Griquas back-to-back Currie Cup kings

Flyhalf George Whitehead spearheaded Griquas to back-to-back Currie Cup titles as the champions outmuscled the Pumas in Kimberley.

Whitehead, who earned his 150th cap, slotted two conversions and three penalties for an individual tally of 13 points in Griquas’ 23-16 win. afsport.lat

It was the Kimberley-based team’s fifth Currie Cup title.

Whitehead opened the scoring with a penalty goal after nine minutes, but the Pumas hit back when winger Darren Adonis crossed for the opening try of the final, with flyhalf Clinton Swart adding the conversion.

Griquas responded through centre Mnombo Zwelendaba in the 22nd minute after sustained pressure inside the Pumas 22, finishing off a series of relentless phases close to the posts. Whitehead added the conversion to bring the hosts level and ignite the Kimberley crowd.

The Pumas regained the lead through two Swart penalties, the first in the 26th minute and the second soon after, as both sides continued to trade territory and pressure.

Defence was a defining feature of the final, with neither side willing to give the opposition an easy route to the tryline.

There was late drama at both ends as both teams were denied tries after crossing the line.

First, Griquas winger Sako Makata knocked on over the tryline. Then, Pumas lock JJ Scheepers suffered a similar fate when the ball was ripped from his grasp as he crossed the tryline.

The visitors took a nervy 13-10 lead into half-time.

MORE: Bergh savours home triumph

There was very little to choose between the sides in the third quarter. The Pumas’ passionate defence was again a feature as a desperate ankle tap stopped a barnstorming Makata run.

The defending champions struggled for fluidity, with handling errors and penalties costing them much-needed momentum. But despite that, Whitehead was able to draw the sides level once again through a penalty goal.

With the final 10 minutes approaching, the tension at Griqua Park was palpable. But that tension turned to jubilation when Whitehead calmly slotted a 55m penalty to take Griquas into the lead. However, less than two minutes later, Swart slotted a penalty of his own to once again draw the sides level.

Griquas then took a page from the Springbok playbook, walking the Pumas in a dominant rolling maul which saw replacement hooker Janco Uys dot down for the decisive try. Whitehead continued a perfect afternoon from the kicking tee, adding the extras.

Janco Uys gets it down

Too much power in the Suzuki Griquas pack #SSRugby | #CurrieCup pic.twitter.com/KGSVTQUBIt

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 12, 2026

The Pumas weren’t able to convert any of their late chances, which ensured that the Currie Cup stays in the Diamond City for at least one more year.

GRIQUAS – Tries: Mnombo Zwelendaba, Janco Uys. Conversions: George Whitehead (2). Penalties: Whitehead (3).
PUMAS – Try: Darren Adonis. Conversion: Clinton Swart. Penalties: Swart (3).

Photo: Danie van der Lith/Gallo Images

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Orlando Pirates cruised to a 3-1 win over La Cure Waves of Mauritius at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday afternoon.

The Buccaneers progressed to the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League with a 3-1 aggregate victory after the first leg ended goalless in Mauritius.

Despite securing the win, however, the Sea Robbers were far from convincing in front of their home supporters.

Pirates were stunned when La Cure Waves took the lead inside the opening 10 minutes, but the hosts quickly responded through Kabelo Kgositsile.

Kaogelo Sebelebele then completed the turnaround to make it 2-1 before Yanela Mbuthuma headed Pirates’ third later in the first half.

Although Pirates created several opportunities throughout the match, their performance was far from perfect, particularly in front of goal.

Here is what we learned from Orlando Pirates’ win

Poor finishing remains a problem

Pirates registered 20 shots at goal but had just three goals to show for their efforts.

The Buccaneers created enough opportunities to score more, but poor decision-making in the final third and wasteful finishing prevented them from putting the game beyond doubt earlier.

Mbuthuma got on the scoresheet but could have easily added to his tally after missing several good opportunities.

Against stronger opposition in the next round, Pirates may not be afforded as many chances, meaning their finishing will have to improve.

Sebelebele needs cover

Sebelebele impressed with his attacking contribution and capped his performance with a goal, but his importance to this Pirates squad also highlights a potential problem.

The 21-year-old is currently the club’s only recognised right-back following Deano van Rooyen’s move to Mamelodi Sundowns.

That leaves Mike Makhanya with plenty of responsibility, particularly with Pirates set to compete on multiple fronts this season.

Sebelebele cannot be expected to play every match, and the lack of natural cover at right-back could become an issue as the campaign progresses.

Poor decision-making remains an issue

With the majority of the squad still new, Pirates are understandably still working on developing combinations and understanding between players.

There were several promising moments, but the Buccaneers often struggled to make the right decision in the final third.

Players sometimes held onto the ball for too long, while others rushed their passes when a more patient approach could have created better opportunities.

That lack of cohesion is something that should improve with more game time, but Pirates will need to develop those combinations quickly with the Champions League campaign now moving into a more demanding stage.

There is still plenty of work to do

A 3-1 victory and progression in the Champions League will ultimately be welcomed, but this was not a performance that will have completely satisfied Abdeslam Ouaddou.

Orlando Pirates showed enough quality to get the job done, but they also exposed areas that need improvement.

The next round will provide a much tougher test, and the Buccaneers will need to be more clinical, more cohesive and more disciplined if they are to make a serious push for continental.

Can Pirates win CAF?

Chelsea reçoit Hull City ce samedi 12 septembre à Stamford Bridge, à l’occasion de la quatrième journée de Premier League. Les Blues veulent renouer avec la victoire en championnat, tandis que Hull City réalise un début de saison intéressant. Le coup d’envoi est prévu à 14h00 GMT.

À quelle heure suivre Chelsea-Hull ?

La rencontre entre Chelsea et Hull City débutera à 14h00 GMT ce samedi 12 septembre. Les deux équipes se retrouveront à Stamford Bridge pour cette quatrième journée de Premier League.

Sur quelle chaîne regarder Chelsea-Hull ?

La rencontre sera diffusée en France sur Canal+ Live. Les téléspectateurs pourront ainsi suivre en direct ce duel entre Chelsea et Hull City.

Chelsea veut rebondir

Chelsea aborde cette rencontre avec l’ambition de retrouver le chemin de la victoire en championnat. Les Blues ont subi leur première défaite de la saison le week-end dernier face à Arsenal (2-1), avant de réagir en League Cup avec un large succès contre Leeds United.

De son côté, Hull City arrive à Stamford Bridge avec confiance. Les Tigers comptent sept points après leurs trois premières journées et n’ont toujours pas encaissé le moindre but en championnat. Chelsea devra donc se méfier d’une équipe qui a parfaitement lancé sa saison.

Chelsea-Hull, c’est ce samedi à 14h00 GMT sur Canal+ Live.

The post Chelsea – Hull City : Sur quelle chaîne TV voir le match en direct appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

Kaizer Chiefs were pegged back by Polokwane City in a 1-1 Betway Premiership draw at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.

Chiefs ‘keeper error

Chiefs took a first half lead through Lebohang Maboe, but another error from Brandon Petersen helped City equalise with 17 minutes left.

The result keeps up Amakhosi’s unbeaten start to the Premiership season, but another failure to keep a clean sheet will hurt Fernando Da Cruz’ side. Petersen made a couple of fine first half saves, but turned from hero to villain after the break.

Chiefs almost created an early opportunity as a long ball from Inacio Miguel found Etiosa Ighodaro but the offside flag was up.

In the 11th minute, City captain Lebohang Nkaki had a great chance to put Rise and Shine in front. Chiefs failed to clear a corner, and Nkaki flashed the ball wide from six metres out.

In the 15th minute, Mfundo Vilakazi went on a junking run but his effort was tame and easilty saved by Oscarine Masuluke.

Petersen has been heavily criticised this season, but the Chiefs goalkeeper came up with two vital saves, keeping out headers from Bonginkosi Dlamini and Keorapetse Sebone.

And it was Chiefs who went in front on the half-hour mark.

Pule Modi’s fine cross was deftly brought down by Maboe, and equally well-flicked past Masuluke and into the net.

Philander strikes

Chiefs, however, didn’t build on their lead and City levelled in the 73rd minute. Philander’s near-post corner somehow squirmed past Petersen, leaving the Amakhosi ‘keeper with egg on his face again.

Amakhosi looked for a winner and Faiz Abrahams tried a spectacular volley, but his effort went just wide.

En Centrafrique, pour la première fois, un artiste centrafricain va se produire dans une grande salle de spectacle en Europe. Il s’agit de Losseba Ngoutiwa qui donnera un concert inédit sur la scène du Nouveau Casino de Paris, ce samedi 12 septembre, entre 19 heures et minuit. Ce rendez-vous est présenté comme un moment historique pour la musique centrafricaine mais aussi comme une occasion de faire découvrir les sonorités du pays au-delà des frontières.