Springboks Seek All Blacks Redemption as Proteas and MTN8 Take Centre Stage
South African sport has another packed weekend ahead, with the Springboks chasing a response against New Zealand in Cape Town, the Proteas beginning their T20I tri-series in Namibia, and the MTN8 semifinal battle reaching its decisive stage.
Here are the major stories to watch.
- Springboks Target All Blacks Response in Cape Town
The Springboks will be looking to bounce back when they face New Zealand in the second Test of the Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Series at DHL Stadium on Saturday.
The All Blacks stunned South Africa 33-16 at Ellis Park last weekend, ending the Boks’ 12-Test unbeaten run and moving New Zealand back to the top of the world rankings.
Rassie Erasmus has made two significant changes to his starting XV. Cheslin Kolbe returns on the wing after recovering from his injury, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu starts at flyhalf after Handré Pollard was ruled out with a training niggle.
Siya Kolisi also returns as captain, while Pieter-Steph du Toit is set to reach the milestone of 100 Test appearances.
Kick-off in Cape Town is at 17:10 SAST.
South Africa will be hoping their strong record at DHL Stadium can help them level the series before the final Test at FNB Stadium next weekend.
- Proteas Begin T20 Tri-Series Against Namibia
The Proteas begin their new white-ball campaign on Friday when they face hosts Namibia in the opening match of the FNB T20 Tri-Series in Windhoek.
The tournament runs from 28 August to 6 September, with Zimbabwe completing the three-team field. Each side will play the other twice before the finalists meet in the title decider.
South Africa’s opening match against Namibia starts at 14:00, with the Proteas facing Zimbabwe at the same time on Saturday.
Bjorn Fortuin will captain a developmental South African squad featuring the likes of Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann, Kwena Maphaka and Duan Jansen.
There is an added element of intrigue for several members of the squad, with some having been involved when Namibia recorded a memorable four-wicket victory over South Africa in their previous T20I meeting.
Namibia, led by Gerhard Erasmus, will be hoping to repeat that upset in front of their home supporters.
Springboks Seek All Blacks Redemption as Proteas and MTN8 Take Centre Stage (Graphic: SizaNazo365 | Images: Springboks, Proteas, Pirates, Sundowns)
- MTN8 Semifinals Reach Decisive Second-Leg Stage
The MTN8 semifinal race will be settled this weekend, with Orlando Pirates and Golden Arrows both defending narrow first-leg advantages.
Defending champions Orlando Pirates welcome Sekhukhune United to the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday at 15:00.
The Buccaneers take a 1-0 lead into the second leg after Deon Hotto scored in Polokwane. Pirates will be determined to finish the job as they continue their pursuit of a fifth successive MTN8 title.
On Sunday, Golden Arrows host Mamelodi Sundowns at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, also at 15:00.
Arrows produced one of the biggest results of the opening legs by beating Sundowns 1-0 away from home, with Junior Dion scoring the only goal.
Sundowns now face the challenge of overturning the deficit on Arrows’ home ground and keeping their hopes of reaching the MTN8 final alive.
The away-goals rule remains in effect, while an aggregate draw after 180 minutes will send either tie straight to a penalty shootout.