Not many people were that enamoured with a draw against Australia in the Rugby Championship last week, but it would surely be a result many would happily accept for this weekend’s Springbok clash in New Zealand.
Three away wins since the Springboks’ return to the world stage in 1994 is all they have to show for their efforts in New Zealand and to say they would be upsetting the odds if they conjured up a fourth victory is an understatement.
Yet the Boks, despite some costly errors against the Wallabies, are much stronger mentally than a year ago and they would love to put one across the old enemy on Saturday (SS1, 8.30am). But they will need a committed effort for the entire 80 minutes to have chance of handing the All Blacks their second defeat this year.
The Wallabies and the Pumas will be seeking their first wins in the tournament this year and you would expect the home side to prevail in Canberra.
Having had their eyes opened wide by the efficient play of the northern hemisphere teams, the Southern Kings and the Cheetahs will be banking on home advantage to help them stem the tide in the Guiness Pro14 on Saturday.
After two resounding away defeats, the Kings host Leinster (SS1, 2.10pm), while the Cheetahs will attempt to feast on Zebre in Bloemfontein (SS1, 7.15pm).
A couple of serious boxing bouts are on the cards for the weekend. In a junior flyweight title bout in the Philippines, Hekkie Budler faces Milan Melindo (SS9, 12pm on Saturday), while the big clash in the United States sees Gennady Golovkin clash with Mexican Saul Alvarez (SS2, 2am and 5am, Sunday).
This is a match-up which has fascinated boxing fans for the last two years and it should be a typically brutal showdown, with neither man prepared to give an inch.
African soccer takes centre stage for some SA teams, with SuperSport United facing Zesco United in the Confederation Cup on Friday (SS5 and SS9, 6.30pm), followed by Mamelodi Sundowns tackling Wydad Casablanca in the higher-level Champions League on Sunday (SS10, 2.45pm).
India and Australia should have an intriguing one-day series, starting on Sunday (SS2, 9.45am), while Lewis Hamilton, three points ahead of Sebastian Vettel, will be looking to put more distance between himself and the chasing pack in the Singapore Formula One showdown on Sunday (SS6, 12.30pm).
