Tricky weekend for SA sports fans

Tomorrow provides a rare opportunity to watch the “big three” of South African national sports teams in action on home soil on the same day.

The South African cricket team host Bangladesh on day two of the second Test in Bloemfontein, Bafana Bafana are involved in a must-win 2018 World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso at FNB Stadium and the Springboks are out to salvage some pride in their final Rugby Championship Test against New Zealand in Cape Town.

Out of the three national teams, new Proteas coach Ottis Gibson is probably the only one that will enter the weekend feeling confident.

His side thumped Bangladesh by 333 runs in the first Test in Potchefstroom earlier this week in his first game in charge, and with a green surface expected from today, the Proteas should make it two from two even though their fast bowling cupboard is looking lean.

Stuart Baxter is probably feeling the most heat as Bafana Bafana’s qualifying hopes are dangling by a thread. They only have a point to show after three matches, and a loss today would all but end any unlikely hope they have of keeping the Russian dream alive.

Allister Coetzee is also under the pump. Although his team have only lost one match in eight outings in 2017, it is the manner in which they lost to the All Blacks last month that is a concern.

In Albany three weeks ago, the Boks lost 57-0 to the Kiwis. Those scars will be at play when they take the field tomorrow. A tricky weekend awaits South African sports fans.