{"id":23010,"date":"2025-08-15T10:21:18","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T08:21:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=23010"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:02:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:02:11","slug":"whats-on-in-sport-this-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/whats-on-in-sport-this-weekend\/","title":{"rendered":"From Rugby to Cricket: What\u2019s on in Sport This Weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Sports lovers, get ready \u2013 this weekend is shaping up to be an unforgettable one. From the roar of Ellis Park to the high-octane pace of MotoGP, South Africans will have no shortage of action to keep them glued to their screens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-springboks-kick-off-rugby-championship-campaign\">Springboks Kick Off Rugby Championship Campaign<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The country\u2019s beloved Springboks begin their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/springboks-eye-historic-back-to-back-rugby-championship-wins\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rugby Championship<\/a> defence on Saturday, facing old rivals Australia at Ellis Park. It\u2019s a clash loaded with anticipation, as Rassie Erasmus\u2019 men aim to make a strong statement in their opening fixture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Injuries to Cheslin Kolbe and Damian de Allende, along with Jasper Wiese\u2019s suspension, have forced Erasmus into some surprise changes. However, with Siya Kolisi captaining from eighthman for the first time, the Boks remain a formidable unit. Expect high-tempo rugby in dry conditions, with South Africa eager to maintain their Ellis Park dominance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-295088341\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-proteas-chase-historic-series-win-down-under\">Proteas Chase Historic Series Win Down Under<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Earlier on Saturday, cricket takes centre stage when Aiden Markram\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/proteas-vs-australia-rivalry\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Proteas<\/a> battle Australia in Cairns for the T20 series decider. With the series locked at 1-1, history is on the line. The Proteas have never won a T20 series in Australia, and their last series win against the Aussies came back in 2009.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>South Africa\u2019s confidence is sky-high after a record-breaking innings by Dewald Brevis in Darwin earlier this week, where his unbeaten 125 powered the team to victory. Whether it\u2019s Brevis, rising star Lhuan-dre Pretorius, or the consistent Kwena Maphaka who delivers, the Proteas will need another standout performance to topple the Aussies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-dricus-du-plessis-defends-ufc-title\">Dricus du Plessis Defends UFC Title<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the early hours of Sunday morning, the spotlight shifts to Chicago, USA, where Dricus du Plessis defends his UFC middleweight belt for the third time. His opponent, Russian powerhouse Khamzat Chimaev, poses arguably his toughest challenge yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Du Plessis\u2019 rise has been meteoric, with dominant defences cementing his status as one of the sport\u2019s biggest names. A win this weekend could push him into the conversation as one of MMA\u2019s all-time greats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2402226978\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-brad-binder-races-in-austria\">Brad Binder Races in Austria<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Two-wheeled thrills are also on the agenda as Brad Binder lines up in the MotoGP Austrian Grand Prix. Binder, South Africa\u2019s star on the circuit, will be pushing for another podium in what has been a competitive season so far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-local-football-heats-up-with-mtn8-semi-finals\">Local Football Heats Up with MTN8 Semi-Finals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Back home, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/mtn8-semi-finals-venues-dates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MTN8 semi-finals<\/a> promise plenty of drama. With a trophy on the line and teams eager to claim early silverware, the weekend\u2019s fixtures are expected to deliver edge-of-the-seat entertainment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-356402998\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-currie-cup-action-continues\">Currie Cup Action Continues<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Rugby fans won\u2019t just be treated to the Springboks. The Currie Cup is also in full swing, adding another layer of domestic passion to the weekend. Provincial sides will be battling for crucial points as the season heads towards its business end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-english-premier-league-season-kicks-off\">English Premier League Season Kicks Off<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Adding to the packed schedule, the 2025\/26 English Premier League season begins on Friday night. Defending champions Liverpool, under new boss Arne Slot, open their campaign against Bournemouth. The action continues through Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. This ensures football fans will have plenty to follow alongside local and international clashes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-330823044\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-sporting-feast-for-every-fan\">A Sporting Feast for Every Fan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From rugby rivalries and cricket history-making opportunities to MMA showdowns, motor racing, and domestic football glory, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizen.co.za\/sport\/blockbusters-loading-what-a-weekend-of-sport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this wee<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizen.co.za\/sport\/blockbusters-loading-what-a-weekend-of-sport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">k<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizen.co.za\/sport\/blockbusters-loading-what-a-weekend-of-sport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">end<\/a> is a sports lover\u2019s dream. Whether you\u2019re backing the Boks at Ellis Park or the Proteas in Cairns, South African pride will be riding high across the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Related article: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/how-to-win-tickets-springboks-vs-wallabies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Win Tickets to the Springboks vs Wallabies Rugby Championship Opener<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sports lovers, get ready \u2013 this weekend is shaping up to be an unforgettable one. From the roar of Ellis Park to the high-octane pace of MotoGP, South Africans will have no shortage of action to keep them glued to their screens. Springboks Kick Off Rugby Championship Campaign The country\u2019s beloved Springboks begin their Rugby<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":23013,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Sports lovers, get ready \u2013 this weekend is shaping up to be an unforgettable one. From the roar of Ellis Park to the high-octane pace of MotoGP, South Africans...","footnotes":""},"categories":[56,64],"tags":[1429,10447,835,868,3174,288],"class_list":{"0":"post-23010","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"category-sports-news","9":"tag-cricket","10":"tag-mma","11":"tag-psl","12":"tag-rugby","13":"tag-rugby-championship","14":"tag-soccer"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23010","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23010"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23010\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23014,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23010\/revisions\/23014"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23013"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23010"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23010"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23010"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}