Latest sports news and fixtures: Saturday 1 February 2020

Super Rugby has returned with the first round of action featuring as one of the highlights of this Saturday’s latest sports news and fixtures.

Latest sports news and fixtures

Super Rugby

Stormers vs Hurricanes, Newlands, 15:05

Springbok Rugby World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi will lead the DHL Stormers in the No 8 jersey when they host the Hurricanes in their first Vodacom Super Rugby match of 2020 on Saturday. Kick-off at DHL Newlands is 15h05 and the match will be televised live on SuperSport.

Wales and British & Irish Lions international Jamie Roberts will make his DHL Stormers debut alongside 10 Springboks named in the matchday squad for the opening round clash with the Kiwis. Roberts will start at inside centre.

Jaguares vs Lions, Beunos Aires, 01:00 (Sunday morning)

Latest sports news:: Elton Jantjies of Lions in action during the Super Rugby match between Sunwolves and Lions at National Stadium in Singapore. Photo: Lionel Ng/ AFP

Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies is set to captain a new-look Emirates Lions team when they run out against the formidable Jaguares in their first Vodacom Super Rugby fixture of 2020. The match kicks off at 01h00 on Sunday morning (SA time) in the Argentinean capital of Buenos Aires.

Included in the Emirates Lions travelling squad were number of new faces, including the experienced former Springbok prop Jannie du Plessis, who is set to make his first Vodacom Super Rugby appearance since 2015.

Guinness Pro14

Free State vs Southern Kings, Toyota Stadium, 17:00

An epic Guinness PRO14 derby between the Toyota Cheetahs and Isuzu Southern Kings is set to play out in Bloemfontein on Saturday, when both sides will target a victory at all costs.

While the Toyota Cheetahs are determined to register their sixth victory of the season to remain in third place in Conference A and gain some breathing space between themselves and the Glasgow Warriors on the log, the Isuzu Southern Kings are highly motivated to avenge their last minute 31-30 defeat last week against their countrymen.

Should the Free Staters register a victory, they will maintain their dominance against the men from Port Elizabeth in the tournament, which has seen them win all six encounters between the sides to date.

PSL

Chippa United vs Orlando Pirates, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, 15:30

Orlando Pirates can claim a fifth win in a row as they visit Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.

Josef Zinnbauer’s men ground out a 1-0 win over AmaZulu in their last game and now face a team smarting from a 3-0 defeat to SuperSport United.

Highlands Parks vs Baroka FC, Makhulong Stadium, 15:30

Highlands Park head into Saturday’s clash with Baroka in Tembisa on a low, but this season of ups and downs has shown them that anything is possible in the PSL.

Coach Owen da Gama led the Lions of the North to the MTN8 final, but has recently found himself facing rumours that his days at the club were numbered. Nevertheless, he lives to fight another day.

Golden Arrows vs SuperSport Utd, Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium, 15:30

Latest sports News: Steve Komphela speaking to the media. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Golden Arrows seek to rediscover their winning touch as they host the in-form SuperSport United at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Saturday.

Abafana Bes’thende have fared well against Matsatsantsa this season. Steve Komphela’s side knocked Kaitano Tembo’s men out of the Telkom Knockout 1-0 and drew 0-0 away to them in the league.

Latest sports news

Former Lions star Ruan Ackermann survived a hijacking ordeal while in South Africa on holiday this week.

Munster Rugby on Friday announced they have signed Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks Damian de Allende and RG Snyman two-year contracts that will come into play at the start of the 2020-21 season in September. The Springbok duo are presently plying their trade in the Japan Top League and the season there continues through to the end of May.

Proteas batsman Farhaan Behardien has ended his 14-year association with the Titans, after signing a Kolpak deal with English county side, Durham.

South Africa seamer Lungi Ngidi, spinner Tabraiz Shamsi and all-rounder Jon-Jon Smuts are back in contention for the one-day international series against England, which begins on February 4. All three players have passed their fitness tests at CSA’s strength and conditioning camp. Sisanda Magala, who was also at the camp and named in the ODI squad, has not yet met the fitness requirements and will continue to work with fitness trainer Tumi Masekela, targeting the three-match T20 International series that takes place after the ODIs.

Latest sports news – Photo: New Zealand Cricket/Twitter

South Africa’s 3-0 series sweep over New Zealand in the Women’s Championship has not only won them direct qualification for the Cricket World Cup 2021, but also resulted in notable progress for their players in the Women’s ODI Player Rankings.

South Africa are on 22 points and can’t slip below fourth position even if they fail to win a single point in their last series against defending champions Australia, who were the first to qualify and are on 34 points from 18 matches.