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The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Sports update: Boks & Proteas secure wins
Weekend sports captivated fans, and the action continues this week with the Boks, Proteas, and more thrilling sports events. All-rounder Corbin Bosch, seen here with Proteas fans in London last month, was superb in the second Test of his career against Zimbabwe. Picture: Paul Harding/What a weekend. Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner captured their first Wimbledon titles, Chelsea won the Club World Cup title in the USA and the Springboks beat Italy in Gqeberha to take their series 2-0. There were all sorts of other actions across the globe as well. England and India were embroiled in an exciting cricket Test match, while MotoGP action was underway, and Banyana Banyana was in action in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon). And the action continues this week, with the Boks taking on Georgia in Mbombela, the Proteas in action in a tri-series with hosts Zimbabwe and New Zealand and plenty more to keep sports fans entertained. Keep following The Citizen online and in print, and you won't miss a thing. Also read: PODCAST: Big change to home energy and carbon certification
The Citizen
18-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
WTC champs Proteas need more Test cricket, says Bacher
WTC champs the Proteas will once again play far fewer Tests over the coming cycle, than the big three of India, Australia and England. Proteas all-rounder Aiden Markram lifts the Test mace after they triumphed over Australia in the WTC final at Lord's in London last week. Picture: Paul Harding/Gallo Images Newly crowned World Test Championship (WTC) champions, the Proteas, head into the next two-year cycle with a slight bump in fixtures, but still well short of cricket's big three. During the previous WTC cycle the Proteas played exclusively in two game series', which saw them play six teams in 12 Tests over the two-year period, winning eight Tests, drawing one and losing three. This saw them finish at the top of the WTC standings, based on a percentage system, as they didn't play nearly as many matches as the big three, including fellow finalists Australia, who played 19 Tests during the cycle. Due to this system, and the opposition that the Proteas faced, neither which was their fault, led to many foreign fans and pundits questioning whether they deserved to be in the final, and most wrote off their chances of lifting the Test mace. However, the Proteas proved that it was no fluke, and backed up their seven game winning run going into the finale at Lord's by handing the Aussies a five wicket defeat. Now a new Test cycle is set to get under way, but the same problems remain unaddressed, as the big three of India, England and Australia continue to dominate Test cricket. New Test cycle The Proteas will play six teams in 14 Tests this time round, up two from the previous cycle, with them playing three Test series' against England and Australia, and two Test series' against India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Of the other non big three teams, New Zealand play the most with 16 Tests, West Indies play 14, Pakistan 13, and Sri Lanka and Bangladesh both play 12. Of the big three, Australia have the lion's share of games with 22, followed by England with 21 and India with 18, and once again these three will be the only teams to play in five Test series'. 'Spread the game' Former Proteas player and administrator Dr Ali Bacher lamented the number of fixtures the Proteas will have in the cycle during an interview with SportsBoom, and urged the ICC to ensure a fairer WTC format going forward. 'If you look at the international cricket calendar out now, it is dominated by England, Australia, and India playing each other for a five-Test series, and South Africa is in the second league. We don't have any international Tests this summer at home,' said Bacher. 'You have to spread the game and not confine it to two or three big countries. In those years, when I was the chairman of the ICC development program, our objective was to spread the game. 'What South Africa has shown now, with the WTC triumph, the authorities need to rethink and start spreading the game, and not confine it to three countries, which was never the objective of the ICC.' The Proteas do have an additional two-match Test series outside of the WTC, against Zimbabwe, next month, where they will at least be able to blood some new talent as some senior players are rested.
The Citizen
17-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Proteas invite fans to join in Test final victory celebrations: All the details
The Proteas will host a meet and greet with their fans in Sandton on Thursday, following their World Test Championship final triumph. The Proteas cricket team will celebrate with their fans on Thursday. Picture: Paul Harding/Proteas coach Shukri Conrad and Test captain Temba Bavuma have invited sports fans to celebrate their World Test Championship win with them at a meet and greet in Sandton on Thursday. The Proteas won the Test final at Lord's last week by beating Australia by five wickets. It was the South African cricket team's first major international victory since they won the Champions Trophy in 1998. Bavuma and his squad will return home from the UK on Wednesday and they've invited cricket fans to share in their celebrations at a function on Thursday. Cricket South Africa said on Tuesday that the Proteas are eager to give back to their supporters. Meet and greet with the players 'This win is not just a celebration of their on-field success, but a tribute to the countless South African fans and former players who have stood by them through every emotional high and testing low,' said CSA in a press release. The celebrations will take place on Thursday at Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton between 1pm and 3pm. 'Come and be part of the celebrations, meet your favourite Proteas players, and get a closer look at the coveted WTC mace. Plus, the first 100 fans to arrive will receive an exclusive WTC Champions shirt!' added the CSA release. There will also be giveaways while one lucky fan will get the chance to join the Proteas on stage for a champion's phot opportunity.
The Citizen
17-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
‘Dreams do come true': Proteas on top of the world
The World Test Championship winners will return to South Africa on Wednesday morning. Kagiso Rabada of South Africa celebrates with the trophy during day 4 of the ICC World Test Championship, final match between South Africa and Australia at Lords Cricket Ground on June 14, 2025 in London, England. Picture: Paul Harding/Gallo Images South Africa – world Test champions. It has a lovely ring to it. The Proteas' World Test Championship-winning cricketers are preparing for their return to South Africa on Wednesday morning when they'll arrive as this country's latest sporting heroes. Temba Bavuma and his team ended a 27-year Proteas drought without a major international trophy on Saturday when they beat overwhelming favourites, Australia in the ICC Test final at Lord's by five wickets. Bavuma was one of the heroes of the famous 282-run chase, scoring a crucial 66 in the second innings. The other two big stars were Kagiso Rabada, with his nine wickets in the match, and opening batter Aiden Markram, who scored a brilliant 136 in the second innings. Temba Bavuma of South Africa celebrates with the trophy on day four of the ICC World Test Championship final match between South Africa and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground on Saturday in London, England. Picture: Paul Harding/Gallo Images The last time a senior men's South African team won an international trophy was in 1998, when they captured the Champions Trophy. Several South African past players, including former captains AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis and Graeme Smith, all sent congratulatory messages on social media to Bavuma and his team, while Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie was also full of praise. 'From dreaming in the dusty streets of Langa to holding the mace at Lord's, Temba Bavuma reminded SA … to never be told we are not tall enough, not rich enough, not talented enough. As long as we are brave enough … 9 wins later, 10 unbeaten, you have reminded us all to believe,' McKenzie wrote on X. 'After all the decades of pain and suffering in all the knockout matches that didn't work out … the Proteas have won a major ICC final and proven SA just can't stop winning! What a moment, what a team, what a country. Against the odds, we are the Champions!' Corbin Bosch of South Africa celebrates with fans following the Proteas' win against Australia. Picture: Paul Harding/Gallo Images Indeed. Cricket South Africa CEO Pholetsi Moseki said: 'This occasion holds immense significance in the world of sport and cricket. It is a tribute not only to the current squad, but also to those who paved the way before them.' ALSO READ: Bavuma eyes more South Africa success after Test final win over Australia Director of National Teams and High Performance at CSA Enoch Nkwe added: 'This moment is a reminder that no dream is too distant, no challenge insurmountable and no legacy too heavy to carry forward. 'I commend the unwavering commitment demonstrated by each player, both on and off the field. Reaching this milestone, coupled with remarkable key performances, will undoubtedly be etched into the history books.' It took 9 722 days for the Proteas to finally win a major title again. South Africa has every right to rejoice and celebrate Bavuma and his Test champions. South Africa fans celebrate their team's win against Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Picture: Paul Harding/Gallo Images NOW READ: How much money the Proteas will bank after beating Aussies in Test final
News24
15-06-2025
- General
- News24
‘I was living every emotion': Conrad's backing of Bavuma, Markram pays off
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