Sports

WWC: South Africa stun Italy to reach round of 16

Published

4 months ago

August 2, 2023

The Banyana Banyana of South Africa surprised the football world after a stunning 3-2 defeat of Italy to join Nigeria in the round of 16 at the ongoing Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The South African ladies claimed their victory over Italy in the thrilling match played in Wellington on Wednesday, with star player, Thembi Kgatlana’s 92nd-minute winner making the difference after Italy fought back to level with an Arianna Caruso header.

South Africa will now play the Netherlands who won Group E on Sunday.

The Coach Desiree Ellis tortured-side went into their last group match needing a win after earning a first World Cup point in their 2-2 draw with Argentina, and showed a significant progress from their debut appearance at the tournament in 2019 when they lost all three group matches.

Italy got the first goal through a Caruso penalty after Karabo Dhlamini hauled down Chiara Beccari, but the South Africans quickly got back on level terms as Italian defender Benedetta Orsi scored an own goal past keeper Francesca Durante.

The South African girls got into their groove when woman of the match Kgatlana slipped a clever ball through the Italy defence to put Hildah Magaia through on goal and she lifted it over Durante.

Italy got an equaliser after Caruso scored from a corner but Magaia had the last laugh when she slotted in the winner from a Kgatlana inch-perfect pass.

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Sports

South Africa to host Ireland in Rugby Two-Test summer tour

Published

18 hours ago

December 9, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Current Rubgy World Cup champions, South Africa, will host Ireland, in a two-Test series in July, 2024, which will be Ireland’s first trip to the nation in eight years.

Ireland was the only country to defeat South Africa as they went on to win the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France in October.

South African Rugby Federation which made the announcement on Friday, said the two countries will first meet on Saturday, July 6, in Pretoria, with the second Test in Durban on 13 July.

When the two sides first met on South African soil in 2016, the Springboks came out victorious, edging the Three-Test series 2-1.

In the first test in the 2016 series, Ireland won 26-20 in Cape Town, before losing the next two games, 32-26 in Johannesburg and 19-13 in Port Elizabeth.

Apart from the Ireland games, SA Rugby also confirmed that the team will face Portugal on 20 July at a venue yet to be announced.

South Africa will also host New Zealand, who they beat in the World Cup final, in Johannesburg on 31 August and Cape Town on 7 September as part of the Rugby Championship before concluding their home schedule against Argentina on 28 September, the Federation said.

Sports

Zimbabwe seals last gasp winner over Ireland in T20 Series opener

Published

2 days ago

December 8, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Host, Zimbabwe, started its 2023 T20 Series on a winning note after rallying back to defeat Ireland from 88-7 to 106-7 in their pursuit of an 118 to end the tie for victory, with the home side requiring 12 runs from as many deliveries at that point.

In the thrilling game played in Harare on Thursday, Ireland’s fightback was not enough as they fell just short as Zimbabwe sealed a last-ball win in the series opener.

Ireland had earlier taken control of the game and posted 147-8 while the hosts needed nine runs from their final over, winning it with two from Blessing Muzarabani off the last delivery.

Captain Sikandar Raza who was voted man of the match, took three wickets and scored 65 to lead their run chase.

Raza was supported with the bat by Wesley Madhevere, who scored 25, with wicketkeeper Clive Madande hitting 20.

Two further T20 contests between the sides will take place at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday and Sunday before three one-day games at the same venue on 13, 15 and 17 December.