James Small went large in rugby, in life – and even his death
The Springbok giant – known for being the man who toppled Jonah Lomu – still lives in our memories five years after his death
Jonah Lomu
They left us in 2015
We take a look at the famous and the notorious who died in 2015.
Jonah Lomu: A true great who transcended his sport
Among the litany of tributes to Lomu’s extraordinary rugby ability have been many more highlighting the gentle, generous soul within.
All Blacks’ Lomu expecting another kidney transplant
Legendary All Black Jonah Lomu, treated twice for renal problems recently, says although he feels better, he expects to undergo another transplant.
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Young ‘Lomu’ in Aussie-Fiji tug of war
A 20-year-old rugby player compared with All Black great Jonah Lomu has become the subject of a tug of war between his native Fiji and adopted country Australia. The Fiji Times reported on Monday that Fiji-born Ratu Nasiganiyavi, the the cousin of Australia winger Lote Tuqiri, played for Australia under-20 in their 51-12 win over Fiji’s under-20 side on Saturday.
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Sevens seeks to ride World Cup wave
Rugby Sevens, the abbreviated form of rugby union, is seeking to ride the wave of popularity in the sport generated by the highly successful World Cup in France. The three-day season-opening Dubai leg of the World Series Sevens circuit attracted 32 000 spectators a day, but importantly offered a showcase for many future international stars.
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Habana hopes Boks build on White legacy
Springbok World Cup hero Bryan Habana believes South Africa have been given a great inheritance by departing coach Jake White. This Saturday sees White, barely a month after masterminding the Springboks’ march to the World Cup title in France, coach South Africa in a full international for the final time when his side face Wales.
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Springboks win north-vs-south battle
South Africa may have reclaimed the World Cup for the southern hemisphere after a one-off win by England in 2003, but that is not to say that the debate over who is in the ascendancy has been resolved. For many, the Springboks’ tactics in the 15-6 win over England in the final were decidedly of northern values.
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Race debate awaits World Cup heroes
They may be the world champions, but the Springboks have few illusions that their new status will stave off a new push by the government to overhaul the team’s racial composition. Meanwhile, Springbok wing Bryan Habana was on Sunday named the International Rugby Board player of the year.
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England ‘can win any game’
In this most weird and wonderful Rugby World Cup, England is making it seem like anything is possible. That includes winning the final against South Africa on Saturday at Stade de France, a prospect that was utterly absurd little more than a month ago.
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Boks look to clear final World Cup hurdle
Unbeaten South Africa face defending champions England in a mouth-watering Rugby World Cup final at the Stade de France on Saturday, a re-match of the pool match the Springboks won with consummate ease. But both sides have been quick to play down the significance of that record 36-0 rout, achieved when England were without talismanic flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson.
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Make way for young gun Francois Steyn
Francois Steyn will become the second-youngest player in a World Cup final on Saturday, hoping he doesn’t suffer the same fate as All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu who was a loser against the South Africans in 1995. Steyn, who is 20 years and five months old, has been one of Springbok coach Jake White’s young lions.
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Habana driven by Bok heroes of 1995
Bryan Habana was named after a former England soccer captain and could have been a top-class international sprinter but, thanks to the Springboks’ 1995 World Cup success, he turned to rugby. The 24-year-old winger could clinch a memorable double on Saturday in the World Cup final against England.
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IRB must play ball
A Rugby World Cup featuring upset results pleases many, but not the International Rugby Board (IRB). The IRB likes to hide behind the profitability of the Rugby World Cup, stating that the funds raised from it go towards helping to grow the game globally. What they don’t like to see is any sign of the boat rocking.
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Second-string Australia beat Canada
Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell continued his try-scoring feast at the World Cup with a double in Australia’s 37-6 victory over Canada on Saturday. Mitchell crossed twice in the second half to lift his tally for the tournament to seven tries from just four games, breaking David Campese’s Australian record for the most tries in a single World Cup with his six in 1991.
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Now is the time for SA to excel
What a difference four years make. On Friday South Africa take on England at the Stade de France, confident that they have the beating of the old enemy. Four years ago the England team had an aura of invincibility about it, but today it looks like one of those household implements reassembled in haste, with two or three parts left over that don’t seem to have a genuine function.
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Boks warm up for England
South Africa test their World Cup credentials against the rugged Samoans on Sunday in Paris in a warm-up for their Pool A decider against defending champions England next Friday. The Springboks, who were knocked out in the quarterfinals in 2003, have had a relatively smooth preparation compared to their own rocky standards and are regarded as one of few sides capable of stopping the All Blacks.
