Todays Sporting News – 5 September 2025

• Football – Wales edged a 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory against Kazakhstan, thanks to Kieffer Moore’s winner, that keeps alive their automatic qualification hopes.
• Cricket – England took it to the final ball, with a welcome unbeaten 27 from Jofra Archer, but South Africa persisted for a thrilling win to take the series with a game to spare. 2nd ODI: South Africa, 330-8, bt England, 325-9, by 5 runs
• Boxing – French female boxers have been barred from competing at the inaugural World Boxing Championships in Liverpool after failing to meet a deadline for a genetic sex test that the French boxing federation (FFBoxe) said was incompatible with French law.
• Simola Hillclimb gearing up for 16th edition in 2026.
• Philadelphia Eagles star Jalen Carter was ejected from the opening match of the season against the Dallas Cowboys, after Carter appeared to spit on the chest of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
• Collingwood has locked in a home preliminary final after defeating Adelaide 79-55 in front of 52,000 at Adelaide Oval. The match was overshadowed by crowd members booing Collingwood player Isaac Quaynor, who had previously been targeted with a homophobic slur by Adelaide’s Izak Rankine that resulted in a four-game suspension. Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks declined to address the booing incident, while Collingwood coach Craig McRae condemned fans who participated. Collingwood needs one more victory to reach the AFL grand final championship game, while Adelaide will now face the winner of tomorrow’s Elimination Final between GWS and Hawthorn in a home semi-final next week.
• The Brisbane Broncos defeated the Melbourne Storm 30-14, locking in a top-four finish for the Broncos.
• Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark will miss the remainder of the 2025 WNBA season due to a right groin injury.
• U.S. Open: Novak Djokovic v Carlos Alcaraz: As 38-year-old Novak Djokovic chases an elusive 25th grand slam title, it seems there are only two people who can stop him. They are none other than Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, the two players considered to be the future (and present) of men’s tennis. Djokovic has been defeated in the semi-finals of every major this year and will look to bring that streak to an end.
• Fremantle Dockers v Gold Coast Suns: In the only meeting between the two this season, the Dockers defeated the Suns 75-64 on the Gold Coast. This match is do-or-die, meaning the loser’s season will be over. The winner of this match will play the loser of Brisbane and Geelong.
• Women’s Rugby World Cup: Australia v England: It’s the final weekend of the group stage at the Women’s Rugby World Cup, and Australia’s fate hangs in the balance. The Wallaroos will take on England, who are ranked number one in the world and are on a staggering 29-game winning streak.
• England v South Africa: SA beat ENG by 5 runs, taking an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
• Women’s Cricket World Cup: Australia have selected the injured Sophie Molineux for the tournament, while India have dropped Yastika Bhatia after a training camp injury.
• Ross Taylor will play for Samoa, as they aim to reach next year’s T20 World Cup.
• The English police have dropped all charges against Haider Ali.
• The Chinnaswamy will host their first games since the Parade disaster this month, but fans will not be allowed. Because Indian cricket is about stadium maintenance, not fan participation.
• The Indian government has increased IPL ticket GST from 28% to 40%. I’d bet my life that entire tax burden gets passed on to the fans.
• Indian jerseys are selling at an 80% discount as merchandisers try to get rid of the Dream11 sponsored shirts that are no longer in use.
• South Africa’s Matthew Breetzke became the first player to score half centuries in each of his first five ODI appearances to set up his side’s gripping series-clinching five-run victory over England at Lord’s on Thursday.
• Tottenham Hotspur’s long-serving executive chairman Daniel Levy is stepping down from his role after nearly 25 years, the Premier League club announced on Thursday.
• Spain’s Juan Ayuso outsmarted compatriot Javier Romo to win stage 12 of the Vuelta a España on Thursday, his second stage win of this year’s race, with Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard retaining the overall lead.
• Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick brushed off the pressure and the challenge of playing at Eden Park as they prepare mentally for the challenge that awaits them against the All Blacks in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship on Saturday.
• Nedbank and Kaizer Chiefs hand over a multipurpose sports court to Phulong Secondary School: On Wednesday, 4 September 2025, Kwa-Thema, Springs: Nedbank, in partnership with The Sports Trust and local communities, continues to invest in infrastructure that nurtures tomorrow’s sports stars. Yesterday, a state-of-the-art multipurpose sports court …
• Chiefs and Nedbank hand over sports court to Phulong Secondary School: This initiative was made possible through collaboration with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and Nedbank Cup reigning champions, Kaizer Chiefs. This milestone marks the 10th facility delivered to a community through the Nedbank Cup community …
• Taifa stars to push for WC qualification: As a nation competing in a highly competitive group during the CAF Fifa World Cup qualifiers, Tanzania will hope to apply pressure to Morocco at the top of Group E when they take on Congo at the Alphonse Massamba-Debat Stadium on Friday.
• Dithejane, Tinkler, Sebelebele bag Betway Prem Monthly Awards: Puso Dithejane, Eric Tinkler, and Kamogelo Sebelebele have been confirmed as the first recipients of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership Monthly Awards. The three winners were officially selected by a judging panel comprising of PSL-accredited football …
• REF ERROR: Fulham’s goal v Chelsea should have stood: Referees’ body (PGMOL) chief Howard Webb said the decision to disallow Josh King’s goal for Fulham in their 2-0 Premier League defeat at Chelsea last weekend was wrong and that the video assistant referee (VAR) made a mistake by intervening.
• Bielsa eyes third World Cup spot with Messi set for home swansong: Charismatic veteran coach Marcelo Bielsa is on the brink of guiding a third team to World Cup qualification as Uruguay take on Peru on Thursday needing only a draw to secure their ticket to next year’s North American extravaganza.
• Salah-led Pharaohs look to overpower Walia Ibex: Egypt will face off against Ethiopia in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualification (Group A) match scheduled to be played at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday. Kick-off is at 9pm CAT. CURRENT FORM. The Pharaohs are undefeated in their last two …
• Dithejane, Tinkler & Sebelebele win first Betway Prem monthly awards: Puso Dithejane, Eric Tinkler, and Kamogelo Sebelebele have been confirmed as the first recipients of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership Monthly Awards. The three winners were officially selected by a judging panel comprising …
• Premier League’s record net spend doesn’t mean clubs aren’t trying to cut back: The transfer window in Europe’s Big Five leagues closed on Monday, and the numbers are in. While they’re a little fuzzy (see below) what’s not in doubt is that, overall, this was a huge window in terms of both the volume and scale of transfers.
• Nedbank and Kaizer Chiefs hand over a multipurpose sports court to Phulong Secondary School: Yesterday, a state-of-the-art multipurpose sports court was officially handed over to Phulong Secondary School in Kwa-Thema, Springs. This initiative was made possible through collaboration with the (PSL) and Nedbank Cup reigning …
• NFL Kicks Off: The reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles beat the Dallas Cowboys 24-20 last night to kick off the 2025-26 NFL season. Tonight, the Kansas City Chiefs face the Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil (8 pm ET, YouTube), the first of seven international games, before Sunday’s 13-game lineup. QB Aaron Rodgers begins his first season with the Pittsburgh Steelers—and possibly his final NFL season—against his former team, the New York Jets. Meanwhile, Washington QB Jayden Daniels looks to build on a standout rookie year that ended with the Commanders’ first conference championship game in 33 years. In Monday night’s only game, the Chicago Bears take on the Minnesota Vikings, with Chicago QB Caleb Williams aiming for redemption after the Bears’ rocky 5-12 season.
• The 2025 US Open wraps this weekend; see latest updates and schedules for both the women’s and men’s tournaments.
• College Sports Commission approves 8,300 name, image, and likeness deals for college athletes worth nearly $80M; the commission is tasked with approving contracts between athletes and third-party entities (More)
• World’s largest illegal sports streaming site is shut down.
• Football club owners could face prison under Independent Football Regulator’s new powers.
• Ex-Man Utd target that snubbed transfer leaves EFL club after just 30 DAYS.
• Wrexham can still sign 37-cap England star and ex-Man Utd ace who snubbed them.
• Coventry City slammed after ‘daylight robbery’ sparks Birmingham City backlash.
• Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town has been announced as the destination for the Betway SA20 Season 4 Final, with Kingsmead, Centurion and the Wanderers hosting key Playoffs matches of the competition starting on 26 December 2025.
• ANGELS: Bobby Witt Jr. hit a two-out solo home run in the eighth inning and the Kansas City Royals beat the Angels 4-3 on Thursday night to avoid a sweep in a three-game series.
• The marquee matchup Friday night between the Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs isn’t just a season-opening showdown between two premier quarterbacks and legitimate Super Bowl hopefuls. It’s also a family feud…
• The Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2025 enters its decisive third week with semi-final qualification still wide open. As the pool phase reaches its climax, only Fiji has secured a place in the final four, ensuring a thrilling weekend of international rugby ahead. Every match in week three will play a critical role in determining which nations advance and move one step closer to not only Pacific Nations Cup glory, but Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 qualification.
• Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks, backed by the numbers, have bona fide reasons to believe they can make history in New Zealand over the next two weeks, facing the men in black without fear.
• Betway SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith is expecting the R10 million glass ceiling to be shattered at the anticipated Season 4 Player Auction to be held on Tuesday, 9 September in Johannesburg.
• The 2025/26 Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership senior academy and pro drafts have been confirmed: Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors have had their professional and senior academy players assigned to Premiership clubs and can release them for additional game time, or during their injury rehabilitations.
• The US Open men’s and ladies finals will take place this weekend at Flushing Meadows in New York City.
• On September 4, 2025, at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã Stadium, 18-year-old Chelsea star Estêvão Willian scored a stunning bicycle kick goal, leading Brazil to a dominant 3-0 win over Chile in a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier.
• Boxing legends Mike Tyson, 59, and Floyd Mayweather, 48, have signed a deal for an exhibition bout in spring 2026, promising a high-stakes clash of titans.

TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY:

1922 — The U.S. beats Australia 4-1 to capture the Davis Cup for the third straight year.

1938 — Don Budge leads the U.S. to a 3-2 victory over Australia in the Davis Cup final at Philadelphia. Budge beats Adrian Quist of Australia 8-6, 6-1, 6-2 to wrap up the title.

1949 — Pancho Gonzalez captures his second consecutive men’s singles title in the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championships. Gonzalez needs 67 games — the most ever in a final — to defeat Ted Schroeder, 16-18, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. Mary Osborne du Pont defeats Doris Hart 6-4, 6-1 for the women’s title.

1951 — Maureen Connolly, 16, wins the U.S. women’s singles title with a 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 victory over Shirley Fry.

1960 — Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) beats 3-time European champion Zbigniew Pietrzykowski of Poland by unanimous points decision to win Olympic light heavyweight boxing gold medal at the Rome Games.

1975 — Martina Navratilova of Czechoslovakia loses to Chris Evert in the U.S. Open semifinals, then appears at the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service office in New York and asks for political asylum.

1987 — John McEnroe is fined $17,500 for tirades at US Tennis Open.

1989 — Chris Evert’s illustrious career ends in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open when she blows a 5-2 first-set lead and is beaten 7-6, 6-2 by Zina Garrison. Evert’s record at the U.S. Open is 101-12 and she finishes her career with a match record of 1,304-145 and 18 Grand Slam titles.

1990 — Ivan Lendl’s bid for a record nine straight U.S. Open men’s finals ends in the quarterfinals. Pete Sampras wins in five sets, 6-4, 7-6, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2.

1994 — SF wide receiver Jerry Rice catches 2 touchdown passes and runs for another score in 49ers’ 44-14 rout of the Raiders; surpasses Jim Brown as NFL’s career TD leader with 127.

2001 — Old rivals Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras battle in a classic match. Sampras wins in four sets, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2), 7-6 (5), with neither player losing serve.

2002 — The U.S. men finish without a medal at the basketball world championships. Yugoslavia comes back from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter and defeats the U.S. 81-78. After going 58-0 using NBA players in international competitions, the Americans lose two straight.

2007 — Alicia Sacramone’s floor routine rallies the U.S. to the world women’s gymnastics title in Stuttgart, Germany. The Americans finishes with 184.4 points, beating defending champion China by .95 for their second world title, and the first won on foreign soil.

2009 — Three-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra becomes the first female to win the Grade I Woodward Stakes when she holds off Macho Again by a head at Saratoga.

2011 — Antron Brown becomes the first NHRA racer to win the U.S. Nationals in both Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle, beating Del Worsham in the Top Fuel final. Brown, five-time winner this season, completes a successful transition to Top Fuel from Pro Stock Motorcycle in 2008.

2013 — Denver’s Peyton Manning ties an NFL record with seven touchdown passes against the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens to lead the Broncos to a 49-27 win in the season opener. Manning becomes the sixth player to throw for that many, and the first since Joe Kapp on Sept. 28, 1969.

2020 — 8-1 Underdog Authentic holds off heavy favorite Tiz the Law to win the 146th Kentucky Derby.

TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY:

1908 — Brooklyn’s Nap Rucker pitched a 6-0 no-hitter against Boston. Rucker struck out 14 and walked none.

1918 — Babe Ruth pitched a six-hitter for the Boston Red Sox, who beat the Chicago Cubs 1-0 in the opening game of the World Series. The Series was started early because of World War I.

1954 — Roswell’s Joe Bauman of the Longhorn League hit three home runs to give him 72 for the season. Bauman never made it to the majors.

1955 — Brooklyn pitcher Don Newcombe connected for his seventh homer of the season for a National League record for home runs by a pitcher. The Dodgers, behind Newcombe’s power and 20th win, defeated the Phillies 11-4.

1971 — J.R. Richard tied Karl Spooner’s major league record by striking out 15 San Francisco Giants in his first major league game as the Houston Astros beat the Giants.

1982 — Roy Smalley hit a pair of three-run homers, one from each side of the plate, as the Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals 18-7.

1998 — Mark McGwire became the third player in baseball history to reach 60 home runs, as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-0. He joined Babe Ruth and Roger Maris with 60 homers in a season.

2002 — Alex Rodriguez became the fifth player in major league history to record successive 50-homer seasons, hitting two in Texas’ 11-2 rout of Baltimore. Rodriguez, who hit 52 homers last season, joined Babe Ruth, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Ken Griffey Jr.

2003 — Mike Maroth became the first major league pitcher in 23 years to lose 20 games in a season when Detroit lost to Toronto 8-6. Maroth (6-20) gave up eight runs and nine hits in three-plus innings. Oakland’s Brian Kingman went 8-20 in 1980.

2009 — Pittsburgh’s Ross Ohlendorf became the 40th major league pitcher to strike out the side on nine pitches in an inning, but didn’t figure in the decision as the Pirates lost 2-1 to St. Louis in 10 innings.

2018 — Shohei Ohtani homered twice during a huge night at the plate after getting bad news about his pitching arm, and the Angels beat the Texas Rangers 9-3. Perhaps headed for Tommy John surgery, the two-way rookie sensation went 4 for 4 with three RBIs, four runs and a stolen base to power the Angels. Ohtani’s homers were towering drives into the right-field seats. With his second two-homer game, the designated hitter tied Kenji Johjima’s 2006 major league record of 18 homers by a Japanese rookie.

2018 — Brandon Phillips hit a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth inning, highlighting his long-awaited season debut and capping the biggest comeback by the Boston Red Sox this year for a 9-8 win over the Atlanta Braves. The Red Sox overcame a late six-run deficit to sweep the three-game series between division leaders.

2023 — Giancarlo Stanton hits the 400th home run of his career off José Cisnero in the 6th inning to break a 1-1 tie and lead the Yankees to a 5 – 1 win over the Tigers. Having needed 1,520 games to reach the mark makes him the fourth fastest in history following Mark McGwire, Babe Ruth and Alex Rodriguez.