A Weekend of Mixed Emotions: MTN8 Drama, Springboks Triumph and Tete Farewell
It was another dramatic weekend in South African sport, with Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns booking an MTN8 final showdown, the Springboks edging the All Blacks in Cape Town, and the Proteas producing mixed results in their T20I tri-series. Away from the field, the country also said an emotional farewell to boxing great Zolani “Last Born” Tete.
- Orlando Pirates and Sundowns Set Up Blockbuster MTN8 Final
The MTN8 final will be contested by two of South Africa’s biggest clubs after Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns successfully negotiated their respective semifinal ties.
Pirates booked their place in a fifth consecutive MTN8 final with a convincing 3-0 victory over Sekhukhune United on Saturday. Thapelo Mokobodi and Gamphani Lungu found the net before a late goal from Kamogelo Sebelebele completed a dominant afternoon for the defending champions.
The result gave the Buccaneers a 4-0 aggregate victory.
Sundowns then produced the comeback of the weekend on Sunday, overturning a first-leg deficit to beat Golden Arrows 3-2.
Cassius Mailula, Marcelo Allende and Antonio van Wyk scored for Masandawana, while Junior Dion and Philani Kumalo were on target for Arrows.
The teams finished level at 3-3 on aggregate, with Sundowns progressing on the away-goals rule to set up another blockbuster meeting with Pirates.
- Springboks Beat All Blacks to Keep Series Alive
The Springboks produced a hard-fought performance to defeat New Zealand 33-26 in the second Test of the Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Series at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday.
Attention now turns to FNB Stadium, where the Springboks and All Blacks will meet again on Saturday, 5 September. Kick-off is scheduled for 17:10.
With the series still alive, another intense battle is expected when the two rugby giants meet in Johannesburg.
- Proteas Bounce Back After Namibia Setback
The Proteas produced a much-needed response in the T20I tri-series, defeating Zimbabwe by seven wickets on Saturday.
The result came a day after South Africa suffered an 18-run defeat to Namibia in their opening match.
Despite a determined contribution from Dewald Brevis, the Proteas were unable to chase down Namibia’s total, with the hosts holding their nerve to claim victory.
South Africa’s emphatic response against Zimbabwe provides some momentum as the team continues its campaign in the tri-series.
MTN8 Drama, Springboks Triumph and Tete Farewell (Graphic: SizaNazo365 | Images: Pirates, Springboks, WBO)
- Bayanda Walaza Storms to 100m Victory in Brescia
South African sprint star Bayanda Walaza added another impressive result to his 2026 season on Sunday, winning the men’s 100m at the Grand Prix Brescia in Italy.
Walaza clocked 10.00 seconds to take gold ahead of American sprinters Courtney Lindsey, who finished second in 10.09, and former world champion Trayvon Bromell, who crossed the line in 10.16.
Shaun Maswanganyi was seventh in 10.33, giving South Africa two athletes in the final.
The victory further underlines Walaza’s emergence as one of the country’s most exciting young sprinting talents and adds another significant international result to his growing résumé.
- Boxing Fraternity Mourns Zolani ‘Last Born’ Tete
South Africa’s boxing community gathered in Mdantsane on Saturday to honour the life and legacy of two-time world champion Zolani “Last Born” Tete.
Hundreds of mourners attended the 38-year-old boxer’s funeral at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in the Eastern Cape following his death in a shooting outside his Mdantsane home on Friday, 21 August.
Tete was reportedly sitting in his vehicle waiting for the gate to open when he was ambushed. A woman travelling with him was also wounded.
The former world champion was honoured with a Special Provincial Official Funeral Category 2, recognising his contribution to boxing and his achievements on the international stage.
Tributes from the boxing fraternity and the wider community reflected Tete’s impact both inside and outside the ring.
Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder.
From a blockbuster MTN8 final to another chapter in the historic Springboks-All Blacks rivalry, South African sport provided plenty of talking points over the weekend. The Proteas also showed signs of recovery, Bayanda Walaza continued his rapid rise in athletics, while the farewell to Zolani Tete reminded the country of the lasting impact sporting heroes can have beyond their achievements.