SABC Digital News

When Zinnbauer started with Pirates last month, they were seventh on the log, 17 points behind log leaders Kaizer Chiefs but today they are fourth and have managed to cut five points in the gap between them and their archrivals.

Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele has credited their new coach Josef Zinnbauer for not only helping to turn the team’s fortunes around but also for successfully working on their defensive structure.

Steve Komphela’s Arrows presently have 24 points from 19 matches and victory is certain to help them make a few gains on the table.

Lamontville Golden Arrows captain Matome Mathiane admits that losing the way they did to Kaizer Chiefs last week was a bitter pill to swallow, but he has urged his team to make amends with victory over SuperSport United this weekend.

Chippa United are going to tomorrow’s Absa Premiership match against in-form Orlando Pirates at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth with an almost full squad.

Southern Kings defence and kicking coach Braam van Straaten expects a physical battle when the Kings play against the Cheetahs in a PRO14 encounter at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein tomorrow.

The Stormers Coach John Dobson has announced his team to take on the Hurricanes this Saturday in the opening round of the 2020 Super Rugby season. Dobson has named a very strong team that includes Welsh international centre Jamie Roberts, who will make his debut after signing with the Western Cape franchise earlier this month.

Supersport United Coach Kaitano Tembo says his team will be gunning for maximum points, when they tackle Golden Arrows in a league encounter on Saturday.

Chippa United boss Chippa Mpengesi is hoping that star midfielder Thabo Rakhale will renew his contract when it expires at the end of the season. Rakhale has revived his career at Chippa after he was released by Orlando Pirates back in 2017. Chippa is likely to renew his contract by two more years.

Maritzburg United coach Eric Tinkler has been reflecting on his first year in charge of the Team of Choice and hopes to celebrate the landmark with victory over Cape Town City at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday night.

Athletics South Africa (ASA) President Aleck Skhosana has explained why the Olympic champion Caster Semenya is in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic preliminary squad. ASA announced a preliminary squad of 63 athletes in November that includes Semenya and the injured Wayde Van Niekerk. Semenya is still banned from competing by the World Athletics Governing Body IAAF.

Lukhanyo Am says he is hugely honoured to wear the skipper’s armband and is looking forward to leading the Sharks team along with other senior players. The 26-year-old has grown tremendously since arriving at the Sharks from Border in 2016.

New Baroka FC signing Ivan Mahangwahaya says he is pained that his move to former side Bidvest Wits did not go as he had hoped. Mahangwahaya was off-loaded by Wits after signing at the beginning of the season and now finds himself at Baroka agreeing to a six month deal.

It’s less than six months to the Tokyo Olympics in Japan later this year and the South African U23 national football team will kick-off their preparation for the tournament with the international calendar in March. This was also confirmed by SA U23 head coach David Notoane who revealed that they will be going out on a mini tour outside the continent with the possibility of South America and Asia.

Bulls’ 24-year-old lock-cum-flanker and new sensation Abongile Nonkontwana has hinted that Friday nights’ game will be nothing short of a kicking and counter attacking game.

The influx of white butterflies in Johannesburg in the past few days has attracted the public’s attention. SABC News spoke to Jeremy Dobson the chairperson of the Lepidopterists’ Society of Africa about these butterflies.

Springboks and Vodacom Bulls prop forward Lizo Gqoboka says he cannot contain his excitement ahead of their opening Vodacom Super Rugby clash against the Cell C Sharks at the Johnson Kings Park in Durban on Friday night. Gqoboka says he expects the clash to be almost at Test match rugby level with the humid conditions and the Springboks on either side.

Uthongathi substitute Menzi Ndwandwe scored in stoppage time to force a 1-1 draw with Steenberg United in a Glad Africa Championship match played at Athlone Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. Uthongathi Head Coach Johnny Ferreira says his team really left it until the last minute.

Workers did try to report for duty but the were reluctant to enter the campus because of the impasse between the security and students.

Situation is returning to calm at the North West University (NWU) Mahikeng campus although students are on campus. Earlier it was reported that tensions were high.

Skhosana is also confident that they will start bidding to host major events in different cities across the country thanks to the partnership.

SA has been competing with big nations at major events in recent times in the track and field events, especially in sprinting.

ASA President Aleck Skhosana was very pleased with the partnership.

The public broadcaster has not been entering in broadcasting deals in recent years due to financial constraints.

The South African Broadcasting Corporation will broadcast major marathons in the 2020 season.