Gary Lemke looks back at a jam-packed sporting weekend as an experimental Springbok side blew away the Barbarians, while three newcomers shone for the Proteas on Test debut.
IN THE UK, IT WOULD BE ARISE SIR RASSIE
The final margin was a record 47 points – we thought the online spread of 13 was far too skinny – as an experimental Springboks blew away the Barbarians 54-7 (eight tries to one) at a cold and wet Cape Town Stadium.
The match proved nothing except confirming the unmatchable depth that exists at the top level of South African rugby. And no Bok game would be complete without Rassie Erasmus pulling another rabbit out of the hat.
This time it was sending on burly centre Andre Esterhuizen as part of the Bomb Squad, packing him down on the flank. “I guess it’s out there now,” Erasmus said afterwards of the experiment. In the UK, they have an honours system whereby the King gave former England football coach Gareth Southgate a Knighthood for reaching two Euro finals. Imagine if Rassie was British!
YOUNG PROTEAS BLOSSOM ON TEST DEBUTS
The strength of South African cricket was also on show in Bulawayo as the Proteas powered into a commanding position after two days of their Test against Zimbabwe. Lhuan-dre Pretorius became the youngest Protea to hit a Test century (19 years 94 days) and the youngest player to score 150 in Test cricket.
Corbin Bosch, batting at No8, has scored 81no, 0 and now 100no in three knocks, while Dewald Brewis broke the record for fastest 50 on Test debut (41 balls). Going into day three, the Proteas led by 215 runs with nine second innings wickets standing. Codi Yusuf was also making his Test debut and opened the bowling, taking 3-42.
Those hecklers at the back might be saying, “It’s only Zimbabwe”. Perhaps, but you fancy that these players will score runs and take wickets against far stronger opposition going forward.
ANOTHER MCLAREN ‘EXACTA’ AS NORRIS WINS IN AUSTRIA
For the opening 20 laps at the Red Bull Ring, before their first pit stop, McLaren let their young guns Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri race one another, which deserves credit in an era where teams protect their “No1 driver”.
Kudos to McLaren and to their drivers who also finished 1-2, for “going for it”. The challenge from Max Verstappen didn’t materialise, with the world champion taken out on the first lap by Kimi Antonelli in his Mercedes.
The Austrian circuit is a home from home for Verstappen and his Red Bull, but the large crowd hardly got to see him. Charles Leclerc outstayed his Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton for the final podium spot.
Norris closed the gap on his teammate Piastri to 15 points as the caravan heads to Silverstone, where there’s no reason to suggest the pecking order will change.
THUNDERBOLTS AND LIGHTNING, CHELSEA STRIKE FOUR
After 88 minutes, Chelsea were leading Benfica 1-0 in their FIFA Club World Cup Last 16 match in Charlotte. After four hours, they’d booked a quarter-final spot against Brazilian club Palmeiras.
Extreme weather warnings forced the players off the pitch with two minutes remaining, and when they eventually returned, Benfica scored to take the game into extra time.
Three goals gave Chelsea a flattering 4-1 win and into the quarter-finals, while a semi-final with Man City might await. On the other half of the draw, things are set up for PSG to meet Bayern in the semi-finals after both won through to the quarters.
TOPURIA’S POWER SETS UP PIMBLETT SHOWDOWN
The explosive right hand that detonated on the chin of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 resulted in one of the most chilling knockouts we’ve seen in recent times. The Brazilian legend was asleep even before Ilia Topuria’s follow-up left hand landed to end the contest after just 2min 27sec.
Topuria became the new UFC lightweight champion, having moved up from featherweight. It’s clear that he brought the power that took his record to 17-0 with him.
Next to taste it could be Liverpool toughie Paddy Pimblett, who got involved in a spat with the champion in the octagon afterwards. Meanwhile, the flyweight belt remains wrapped around Alexandre Panooja’s waist after his third-round choke of Kai Kara-France.
PAUL TAKES BOXING FURTHER DOWN THE TUBES
Around the same time that Ilia Topuria was putting Charles Oliveira to sleep in Las Vegas, Jake Paul and Julio Cesar Chavez jnr were putting a pay-per-view audience to sleep in California, with the YouTuber winning a unanimous decision over the 10-round snorefest. Chavez, a 39-year-old former world champion, landed nine punches in the first five rounds.
He threw 28 jabs in the 10 rounds and landed eight. “It was flawless,” Paul said. “I think I only got hit 10 times. He just survived and thought I did great. Going 10 rounds against a former world champion who’s never been stopped. He’s in there with Canelo, all of these guys.” Pass the bucket.
ALSO WORTH A MENTION …
Aldrich Potgieter’s breakthrough on the PGA Tour came when he won the Rocket Classic in a three-way playoff …
There were suggestions Pool A would be tight, but the Baby Springboks opened their World Rugby U20 Championship campaign with a dominant 72-17 win over Australia, while England saw off Scotland 56-19 in the same group …
Marc Marquez strengthened his grip at the top of the MotoGP standings when winning in Assen, moving to 68 MotoGP wins, with his closest rival, brother Alex, fracturing his wrist in a crash. Brad Binder was 24 seconds behind in 11th and remains 13th overall …
The British & Irish Lions opened up their tour Down Under with a 54-7 win over the Western Force, unsurprising given the Perth-based franchise won four of their 14 games this Super Rugby season. Still, the Lions did what they had to do and remain favourites to win the Test series against the Wallabies.
