3 Colossal Sports Clashes To Watch This Weekend

This weekend, things are only getting more intense, as the opening round of the Rugby Championship paved the way for some do-or-die encounters, while the Premier League lines up some classic rivalries that you’d be foolish to miss out on.

WESTERN PROVINCE vs GOLDEN LIONS 
(Saturday, 17:05)

The two undefeated Currie Cup contenders go head-to-head in arguably the biggest match so far in this year’s tournament. The Golden Lions have been playing fantastic rugby, and coming off their 60-19 win over the EP Kings last weekend, Johan Ackermann’s men will be eagerly looking forward to their time at Newlands, although, they will be without their usual captain Warren Whiteley, who has joined up with the Springboks in Argentina.

On the other side of things, Western Province also played a more familiar and open-running game against the Blue Bulls in the previous round, giving the men from Pretoria a 41-17 beating. With the likes of Juan de Jongh, Cheslin Kolbe, and Seabelo Senatla in the try-scoring form they’re currently in, the Lions will need to be fully prepared for the potent backline dangers that WP pose.

SPRINGBOKS vs ARGENTINA
(Saturday, 21:40)

The Springboks opening match of the Rugby Championship against Argentina was anti-climactic, to say the least, primarily due to the horrendous weather conditions that were endured at Loftus. The Boks have travelled to Salta and it’s expected to be a lot drier and more conducive to running rugby.

The Springboks will then have the opportunity to execute their dominant gameplan, but the Pumas will see this as a chance to pick up their first Rugby Championship win – and with the home crowd behind them and a lot to play for, they’ll should push the Boks close.

MANCHESTER CITY vs LIVERPOOL
(Monday, 21:00)

Liverpool’s second Barclays Premier League fixture of the season sends Brendan Rodgers’ team to reigning champions Manchester City. Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge, who notched crucial goals in either half to secure a 2-1 win at Anfield last weekend, will need to be on form if they’re to compete with Manchester City.

City took a handsome 2-0 win over Newcastle United in their first fixture of the season, and the reigning champs will be weary of LFC’s firepower, but with the home-ground advantage should have enough in the bag to keep help City to a win or at least a draw.

Other big sporting fixtures

Currie Cup – Pumas vs Griquas (Friday, 19:10)
Rugby Championship – All Blacks vs Wallabies (Saturday, 09:35)
Currie Cup – Blue Bulls vs EP Kings (Saturday, 15:00)
Currie Cup – Sharks vs Free State Cheetahs (Saturday, 19:10)
EPL – Aston Villa vs Newcastle (Saturday, 13:45)
EPL – Chelsea vs Leicester (Saturday, 16:00)
EPL – Everton vs Arsenal (Saturday, 18:30)
EPL -Spurs vs QPR (Sunday, 14:30)
EPL – Hull vs Stoke (Sunday, 14:30)
EPL – Sunderland vs Man United (Sunday, 17:00)