Featured
3 Must-Watch Sports Matches This Weekend
What are the matches you can’t afford to miss this weekend?
This weekend brings a host of sporting action to enjoy, including a local football final between two longtime rivals, some unmissable Currie Cup action, and a Premier League encounter that’s bound to be a cracker.
Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs
Saturday, 20:15
This Saturday, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs will meet in the much anticipated MTN 8 final in Moses Mabhida Stadium, and both teams have enjoyed good form leading up to the climactic ending to the tournament, but it will definitely be Chiefs who will have the edge of confidence to lift the trophy after the final whistle.
Kazier Chiefs’ Stuart Baxter has racked up six consecutive Absa premiership wins. Orlando Pirates on the other hand are sitting in third place – four points behind Chiefs, where they have drawn two and lost one. However, the league stats will count for nothing on Saturday. It’s do-or-die for South Africa’s most beloved and supported teams.
Western Province vs Griquas
Saturday, 15:00
Western Province are coming off of their first loss of the season, being outplayed by the Golden Lions in Johannesburg last week, while the Griquas are on a high following their win over the Pumas in Kimberly. Western Province will be without Siya Kolisi, which is a major blow for Allister Coetzee, but the rest of the team will have to pick up the enthusiasm if they want to beat the spirited Griquas side.
For Province, Demetri Catrakilis returns at flyhalf, while Justin Geduld will make a first Currie Cup start on the left wing. Up front, Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Scarra Ntubeni come in to the starting pack, and the final change sees Brok Harris continue his rotation with Pat Cilliers at tighthead prop.
The Griquas have undergone three changes to the forward pack, with Maks van Dyk replacing Ewald van der Westhuizen in the front row, Hugo Kloppers starting at lock, Burger Schoeman also getting the starting-nod.
Manchester City vs Chelsea
Sunday, 17:00
Manchester City will be feeling outdone following their last-gasp defeat to Bayern Munich on Wednesday, while Chelsea had to settle with a draw with Schalke in the Champions League group stages.
As for the form in the Premier League, Chelsea have managed to win all four of their fixtures so far this season. New arrival Diego Costa has scored seven goals, while Cesc Fabregas is dissecting defences at will, registering six assists already.
The Blues won last time they visited the Etihad in the Premier League and Jose Mourinho will be more confident than ever of retaining their place at the summit of the table.
Remember to check out Athletics8 compression garments, which are new to SA and enhance protection and strength during sporting activities.
Find out more on Athletics8’s Facebook page.
james
September 19, 2014 at 13:28
Hopefully Chelsea can snatch all 3 points at the Etihad. Cesc has been on top form and Schurrle will most likely be returning to the squad after sitting out the midweek game. It will be tough for CFC going forward, as Fernando has slipped very well into the defensive role in front of the defenders. So CFC’s midfield will struggle to get the ball to Costa up front – who is carrying a hamstring injury. In saying that Chelsea have ample amounts of creativity in the midfield with the likes of Hazard, Willian and Oscar. What worries me is Costa’s injury as well as Chelsea’s defense this season. They have only kept 1 clean sheet in the last 5 games and let in 3 in the game against Everton. City have a squad full of goal scorers in the like of Dzeko, Aguero, Yaya, Silva, Kolarov… The list goes on and on. This game has the ability to be a lack lustre affair (like the CFC vs United game at the beginning of last season – where neither side wanted to open themselves up to a loss) or will be an end-to-end exhibition of the two top clubs in the Premier League. With the recent history of this fixture (CFC winning this fixture both home and away last season and the dramatic win City had at home seasons back with Carlos Tevez) there are definitely going to be cards during the game and talking points on monday morning.
james
September 19, 2014 at 16:20
Would be nice to see what a Man City supporter thinks… Not too many of those in South Africa.