South Africa's Best Bets This Week

This Week's Sporting Preview

The Springboks face a major examination in Paris, Bafana Bafana return to Africa Cup of Nations qualifying action and the Proteas begin their home Test series against Bangladesh in another busy week for South African sport. International rugby dominates the weekend, while African football qualifiers and several major cricket series provide plenty of action throughout the week.

Springboks face French test in Paris

South Africa head to the Stade de France on Friday night looking to extend their unbeaten run in the inaugural Nations Championship. The Springboks strengthened their position at the top of the Southern Hemisphere standings with a commanding 66-7 victory over Italy in Turin, scoring nine tries in a performance that underlined their attacking quality.

France represent a considerably tougher challenge. The Springboks won 32-17 in Paris last November despite Lood de Jager's first-half red card, but Les Bleus will be determined to make home advantage count in a contest between the leading teams from the two hemispheres.

With Ireland awaiting South Africa in Dublin the following weekend, the next two matches could prove decisive in determining the Springboks' route to the Nations Championship final at Twickenham later this month.

There is plenty more international rugby to follow. New Zealand visit Wales, England host Japan, Ireland face Fiji and Scotland take on Australia in the other headline fixtures. The Nations Cup also continues, with Georgia facing Tonga, Spain meeting Chile and Romania taking on the USA among six matches involving emerging rugby nations.

Bafana Bafana return to AFCON qualifying action

South Africa resume their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with two matches against Kenya, beginning with Friday's encounter in Johannesburg. Bafana Bafana have made a strong start to qualifying, collecting six points from their opening two fixtures, and will be looking to consolidate their position in the group.

The matches bring an interesting South African coaching connection, with Pitso Mosimane's Bafana Bafana facing a Kenya side managed by former national team striker Benni McCarthy.

Lyle Foster, Thalente Mbatha and Mbekezeli Mbokazi have been recalled to the South African squad, while the fitness of Ronwen Williams and Teboho Mokoena remains a consideration. The return fixture takes place in Nairobi on Tuesday 17 November.

The AFCON qualifiers feature a packed programme across the continent. Ghana face Somalia twice, while Nigeria, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Algeria and Burkina Faso are among the other prominent nations looking to strengthen their qualifying positions. With several return matches scheduled early next week, there is an opportunity for teams to make significant progress towards the tournament.

On the domestic front, attention is also turning towards the Carling Knockout semi-finals on 21 and 22 November. Mamelodi Sundowns face Kaizer Chiefs, while Orlando Pirates meet Stellenbosch, with places in the final at stake.

Proteas begin Bangladesh Test series

The Proteas return to Test cricket on Sunday when they host Bangladesh at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. The opening match of the two-Test series marks another important assignment in South Africa's home summer and their defence of the ICC World Test Championship.

Temba Bavuma captains a squad featuring the returning Tony de Zorzi and Anrich Nortje, while Zubayr Hamza is also back in contention. With the Wanderers traditionally offering assistance to fast bowlers, South Africa will be looking to make the most of familiar conditions against a Bangladesh side hoping to challenge the hosts.

The second Test follows at SuperSport Park in Centurion later in November, before the teams meet in ODI and T20 international series in December.

Elsewhere, international cricket offers two attractive ODI contests. Australia host England in the opening matches of their series, renewing one of cricket's fiercest rivalries, while New Zealand and India conclude their five-match ODI series. Both provide further interest for cricket followers alongside the Proteas' return to red-ball action.

Golf season reaches its climax in Dubai

The DP World Tour Championship takes place at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai from Thursday to Sunday, bringing the European Tour season to its conclusion.

The tournament features the leading players in the Race to Dubai standings, with the season-long title and a substantial prize fund at stake. South African golfers have a long history of success on the European circuit, giving local fans another major international event to follow as the golfing year draws towards its close.