Saru 'shocked and horrified' by rendition of anthem

The South African Rugby Union has written to the French Rugby Union expressing dismay at the performance of the national anthem on Friday night.

France beat Boks 20-13

France kept world champion South Africa scoreless in the second half to come back and win their rugby Test 20-13 on Friday.

Planemakers fly high in 2007

Airbus confirmed 2007 as a record year for planemakers on Wednesday by posting orders for 1 341 aircraft while boosting cost savings aimed at catching arch-rival Boeing, which took top spot with 1 413 orders and has suffered less from a weakened dollar than Airbus.

Airbus delivers first A380 superjumbo

Airbus on Monday delivered the first of its A380s, the world's biggest passenger jet, to Singapore Airlines, 18 months behind schedule but with both sides hailing the major advance in air travel. The 73m-long superjumbo was handed over in a ceremony at the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse in southern France.

All Blacks cut loose against Romania

New Zealand finished the World Cup pool stage in style with a spectacular demonstration of running and passing to demolish Romania 85-8 on Saturday. The All Blacks racked up 13 tries, three coming from flying winger Joe Rokocoko, as they blew away their opponents with some dazzling rugby to the delight of the packed crowd at the Stade Toulouse.

Romania power to first World Cup win

Romania ground out a slogging 14-10 win over brave Portugal for their first win of the Rugby World Cup at Toulouse Stadium in France on Tuesday. The Romanians fought back from 7-0 down at half-time to overpower the Portuguese through their superior forward pack.

Merciless France hammer 14-man Namibia

Hosts France showed no mercy to 14-man Namibia on Sunday as they got some vital momentum for Friday's crucial Group D World Cup clash with Ireland, winning 87-10 to post their record score in international rugby. Vincent Clerc ran in three tries, while locks Jerome Nallet and Sebastian Chabal grabbed a brace each.

Fiji hold off spirited Japan in thriller

Fiji overcame sweltering conditions in Toulouse and stubborn Japanese resistance to win their opening pool B World Cup match 35-31 on Wednesday. Japan thrilled the crowd by fighting all the way to the final whistle against their more experienced and bigger opponents, who picked up a crucial bonus point for scoring four tries, before agonisingly coming up just short.

Airbus announces massive job cuts

European jet maker Airbus is set to axe 10 000 of its 56 000 workforce as part of a cost-cutting operation to lift it out of a financial crisis. The company said on Wednesday it will cut the jobs over four years: 4 300 in France, 3 700 in Germany, 1 600 in Britain and 400 in Spain.

Michalak joins Natal Sharks

France flyhalf Frederic Michalak has signed a one-year contract to play for the Natal Sharks in South Africa after this year's World Cup, Sud Radio reported on Friday. The 24-year-old Toulouse playmaker will make an official announcement on his transfer at a press conference in Paris later on Friday.