PICK OF THE SPORT: Is making Philip Snyman the Blitzboks coach the answer to South Africa’s Sevens problems? We’ll find out this weekend, writes Dylan Bettencourt.
➤ Early signs indicate that Philip Snyman has indeed made a difference to the Blitzboks as they scored a convincing win over Ireland in their first pool match in the HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.
The Blitzboks scored four unanswered tries halfway through the game. Ireland came back with three tries but it was already too late.
The win is particularly important as Ireland had thrashed the Blitzboks in the previous tournament in Los Angeles, with Snyman taking over the Blitzboks at their lowest ebb in sevens history.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, the Blitzboks face another tough test when they meet Samoa for a place in the quarter-finals, from 11am, and in the play-offs that start early on Sunday morning.
C’mon Blitzboks! Do it for yourselves, do it for the coach, do it for South Africa!
Blitzboks vs Samoa. Live on DStv channel 201 at 4.16am on Saturday.
All the Sevens action will be live on channel 201 throughout the weekend.
➤ English Premier League action continues over the weekend following exciting mid-week games with the blockbuster clash of the weekend being Manchester United vs Liverpool.
The Red Devils will feel disheartened following a late 4-3 defeat to Chelsea on Thursday night and will hope to make amends on Sunday when they face title contenders Liverpool.
Liverpool, on the other hand, will be looking for revenge after the Red Devils knocked them out of the FA Cup the last time they met.
The Reds will also be hoping to extend and maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League table as the season draws to a close.
The blockbuster clash is set for 4pm on Sunday.
The weekend begins with another title contender, Manchester City taking on Crystal Palace at 1.30pm on Saturday.
Arsenal, the third and last team in the running for the title, face a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion at 6.30pm on Saturday.
After the Manchester United vs Liverpool game, Chelsea will play Sheffield United at 6.30pm before Tottenham host Nottingham Forest at 7pm.
All the Premier League action will be live on DStv channel 203.
➤ It is once again an early Formula 1 start for South African fans as the Japanese Grand Prix takes centre stage.
After Max Verstappen failed to finish the race in Australia last time out, he will be hoping to take first place once again on Sunday.
With a 7am race start, alarms will have to be set across the country if F1 fans want to see whether Carlos Sainz and Ferrari can once again stop Red Bull from winning.
The race will be live on DStv channel 215.
Pictured above: Blitzboks.
Image source: Blitzboks/X
