The 20 most-read Guardian sport articles of 2023 Including a host of live reports across a range of World Cups, we look back at out most-viewed pieces of 2023 The Guardian - UK · Dec 31, 2023
The year in World Cups: how South Africa won rugby’s battle of fine margins Springboks and their inspirational captain, Siya Kolisi, won their three knockout games in France by a single point The Guardian - UK · Dec 28, 2023
Red mist: Rugby’s leaders would do well to heed wise words of Wayne Barnes The retired referee says ‘game needs to have discussion’ about current protocols regarding the all-too regular handing out of red cards The Guardian - UK · Dec 26, 2023
Reece James: Chelsea captaincy proving to be a heavy burden as defender seeks advice The right-back has been unable to stamp his authority on the squad as injuries and now a suspension limit his minutes Evening Standard · Nov 27, 2023
How South Africa rose to the top of world rugby South Africa's historic 4th Rugby World Cup win was a result of years of planning, left-field thinking, systemic change and a culture of winning. Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber's partnership led to the first black Test captain, Siya Kolisi, lifting the trophy twice. Their revolutionary shake-up of the system opened… The Hindu · Nov 10, 2023
Captain Siya Kolisi says Springboks’ World Cup win was ‘for every South African’ The team received a rapturous welcome in Johannesburg on Tuesday. The Independent UK · Oct 31, 2023
Victorious Springboks arrive back to a heroes' welcome in South Africa World rugby champions South Africa have arrived back in the country to a heroes’ welcome following a feat that saw them defend their title after beating New Zealand 11-12 in France The Independent UK · Oct 31, 2023
Rugby World Cup awards: the best player, the best match – our verdicts From that monumental quarter-final weekend to Kurt-Lee Arendse’s wonder try and the emergence of Portugal, the Guardian’s rugby experts hand out their awards The Guardian - UK · Oct 30, 2023
Rugby World Cup 2023 awards: Star player and coach, best match, biggest shock and more Seven weeks of incredible rugby came down to one point in Paris and now Nick Purewal crowns his winners Evening Standard · Oct 30, 2023
Rugby World Cup: Siya Kolisi sends message of hope as Springboks’ higher purpose endures Iconic captain hopes second successive Rugby World Cup win can prove an inspiration to people from similar backgrounds and have unifying impact in troubled nation Evening Standard · Oct 30, 2023
Siya Kolisi’s legacy as rugby’s greatest leader will now live on forever Kolisi joined Richie McCaw as the only two-time men’s Rugby World Cup-winning captain but his impact stretches far beyond the field The Independent UK · Oct 30, 2023
South Africa deserve World Cup but teams’ approach needs to change Fiji and Portugal should be proud while Ireland and France will have regrets but there has to be incentive for teams to vary tactics The Guardian - UK · Oct 29, 2023
Rugby World Cup team of the tournament: Ben Earl, Damian Penaud and South Africa domination The Boks claimed a record-breaking fourth Webb Ellis Cup and make over over a third of our team Evening Standard · Oct 29, 2023
South Africa’s triumph unites a nation but all rugby can celebrate a World Cup of fine margins A thrilling tournament in France reminded everyone of rugby’s qualities – and its faults The Independent UK · Oct 29, 2023
The Guardian - UK · Oct 29, 2023 Siya Kolisi’s South Africa understand the ties between team and people Resolve separated the Springboks from the rest of the teams at the World Cup and no one epitomised it better than the captain
The Independent UK · Oct 29, 2023 Siya Kolisi hails departing South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber after World Cup win: ‘We love you’ Nienaber guided South Africa to back-to-back World Cup triumphs and is now bound for a role with Leinster in Dublin
Radio France Internationale · Oct 28, 2023 South Africa beat New Zealand to retain rugby union World Cup For the third game in a row South Africa claimed a rugby match by a single point. After the 29-28 win over France in the quarter-finals and the 16-15 success against England in the semis, Saturday night's 12-11 nail-biter against New Zealand brought them the 2023 World Cup.
Evening Standard · Oct 28, 2023 Rugby World Cup: Siya Kolisi revels in South Africa's incredible journey to record-breaking win Influential skipper hails the unifying nature of the Springboks after they successfully defend their title in Paris
The Independent UK · Oct 28, 2023 New Zealand captain Sam Cane feeling ‘so much hurt’ after World Cup final defeat Cane’s yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Jesse Kriel in the 28th minute of a dramatic clash at the Stade de France was upgraded to red.
Evening Standard · Oct 28, 2023 Sam Cane: I'll live with Rugby World Cup final red card forever Outgoing New Zealand head coach Ian Foster has criticised the officials after some key decisions in Paris showpiece
The Guardian - UK · Oct 28, 2023 Siya Kolisi inspires South Africa to keep finding point of difference Narrow victories in all three knockout games show Springboks are masters of ending on the right side of small margins
The Guardian - UK · Oct 28, 2023 Sam Cane admits Rugby World Cup final red card will live with him ‘for ever’ Sam Cane said he is ‘going to have to live for ever’ with the heartbreak of his red card in his side’s one-point World Cup final defeat by South Africa
Evening Standard · Oct 28, 2023 Rugby World Cup final player ratings: Pieter-Steph du Toit phenomenal as Sam Cane gets harsh lesson All Blacks skipper's historic dismissal proves extremely costly as the Springboks prevail narrowly in pulsating final
The Independent UK · Oct 28, 2023 New Zealand captain Sam Cane opens up on Rugby World Cup ‘heartbreak’ after red card in final The All Blacks’ captain was sent off in the first half for a dangerous tackle and watched on as his teammates battled to a one-point defeat by South Africa in Paris
The Independent UK · Oct 28, 2023 Siya Kolisi echos Nelson Mandela as he calls on South Africans to unite and ‘make a better country’ Kolisi echoed Nelson Mandela in 1995 after their first World Cup triumph as he called for a divided South Africa to come together