It was a sporting weekend to forget if you’re South African.
With the Proteas, Springboks and Dricus du Plessis all flying the SA flag on the biggest stage, it ended in a trio of losses.
First, it was the Proteas men’s cricket team which went down to hosts Australia in the final T20 International of their three-match series on Saturday morning SA time.
While the Proteas posted a decent, but not particularly imposing, 172 in their innings, they were unable to dismiss the talented Glenn Maxwell as he made a scintillating 62 from 36 as he led his side to victory in the last over.
Dewald Brevis Shines as Proteas Struggle Against Australia’s Maxwell
Prodigy Dewald Brevis was again the star for the Proteas with the bat, with a scorching 53 from 26 before he was out, but aside from him, the rest of the SA batsmen struggled on what looked like a different pitch on which ‘Baby AB’ looked a class above.
With Mitchell Marsh (54) and Travis Head (19) laying a good platform, the Proteas then reduced Australia to 122/6.
Despite a masterful bowling display by Corbin Bosch (3/26) as he reeled off a number of perfect yorkers, the Proteas were unable to stop a rampant Maxwell.
Springboks vs. Wallabies: Historic Victory at Ellis Park in Rugby Championship
It was then the turn of the Springboks to thump the Wallabies at Ellis Park in the Rugby Championship, or so we thought. Though Australia had not won at the hallowed SA rugby venue since 1963, a second-half display for the ages allowed the visitors to record an incredible piece of history.
In fact, the Boks had led 22-0 after 19 minutes, but from that point the Wallabies worked their way back into the match to finally emerge deserved 38-22 victors.
SA Fans Turn to Du Plessis in UFC Middleweight Title Defence Against Khamzat Chimaev
Finally, SA fans turned to Du Plessis in his UFC middleweight title defence against Khamzat Chimaev early on Sunday morning. Like the Springboks, Du Plessis was dominated for the majority of the encounter, or even more so.
Du Plessis had no answer for the brutal takedowns of Chimaev over the five rounds, and the judges scored the fight 50-44 in favour of the Chechen-born MMA star.
@Michael_Sherman
IOL Sport
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