Proteas taking ‘confidence and momentum’ into Test series against Aus…

Having opened their home tour with a win, the Proteas are in a good space heading into the highly anticipated Test series against Australia, according to national captain Temba Bavuma.

Though they lost the third and final one-day international (ODI) against the Australians in Potchefstroom on Wednesday, the SA team had won the first two games in Durban and Johannesburg last week, earning a 2-1 series victory.

A number of players stood up during the limited overs series, with specialist batters Bavuma, David Miller and Matthew Breetzke all scoring centuries, while Ryan Rickelton and Marco Jansen hit half-centuries. sport-tr.bet

With the ball, spinner Keshav Maharaj (the Player of the Series) and seamer Corbin Bosch were the standout performers, with both players grabbing four-wicket hauls in standout performances, while Maharaj, Bosch, Lizaad Williams and Bjorn Fortuin all took at least five wickets in the series.

“Certain batters spent time at the crease and bowlers got overs under their belt, so I think there is confidence and momentum we can take from this ODI series, and we’re happy with how we progressed over the last week or so,” Bavuma said.

Switching focus to Tests

Looking ahead to the three-match Test series starting next week, Bavuma said the players understood the historic rivalry between South Africa and Australia, which was last on show when the Proteas won the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s last year. He also acknowledged the importance of this series as part of the new WTC cycle.

The hosts were focused, however, on taking it one game and one day at a time.

“In terms of where we would like to be as a team, for us to get there we have to overcome this challenge against Australia. We have the advantage that it’s at home, and we’re going to have to use that advantage,” the skipper said.

“We know the bigger picture but that’s at the back of our minds. In front of us now is how we’re going to put our best foot forward come that first day in Durban.”

The Proteas Test squad will get together for a camp on Friday to prepare for the first match of the series at Kingsmead starting next Friday.

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has let slip where his team will face the Springboks in two Tests in New Zealand next year.

Speaking to Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking Breakfast, Rennie revealed that the world champions are scheduled to visit Auckland and Christchurch in July 2027 as part of the Rugby Championship.

The fixtures have yet to be announced by NZ Rugby.

“We play each other twice in July, straight after the Super Rugby final, like two weeks after that final,” Rennie said. “We play them in Auckland and Christchurch.”

ALSO: Boks to tackle Wallabies in 100th Test

The Springboks faced the All Blacks at Eden Park last year, suffering a 24-17 defeat.

A Christchurch Test would be the Boks’ first in the city since 2016 and their first appearance at One NZ Stadium (Te Kaha).

The two matches could serve as a preview of a potential World Cup quarter-final between the world’s top two-ranked teams in Australia later in 2027.

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“We’re going to play them a lot leading into the World Cup and I think their side may look a tad different, but I think the nucleus will be the same and how they play the game, I think it’ll still be pretty similar,” Rennie said.

“And [we’re] likely to meet in a quarter-final if both teams win their pool, which is odd, but the way it is.”

FREE DIGI-MAG: Boks’ greatness grows

Photo: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters

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La Grèce accueille les Pays-Bas ce jeudi 1er octobre 2026 à 19h45, pour la troisième journée de la Ligue des Nations. Un rendez-vous particulièrement important dans le groupe A2, puisque les deux sélections occupent les deux premières places du classement.

La Grèce aborde cette rencontre en leader avec six points, après deux victoires lors des deux premières journées. Les Grecs ont notamment battu la Serbie (2-1) avant de s’imposer face à l’Allemagne (1-0). Avec trois buts marqués et un seul encaissé, ils ont parfaitement lancé leur campagne.

Les Pays-Bas comptent de leur côté quatre points. Après un match nul contre l’Allemagne (1-1), les Néerlandais ont décroché leur première victoire face à la Serbie (2-1). Ils restent donc au contact du leader avant ce déplacement en Grèce.

Les Pays-Bas peuvent prendre la tête

L’enjeu est clair pour les visiteurs. En cas de victoire, les Pays-Bas atteindraient sept points et dépasseraient ainsi la Grèce au classement. Les Néerlandais prendraient alors les commandes du groupe A2.

La Grèce, elle, cherchera à conserver son fauteuil de leader et à creuser l’écart avec son principal poursuivant. Un succès permettrait aux Grecs de compter neuf points après trois journées.

Cette affiche constitue donc un véritable duel pour la première place. Après cette rencontre, la Grèce retrouvera l’Allemagne le 4 octobre, tandis que les Pays-Bas recevront la Serbie le même jour.

The post Grèce – Pays-Bas : la première place du groupe en jeu appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

EMBU, Kenya, Oct 1 – Sixteen teams will square it out for the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Eastern region supremacy, with eight boys and eight girls teams battling for titles and a ticket to the national finals.

The three-day tournament, running from Friday to Sunday, will bring together teams from the region’s eight counties.

The quarterfinals will kick off on Friday across four venues: Nembure Grounds, Kamiu Grounds, Embu Showgrounds, and the University of Embu Grounds.

The action will then move to the semi-finals on Saturday, before the two category finals take place on Sunday at Moi Stadium, Embu, where the Eastern Region champions will be crowned.

In the girls’ category, defending regional champions Syomunyu Queens from Kitui will begin their title defence against hosts Royal Queens Academy from Embu at the University of Embu Grounds, with kick-off scheduled for 9:00 a.m.

Syomunyu Queens head coach Amos Mulwa said his side is prepared for the challenge ahead, acknowledging the increased pressure that comes with being the defending champions.

“First, I want to congratulate my girls for making it to this stage. The competition has been fierce, with every team fighting for a place in the regionals. We are here to defend our title, and while we expect a tough challenge, we are ready for it,” Mulwa said.

Every team wants to beat the defending champions, but our opponents should know that it will not be a walk in the park. We are determined to retain our crown, and our focus is to stick to our playing system, take each match as it comes, and fight to the very end,” added Mulwa.

The other girls’ quarter-finals will see Dakabaricha from Marsabit take on Bridge Starlets from Isiolo at Embu Showgrounds, while Meru’s Akuune Queens face MCF Starlets from Machakos at Nembure Grounds. At Kamiu Grounds, AIC Sultan Queens from Makueni will face Mugona Girls from Tharaka-Nithi.

The boys’ quarterfinals will follow at 11:00 a.m., with the region’s emerging football talent also seeking a place in the last four.

Meru’s Makinduri Rockstars will face SMPI Academy from Kitui at Embu Showgrounds, while MAFA Academy from Isiolo will take on Kajiunduthi High School from Tharaka-Nithi at Kamiu Grounds.

At Nembure Grounds, hosts Black Cats Football Academy will face Mbuthani Secondary School from Makueni, while Golden Football Academy from Machakos will take on Abdary FC from Marsabit at the University of Embu Grounds.

For Black Cats Football Academy head coach Sammy Githinji, playing on home ground provides added motivation as the team seeks to secure the regional title.

“It is exciting to reach this stage. Safaricom Chapa Dimba is highly competitive, and every team dreams of making it to the regional finals, if not the nationals. There is pressure that comes with playing at home, but we are prepared for the task ahead. Our goal is to compete for the regional title and ensure the trophy stays in Embu,” said Githinji.

Beyond the pitch, players and coaches will participate in development clinics later in the afternoon, covering areas including financial literacy, data privacy, mental health, and AI-powered vests.

The quarter-final winners will advance to Saturday’s semi-finals, with the successful teams progressing to Sunday’s finals at Moi Stadium.

The boys’ and girls’ regional champions will each pocket Sh250,000 and earn the opportunity to represent the Eastern Region at the Safaricom Chapa Dimba National Finals scheduled for early next year. The runners-up in both categories will each receive Sh150,000.

Individual awards will also be contested, with the Best Goalkeeper and Top Scorer in each category each receiving Sh30,000.

The Most Valuable Player (MVP) will also receive Sh30,000, alongside a fully funded tertiary education scholarship under the Safaricom Citizens of the Future Programme.

The Eastern Region tournament continues to provide a competitive platform for young footballers to showcase their talent, with 382 teams registering for this season’s campaign.

The registrations comprised 272 boys’ teams and 110 girls’ teams, highlighting the growing participation in grassroots football across the region.

Meru recorded the highest number of registrations with 81 teams, followed by Machakos with 79.

Marsabit registered 51 teams, Isiolo 50, Kitui 47, Makueni 35, Tharaka-Nithi 21, and Embu 18.