Reading view

South African airline defends dramatic low-level flyby before rugby union clash

  • Cape Town stunt sparks major debate over safety risks

  • Airlink insists flyby conducted according to regulations

A pre-game stunt involving two passenger jets flying dramatically low over a stadium in South Africa drew huge cheers from the estimated crowd of 56,000 people, but also sparked a major debate over safety risks. The flyby by two Embraer jets, operated by the local airline Airlink, happened on Saturday before the second rugby union Test between South Africa and New Zealand in Cape Town.

The flight tracking service Flightradar24 estimated that the lead jet passed just 41-46 feet (12-14 metres) above the roof of Cape Town Stadium, with the crowd and the world’s top-ranked rugby teams below. The second jet, which was very close behind, flew through a cloud of pink dust that shot up from the stadium roof as part of the show.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Jamie Rossouw/Reuters

© Photograph: Jamie Rossouw/Reuters

© Photograph: Jamie Rossouw/Reuters

  •  

100 ultramarathons in 100 days: former rugby pro hit by brain injury nears end of feat

David ‘Jacko’ Jackson has aimed to raise awareness of brain injuries, with fellow runners sharing their stories

The key for David “Jacko” Jackson is to take each stage nice and gently. “It’s not about running fast,” he said. “It’s more like the hare and tortoise story. Slow and steady – and do it again tomorrow.”

So far, so good. Jackson, a former professional rugby player who retired after a traumatic brain injury, is nearing the end of an extraordinary bid to run 100 ultramarathons (50km, or about 30 miles) in 100 consecutive days.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Francesca Jones/The Guardian

© Photograph: Francesca Jones/The Guardian

© Photograph: Francesca Jones/The Guardian

  •  

South African airline defends dramatic low-level flyby before rugby union clash

  • Cape Town stunt sparks major debate over safety risks

  • Airlink insists flyby conducted according to regulations

A pre-game stunt involving two passenger jets flying dramatically low over a stadium in South Africa drew huge cheers from the estimated crowd of 56,000 people, but also sparked a major debate over safety risks. The flyby by two Embraer jets, operated by the local airline Airlink, happened on Saturday before the second rugby union Test between South Africa and New Zealand in Cape Town.

The flight tracking service Flightradar24 estimated that the lead jet passed just 41-46 feet (12-14 metres) above the roof of Cape Town Stadium, with the crowd and the world’s top-ranked rugby teams below. The second jet, which was very close behind, flew through a cloud of pink dust that shot up from the stadium roof as part of the show.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Jamie Rossouw/Reuters

© Photograph: Jamie Rossouw/Reuters

© Photograph: Jamie Rossouw/Reuters

  •  

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

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.

Continue reading...

© 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

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.

Continue reading...

© 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

  • 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.

Continue reading...

© 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

  • 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:

Continue reading...

© 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

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.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Themba Hadebe/AP

© Photograph: Themba Hadebe/AP

© Photograph: Themba Hadebe/AP

  •  
❌