South Africa’s Sporting Weekend: Proteas Seal Series, Boks Fall Short as Bafana and Malajika Celebrate Wins
South African sport produced a weekend of contrasting emotions, with the Proteas and Bafana Bafana celebrating important victories while the Springboks suffered a narrow defeat in Perth. In boxing, Ricardo Malajika added another major achievement by claiming the vacant WBC super-flyweight world title in Japan.
Here are the biggest South African sporting stories making headlines.
- Proteas Overcome Australia to Seal ODI Series
The Proteas produced a commanding performance at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, beating Australia by 32 runs on Pink Sunday to secure a 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
South Africa posted an imposing 365/9, with captain Temba Bavuma and David Miller doing most of the damage. Bavuma made 103, while Miller produced a career-best 142, with the pair combining for a crucial 156-run partnership.
Australia launched a determined chase but were eventually bowled out for 333 in the final over. Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head both made 84, but their efforts were not enough to prevent South Africa from wrapping up the series.
The match also carried significance beyond the cricket, forming part of the Proteas’ annual Pink Day campaign. The team wore special pink playing kits featuring the names of breast cancer fighters and survivors as part of efforts to raise awareness and funds.
The third ODI will take place in Potchefstroom on Wednesday, with South Africa now looking to complete a clean sweep.
- Springboks’ Late Fightback Falls Just Short in Perth Thriller
The Springboks produced a remarkable second-half fightback but ultimately went down 42-38 to Australia at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday.
South Africa made a positive start, but Australia gradually took control and went into the break leading 24-17. The Wallabies extended their advantage after half-time, eventually moving 42-17 ahead with about 15 minutes remaining.
Len Ikitau crossed twice for Australia, while Ben Donaldson, Harry Wilson and Max Jorgensen also found the try line.
Then came an extraordinary late comeback.
Australia received four yellow cards, leaving the hosts with only 11 players on the field at one stage. The Springboks capitalised, with a penalty try followed by late scores from Morné van den Berg and Ox Nche reducing the deficit to just four points.
However, a final obstruction decision brought the comeback to an end.
The defeat came with a significantly changed Springbok lineup following their successful series against New Zealand. Australia also reclaimed the Mandela Challenge Plate, which had last been held by the Wallabies in 2022.
- Bafana Bafana Begin AFCON Qualifying with Guinea Victory
Bafana Bafana have made a winning start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, edging Guinea 2-1 at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday.
South Africa took the lead in the 30th minute when defender Ime Okon converted from a set-piece situation, giving the home side an important advantage.
Guinea responded after the break, with Seydouba Cisse levelling the contest in the 68th minute.
The visitors’ hopes of taking a point were short-lived, however. Substitute Samukele Kabini restored Bafana’s lead nine minutes later, scoring in the 77th minute to secure all three points.
The result gives South Africa an early lead in Group D and provides a positive beginning for coach Pitso Mosimane in his second spell in charge.
Bafana’s next assignment comes against Eritrea in Cairo on Wednesday, as they look to maintain their strong start to the qualifying campaign.
South Africa’s Sporting Weekend: Proteas Seal Series, Boks Fall Short as Bafana and Malajika Celebrate Wins (Graphics: SizaNazo365 | Images: CSA, SARU, SAFA.net, WBC)
- Ricardo Malajika Claims WBC World Title in Tokyo
South African boxing has another world champion after Ricardo Malajika defeated Japan’s Tomoya Tsuboi by split decision to claim the vacant WBC super-flyweight title in Tokyo on Sunday.
The 28-year-old Johannesburg boxer entered the contest as the reigning IBO champion at super-flyweight and secured the biggest victory of his career in his first professional fight outside South Africa.
After 12 competitive rounds at Toyota Arena, two judges scored the fight in Malajika’s favour, with cards of 116-112 and 115-113. The third judge scored it 115-113 for Tsuboi.
Tsuboi, a former amateur world champion competing in his first world-title fight, made a strong start. Malajika, however, grew into the contest and gained greater control during the second half.
The Japanese boxer also suffered cuts following accidental head clashes during the bout.
The victory takes Malajika’s professional record to 18-2 with 12 knockouts, while Tsuboi drops to 3-1 with one no-contest.
For South African boxing, the result adds another name to the country’s growing list of WBC world champions and gives Malajika a significant new platform on the international stage.
South African Sport Delivers Another Weekend of High Drama
From the Proteas securing an ODI series victory and Bafana Bafana opening their AFCON qualifying campaign with three points to the Springboks’ dramatic fightback in Perth and Ricardo Malajika’s world-title triumph in Tokyo, South African sport once again delivered plenty of talking points.
With the Proteas chasing a clean sweep, Bafana preparing for their next qualifier and Malajika beginning his reign as WBC super-flyweight champion, there is already plenty more to watch.