This week Gary Lemke has a look at Manchester United and Liverpool renewing their storied rivalry in the FA Cup, rugby turning the formbook upside down and ‘Africa’s Olympics under way!
FA CUP OVERSHADOWS EPL ACTION
There’s a truncated round of English Premier League matches this weekend, with only four being held. In truth, you might look at them and think Saturday (or Sunday) might well be a good time to mow the lawn or clean the Weber. Luton play, Burnley take on Brentford, Fulham host Tottenham and West Ham welcome Aston Villa in games that ultimately might not have any effect on the top, or bottom three.
However, if it’s the FA Cup you’re into, then scrap the above plans. It’s quarter-final time and there’s some mouth-watering encounters. Wolves take on Coventry, Man City host Newcastle on Saturday and then Sunday it’s Chelsea and Leicester followed by Man United and Liverpool. We’ll know by the time Carte Blanche is finished whether the Treble, or Quadruple, for Liverpool, is still on.
FAVOURED PLAYERS RISE AT SAWGRASS
They still call it the fifth men’s Major – and if the women have four of those a year, then why can’t the men? However, the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass is probably more famous for its iconic 17th hole, a tricky par three which proved no problem for Ryan Fox in Thursday’s opening round when he made a hole-in-one.
Trying to select a winner – let alone land a winning bet – in a golf event is something of a lottery and we’re well over the days of Tiger Woods turning up on the tee on the Thursday and raising the trophy on the Sunday. After the first round, Scottie Scheffler was favourite, ahead of Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele and Wyndham Clark. That betting board could chop and change all weekend, but that quartet was ranked Nos1, 2, 6 and going into the event so finally we might have a form result.
I can’t believe I made this happen on 17 😁 #PlayersChampionship #TPCSawgrass pic.twitter.com/TRy0h6cGGL
— Rick Shiels PGA (@RickShielsPGA) March 15, 2024
RUGBY FORMBOOK TURNED UPSIDE DOWN
Sometimes in sport, you simply have to close the book and say “let’s admit we have been fooled, again”. This seems to be the trend in rugby since the Rugby World Cup. Consider this: In the Six Nations this weekend and should still see Ireland lift the trophy, who would have thought that the order going into the final round would be Ireland, England, Scotland, France, Italy, Wales?
And, when it comes to Super Rugby, who would have thought that the dominant Crusaders would have lost all four of their games and be joint bottom? But, if sport was predictable, who would ever watch it? That’s one of its magical attractions.
Wales v Italy tomorrow...It means EVERYTHING! pic.twitter.com/lWEKu5UhpM
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 15, 2024
RACING BREATHES AFTER GRADE 1 ACTION
After the recent slew of Grade 1 races on the Highveld and the end of the Cape racing summer season, we come up for air this weekend. The main event is the Grade 3 Sycamore Sprint over 1160 at Turffontein. Don’t rule out an upset, because the outside draws have proven to be where the better ground seems to be down the straight and the fancied Mrs Browning is drawn No1.
However, they say that backing a winner at 5/1 in a maiden is the same as backing the winner at 5/1 in the Hollywood Durban July, and I really like the look of Kyalami Girl in the sixth race at Kenilworth on Saturday. She was trading at 3/1 at time of writing. I’ll be taking a double with her and Aristotle (race 1) as my only bet for the weekend. at 6/1.
There are several #KZNBred horses running at Turffontein tomorrow, and you can check out their form https://t.co/YVC7ofnGkc. We also have two #KZNBreds in the Gr.3 Betaway Sycamore Sprint; In The Beginning from Keivan Stud and Platina Princess from @Summerhill_Stud #Turffontein pic.twitter.com/pZhYu9bkfd
— KZNBreeders (@KZNBreeders) March 15, 2024
‘AFRICA’S OLYMPICS’ CURRENTLY UNDER WAY
Relatively few people might know that the 13th African Games is taking place in Accra, Ghana and that South Africa has over 200 athletes competing across 18 different sports. They’re called “Africa’s Olympics”, and has often been the breeding ground for future Olympic champions. This year’s event doesn’t have quite the same vibe. It’s because they were held over from last September to now and that means it clashes with the qualifiers and build-ups to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
However, Team SA has still one well. And, again, it’s the swimmers who have come to the fire with 46 medals (they won 45 at the 2019 African Games). These Games, however, can prove an indicator of what is coming around the corner for South African sport. The fact football didn’t qualify to be at them isn’t the brightest of signs for the sport’s immediate future in SA. The Games can be streamed on YouTube.
ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨
— 13th African Games, Accra 2023 (@Accra2023AG) March 1, 2023
🎉 Drum roll please! 🥁 Mark your calendars 📆 and get ready to witness the best of African sportsmanship and talent. 🤩🙌#Accra2023 #AfricanGames pic.twitter.com/nujvTryinB
