Author: Lehlohonolo Scheepers

The 2026 Nedbank Cup has delivered one of its most unpredictable editions in recent memory and this weekend’s semi finals promise more of the same. With traditional giants already eliminated, the tournament has opened the door for a fresh story to be written in South African football. For the four remaining teams, this is more than just a shot at silverware. It is a rare opportunity to make history, secure continental football and redefine their status in the local game. A tournament without the usual heavyweights One of the defining features of this year’s competition has been the absence of…

A friendly with real stakes South Africa’s national team, Bafana Bafana, suffered a 2–1 defeat to Panama national football team on 31 March 2026 in a match that carried far more weight than a typical international friendly. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, this encounter offered head coach Hugo Broos another opportunity to assess his squad under pressure. Played in front of an engaged home crowd, the match followed a 1–1 draw between the same teams just days earlier. That context added a competitive edge, turning what might have been a routine friendly into a revealing test…

South Africa’s franchises produced a statement round in the United Rugby Championship, completing a clean sweep of home victories that has reshaped the play off picture and strengthened their collective push toward the business end of the season. Across Durban, Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town, the Sharks, Bulls, Lions and Stormers all delivered wins that could prove decisive in the coming weeks. The results not only underline the strength of South African rugby at home but also highlight how tightly contested the standings remain. With just a handful of rounds left before the knock out phase, every point has become…

South Africa’s national team, Bafana Bafana, were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against the Panama national football team in an international friendly played at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium on 27 March 2026. The match formed part of preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures, with head coach Hugo Broos using the encounter to assess combinations, test squad depth and sharpen match fitness. While the result may not have been decisive, the performance offered valuable insights into where the team currently stands. Slow start punished by Panama Bafana began the match with intent but struggled to impose themselves in the…

Springbok supporters now have clarity on what it will cost to watch the world champions in action this July, with SA Rugby confirming ticket prices for the mid year Tests. The reigning world champions, the South Africa national rugby union team, will host three northern hemisphere opponents as part of the inaugural Nations Championship. The fixtures will take place across Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban, each offering a different entry price for fans. The headline match sees South Africa face England national rugby union team in Johannesburg, with ticket prices starting from R450. The game will be played at Ellis Park…

The PSL goes dark for a week. From 23 March-2 April, the Betway Premiership pauses for the FIFA international break, giving players a rest and fans an opportunity to step back and look at the title race with fresh eyes. It is a pause that arrives at a genuinely fascinating moment: Orlando Pirates head into the break at the summit of the Betway Premiership on 51 points one ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns on 50 after their stunning 6-0 demolition of TS Galaxy on Sunday, capped by Relebohile Mofokeng’s hat-trick. Not for the first time this season, Pirates are top. The…

The SA Cup does not always get the national spotlight it deserves. It sits below the URC and Currie Cup Premier Division in the broadcasting hierarchy, and the clubs that compete in it are often described somewhat unfairly as “second tier.” But for the players involved and the communities that follow them, the SA Cup is deeply meaningful. And in 2026, the competition has thrown up a storyline worth paying attention to: Griquas and the Boland Kavaliers, two sides with proud provincial histories, have been unbeaten through the opening three rounds and are setting the early pace as the battle…

There are moments in South African football that feel genuinely historic, and 27 March 2026 at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban is one of them. Bafana Bafana take the field against Panama in their first FIFA World Cup preparation friendly ahead of the USA/Canada/Mexico tournament this summer: South Africa’s first World Cup since they co-hosted in 2010, and their first as a qualifier since 2002. Hugo Broos has spent three years building a squad capable of competing on the global stage, and the squad he has named for these two friendlies tells you exactly how seriously this preparation is being…

South Africa’s men’s team delivered a composed and clinical performance to defeat New Zealand by 33 runs in the fifth and final T20I in Christchurch on Wednesday, sealing a 3–2 series victory and underlining their growing confidence in overseas conditions. In a series that ebbed and flowed from the opening match, the Proteas saved their most complete display for the decider. With the series level at 2–2 heading into the final game, the stakes were clear: one strong performance would decide the contest. South Africa responded with both bat and ball, producing a performance that combined attacking intent with tactical…

The Sharks remain one of South African rugby’s most compelling teams a franchise built on star power, physicality and a proud Durban identity. Based at Kings Park Stadium, they carry the expectations of a region that has produced some of the country’s finest players, and in recent years, they have assembled a squad capable of competing with the best in both domestic and international competitions. Yet, for all their talent, the Sharks are a team still searching for sustained consistency. A Franchise Built on Heritage The Sharks’ roots stretch back to the Natal Rugby Union, one of South Africa’s most…