The Springboks saw off a valiant Italy side to record a 42-24 win at Loftus Versfeld, while Wimbledon reaches its second week and the matchups get better and better.
Sloppy Springboks have some work to do
The world champions went in at halftime with a 28-3 lead against Italy but complacency, coupled with a stellar second half effort from Italy, saw the visitors ‘win’ the second period. Perhaps it’s not the end of the world for the Springboks to get this type of wake-up call at the start of what is likely to be an arduous season. The moment of the match was arguably Kurt-Lee Arendse’s solo effort after collecting a Malcolm Marx pass and jinking his way through defenders to score brilliantly.
The Boks welcome Italy to Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, 12 July, hoping to correct some of their mistakes from the weekend.
Alcaraz and Rublev provide an explosive Wimbledon battle
You’re unlikely to find two cleaner and more powerful ball-strikers on a tennis court. Andrey Rublev attempted the unthinkable on Sunday; dethroning two-time defending champ Carlos Alcaraz. Rublev is known for his huge hitting, especially on the forehand side, and he looked superb in the first set and won it on a tiebreak. It was the first time during these championships that the Spaniard has lost the first set of match. The 22-year-old, however, found another gear and when he does that, there’s nobody who can live with him. Rublev hardly put a foot wrong the entire match, but Alcaraz saw him off 6-7; 6-3; 6-4; 6-4. Unfortunately for Rublev, he falls again at the Fourth Round hurdle. He’s made the quarter-finals of all four Grand Slams in his career, but never been further. Alcaraz now faces Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.
What’s happening on Monday at Wimbledon?
You can tell it’s the second week when you look at the calibre of the names still left in the draw. Nippy Australian Alex de Minaur and seven-time champion Novak Djokovic get things underway on centre court at 14:30 CAT in what should be a battle of attrition. 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva meets American Emma Navarro after that. World Number 1 Jannik Sinner squares up to stylish Bulgarian veteran Grigor Dimitrov to complete the action.
Ben Shelton, Belinda Bencic and Iga Swiatek are some of the biggest names in action on Court 1.
Club World Cup Final Four
2023 Copa Libertadores champs Fluminense and Chelsea contest the first semi-final on Tuesday, 8 July at 21:00. European champions PSG meet Real Madrid on Wednesday, 9 July at 21:00. The final takes place on Sunday, 13 July at 21:00. All of these kickoff times are CAT.
