Navalsig High School and Ntsu Secondary School under-19 teams will represent the Free State at the Kay Motsepe National School tournament which will take place from 24 to 28 September 2026 in Soshangu...
Marumo Gallants will set their sights on a Betway Premiership home encounter against TS Galaxy on Tuesday next week, after suffering their second consecutive defeat of the new league campaign against ...
The Proteas will not leave Kagiso Rabada to the wolves and will place “our arms around him” after the fast bowler’s horrific final over against Afghanistan that forced the ICC T20 World Cup clash into a double Super Over.
Rabada has long been the spearhead of the Proteas attack, and is often the team’s go-to-man in the crunch moments.
It was therefore no surprise when he limbered up to bowl the final over of the match needing to defend 13 runs off the final six balls.
Rabada thought he had done the job when last man Noor Ahmad was caught at cover off the first delivery of the over, but instead of celebrating they heard the siren signalling a no-ball.
The 30-year-old had committed the cardinal death bowling sin by over-stepping, which offered up Noor Ahmad a free-hit. The next ball was a wide and the target was now 11 runs with six balls still remaining.
The next ball was a dot before Noor Ahmad launched the second legal delivery for six over mid-wicket.
What followed was pure madness with Rabada overstepping again on the fourth delivery, which was clubbed into the deep for two, that left Afghanistan requiring two runs off the last three balls.
It was virtually unbelievable to watch one of the greatest fast bowlers of our generation suffer a meltdown of such epic proportions.
But fortunately for Rabada and the Proteas, Afghanistan pushed for a second run off the free hit, but were left millimetres short when Rabada collected the throw in to run out Fazalhaq Farooqi at the non-strikers end to tie up the game.
Proteas opener Ryan Rickelton stated that they will give Rabada the space to absorb everything that transpired before offering him the support he needs.
“KG, we'll give him a bit of time, but we'll get our arms around him,” Rickelton said. “We'll probably get a couple of drinks down him later.
“And yeah, he's one of us through thick and thin, so he's always going to be there.”
Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who delivered the match-winning second Super Over, echoed Rickelton’s stance, and expects Rabada to bounce back sooner rather than later.
“He's a world-class performer. Unfortunately, a fast bowler has to run 30 metres so sometimes you do bowl a no-ball,” Maharaj said.
“His executions were really good in that over. KG's a strong character. He's been bowling well in the nets and it's only a matter of time before you get a man-of-the-match performance from him."
Mamelodi Sundowns defender Grant Kekana says the senior players are doing their best to shield the youngsters from the "outside noise" currently surrounding the team, as they want to focus on playing football and leave management to handle off-field drama.
The Brazilians have been under heavy scrutiny since the start of the season, facing criticism for deviating from the traditional "Shoeshine and Piano" style that previously delivered results and entertainment in equal measure.
That pressure has reached fever pitch this week, with coach Miguel Cardoso and sporting director Flemming Berg becoming targets for frustrated supporters. The team currently finds itself on the brink of a rare CAF Champions League group-stage exit, sitting third in Group C with six points, trailing Al Hilal (8) and MC Alger (7).
Speaking during the Nedbank Cup last-16 draw in Randburg on Wednesday — where Sundowns were paired with fellow top-flight side TS Galaxy away in Mbombela — Kekana addressed the role of the club's veterans.
“There’s a lot of noise surrounding us at the moment. But it happens when you’ve been at the top for so long,” Kekana said. “I think it’s something that, as senior players, we need to tell the youngsters not to focus too much on. Everyone wants to take the throne from us. It doesn’t get to us. Our job is on the field.”
The "noise" has been amplified by a shocking internal scandal. Long-serving performance analyst Mario Masha was suspended on Tuesday following allegations that he leaked tactical information and training footage to former head coach Rulani Mokwena, who returns to Loftus Versfeld this Saturday in charge of MC Alger.
While Masha has reportedly denied the claims, the timing could not be worse. Cardoso appeared to reference the leak after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with St. Eloi Lupopo, stating he hoped the upcoming encounter would be a "fair game" where the opponent doesn't "guess or know" their tactics.
Asked how the squad responded to the allegations involving Masha, who has been at Chloorkop for over a decade, Kekana remained diplomatic.
“I think my job is just to play football,” Kekana said. “The technical team and management are taking care of that, so that’s all I can say on the situation. We have to do our best to get back to where we were. I don’t think we are far off; it’s just about that rub of the green going our way.”
Sundowns face a "do-or-die" Valentine’s Day clash against Mokwena’s Alger on Saturday, 14 February 2026. Anything less than a victory could see the 2016 champions eliminated before the knockout rounds for the first time in nearly a decade.
Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa scored from a hotly-disputed penalty when beating Al Masry of Egypt 2-1 on Sunday to top their CAF Confederation Cup group with one round remaining.
Flavio Da Silva converted the 39th-minute spot-kick after a lengthy delay while the visitors protested despite big-screen replays showing the ball striking the arm of captain Ahmed Mansour.
Algerian Abderrahim Deghmoum equalised on 57 minutes in Polokwane only for Chiefs to regain the lead three minutes later through an Aden McCarthy tap-in.
The result left Chiefs with a bitter-sweet victory as they needed to win 1-0 or by at least two goals to ensure qualification for the quarter-finals from Group D on head-to-head records.
While Chiefs were edging Masry, Zamalek of Egypt suffered a shock 1-0 away loss to ZESCO United of Zambia in Ndola, where Chadian Amine Hiver converted a second-half penalty.
The results set up an intriguing final round on Saturday with Zamalek hosting Chiefs and Masry having home advantage over ZESCO.
Chiefs have 10 points, Zamalek eight, Masry seven and already-eliminated ZESCO three with two quarter-finals places on the line.
The number of qualifiers for the knockout stage grew from two last weekend to four after Chabab Belouizdad of Algeria and AS Otoho of Congo-Brazzaville secured the Group C slots.
Belouizdad retained first place thanks to a 1-0 win over Singida Black Stars of Tanzania in Zanzibar City. Abdennour Belhocini scored the match-winner after just two minutes.
Both teams finished with 10 men after Mohamed Ben Hammouda of Belouizdad on the hour mark and Abdulmalik Zakaria deep in added time were sent off after both had been booked twice.
Otoho outplayed South African visitors Stellenbosch 3-0 with a Pomi Nzaou goal followed by a brace from Klegnime Kone.
Belouizdad have 12 points and Otoho nine ahead of their meeting in Algeria on Sunday. Singida and 2025 Confederation Cup semi-finalists Stellenbosch have four points each.
Group B leaders Wydad Casablanca of Morocco left it late to beat Nairobi United 1-0 in the Kenyan capital with substitute Wissam Ben Yedder netting in the 89th minute.
Wydad hold a three-point lead over Maniema Union from the Democratic Republic of Congo and AZAM of Tanzania. Nairobi have struggled in their African debut, suffering five straight losses.
Leaders USM Alger of Algeria and Olympique Safi of Morocco, who qualified from Group A last weekend, both won.
*This article was first published by Eye Witness News
South Africa smashed 47 off the last three overs to pile up 213-4 against Canada on Monday in Ahmedabad, the highest total so far in this year's T20 World Cup.
David Miller hit an unbeaten 39 off 23 balls and Tristan Stubbs was not out 34 off 19 as they finished the innings in the Group D encounter with an unbroken stand of 75 in 6.1 overs.
After Canada won the toss and elected to field, Quinton de Kock and captain Aiden Markram got South Africa off to a flying start, putting on an opening stand of 70 in 6.5 overs.
De Kock was first to fall, for 25, bowled by a dipping off-spinner from Dilpreet Bajwa.
Markram sailed on and reached his fifty off 28 balls before falling for 59, caught in the deep after hitting 10 fours and a six.
Left-arm wrist-spinner Anish Patel was the successful bowler and he enjoyed a fine spell, also removing Ryan Rickelton for a brisk 33 off 21 balls and Dewald Brevis for six.
Patel finished with 3-31 off his four overs after reducing South Africa from 125-1 to 138-4 before Miller and Stubbs took over for the side that were runners-up to India in the last edition of the tournament in 2024.
*This article was first published by Eye Witness News
Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes the upcoming FIFA World Cup will play a key role in driving standards within his squad, with fierce competition for places in Hugo Broos’ final selection expected to keep his players motivated and hungry for success.
The Buccaneers were strongly represented at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), contributing nine players to the South African squad—a reflection of their impressive form in the opening phase of the season.
Ouaddou has overseen intense competition for places at Pirates this term, with the squad packed with some of the country’s top talent. That internal rivalry has pushed performances to a new level, placing the Sea Robbers on course for what could become one of the most memorable campaigns in the club’s history.
The former Morocco international has also welcomed the chance for his players to compete for places in Broos’ squad, with the added benefit of gaining World Cup experience expected to build on the growth they achieved at AFCON.
“A lot of people were disappointed, but I was there for the match against Zimbabwe,” Ouaddou commented. “South Africa did their best and it gave the coach the opportunity to see his team as he is preparing for the World Cup.
“It’s a huge moment for our players. They have a huge challenge to perform after coming back from AFCON.
"They have three or four months to perform because there is a huge opportunity for the national team coach to select the best players to represent South Africa at the World Cup. It’s good for Pirates because our players will be motivated to showcase themselves and to perform in order to be selected by coach Broos.”
Pirates remain in the hunt for two additional trophies this season and will shift focus to the Nedbank Cup last 32 this weekend, where they face ABC Motsepe Foundation side Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila on Saturday afternoon (kick-off at 3pm).
The cup fixture follows a strong midweek showing that saw the Buccaneers move to the top of the Betway Premiership standings after their 2-0 win over AmaZulu, opening a three-point gap as their title race with second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns continues to gather momentum.
South African rugby supporters had best get ready for the early shift when they prepare for the Springboks’ opening game of the Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia next year.
Coach Rassie Erasmus and his team will get their campaign to retain the Webb Ellis Cup — good ol’ “Bill” — started on Sunday, 3 October when they face Italy at 5.45am. They will then continue their Group B fixtures the following Sunday against Georgia (8.45am) before finishing the round-robin phase on Sunday, 17 October, against Romania (1.15pm).
The defending champions will criss-cross Australia as they do so, starting the tournament in Adelaide before moving on to Brisbane and then finishing the first phase of the competition in Perth.
Should they progress as Group B winners, they will remain in the Western Australian capital for the Round of 16, where they will play the third-best team from either Pool D, E or F — pools that involve the likes of Uruguay, Portugal, the US, Samoa, Tonga and Zimbabwe. Although unlikely, Scotland, Japan or Wales could also potentially be opponents during that round.
That match is scheduled for Saturday, 23 October (12.45pm).
A second-place finish in Group B for the Boks, meanwhile, would see a Round of 16 clash with the winners of Group F — realistically either England or Wales (also in Perth) the following day, also at 12.45pm.
Should the wheels truly come off for the world’s top-ranked and top-seeded team, the Boks could also qualify as one of the best third-placed teams from Group B, E or F. In such a scenario, they would in all likelihood face either Ireland or Scotland from Group D in Melbourne on the Sunday (7.45am).
The 2027 World Cup has been expanded to 24 teams over 52 matches, starting on Friday, 1 October when hosts Australia open the tournament against Hong Kong — who will be making their first appearance at the tournament — in Perth.
The quarter-finals will take place on the weekend of 30–31 October, followed by the semi-finals a week later on 5 and 6 November. The final will take place in Sydney on Saturday, 13 November.
“It’s pleasing that we now know where and when we are playing, and we are fortunate that we have played in Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, and Sydney in the last few years in the Rugby Championship,” said Erasmus, via an SA Rugby statement on Tuesday morning.
“We can now go full steam ahead with our planning and preparation for the tournament, and we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that we are as fresh and well prepared as possible for the competition.
“The one thing that pops out looking at the schedule is that, should we progress to the playoffs, there will be travel between the round of 16 and quarter-final, which is something we have to factor into our planning, as the flight is just under five hours between Perth and Sydney, and there is a two-hour time difference.
“Over and above that, our likely opponents could be either Australia or New Zealand, and it would be good to see their travel schedules. But obviously, we have to make it through first, which will require a massive effort.
“There’s a lot of hard work ahead in the next 18 months, but we are all very excited for the tournament and we are looking forward to putting the building blocks in place this season and next year before we depart for Australia.”
The Boks are chasing an unprecedented "three-peat" — a third consecutive world championship — and a fifth title overall. Before they attempt that feat, however, they will first have to navigate 2026.
Their first game of the international season in early June will see them face England, followed by Scotland and Wales. They also have a four-match Test series to contemplate against the All Blacks, as well as an outbound tour against Italy, France and Ireland later in the year.
There’s uncertainty over the future of 2026’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and whether South Africa would step in at the last minute to host.
This follows contradictory statements made by Deputy Sports Minister Peace Mabe, the department and Minister Gayton McKenzie.
The Women’s AFCON in 2026 is scheduled to be held in Morocco from 17 March 2026.
It has added significance, as it will also serve as a World Cup qualifier.
Speaking to the public broadcaster at the Women’s Super League awards on Sunday night, Mabe said South Africa had been offered the tournament’s hosting rights with just over a month before kick off.
“We took an opportunity that presented itself because we feel we have the necessary infrastructure and the support, of course, of hosting WAFCON. When Morocco said they were unable to host, as South Africa we said ‘yes, we’re available, we’re going to take it’… look, we are ready - we can host it.”
No other body has made an official announcement about the future of the tournament.
Since then, the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture released a statement, saying no formal decision has been taken to relocate the event.
*This article was first published by Eye Witness News
