Plenty to look forward to this week in the sporting world as the RWC prep continues, the Women’s World Cup reaches its climax, South African racing prepares for its ‘Oscars’ and more!
Women’s World Cup
Spain, a side ranked sixth in the world, take on European champions England (ranked fourth) in the FIFA Women’s World Cup final. The oddsmakers have priced Spain up as favourites.
As the tournament has progressed they seem to have become embroiled in dressing room squabbles and off-field distractions, and their form has dipped from 3-0, 5-0, 4-0 and 5-1 wins to two consecutive 2-1 wins.
Perhaps it’s because England were less convincing early, 1-0, 1-0, 6-1, 0-0 (only beating Nigeria on penalties), before the 2-1 and 3-1 wins to reach the final.
But it’s that whole “Football’s Coming Home” vibe, and should England win, will they be celebrated as much as the 1966 men were? Would football really have come home, or is that for the men? A study showed that the women at the football’s showpiece event earn 25% of their male counterparts. I’m geting the popcorn out.
Hollywoodbets odds (90 min):
Spain 16/10 | Draw 17/10 | England 18-10
📐 @EllaToone99 set the tone for England with a beautiful strike.@Xero | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/Jf3CwOsEuB
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 16, 2023
Farrell farce overshadows RWC warm-ups
There are four International matches that Hollywoodbets have priced up on and should you fancy all the favourites, it comes out at 6/10. That’s because South Africa (vs Wales), Ireland (vs England), Italy (vs Romania) and France (vs Fiji) are such overwhelming favourites.
I feel that while both the Springboks and Ireland should win, there is no value in their odds of 3/10 and 1/8 – a 4/10 double. Obviously, the eye is on the big prize, the World Cup, but momentum is everything.
All the talk this week has been about Owen Farrell’s rescinded red card. It is an absolute travesty of justice and the way the legal eagles are now involved in the game is damaging rugby’s reputation. It’s always a negative when there’s more attention on off-the-field developments than on it.
(Eds note: The shenanigans continue as it seems World Rugby are set to appeal the decision to rescind the red card)
🚨Breaking news
— Progressive Rugby (@ProgressiveRug) August 16, 2023
According to @Murray_Kinsella World Rugby will appeal the Owen Farrell decision.
This would be highly unusual but welcome news. pic.twitter.com/L9ZoADc0yj
Of bats and balls – CSA cause a stir with decision to send second-stringers to NZ
As if echoing the above, there were a couple of issues in the cricketing world this week which created discussion and a flurry of social media reaction.
The main one for me was that Cricket SA will send an under-strength Proteas team to New Zealand for a Test series, because no contracted players will be eligible for the tour. Most of them – those who double up in Test and the T20 arenas – will be taking part in the SA20 event in South Africa at the time.
This also further proves that CSA have put all their financial eggs in one basket. And this means that they shouldn’t bemoan their status as a Test nation being fed scraps by the likes of India, Engkand and Australia when it comes to Test scheduling.
South Africa going to send their B-Team to New Zealand Test tour since it's clashing with SA20 Fixtures🇿🇦#cricket #testcricket #icc #SouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/pmI2T0x7wc
— Cricket Addictor (@AddictorCricket) August 16, 2023
Simbine and van Niekerk set sights on World Athletics Championships
I was in the Olympic Stadium in Rio seven years ago when Wayde van Niekerk won 400m gold in a world record 43.03sec. With Usain Bolt retiring, the South African was destined to become the face of track and field.
What happened next is one of sport’s cruellest stories. In 2017 he tore knee ligaments in an ill-advised game of touch rugby at Newlands and has been struggling to find form ever since. However, he is now threatening to break 44sec again and must have a strong medal chance at the World Championships starting in Budapest on Saturday.
Watch out too for Akani Simbine, one of the nice guys of the sport. Last year he admitted to me that he feels undervalued in South Africa and if he walked into one of the malls anywhere in the country he wouldn’t be unrecognised.
The elephant in the room has to be addressed here. While Simbine is unlikely to ever win a major championship 100m gold, he is one of the most drug-tested and “clean” sprinters to have pulled on a vest. And that, I reckon, means he sleeps well at night.
"Never be limited by other people's expectations. Be fearless in the pursuit of your dreams." - Wayde van Niekerk 💪
— Team South Africa (@TeamSA2024) August 14, 2023
Let's start the week with the determination & fearlessness of this incredible athlete. Let's chase our dreams with passion and resilience! 🚀🌈 #MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/To8rUcUZKT
South African racing gears up for Equus Awards
We’re very much in calm before the storm waters when it comes to racing in South Africa at the moment. Horses have just celebrated their collective birthdays (on 1st August) and most of the top horses are being prepared for the summer season.
Having said that, there’s virtually racing every day around the country. And the thing about being a punter (and owner, trainer and jockey), is that every race counts. If you’re a punter, a winning bet at 4/1 in a maiden on the Polytrack pays the same as picking a 4/1 in a Grade One. I know which is easier to do.
But the big upcoming event is Wednesday night’s Equus awards, called the “Oscars of SA Racing”. While a number of categories were decided based on last season’s statistics – jockey of the year, trainer of the year, owners of the year, breeders of the year, etc – the public voted on categories such as horse of the year.
Most see it as a close call between Princess Calla and Charles Dickens. I feel that Charles Dickens will win it by a few lengths. After all, for much of the season, the media and punters alike were comparing him to greats of the SA turf like Horse Chestnut and Sea Cottage.
One special horse, Charles Dickens. pic.twitter.com/Y8YmJgZrJu
— Chase Liebenberg (@ChaseLiebenberg) June 11, 2023
