In the first World Cup edition of Bokwatch, coach Jake White talks about the upcoming games against Samoa and England, John Smit updates us on the state of his health, Fourie Du Preez and Schalk Burger look forward to the Samoa game, Danie Rossouw talks about BMT and Bok enforcer Bakkies Botha is chomping at the bit. (more…)
 ENG: Jonny Wilkinson may be out for 6 weeks with an ankle injury. RSA: Jake White suspects Wilkinson injury may be a hoax. SAM: Brian Lima is the first player to participate in 5 World Cups. USA: The Eagles are more concerned about the England pack than Wilkinson. Comments:
 AUS: Uncapped Berrick Barnes is Larkham’s understudy. WAL: Star Welsh fly half Stephen Jones was declared fit for Sunday’s clash against Canada. JAP: Rookie flyhalf Kosei Ono believes Stephen Larkham doesn’t have any weaknesses as he prepares to confront the Wallaby star in Lyon on Saturday. FIJ: Fiji have arrived in France fitter than ever after a punishing 6 week training programme. CAN: Canadian coach Ric Suggitt is confident his team can reach the quarterfinals of the RWC. Comments:
 NZL: Troy Flavell may be called up to replace the injured Keith Robinson. ITA: The Italians may field a weakened team against NZ in preparation for their all-important clash against Scotland. SCO: The Scots are confident of making the semi-finals after a morale-boosting win against Ireland in the RWC build-up. POR: Portugal’s coach has denied fearing for the safety of his pack when they take on the All Blacks. ROM: Centre Romeo Gontineac will become the first Romanian to play in four Rugby World Cups. Comments:
 FRA: France will he hoping to repeat last November’s victory over the Pumas in the opening game of the RWC on Friday. IRE: Brian O’Driscoll and David Wallace have been declared fit to play. ARG: Agustin Pichot will lead the Pumas against France in the RWC opener. Comments:
Jonny Wilkinson twisted his ankle in training today and has been ruled out of England’s Rugby World Cup opener against the USA. (more…)
 Kit sponsor Nike has made the French World Cup jersey a darker shade of blue than normal to give the host nation a psychological advantage should they meet New Zealand at the tournament. The All Blacks would be forced to play in white jerseys. Comments:
 New Stormers coach Rassie Erasmus has signed prop Brian Mujati from the Lions. He joins Ricky Januarie and Adriaan Fondse at the Cape franchise for next year’s Super14. Comments:
Doesn’t happen often, but due to some in-house visitors I was spousally rationed to one S14 fixture this weekend. Looking closely at the schedule with a South African eye, but also an eye on quality – I had to go for the Sharks vs Reds. Apologies now to the Stormers who finally played some entertaining if not precision rugby – that fact and the mush the Sharks dished up – showed up my tough choice to be incorrect.
 Tongan Epi Taione has changed his name on the eve of the World Cup to Paddy Power – the name of an Irish bookmaker. The change is part of a five-figure sponsorship agreement with the bookies who have funded the Tongan preparations for the tournament. Comments:
