South Africa rugby

Kiwi coach Warren Gatland was due to guide the Lions in eight games in South Africa – including three tests against the world champion Springboks in July and early August.

However, new strains of Covid-19 infection rates in both South Africa and Britain and Ireland and ongoing international travel restrictions mean the tournament is now in jeopardy.

Lions managing director Ben Calveley said the Lions board would monitor the situation at meetings in January and February before making a final decision.

The southern hemisphere championship, which also includes Australia, New Zealand and Argentina, will be held entirely in Australia this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rugby South Africa said last weekend that "several hurdles" needed to be cleared before they could confirm the Springboks' participation and that they hoped to make a decision early this week.

The Green team is coached by Mzwandile Stick, with SA Rugby director Rassie Erasmus serving as the team commissioner, while Deon Davids is the Gold team coach and Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber team commissioner.

Stick was forced to make three changes to his matchday squad for the clash after utility forward Oupa Mohoje tested positive for Covid-19 and prop Trevor Nyakane was withdrawn from the squad after being in close contact with his former  Cheetahs teammate. Ex-Junior Springbok utility back Mnombo Zwelendaba was ruled out due to a hip injury.

The fleet-footed World Cup winner, who turns 25 on Wednesday, is one of the most exciting outside backs in South Africa and will add firepower to a Stormers backline which already features the likes of Herschel Jantjies, Damian Willemse, Sebaelo Senatla and Sergeal Petersen.

Vilimoni Botitu and Aminiasi Tuimaba scored two tries each while Jerry Tuwai, Asaeli Tuivuaka and Livai Ikanikoda scored a try each.

Fiji led 19-7 at half-time.

Captain, Meli Derenalagi was yellow carded in the first half for challenging a player in mid-air.

South Africa beat New Zealand 17-0 in the second Cup semifinal.

NZ beat France 29-14 in their quarterfinal while South Africa beat USA 12-10.

The death of the winger, who scored 14 tries in 27 appearances for the Springboks including four in a single test, comes just weeks before the World Cup kicks off Japan. He was due to attend as one of the event's past legends.

His fellow wing James Small, another charismatic member of South Africa's title-winning side of 1995 in which Williams was the only non-white player, died less than two months ago.

Jackson, who assisted Blues head coach Tana Umaga for two years before Leon MacDonald replaced the latter late last year, has been shortlisted to replace Deon Davids at the Durban-based Kings.

The Kings are in the PRO14 competition which involves teams from South Africa, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Italy.

Jackson, who is currently contracted to coach Samoa through to the World Cup in Japan later this year, assisted Umaga for two seasons.

South African newspaper Rapport has reported Jackson is the only remaining candidate on the shortlist for the Kings job.

 The South African Rugby Union said Small suffered a suspected heart attack late on Tuesday in Johannesburg.

Small played 47 Tests for South Africa between 1992 and 1997, scoring 27 tries, and was a key part of the team which won the World Cup on home soil in 1995.

The 15-12 victory over New Zealand in the final by South Africa's integrated team was a symbolic moment for the country, coming shortly after the end of apartheid.

In the final, Small lined up opposite New Zealand's star player Jonah Lomu and successfully prevented him from scoring.