This week Gary has a look at the Springboks aiming to clinch the Rugby Championship against Argentina while Mamelodi Sundowns are set to do battle with Kaizer Chiefs in local football.
REASONS FOR BOK FANS TO BE CONFIDENT
While there’s the 2024 Rugby Championship on the line in Mbombela on Saturday, there’s an air of expectancy that the Springboks will beat Argentina and lift the trophy. There’s every reason to expect the Springboks to win – and for an extra bit of confidence that Eben Etzebeth gets player of the match.
Why the confidence? After all, the Boks lost 29-28 to the Pumas last week? And that’s the point. It’s unheard of that Argentina would go back-to-back over the world champions, and do so in South Africa. Rassie Erasmus has brought his rested big guns back as well – there are six changes from last week’s starting XV, and it’s Etzebeth’s 128th Test appearance, a Springbok record.
Game day is getting closer 🏉#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/hjErNgJFlY
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 25, 2024
INTERNATIONALS UP AGAINST IT
Each time The Internationals come up against the United States we hear the call, “This is the year”. So far the best men’s golfers drawn from anywhere by the USA and Europe have only beaten the USA once in 14 attempts, so the expression “hope springs eternal” is relevant here.
This weekend will determine whether or not it becomes two in 15 when the action reaches a climax with Sunday’s singles at the Royal Montreal Golf Club. It hasn’t started well for The Internationals, who found themselves 5-0 down after Thursday’s four-balls. The USA need 15 points to retain the title and are understandably as short as 1-20 in the betting heading into Friday’s play.
Welcome to Royal Montreal, the Great One!
— Presidents Cup (@PresidentsCup) September 26, 2024
Bienvenue au Royal Montréal, La Merveille!#PresidentsCup | @WayneGretzky pic.twitter.com/BF95BdFzAj
GUNNERS GET CHANCE TO FIRE
Arsenal fans will be sitting closer to the TV this weekend when their team comes up against promoted Leicester. It looks an ideal opportunity to build on the momentum and title-winning belief created by last week’s 2-2 draw with Man City, where a 10-man Gunners produced one of the most remarkable defensive displays to all but hold out for a win against the champions.
Meanwhile, City have the opportunity to extend their lead in Saturday’s lunchtime kickoff, but Newcastle away is never easy. Liverpool will again fancy their chances away to Wolves, while Sunday’s late afternoon between Man United and Tottenham will draw the highest viewership ratings of the weekend.
PROTEAS TAKE ON IRELAND – IN UAE
The men’s Proteas are involved in two T20 internationals against Ireland in Abu Dhabi, on Friday and Sunday. Aiden Markram captains a team that has never lost to Ireland in five previous T20s, although he was part of the group that is coming off a surprise 2-1 ODI series defeat to Afghanistan.
A new face in the Proteas set-up is allrounder Patrick Kruger who gets his chance on the back of impressive domestic form. It’s a “home series” for Ireland, in the Emirates. It comes about because Ireland doesn’t have a home cricket stadium and a temporary structure for them is too expensive, so they’re at a neutral venue.
MOTO GP FUELS THE INTEREST THIS WEEK
Formula One disciples have to wait a few weeks as the show makes its way over to the United States, but the MotoGP season continues with a stopover in Indonesia. It’s one of the most spectacular circuits on the calendar, with stunning tropical views, but there’s no time for sightseeing for the riders.
Jorge Martin heads into the race as the overall championship leader, in what has become a two-way dice with Francesco Bagnaia for the title. South Africa’s Brad Binder is bobbing up and down like a cork in the ocean in fifth spot. Interestingly, the lap record is held by Luca Marini, who was on pole on his Ducati last year. He is 400-1 to win this weekend, having moved to the less competitive Honda this season.
CHIEFS, SUNDOWNS DRAW THE CROWDS
The pulling power of Kaizer Chiefs will be there for all to see at the FNB Stadium on Saturday when the Amakhosi host PSL champions Sundowns in a League match. In May, Chiefs hosted Sundowns in the same stadium and there were 23,000 fans to watch them get battered 5-1.
Now, with both teams having won their opening two games, there’s renewed hope and expectation around Chiefs. By Friday morning nearly 50,000 tickets had been sold for the league encounter. It’s proof that a winning Kaizer Chiefs team is good for football in South Africa.
The Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Press Conference at @Vodacom World in Midrand!
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) September 26, 2024
Tickets are still available: https://t.co/PwObUa8Nko#Amakhosi4Life #AlwaysHome #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/Fnn0OnQ6Ee
