This Afternoon’s Sport Highlights
- Rugby: The Springboks have named their side for England at Ellis Park, with altitude, squad tweaks and young talent all in focus.
- Football/Soccer: France meet Sweden and Norway face Ivory Coast tonight as the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 continues.
- Rugby: Damian de Allende is closing in on 100 Springbok caps while still chasing global honours and another World Cup.
Rugby: Springboks name team for England at Ellis Park
The Springboks have been named for Saturday’s Test against England at Ellis Park, with Rassie Erasmus stressing the challenge of history, altitude and the intimidating Johannesburg atmosphere after he pointed to history and altitude ahead of the clash.
The buildup has also centred on selection opportunities, with Erasmus keen to use the match to test depth and give fresh combinations room to grow after outlining plans to wants three young Boks to shine on a big stage.
The wider group has shifted this week too, with the national setup confirming an confirmed an updated Bok squad after one injury setback and a couple of fresh additions.
There was more reinforcement in the loose trio when the Boks call up loose forward cover, while the return of familiar options has added extra competition for places in the match-day environment.
Football/Soccer: France, Norway and Ivory Coast in knockout spotlight
Tonight’s FIFA World Cup Round of 32 programme brings two eye-catching fixtures, with fans tracking France and Ivory Coast headline Round of 32 action on 30 June. For South African supporters, DStv’s SuperSport channels are carrying tonight’s matches live, and Bafana Bafana’s own early exit from the tournament means local fans will be watching with a neutral — but keen — eye as African contenders Ivory Coast carry the continent’s hopes forward.
France look dangerous going forward and their left side could be decisive, with pre-match analysis suggesting France’s firepower threatens Sweden as Les Bleus chase a place in the next round.
The later clash carries a different storyline, with Erling Haaland the main attraction before Norway meet Ivory Coast in a fixture where Haaland holds centre stage but the Ivorians remain confident of upsetting the script.
Rugby: Damian de Allende eyes 100 Bok caps
Damian de Allende is closing in on his 100th Test cap and heads into England week driven by bigger goals, with the midfielder revealing he wants to be the world’s best and add another Rugby World Cup to his collection. SA Rugby Magazine has also tracked the looming milestone as one of the season’s standout personal storylines.
The veteran centre remains one of the most important figures in the Bok backline, and his consistency has kept him central to plans even as younger players push through around him.
If selected through the coming Tests, De Allende’s march to a century will become one of the standout personal subplots of the season, adding extra intrigue to an already charged series against England.
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