South Africa's sporting weekend delivered a shock Springbok defeat in Perth, a winning start for Bafana Bafana under returning coach Pitso Mosimane and a series-clinching ODI victory for the Proteas against Australia.
All four South African franchises also opened their United Rugby Championship campaigns with victories, while George Russell won a dramatic Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Rugby
Wallabies stun Springboks in Perth
Australia 42-38 South Africa
The Springboks suffered a dramatic four-point defeat to Australia on Sunday despite a remarkable late fightback.
South Africa trailed 37-17 after an hour before a series of Australian yellow cards opened the door for the visitors. The Wallabies were reduced to 11 players at one stage, but Australia held on to reclaim the Mandela Challenge Plate.
The defeat came after Rassie Erasmus made 13 changes to the side that beat New Zealand, with André Esterhuizen captaining the team.
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Springbok Women beat Italy 41–29 in historic away win
The Springbok Women claimed a 41–29 victory over Italy on Saturday, 26 September, in Pordenone, recording their first-ever win on Italian soil.
South Africa scored six tries in an impressive attacking performance, with Anushka Groenewald crossing twice. The result followed their 50–19 defeat to Wales the previous week.
The victory gives the Springbok Women a significant boost as they continue their WXV Global Series campaign.
Football
Bafana start Mosimane era with Guinea win
South Africa 2-1 Guinea
Bafana Bafana opened their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-1 victory over Guinea at Orlando Stadium.
Ime Okon opened the scoring before Guinea equalised, but Norway-based defender Samukele Kabini scored 13 minutes from time to give South Africa victory in Pitso Mosimane's first match back as national coach.
South Africa moved to the top of Group D after Eritrea and Kenya drew 1-1.
DON'T MISS OUR STORY ON PITSO MOSIMANE:
International football
Spain beat England in Nations League thriller
England 2-3 Spain
World champions Spain edged England 3-2 at Wembley in a five-goal UEFA Nations League thriller, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring the winner after England had led 2-1 at half-time.
Lamine Yamal opened the scoring before Anthony Gordon equalised and Harry Kane put England ahead. Spain levelled through Álex Baena before Oyarzabal struck 16 minutes from time.
Elsewhere, Greece stunned Germany 1-0, Portugal beat Norway 2-1 and the Netherlands defeated Serbia 2-1 in Sunday's Nations League action.
* There was no Premier League or La Liga this weekend as European football switched to the international window for Nations League fixtures.
Cricket
Bavuma and Miller centuries seal ODI series
South Africa 365/5 beat Australia 333 by 32 runs
Temba Bavuma and David Miller both scored centuries as the Proteas beat Australia by 32 runs at the Wanderers on Sunday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Bavuma made 110 while Miller scored 109 as the pair shared a 156-run fourth-wicket partnership to propel South Africa to 365/5.
Australia reached 333 in reply.
The third ODI is in Potchefstroom on Wednesday.
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URC
All four South African sides win
The opening weekend of the United Rugby Championship produced a clean sweep for South Africa.
The Stormers beat Connacht 29-15 in Galway on Friday, while the Lions edged defending champions Leinster 27-26 at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The Sharks beat Ospreys 41-24 in Durban, while the Bulls completed the clean sweep with a 47-13 win over Zebre Parma in Italy.
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Formula One
Russell wins chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix
George Russell held off Max Verstappen to win the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, with Isack Hadjar completing the podium.
Russell survived two Safety Car periods and a late challenge from Verstappen to claim his third victory of the season.
Kimi Antonelli recovered from 16th on the grid to finish fifth, while Lewis Hamilton was sixth.
McLaren endured a difficult weekend, with Lando Norris retiring and Oscar Piastri finishing 14th.
Tennis
Europe reclaim Laver Cup
Team Europe reclaimed the Laver Cup in London with a 13-5 victory over Team World.
Alexander Zverev clinched the title with a straight-sets victory over Learner Tien after Flavio Cobolli and Jakub Mensik had put Europe within one win of the trophy.
