A sea of umbrellas met Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti as the skies over Pretoria opened on Saturday night for his farewell concert from Africa. Persistent rain did little to dampen the spirits of the thousands of faithful, but an undisclosed malady compelled the Maestro, as he is popularly known, to finish his performance early.
An amazed Kim Clijsters, who added Miami to another Masters trophy she lifted a fortnight ago in California, was revelling on Saturday in a resounding comeback from injury after defeating Maria Sharapova 6-3, 7-5. Trophies at the Indian Wells Masters and the Miami miracle over Sharapova has assured a return to the top 20 in Monday’s rankings.
World championship leader Fernando Alonso set a sizzling pace in the roasting desert heat in Manama on Saturday to claim the fastest time in first qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix. World champion Michael Schumacher prepared the new Ferrari for its race debut on Sunday by finishing third fastest.
Silver Stars hammered struggling Manning Rangers 4-1 in their Premier Soccer League match played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday. There was no score at half-time. Stars took control from the first whistle but failed to find a way past Rangers goalkeeper Chad Harper in the first stanza.
Supersport United were held to a 1-1 draw by Dynamos in an entertaining Castle Premier League clash played at Loftus on Saturday. United opened the scoring in the 22nd minute from the header of veteran defender Themba Mnguni, who was at the end of a corner kick taken by Tony Tsabedze.
Mamelodi Sundowns humbled the high-flying Orlando Pirates with a 4-1 drubbing in an enthralling Castle Premier Soccer League match played at the Johannesburg Stadium on Saturday. Downs came into the match as clear underdogs in this much-talked-about encounter but they were able to soak up all the first-half pressure exerted by Pirates.
Newcastle United were dragged into the gutter on Saturday when midfield stars Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer were sent off for fighting each other in an amazing St James’ Park encounter. Meanwhile, Thierry Henry was banging in a hat-trick to help Arsenal leapfrog Manchester United into second place in the Premiership.
South Africa were 130-6 in their first innings at stumps on the rain-affected third day of the first Test against the West Indies at the Bourda Oval in Guyana on Saturday. South Africa trail by 413 runs with four wickets remaining. Mark Boucher was 32 not out, with Nicky Boje unbeaten on 21.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is convinced Ashley Cole will stay at the club and extend his contract despite the attempts of London rivals Chelsea to prise the England fullback away from Highbury. Chelsea were alleged to have made an illegal approach for the 24-year-old at a meeting in January.
The Canterbury Crusaders restored the Super 12 rugby status quo with an ominous victory to burst the unbeaten five-match bubble of the New South Wales Waratahs this weekend. The Auckland Blues smacked ACT Brumbies 17-0, while the Otago Highlanders ground out a 23-16 win over Queensland Reds.