Ken Borland

What should be an easy win for the Imperial Lions has been put in doubt by the weather, with most of the third afternoon of their 4-Day Domestic Series match against the Cape Cobras being washed out at the Wanderers on Wednesday.

The Lions were bowled out for 324 shortly before lunch on Wednesday, giving them a commanding first-innings lead of 209. When the Cobras then slumped to 22 for three, an innings defeat, possibly even in three days, seemed on the cards, but Tony de Zorzi (16*) and Kyle Verreynne (23*) showed some fight and good judgement as they took the visitors to 54 for three when play was stopped by lightning. That was followed by big thundershowers that washed out play.

The Lions began the day on 222 for seven and, despite the early loss of Nono Pongolo, caught for 2 skying a hook to deep backward square-leg off the Cobras’ best bowler, left-armer Nandre Burger (31.3-11-101-4), Dominic Hendricks and Malusi Siboto eased their way to a valuable ninth-wicket stand of 80, a record for the Lions against the Cobras.

Opener Hendricks showed superb determination in scoring 130 in eight hours and 323 balls at the crease, and is clearly a batsman who really values his wicket, even when conditions are not easy for batting.

Siboto batted with great composure to score 43 not out and then trapped Janneman Malan lbw for 9 to complete a fine day’s work.

Pieter Malan, Janneman’s brother, was also out lbw, falling to Dwaine Pretorius, while Beuran Hendricks claimed his eighth wicket of the match as he had Zubayr Hamza caught in the slips for a single.

In Port Elizabeth, Tabraiz Shamsi enjoyed a superb day as he was able to reach a career-best score of 36 with the bat and then destroyed the Warriors second innings with figures of five for 19 in 12 overs.

The Warriors actually began the day well as they claimed five Titans wickets for 88 runs, reducing the visitors from their overnight 151 for three to 239 for eight. Heinrich Klaasen scored an elegant 68 and Sibonelo Makhanya a classy 58, but when Shamsi came to the crease at No.10, the Titans only had a lead of eight runs.

But Shamsi’s surprising 36, along with 20 from Junior Dala and Okuhle Cele’s nine not out, saw the Titans reach 293 for a useful lead of 62 runs.

The Warriors’ opening bowlers, Glenton Stuurman and Mthiwekhaya Nabe, took three wickets apiece.

The Warriors made a solid enough start to their second innings as they reached 62 for two, but Shamsi then produced a destructive spell of wrist-spin that saw him claim four wickets in five overs as the home side slid to 97 for six at the close.

They are effectively 35 for six, and the Titans will be pushing hard for outright victory on the final day.

In Bloemfontein, the Dolphins are fighting hard to avoid defeat as they closed on 138 for two, with opener Sarel Erwee on 58 not out.

After the loss of Grant Roelofsen for a duck in the second over, caught at fine leg off Migael Pretorius, Erwee and Keegan Petersen (48) added 90 for the second wicket before Petersen was bowled by Patrick Kruger.

Dolphins captain Marques Ackerman then came in and scored freely as he reached 32 not out at stumps.

The Dolphins are trying to chase down a massive target of 471 though, after the Knights declared their second innings on 194 for four, with skipper Pite van Biljon stroking a fine 93 off 125 balls and Farhaan Behardien adding 50 not out.

Louis Oosthuizen will once again hog the Major limelight amongst South African golfers as he tees off at the Masters on Thursday in one of the feature three-balls, but there are also five other local stars gunning for glory at Augusta.

It will be a Masters unlike any other because not only have spectators been banned due to the Covid-19 pandemic but it is also taking place in winter, far removed from it’s usual slot at the height of spring in April.

Oosthuizen, South Africa’s highest-ranked golfer at No.19 in the world and third in the U.S. Open in September, has been drawn with new sensation Bryson de Chambeau, who won the previous Major, and Spain’s Jon Rahm, who is also one of the favourites to win the famous green jacket.

The 38-year-old Oosthuizen is considered one of the top draws in world golf due to his stellar record in the Majors. He may have won just one – the 2010 Open Championship – but apart from finishing as the runner-up in all four, he has also claimed three other top-10 finishes.

Erik van Rooyen, Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Dylan Frittelli are the other South African golfers within the top-100 in the world rankings who will be playing at Augusta, with Van Rooyen and Bezuidenhout making their Masters debuts.

Van Rooyen told his Twitter followers that he had goosebumps watching videos of Augusta and “cannot wait for the first tee shot”, while Bezuidenhout described it as “a dream come true”.

Justin Harding, on his debut at Augusta, was South Africa’s best finisher in last year’s tournament, his tie for 12^th earning him a place in the 2020 field.

Charl Schwartzel has dropped out of the world top 200 after struggling since his return from a wrist injury, but is in the field thanks to his 2011 Masters triumph.

Trevor Immelman, the 2008 Masters champion, also had an exemption to play, but the South African has decided to be in the television commentary box instead.

The Knights enjoyed a marvellous second day of their 4-Day Domestic Series match against the Dolphins in Bloemfontein on Tuesday as they ended the day with a lead of 283 runs and all 10 second-innings wickets intact.

The home side resumed on 323 for seven in their first innings, which they managed to stretch to 424 all out thanks to Raynard van Tonder finishing with a magnificent 166 off 285 deliveries.

The exciting prospect received superb support from fast bowler Migael Pretorius, who scored 62 as they added 106 for the eighth wicket.

Some fine bowling by Alfred Mothoa (13-4-35-4) and Pretorius (13-1-50-3) then saw the Dolphins skittled out for just 162 inside 43 overs.

Opener Sarel Erwee lashed 37 of the first 39 runs off just 25 balls, but once he was dismissed by Pretorius, spooning a catch off the leading edge to mid-off, the wickets tumbled with only Marques Ackerman (30) and debutant Ruan de Swardt (46) giving the Knights attack much pause for thought.

The Knights were 21 without loss in their second innings at stumps, already boasting a mighty lead of 283.

It was a terrible day in terms of the weather in Johannesburg as only 36 overs were able to be played in the match between the Imperial Lions and the Cape Cobras.

In that time the Lions managed to extend their lead to a sizeable 107 runs, reaching 222 for seven in reply to the Cobras’ dismal total of 115 all out.

Batting was treacherous, however, on a thoroughly overcast day on a pitch offering the bowlers plenty of assistance, but opener Dominic Hendricks stood firm with a stubborn innings of 87 not out in six hours and 243 deliveries at the crease.

The Titans were in charge of their game against the Warriors in Port Elizabeth as they scored 151 for three in reply the home side’s 231 all out.

The Titans were in early trouble as Glenton Stuurman claimed the key wickets of Aiden Markram (17) and Theunis de Bruyn (0) in the same over, but the in-form Dean Elgar scored 66, and with Heinrich Klaasen ending the day on 50 not out, the visitors were in a strong position at stumps.

Earlier, they had claimed the last six Warriors wickets for just 94 runs as Lizaad Williams finished with four for 64 and there were two wickets apiece for Grant Thomson, Okuhle Cele and Junior Dala.

Cele struck with the third ball of the day as Markram held on to a flyer at gully to remove Sinethemba Qeshile for 20, and top-scorer Gihahn Cloete was then caught behind off Williams for 66. The Warriors then collapsed to 170 for eight before veteran Jon-Jon Smuts (41 not out) and Tshepo Ntuli (30) gave them a late boost.

5 questions for Sharks flank Phendulani Buthelezi

• You’ve played all over the loose trio, but where do you chiefly see yourself playing in the future?

PB – Wherever the Sharks need me, I will try and get the job done for the team and I’ve been able to adjust. But I prefer eighthman, I’m probably more comfortable being the link man and playing in the wider channels, that’s probably the better position for me. In South African rugby, the No.7 needs to be big, tall and physical, they are the main ball-carrier. Defensively you’re not always coming around the corner, you need to keep the width on the blindside. I’m not the biggest guy, but it’s been very good to experience the game from a different perspective.

• You obviously enjoy the ball-playing aspects of being a loose forward, but how do you cope with the physical demands?

PB – Rugby is a physical sport, so I work hard in the gym and make sure I am conditioned enough to take the hits and give the hits. I’m not the biggest guy as I said, but it’s about having the right attitude. Generally I have a lot of belief in myself and when I run out on to the field I just tell myself to never go backwards.

• Your opponents on Friday night are Griquas, they have become less of a force in recent years but do you feel they can stretch you in Kimberley?

PB – I actually think Griquas have a lot of potential, I know their coach Scott Mathie well because he coached me at school [Durban HS] so I know what he’s capable of, plus I know some of their players well and I rate them as a side. We’re certainly not looking at it as an easy game, we need to make sure we prepare properly, especially because we’re playing in Kimberley and we all know how difficult it is to play there. I think it’s going to be a very good battle, they have a very good loose trio as well and their No.6 [Gideon van der Merwe] is excellent on the ground.

• Who captured your imagination as a rugby player growing up?

PB – Growing up, the sort of player I would have liked to become like was Ardie Savea. He’s not one of the biggest loose forwards but the power he has means he’s always going forward with the ball or putting guys down in defence. He’s very explosive, he has good speed and he’s good on the ground. Watching him used to give me goosebumps.

• How do the Sharks beat Griquas on Friday night?

PB – As a forward pack, we are very aware of the backline we have, they can score some amazing tries, but it’s up to us to land the first punch, we have to give them that front-foot ball. But we are more than confident that we are more than capable of getting the job done up front. The way we played against the Cheetahs and their very good pack last weekend gives us a lot of confidence.