English
Indian
العربية
Español
Deutsch
Türkçe
Русский
Français (Afrique)
Springboks restore order in Cape Town thriller
In a match of Springboks heroes, Malcolm Marx, Ethan Hooker, Cheslin Kolbe, Siya Kolisi and Deon Fourie were particularly special in the 33-26 win against the All Blacks in Cape Town. h-doctor.club
Rugby order was restored in South Africa as the Springboks responded to their Ellis Park defeat with a dramatic 33-26 win against the All Blacks in Cape Town.
The victory levelled the four-Test series at one-all, with one match remaining in South Africa before the rivalry moves to Baltimore in the United States. For the Boks, this was their most important Test since beating the All Blacks in the 2023 World Cup final in Paris.
The pressure was immense after the All Blacks dismantled South Africa in the final quarter at Ellis Park. Siya Kolisi’s team responded within two minutes, scoring seven points and establishing the momentum that carried them through the contest.
The Boks led 24-14 at halftime, stretched their advantage to 30-14 and entered the final quarter 33-19 ahead. But the All Blacks refused to go away. They scored four tries to South Africa’s three and spent the final two minutes attacking for the converted try that would have levelled the scores.
All Blacks captain Ardie Savea acknowledged the significance of South Africa’s opening assault.
“You can’t give the Springboks that kind of start and a big lead,” said Savea.
Cheslin Kolbe was the standout performer. Initially excluded from the match 23 because of injury concerns, Kolbe was a late addition to the starting team and responded with a Player of the Match performance. He converted all seven of his kicks, defended fearlessly and was a constant attacking threat.
Rassie Erasmus also made the extraordinary decision to replace his entire front row before kick-off. The gamble paid off, with the remarkable Deon Fourie starting at hooker three weeks short of his 40th birthday and lasting 35 minutes. Malcolm Marx then made a telling contribution from the bench, winning two crucial breakdown penalties.
The biggest change from Ellis Park was South Africa’s efficiency inside the All Blacks’ 22. The Boks were more disciplined, more decisive and far more accurate when their opportunities arrived.
Kolisi led with conviction, Ethan Hooker dominated in the air, Eben Etzebeth produced a performance of sustained intensity and Pieter-Steph du Toit marked his 100th Test with another immense contribution.
The Boks restored parity in the series, but the quality and attacking ambition of Dave Rennie’s improving All Blacks confirmed that this rivalry is only getting started.
Read Mark Keohane’s full Sunday Times match report for his complete analysis of the Cape Town Test.
Sundowns survive Arrows scare to set up dream MTN8 final against Pirates
Mamelodi Sundowns survived a late scare to beat Golden Arrows 3-2 at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday afternoon and book a blockbuster MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates.
The Brazilians overturned a 1-0 first-leg deficit thanks to goals from Cassius Mailula, Marcelo Allende and Antonio van Wyk. The two-legged semi-final ended 3-3 on aggregate, but Sundowns progressed on the away-goals rule.
Abafana Besthende were largely content to sit back and protect their aggregate advantage, but their approach came under increasing pressure as Sundowns controlled the tempo.
The visitors started on the front foot, showing plenty of urgency as they looked to overturn the deficit. They dominated possession and created several openings, but were unable to find the breakthrough during the opening half-hour.
That all changed in the 31st minute as Mailula showed composure inside the box, placing his effort beyond the reach of Arrows goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa after some excellent interplay with Allende.
Sundowns thought they had extended their lead four minutes into the second half when Khulumani Ndamane found the back of the net with his chest from Fawaaz Basadien’s cross.
However, referee Luxolo Badi ruled out the goal for handball after consulting his assistant, sparking controversy. Against the run of play, Arrows got their equaliser in the 70th minute. Junior Dion tapped home at the far post from Ronaldo Van Neel’s low cross to make it 1-1 on the day and restore Arrows’ aggregate advantage.
Dion was on target for the third consecutive match across all competitions, having also scored the winner in the first leg. Sundowns responded almost immediately. Eight minutes after Dion’s goal, Allende drilled a powerful effort past Mbanjwa to restore Sundowns’ lead and put them ahead on the away-goals rule.
Cardoso then turned to his bench, and Van Wyk made an instant impact. The substitute’s effort bounced awkwardly in front of Mbanjwa and found the back of the net with four minutes remaining to put Sundowns 3-1 ahead on the day.
Arrows refused to surrender as Philani Khumalo struck in stoppage time to make it 3-2 and set up a nervy finale. However, Sundowns held their nerve to secure a place in the MTN8 final, where they will face Pirates in a mouth-watering battle for the trophy.
Mamelodi Sundowns set up MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates
Mamelodi Sundowns were made to sweat but booked a place in the 2026 MTN8 final with a 3-2 victory over Lamontville Golden Arrows in Durban on Sunday, setting up a decider against Orlando Pirates on October 10.
It is the dream final for the sponsors as Sundowns sealed their place on the away goals rule as the tie finished 3-3 on aggregate.
Here are the talking points from the match.
What. A. Goal
Sundowns levelled the tie just past the half-hour mark with a goal of exquisite beauty.
It was superb one-touch play between goalscorer Cassius Mailula and Marcelo Allende that set up the former to pass the ball into the back of the net and score his fourth goal in seven appearances (four starts) since his return to Chloorkop.
He is such a calm finisher. While others might have tried to blast the ball, Mailula simply picked his spot and coolly placed it there.
Arrows finally concede
The goal was the first Golden Arrows have conceded in almost 1,000 minutes of football, or more than 16 hours.
The last player to score against them was AmaZulu’s Sandile Mthethwa in a 1-1 draw back on May 6.
It had been nine clean sheets in a row since, a remarkable show of consistency at the back, and it took a truly extraordinary goal to finally break through.
Goal disallowed
Sundowns were perhaps unfortunate not to go 2-0 up when Khulumani Ndamane appeared to steer the ball over the line with his chest.
Referee Luxolo Badi and his officials decided it was handball, but replays did not back that up and The Brazilians could feel aggrieved.
Ndamane was incensed and received a booking for his protests, but you could understand his disappointment. VAR anyone?
Red card … or not
Sundowns looked as though they were reduced to 10 men when defender Grant Kekana was shown a red card by referee Badi, who thought he had already been booked.
Badi showed the Sundowns man a yellow for a tackle and then flashed a red, thinking it was a second booking, but soon afterwards realised his mistake.
He rescinded the red and Kekana stayed on the pitch.
Dion scores again
Soon after that drama, Arrows were level on the day and ahead in the tie when Sede Dion scored.
He was fed from the right by Ronaldo Van Neel and fired into the net from five yards, though his rising shot went in off the underside of the crossbar. It was close to a huge miss.
It was a third goal in as many games for the Ivorian, who was last year’s Betway Premiership Golden Boot winner with 14 goals, having scored last weekend against Sundowns in the first leg and in midweek in the victory over Stellenbosch FC.
Allende on target
Sundowns needed a goal and their Chilean midfielder Allende provided it with 13 minutes remaining.
The ball broke to him in the box and he drilled it in from an angle for his first of the season to book Sundowns’ place in the final.
Allende probably should score more given his quality, but does tend to come up with important goals when Sundowns most need them.
Keeper howler
Sundowns added a third through new signing Antonio van Wyk but Golden Arrows keeper Thakasani Mbanjwa will take the blame.
Van Wyk’s shot from outside the box was just to his right but the ball bounced over his attempt to save and into the net.
It should have been a comfortable save, but in the end the incessant pressure from The Brazilians paid off.
Late drama
There was still late drama as Golden Arrows won possession 40 yards from goal and when Philani Kumalo was played in, he slipped the ball past Ronwen Williams in the visitors’ goal.
The Golden Arrows players celebrated the goal as if they had all day, as coach Pitso Dladla urged them to restart, still needing a goal.
It is as if they were not aware that away goals would decide the tie and not penalties with the scores level.
The post Mamelodi Sundowns set up MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates appeared first on SportsClub.
Robinson shines as England overpower Pakistan
Ollie Robinson led the way once more as England clinched a series win over Pakistan with a thumping 194-run win in the second Test at Lord’s on Sunday despite Saud Shakeel’s fine 97.
Pakistan were dismissed for 194, having been set an improbable victory target of 389, to give England an unbeatable 2-0 lead in a three-match series.
This was England’s first multi-match Test series win since a 2-1 success in New Zealand more than a year ago.
READ: Rabada injury puts Australia series in doubt
Robinson finished with figures of 4-24 in 14 overs following his sensational 4-11 in 13 during Pakistan’s meagre first-innings 110 all out.
The Sussex seamer produced a pair of double strikes Sunday either side of Shakeel and Shan Masood checking England’s progress with a fourth-wicket partnership of 97.
Robinson took two wickets in four balls to leave the tourists 7-2, before express quick Jofra Archer dismissed Pakistan captain Babar Azam.
But from the dire position of 14-3 before lunch, Shakeel and fellow left-hander Masood kept England at bay.
Robinson, however, had Masood lbw from around the wicket for a gritty 26 off 72 balls, although it needed a review to reverse umpire Allahuddien Paleker’s original not out decision.
And 111-4 became 115-5 when Mohammad Rizwan was lbw to Robinson carelessly slogging across the line.
AFRICA PICKS: Cricket tips and predictions
Shakeel, 78 not out at tea, went to 86 by hooking Tongue for six and, two balls later, another superb hook off another the fast bowler saw him into the 90s.
Shakeel pulled the fifth ball of the over to go to 96 only to hole out soon afterwards when he swung Tongue straight to Harry Brook at deep square leg.
A crestfalllen Shakeel received a standing ovation from MCC members in the pavilion as he walked back in after the end of a 122-ball innings also featuring 13 fours.
Pakistan were now 169-7, although they were effectively eight wickets down with Imam-ul-Haq still sidelined by the calf problem meaning he was unable to bat in Pakistan’s first innings.
Tongue then cemented his reputation for polishing off the tail by bowling Khurram Shahzad before ending the match when he had Mohammad Ali caught in the slips by Brook.
Pakistan had looked to Masood and Azan Awais to see off the new ball on a still seam-friendly pitch.
Awais, however, was lbw to Robinson and, three balls later, Abdullah Shafique was bowled for a duck by a superb delivery from the paceman that angled in and moved away late to hit off stump.
Archer’s brute of a bouncer then had Azam in a horrible flap, with the ball looping to Jordan Cox at second slip.
Earlier, Mohammad Abbas finally achieved a coveted place on the Lord’s honours boards with a return of 5-57 as England were dismissed for 208.
Cricketers who take at least five wickets in an innings or 10 in a match or score a century in a Test at Lord’s have their feats recorded on one of the honours boards in the home and away dressing rooms at the ’Home of Cricket’.
Abbas, 36, had come close before with a trio of four-wicket hauls, including his 4-73 in England’s first-innings 290 of this match.
OTD: Steyn sinks New Zealand at Centurion
But he went one better Sunday after starting the day with 3-48.
Dan Lawrence had added just four runs to his overnight 50 not out when he was bowled by Abbas before the veteran seamer had Robinson edging to wicket-keeper Rizwan, who held a fine catch standing up to the stumps.
An elated Abbas was mobbed by his team-mates before kissing the turf in celebration.
–AFP
Photo: Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs
The post Robinson shines as England overpower Pakistan appeared first on SA Cricket Mag.
Wakhu Claims PGK Equator Tour Title at Sigona
NAIROBI, Kenya, August 30, 2026 – David Wakhu produced an impressive performance to claim the seventh leg of the PGK Equator Tour at Sigona Golf Club, carding a four-round total of 15-under par 273 to beat a competitive field of 47 professionals.
The Golf Park player’s victory sees him move up to third place in the PGK Equator Tour Order of Merit standings with 3,110 points, strengthening his position in the race for valuable ranking points.
Veteran golfer Dismas Indiza finished runner-up after posting a total of 11-under par 277 while Safaricom-sponsored player Samuel Njoroge and Greg Snow shared third place on 3-under par 285.
Njoroge continues to lead the Order of Merit standings with 4,327 points, followed by Indiza on 3,490 points, while Snow is fourth with 3,015 points.
“I am very happy to take another win home after my victory at Ruiru. This victory gives me a lot of confidence as we head into the remaining legs of the tour. I have put a lot of work into my game, and I am glad it has paid off. I want to thank my team and everyone who has supported me. I hope to maintain this momentum for the rest of the season,” Wakhu said.
Njoroge Kibugu finished fifth on 289, followed by Isaiah Otuke on 291.
PGK’s first professional lady golfer, Naom Wafula, tied with Malik Taimur for seventh place on 292.
Daniel Nduva finished ninth on 293, while Mike Kisia rounded out the top 10 on 294.
With the seventh leg concluding at Sigona, attention now turns to the eighth leg of the PGK Equator Tour, which will be held at Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort in two weeks’ time.
The tour continues to provide professional golfers with an important platform to compete for valuable Order of Merit points as they battle for qualification opportunities for the 2027 Magical Kenya Open and the 2028 Olympic Games.