Latest news with #all-SouthAfrican
eNCA
06-07-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
LIV Golf coming to SA
JOHANNESBURG - The ever-evolving, global golfing scene has once again sat up and taken notice of South Africa. Mzansi is set to host a LIV Golf tournament in 2026. South Africa has been confirmed as one of six consecutive overseas events to kick off the LIV Golf season, with the exact venue yet to be announced. It's a big win for the all-South African Stinger's GC team that features stars like Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Dean Burmester, and Branden Grace. The quartet has consistently expressed their desire for LIV Golf to make a stop in their home country, and their efforts have now come to fruition. The tournament is tentatively scheduled for 20 to 22 March 2026.
The South African
01-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
LIV Golf is coming to South Africa in 2026
LIV Golf's 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most internationally focused yet, with a schedule that includes nine tournaments outside of the United States. According to sources who have seen the preliminary schedule, LIV Golf's 2026 season will kick off with six straight international events, a significant increase compared to the four in the opening weeks of 2025. While the schedule has yet to be confirmed, reports are that these locations are '100 percent' confirmed, with the only expected changes being dates. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – February 5-7 – February 5-7 Adelaide, Australia – February 12-14 – February 12-14 Hong Kong – March 6-8 – March 6-8 Singapore – March 13-15 – March 13-15 South Africa – March 20-22 (first ever LIV event in South Africa) – March 20-22 Mexico City – April 17-19 – April 17-19 Washington DC/Virginia – May 15-17 – May 15-17 South Korea – May 29-31 – May 29-31 Spain – June 5-7 – June 5-7 New Orleans – June 26-28 – June 26-28 UK – July 24-26 – July 24-26 Chicago – August 7-9 – August 7-9 Indianapolis – August 21-23 – August 21-23 Michigan – August 28-30 South African tournament The 2026 schedule marks the first-ever LIV Golf event in South Africa. This highly anticipated addition is a win for the Stinger GC, the all-South African team consisting of Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Dean Burmester, and Branden Grace, all of whom have long pushed for a tournament on their home soil. The venue remains unconfirmed, but the event will be a landmark moment for the tour. No Japan Event A previously rumoured Japan event looks to have been delayed, with the 2026 schedule not including a stop. Instead, Hong Kong and Singapore will see action in March. International focus early in the season The 2026 season would begin with six consecutive international tournaments in February and March, including notable locations like Saudi Arabia, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. This marks a shift toward a truly global LIV Golf tour and presents significant international opportunities for players and sponsors alike. US leg starts late in the season The first LIV event in the United States will not come until May 15-17 in DC/Virginia, just a week before the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club near Philadelphia. This marks a strategic move for LIV to avoid overlapping with the traditional PGA Tour schedule. No LIV Miami or Dallas In a notable omission, the LIV Golf Miami and LIV Golf Dallas events are absent from the 2026 calendar, despite the popularity of these locations in previous seasons. Instead, the tour continues its trend of visiting new cities and countries, suggesting that LIV Golf will continue to prioritise global expansion over returning to established US venues. If this schedule holds, LIV Golf will maintain its aggressive push to grow the sport globally, especially in emerging markets such as South Africa, South Korea, and Mexico. The addition of a South African event will undoubtedly be a significant moment for the country's golf scene, as well as a response to the growing call for more international representation on the tour. For LIV players, the extended international schedule provides more opportunities for travel, promotion, and securing sponsorships in regions where the tour is looking to make a lasting impact. With high-profile locations like Riyadh and Hong Kong, LIV continues to solidify its commitment to broadening the scope of professional golf. As the schedule remains unfinalised, LIV Golf fans and players alike are eagerly awaiting official confirmation, likely to come in the next few weeks. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Irish Sun
14-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
What TV channel is Leinster vs Bulls on? FREE stream, kick-off time and odds for Croke Park URC final
LEINSTER and Bulls will contest the 2025 URC final from the unusual setting of Croke Park this evening. The Blues secured their spot in the play-off finale by Bulls, meanwhile, triumphed in an all-South African affair as they won their semi-final Here's everything you need to know about today's match-up: What TV channel is Leinster vs Bulls on? The showpiece game will be shown live on TG4 as well as Premier Sports 1. So everyone can avail of the free streaming platform provided by the TG4 Player. Kick-off from Jones' Road will be at 5pm. Read More On Irish Sport What are the odds? Leinster team: Leinster have been boosted by Ross Byrne is on the bench for what is his last game before he joins Gloucester but LEINSTER: J O'Brien; T O'Brien, Ringrose, Barrett, Lowe; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Clarkson; McCarthy, Ryan; Baird, van der Flier, Conan. Most read in Rugby Union Reps: Kelleher, Boyle, Slimani, Snyman, Deegan, McGrath, Byrne, Osborne. What's been said in the build-up? Cullen has insisted that Leinster 'Pierre loving retirement' - Peter O'Mahony's wife teases Ireland legend as kids run amok in cute snap If the province do not During that time, they have lost three finals and one semi-final in the Champions Cup and three semi-finals in the URC, twice when they had finished top of the standings in the regular season. They topped the pile again this time around and Cullen does not believe his charges deserve to be automatically dismissed if they cannot get over the line again. He said: 'They're all individual games. Every play-off game is a final as such. We have played in lots, whether they come in a quarter-final, semi-final or final. 1 This will be Jordie Barrett's last game for the province 'The group is learning all the time, young players come through, you are adding layers of experience. 'I think the way some of the questions are leading me, it's like, 'Whoever loses is a failure'. In this game there are two good teams going at it. If you lose in a final, are you classified as a failure? 'You can play your best game in the final. So both of these teams could play their best games of the season but unfortunately one of the teams has to lose. 'So one of the teams, who has just played their best game, they are classified as losers because they have lost but are they failures? "You are guaranteed nothing. So you have to prepare the best you can with the time you have to put in your best performance. I hope the group goes out and does itself justice. It's on the day.'
Extra.ie
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Matfield, Botha, Spies, Du Preez... Bulls all-time XV is an elite club
The Bulls will be hoping it will be third time lucky at Croke Park on Saturday. Since their arrived onto the URC scene in 2021 – along with the other South African heavyweights – Jake White's side have made a huge impact on this tournament, losing the 2022 and 2024 finals. On both occasions, it was Leinster who suffered defeat against the Pretorians at the semi-final stage. Vodacom Bulls captain Ruan Norté and Leinster captain Jack Conan at Croke Park. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady So, something has to give at GAA headquarters this weekend. The hosts will encounter an immense challenge against a giant of the global game. The Bulls are a club steeped in history and they have winning pedigree, securing three Super Rugby titles in 2007, 2009 and 2010. There has been no shortage of megastars in the club ranks through the years, too… FULL- BACK: Zane Kirchner Zane Kirchner. Pic:Not the flashest of fullbacks and the former Springbok, who made 31 appearances for his country, didn't set pulses racing during his four-year stint at Leinster. In fairness, replacing Isa Nacewa was always going to be a thankless task. But Kirchner was as solid as they come and he was a vital cog in the Bulls side which dominated Super Rugby for a time. RIGHT-WING: Bryan Habana Bryan Habana. Pic: Lee Warren/A try machine and one of the greats. Habana had devastating acceleration and finishing ability. The flying Bulls wing will forever be remembered for his stunning, last-gasp finish in all-South African Super Rugby final against the Sharks in 2007, Habana crossing the line in the dying seconds to secure the first of many titles for the Pretorian giants. He was equally deadly at Test level, scoring 67 tries in the 124 Test appearances. MIDFIELD: Jan Serfontein and Wynand Olivier Wynand Olivier. Pic: Lee Warren/A real clash of styles, but a pair of hugely influential centres. Olivier was the ever-reliable glue player between a mighty Bulls pack and speed merchants such as Habana. The classy midfielder spent almost a decade with the Bulls before embarking on a nomadic late career with Ricoh Black Rams in Japan, Montpellier and Worcester. Serfontein, meanwhile, was a naturally instinctive player with the highest of ceilings. Racked up 60 appearances for the Bulls and a further 35 Test caps for the Springboks. Injury was an unfortunate footnote but Serfontein, on his day, was top class. LEFT WING: Akona Ndgungane Akona Ndungane. Pic: Lee Warren/A regular for the Bulls between 2005 and 2015, Ndgungane terrorised opposition defences with his lighting-quick pace. A member of the 2007 World Cup-winning South Africa squad, Ndgungane won 11 caps for his country. Now an accomplished golfer. OUT-HALF: Morne Steyn Morné Steyn. Pic:A club legend, Steyn was still lining out for the Bulls at age 38 only few seasons ago. The ultra-reliable No10 was a regular fixture in the sky blue jersey for the best part of two decades. A nerveless goalkicker and an unflappable customer on the pitch, Steyn played to the Bulls' strengths throughout a glittering career, keeping a giant pack on the front foot. Handre Pollard is in the conversation but Steyn is synonymous with Loftus Versfeld, especially after his match-winning long-range penalty to win the 2009 Lions series. SCRUM-HALF: Fourie du Preez Fourie du Preez. Pic: Anesh Debiky/The late Joost van der Westhuizen was a trailblazer in his position and revered by Bulls and Springboks fans. But Fourie du Preez gets the nod. The Bulls scrum-half was the complete package. Du Preez was a world class kicker and a brilliant passer with a deadly turn of pace. LOOSEHEAD PROP: Gurthro Steenkamp Gurthro Steenkamp. Pic: Lee Warren/A fearsome frontrower who struck fear into opposition packs for many years. Steenkamp was a Bulls stalwart and then carved out a brilliant career in France, anchoring the Toulouse pack for six seasons. Now working alongside Ronan O'Gara as La Rochelle scrum coach. HOOKER: Gary Botha Gary Botha (left). Pic: Duif du Toit/A stalwart in the Bulls frontrow, Botha begin lining out for the Bulls as a 13-year-old in the junior ranks and quickly become a mainstay in the senior team. A tough, uncompromising figure, Botha was unlucky to ply his trade in the same eras as John Smit and Bismarck du Plessis and his talents deserved more than 16 caps at international level. TIGHTHEAD PROP: Wilco Louw Wilco Louw. Pic: Gordon Arons/The Bulls have never been short of hard-nosed props. Wilco Louw has taken the scenic route to the top but the 30-year-old is already en route to becoming a hall of famer. A former youth player with the club, Louw has stints with the Stormers, Toulon and Harlequins before returning home in 2023. The powerful tighthead has been a smash hit and his destructive scrummaging is a big reason why the Bulls are quietly confident of derailing Leinster's URC title bid. Widely tipped to become the cornerstone of the Springboks scrum ahead of their treble World Cup bid in 2027. SECOND ROW: Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha. Pic:When you think of the Bulls at their peak, this iconic second row pairing immediately springs to mind. Matfield and Botha pretty much did it all. From Super Rugby titles to World Cups to tearing it up in the Top14 with Toulon. The legendary locks were the perfect combination of skill and ferocity. Botha was very much the Mr Muscle in this partnership. The hard-nosed second row loved the jobs that his teammates hated. Botha lived on the edge and had a disciplinary rap-sheet longer than his giant 6ft, 7in frame. He was the perfect foil to the athletic Matfield, widely regarded as one of the greatest lineout forwards to ever play the game. A born leader, too. A duo who were central to many great days at Loftus Versfeld. BLINDSIDE FLANKER: Danie Rossouw Danie Rossouw. Pic: Duif du Toit/Equally at home at lock, flanker or No8, Rossouw was a potent presence in the Bulls backrow for 10 years. The perfect roil for the free-running Spies, Rossouw relished the physical stuff and had a bordeline disregard for his own wellbeing. A key member of the Springboks side which claimed World Cup glory in 2007 and followed up with a series victory against the Lions two years later. OPENSIDE FLANKER: Ruben Kruger Ruben Kruger. Pic:They didn't come any tougher than the hard-as-nails former Bulls flanker. Long before the heady Super Rugby victories of the late 2000s, Kruger led from the front. A member of the 1995 World Cup-winning Springbok team, Kruger passed away in February after a 10-year battle with cancer. NO8: Pierre Spies Pierre Spies. Pic: Lee Warren/A Rolls Royce of a backrow forward, Spies was a force of nature at the back of the scrum. The Bulls No8 had a freakish blend of size, speed and power. Spies was box office when he hit top gear. There's plenty of highlights reels available on YouTube of this Bulls powerhouse in full flow.
The Citizen
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Bulls have their 50/50 ‘lotto ticket' to URC glory
White says it doesn't matter that the Bulls have beaten Leinster in two semi-finals and in their previous outing – both sides have an equal chance of winning. 'At this point in time there are two teams who have a lotto ticket and have a 50% chance of winning it.' These were the words of Bulls director of rugby Jake White after his team beat the Sharks in their United Rugby Championship semi-final to set up a mouth-watering final against Leinster in Dublin next weekend. The Bulls showed maturity in defence, holding the Sharks off despite receiving three yellow cards in the space of twelve minutes, maintaining their lead throughout the game and winning the all-South African knockout match at Loftus three tries to two (final score 25–13). The Sharks, for their part, rued their mistakes afterwards, which included losing the ball once on the Bulls' try-line and once being held up, both while they had two more players on the field. They also slotted only one kick out of five during the game. They only scored an overlap try due to numerical advantage early in the second half while the Bulls were two men short for just two more minutes. But it was too little, too late as the Bulls weathered the storm to only allow the Sharks to score once more during the game. 'Look what they did to Glasgow' White did not cut a triumphant figure afterwards. Though he was proud, he knew the challenge that lay ahead of them if they were going to win their first of three URC finals. Irish giants Leinster crushed defending champions Glasgow Warriors 37–19 earlier in the day, only allowing respectability on the scoreboard with some late consolation scores for Glasgow. 'Look what they did to Glasgow and Glasgow beat us last year. They didn't struggle to beat Glasgow today and I am sure they will be on a high going into a final at home,' White said. 'We are going to need to work hard, we are going to have to get things working in our favour, we are going to have to recover quickly from injury – bumps and bruises. And then we are going to have to play really well.' 'Ireland' vs the Bulls – to teams with equal chance White said the final looked like an Ireland vs Bulls game, with Leinster being full of Irish internationals and British & Irish Lions players. Plus, South African double World Cup winner RG Snyman, New Zealand star Jordie Barrett and French international Rabah Slimani. 'Whether we try and underplay it, we've got to understand Ireland have beaten the All Blacks, they've beaten many big teams (including the Springboks at the 2023 Rugby Word Cup).' He said the Bulls' record of beating Leinster in four of six head-to-head matches, including last year's semi-final, 2022's semi-final and this season's league match between the two teams, counted for nothing against a side that also had their lotto ticket and 50% chance to win it all this year.
