World Cup Tour Tales: Week 5 (Tokyo)

JON CARDINELLI reflects on the gritty and colourful world of Shinjuku, how the World Cup has captured the imagination of a nation and the Japanese chapter of the Dylan Jack Fan Club.

Boks have benefited from clear communication

Rassie Erasmus’ honesty and clarity of thinking have been a boon for the Boks over the last ’17 weeks’ of World Cup-centred preparations, writes CRAIG LEWIS.

Stars aligning for Siya’s Springboks?

There is an eerie similarity between what unfolded at the 2007 World Cup and what’s happening 12 years later in Japan. And that is good news for the Springboks, writes JOHN GOLIATH.

Rassie’s power play will pay off

Rassie Erasmus’ gamble to back six forwards on the Springbok bench will pay off against Japan and later in the tournament, writes JON CARDINELLI in Tokyo.

Three key facets of play for Boks

CRAIG LEWIS looks at three key areas of the game that will be decisive in this Sunday’s quarter-final between the Springboks and Japan in Tokyo.

Playing Selector: Bok tight-five predictions

Ahead of this Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final in Tokyo, CRAIG LEWIS and JOHN GOLIATH pick the Bok tight five they’d like to see play against Japan.

Boks must slow Japan tempo, not match it

The Springboks should look to control the contest on Sunday by throwing a wrench into the gears of the Japan attack, writes JON CARDINELLI in Tokyo.

Boks have laid a formidable foundation

Rassie Erasmus’ investment in a wider group of players will reap significant benefits in the short and long term, writes JON CARDINELLI.

Five tells in Japan’s poker game

Japan have been the most talked-about team at the Rugby World Cup after progressing to the quarter-finals as surprise winners of Pool A.

RWC XV: Forwards of the pool stages

Staff writer DYLAN JACK selects a pack of forwards from the individuals who have been impressive in the round-robin stages of the World Cup.