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Nomlomo: Bulls lacked energy in first half
Vodacom Bulls XV coach Phiwe Nomlomo was disappointed with his side’s 62-52 defeat to the Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday despite a courageous comeback.
The Bulls trailed 47-17 at half-time before producing a vastly improved second-half performance to get back to within seven points, but ultimately suffered a fifth consecutive Currie Cup defeat. esporist.com
“Disappointing once again,” Nomlomo said. “The game was nearly done in the first half. We did well to claw back as well as we did, but it remains disappointing.
“The shining light is how we expressed ourselves during the second half. We had a lot more intent; we were direct, moved the ball well and looked after our breakdown.
“All of a sudden, we handled everything we wanted to in the game, but 40 minutes later.”
REPORT: Cheetahs survive Bulls fightback in Loftus try-fest
Nomlomo was particularly concerned by the Bulls’ sluggish first-half display.
“We weren’t as accurate as we wanted to be during the first half. It looked like we lacked energy, which is unlike us, so those things were quite concerning.
“In the second half we changed it all together; that’s the part; it’s a mental game.”
The Bulls now face a short turnaround before hosting the Stormers XXIII in a north-south derby on Friday. The Cape side is also desperate for log points after losing 29-7 to the Pumas in Nelspruit on Saturday, a result that dealt another blow to their playoff hopes.
ALSO: Stormers, Bulls set for pre-season clash
“Again, it’s a quick turnaround from Sunday to Friday. We must get bodies as fresh as possible,” Nomlomo said.
“It’s going to be brutal. It’s a north-south derby, so it goes without saying that it will be another match full of intensity.
“It’s going to be fire. They’ll want to win here, and we’re desperate for our first win.
“They will want to keep their playoff chances alive, and we’ll be fighting to get a win, so it will be another humdinger for sure.”
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Nomlomo: Bulls lacked energy in first half appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Ten times Test cricket tore up the script
Bangladesh’s historic victory over Australia in Darwin joins a special collection of results that made reputations, rankings and predictions feel meaningless.
Test cricket rarely offers an easy upset. The weaker side must win session after session, withstand several days of pressure and dismiss its opponent twice.
That is what makes these victories so extraordinary.
Bangladesh beat Australia, Darwin, 2026
Bangladesh arrived having been dismissed for 54 by a Cricket Australia XI in their warm-up match. Four days later, they had completed a nine-wicket demolition of the world’s top-ranked Test side.
Hasan Mahmud’s 6-55 dismissed Australia for 198 before Tanzid Hasan’s maiden century carried Bangladesh to 426. Mehidy Hasan Miraz then took five wickets as the hosts were bowled out for 284, leaving Bangladesh only 57 to complete their first Test victory in Australia.
New Zealand beat India 3-0, 2024
India had won 18 consecutive Test series at home and New Zealand arrived without the injured Kane Williamson. They left as the first visiting team to complete a three-Test whitewash in India.
The conditions changed from Bengaluru to Pune and Mumbai, yet New Zealand found an answer every time. Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, Will Young and Rachin Ravindra delivered a triumph that captain Tom Latham described as New Zealand’s greatest series victory.
READ: Bangladesh’s finest Test moment earns nationwide acclaim
Bangladesh beat Pakistan 2-0, 2024
Bangladesh had lost 12 of their first 13 Tests against Pakistan before arriving in Rawalpindi. They won the first Test by 10 wickets and completed a historic 2-0 sweep nine days later.
The second victory carried even greater weight. Bangladesh recovered from 26-6 through Litton Das’ 138 before their bowlers completed a remarkable turnaround.
West Indies beat Australia, Brisbane, 2024
An inexperienced West Indies team arrived at the Gabba with few giving them a realistic chance. Shamar Joseph changed everything.
The fast bowler overcame a badly injured toe and bowled 12 consecutive overs, taking 7-68 as the West Indies secured an eight-run victory. It was their first Test win in Australia since 1997 and only the second defeat Australia had suffered at the Gabba since 1989.
Bangladesh beat New Zealand, Mount Maunganui, 2022
New Zealand were the reigning world Test champions and had gone 17 Tests unbeaten at home. Bangladesh had never beaten them in any format in New Zealand.
Ebadot Hossain produced the performance of his career, taking 6-46 as the hosts were dismissed for 169 in their second innings. Bangladesh completed an eight-wicket victory that remains one of the defining moments in their Test history.
Sri Lanka beat South Africa 2-0, 2019
Sri Lanka reached South Africa following defeats against England, New Zealand and Australia. Few expected them to seriously trouble a Proteas team containing Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander and Duanne Olivier.
Kusal Perera’s unbeaten 153 inspired an astonishing one-wicket victory in Durban. Sri Lanka then won by eight wickets in Gqeberha to become the first Asian team to win a Test series in South Africa.
Bangladesh beat England, Mirpur, 2016
England began their pursuit of 273 by reaching 100 without loss. They were dismissed for 164 before the day was over.
Teenage off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz took six wickets in the innings and 12 in the match, giving Bangladesh their first Test victory over England by 108 runs. Ten wickets fell in one final, chaotic session.
ALSO: Proteas must make Australia earn it
Zimbabwe beat Pakistan, Peshawar, 1998
Zimbabwe had won only two Tests when they began their tour of Pakistan. Neil Johnson’s century kept them close in the first innings before their bowlers dismissed Pakistan for 103.
A target of 162 was reached with seven wickets remaining, giving Zimbabwe their first overseas Test victory. Two draws followed, allowing them to complete a famous 1-0 series triumph.
Pakistan beat England, The Oval, 1954
Pakistan had been playing Test cricket for only two years when they toured England for the first time.
Fazal Mahmood took 12-99 as Pakistan defended 168 to secure a 24-run victory. The result levelled the series and established Pakistan as a force capable of winning in the game’s most demanding conditions.
Australia beat England, The Oval, 1882
The original shock still carries its place in cricket folklore.
England needed only 85 to win, but Fred Spofforth took 7-44 to complete match figures of 14-90. Australia won by seven runs, inspiring the famous mock obituary declaring the death of English cricket and giving birth to the legend of the Ashes.
More than 140 years later, Test cricket retains the same capacity to embarrass certainty. Bangladesh’s victory in Darwin is the latest reminder that history matters only until somebody walks onto the field and rewrites it.
Photo: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
The post Ten times Test cricket tore up the script appeared first on SA Cricket Mag.
Padikkal’s career-best knock punishes Sri Lanka
Comeback star Devdutt Padikkal hit a polished 167 as India scored 460-9 on a rainy second day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Sunday.
Only 43 overs were possible at the picturesque venue, with the morning session completely washed out by the weather.
Padikkal, recalled to the side after almost two years as an injury replacement for Sai Sudharsan, impressed the most among the batsmen.
His knock was the fourth-highest Test score by an Indian in Sri Lanka behind Sachin Tendulkar (203), Virender Sehwag (201 not out) and Shikhar Dhawan (190).
Padikkal, playing just his third Test match, looked solid as he struck elegant drives during his 230-ball knock that lasted more than five hours.
His innings contained 15 fours and a six.
“It was a super knock by Padikkal,” Indian batsman Dhruv Jurel told reporters after the day’s play.
“He is making his comeback to the side, and he made it count. He played the spinners and seamers really well.”
When play resumed in the afternoon, Sri Lanka took the new ball and got the much-needed breakthroughs.
READ: Ten times Test cricket tore up the script
Their spinners managed to get more purchase off the surface, picking three quick wickets.
Rishabh Pant (39) was the first to go when he was caught by Sonal Dinusha off debutant spinner Keshara Nuwantha.
Dinusha ran in from wide mid-off and dived to take the catch, giving Nuwantha his first Test wicket.
Nuwantha also dismissed K.L. Rahul, who was caught by close in fielder Nishan Fernando for 82.
Rahul had to retire on 77 on day one due to cramps, and he could only add five more runs on day two.
Prabath Jayasuriya claimed the big wicket of Padikkal, having him stumped by Niroshan Dickwella.
Batting at number six, Jurel hit 51 off 68 balls to ensure India did not collapse after the dismissal of Padikkal.
He was involved in a 55-run stand for the fifth wicket with Manav Suthar, who made 24.
Paceman Asitha Fernando struck late to dismiss tail-ender Mohammad Siraj.
Jayasuriya said the batsmen will have to pull their game up, with the pitch deteriorating as is the case generally in Galle.
ALSO: Bangladesh make history with commanding Australia win
“In Galle, the toss is always vital as the pitch deteriorates as the game progresses. We lost the toss, and the beauty of Test match cricket is to fight it out and hang in there,” he said.
“Our batters need to put up their hands and come up with a good effort.”
Play will resume 15 minutes early on day three in order to make up for lost time.
Galle is hosting its 50th Test match, the first Asian ground to achieve the milestone.
India have an impressive record against Sri Lanka, having not lost any Test against them since 2015.
–AFP
Photo: Sameera Peiris/Getty Images
The post Padikkal’s career-best knock punishes Sri Lanka appeared first on SA Cricket Mag.
RC Lens – PSG (trophée des Champions) : Sur quelle chaîne TV suivre le match en direct ?
Le PSG et le RC Lens se retrouvent ce dimanche 16 août 2026 pour le Trophée des Champions. La rencontre se disputera au stade Bollaert-Delelis, avec un coup d’envoi programmé à 20h45.
Cette affiche mettra aux prises le champion de France et le vainqueur de la Coupe de France pour le premier trophée national de la saison.
Après son succès en Supercoupe d’Europe face à Aston Villa, le PSG souhaite poursuivre sur sa lancée et ajouter une nouvelle ligne à son palmarès.
De son côté, Lens entend profiter de cette affiche pour créer la surprise devant son public. Les Sang et Or auront l’avantage d’évoluer à domicile et tenteront de résister aux Parisiens.
Côté diffusion, le match sera à suivre en direct et en exclusivité sur Ligue 1+, avec une diffusion également accessible via DAZN.
The post RC Lens – PSG (trophée des Champions) : Sur quelle chaîne TV suivre le match en direct ? appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.