After legendary lock Eben Etzebeth was sent off for an eye gouge against Wales, South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus said, “the optics weren’t great.”
In Cardiff, the Springboks scored 11 tries in a 73-0 victory, wrapping up an autumn clean sweep.
Etzebeth, who went over for the final score, was tipped aside by referee Luc Ramos, who was almost in the final act of the international year.
In a 79th-minute scuffle, the 34-year-old received a red card for striking with Alex Mann’s left eye with his thumb.
What can I say without being content to be debated. It was a justified red card, Erasmus said, and it didn’t look good.
I’m not sure how it happened or why it happened, but it’s definitely not how we would have liked to end the game. I’m also not sure if he was provoked. The optics weren’t great, in my opinion.
Etzebeth, who won the 141st cap in Cardiff, looks set to receive a lengthy suspension.
According to international rugby regulations, gouging bans range from 12 weeks for bad behavior at the low end to 208 weeks for bad behavior, while those for reckless eye contact can go from 6 to 208 weeks, depending on the nature of the offense.
16 hours ago
a day ago
Springboks’ supervised aggression
In a one-sided game, the world champions defeated Wales.
Steve Tandy’s reign began with a run-in with Japan and three devastating defeats in the fall to South Africa, New Zealand, and Argentina.
Despite losing 21 of their last 23 Test matches, Erasmus tried to comfort Wales.
He claimed that this performance was a controlled performance because “we have been building and building up.”
The Welsh “fight until the end,” not just roll over and take the shots. We put our souls into the game by doing this, which was one of the most effective performances.
“Wales have a great coach, and they will win.” We know it can change and in 1998 we beat them (96-13) and then lost in 1999. “
After capturing back-to-back Rugby Championship titles, South Africa came out on top of the world in the year.
Despite being ranked sixth, Erasmus pointed to the Springboks’ formidable depth and strength.
The Welsh people are present, he said, “but we were there and people were burning jerseys.”
The players have the fight, and there is support. Things will change if you get one or two wins and get moving.
Due to Pauline’s dementia battle, Linda is retiring from acting this year and is treading the boards alone.
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Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson have always been close friends.
Pantomime occupies a special place in Linda Robson’s heart after years spent performing with her best pal and Birds Of A Feather co-star Pauline Quirke. But this year Linda is treading the boards alone, as Pauline’s dementia battle has forced her to retire from acting.
The pair were just 10 when they became best friends and went on to share a glittering career together on screen and stage, most famously as sisters Sharon and Tracey in their hit sitcom Birds Of A Feather, which also starred Lesley Joseph as their randy neighbour Dorien. So it’s no wonder Linda, 67, is determined to keep their friendship alive.
Linda responds, “I love her so much. We’ve been best friends for fifty-seven years. When we met in primary school, we were both 10 years old, and we are still friends today.
When Pauline was formally diagnosed with dementia at the age of 61 in 2021, Linda was heartbroken. Linda and Pauline continue to be close friends despite Pauline’s decline, and the two recently shared a pub lunch with friends and family.
It’s been really nice, Linda says, “We’re all still in touch and we’re all still friends.” About a week and a half ago, I saw Pauline. At the station, her son Charlie picked me up. Her daughter Emily and her husband Steve were also present, and it was just really, really nice.
We went to a small local pub, and the only thing they did was put us in the small private room. And we all had a really nice lunch.
Pauline and Linda shared jokes and reminiscences about their adventures in Birds of a Feather and panto because she still recognizes Linda and is able to make her laugh. She was happy and giggling. She is being treated very well, and she recognized me, which was also very encouraging. She is performing well.
Pauline’s son Charlie, who starred with his mum and Linda in ITV’s Birds Of A Feather reboot as Tracey’s son Travis Stubbs, is playing an active role in looking after his mother and will this month embark on a five-day trek to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK in honour of his mum. Linda hopes to join him for some of the way, if her schedule permits. “I’m hoping I’ll be able to go on the march,” says Linda. “Hopefully I’ll see Pauline again before Christmas.”
Linda will play Councillor Chigwell in Aladdin at Dartford’s Orchard West theater this holiday season. With only Christmas Day off, she will perform two shows per day. However, that is not as difficult as Pauline’s strict schedule.
We performed three shows a day at the Hackney Empire, according to Linda. That was fatal. We would leave home at eight in the morning, schedule shows at ten o’clock, two o’clock, and seven o’clock. Additionally, it was exhausting. Pauline told me, “I’m never going to do panto again.” She did, however.
Although it’s a demanding schedule, Linda maintains it by wearing her custom-made Skechers shoes to keep her feet warm and carrying a lot of banter in her back pocket in case she forgets her lines.
Linda says, “I’m just going to enjoy it.” I’ll just say, “I haven’t got a clue what I was supposed to say here!” if I forget my lines. The audience is then enthralled!
Linda, 67, is currently not looking forward to retiring. She says, “I don’t want to retire unless they get tired of me and don’t ask me to.” But I’m hoping not to retire. I want to work forever.
The actress made her Loose Women debut in 2003, and she hasn’t stopped appearing on the panel since 2012. Linda worries about her future on the show now that ITV’s daytime schedule is being cut. The program has already undergone changes, including limiting it to 30 episodes in 2026 and canning the live audience. If we still have jobs, it should be back in January, Linda says. We must wait to learn. Since I worked in a fish and chip shop before, I may have to return to that establishment.
She started watching I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! to support her old friend, actor and Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp.
Linda responds, “He’s a really nice man. I adore how focused he is on the family. He and his wife Shirlie are both in love with their children. Because Martin was in about three episodes of Birds of a Feather and that his character had sex with Lesley’s character Dorien in the back of a hearse, I’ve met him numerous times over the years, as have Gary and his brother, but more so because of that fact.
When Linda appeared on I’m A Celebrity in 2012, she managed to get news from the outside world via Joe Swash, who was presenting the ITV2 spin-off show Extra Camp . Linda is good friends with Joe’s mum, and has known Joe since he was a child. “Joe lost his virginity at mine,” giggles Linda. “I’m best friends with his mum, Kiffy. We had a big Georgian house and we had a party and Joe locked himself in the bathroom and all the kids were hammering on the door! We’re all very close.”
The mother-of-three then requested that Joe give her a sign that her children had arrived safely while Linda was in the jungle. He would say, “Shares Linda,” and he would shout down. He’d go, ‘ Lind! The kids are here, too. I just wanted to make sure the kids were safe, but he kept getting into trouble because he wasn’t supposed to do that.
Continue reading the article.
Linda wants to get a seat on the Celebrity Gogglebox sofa after finishing her panto. “I’d like to do Gogglebox with Lesley,” Linda says. Because we know each other so well, we’d be really good friends.
Due to Pauline’s dementia battle, Linda is retiring from acting this year and is treading the boards alone.
View 4 Images
Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson have always been close friends.
Pantomime occupies a special place in Linda Robson’s heart after years spent performing with her best pal and Birds Of A Feather co-star Pauline Quirke. But this year Linda is treading the boards alone, as Pauline’s dementia battle has forced her to retire from acting.
The pair were just 10 when they became best friends and went on to share a glittering career together on screen and stage, most famously as sisters Sharon and Tracey in their hit sitcom Birds Of A Feather, which also starred Lesley Joseph as their randy neighbour Dorien. So it’s no wonder Linda, 67, is determined to keep their friendship alive.
Linda responds, “I love her so much. We’ve been best friends for fifty-seven years. When we met in primary school, we were both 10 years old, and we are still friends today.
When Pauline was formally diagnosed with dementia at the age of 61 in 2021, Linda was heartbroken. Linda and Pauline continue to be close friends despite Pauline’s decline, and the two recently shared a pub lunch with friends and family.
It’s been really nice, Linda says, “We’re all still in touch and we’re all still friends.” About a week and a half ago, I saw Pauline. At the station, her son Charlie picked me up. Her daughter Emily and her husband Steve were also present, and it was just really, really nice.
We went to a small local pub, and the only thing they did was put us in the small private room. And we all had a really nice lunch.
Pauline and Linda shared jokes and reminiscences about their adventures in Birds of a Feather and panto because she still recognizes Linda and is able to make her laugh. She was happy and giggling. She is being treated very well, and she recognized me, which was also very encouraging. She is performing well.
Pauline’s son Charlie, who starred with his mum and Linda in ITV’s Birds Of A Feather reboot as Tracey’s son Travis Stubbs, is playing an active role in looking after his mother and will this month embark on a five-day trek to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK in honour of his mum. Linda hopes to join him for some of the way, if her schedule permits. “I’m hoping I’ll be able to go on the march,” says Linda. “Hopefully I’ll see Pauline again before Christmas.”
Linda will play Councillor Chigwell in Aladdin at Dartford’s Orchard West theater this holiday season. With only Christmas Day off, she will perform two shows per day. However, that is not as difficult as Pauline’s strict schedule.
We performed three shows a day at the Hackney Empire, according to Linda. That was fatal. We would leave home at eight in the morning, schedule shows at ten o’clock, two o’clock, and seven o’clock. Additionally, it was exhausting. Pauline told me, “I’m never going to do panto again.” She did, however.
Although it’s a demanding schedule, Linda maintains it by wearing her custom-made Skechers shoes to keep her feet warm and carrying a lot of banter in her back pocket in case she forgets her lines.
Linda says, “I’m just going to enjoy it.” I’ll just say, “I haven’t got a clue what I was supposed to say here!” if I forget my lines. The audience is then enthralled!
Linda, 67, is currently not looking forward to retiring. She says, “I don’t want to retire unless they get tired of me and don’t ask me to.” But I’m hoping not to retire. I want to work forever.
The actress made her Loose Women debut in 2003, and she hasn’t stopped appearing on the panel since 2012. Linda worries about her future on the show now that ITV’s daytime schedule is being cut. The program has already undergone changes, including limiting it to 30 episodes in 2026 and canning the live audience. If we still have jobs, it should be back in January, Linda says. We must wait to learn. Since I worked in a fish and chip shop before, I may have to return to that establishment.
She started watching I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! to support her old friend, actor and Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp.
Linda responds, “He’s a really nice man. I adore how focused he is on the family. He and his wife Shirlie are both in love with their children. Because Martin was in about three episodes of Birds of a Feather and that his character had sex with Lesley’s character Dorien in the back of a hearse, I’ve met him numerous times over the years, as have Gary and his brother, but more so because of that fact.
When Linda appeared on I’m A Celebrity in 2012, she managed to get news from the outside world via Joe Swash, who was presenting the ITV2 spin-off show Extra Camp . Linda is good friends with Joe’s mum, and has known Joe since he was a child. “Joe lost his virginity at mine,” giggles Linda. “I’m best friends with his mum, Kiffy. We had a big Georgian house and we had a party and Joe locked himself in the bathroom and all the kids were hammering on the door! We’re all very close.”
The mother-of-three then requested that Joe give her a sign that her children had arrived safely while Linda was in the jungle. He would say, “Shares Linda,” and he would shout down. He’d go, ‘ Lind! The kids are here, too. I just wanted to make sure the kids were safe, but he kept getting into trouble because he wasn’t supposed to do that.
Continue reading the article.
Linda wants to get a seat on the Celebrity Gogglebox sofa after finishing her panto. “I’d like to do Gogglebox with Lesley,” Linda says. Because we know each other so well, we’d be really good friends.
After a 57-5 London derby victory over Trailfinders, Saracens moved up to the top of the Premiership Women’s Rugby table and shared the points with Gloucester Hartpury.
Eight different players scored nine tries for Saracens, including World Cup winner May Campbell who crossed twice and her England teammate Zoe Harrison who scored 12 extra points.
Trailfinders opened the scoring on their home turf with a dominant Saracens performance, but they only managed to get 22 more in the process.
Gloucester Hartpury can reclaim their league lead against Bristol Bears on Sunday (12:30 GMT) after one game losing against Saracens.
Within three minutes, Francesca McGhie’s Trailfinders was off the mark, but Saracens quickly responded, scoring with a score from Sydney Gregson.
With continued attacking play, Saracens increased their lead after 26 points with tries from Campbell, Alysha Corrigan, Lotte Sharp, and Marlie Packer.
The hosts had no chance, as Poppy Cleall extended Saracens’ lead after the break by completing a driving maul to make it 36-5.
Before Saracens’ eighth try, former Trailfinders prop Liz Crake made her former side’s problems even more with her second try.
Jess Breach had plenty of time to speak, and the world champion fought back in the closing seconds to earn Saracens a convincing 57-5 victory.
A tense contest ended 26-26 at Sale Sharks‘ Morson Stadium for the Exeter Chiefs, who had already drawn the first two games of the season.
The visitors finished the match with a close 14-12 lead after the teams each scored two tries in the opening period.
After the break, Sale, who were chasing their second win of the season, scored 12 points from tries from Morwenna Talling and Gwen Pyrs.
However, a yellow card prevented Exeter from returning, as Sale lock Charlotte Fray was sent off for a high tackle while Emily Robinson scored a converted try to bring the visitors back within touching distance.
The outcome was ultimately a game decision. With 10 minutes to go, World Cup champion Sale 26-21 up, Holly Aitchinson squandered a chance to extend their lead when she went for it by shoving in a penalty.
Images courtesy of Getty
Georgie Lingham scored the game’s opening goal in the fourth minute at Franklin’s Gardens, home of the Loughborough Lightning.
Loughborough full-back Lucia Scott made her Premiership debut with a quick start and a quick finish from club veteran Bo Westcombe-Evans.
Westcombe-Evans, who is making her 50th appearance for Loughborough, scored four times to equal the hosts’ eight-try total, was pleased with the outcome.
The Tigers, who had a fourth try ruled out for a knock-on before the break and scored three tries for the second time this season, showed signs of hope.
Jemima McCalman, a Tigers’ player, was on par with a quick move in the second half when debutant Scott, 21, made a try-saving tackle that cost her a bonus point.
Tom Stoppard, a playful, provocative dramatist who won an Academy Award for his screenplay for Shakespeare in 1998, passed away. He was 88.
United Agents claimed Stoppard passed away “peacefully” at his Dorset, southern England, home surrounded by his family in a statement released on Saturday.
He will be remembered for his writing, for example, humanity, brilliance, irreverence, generosity of spirit, and profound love of English, according to the authors. Working with Tom and getting to know him was an honor.
Few dramatists of the 20th century could match Stoppard’s scope and continued success in the world of comic invention and linguistic pyrotechnics.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, his first film, was released in 1966, and his 1993 film, Arcadia, his sequel, Leopoldstadt, has kept theatergoers amused and intrigued by his unique style of acting.
His writing had a distinctive style that earned him the name Stoppardian, frequently philosophical or scientific, but it was always funny. It refers to using verbal gymnastics to discuss philosophical ideas.
In a 1970s interview, the Czech-born Stoppard said, “I want to show that I can make serious points by flinging a custard pie around the stage for a few hours.”
Theatre is primarily a recreation, according to the statement. However, it can also be a place for people who like to stretch their minds.
On September 11, 2018, Stoppard arrives at Westminster Abbey for a memorial service for the late director of theatre Sir Peter Hall.
early years
On July 3, 1937, Stoppard, the son of Eugen Straussler, a doctor, and Marta (or Martha), nee Beckova, a nurse, was born in what was then Czechoslovakia.
When he was a baby, the Jewish family fled the Nazis and settled in Singapore.
However, his mother and his older brother Peter escaped to India with him because Singapore became unsafe there. After Singapore fell to the Japanese, his father perished while he remained there.
The family relocated to England after Marta Straussler wed Kenneth Stoppard, a major in the British army.
Pocklington in northern England, where Stoppard was born, became a boarder before dropping out of school at the age of 17.
He made the decision to avoid school. Instead, he immediately began reporting for a small newspaper in Bristol, western England.
He started working as a theater and cinema critic, and his passion for drama persisted.
[Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters] At the 76th annual Tony Awards in New York City in 2023, Stoppard accepts the award for Best New Play for “Leopoldstadt.”
a successful career
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, a tragicomedy centered on two minor characters from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, was Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, which was immediately a hit at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Before earning a Tony Award for best play in the United States, it moved to London’s West End.
“What’s it about”? Bemused theatergoers reacted frequently to the play frequently. According to Stoppard, who was questioned when he was speaking to a woman outside a Broadway theater, “It’s about to make me very wealthy.”
Hermione Lee wrote in Hermione Lee’s authorised biography, but he undoubtedly had managed to transform his previously fragile finances. He later questioned whether he had said “very.”
In fact, Stoppard’s work would go on to win numerous awards both domestically and internationally.
He received the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards’ 1997 knighthood, and in 2014 he was named “the greatest living playwright.”
He is best remembered for his movies, which include the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises, to non-theatre-goers.
He won an Oscar for his screenplay for Shakespeare in Love, which won seven Academy Awards that year overall.
The director of the Broadway premiere of Stoppard’s marriage and affairs story, The Real Thing, said, “He has no apparent animus toward anyone or anything.”
After the Premier League title challengers blew a two-goal lead in a dramatic 3-2 victory over lowly Leeds on Saturday, Phil Foden saved Manchester City’s blushes with the final-gasp winner.
Following a second-half collapse at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola’s side was in danger of losing more ground in the title race.
Before the break, Foden and Josko Gvardiol gave City a lead, but third-bottom Leeds rallied with Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Four points clear of Arsenal, who travel to third-placed Chelsea on Sunday, thanks to Foden’s nerve-wracking victory, which put City in second place.
Following recent home defeats against Newcastle last weekend and Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, this was a much-needed victory.
Guardiola’s ten changes to Leverkusen against Leverkusen were ineffective, leading to the furious Spaniard who claimed his team “didn’t try” in the 2-0 defeat.
Read more about Chelsea’s “Deserve” To Be Considered Title Rivals – Arteta.
On November 29, 2025, Manchester City’s English midfielder #47 Phil Foden scored the opening goal in the English Premier League game between Leeds United and Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, North West England. (Photo by Oli SCARFF/AFP) /
Foden, Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva, and Gianluigi Donnarumma were just a few players who started for City against Leeds.
Under Guardiola, City had a second-worst campaign in five years and their worst.
However, they were only 59 seconds in before Foden fired a close-range strike past the bar after Matheus Nunes’ burst caused the Leeds defense to collapse.
City’s quick start left Leeds without a response, and Gvardiol’s tap-in from Nico O’Reilly’s header in the 25th minute appeared to have given them complete control.
After a VAR check, Leeds’ protests that Silva was offside and blocking keeper Lucas Perri’s view were ignored. The goal was allowed to stand.
After pouncing on Nunes’ woeful pass inside the City area in the 49th minute, Calvert-Lewin made an immediate impact by coming off the bench and reducing the deficit with a clinical finish.
In the 68th minute, Gvardiol fouled Calvert-Lewin, giving Leeds the shock equalizer.
Donnarumma saved Nmecha’s penalty, but the forward recovered and won.
On November 29, 2025, Manchester City’s German striker #14 Lukas Nmecha scored as the ball was rebounded after the Italian goalkeeper #25 Gianluigi Donnarumma saved his penalty kick in the English Premier League game between the two clubs at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north of England. (Photo by Oli SCARFF/AFP)
Haaland was unusually quiet as he attempted his 100th top-flight goal, but Foden took advantage of the opportunity in stoppage-time by cleverly making room for an ice-cool finish as Guardiola sighed relief.
Daniel Farke’s job became more underwhelmed by Leeds’ sixth defeat in their previous seven games.
On November 29, 2025, Manchester City’s Croatian defender #24 Josko Gvardiol jumps out of the way as English midfielder #47 Phil Foden kicks the ball in the direction of Manchester City’s third goal at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north of England. (Photo by Oli SCARFF/AFP)
Igor Thiago’s double earned Brentford’s 3-1 win over Burnley in west London, contributing to their 11 league goals this season.
Axel Tuanzebe cut down Dango Ouattara in the 81st minute, and Thiago scored with the spot kick for his eighth goal in his last eight games.
Four minutes later, second-bottom Burnley won a penalty thanks to Michael Kayode’s foul on Jaidon Anthony and Zian Flemming’s equalizer.
In stoppage-time, Thiago scored with a fierce finish from Jordan Henderson’s cross and Ouattara’s rocket to put the result beyond doubt.
After coming back from two goals down to defeat Bournemouth 3-2 at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland moved up to fourth place.
After seven minutes, Amine Adli slotted home from the rebound after Evanilson’s shot hit the post.
Eight minutes later, Tyler Adams magically lofted a superb chip over Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs from inside the center circle to double Bournemouth’s lead.
Sunderland, who had been promoted from the Championship last year, refused to surrender, and Enzo Le Fee converted a penalty after Alex Scott fouled Reinildo Mandava.
With a composed finish from Granit Xhaka’s pass, Bertrand Traore equalized for Sunderland in the 46th minute.
In the 69th minute, Brian Brobbey headed in Le Fee’s cross to finish Sunderland’s stirring revival.
Tottenham host Fulham on Saturday, while Newcastle travel to Everton on Saturday.
