This week Gary has a look at the upcoming Castle Lager Rugby Championship action between the Springboks and All Blacks in Cape Town, while the curtain comes down on an epic Paris 2024.
THE FRENCH SUPPORTING ALL BLACKS
Big Manie Blom, a visually impaired shot putter with Team SA, was eager to talk about the Springboks after competing in last week’s final at the Paralympics. “Boks by 16, at least!” he said. Heads turned towards us in the warm-down area. This week he was in no mood to change his prediction for Saturday’s showdown with the All Blacks, after a late rally had carried them to a 31-27 win last week.
“Boks by 16, at least!” he laughed. Parisians seem to be backing the All Blacks. It’s understandable given the Springboks knocked France out of the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals at the Stade de France last year. In the Sevens competition at the 2024 Olympics, in the same venue, the locals cheered the opposition (and booed SA) in every match we played – against Ireland (L), New Zealand (L), Japan (W), France (L), New Zealand (W) and Australia (W).
NATIONS LEAGUE SPARKS FIRST INTERNATIONAL BREAK
Three matches into the English Premier League season and we’re already into the first International break. There’s a week’s break in each of September, October and November as the Nation League gets underway, after which 2026 World Cup qualifying will begin.
EPL results after these breaks always produce upsets; those “lower” teams without much international player disruption get an extra week to re-calibrate and take stock. For Everton, this break comes at the best possible time. There are 26 Nations League matches this weekend, with France at home to Italy being the headline act.
CURTAIN COMES DOWN ON PARIS 2024
The Paralympic classification system can be difficult to follow and even unfair in some of its categorisations, but the curtain comes down on Paris 2024 on Sunday. South Africa looks like they could end up with five medals, or six, with Mpumelelo Mhlongo showing himself to be the star act of the team. It’s also hard to find a nicer guy.
However, the classification system let him down: He produced a T44 long jump world record of 7.12m, but finished fifth in the T64 final. Simply put, the organisers pitted those with an amputation below one knee against those with two legs, but who don’t have full strength in both. Mhlongo is the latter. On Friday night F38 discus thrower Simone Kruger is my favourite to win a gold for South Africa.
BEST PERFORMANCES FROM PARIS 2024
I had the distinct privilege of being part of Team SA at both the Olympics and Paralympics in Paris and spent six weeks in camp with them. It always takes me time to digest and fairly rate performances, but with the Olympics seemingly long over, my “top five” South African returns remain what they were in the immediate aftermath.
In order: 1) the men’s 4x100m silver medal, 2) Akani Simbine’s 4th in the men’s 100m, 3) Tatjana Smith’s gold in the 100m breaststroke, 4) Smith’s silver in the 200m breaststroke, 5) Jo-Ane’s silver in the women’s javelin. For the Paralympics, it’s Mpumelelo Mhlongo’s gold in the T44 100m and then the rest TBD.
HIGH CURRIE CUP SCORES A FEATURE OF SEASON
Heading into the final round of Currie Cup fixtures it’s the Lions, Bulls, Sharks and Cheetahs who occupy the top four. The standard hasn’t been the greatest, we have to admit, but such is the depth of South African rugby that no other country would be able to leave so many stars out of what is supposedly the premier domestic competition, as well as have players overseas and fill eight squads.
However, for me, the common denominator has been that the quality of the competition lies in how many points have been scored (and conceded). After all, defence wins World Cups. Highest scorers have been the Lions (their average score has been 41-23) and the Griffons prop up the table (average score 20-57).
SINNER LOOKING TO CONTINUE HIS RISE
Jannick Sinner (No1), Taylor Fritz (No12), Frances Tiafoe (No20) and Jack Draper (No25) are the last four men standing in the singles at the US Open. We know that at least one American will be in the final, and facing him on Sunday will be either an Italian or Brit.
Sinner has established himself as the clear face of the post-Federer/Nadal/Djokovic era and he will be favourite to win his second Grand Slam title at the age of 23. He’s sure been impressive in New York, dropping just two sets in five matches on the way to the semis. Women’s favourite is No2 Aryna Sabalenka, who takes on the No6 Jessica Pegula. Sabalenka is eying a third Grand Slam title.
MOTOGP HEADLINES TRACK ACTION
There’s no Formula One action this weekend as teams make their way to Azerbaijan next week, but petrol heads still have something to feast on with the San Marino MotoGP taking place.
Its official name includes sponsors Red Bull, so if you’re looking for an omen that’s good news for Brad Binder on his KTM and Spain’s Pedro Costa. The pair are sixth and fifth, respectively, on the world standings. Spain’s Jorge Martin leagues Italy’s Francesco Bagnaia in the championship with eight races to go. All to play for.
