Sports

New Zealand’s Tour of South Africa: All Blacks pull away late on in flattering 38-21 win over Stormers | Rugby Union News

Published

4 hours ago

August 8, 2026

New Zealand’s first full-scale tour of South Africa in 30 years began with an underwhelming 38-21 win over the Stormers.

The scoreline flattered a scratch All Blacks side which was favoured to win comfortably.

The makeshift Stormers – in pre-season mode – rallied twice to tie the score, which was knotted at 14-14 until 13 minutes to go.

When the Stormers lost their second scrum-half and had no more reserve backs, the patched-up backline was ruthlessly exposed by New Zealand, who scored three tries in the last eight minutes.

But the result only papered over a performance that was blighted by ill-discipline, three yellow cards, and a struggling set-piece.

They overcame those with six tries to three by the Stormers in front of a 47,130 crowd.

The good news for the All Blacks was they appeared to finish with no major injuries, seven players made their first appearance in the black jersey this year, and two more made their debuts off the bench; prop Siale Lauaki and inside back Josh Jacomb.

But the most impressive players in the stadium were Stormers fly-half Yaqeen Ahmed, who looked comfortably cool in his first-class debut at age 20, and flanker Deon Fourie, the dynamo who will be 40 next month.

“It was a good introduction for us to South African rugby,” said New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie. “We started very well and it looked like which side had the ball ⁠got rewarded by the referee.

“When we had ⁠the ball we were really dangerous. We knew they would bring line speed [in defence]. We just weren’t quite clinical enough ‌to expose them.

“They came at us with their set-piece and we need to be better in those areas. We expected a lot of aerial attacks and we probably did ‌not handle that as well as we could have.”

New Zealand’s 2026 tour of South Africa, live on Sky Sports

Friday August 7: Stormers 21-38 New Zealand, Cape Town

Tuesday August 11: Sharks vs New Zealand, Durban (6pm BST)

Saturday August 15: Bulls vs New Zealand, Pretoria (6pm BST)

Saturday August 22: South Africa vs New Zealand (FIRST TEST), Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg (4.10pm BST)

Tuesday August 25: Lions vs New Zealand, Johannesburg (6pm BST)

Saturday August 29: South Africa vs New Zealand (SECOND TEST), Cape Town (4.10pm BST)

Saturday September 5: South Africa vs New Zealand (THIRD TEST), FNB Stadium, Johannesburg (4.10pm BST)

Saturday September 12: South Africa vs New Zealand (FOURTH TEST), M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore USA (10pm BST)

Watch New Zealand’s Tour of South Africa live on Sky Sports

Sports

How to watch Aces vs. Lynx: TV channel and streaming options for August 8

Published

6 minutes ago

August 8, 2026

qasimgillani

Aug. 8, 2026 5:48 am EDT Updated

Two of the WNBA’s best scorers take the court when Olivia Miles (eighth, 19.8 points per game) and the Minnesota Lynx (25-7) host A’ja Wilson (first, 26.6) and the Las Vegas Aces (22-9) on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+.

How to watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Minnesota Lynx

Las Vegas vs. Minnesota odds

Spread: Minnesota -5.5 (-110), Las Vegas +5.5 (-110)
Favorite Moneyline: Minnesota -222
Underdog Moneyline: Las Vegas +180
Total: 183.5
Total Over Odds: -110
Total Under Odds: -110

Injury reports

Lynx

Emma Cechova: Out For Season (Knee),

Chloe Bibby: Out (Personal)

Aces

Justine Pissott: Out (Leg),

Cheyenne Parker-Tyus: Out (Concussion),

Janiah Barker: Out For Season (Leg)

Stats to know

The 92.4 points per game the Lynx average are 5.9 more points than the Aces give up (86.5).
Las Vegas puts up 8.3 more points per game (91.8) than Minnesota give up (83.5).
Natasha Howard posts 15.3 points, 3.2 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game.
Wilson averages 26.6 points, 3.2 assists and 9.8 rebounds per contest.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Julio Aguilar, Ethan Miller, Steph Chambers / Getty Images

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Sports

Raven Chapman could return to UK next week after brain bleed

Published

26 minutes ago

August 8, 2026

qasimgillani

Britain’s Raven Chapman could travel back to the UK next week after undergoing a second successful surgery on a brain bleed she suffered following a sparring session in Denmark.

The 32-year-old former world title challenger collapsed after training on 24 July and was taken by helicopter to hospital, where she was diagnosed with a brain haematoma and cerebral oedema.

After undergoing emergency surgery and being placed in a medically induced coma, Chapman’s management company, Vote Boxing, said she has had another successful procedure.

“This marks another important step in her recovery while also making it safer for her to travel back to the UK,” a statement said.

“If everything continues to progress as hoped, we are aiming for Raven to fly home sometime next week, where she can continue her recovery surrounded by her family and loved ones.

“Although there is still a long road ahead, this is a significant milestone, and we remain hopeful as Raven continues to make progress each day.”

Chapman has won 10 professional fights with two losses.

The Norwich-born fighter lost to Skye Nicolson for the WBC featherweight title in October 2024 in the only women’s world-title fight ever held in Saudi Arabia.

A GoFundMe page has been launched to help raise funds for Chapman’s rehabilitation and after-care has raised over £88,000.

“We would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone who has supported Raven through her GoFundMe, as well as everyone who has sent messages, shared their prayers, and shown kindness throughout this incredibly difficult time,” the statement added.

“Your generosity and support have meant more than words can express and have provided tremendous strength to Raven and her loved ones.

“Thank you for continuing to keep Raven in your thoughts as she continues her recovery.”

Sports

How to watch the women’s National Bank Open presented by Rogers: Streaming options for the Round of 16

Published

1 hour ago

August 8, 2026

qasimgillani

Aug. 8, 2026 4:45 am EDT Updated

There are four women’s matches at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers today, the best being No. 11-ranked Marta Kostyuk versus No. 8 Iga Swiatek.