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Springboks Come Up Short As British And Irish Lions Win First Test In Cape Town

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Springboks Come Up Short As British And Irish Lions Win First Test In Cape Town

The British & Irish Lions produced a stunning second-half comeback to beat the Springboks 22-17 in the Series-opener at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday evening.

The game started off at a great intensity, and the Springboks were the first to get points when Handre Pollard hit his target in the opening quarter (3-0). The hosts’ 12-3 lead at half time was courtesy of his boot.

The flyhalf, playing in his 50th game, did a solid job at controlling things. His contributions off the tee were characteristically pleasing, and the calm and presence he brought was a great sight, especially considering how long he spent on the sidelines with a knee injury and his isolation period, which of course disrupted his training and preparation time with the team.

Lukhanyo Am can feel chuffed with more than just that big hit in the first half – he led the backline in superb fashion, while he also added a few top individual touches.

Given the Springboks’ scrummaging repertoire, it was the shoving battle naturally going to be a big feature in this game.

The first scrum is always an important one, and it went the way of the Boks, and not much changed in that regard as the game progressed.

The Lions just gave away too many penalties in the first half, and the fact that it became a bigger issue as the clock ticked on in the first 40 probably shows how the hosts’ upper hand got to them.

One major positive about the Springboks’ game was the overall work done around the park and how everybody got stuck in. Their vigour on defence was huge in the first half.

Seeing more ball go to that dangerous backline would have been nice, and expecting them to have done more with the control they showed in the opening half would perhaps not have been too big a presumption, especially when you consider how Robbie Henshaw’s break in the first half was about the only time the Lions really looked set to do something big.

But their 20-month hiatus from international rugby simply cannot be ignored. But man, was the second half different…

The Lions got the second half off to the perfect start with a converted try by Luke Cowan-Dickie (12-10). The Boks hit back with a try of their own, but it was disallowed as Willie le Roux – who grounded the ball – was ahead of the kicker.

They got to celebrate the real deal when Faf de Klerk got the Boks’ first try (17-10).

The Tourists enjoyed more territory after the break, something that was influenced by the world champions’ inability to effectively handle the Lions’ box kicks in the second half.

Biggar added two more penalty goals to make it a one-point game after 56 minutes, and connected a penalty early in the last quarter to put them in the lead for the first time in the match (17-19).

Pollard had the chance to go ahead on the scoreboard again shortly afterwards, but sent it wide.

Things took a big turn as the second half progressed. The Lions started stretching the Boks’ defence really well in the third quarter, while the hosts struggled with the aerial battle and just couldn’t get out of their own half. Their discipline also let them down big time.

The Lions went five points up with two minutes to go when replacement Owen Farrell added the side’s fifth penalty (17-22).

From there on, only a try would have saved the Boks, but knock-on in the carry once the time was up ended the match.

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WAFCON 2022 Final: Banyana Banyana Beat Morocco To Finally Land First Title

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WAFCON 2022 Final: Banyana Banyana Beat Morocco To Finally Land First Title

After four previous final failures, the South Africa ended several years of heartbreak by defeating host nation Morocco 2-1 to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time.

Hilda Magaia scored two quick goals midway through the second half to finally guide South Africa over the line, making her Banyana Banyana’s hero.

Although Rosella Ayane pulled a goal back for the Atlas Lionesses ten minutes from time, it was too little too late for a team making its first appearance in the final.

South Africa had lost their four previous finals: in 2000, 2008, 2012 and 2018.

“It was a humbling experience, and an emotional one, when you look at the journey that we have travelled as Banyana Banyana,” captain Refiloe Jane told BBC Sport Africa.

“To finally get to this point meant a lot for everyone. When the final whistle went out, I was crying. It was the most humbling and emotional experience.

“I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much after a football match – that goes to show our journey, everything that we had to go through and things have finally come together.”

For Banyana Banyana coach Desire Ellis, this was a hugely-satisfying win after first trying – and failing – as a player to win the trophy when losing the final 22 years ago.

After Ellis oversaw another final defeat, against Nigeria, four years ago from the touchline, her charges entered this tournament with a so-called ‘mentality coach’ in a bid to improve positivity.

“It feels amazing,” she told the BBC. “I’m an African champion now – and no one can take that away from us.”

South Africa needed real composure throughout the game to silence a raucous home crowd that had filled the 53,000-seater stadium at least two hours before kick-off, and which lit up the Rabat sky with dozens of red and white flares during the game.

 

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Mamelodi Sundowns Sign Bafana Bafana Captain Ronwen Williams

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Mamelodi Sundowns have reportedly landed the signature of Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen William on a five year deal, following week’s of speculation and negotiations.

According to the SABC, the 30 year old shot-stopper will leave SuperSport United after spending 18 years at the Pretoria based club.

Williams has reportedly been looking to leave the Matsatsantsa as he looks to challenge for trophies, and it appears he has found his new home at current DStv Premiership champions Sundowns.

“Indications are that the deal has been concluded, with Williams signing a long-term contract, while his former club have successfully negotiated the transfer of another goalkeeper in Ricardo Goss as well as young striker Thabang Sibanyoni to join coach Gavin Hunt’s side for the upcoming season,” SABC Sport reported on Wednesday.

According to the report, SuperSport Uniter were initially not willing to let their star goalkeeper go if they did not get Goss on a permanent deal, but they’ve now had to settle on a two-year loan, with striker Sibanyoni also thrown in.

The 28 year old Goss has found game time hard to come since making his move to Sundowns, but will now be reunited with Gavin Hunt, a man he previously worked with at Wits.

Sundowns are currently in KwaZulu-Natal on a pre-season camp, and will take part in this year’s edition of the Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup this weekend.

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Victor Letsoalo Signs For Sekhukhune United

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Victor Letsoalo Signs For Sekhukhune United

Sekhukhune United has announced the signing of Royal AM forward, Victor Letsoalo on a three year contract deal, according to reports.

Letsoalo was tipped to potentially join Kaizer Chief or Orlando Pirates, however, he signed for Sekhukhune United which comes a shock as reported by FARPost.

The 29-year-old Bafana Bafana forward ended the season finishing second on the goal-king chart behind top-scorer Peter Shalulile who found the back of the net 23 times. He scored 15 goals in the South African top-flight.

Letsoalo’s top performance in the past season for Royal AM side saw the newly promoted side who made their debut campaign in the South African top-flight league finishing 3rd, earning qualification to the CAF Confederation Cup.

It remains to be seen how Royal AM will cope with not only the departure of Letsoalo but also of former coach John Maduka who has since moved across Kwa-Zulu Natal to take charge of Maritzburg United.

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Jomo Cosmos Could Play GladAfrica Championship Football Next Season

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Jomo Cosmos Could Play GladAfrica Championship Football Next Season

Relegated Jomo Cosmos have been handed a lifeline and could play GladAfrica Championship football next season following discoveries of Hungry Lions fielding an ineligible player in 10 of their 30 games.

Jomo Cosmos submitted a formal complaint through their legal representatives with regards to the ‘illegal’ fielding of a player who is still on their books.

“It has recently come to our attention, Mr Tshepo Mohlala(the player) has been playing for Hungry Lions Football Club during the 2021/2022 football season, despite being a player of our client,” read the charge sheet of the Premier Soccer League.

“The player has never been cleared nor released by Jomo Cosmos Football Club and hence any games played for Hungry Lions Football Club constitute a breach of NSL handbook rules 30,31 and 32.”

Tshepo Mohlala, who was a part of the Ezenkosi amateurs set up in the 2015/2016 featured in matches that Hungry Lions managed to collect 15 points, he could be the reason the Northern Cape side are docked of these points which would subsequently relegate them and ensure Jomo Cosmos another season in the second tier of South African football.

Cosmo concluded their GladAfrica Championship campaign in 15th position after accumulating 28 points in their 30 matches.

Lions, who currently sit 11th on the log with 36 points could end up on 24 points if they are found guilty on the charges placed on them and that would mean they finish bottom of the log and Cosmos jump out to safety.

Lions and Mohlala are set to appear before the PSL DC on the 27th of June and will know their fate thereafter.

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Bafana icon Mark Fish Declares Support For Ria Ledwaba In SAFA Presidency Race

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Bafana icon Mark Fish Declares Support For Ria Ledwaba In SAFA Presidency Race

Former Bafana Bafana star Mark Fish has said that he is supporting Ria Ledwaba in the race for the SAFA presidency against Danny Jordaan.

Ledwaba is currently challenging for the SAFA presidency but is viewed as an outsider against competitor Danny Jordaan.

At the moment, I’m supporting Ria (Ledwaba). It’s not because we are ex-footballers. We are football fans as well. We need change. SAFA has done good things but we need change if we are to move forward. I think if we don’t see change now, it will be difficult to see improvement in grassroots football,” said Fish.

Fish insisted that change is now necessary if Bafana Bafana is to embark on a revival after nearly two decades of mediocrity on the field of play.

“We are giving support to an individual who has spoken to us as ex-players and said that she can bring change. We need change to move on. We need to get back to being number one in the continent and back to being among the top 20 or 25 in the World,” said Fish.

The former Charlton Athletic defender insisted that while he is supporting Ledwaba, he has no personal issues with Jordaan.

“Danny has never done anything wrong to me. I have a picture of Danny, myself and Benni McCarthy at the 1998 World Cup. I also have a picture of myself and Danny in Congo. He is passionate about the game.

Nothing has changed but I feel that we need a change of leadership. Ria has put up her hand and we are behind it because we feel that there should be change,” said Fish.

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