CRICKET

The Gestetner Diamond Eagles edged out the Chevrolet Warriors 16-5 in a tie-breaking super over to win a thrilling Standard Bank Pro20 semifinal third leg in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday. After all the excitement of the match being tied - 97 runs each - left-arm seamer Jandre' Coetzee's slower balls posed too many problems for the Warriors in the decisive over as Davey Jacobs, Robin Peterson and Craig Thyssen could manage just five singles between them. Meanwhile, the Nashua Cap e Cobras beat the Nashua Dolphins on the Super Over after both teams scored 148 in their allotted 20 overs in their Standard Bank Pro20 semifinal third leg at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on Wednesday.

CRICKET

The first shots have been fired in the psychological warfare ahead of the cricket series between South Africa and Australia. Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting went out of his way on Monday to load the pressure on South Africa by branding them overwhelming favourites. Former Australian coach John Buchanan has now also added his two cents worth. He believes the Proteas have a huge advantage over the Aussies because they could prepare for the past three weeks. Australia were involved in a one-day series against New Zealand.

RUGBY
The Vodacom Bulls' coach, Frans Ludeke, has opted for Danie Rossouw to pack down at lock at the side of Bakkies Botha for Saturday's second round clash against the Blues at Loftus Versfeld. Rossouw replaces Victor Matfield, who will miss the next three matches as a result of his shoulder injury and with Rossouw in the starting XV, Wilhelm Steenkamp will be on the bench as the lock replacement.

GOLF

With no significant rough to trouble the field, the Woodmead course at Country Club Johannesburg could well deliver up another display of record scoring in this week's Telkom PGA Championship. South Africa's second oldest professional tournament tees off on Thursday with a field missing defending champion Louis Oosthuizen, who set a Sunshine Tour record with his 14-shot victory here last year.

FOOTBALL

Aston Villa face a daunting task to reach the last 16 of the Uefa Cup after being held to a 1-1 draw by CSKA Moscow in the first leg of their last 32 tie at Villa Park on Wednesday. Martin O'Neill's side needed a second half equaliser from John Carew to scramble a draw after Brazilian striker Vagner Love put CSKA in front with his ninth goal in seven Uefa Cup matches and 25th in 41 career Uefa Cup matches.