Rugby World Cup pool matches can generally be described as having two standout characteristics. The first being that each pool usually has but one table-topping decider, and the second being that you can expect at least one Twitter-trending upset in the opening rounds. Ireland look like they accomplished both feats today with a 15-6 win over Australia. By STYLI CHARALAMBOUS.

The under-fire Springboks saw off a tough early challenge from the Fijians to record a comprehensive 49-3 victory in Wellington. STYLI CHARALAMBOUS reviews phase two of Operation World Cup Defence.

Sebastian Vettel was not under any pressure at all as he romped home on Sunday to win the Italian Grand Prix. Even going into the first corner with Fernando Alonso just ahead and Lewis Hamilton barrelling down his left on the outside, the German’s performance was so strong you had to suspect he’d easily find his way back to the front. By OSIAME MOLEFE.

For much of the second half, many fans wearing the green and gold of South Africa, would have been down to their knuckles during this nail-biter of a Test match. STYLI CHARALAMBOUS reviews the Boks’ nervous 17-16 win over Wales.

If Test match rugby was played in press conference rooms and quotes were the equivalent of five-pointers, Wales would have already won the opening encounter against the Springboks. STYLI CHARALAMBOUS previews Sunday’s big match.

It’s T-Minus three days, and counting, until the most euphoric (or depressing) event of the South African sporting calendar kicks-off. And we can’t wait. STYLI CHARALAMBOUS previews Rugby World Cup 2011 and what we can expect from each pool.

Bad news for Chelsea fans – Didier Drogba might be a little distracted this season. In addition to battling Fernando Torres for his place in the team, he also has an entire country to unite and a whole lot of bad guys to forgive as the highest-profile member of Cote d’Ivoire’s new Truth and Reconciliation Commission. By SIMON ALLISON.

For reasons we needn’t repeat here, the Confederation of African Football is worried about staging the Africa Cup of Nations in Libya in two years. The South African Football Association went ahead and agreed to swap hosting dates with Libya. Well, CAF aren’t too happy about that. Apparently the two countries need their okay before they can announce such things. By SIPHO HLONGWANE.

Oscar Pistorius won't be running in the 400m final at the World Athletics Championships. A last-place finish in the semi-finals on Monday ended the athlete’s 400m Daegu dream at the competition - for now. By REBECCA DAVIS.

South Africa is a nation used to its winning rugby team, so bring the trophy home. We expect it - again.  This was President  Zuma’s message to the Springboks as they leave for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. By KHADIJA PATEL.

In a little over two weeks, Manchester United Football Club hopes to be a public company. If things run according to the script, happy fans will be showering it with money, then never selling out ever again. But victory will go to the Glazer family, as measured by its suddenly quadrupled investment. By PHILLIP DE WET.

At the risk of premature eulogising, Vettel and Red Bull’s clean sweep at the Belgian Grand Prix is the nail in the coffin of other drivers’ and constructors’ challenge in this season’s title race. OSIAME MOLEFE delivers the last rites as he looks back at the weekend’s race.

Psychology will play a bigger role than anticipated in determining who will lift the Webb Ellis trophy after the final of Rugby World Cup 2011 on 23 October in Auckland. After today’s 25-20 Tri-Nations loss to the Wallabies, the All Blacks’ shrink will be working overtime, as the RWC gets underway. STYLI CHARALAMBOUS wraps-up this year’s tournament.

Ras Dumisani and Ard Matthews should sing a duet; Joost goes for experimental treatment; Gio Aplon isn't fussy about his position; preview of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix; Aussie journos won't play nicely with the IRB; and Felipe Massa gunning for victory. By iMAVERICK TEAM.

It has been four agonising weeks since we’ve had a Formula 1 race. But, finally, the summer break is over and this weekend’s grand prix at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit is gonna be good ’un. By OSIAME MOLEFE.

Former Springbok captain Joost van der Westhuizen was diagnosed with motor neuron disease. It is considered incurable and barely treatable. Van der Westhuizen has been given less than five years to live, and is now to undergo an experimental stem cell treatment. By MANDY DE WAAL.

Receiving their tight fitting test caps to the melodic tune of the “World in Union”, the 30 warriors tasked with defending the zenith of International Rugby were unveiled to the nation. STYLI CHARALAMBOUS reviews the Boks announcement of the RWC squad.

The Association of Spanish Football is on strike over a wage deal impasse with the Professional Football League; football matches are already being delayed. Are the players right to demand wage guarantees in an age of cuts and austerity? They certainly think that they are entitled. Then again, perhaps even the likes of Lionel Messi are replaceable. By SIPHO HLONGWANE.

Port Elizabeth, and Heinrich Brussouw, kept their 100% record against the All Blacks intact, as Springboks ground out an 18–5 victory at the majestic Nelson Mandela Bay stadium. Finally, a positive Tri-Nations review by STYLI CHARALAMBOUS.

Juan Smith, the star flanker for the Springboks, has withdrawn his availability for selection for the World Cup squad. If Boks fans hadn’t turned to drink yet, this news may just make them reach for something a little stronger. By STYLI CHARALAMBOUS.

You’re forgiven for wondering where on earth Russian Premier League side Anzhi Makhachkala has suddenly emerged from. Without the dynamism of better known Russian sides likes Dinamo Moscow, these Russian minnows have stolen the headlines from even England’s nouveau riche football club owners. If you believe the gossip rags, it’s a matter of days before they also steal one of modern era’s best strikers, 30-year-old Cameroonian Samuel Eto’o. By KHADIJA PATEL.

With only 10 days until the start of the 131st US Open Tennis Championships, Roger Federer’s fans will be rooting for the aging former champion to add one last major title trophy to his bulging display cabinet. By STYLI CHARALAMBOUS.

British football club Manchester United want to raise R7 billion via an initial public offering on the Singapore Stock Exchange. But is buying shares in your favourite club the same as buying a replica T-shirt? Not quite. The consideration here is the financials, not the scoreboard. Man U’s results aren’t as good in the accountant’s books as they are on the field. By SIPHO HLONGWANE.

Peter de Villiers has made five changes to the Springbok side that went down to the Wallabies last weekend. Most significant of those is the demotion of John Smit to role of benchwarmer and promotion of highly rated understudy, Bismarck du Plessis. STYLI CHARALAMBOUS analyses the Bok starting line-up for their final Tri-Nations encounter.

Burkina Faso were comprehensively routed by Bafana Bafana in a friendly game at Ellis Park on Wednesday night. The Burkinabe’s poor showing was due to Safa’s sabotage, their coach hinted. In response, Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane merely thumbed his nose at the Burkinabe. By SIPHO HLONGWANE.

The Welsh say rugby is a game played in heaven. And for the first 40 minutes of this test match these two teams played enthralling rugby at a frenetic pace to give credence to that adage. After 80 minutes, the All Blacks showed just why they are the premier team in world rugby, beating the Wallabies 30-14 in a comfortable victory at Auckland’s Eden Park. This Tri-Nations – and Bledisloe Cup – review by STYLI CHARALAMBOUS.

Many Australasians will have us believe this is a prelude to the final of the World Cup to be played at this ground. By picking what appears to be their best starting line-ups, coaches Deans and Henry will be lifting their skirts just high enough for the rest of the world to see what can be expected of them at RWC 2011. A preview of the likely Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations decider by STYLI CHARALAMBOUS.

Sascoc has advised Cricket South Africa to appoint an independent person to suggest the best way forward for the cricketing body after a forensic audit revealed there had been some business going on behind the scenes that was just not, well, cricket. By KHADIJA PATEL.

Former Argentine striker Diego Maradona is the new coach of Dubai football club Al Wasl. He’s an eccentric who wasn’t very successful when he coached his home team at the 2010 World Cup, but we’ve really missed him. Things are never dull when Maradona is on the edges of the football field. By SIPHO HLONGWANE.