South Africa’s Weekend of Sporting Triumphs, Football Drama and SAFA Power Shift
It was another action-packed weekend for South African sport, with the Springboks completing a historic series victory over New Zealand, the Proteas finishing their ODI tour unbeaten and Orlando Pirates advancing in Africa. Kaizer Chiefs were held in the Betway Premiership, while SAFA delivered a major leadership development off the field.
Here are the biggest stories making headlines:
- Springboks Complete Historic Series Win Over All Blacks
The Springboks capped a memorable Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series with a commanding 43-28 victory over New Zealand at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday.
The win saw South Africa claim the four-Test series 3-1, with 68,173 spectators turning out for a record crowd in North America.
The All Blacks led briefly, but the Springboks were ahead 17-14 at half-time before taking control after the break.
Damian de Allende, Morné van den Berg, Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cameron Hanekom all crossed the line as South Africa produced a powerful second-half performance.
The result completed an impressive turnaround after New Zealand won the opening Test.
- Proteas Complete ODI Clean Sweep Against Namibia
The Proteas finished their ODI tour of Namibia in style, cruising to a nine-wicket victory in the third match in Windhoek on Sunday.
Chasing just 157, South Africa needed only 21.3 overs to reach their target and complete a 3-0 series clean sweep.
Openers Jordan Hermann and Connor Esterhuizen laid the foundation with a dominant 150-run partnership. Hermann made 77 from 59 balls, while Esterhuizen remained unbeaten on 68.
Dewald Brevis then finished the contest in emphatic fashion, hitting a six to seal the victory.
The result capped a highly successful ODI series for the Proteas, who maintained control throughout the three matches.
- Orlando Pirates Advance in CAF Champions League
Orlando Pirates overcame an early scare to progress to the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League with a 3-1 victory over Mauritius’ La Cure Waves at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday.
The Buccaneers went into the second leg after a goalless draw in Mauritius but were stunned when Jean Ami capitalised on a defensive error to put Waves ahead after just six minutes.
Pirates responded quickly, with Kabelo Kgositsile restoring parity before Kamogelo Sebelebele put the hosts ahead.
Yanela Mbuthuma then added a third before half-time as the Soweto giants turned the tie around.
Pirates will now face Namibian side African Stars in the next qualifying round.
- Chiefs Held by Polokwane City as Unbeaten Run Continues
Kaizer Chiefs were forced to settle for a point after a 1-1 draw against Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.
The visitors took the lead in the 29th minute when Lebohang Maboe finished from a Pule Mmodi delivery.
Polokwane eventually found an equaliser in the second half, with Giovanni Philander’s near-post corner finding its way past Brandon Petersen. The goal was recorded as an own goal in some reports.
The result means Chiefs remain unbeaten but slipped to fourth position in the Betway Premiership standings, while Polokwane City picked up a valuable point at home.
- Suganob Stops Nontshinga in Fifth Round to Earn IBF Title Shot
South African boxing suffered a major setback on Saturday as Sivenathi Nontshinga was stopped by Regie Suganob in the fifth round of their IBF light-flyweight world title eliminator in Tagbilaran City, Philippines.
Suganob produced a dramatic finish at the Bohol Wisdom School Gymnasium, dropping Nontshinga with a series of right hooks before referee Tony Weeks stopped the contest at 2:54 of the fifth round. Nontshinga received medical attention in the ring after the stoppage.
The victory avenged Suganob’s only professional defeat. Nontshinga had beaten the Filipino by unanimous decision in South Africa in 2023 while successfully defending his IBF light-flyweight title.
Suganob, known as the “Filipino Phenom”, improves to 19-1 with eight knockouts and earns mandatory-challenger status for the IBF light-flyweight championship.
He is now expected to face the winner of the September 26 bout between champion Thanongsak Simsri and Mark Vicelles in Japan.
Nontshinga, the former two-time IBF light-flyweight champion known as “The Special One”, drops to 14-3 with 11 knockouts.
Why it matters: The defeat is a major blow to Nontshinga’s bid to regain the IBF light-flyweight crown, while Suganob has positioned himself for another world title opportunity.
South Africa’s Weekend of Sporting Triumphs, Football Drama and SAFA Power Shift (Graphic: SizaNazo365 | Images: SARU, CSA, OP, SAFA)
- Jordaan Secures Fourth Term as SAFA President
Away from the pitch, Danny Jordaan secured another term as South African Football Association (SAFA) president after defeating Sandile Zungu at Saturday’s elective congress in Midrand.
Jordaan received 157 votes, compared with Zungu’s 82, securing a fourth term that will run until 2030.
The election followed a closely contested campaign and was held under heightened security following reported threats. Four regions aligned with Zungu were also disqualified over procedural matters.
Zungu accepted the outcome and congratulated Jordaan, while the result sparked differing reactions within South African football.
Supporters of Jordaan pointed to continuity around the national teams and football development, while critics continued to raise concerns about governance and financial management.