World Cup winning fly-half Jonny Wilkinson has officially retired from international rugby. The 32-year-old player of 91 caps for England as well as six Test appearances for the British and Irish Lions confirmed his decision in an announcement on his website on Monday.

Some of the post read as follows: “I would like to take this opportunity to announce my retirement from International rugby. To do so fills me with great sadness but I know that I have been blessed in so many ways to have experienced what I have with the England rugby team. I never ever believed that I would be able to give up on this dream which has driven me to live, breathe, love and embrace the game of rugby from the earliest days that I can remember…”

Wilkinson’s drop goal in the 2003 World Cup Final against Australia, saw England lift the trophy for the prestigious tournament. Wilkinson who leaves Test rugby as the second highest points scorer of all time behind the All Blacks’ Dan Carter, will continue to play for French club Toulon in the Top 14.

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The British & Irish Lions restored some of their pride by beating the Springboks comprehensively by 28 – 9 in the final test on Saturday at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg.

Paul O’Connell’s men gave a clinically committed performance against a disjointed and lethargic Springbok side to not only ensure that they would not be the first Lions to be whitewashed on a tour of South Africa but also match the record test score set by Willie John McBride’s 1974 side.

Ironically the score, 28-9, exactly matched the score by which McBride’s Lions beat the Springboks in the second test at Loftus in 1974.

Although the Springboks had the satisfaction of winning the series by having taken the first two tests, Saturday’s comprehensive defeat will serve to highlight just how close it was.

The Boks’ coaches almost contrived to give it away in the first test in Durban, the only game in which John Smit’s men played anywhere near the standard they are capable of, and the second was only won thanks to Morné Steyn’s long-range penalty right at the death.

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Springbok coach Peter de Villiers made ten changes to the starting XV to face the British & Irish Lions in the third and final Test at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

De Villiers included only one uncapped player in the starting team when he named Vodacom Blue Bulls player Zane Kirchner at fullback.

Morné Steyn and Chiliboy Ralepelle will both make their first starts for the Springboks at flyhalf and hooker respectively, while the other newcomers to the starting line-up are Johann Muller, Heinrich Brüssow, Ryan Kankowski, Wynand Olivier, Jaque Fourie, Jongi Nokwe and Odwa Ndungane.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to play against the Lions and we respect them so much, that we wanted to give all our players a chance to take them on,” said De Villiers.

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Bulls fullback Zane Kirschner will make his debut as Springbok on Saturday against the British & Irish Lions.

The 25-year-old Bulls fullback is an unexpected addition to the Bok line-up that will try to make history by becoming the first South African team in the two sides’ 118 history to win all three tests in a series. The Springboks have won three series – in 1903, 1962 and 1968 – but never all the tests.

Kirchner joined the team on Monday at Bok coach Peter de Villiers’s request. Although it was initially said that Kirchner was invited to gain experience, De Villiers will on Thursday surprise many by announcing the name of the fullback as a member of the Bok 22-member squad.

Kirchner’s brilliant form in the Super 14 and his performance for the Emerging Boks against the Lions at Newlands, convinced De Villiers to give the Bulls star a chance.

Kirchner has played in 15 of the Bulls’ Super 14 matches and impressed with his excellent tactical kicking and his ability to win back his own high kicks.

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The British & Irish Lions have named their team to face the Springboks in the second test at Loftus with the inclusion of Simon Shaw.

The London Wasps and England lock is one of three changes to the Lions pack following their 26-21 defeat in the first Test in Durban and one of five changes overall to the starting line-up.

Head coach Ian McGeechan has also made four changes to his replacements bench as he goes in search of the victory that will keep the three Test series alive.

The changes made see Rob Kearney replacing the injured Lee Byrne at fullback, whilst Ugo Monye, Alun-Wyn Jones, Phil Vickery and Lee Mears make way for Luke Fitzgerald, Simon Shaw, Adam Jones and Matthew Rees respectively.

Changes among the replacements see Ross ford, Andrew Sheridan and Shane Williams drafted in and Alun-Wyn Jones drop down from the first Test starting XV to replace Donncha O’Callaghan.

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There are some questions about Willem de Waal‘s equalising coversion kick for the Emerging Boks in their 13 – 13 draw against the British & Irish Lions at Newlands.

The 31-year-old flyhalf on Tuesday night gave supporters a reason to cheer at the drenched Newlands stadium when he ensured that the Emerging Springboks drew 13-13 with the tourists.

But immediately after the match there was a scramble to establish if the touring team had suffered an injustice.

Journalists approached André Watson, South Africa’s chief referee about the kick. Watson admitted that he had his doubts about whether it was a valid kick and therefore studied visual footage.

The footage appeared to be contradictory but it was finally deduced, partly from the body language of the Lions, that the kick was valid.

“I watched it on Tuesday night in slow motion. With the shot from behind, you are looking for a moment when you see the ball and the posts disappear. You get it on two shots,” said Watson.

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Welsh and British & Irish Lions winger and World Player of the Year 2008 Shane Williams has admitted that the game against the Emerging Springboks on Tuesday at Newlands may be his last for the Lions if he does not perform up to standard.

Williams, who says that the current trip to South Africa is very much his last Lions tour, believes he can force his way back into the Test selection frame with the form that saw him win numerous accolades last year – including IRB Player of the Year, Six Nations player of the year and finishing as the tournament’s top try scorer.

However, should he fail to fire – as he has done all tour – Williams knows he will never wear the Lions shirt again.

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