When it comes to supporting captain John Smit in the face of media and public criticism, South African lock Bakkies Botha is as direct and uncompromising as he is on the field.
If host nation New Zealand are feeling the heat, so too are defending World Cup champions South Africa, according to Springbok wing Bryan Habana.
Jim Mallinder hailed both his fly-halves as Northampton sealed a Franklin's Gardens thriller with a late Ryan Lamb penalty against Gloucester.
Australia boss Robbie Deans has refused to confirm whether James O'Connor would reclaim his spot on the right wing against Italy on Sunday.
England have suffered a massive blow ahead of their World Cup opener against Argentina, with the news that veteran skipper Lewis Moody will not recover from injury in time to lead out his side.
Gordon D'Arcy and Cian Healy have teamed up with the Ireland squad in Queenstown following delayed departures from Dublin.
Leeds Carnegie have confirmed they have agreed a deal to sign USA scrum-half Robbie Shaw for the rest of the season.
Prop Paul James insists Wales are in the best physical and mental shape for their mouth-watering World Cup opener against South Africa.
Nick De Luca has insisted that Scotland will not be taking anything for granted against Romania on Saturday.
Donncha O'Callaghan believes Eddie O'Sullivan's inside knowledge of Ireland will make the United States and dangerous opponent.
Sharks coach John Plumtree is convinced that his side will have to play better than they did against the Blue Bulls if they want to beat the winless Pumas in Durban this weekend.
We have again combined with The Sharks to give readers a chance to watch rugby in Durban.
Scoring two tries and grinding it out from there should be enough to get a team home in the World Cup, according to England's attack coach Brian Smith.
Japan face a huge task in their opening World Cup match against France on Saturday but coach John Kirwan wants his players to show courage through adversity.
Discarded All Black wing Hosea Gear will remain in New Zealand, after it was confirmed he had signed with the Highlanders for the 2012 Super Rugby season.
