PICK OF THE SPORT: Olympic action moves outside as track and field action gets underway this weekend – and it is action you cannot miss, writes Dylan Bettencourt.
After an opening few days of swimming and gymnastics, action from the Paris Olympics moves outside for the track and field events.
South Africa has already won four medals, one gold, one silver and two bronze – one more than we got in Tokyo last time out with more potentially on the cards.
South Africa has a good chance in the men’s 4x400m relays as well as an outside chance in the men’s 100m sprint.
The first men’s 4x400m heats will begin on Friday at 7.10pm where South Africa’s famous son Wayde van Niekerk will lead Team South Africa.
Moving to men’s hockey, South Africa will take on hosts France at 7.45pm in another pool stage game.
On Saturday morning, the qualifying rounds for the men’s 100m start from 10.35am where Akani Simbine will be in action.
The women’s 100m heats will start from 11.35am.
The women’s hockey team are in action on Saturday at 1.15pm when they face the United States in a pool stage game.
The women’s 100m semi-final is on Saturday at 7.50pm.
South Africa will get their chance at another medal when the 4x400m final starts at 8.55pm.
The women’s 100m final will then take place at 9.20pm.
On Sunday, the men’s 400m heats will start around 7.05pm with some South Africans taking part.
And the race everyone wants to see, the men’s 100m final will take place at 9.50pm.
The full Olympic schedule can be seen here.
All the Olympic action will be live across different DStv and SABC channels.
➤ The MTN8 gets underway this weekend with defending champions Orlando Pirates taking on SuperSport United on Saturday at 6pm.
Stellenbosch will then face TS Galaxy on Sunday at 3pm before the next set of fixtures take place next weekend.
Both games will be live on DStv channel 202.
➤ There is no international rugby this weekend but there is a lot of Currie Cup action to keep South African rugby fans happy.
At the moment, it’s a clear case of winners and losers as four teams have won three or more games, and four teams have lost three or more games.
Sadly, the Sharks as expected these days, are doing badly, having had one win out of four matches, but Western Province have also only had one win so far. It is said this is because their star players are on Springbok duty, but what does it tell you about the depth of players in those two top provinces?
Cheetahs v Blue Bulls, Friday 5pm.
Pumas v Sharks, Saturday 3pm.
Western Province vs Griffons Saturday 5.15pm.
Griquas vs Lions Sunday 5pm.
All matches live on DStv channel 211 .
Pictured above: Akani Simbine.
Source: X
