Sport Planet – Cup final action and Boks tackling Wales

In the English Premier League meanwhile, it’s Sunday that offers the standout fixtures with one top-of-the-table clash and an interesting mid-table showdown at White Hart Lane.

Football

Telkom Knockout

SuperSport United versus Platinum Stars, Orlando Stadium, Saturday, November 29.

United and Stars will come into this exciting clash fancying their chances highly with both teams having enjoyed major victories on their way to the final. Reigning champions Stars, toppled Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs with United dumping Bidvest Wits and Orlando Pirates to set-up the meet.

Kick-off is scheduled for 3.30pm.

My prediction: United 1-1 Stars after playing time – United 3-2 on penalties.

English Premier League

Southampton versus Manchester City, St Mary’s Stadium, Sunday, November 30.

It’s second versus third as surprise package Southampton welcome defending champions City. Manuel Pellegrini’s men will be hoping to carry over their momentum following a morale-boosting win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League. The Saints should provide the champions with a stern test however, especially at home.

Kick-off is scheduled for 3.30pm.

My prediction: Southampton 2-2 City.

Tottenham Hotspur versus Everton, White Hart Lane, Sunday, November 30.

Spurs and Everton have both had slow starts to the campaign and thus find themselves in relatively unfamiliar territory on the log (10th and ninth respectively). Spurs’ Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping his side take full advantage of their home ground status against Roberto Martinez’s resilient side. As their standing positions and points on the log suggest (both 17), this will be a close one.

Kick-off is scheduled for 6pm.

My prediction: Spurs 2-2 Everton.

La Liga

Valencia versus Barcelona, Mestalla Stadium, Sunday, November 30.

It’s home advantage for Valencia versus a rampant Lionel Messi for Barcelona. The hosts, despite having an impressive start in the league, will have to contain the Argentine magician to give themselves a good enough chance against their more fancied opponents. Fresh from breaking the La Liga goal scoring record, Messi will prove hard to stop – as usual.

Kick-off is scheduled for 10pm.

Rugby

International

Wales versus South Africa, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Saturday, November 29.

A seemingly fatigued Springboks side conclude their traditional end-of-year European excursion against Warren Gatland’s men who have never beaten them.

Kick-off is scheduled for 4.30pm.

My prediction: Boks by five.

South Africa

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jan Serfontein, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Teboho “Oupa” Mohoje, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira. Substitutes: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Damian de Allende. – @SabeloBoksburg