A Big Weekend of Sport: De Allende’s Milestone, Xaba’s Title Defence and Varsity Netball

Damian de Allende reaches 100 Tests, Glenrose Xaba chases another Tshwane victory, and Varsity Netball gets underway in a packed weekend of action.

Global (21 August 2026) – It’s a big one for sports fans this weekend! The Premier League is back, Formula 1 returns to the track, and there’s plenty happening closer to home too. From the Springboks and All Blacks renewing one of rugby’s biggest rivalries to road runners chasing glory in Tshwane and Varsity Netball getting underway.

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Kicks Off

First up, Ellis Park is set for a historic occasion on Saturday when the Springboks face the All Blacks in the opening match of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.

Centre Damian de Allende will reach a major milestone, becoming just the 10th player in Springbok history to earn 100 Test caps. The Boks have named a side that combines continuity from their recent win over Argentina with several players who remained in South Africa during the previous tour.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Springboks (@bokrugby)

Painting Tshwane Red

Then on Sunday, the spotlight turns to the streets of Tshwane for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K.

South African 10km record holder Glenrose Xaba will be chasing another victory on a course she knows well, having won last year’s race in 31:50. She’ll face some serious competition, including Kenyan duo Doreen Cherop and Deborah Chemutai.

On the men’s side, defending champion Kabelo Mulaudzi will be looking to return to the podium after a strong 2025 season. The Boxer Athletics Club runner won four of five races in last year’s Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series but is still searching for his first top-three finish of this season.

Varsity Netball Returns

And if you’re a netball fan, Varsity Netball 2026 is ready to get rolling.

The country’s top student athletes are preparing for another season of fierce competition, with UFS Kovsies hoping to add to their impressive record after five titles and a runners-up finish last year.

Meanwhile, Maties enter the competition with an extra reason to celebrate as their netball programme marks 100 years.

And that’s just a taste of what’s on the sporting menu this weekend. From the return of the Premier League and Formula 1 to major action across rugby, athletics and netball, there’s plenty to keep fans glued to their screens.

Sources: Multiple Linked Above 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:

Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African. 

by Karabo Peter

0Shares

• 0Shares
  Share
• Tweet
• Share
• Share
• Pin it
• Email
• More