RUGBY

Springbok flyhalf André Pretorius won’t be rushed back into action for the Lions following his recovery from a long-term injury. Pretorius did not play at all last year following an operation on his foot in 2007. Lions coach Eugene Eloff said although Pretorius was not experiencing any problems with his right foot, the potential match-winner would be used mostly as an impact player early in the Super14. That means Earl Rose is set to wear the No 10 jersey in Friday night’s clash against the Cheetahs at Coca-Cola Park.

CRICKET

Australia's victory over New Zealand in the fourth one-day international (ODI) in Adelaide on Tuesday means that South Africa will be at the top of the ICC ODI Championship table on the cut-off date of April 1 -- and will therefore pocket $175 000.

CRICKET
Brothers Irfan and Yusuf Pathan plundered 59 runs off 25 balls as world champions India posted a thrilling three-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the one-off Twenty20 international match here on Tuesday. India were struggling at 115-7 chasing a 172-run target before the Pathan duo steered their side home with four balls to spare in the first-ever Twenty20 game in Sri Lanka.

CRICKET

The Chevrolet Warriors will be looking to heap more finals agony on the Gestetner Diamond Eagles when they meet in Bloemfontein in the first leg of the Standard Bank Pro20 semifinals on Wednesday night whilst the Nashua Cape Cobras pose the biggest threat against the Dolphins on Friday at Newlands with a team that includes national captain Graeme Smith, Herschelle Gibbs and JP Duminy.

FOOTBALL

Bafana Bafana head coach Joel Santana oozed confidence on the eve of Wednesday's friendly international against highly rated Chile at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. Santana said Chile had arrived with a quality squad and he was expecting an aggressive and difficult game, but said he was expecting to see a good performance from his players.