They say respect must be earned, not just given It seems the concept has been lost on the South African media, despite Wales claiming a hard-fought 13-12 historic victory in Bloemfontein last Saturday.  That win has set up a much-anticipated series decider in Cape Town this weekend. Who would have thought it?

Jamie Roberts plans to stay involved in rugby – but only as a broadcaster. The former international star has finally called time on a career that saw him win 94 caps for Wales and in three Tests for the British & Irish Lions. The now 35-year-old centre featured in the 2008 and 2012 Welsh Grand Slam seasons, was at the heart of the side that reached the semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup and also helped Wales to win the 2013 Six Nations title.

By Rob Cole Even at the age of 75, a landmark he reached today (12 July, 2022) Sir Gareth Edwards is still leaving his mark on global rugby proceedings. The man consistently voted as the greatest player of all-time after a playing career that included 53 consecutive Welsh caps, three Grand Slams, five Triple Crowns […]

By Paul Jones Wales captain Dan Biggar feels the 2023 Rugby World Cup will be ‘very much a level playing field’ after a triumphant weekend for the northern hemisphere nations. Biggar and his Welsh team-mates ended 58 years of hurt on South African soil on Saturday by defeating the world champions 13-12 in Bloemfontein. Meanwhile, […]

Dan Biggar has spoken of his admiration for his No.10 rival Gareth Anscombe after the Wales replacement kicked his team to a historic victory in South Africa. Biggar hailed Wales’ “huge achievement” after his tourists stunned world champions South Africa 13-12 in Bloemfontein. It was Wales’ first win against the Springboks on South African soil, ending 58 years of hurt and arriving at the 12th attempt.

Dewi Lake has been backed to rattle the Springboks’ cage again this weekend – even though his first coach has revealed it’s not that long since the hooker was failing to make his local club side. Lake was the name on the lips of most Wales fans after the first Test last-gasp 32-29 defeat to South Africa following a hugely impressive display from off the bench. The Ospreys hooker scored a magnificent try to sensationally put Wales level at 29-29 in Pretoria, even though they were down to 13 men.

By Steffan Thomas Wayne Pivac has told his players to disregard claims that South Africa have disrespected Wales with their radical selection policy ahead of this weekend’s second Test. The Springboks caused surprise and some measure of outrage by making 14 changes to their line-up for Saturday’s clash in Pretoria. Pivac is looking the other […]

Sir Gareth Edwards has received a lasting image of what is widely acclaimed as rugby union’s greatest try. Edwards’ touchdown for the Barbarians against New Zealand at Cardiff Arms Park in January 1973 has long entered sporting folklore. But, amazingly, there are no recorded photographs, with only television footage available to showcase a breath-taking length-of-the-field move started by Phil Bennett, who died last month, and finished by Edwards.

By Stuart Taylor Wales captain Dan Biggar has previously had the somewhat dubious honour of being named among the world’s most hated rugby players. Yes, sadly, such a list exists. Last year, the top-five list compiled by the rugby website Ruck.co.uk saw Biggar named No.5, with fellow fly-half Owen Farrell of England named the most hated man […]

Wales women head coach Ioan Cunningham is staying on with more players given professional contracts. Cunningham – who had been linked with a number of other job – has extended his deal until 2025, but the new full-time players only have short-term contracts which run to the end of the year. The Welsh Rugby Union also plan other short term deals to get them through the delayed women’s World Cup which starts in October.

By Hannah Blackwell Welsh flyer Regan Grace is set to embark on a French adventure following an impressive 6-year stint in the Super League playing for St Helens. The winger from Port Talbot has scored 84 tries in 133 games for the saints in what has been a dazzling few years at the club and […]

By David Williams Wayne Pivac expects a second Test showdown between two “highly-charged” teams when Wales strive to level the series against world champions South Africa. Damian Willemse’s penalty with the final kick of a pulsating opening Test in Pretoria denied Wales a draw as South Africa triumphed 32-29. But Wales, who were left reeling […]

Wales captain Dan Biggar reflected on a “missed opportunity” after his team suffered an agonising 32-29 first-Test defeat against world champions South Africa in Pretoria. Damian Willemse broke Welsh hearts with the final kick of a pulsating game at Loftus Versfeld after Biggar infringed through a deliberate knock-on. For large parts of an epic contest, Wales looked destined to end 58 years of hurt by claiming a first victory over the Springboks in South Africa at the 11th attempt.

Dan Biggar is ready to wipe the slate clean against South Africa as Wales prepare for their first summer Test versus the world champions on Saturday. After a disappointing end to their Six Nations campaign with the defeat to Italy, Wales are set to face the Springboks in a series of three Test matches this month. Wales last visited South Africa in 2014, losing both of their respective matches with a narrow 31-30 defeat in the second Test.

The man who once bit off more than he could chew in South Africa reckons Wales can take a chunk out of the Springboks this weekend Scott Baldwin has the enviable record of a 66 per cent success rate against the Boks, with two wins and a narrow four-point defeat in three matches against them for Wales. He memorably came off slightly worse against the country’s wildlife in 2017 when he put his hand too close to a lion at Bloemfontein Zoo and ended up needing surgery, but against the country’s rugby players, Baldwin is very much up on the deal with his digits all intact.

By David Williams Leicester Tigers flanker Tommy Reffell is set to make his Welsh senior team debut against South Africa on Saturday’s Test series opener at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Bridgend-born Reffell, who helped Tigers win this season’s Gallagher Premiership title at Twickenham, will line up in Pretoria alongside back-row colleagues Dan Lydiate and Taulupe […]

There have been some seriously dark times in the rich, turbulent history that is Welsh rugby. You only have to recall the countless thrashings by New Zealand – some of which are too painful to remember without feeling embarrassed – but South Africa dished out the worst beating on June 27, 1998. In the last passage of play, replacement Springbok hooker Naka Drotske dropped a pass near the try line, which saved Wales from the humiliation of having 100 points scored against them.

Ospreys head coach Toby Booth insists he is looking forward to his team testing themselves against the best after their daunting draw for next season’s Heineken Champions Cup. The region’s reward for winning the Welsh Shield in the URC is a Heineken Champions Cup draw against French champions Montpellier and English champions Leicester Tigers. The draws for both the Champions Cup and the European Challenge Cup were made in Dublin, venue for both finals on 19 and 20 May next year, and included for the first time five teams from South Africa.

By Rob Carbon Tomas Francis is back in full training and in line to play for Wales against the world champion Springboks in Pretoria on Saturday (2 July). The Ospreys tight head prop had been struggling with a back problem, forcing Scarlets rookie Harri O’Connor to be added to the 33-man tour party as extra […]

Dragons chairman David Buttress – the man who launched Just Eat in the UK – reckons he has just listened. Buttress insists he took soundings from Dragons supporters as part of an exhaustive 10-month process surrounding the identity of the Gwent regional side. A new club crest, name and slogan was officially unveiled for the first time at Rodney Parade with the club now being known as Dragons RFC.