Having received full marks in his first examination of the year, Springbok rugby coach Allister Coetzee now faces a more serious test when the Rugby Championship kicks off on Saturday.
Coetzee may first keep an eye on the tournament opener between Australia and New Zealand in Australia (SS1, 11.30am) before turning his attention to the Argentina clash in Port Elizabeth (SS1, 4pm).
In Super Rugby and other internationals, the Pumas have been less than impressive this season, but memories of last year’s first-ever win over the Boks will come flooding back, knowing that the men in the green and gold are no longer unbeatable.
Still, they will have to show much greater intensity and consistency to match the Boks if the home side can repeat the impressive displays of earlier this year in the 3-0 series win over France.
SA Schools have been desperately disappointing in the U19 International Series, but have a chance to salvage something from the tournament against England on Saturday (SS5, 1.45pm).
The English side, though, have regularly produced powerful age-group sides and the Baby Boks have a massive assignment awaiting them.
There will be more entertaining schools rugby when the traditional derby between Paul Roos and Grey College takes place in Stellenbosch this weekend. Both rugby teams have suffered some defeats this year, but will be fired up to finish on a high note (SS10, 1.55pm).
The Premier Soccer League kicks off in style this weekend, with a number of fascinating contests on the cards. The chief focus will be on the opening game tonight when champions Wits host Cape Town City (SS4, 7.30pm).
Cycling’s Grand Tour event, the La Vuelta a Spana, gets under way on Saturday (SS6, 6pm), while there should be plenty of interest in how the pink-ball cricket Test in England unfolds against the West Indies. The action, which started on Thursday, is on SS2 from 2.30pm daily.
