South Africa made a number of changes after their 214-run defeat to Australia at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Head coach Shukri Conrad has revealed that Matthew Breetzke has come in to replace Tristan Stubbs, while Ryan Rickelton will take over the wicketkeeping duty from Kyle Verreynne.

Verreynne will remain part of the squad for the second test, while Tony de Zorzi will not form part of the squad as he continues to mend his hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, fast bowler Kagiso Rabada is expected to return to the squad after missing the first Test with a hamstring injury.

Proteas Men’s squad:

Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Marques Ackerman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), David Bedingham (YesPlay Cobras), Matthew Breetzke (Dafabet Warriors), Corbin Bosch (Momentum Multiply Titans), Gerald Coetzee (DP World Lions), Simon Harmer (Momentum Multiply Titans), Marco Jansen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Senuran Muthusamy (Dafabet Warriors), Anrich Nortje (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Dane Paterson (YesPlay Cobras), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), and Kyle Verreynne (YesPlay Cobras).

The post Proteas Announce 17-Man Squad for Second Test Against Australia appeared first on SportsClub.

The Vodacom Bulls, DHL Stormers, and 10bet Lions will run out in the Investec Champions Cup competition, while the Hollywoodbets Sharks – who were crowned the champions in the 2023/24 season – and the Toyota Cheetahs will battle it out in the EPCR Challenge Cup.

All three Investec Champions Cup teams will take the field on Saturday, with the Vodacom Bulls facing Stade Francais in Pretoria (14h00), followed by the clash between the DHL Stormers and Bristol Bears in Cape Town (16h15), while the 10bet Lions face a tough task in France when they make their debut in the top echelon of European rugby against former champions Stade Rochelais in La Rochelle (18h30).

In the EPCR Challenge Cup, both matches will play out in France, with the Hollywoodbets Sharks taking the field first when they line up against LOU Rugby in Lyon on Saturday (14h00), while the Toyota Cheetahs will battle it out with Aviron Bayonnais, with that match kicking off at 14h00 on Sunday in Bayonne.

The Vodacom Bulls will enter their match against Stade Francais with confidence following their emphatic 57-15 victory against the 10bet Lions last weekend, and with two wins and a narrow defeat away from home in the Vodacom URC in the last few weeks, they will be determined to come out on top to give themselves the best possible chance to improve on their Round of 16 finish last year.

They will, however, be wary of the Frenchmen, who have won three of their six games in the Top 14, and will be desperate to make up for their disappointing away form, which has seen them win only one of their three games on the road in the competition.

Spicing up the clash, the last time the teams met was in the 2024/25 season in a repeat of this fixture, with the men from Pretoria registering a comprehensive 48-7 victory – a result the hosts will want to replicate, and one the visitors will want to avenge.

The DHL Stormers will be equally confident going into their clash against the Bristol Bears after their magnificent all-round display against the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Cape Town last week, which earned them a rewarding 39-22 victory, and the fact that they have also only suffered one defeat in the Vodacom URC will undoubtedly add to their confidence.

But the Capetonians will be wary of the Bristol Bears, who also come off two wins in three Gallagher PREM matches, and who will be heavily determined to bounce back from their heavy 30-7 defeat against Saracens last weekend.

Spicing things up, both teams advanced to the Round of 16 last season and will be determined to improve on that finish in this campaign.

The encounter between Stade Rochelais and the 10bet Lions, meanwhile, has all the makings of an epic battle with the Johannesburgers raring to fight back after their heavy defeat last week, which ended their Vodacom URC two-match winning run, while the Frenchman have been fighting fit in the Top 14, winning four of their six matches, which has placed them fourth on the standings.

Adding to the excitement, the former champions from France come off two successive victories in the Top 14 – form they will want to build on – while they have won two of their three home matches to date, with their only defeat being against Racing 92, who are currently ranked third-last on the standings – a factor that will certainly inspire the visitors from Gauteng.

The EPCR Challenge Cup matches are expected to be equally gripping, as the Hollywoodbets Sharks look to build on their strong form in the Vodacom URC in the opening rounds, while the Toyota Cheetahs will want to make a strong statement in the international showpiece.

The KwaZulu-Natalians, in particular, are fully committed to making up for their disappointing showing against the DHL Stormers, when they face Lyon, who find themselves in the middle of the Top 14 table after three wins in six matches. The Frenchmen are coming off three successive defeats, which will give the Hollywoodbets Sharks all the motivation they need to strike while the iron is hot.

Adding to the Durbanites’ motivation, they are the only South African team to have won the competition, and they will draw inspiration from the fact that they advanced to the Round of 16 last season, so they will have everything to play for as they try to make the most of their home ground advantage in the hot and humid Durban conditions.

The Toyota Cheetahs, in turn, will in all likelihood face their toughest test of the year when they line up against Aviron Bayonnais after playing a series of domestic and international competitions this season.

Bayonne have been in good form in the Top 14, with four victories in six outings and currently ranked fourth on the standings, meaning the Free Staters will have to deliver a top-class performance to come away with a victory.

Adding to the challenge, Bayonne remain unbeaten at home in the Top 14, but rather than intimidating the Toyota Cheetahs, they will see this as a good opportunity to show that they can compete at this level.

Over and above that, the Toyota Cheetahs have progressed to the Round of 16 before in the 2023/24 season where they suffered a narrow 27-22 defeat, which will undoubtedly fuel their determination to prove that that result was not a flash in the pan.

The following rule changes have been announced for the 2026/27 season, designed to increase competitiveness and jeopardy until the final whistle.

Offensive Bonus Point: A team will now be awarded an attacking bonus point when it scores three or more tries than its opponent.

Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 qualification: The top three clubs in each pool will automatically qualify, while the remaining four places will be awarded to the four clubs with the highest number of match points across all four pools, regardless of which pool they are in.

EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 qualification: The three highest-ranked clubs in each pool will qualify automatically for the Round of 16. The remaining three places will go to the three clubs with the highest number of match points across all three pools, regardless of which pool they are in. Four clubs will also drop down from the Investec Champions Cup to join the Round of 16.

MATCH INFORMATION

Investec Champions Cup:

Vodacom Bulls v Stade Francais
Date: Saturday, 17 October 2026
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
SA Time: 14h00
Referee: Christophe Ridley
TV: SuperSport

DHL Stormers v Bristol Bears
Date: Saturday, 17 October 2026
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
SA Time: 16h15
Referee: Kevin Bralley
TV: SuperSport

Stade Rochelais v 10bet Lions
Date: Saturday, 17 October 2026
Venue: Stade Marcel Deflandre, La Rochelle
SA Time: 18h30
Referee: Sam Grove-White
TV: SuperSport

EPCR Challenge Cup

LOU Rugby v Hollywoodbets Sharks
Date: Saturday, 17 October 2026
Venue: Matmut Stadium, Lyon
SA Time: 14h00
Referee: Federico Vedovelli
TV: SuperSport

Aviron Bayonnais v Toyota Cheetahs
Date: Sunday, 18 October 2026
Venue: Stade Jean-Dauger, Bayonne
SA Time: 14h00
Referee: Peter Martin
TV: SuperSport

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

The post Five SA sides seek strong start as European competitions kick off appeared first on SportsClub.

The Glamour Boys will face the Zambian outfit in the first leg of the competition’s preliminary second round.

Amakhosi and Red Arrows will go head-to-head on Saturday at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Chiefs will head into this fixture to bounce back after playing out to their third consecutive draw in the Betway Premiership.

The Soweto giants are set to depart for Zambia on Thursday and arrive in Ndola later the same day as they prepare for the first-round clash.

Kaizer Chiefs’ 23-man Travelling Squad:

1. Ronaldo Leaner
2. Bruce Bvuma
3. Takalani Mazhamba
4. Paseka Mako
5. Thabiso Monyane
6. Kabelo Nkgwesa
7. Inacio Miguel
8. Rushwin Dortley
9. Zitha Kwinika
10. Reeve Frosler
11. Bradley Cross
12. Thabo Moloisane
13. Sibongiseni Mthethwa
14. Thulani Mabaso
15. Mduduzi Shabalala
16. Ethan Chislett
17. Mfundo Vilakazi
18. Luke Baartman
19. Asanele Velebayi
20. Faiz Abrahams
21. Flavio Da Silva
22. Wandile Duba
23. Etiosa Ighodaro

The post Da Cruz Names Chiefs Travelling Squad for Red Arrows Showdown appeared first on SportsClub.

The Spanish outfit came into the spotlight after performing Siphiwe Tshabalala’s World Cup celebration in their 3-2 win over FC Porto in Seville.

WATCH: Real Betis Recreate Bafana Bafana’s Iconic 2010 World Cup Celebration

Real Beties players did the famous Tshabalala celebration yesterday against Porto🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/aYxSjsybx0

— Akani Nwanati (@AkanimiltonM) October 14, 2026

The post WATCH: Real Betis Recreate Bafana’s Iconic 2010 World Cup Celebration appeared first on SportsClub.

The last 16 draw took place at the Langhams Lifestyle Estate in Johannesburg.

The big three of Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs have avoided each other in the first round of the competition.

Defending champions Pirates are set to take on Milford FC, while Sundowns will square off against Marumo Gallants.

Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs are up against TS Galaxy, while Durban City FC will face Stellenbosch FC.

In other fixtures, Golden Arrows will play Chippa United, Polokwane City will take on Siwelele FC, while Sekhukhune United face Richards Bay.

The Premier Soccer League will confirm the dates, venues and times in due course.

CARLING KNOCKOUT CUP LAST 16 DRAW:

Kruger United v AmaZulu FC
Mamelodi Sundowns v Marumo Gallants
Lamontville Golden Arrows v Chippa United
Durban City FC v Stellenbosch FC
Orlando Pirates v Milford FC
Polokwane City v Siwelele FC
Kaizer Chiefs v TS Galaxy
Sekhukhune United v Richards Bay FC

The post Carling Knockout Cup: Round of 16 Fixtures Confirmed appeared first on SportsClub.

The Glamour Boys played out to their third consecutive draw in the Betway Premiership following their 1-1 stalemate against Stellenbosch FC.

The draw sees Chiefs remain in fourth position on the Betway Premiership table with 14 points from eight matches.

The Amakhosi assistant coach revealed that Da Cruz was absent from the post-match press conference after falling ill.

“The coach (Fernando Da Cruz) has fallen ill,” Sheppard said.

“He was vomiting, so the doctors have been checking him to see whether he’s okay.”

The post Chiefs Coach Da Cruz Misses Post-Match Duties Due to Illness appeared first on SportsClub.

With the usual attrition rate associated with a highly competitive tour such as this, there will be reinforcements sent over as the tour goes on, including the Sharks Springboks, who are on mandatory rest after a grueling few months of rugby.

Pietersen will select his EPCR Challenge Cup team from the 17 forwards and 11 backline players named for Saturday’s Group Three clash with Lyon Olympique Universitaire Rugby at the 35 000-seater Stade de Gerland on Saturday.

Lyon, the Challenge Cup champions in 2022 currently sitting in eighth place on the Top 14 log after six rounds, host the 2024 champions, the Hollywoodbets Sharks on Saturday at 2pm.

Following this match, the Durban side head to Wales to take on Cardiff in the VURC, followed by a trip to Ireland to take on ninth-placed Munster at the end of October to conclude the tour.

FORWARDS
Cameron Dawson
Deon Slabbert
Eduan Swart
Emile van Heerden
Esethu Mnebelele
Ethan Bester
Hanro Jacobs
Jason Jenkins
Manu Tshituka
Matt Romao
Nemo Roelofse
Nick Hatton
Phatu Ganyane
Stephan Lewies
Tinotenda Mavesere
Vincent Koch
Vincent Tshituka

BACKS
Bradley Davids
Gianni Lombard
Ivan van Zyl
Jaco Williams
Jaden Hendrikse
Jordan Hendrikse
Jurenzo Julius
Litelihle Bester
Murray Koster
Suleiman Hartzenberg
Zekhethelo Siyaya

The post Pietersen Names 28-Man Sharks Squad for European Tour appeared first on SportsClub.

The Buccaneers bounced back to secure a 3-0 victory over the Rockets at the Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto.

The 22-year-old got his name on the score sheet in the win to bag his first goal of the season.

Ouaddou insisted that the young midfielder has the quality to excel at the highest level.

“Look, I spoke to the boy actually, he started to be more efficient, to have the verticality to go more forward against Marumo. I just tried to explain to him this is what we want from you, this is what the modern football crave for a talented player like you,” Ouaddou told SuperSport after the game.

“If you want to go forward, be efficient, use the verticality, the coach never stopped him doing show-boating, make three goals, put four goals, go forward, it’s what my duty as a coach as somebody who wants to develop young players.

“To remind him what is the high-level, but if he wants the circus, it’s up to him and we saw today even against Sundowns, we saw a quality player, somebody who is playing between the lines, he can dribble, eliminate two-three players but all the time with the aim to go forward it’s what the modern football is asking.

“Congratulations to him and I’m very happy for him, I’m very happy for his family as well they should be happy tonight for him and I hope he’s going to continue to work.”

The post Ouaddou Singles Out Masilela After Pirates’ Win Over TS Galaxy appeared first on SportsClub.

The Buccaneers conceded their MTN8 title after they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Pirates will now look to bounce back in the Nedbank Cup, Carling Knockout and CAF Champions League, while making the Betway Premiership their top priority.

Ouaddou has insisted there are plenty of positives to take from their MTN8 final defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns, with his focus already shifting to the remaining silverware on offer this season.

“There were a lot of positives for us. We are going to keep working hard,” Ouaddou said.

“We still have a lot, a lot of games to come with more cups, the Nedbank Cup, the Carling Knockout, the Champions League. And the most important is to defend our league title.”

The post Ouaddou: Pirates Still Have Plenty to Fight For appeared first on SportsClub.

The Brazilians dethroned Orlando Pirates in the top-eight competition following their 2-0 victory in the final.

Sundowns lifted their first MTN8 title since 2021 after goals from Teboho Mokoena and Iqraam Rayners at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Mailula also stressed the importance of keeping his memory close as the Brazilians celebrate their

“To always remember we’re doing this for our brother Jayden [Adams],” Mailula told SuperSport TV after the game.

Mamelodi Sundowns will now turn their attention to their Betway Premiership clash against Richards Bay at the Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban, with kick-off set for 19:30.

The post Mailula: We’re Doing This for Our Brother Jayden Adams appeared first on SportsClub.