Ibrahim Sabra forfait pour la Coupe du Monde 2026, coup dur pour la J…

Coup dur pour la Jordanie. La Fédération jordanienne a annoncé ce samedi le forfait de l’attaquant Ibrahim Sabra pour la Coupe du monde 2026.

Le joueur de 20 ans s’est déchiré les ligaments de la cheville gauche à l’entraînement. Une blessure qui met fin à son rêve de disputer le premier Mondial de l’histoire de la Jordanie.

Prêté la saison dernière au Lokomotiv Zagreb en Croatie par le club turc de Göztepe, Sabra devait apporter sa vitesse et sa percussion à l’attaque jordanienne. La Fédération n’a pas précisé s’il sera remplacé dans la liste finale. mchezo.life

Sellami privé de deux armes offensives

Ce forfait s’ajoute à celui de Yazan Al-Naimat, déjà victime d’une rupture des ligaments croisés lors de la Coupe arabe en décembre dernier. Un double coup dur pour le sélectionneur Jamal Sellami, contraint de revoir ses plans offensifs à quelques jours du tournoi. L’équipe devra trouver d’autres solutions pour compenser ces absences majeures.

Dernier test avant l’entrée en lice

La Jordanie disputera un ultime match de préparation face à la Colombie, dans la nuit du 8 juin à San Diego, avant de rejoindre son camp de base à Portland. Placée dans le groupe J avec l’Argentine, l’Algérie et l’Autriche, elle débutera le tournoi le 17 juin à Santa Clara face à l’Autriche. Sans Sabra, les Chabab Al-Ordon devront s’appuyer sur la solidarité du groupe pour espérer exister dans une poule relevée.

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South Africa’s top two schoolboy rugby teams will lock horns this weekend when Paarl Gimnasium host Paul Roos in what promises to be one of the biggest school rugby clashes of the 2026 season.

With both sides boasting identical records of 12 wins from 13 matches, Saturday’s encounter at the JA Kriel Field in Paarl could prove decisive in the race to establish the country’s leading first XV side.

READ | Updated SA schools rugby First XV rankings: Top 20

Dominated opponents

The two Western Cape giants have dominated opponents throughout the campaign, suffering just one defeat each.

Interestingly, both losses came at the hands of Stellenberg, who edged Paarl Gimnasium 20-19 earlier in the season before beating Paul Roos 20-10 in April.

Since then, neither side has tasted defeat.

Paul Roos head into the clash with impressive momentum after a commanding 68-3 victory over Bishops.

Their season has also featured notable wins over Affies, Garsfontein, Oakdale and Paarl Boys’ High.

The Stellenbosch outfit have combined attacking flair with defensive resilience, conceding 20 points or more in only three matches this year.

Stern examination

However, they will face a stern examination against a Paarl Gimnasium side that has been devastating on attack throughout the season.

The Gimmies have amassed an astonishing 645 points in 13 matches, averaging close to 50 points per game.

They have scored 40 points or more on 10 occasions and produced dominant victories against several traditional rugby powerhouses.

Among their standout performances were a 51-24 demolition of Affies in Pretoria, a 29-14 triumph over Grey College and last weekend’s emphatic 49-13 victory over Oakdale in Riversdale.

Excelled defensively

Like their rivals, Paarl Gimnasium have also excelled defensively, conceding 20 points or more only twice all season.

Recent history suggests little separates the two sides.

Paul Roos claimed a narrow 23-17 victory when the teams last met in Paarl in 2024, while Paarl Gimnasium responded with a 17-10 win in Stellenbosch last year.

With both teams in outstanding form and plenty at stake, Saturday’s clash has all the ingredients of a classic encounter between South Africa’s two premier rugby schools.

Kick-off is at 14:00 and the match will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Worth noting, Paul Roos have produced the most Springboks (56) by any school in South Africa, with Paarl Gimnasium in joint fourth place with 32.

Don’t be surprised in a number of players from both sides go on to don the green and gold jersey.

WEEKEND SCHOOLBOY RUGBY FIXTURES

WESTERN CAPE
Boland Landbou vs Paarl Boys’ High
Paarl Gimnasium vs Paul Roos
Rondebosch vs Milnerton
Stellenberg vs Bishops
Wynberg vs Bellville

EASTERN CAPE
Port Rex vs Queens
Kingswood vs Westering
Hudson Park vs Dale
Selborne vs St Andrews
Graeme vs Stirling
Daniel Pienaar vs Pearson

KWAZULU-NATAL
Kearnsey vs Maritzburg College
Westville vs Michaelhouse
Hilton vs Northwood

NOORDVAAL
EG Jansen vs Middelburg
Noordheuwel vs Rustenburg
Monument vs Garsfontein
Pretoria Boys vs Jeppe
Northcliff vs St Albans
St John’s vs St Benedict’s

Bafana Bafana will play their final preparation match ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 against Jamaica on Saturday, 6 June.

The friendly will be played behind closed doors at the Hidalgo Stadium in Pachuca, where the South African squad is currently based for its World Cup preparations.

Pachuca is situated approximately 90km northeast of Mexico City, with the high-altitude location expected to help the team acclimatise ahead of the tournament.

Kick-off is scheduled for 23:00 (South African time) and will not be broadcast on television.

One final opportunity

The match will provide coach Hugo Broos with a final opportunity to assess his squad before the start of the global showpiece.

Jamaica, known as the Reggae Boyz, are currently ranked 71st in the world, offering a stronger test than Nicaragua, whom South Africa faced in their previous warm-up fixture.

Nicaragua are ranked 131st, while Bafana Bafana sit 60th in the latest FIFA rankings.

Jamaica did not qualify for this year’s World Cup.

Opening match against Mexico

The friendly comes just days before South Africa begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign.

Bafana Bafana will open Group A against co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City on Thursday, 11 June at 21:00 (SA time).

With the tournament fast approaching, the clash against Jamaica represents the final chance for Broos and his players to fine-tune their preparations before taking on the hosts in one of the most anticipated matches in South African football history.

READ | Bafana Bafana banned from wearing green kit at FIFA World Cup 2026

Bafana Bafana’s Group A FIFA World Cup 2026 fixtures

• Thursday, 11 June: Mexico vs South Africa, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City – 21:00 (SA time)
• Thursday, 18 June: Czech Republic vs South Africa, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – 18:00 (SA time)
• Thursday, 25 June: South Africa vs South Korea, Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe – 03:00 (SA time)

DIARISE | Full FIFA World Cup 2026 calendar: All 104 games and dates

British soccer legend Sir David Beckham is about to be honoured with the star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

This will be the 2,849th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and will be located at 6819 Hollywood Boulevard.

Beckham’s star will be in the category of Sports Entertainment. On hand to witness the moment will be actor Tom Cruise and Beckham’s wife, Victoria Beckham.

According to walkoffame.com, Beckham was the first English football player to win league titles in four countries: England, Spain, the United States, and France.

Over a 20-years career, Beckham played with some of the most successful clubs in the world: Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, LA Galaxy, Paris Saint-Germain, aa well as England’s national team.

In 2019 Beckham founded the content studio, Studio 99, which does both editorial and commercial production, and specialises in developing and producing premium documentary features, series, and formats for global platforms and networks, reports walkoffame.com.

“The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome David Beckham to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. David Beckham’s recognition with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in the Sports Entertainment category comes at a fitting moment as the United States prepares to host the FIFA World Cup. Beckham’s role in elevating soccer’s profile in America and his lasting influence on sports, entertainment, and global culture make this honor especially meaningful,” stated Ana Martinez, Walk of Fame producer.

When the Vodacom Bulls’ Marcell Coetzee asked John Whittaker how he was doing this week, Whittaker’s eyes started to fill with tears. For the proud Scotsman, this Vodacom Bulls team has been a literal lifesaver for him in his battle with cancer.

Since the South African teams entered the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, Whittaker has served as the Liaison Officer for the Vodacom Bulls whenever they come to Edinburgh – including this week as they prepare for their semi-final against the Glasgow Warriors at Murrayfield on Saturday.

But last year he was given a cancer diagnosis that took him away from his beloved game, and some of the players he’s developed friendships with.

“I was diagnosed with cancer last year and the treatment was pretty brutal. I was isolated for six months. It was a big deal for me. The mental picture for me was difficult. I think every cancer sufferer has the same kind of thing that goes on in their heads,” says Whittaker.

“The team found out about it. When the treatment finished and the boys came over to play the Glasgow Warriors last October, I thought it was a great opportunity to go and see them and catch up. That day meant a huge amount to me. The positivity within this group is just immense. Every player I spoke to just kept telling me to be positive. That was the message – keep being you, John. I felt a part of something again. I’d been so isolated. But that day in Glasgow with this team was a big switch for me. It gave me confidence to be around people again. Just being around people who are positive and physically active and want to be the best really helped.”

In his role as a rugby liaison officer for visiting teams to Edinburgh, Whittaker has worked with several big club and international teams over the years. But he points out a distinct difference with the Vodacom Bulls.

“I think they seem like a family. Everyone cares for everyone. I’ve been around lots of teams, but this team are just good human beings who care for each other. You look at people like Embrose Papier, an absolute star of the game and he’s just so down-to-earth. Or Marcell Coetzee, who always has a smile on his face. Or Handré Pollard, a Rugby World Cup winner, and he’s just such a good person. Nizaam Carr spent so much time talking to me and sharing with me after my treatment. Kurt-Lee Arendse is also such a nice guy. They’re just so human, and you see that across this whole team.”

So that leaves the big question – who will Whittaker be supporting at Murrayfield this Saturday?

“You know, as a Scotsman I would like the Glasgow Warriors to win,” he says. And then he becomes emotional again.

“But it’s also always nice when your friends win.”

Issued By Michael Vlismas Media

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