive defeats was unacceptable came as a pleasant surprise - it means that at least one Springbok knows that this is ...

Kaplan makes the difference

Gavin Rich|Published

A referee can make the world's difference in a rugby match as Jonathan Kaplan showed in teh Test between the Wallabies and All Blacks, writes Gavin Rich.

Changes needed if Boks are to save face

Gavin Rich|Published

The disastrous Springbok performances during the away leg have added considerable interest to Sunday's announcement of the squad for the home leg, writes Gavin Rich. ...

'Uneven contests ruining the game'

Gavin Rich|Published

Four matches into the 2010 Tri-Nations and the die has been cast, writes Gavin Rich.

Why the Boks have flopped

Gavin Rich|Published

When the Springboks returned this week to stories painting them as a team in disarray and at odds with one another over game-plan, it was a picture that was remarkably ...

Boks can learn from WP tactics

Gavin Rich|Published

There is little doubt the Springboks have been left behind the All Blacks ...

Derby results could be the Stormers' undoing

Gavin Rich|Published

If the Stormers somehow fail to either secure a home Super 14 semi-final or they fall out of the top four altogether, and it is just a log point that denies them, ...

A lot less pressure on Bok coach Div

Gavin Rich|Published

This time last year the build-up to the new international rugby season was gathering pace, with the all-important iconic series against the British and Irish Lions ...

Stormers beware physical Waratahs

Gavin Rich|Published

If the Waratahs needed a warning sounded to the Stormers ahead of their big Super 14 showdown at Newlands, it was provided by their fiercest and oldest rivals in ...

New stadium has advantages over Newlands

Gavin Rich|Published

Gavin Rich was at the new Cape Town stadium as it hosted its first rugby match - and even he was was surprised by how impressed he was.

Who will score new stadium's first try?

Gavin Rich|Published

Former Springbok captain and World Cup winning team manager Morne du Plessis has set a challenge the rugby players who will be the first play Cape Town's new stadium. ...

What's in store for Boks?

Gavin Rich|Published

The last part of a momentous year for Springbok rugby brought with it a few bumps that should serve as harbingers of the huge challenges that the world champions ...

Where are the new Ntinis in waiting?

Gavin Rich|Published

Makhaya Ntini is an example of a black player who has the stuff for the big moment, but here Gavin Rich laments the lack of his ilk in rugby.

'Tis the season for giving

Gavin Rich|Published

This is the time of the year Gavin Rich issues his own set of awards, so let's get cracking:

Smit may hang up his boots

Gavin Rich|Published

Today's Test match against Ireland at Croke Park is the last in an epic year for the Springboks - and it could also be the final game in the illustrious career of ...

Bulls dominate Bok squad

Gavin Rich|Published

The Blue Bulls placed the seal on a massive season by notching up 15 players in the 37-man Springbok touring squad that was named after the Currie Cup final.

Empty seats show how recession is biting

Gavin Rich|Published

Yesterday's Currie Cup semi-final was yet another indication of just how passionate people are about their rugby.

Luke leaves huge talent pool behind

Gavin Rich|Published

Luke Watson takes up a two-year contract with English club Bath from the beginning of November, but before that he hopes to lead WP to their first Currie Cup title ...

Why Allister is top of Jake's Lions' list

Gavin Rich|Published

As Jake White's partner in crime with the Boks, Allister Coetzee proved his worth and now the Lions are determined to lure him to Joburg.

Is this really the best Bok side of all time?

Gavin Rich|Published

It's hard to say, but with their unbelievable collection of trophies since the 2007 World Cup there is no doubt that their's has been the most successful era, writes ...

Leopards easy prey for WP

Gavin Rich|Published

WP had enough territory in the first half at Olen Park to be more than 10 points ahead at halftime, but they were still guilty of playing too much in their own half, ...