SA gears up for epic weekend of sport
Last year Oriental Charm became the second straight Durban July winner to have been prepared by James Crawford at Randjesfontein. Picture: Gerhard Duraan/Gallo Images
If you are a sports fan, then there is probably no better time than the first weekend of July.
Our national rugby team host Italy at Loftus Versfeld tomorrow in the first of two Tests, while our Proteas men's cricket team – the world Test champions – are up against Zimbabwe in the second Test in Bulawayo from Sunday, having won by 382 runs with a young, new-look team at the same venue in the first Test this week.
Both teams are led by new captains, the Springboks by Jesse Kriel in the absence of the injured Siya Kolisi and the Proteas by Wiaan Mulder, who covers for the injured duo of Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj.
The Springbok rugby women are also in action in Pretoria against Canada.
ALSO READ: Inside the must-attend marquees at the 2025 Durban July
It's also time for Africa's premier horse race, the Durban July, which not only attracts racing fanatics, but also fashionistas at Greyville racecourse.
Abroad, there's the start of the Tour de France cycling race from Lille tomorrow, tennis' third Grand Slam of the year finishes the first week of play on the hallowed grass of Wimbledon, the British and Irish Lions are on tour Down Under and there's several incoming rugby Test series between New Zealand and France, Japan and Wales, Argentina and England and Georgia and Ireland.
Phew, we are definitely spoilt for choice.
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IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Springbok overhaul: Rassie Erasmus rolls the dice for must-win Aussie showdown
Double World Cup winner Handré Pollard must steady the Springbok ship at flyhalf in the second Test against Australia on Saturday in Cape Town. Image: BackpagePix The Springboks' Rugby Championship campaign could be over before it barely started if they fall to the Wallabies for a second weekend in a row. For that reason, head coach Rassie Erasmus decided to ring the changes and select his most experienced available side for the "deciding" match against the Australians in Cape Town on Saturday afternoon (5.10pm kick-off). Erasmus made 10 changes to the starting side that lost 38-22 at Ellis Park, bringing back several double World Cup winners to steady the ship as they anticipate a graft against the high-flying Aussies. Centurion Willie le Roux is back at fullback, while Handré Pollard will provide steadiness at flyhalf. At the same time, Damian de Allende retakes his midfield partnership with captain Jesse Kriel and Cheslin Kolbe slots in on the wing. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ That is a significant boost in experience for the backline, and their game management will be under heavy scrutiny after the faltering in Johannesburg. Up-front, there is a new lock combination in RG Snyman and Ruan Nortjé, behind experienced front -owers. V eterans Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager are set to make an impact as part of the Bomb Squad replacement bench behind the more inexperienced front rankers like hooker Marnus van der Merwe and Boan Venter. Some of the changes were forced due to injuries to regular captain Siya Kolisi, fellow loose forward Pieter-Steph du Toit and wingers Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe. Franco Mostert will step in for Du Toit, and Jean-Luc du Preez starts as No 8. 'We know what we did wrong last weekend, but it's easy knowing that. The difficult part will be to fix it,' Erasmus said, ahead of the Test. Only five players have been retained in the #Springboks starting team from last week as they look to bounce back in Cape Town 👊#ForeverGreenForeverGold — Springboks (@Springboks) August 19, 2025 'If we had all the answers to why things went wrong, it would be fantastic. It's been a while since we lost, and the game ran away from us in seven minutes. "It is not a lekker feeling when it happens. However, going through the first session on Monday, the answers started coming. 'When we did the attack today (Tuesday), more (answers) started coming. "Why we did it? "We were 22 points up and thought this was it, and then you get a shock and two or three concussions. That (the injuries) is not an excuse; it's on us. We lost Siya, Marco, Pieter-Steph and Edwill, and everything compounded. 'Then, all of a sudden, we are 14 points down, and they put the hammer down. As we went through the sessions, the answers came. Things came too easily at Ellis Park, and when it got bad, we could not handle it.' Erasmus says they hope it will be all smiles on Saturday evening with the experienced guys returning; however, they know it will take hard work to get back to winning ways. He added that having the likes of Kolbe, De Allende, Pollard, Le Roux, and Mostert back will provide some much-needed confidence to the side. But the only thing that matters will be getting their campaign back on track. 'Hopefully, it is all smiles on Saturday evening. I am one of the regular guys. When we win, I check social media, but when we lose, I don't. But then my mom sends a message saying, 'my son, I still love you, but don't read what the people are saying'. "It's not nice when we are losing. 'This smile I have is sort of an embarrassed one. It's tough, and we want to get things right. We wish we could've played on Wednesday already. 'We had those mini targets that bind the team together, where we wanted to beat them five times in a row. They had theirs to beat us for the first time in a long time at Ellis Park. They achieved theirs and we must now turn things around.'
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
Bok ‘bomb squad' is back as Erasmus picks Pollard, Le Roux to start
The Springboks have gone back to the 'bomb squad' to help them get back to winning ways against the Wallabies after a surprise defeat against the men from Down Under. The feared 'bomb squad' is back! Following last Saturday's second half implosion by the Springboks – having led 22-0 at one stage against the Wallabies at Ellis Park to lose 38-22 – coach Rassie Erasmus has made 10 changes to his starting XV and picked a 'bomb squad' with six forwards and two backs for the second Rugby Championship Test against Australia in Cape Town on Saturday. While there are several new faces in the starting team, mainly due to the unavailability of injured players Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe, the bench now also packs a real punch, with the likes of Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Kwagga Smith and Cobus Reinach to give guidance and provide leadership later on. But, young, rising stars Marnus van der Merwe (for Bongi Mbonambi), Boan Venter and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will bring energy and some X-factor to the match as well. In the starting team, Cheslin Kolbe slots in for Arendse, Canan Moodie replaces Van der Merwe, Jean-Luc du Preez comes in at No 8 for Kolisi and Franco Mostert gets the nod at flank for Du Toit. Other changes Other changes see Handre Pollard back at flyhalf, for Manie Libbok, Damian de Allende returns to inside centre to partner Jesse Kriel, who has been named captain for the match in the absence of Kolisi, while experienced fullback Willie le Roux makes his first appearance since running on for his 100th cap against Italy in Gqeberha last month. Aphelele Fassi, who started last weekend, and Damian Willemse, miss out completely this week. In the forwards Thomas du Toit comes in at tighthead prop, while a new second row partnership sees RG Snyman and Ruan Nortje link up. 'We lost four players to injury last weekend, which obviously had an impact on a few of our selections, but we also know where we went wrong against Australia last week, so we made a few changes that we believe will offer us what we need for this game,' explained Erasmus. 'Damian and Cheslin have also recovered from their injuries, and with their experience and knowledge of the Wallabies, it was a logical choice to recall them. 'We are determined to get things right this week. We are pleased with this squad, and we are all aligned on what we have to do to lift our standards this week.' Must win It is a must win match for the Boks, as a second straight loss would leave the fate of the Rugby Championship firmly out of their hands heading on a two match tour of New Zealand. The All Backs are favourites to pick up a second bonus point win over Los Pumas in Argentina, so it is imperative for the Boks to get back to winning ways, so that they can take some momentum into their tour and keep pace with their biggest rivals. Although the Wallabies haven't won in Cape Town since 1992, streaks are meant to be broken as they showed by winning at Ellis Park for the first time in the professional era, and first time since 1963. 'We don't believe in previous records and Australia showed last week that it is insignificant, so we are under no illusions that this match is going to be another proper grind,' said Erasmus. 'They also showed that they can fight until the end, so it will be vital for us to give everything until the final whistle this weekend. This match is essential for us to get our campaign on track, and we all realise the importance of ensuring that we do not make the same mistakes as last week.' Springbok team to face Australia in Cape Town: Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Jesse Kriel (capt), Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Handre Pollard, Grant Williams, Jean-Luc du Preez, Franco Mostert, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje, RG Snyman, Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Bench: Marnus van der Merwe, Boan Venter, Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Kwagga Smith, Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
The Citizen
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Keshav Maharaj ‘relieved to tick the box' after picking up first ODI five-for
Maharaj took 5/33, delivering a superb spell of spin bowling for the Proteas in the series opener against Australia. Nine years after making his international debut in Australia, spin bowler Keshav Maharaj felt he had come full circle after securing career-best ODI figures on Tuesday, leading South Africa to a crushing 98-run victory over Australia in Cairns. Maharaj, who played his first Test against Australia in Perth in November 2016, has since earned five-wicket and 10-wicket hauls in the longest format. His return of 5/33 on Tuesday, however, was his maiden 'five-for' in the ODI format. The experienced spinner produced a remarkable spell to take the match away from Australia, who were bowled out for 198 runs in the 41st over of their innings. This after the Proteas top order had combined well, with Aiden Markram (82 off 81), captain Temba Bavuma (65 off 74) and Matthew Breetzke (57 off 56) all contributing half-centuries as the SA team compiled 296/8 in their 50 overs. 'To see it come together is super special. I was very fortunate to get the rewards. I put the balls in the right area, but it's not often that happens (taking five wickets), so I'm very grateful and I'll take that performance,' said Maharaj, who was named Man of the Match. 'It (Australia) is the place where I came to debut, so it's a wonderful, sort of fitting and nostalgic feeling coming back here and getting my first fifer.' Still going strong Maharaj admitted he was relieved to finally achieve the milestone in his 49th ODI, with his performance indicating he was still improving at the age of 35. 'I'm not someone who bowls for five-fors. I'm a process driven person, so I judge myself on my consistency and my lengths,' he said. 'I think it was more of a sigh of relief to finally tick the box. You dream of playing international cricket, you dream of putting in match-winning performances, and the dreams keep building. 'To tick the box of getting a fifer will always be special but it's probably more a feeling of relief than anything else.' With South Africa having taken a 1-0 series lead, the second of three ODI matches will be contested in Mackay on Friday.
