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Alexander Zverev is heading to the top of the tennis pile, Harry Kane has claimed the Ballon d’Or, and there’s plenty more to catch up on. Now the Soweto Derby, a crucial Newlands Test and a potential F1 title moment await! Picture: IANS / File
IT HAS been a week of milestones, farewells and high-stakes contests, with a new tennis world No.1 confirmed, one of the sport’s greats playing his final match and a football star finally claiming the game’s biggest individual prize.
There is plenty more to come, too, with the Soweto Derby, a decisive Test at Newlands, a second meeting between the Springbok Women and Ireland, and a potentially historic Formula One weekend on the schedule.
Alexander Zverev secured his long-awaited rise to the top of the men’s tennis rankings after beating Tallon Griekspoor 6–4, 7–5 in the Vienna Open. The German will officially become world No.1 when the rankings are published on Monday, November 2, becoming the first German since Boris Becker in 1991 to reach the summit and the 30th man to do so.
There was also an emotional farewell in Basel, where Stan Wawrinka played the final match of his professional career. The three-time Grand Slam champion lost 7–5, 7–6 (2) to Czech player Jiri Lehecka in the first round of the Swiss Indoors.
The 41-year-old had announced that 2026 would be his final season, bringing an end to a career that included three major singles titles.
Football had its own headline moment when England and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d’Or. The 33-year-old became the first Englishman in 25 years to receive the award after scoring 73 goals for club and country during the 2025/26 campaign. Spain’s Alexia Putellas claimed the women’s award.
Formula One is also heading towards a possible changing of the guard. Kimi Antonelli missed Thursday’s media duties at the Mexican Grand Prix after falling ill with a viral infection. Mercedes expected the 20-year-old to return on Friday, with the Italian on the brink of becoming the youngest world champion in the sport’s history.
He needs to finish in the top nine on Sunday to secure the title, even if his closest rival and teammate George Russell wins.
Closer to home, the Proteas are locked in a tense battle with Australia at Newlands. The third Test will decide the series, which is level at 1–1, and could also determine who holds the No.1 position in the Test rankings. At lunch on Friday, South Africa were 202/5 in their second innings, leading by 102 runs, with Ryan Rickelton unbeaten on 39.
There is still plenty of work to do before the hosts can set Australia a challenging target.
Two other results from last weekend deserve a mention. The Springbok Women went down 40–27 to Ireland in the first of their two WXV Global Series Tests in Cape Town, while Boland produced a remarkable finish against the Titans in the CSA Pro20 Cup. The teams tied at 137 in their 20 overs, then shared the first Super Over before Boland prevailed in the second.
Saturday’s sporting programme is headlined by the Soweto Derby, with Orlando Pirates hosting Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium at 3.30pm. The fixture is part of the PSL’s 30th-anniversary celebrations and is expected to draw plenty of attention, with both sides looking to make their mark in one of South African football’s biggest rivalries.
There is a full Betway Premiership programme around it. Milford FC meet Sekhukhune United at 3.30pm, while Stellenbosch FC face Chippa United, AmaZulu take on Golden Arrows and Polokwane City meet TS Galaxy in the 6pm slot. Kruger United host Richards Bay and Mamelodi Sundowns face Durban City at 8.15pm. Friday night’s fixture sees Marumo Gallants play Siwelele.
Rugby supporters have plenty to follow, too. The Springbok Women return to Athlone Stadium on Saturday at 3pm for the second Test against Ireland, hoping to level the series after last weekend’s defeat.
The United Rugby Championship reaches its fifth round, with the Lions away to Glasgow Warriors on Friday night at 9.45pm. On Saturday, the Stormers host Ulster at 2.45pm, the Bulls welcome Scarlets at 5pm, and the Sharks travel to Limerick to face Munster at 7.30pm.
Then there is Formula One. Qualifying for the Mexican Grand Prix starts at 9pm on Saturday, with the race scheduled for 8pm on Sunday. If Antonelli can stay healthy and finish in the required position, the sport could have its youngest-ever world champion by the end of the weekend.
From the Newlands Test to the Soweto Derby and the title fight in Mexico, there will be no shortage of sporting talking points.
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