South Africa's Best Bets This Week

This Week's Sporting Preview

Another exciting week of sport awaits, with European club rugby returning, South Africa continuing their Test series against Australia and the country's leading football clubs preparing for important CAF encounters. The Bledisloe Cup, domestic T20 cricket and two major golf tournaments add to a busy sporting calendar.

Rugby

European club rugby takes centre stage this weekend as the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup get underway, with five South African teams involved across the two competitions.

The Bulls and Stormers begin their Champions Cup campaigns at home on Saturday. The Bulls welcome Stade Français to Loftus Versfeld, while the Stormers face Bristol Bears in Cape Town. The Lions have a difficult opening assignment in France against La Rochelle.

In the Challenge Cup, the Sharks travel to face Lyon on Saturday, while the Cheetahs take on Bayonne in France on Sunday. All five South African sides will be looking to make a positive start as they target progression to the knockout stages.

Elsewhere, there are several attractive European encounters, including Clermont against Leinster, Munster against Racing 92, and Toulouse against Exeter Chiefs.

International rugby also takes centre stage on Saturday when Australia host New Zealand in Sydney in the second Bledisloe Cup Test. The Wallabies will be determined to make home advantage count against their trans-Tasman rivals in one of international rugby's fiercest rivalries.

In New Zealand, the NPC reaches the semi-final stage, with four teams battling for places in the final.

Football

South African football turns its attention to continental competition this weekend, with four clubs involved in the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

Orlando Pirates travel to face African Stars on Saturday in the Champions League, while Mamelodi Sundowns are away to Angolan side Wiliete on Sunday. Both clubs will be looking to secure favourable results ahead of the decisive second legs.

In the Confederation Cup, Kaizer Chiefs face Zambia's Red Arrows on Saturday, while Durban City take on AS Port Louis 2000 on Sunday. Progression to the group stages is the objective, and all four South African clubs will be eager to establish an advantage.

The Betway Premiership also features during the week as clubs return to domestic action. Sundowns will be hoping to build on their MTN8 triumph after defeating Orlando Pirates 2-0 in the final, ending the Buccaneers' run of four consecutive titles.

There is also plenty of interest in English football, with Chelsea travelling to Everton on Saturday and Manchester United visiting Leeds United on Sunday. Arsenal face Nottingham Forest, while Newcastle United host Aston Villa in another intriguing Premier League encounter.

Cricket

South Africa continue their three-match Test series against Australia, with the second Test getting underway at St George's Park in Gqeberha on Sunday 18 October.

The Proteas will be looking to make the most of home conditions against a formidable Australian side. The opening Test at Kingsmead highlighted the challenge posed by Australia's batting line-up, with Matt Renshaw producing an outstanding first-innings century.

South Africa will be hoping for stronger performances from their leading batters, while the potential return of Kagiso Rabada could strengthen their bowling attack.

Domestic cricket continues with the YesPlay Pro20 Cup, which features a busy schedule of provincial T20 fixtures throughout the week. The shorter format offers plenty of opportunities for entertaining cricket as teams compete for valuable points.

International T20 cricket also remains in focus, with India and the West Indies continuing their five-match series.

Golf

South African golf takes centre stage this week as the Sunshine Tour heads to the Lost City Golf Course at Sun City for the Blu Label Unlimited Challenge, running from 14 to 17 October.

The tournament provides another opportunity for local professionals to compete for valuable ranking points and prize money, with several established Sunshine Tour players looking to challenge for the title.

Internationally, the DP World Tour moves to India for the DP World India Championship at Delhi Golf Club from 15 to 18 October.

Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy is among the headline attractions, adding further interest to a tournament featuring some of the leading names in European golf.

Horse Racing

Horse racing continues throughout the week, with South African and international meetings providing regular betting opportunities.

Punters can follow the latest race previews, selections and betting tips on bets.co.za as the week's major meetings approach.