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Wallabies’ imperfections on show in win over Argentina, but could be masked by captain call

30 August 2026 at 07:33

Rob Valetini filled in for skipper Harry Wilson at No 8 but Fraser McReight’s display will give Australia coach Les Kiss just as much food for thought

Rob Valetini bulldozed, barged through and brought the hammer down on home hopes in San Salvador de Jujuy during the Wallabies’ 27-21 win over Argentina, Australia’s fourth victory on the trot.

It was a rare start for Valetini, filling in for captain Harry Wilson in the gold No 8. The man they call Bobby V turns 28 this week and looks to be building towards his peak just in time for next year’s home World Cup. The person Valetini may have damaged more than anyone with his brutal performance, however, was the rested captain.

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© Photograph: Ramiro Vega/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Ramiro Vega/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Ramiro Vega/AFP/Getty Images

Argentina 21-27 Australia: men’s rugby union international – as it happened

30 August 2026 at 00:34

Tom Hooper scores decisive try in a messy game as Les Kiss earns biggest scalp of his early tenure

Gordon gets us underway!

After Australia’s anthem it’s Argentina’s retort.

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© Photograph: Ramiro Vega/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Ramiro Vega/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Ramiro Vega/AFP/Getty Images

Erasmus tricks and Kolisi magic inspire Springboks to level series with All Blacks

29 August 2026 at 20:28
  • Second Test: South Africa 33-26 New Zealand

  • Head coach changes front-row just before start

The Boks are back. Level at one apiece in the series after a return to what they do best. Blending power and directness, blood and thunder, to edge far enough ahead of New Zealand and withstand a gutsy comeback from the All Blacks. Throw in some brazen mischief from Rassie Erasmus, who swapped his entire front-row just an hour before kick-off, and this was much closer to a trademark Springboks performance after they were unrecognisable a week ago.

South Africa were far from flawless but constantly ferocious. It was not a knockout blow – not least given how the All Blacks finished the match – but it was some counterpunch after last week’s humbling. The third Test is scheduled for Johannesburg but they may consider relocating to Manila.

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© Photograph: Rodger Bosch/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Rodger Bosch/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Rodger Bosch/AFP/Getty Images

South Africa v New Zealand: rugby union second Test – live

29 August 2026 at 19:46
  • Updates from the second Test (4.10pm BST)

  • Get in touch: mail Daniel and follow us on BlueSky

Pieter-Steph du Toit walks out with his wife and children on the occasion of his 100th Test.

I got to chat with him back in 2021. He has quite the story:

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© Photograph: Gallo Images/Getty Images

© Photograph: Gallo Images/Getty Images

© Photograph: Gallo Images/Getty Images

All Blacks brace for Bok-lash as Erasmus adds late fly-half plot twist

28 August 2026 at 15:35

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s inclusion may be a classic piece of misdirection from South Africa in their must-win match against New Zealand

On the face of it, South Africa have been beset by disruption before their most significant match since the successful defence of their World Cup title. Rassie Erasmus had sought to lean further on the Springboks’ set-piece strengths by selecting Handré Pollard at fly-half for the second Test against New Zealand in Cape Town, suggesting a narrow gameplan. A return to the tried and tested. A reliance on what he knows best. Then came news of the “niggle”.

Out goes Pollard, who, according to the Friday morning bulletin, suffered said niggle in training on Wednesday and failed a fitness test 24 hours before the match, and back comes the far more adventurous Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu into the No 10 jersey. Feinberg‑Mngomezulu struggled in last week’s 33-16 defeat at Ellis Park, as he did on his comeback from injury against Argentina earlier this month, but the 24-year-old has a skill set that has marked him out as a future global star.

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© Photograph: Themba Hadebe/AP

© Photograph: Themba Hadebe/AP

© Photograph: Themba Hadebe/AP

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