Last weekend, Mzansi’s sports fans barely had time to breathe as two national teams delivered big, mood-lifting wins that had the country buzzing. 🇿🇦🔥
🔹 First up: the Springboks.
The world champs pulled off a gritty 32- 14 victory over Italy in Turin on Saturday in the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour — despite going a man down just 12 minutes in after Franco Mostert’s early red card.
But the Boks did what the Boks do: stayed calm, powered on, and dotted down four tries courtesy of Marco Van Staden, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams and Ethan Hooker.
This marks the second time the Boks beat Italy with one man short. The last time? July in Gqeberha, when they thumped them 45–0. Casual.
The Springboks will now shift their attention to their second-last game against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday — and they’ll do it without Mostert, who could face suspension after his controversial red card.
🔹 Across the globe… the Proteas quietly made history of their own.
On Sunday, South Africa claimed their first Test win in India in 15 years, beating the hosts by 30 runs at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. After being bowled out for 153 on day three, the Proteas fought back hard, dismissing India for just 93 in 35 overs.
The heroes of the match?
🔹Themba Bavuma scored 55 runs, becoming the only player in the series to score a half-century.
🔹Off-spinner Simon Harmer claimed four wickets off 21, earning himself the player of the match award.
This win ends a brutal 8-Test drought in India (seven losses, one draw) since their last victory in Nagpur back in 2010.
The Proteas now lead the two-match series 1-0, and are just a win or a draw away from sealing their first series victory in India in 25 years.
But coach Shukri Conrad is keeping everyone grounded, saying: The job isn’t done yet. The final Test kicks off on Saturday in Guwahati.
