DURBAN – The off season is ‘busy Betties’, what with an elderly Cristiano Ronaldo off to Italy for a pretty penne.
Then again, he’s not your regular 33-year-old, is he?
Now let’s see how many new Juventus supporters there will be – especially as our favourite broadcaster has suddenly secured the Serie A rights.
Roger Federer left Nike and his RF logo, for a monster fee. And let’s not forget the mean muggin’ LeBron James moving to be the shining light of the Los Angeles Lakers. Mid-30s are the new 20s, clearly.
Don’t ask about the figures involved here, kids.
The zeroes alone will give you a headrush.
LeBron James moved to the Los Angeles Lakers for an amount with too many zero's to reproduce here. Photo: David Maxwell/EPA
From worldly trades to the oval ball in the Super game, Waikato Chiefs rumble with the Canes and this will be a tasty encounter given what both teams have shown in the last week.
In all likelihood, this will be a repeat match next week in the playoffs.
Canes to come up trumps, even with the dazzling feet of Damian McKenzie taking a well-earned rest.
In Australia, the Reds take on Sunwolves, and the home team should finish strong.
The visitors have shown pluck this year, mind you. Kudos to those Sunwolves for their best season to date in the competition.
On sentiment alone, I may take a cheeky outside dip for July giggles.
Willie Britz and his Sunwolves had
their best season to date in the competition. Photo: Lukas Coch/EPA
The Highlanders will be resting a bunch of players against the Rebels, which may not be in Sharks favour. Look for the Rebels to come close here.
The Crusaders then play the Blues and will have players resting too. But they have some great options coming back at the perfect time with home games through to the final. That’s why they are odds on favourites to lift another trophy.
Waratahs against Brumbies will be a good Oz derby. The visitors seem on the up, but the Tahs are good at home.
Go for the baby Blues by a couple. The home brew serves us up Lions versus Bulls, with Lions already through. It should be another win for the home boys.
Sharks are on a wing and a prayer in July, hoping that a weakened Highlanders team will do them a favour.
The Sharks will actually know their fate before kick-off, being the last game on the roster.
Either way, they will be up and keen to beat Jaguares – be it out of desperation or for pride, come what may in the Rebels game. Jags deserved to go through, to be fair, and some may say even a semi spot thereafter. Sadly, they will fall short.
Comeback Queen Serena Williams will play Angelique Kerber in the Wimbledon Final. Photo: Neil Hall/EPA
In tennis, the women’s final is tomorrow, with a repeat of the 2016 match between Angelique Kerber and the comeback Queen, Mrs. Serena Williams, now in her 10th SW19 final.
The new mother and wife will take this title once again. In the men’s doubles, The American pair of 7th seeds, Bryan and Sock will be strong contenders and have Sangoma’s backing - favourites or not.
Don’t forget the home brew in the men’s draw, take a dip at Anderson to go all the way and play Nadal in the final on Sunday.
Finally, to the thrilling Russian World Cup 2018, surely the best in recent history!
Sunday is the wrap up, and epic it shall be.
France take on Croatia in the Russia 2018 World Cup this weekend. Photo: Etienne Laurent/EPA
The ever steady French team faces a resilient Croatian outfit.
This is likely to be a tight affair, with a chance of fireworks between two formidable and deserving teams.
I’m sticking to my call a while ago on the French Brothers to take it in 90mins.
If it dares to go to extra time, Les Bleus may well be in Les dog box?
Don’t forget links golf out of Gullane Golf Club in the Scottish Open, the annual precursor to The Open next weekend.
There is also the John Deere Classic, which is always a treat.
Sangoma, Salute