Rugby World Cup 2023 Score and Updates

Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s coverage of this afternoon’s Rugby World Cup Pool B clash between South Africa and Romania at the Stade de Bordeaux.

These two proud rugby nations have only met once before in Test Rugby when the Springboks won 21-8 at their home World Cup before lifting the trophy for the first time in 1995.

Jacques Nienaber’s team comes into this match after a hard-fought victory against Scotland. The teams looked relatively even at the halfway mark, but the arrival of the ‘bomb squad’ and the magic of flyhalf Manie Libbok’s no-look kicks allowed the defending champions to accelerate to s impose 18-3.

The Springboks will be hoping to score a goal today after Pool B rivals Ireland beat Romania 82-8 last week, but they will look to do so with a much-changed squad.

Adding to Jacques Nienaber’s injury concerns was a knee injury to Malcolm Marx in training earlier in the week, which ruled the dominant hooker out of the tournament. Perhaps with this in mind, the Springboks coach made 14 changes to his starting XV, with Damian Willemse the only player to retain his place – although the Stormers utility back starts at fly-half instead of full-back.

Romania, meanwhile, showed glimpses of real quality last weekend despite an emphatic scoreline, and even surprised Andy Farrell’s side with an early try. Facing the world’s first and second teams in a week is as tough as it gets, but the Oaks will look to impress against the Springboks this afternoon.

Head coach Eugen Apjok made three changes, including his World Cup debut in flanker Andre Gorin at the age of 35.

Last week, Romania said it had nothing to lose. Ahead of today’s clash, Apjok said: “After Ireland, number one in the world, then South Africa, second in the world and world champions, we can only be excited.”

Commenting on the team selection, South Africa coach Nienaber said: “We are fully focused on Romania because we have to show them that respect. It’s only the second time we’ve played them in the World Cup, so it’s a special match for us.

“The most important thing in terms of selection is to make sure we prepare and beat Romania, and that we select a team that we think is good enough to beat the opposition.

“There is a specific objective that we want in this match, and the points difference could come into play in this group, but the first thing is we have to save the (opening victory).”