Sias Ebersohn is part of a crop of exciting young playmakers in South Africa that have just come through their first full Super Rugby seasons and who now seem to be running things in South African provincial rugby.
Veteran lock Marco Bortolami says he is looking forward to not being burdened with the responsibility of the captaincy for Italy in his third and possibly last World Cup in New Zealand.
Wales have revised their tackling game and are targeting the breakdowns, the Springboks' chief on-field defensive co-ordinator, Jaque Fourie, said on Tuesday.
Australia coach Robbie Deans has stuck with the same line-up that beat New Zealand for their World Cup opener against Italy.
South Africa lock Bakkies Botha could miss the Rugby World Cup opener against Wales on Sunday with an Achilles injury.
Japan prop Hisateru Hirashima has described France's scrum as the "best in the world" and "stronger than New Zealand's".
Rory Best has warned Ireland they must contain the USA's early onslaught in their World Cup opener on Sunday.
Ireland fullback Geordan Murphy believes that former coach Eddie O'Sullivan will use his "inside knowledge" to better prepare his USA players for Sunday's opening World Cup clash in New Plymouth.
England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson returns to Dunedin claiming his last visit provided him with one of the most valuable experiences of his life.
The All Blacks have played down their latest injury scare after prop Tony Woodcock suffered a hamstring problem.
Wales assistant coach Rob Howley has conceded that Stephen Jones is a doubt for next Sunday's World Cup opener against South Africa.
Graham Rowntree insists England will respect the threat posed by the Argentina scrum in their World Cup opener on Saturday.
Coach John Kirwan is looking beyond Japan's tough opening matches and ahead to Tonga and Canada to define the Asian champions' World Cup in New Zealand.
Argentina coach Santiago Phelan claims he has named his strongest possible XV for the World Cup opener against England.
The All Blacks have jettisoned their controversial player rotation policy and say they will stick with the hardcore of their first XV through the World Cup starting on Friday.
