Erik van Rooyen claimed a second US tour title. Concerns grow over Proteas’ World Cup performances. This and more as Gary Lemke wraps up the weekend in Sports!
JEKYLL ’N HYDE PROTEAS STILL IN IT
It’s now more likely than not that South Africa will play Australia in the semi-finals of Cricket’s World Cup, hle hosts India will meet either New Zealand or Pakistan. It’s also equally obvious that the Proteas have problems batting second, or chasing down a total. This very column highlighted that a few weeks ago. They’ve won six of eight matches played, but lost two of the three in which they’ve batted second. Against Netherlands they were bowled out for 207, they reached their target of 271 against Pakistan, with nine wickets down, and India bowled them out for 83. The irony is that once in the semis, they just have to win two matches to win the World Cup. Batting first, they scored 311 against Australia and then bowled out the Aussies for 177. They’ve still got a ticket to win it, but the concern is their inconsistency.
THE PROTEAS LOSE TO INDIA
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) November 5, 2023
Not the result we had hoped for but we still march to the semis 🏏#CWC23 #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/91iEyt1ugp
TOUGH TO WIN AWAY IN EPL
In my English Premier League blog I have often raised how tough it is to win away from home in the EPL. When I compile my bets I never go more than four away wins, even though it was tough to back myself this past round. After all, Man United (at Fulham), Wolves (at Sheffield United), Crystal Palace (at Burnley), Brighton (at Everton), Arsenal (at Newcastle), Aston Villa (at Notts Forest) and Liverpool (at Luton) were all favourItes to win away. Guess what? Ahead of tonight’s game at Tottenham (vs Chelsea), only Man United and Palace won away. Brighton and Liverpool drew, while Wolves, Arsenal and Villa all lost. So, some betting advice: When compiling your accas, err on the side of safety. Look for the home wins and if you feel a side will win away, think about taking the draw (at better odds anyway).
Tottenham next up…
— CFCJohnnyB (@CFCJohnnyB) November 2, 2023
Let’s take a look what happened the last time a Spurs side, looking to win the Premier League, took on Chelsea.
The Spurs players losing their heads, as the title is slipping away from them, will always be funny.
Not on our patch. 👊🏻💙 pic.twitter.com/Ckht0wOocx
F1: IS IT MAN OR MACHINE?
Day 7,482 of this season’s Formula One season and Max Verstappen has won his 49th consecutive race. Just joking, but you know what I mean. There have been 20 of 22 races completed on this season’s calendar and Verstappen won his 17th of those 20 when cruising to victory in Sunday’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix. There’s really not much more to say. We might be watching the greatest-ever F1 driver, which means we should be celebrating every privilege, or the dominant Red Bull is making it an unequal playing field. We still have the Las Vegas GP and Abu Dhabi GP to come, but Verstappen has more than double the points of second-placed Sergio Perez (Red Bull), whil Red Bull are 300 points ahead of Mercedes in the constructors’. Red Bull have won 19 of the 20 races this season. Discuss.
Max Verstappen breaks Alberto Ascaris 71 year old record for highest win percentage in a season of 75%
— Enzo (@Aperta) November 5, 2023
Max currently has 85% and even if he loses the last 2 races he will end the season on 77.2% race wins. Greatest season by a single driver of all time. pic.twitter.com/v7VfFtKcCX
VAR AGAIN OVERSHADOWS A GAME
The issue of VAR again took centre stage in Newcastle’s fiery 1-0 win over Arsenal at St James’ Park. EPL is now becoming like rugby has sunk to: All chatter during and after a game seems to be centred around VAR (football) and the referee (rugby). It really sours the experience. VAR’s officials again had a bad day at S James’. I felt that Kai Havertz deserved a red card for a reckless first-half tackle, being fortunate that the Newcastle player managed to avoid most of the intended contact, while Bruno Guimares deserved yellow (or red) for a blatant elbow to Jorginho. VAR didn’t even check it. And then, the goal that came took four minutes to give, with the officials looking for ball out of play, a push, and then offsides. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen three potential infringements looked at in the build-up to a goal. And then the goal was given – much to the chagrin of every Gunners supporter on the planet.
Having watched the replay, have to agree with Mikel Arteta. VAR, what a disgrace… Why wasn’t Havertz sent off? pic.twitter.com/CFue1nxGQ0
— Fpl_MD (@MD_FPL) November 5, 2023
BOK TROPHY TOUR FIZZLES OUT
The Springbok trophy tour took more of a toll on the players than the World Cup itself did! It ended off in Durban on Saturday and East London on Sunday after days of countrywide celebrations, singing, dancing and drinking. For an entire week the Boks had brought South Africa to a standstill. Ten players didn’t arrive in East London, some blaming personal commitments, while others having to fly back to be with their overseas clubs by Monday. Siya Kolisi also had a personal commitment this past weekend. Olympian swimmer Tatjana Schoenmaker married Siya’s wife Rachel’s brother so he had to attend that happy occasion.
Springboks met by thousands of supporters at FNB Stadium. pic.twitter.com/TQOyMFRQ51
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) November 2, 2023
EMOTIONAL ERIK LIFTS SECOND PGA TITLE
Erik van Rooyen climbed 107 places on golf’s official world rankings after winning the PGA Tour’s World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico. It was his second PGA Tour win of his career and lifted him from No189 to 82nd on the world ranking. It was an emotional success for the likeable South African. “I was calm because there’s bigger stuff in life than golf,” said Van Rooyen, breaking down in tears as he explained that his friend Jon Trasamar is battling cancer. “Every shot out there today was for him,” Van Rooyen said. “When you’re playing for something bigger than winning some silly trophy it puts it in perspective and at the end of the day whether I won here or I lost here it really didn’t matter.
Erik Van Rooyen so emotional after the victory: “When you’re playing for something bigger than winning some silly trophy, it puts it into perspective.” pic.twitter.com/1brXLqdUXR
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelTAN) November 5, 2023
