English
Indian
العربية
Español
Deutsch
Türkçe
Русский
Français (Afrique)
11 changes confirmed: Orlando Pirates starting XI vs Cadiz CF
Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has announced his starting line-up for Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Cádiz CF in Marbella. newsbetting.club
Kick off is at 18:45, with the match live on SuperSport 209 and Pirates TV on YouTube. The Buccaneers use the match as another important test ahead of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign.
Ouaddou has made 11 changes to the side that started the 1-1 draw against Córdoba CF earlier last week. The coach has kept faith with the same combination as Pirates continue building match fitness during their Spanish training camp.
ORLANDO PIRATES XI
Sipho Chaine, Mpho Chabatsane, Cristian Derbyshire, Deon Hotto (captain), Kamohelo Sebelebele, Makhehlene Makhaula, Simphiwe Masilela, Matome Mmolai, Daniel Msendami, Tshepang Moremi, Boitumelo Radiopane.
Substitutes: Siyabonga Dladla (GK), Tapelo Xoki, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Neo Rapoo, Lebone Seema, Mthetheleli Mthiyane, Thalente Mbatha, Cemran Dansin, Bohlale Ngwato, Mpho Padime, Evidence Makgopa.
TOUGH TEST AWAITS
Orlando Pirates face another challenging opponent in Cádiz CF, a club with a proud history in Spanish football. The Andalusian side has built a reputation for its resilience and fighting spirit whenever it has competed in Spain’s top flight.
During the 1980s and early 1990s, Cádiz became famous for repeatedly avoiding relegation with dramatic late-season escapes. Those achievements earned the club a special place in La Liga history.
The Spanish outfit is also known for its passionate supporters and strong connection with the Andalusian community. Saturday’s encounter will provide Orlando Pirates with another valuable examination as they prepare to defend the Betway Premiership, MTN8 and Carling Knockout titles, while also returning to the CAF Champions League.
Gignac voit une « très belle finale » entre Espagne-Argentine et explique l’élimination des Bleus par un « mauvais jour »
Privé de finale de Coupe du monde par l’Espagne (0-2), l’équipe de France jouera pour le podium face à l’Angleterre ce soir à Miami.
Interrogé par le média argentin Diario Olé sur la prestation des Bleus, l’ancien international tricolore André-Pierre Gignac a confié que la sélection n’avait pas été dans un bon jour.
« Je pense que c’est tout simplement tombé le mauvais jour. Peut-être que si on avait joué le dimanche ou le lundi, on aurait vu une autre équipe de France », a indiqué Gignac.
L’ancien attaquant aux 36 capes s’est aussi exprimé sur la prestation de son ancienne sélection. « Nous avons réalisé un match techniquement très en dessous de notre niveau. Ce n’était pas notre jour », a-t-il ajouté. Enfin, questionné sur la finale de dimanche Espagne-Argentine, Gignac voit « une très belle finale ».
The post Gignac voit une « très belle finale » entre Espagne-Argentine et explique l’élimination des Bleus par un « mauvais jour » appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.
Nations Championship Round 3 Predictions: Fixtures, Times & Best Bets
Nations Championship Round 3 Predictions: The Rugby Nations Championship reaches its third and final round of the July block on Saturday, 18 July 2026. Six matches across three continents complete the opening phase of the inaugural competition, which brings together all 24 nations participating in the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Ireland, South Africa and New Zealand are the only sides with maximum points after two rounds, while Fiji, Australia and Italy are still searching for their first win.
Round 3 fixtures at a glance
| Date (EAT) | Match | Venue | KO (EAT) |
| Sat 18 Jul | New Zealand vs Ireland | Eden Park, Auckland | 10:10 |
| Sat 18 Jul | Japan vs France | National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo | 11:40 |
| Sat 18 Jul | Australia vs Italy | HBF Park, Perth | 13:10 |
| Sat 18 Jul | Fiji vs Scotland | Murrayfield, Edinburgh | 16:10 |
| Sat 18 Jul | South Africa vs Wales | Kings Park, Durban | 18:40 |
| Sat 18 Jul | Argentina vs England | Estadio Único, Santiago del Estero | 22:10 |
All kick-off times in EAT.
New Zealand vs Ireland — Eden Park, Auckland — 10:10 EAT
The All Blacks will defend their 32-year unbeaten record at Eden Park against the only side with maximum points alongside them in the standings. Will Jordan brings fresh momentum after his hat-trick against Italy took him to 50 Test tries — an All Blacks all-time record. Ireland, meanwhile, will rely on Stuart McCloskey, Joe McCarthy and Josh van der Flier to drive their challenge.
Their rivalry has intensified since Ireland claimed their first-ever win over New Zealand in 2016, but the All Blacks have since won the last three meetings, including a 28-24 victory in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final that snapped Ireland’s 17-match winning streak.
Japan vs France — National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo — 11:40 EAT
Japan face their stiffest home test of the series against a France side that recovered from a Round 1 defeat to New Zealand with an impressive 42-26 win over Australia. Japan lost their opening two matches, including a heavy defeat to Ireland. Even without Antoine Dupont and several other key players, France are clear favourites.
The two sides will also meet at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia (Pool E), making this an important reconnaissance match for both camps. France scored six tries against the Wallabies last weekend and will be confident of another strong attacking performance.
Australia vs Italy — HBF Park, Perth — 13:10 EAT
Two winless sides meet in Perth with pride and home advantage the primary motivators for Joe Schmidt’s Australia in what is expected to be his final match as Wallabies head coach. Australia have started strongly in both previous matches before fading late. Italy are missing lock Niccolò Cannone through a four-week suspension.
Australia are on a six-test losing streak but are seeking their first win over Italy since 2018, having lost the previous two meetings. Italy’s spirited display against New Zealand showed their capacity to compete, but home advantage and the occasion should favour the Wallabies.
Fiji vs Scotland — Murrayfield, Edinburgh — 16:10 EAT
Scotland host a Fiji side that have conceded 112 points across their opening two rounds, including a 73-8 hammering by England. Gregor Townsend has made 14 changes, with only Gregor Brown retaining his place (shifting from lock to number eight). Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe start on the wings; Gregor Hiddleston earns his first Test start at hooker.
Scotland lost to South Africa in Round 2 but beat Argentina in Round 1. Fiji, despite their heavy losses, have shown attacking intent and Scotland will need to be disciplined to avoid conceding easy scores. The home advantage and the scale of Fiji’s defensive problems make Scotland clear favourites.
South Africa vs Wales — Kings Park, Durban — 18:40 EAT
The Springboks chase a third consecutive Nations Championship victory at their Durban fortress. South Africa have been outstanding defensively throughout the competition — conceding tries from just 16 percent of opposition line breaks, the best in the tournament. Their most recent meeting with Wales ended in a 73-0 demolition, though World Cup history paints a closer picture: three semi-final encounters decided by four points or fewer (2011, 2015, 2019).
Wales have impressed at the lineout and converted half their line breaks into tries, matching Ireland for the best strike rate in the competition. However, South Africa’s defensive structure and home advantage make them strong favourites in Durban.
Argentina vs England — Estadio Único, Santiago del Estero — 22:10 EAT
The final fixture of the July Nations Championship block is a fitting conclusion. Argentina host England in Santiago del Estero in a fixture that echoes the rivalry being played out simultaneously on the football pitch between the two nations at the World Cup.
The Pumas recovered from a Round 1 defeat to Scotland by beating Wales and now host an England side they have never beaten in five Rugby World Cup meetings. England prevailed 27-10 in their 2023 World Cup pool-stage clash — despite playing most of the match with 14 men — and followed that with a 26-23 bronze medal win. A narrow 27-23 England win last November suggests momentum is with the tourists.
Both teams have excelled at the lineout: England with a perfect 100 percent success rate and Argentina close behind at 96 percent. The Pumas also maintain a flawless scrum record. This is expected to be the round’s most competitive and closely-contested fixture.
Where to bet
Springboks Ruthless in Durban: South Africa Blank Wales 43-0
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA — The Springboks continued their formidable march through the Nations Championship with a crushing 43-0 victory over Wales at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday.
In a match defined by relentless physical dominance and tactical superiority, Rassie Erasmus’s heavily rotated squad proved that their depth is unmatched. For Wales, the match was a sobering reality check. Steve Tandy’s men were nilled by the world champions, bringing the aggregate score between the two sides to a staggering 116-0 over their last two encounters.
Match Overview: Power, Pace, and Precision
From the first whistle, South Africa’s intent was clear: overpower the Welsh pack and dominate territory. Despite making 10 changes to the starting lineup and introducing four debutants, the Springboks looked like a cohesive, unstoppable unit.
Wales, conversely, struggled to find any attacking rhythm. Smothered by the famed South African rush defence and physically outmatched at the breakdown, the visitors were forced into playing a purely defensive game. Even when Wales managed to string phases together, handling errors in the humid Durban conditions and a lack of penetration left them with no reward.
First Half: The Early Blitz
The Springboks wasted no time asserting their dominance.
- 4th Minute: Powerhouse number eight Jasper Wiese crashed through the Welsh defense from close range to open the scoring.
- 13th Minute: Following a dominant Springbok scrum, scrum-half Cobus Reinach darted down the blindside to cross the whitewash untouched.
- Stroke of Half-Time: Debutant winger Jaco Williams and veteran centre Jesse Kriel added to the misery, blowing the game wide open just before the break to send the Boks into the tunnel with a commanding 19-0 lead.
Second Half: The Floodgates Open
If Wales hoped for a reprieve, the second half offered none. South Africa utilized their formidable bench, and the fresh legs only amplified the pressure.
- 62nd Minute: Replacement scrum-half Herschel Jantjies capitalized on a Welsh knock-on at the breakdown, finishing a slick counter-attack.
- 67th Minute (Mandela Day Tribute): The stadium erupted in a spectacular light show as fans turned on their phone torches to honour Nelson Mandela International Day, briefly turning the brutal Test match into a vibrant celebration.
- 69th Minute: Kurt-Lee Arendse scored a beautifully worked try down the left wing after the Springbok forwards pulverized the Welsh defensive line.
- 79th Minute: Flanker Paul de Villiers capped off a magnificent personal performance, and his first Test try, by dotting down at the back of a devastating driving maul.
Wales’ woes were compounded in the 64th minute when tighthead prop Ben Warren was sent to the sin-bin for a high challenge on Marco van Staden, leaving the visitors to defend with 14 men during the Springboks’ late surge.
Key Match Statistics
The gulf in class was most evident in the match data, where South Africa dictated every metric of the game.
Statistic | South Africa | Wales |
Final Score | 43 | 0 |
Tries | 7 | 0 |
Total Runs | 112 | 73 |
Metres Run with Ball | 517 | 112 |
Conversions | 4/7 | 0/0 |
Yellow Cards | 0 | 1 |
What This Means Going Forward
For South Africa:
Rassie Erasmus has sent a chilling warning to the rest of the rugby world. To rotate the squad so heavily, introduce new caps like Vusi Moyo and Jaco Williams, and still execute a 43-0 victory speaks volumes about their current ecosystem. They are primed, confident, and firing on all cylinders as they look ahead to their looming clashes with New Zealand.
For Wales:
The road ahead requires extreme patience. Coach Steve Tandy is in the throes of a deep rebuild, and while the Welsh squad showed flashes of resilience in defence, they were completely starved of territory and possession. The lack of an attacking platform and their struggles at the set-piece remain glaring issues that must be addressed if they are to become competitive ahead of the next Six Nations cycle.
For More South African Sports News: Sport South Africa Home Page
The post Springboks Ruthless in Durban: South Africa Blank Wales 43-0 appeared first on South Africa Sports News and Blog Site | South Africa Sport.