Tag: South Africa

Play halted as massive eagle kills impala on golf course; video

Play was interrupted on Skukuza Golf Club in South Africa recently as a massive eagle feasted on a baby impala that it had ambushed.

Play was interrupted on a golf course in South Africa recently as a massive eagle was spotted feasting on a baby impala.

The accompanying footage was captured at Skukuza Golf Club, which bills itself as the “wildest course in the world.”

The footage shows golfers pausing to watch the martial eagle over its prey, with the videographer describing the scene as “unreal.”

Skukuza is in Kruger National Park and the course is unfenced. Lions and other large critters roam its fairways, but they’re rarely spotted during playing hours.

Martial eagles are among the largest eagles in Africa, with wingspans measuring nearly eight feet. They’re opportunistic predators capable of spotting potential prey a distance of three miles.

Martial eagles prey on mammals, birds, and reptiles. They also kill livestock, making the large raptors vulnerable to ranchers and farmers.

Martial eagles are listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Max Homa earns first international win at Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa

Next week the European-based tour heads to Dubai for its season finale DP World Tour Championship.

Max Homa was a winner on Sunday, but it wasn’t on the PGA Tour.

The 32-year-old is sitting pretty in Sun City, South Africa, after picking up his first international win at the Nedbank Golf Challenge, the penultimate event of the DP World Tour season.

Playing on an invitation, Homa fired a 6-under 66 at Gary Player Country Club to finish at 19 under for the tournament, four shots ahead of runner-up Nicolai Hojgaard (68). This weekend was Homa’s first appearance since his 3½-point performance in his Ryder Cup Debut last month in Italy.

“It’s kind of what you dream of, you want to be in the fight and it was just fun to kind of close it out at the end,” Homa said. “It was one of those weeks the ball wanted to go in when it needed to go in.”

Homa is a six-time winner on the PGA Tour and last claimed victory at the 2023 Farmers Insurance Open. In 25 events last season, the Cal product earned two wins, one runner-up and 18 top-25 finishes. He finished ninth in the FedEx Cup standings and earned $10,761,517 in official prize money.

Thorbjorn Olesen (69) finished third at 14 under, with Justin Thomas (66) in fourth at 12 under. Dan Bradbury (71) rounded out the top five at 11 under. Two-time defending champion Tommy Fleetwood (72) finished T-12 at 7 under.

Next week the European-based tour heads to Dubai for its season finale DP World Tour Championship.

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Max Homa leads in South Africa with chance at first DP World Tour title

Max Homa has a one-shot lead in South Africa with 18 holes to play.

Max Homa has a chance to do something Sunday he has never done before.

The 32-year-old American can win his first event on the DP World Tour, as he holds the 54-hole lead at the 2023 Nedbank Golf Challenge at Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, South Africa. Homa shot 3-under 69 on Saturday and holds a one-shot lead heading into Sunday’s final round.

Homa played the front nine in even-par, but he started the back nine with an eagle on the par-5 10th. He added another birdie on the par-5 14th to card a 33 on the back.

Ranked eighth in the world, Homa has six wins on the PGA Tour but hasn’t won on the DP World Tour. That can change Sunday, but there’s an experienced pack chasing him.

Matthieu Pavon, who was tied with Homa after 36 holes, sits solo second at 12 under after a 2-under performance. Nicolai Hojgaard and Thorbjorn Oleson are tied for third at 11 under.

Justin Thomas, who went on a safari adventure with Homa last week, is T-10 at 6 under. He shot even-par in the third round.

Justin Thomas, Max Homa enjoy safari day with wives in South Africa

JT. Homa. And elephants.

Next week, Justin Thomas and Max Homa are set to tee it up in the DP World Tour’s Nedbank Golf Challenge at Gary Player Country Club in South Africa.

This weekend, however, the duo and their wives, Jillian Thomas and Lacey Homa, took on a safari ahead of their return to golf for the first time since the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome.

The PGA Tour posted photos from its social media accounts sharing Thomas and Homa’s experience in the safari, and they also took to Instagram to share special highlights and moments from the excursion.

In addition to Thomas and Homa, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and others will battle it out for one of the biggest golf events all year in South Africa.

Fishel: USWNT debut saw dreams become reality

The 22-year-old earned her first cap in a friendly win over South Africa on Sunday

Mia Fishel said her U.S. women’s national team debut saw her dreams become reality, with the forward promising that her first cap was “just the beginning.”

Fishel came on in the 65th minute of the USWNT’s 2-0 win over South Africa at Soldier Field, becoming the third player to earn their first USWNT cap this year after Savannah DeMelo and M.A. Vignola.

The 22-year-old also became only the third player since 2016 to debut for the USWNT while playing their club soccer in Europe, following Alana Cook (PSG) and Catarina Macario (Lyon).

After a prolific spell with Tigres in Liga MX, Fishel completed a move to Chelsea in the offseason.

The striker will look to make her Chelsea bow in its season opener against Tottenham on Sunday. After her USWNT debut, Fishel marked the occasion in a post on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CxnnPAILeqT/?img_index=1

Fishel’s call-up this month was not the first time she’d been invited to a senior USWNT camp. The striker was first called up in October 2020 when she was still at UCLA, with that camp not featuring any games.

There were plenty of calls for her first cap to come much sooner than it did, but former USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski did not bring Fishel in after that 2020 camp.

After excluding Fishel from his January roster this year, Andonovski said that other players were simply ahead of her in his eyes, adding that playing in Mexico wasn’t harming her chances of a call-up.

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USWNT bids farewell to Rapinoe with 2-0 win over South Africa

A solid, suffocating win saw a USWNT legend exit the stage one last time

Megan Rapinoe’s farewell came on Sunday, and the U.S. women’s national team made sure to send her off right.

The USWNT thoroughly controlled the full 90 minutes en route to a 2-0 win over South Africa, with Trinity Rodman and Emily Sonnett notching goals in either half.

Rapinoe captained the side in her 203rd and final cap, nearly scoring what would have been a jaw-dropping free kick goal with her final touch in a U.S. shirt.

Despite the spotlight being on Rapinoe, the event of the day in theory was a match. Fans in attendance didn’t get a ton to enjoy in either direction in an imprecise opening spell, but the first truly well-worked move from either team ended up being highlight-worthy: Alex Morgan preserved a ball in behind by winning a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge, then looped a cross to Rodman for a thunderous finish.

Fans briefly let out a roar after seeing a classic Rapinoe moment when the winger’s pinpoint cross from the left was tapped home by Morgan in the 33rd minute, but an offside flag — Rapinoe was clearly beyond the last South African defender when played through — spoiled the moment.

Rapinoe still ended up making an impact on the scoreline. A 49th minute corner gave the USWNT legend a chance to repeat one of her favorite tricks, and the OL Reign star went for an olimpico rather than serving the ball in.

South Africa goalkeeper Andile Dlamini managed to slap that bending shot away, but Sonnett was on hand to float the rebound over traffic, making it 2-0.

Rapinoe knew her last moments on the pitch were coming, but nearly followed that up with a goal that would have brought the house down. Standing over a 26-yard free kick, Rapinoe bent what was her final touch in a USWNT shirt over the wall, only to see the ball go just inches too high. Just seconds later, the iconic attacker made her final bow with the national team.

Rodman once again clobbered a shot goalward in the 59th minute, but this longer-range effort cracked off the crossbar. Seconds later, as the sequence continued, Lindsey Horan’s bicycle kick attempt — a possible nod to Rapinoe, who joked pre-game that she would like to score exactly that sort of goal on the day — narrowly missed.

Interim head coach Twila Kilgore made an eagerly-anticipated substitution in the 64th minute, bringing Chelsea forward Mia Fishel in for her USWNT debut up front.

Despite numerous chances to pad the scoreline late on, the USWNT were confounded by some odd bounces, blocked shots, and bad luck, before full time brought an on-field ceremony honoring Rapinoe’s incredible career.

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Watch: Megan Rapinoe leaves field for final time as USWNT player

Rapinoe’s illustrious international career has come to a close

Megan Rapinoe’s incredible U.S. women’s national team career is over.

Playing in her final international game, Rapinoe started against South Africa at Soldier Field on Sunday night in Chicago.

Rapinoe’s last moments with the U.S. came in the 53rd minute, with play stopping so she could receive a rapturous applause while being replaced by Midge Purce.

Moments before coming off, Rapinoe’s corner ended up causing a goal, with OL Reign teammate Emily Sonnett nodding a rebound home after Rapinoe went for goal direct from a 49th minute corner kick. Her final strike of a ball was nearly a spectacular free kick goal, with her 52nd minute bid from long range zipping inches over the crossbar.

Rapinoe collected 203 caps during her USWNT career, winning a gold medal and two World Cups while ushering in a period of American dominance over the women’s game.

But the 38-year-old said in her final press conference that all of her on-field accomplishments “pale in comparison” to everything she and her generation of USWNT players have achieved off the field.

Watch Rapinoe say farewell to USWNT

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USWNT vs. South Africa: How to watch as Megan Rapinoe plays final U.S. game

Megan Rapinoe will earn her 203rd and final cap in Chicago on Sunday

The U.S. women’s national team might not ever see another player quite like Megan Rapinoe.

The star winger, possibly the only U.S. player to ever break through as part of the national discourse on such a regular basis, will play her last international match Sunday evening.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Megan Rapinoe’s final USWNT match” link=”https://sling-tv.pxf.io/zN0gP6″]

Beyond bidding farewell to such a unique player, the USWNT will be looking to build on some positives in what is a strange moment for the program. A poor World Cup has seen the team change coaches, with Twila Kilgore taking charge in this interim period.

There is little time to find a new direction and get back on track, as the 2024 Olympics will see the team head off to Paris in the summer.

As Rapinoe departs the USWNT with 203 caps, two World Cups, and an Olympic gold medal, Jaedyn Shaw and Mia Fishel may well receive their first-ever cap at the senior level.

The U.S. and South Africa have met on three previous occasions, with the USWNT winning each time. On Thursday, the U.S. rolled to a 3-0 win in what was Julie Ertz’s final professional match.

USWNT roster (club; caps/goals)

Goalkeepers (3): Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit; 1), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage; 14), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars; 96)

Defenders (8): Alana Cook (OL Reign; 26/1), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars; 49/1), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns; 137/24), Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage; 34/1), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave; 21/0), Casey Krueger (Chicago Red Stars; 39/0), Emily Sonnett (OL Reign; 78/1), M.A. Vignola (Angel City FC; 1/0)

Midfielders (5): Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns; 4/0), Savannah DeMelo (Racing Louisville FC; 3/0), Lindsey Horan (Lyon; 134/29), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit; 26/3), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit; 50/3)

Forwards (9): Mia Fishel (Chelsea FC; 0/0), Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit; 20/5), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave; 212/121), Midge Purce (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 23/4), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign; 202/63), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 23/5), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave; 0/0), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC; 7/0), Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 56/17)

USWNT vs. South Africa (international friendly)

  • When: Sunday, Sept. 24
  • Where: Soldier Field (Chicago)
  • Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: TNT, Universo and Peacock

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch USWNT vs South Africa on Sling” link=”https://sling-tv.pxf.io/zN0gP6″]

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch USWNT vs South Africa on Peacock” link=”https://imp.i305175.net/nLAkWX”]

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USWNT sends Julie Ertz off with confident 3-0 win over South Africa

One of the team’s greats got her farewell in an uncomplicated USWNT win

A new era is beginning for the U.S. women’s national team, and that means saying goodbye to some veteran stars.

The USWNT gave two-time World Cup champion Julie Ertz the kind of farewell match she would have likely wanted, with a confident, uncomplicated 3-0 win over South Africa on Wednesday in Cincinnati.

Lynn Williams claimed two goals, sandwiching Trinity Rodman’s finish from open play as the U.S. reeled off all of its goals in a nine-minute span late in the first half.

Unsurprisingly, the USWNT looked for Ertz — possibly the best set-piece target in program history — on most of its early set piece opportunities, but couldn’t quite carve out a serious threat.

However, it was only a matter of time, and while Ertz didn’t score the opener herself, her customary near-post run was a big factor as Williams gave the U.S. a 32nd-minute lead.

If that goal required a bit of good fortune — Williams and the USWNT had to appeal for the goal to be given, as the ball only barely crossed the line — it took just 65 seconds to score a far more authoritative second.

A counter-press at midfield won the ball back for the USWNT, and a rapid-fire passing sequence ended with Alex Morgan running in behind the South African defense. From there, the San Diego Wave striker teed Trinity Rodman up perfectly for a close-range finish.

Before the celebrations even truly petered out after that goal, Ertz was given her moment, with TQL Stadium giving the USWNT legend a standing ovation in the 35th minute, as she stepped off the pitch one last time.

Another corner made it 3-0 before halftime, with Andi Sullivan (who replaced Ertz) serving in a near-post ball. Lindsey Horan’s cheeky flick caught South Africa off-guard, with Williams once again on hand to make sure the ball got over the line.

With much of the talk around the game surrounding a changing of the guard for the USWNT, interim coach Twila Kilgore’s second half substitutions included three players who suffered various sorts of World Cup snubs. Ashley Hatch and Casey Krueger were left off the roster entirely, while Ashley Sanchez saw zero minutes of playing time for a goal-starved USWNT in Australia and New Zealand.

That trio,18-year-old forward Alyssa Thompson (who appeared in just one World Cup match), and USWNT debutant M.A. Vignola all entered the match, with more experienced names like Horan, Morgan, Crystal Dunn, and Emily Fox among those coming off.

In the end, Ertz watched on as the USWNT defense — something she took ferocious pride in throughout her 123-cap national team career — gave Alyssa Naeher precious little to do against a side that advanced to the World Cup’s round of 16.

The USWNT will wrap up the September window with another big goodbye, as Megan Rapinoe’s final match with the team looms on Sunday in Chicago.

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USWNT vs. South Africa: How to watch as Julie Ertz plays final game

Julie Ertz will earn her 123rd and final cap during the match in Cincinnati

The U.S. women’s national team is set to bid farewell to two of its all-time greats.

First up will be Julie Ertz, who will play the final game of her career in Thursday’s friendly against South Africa at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. The USWNT’s second game against South Africa on Sunday in Chicago will see Megan Rapinoe play her last international match.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Julie Ertz’s final USWNT match” link=”https://sling-tv.pxf.io/zN0gP6″]

For the USWNT, the two games will be a chance to look back, but also to look ahead. After a disappointing World Cup, the U.S. will have a quick shot at redemption in the form of next summer’s Olympics in Paris.

The major question at this point is who will be coaching them. Twila Kilgore will take charge of her first game as interim head coach on Thursday, and she is expected to lead the team through two friendlies in October.

But with another major tournament so close, U.S. Soccer will want to get a permanent head coach in as soon as possible.

Thursday will mark the USWNT’s first match since a disappointing last-16 elimination at the World Cup. Its opponent, South Africa, is coming off a World Cup in which it also exited in the last 16.

With Ertz set to earn her 123rd and final cap, three players will be looking to win their first USWNT cap: Jaedyn Shaw, M.A. Vignola, and Mia Fishel.

The U.S. and South Africa have met on two previous occasions, with the USWNT winning both times.

USWNT roster (club; caps/goals)

Goalkeepers (3): Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit; 1), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage; 14), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars; 95)

Defenders (9): Alana Cook (OL Reign; 25/1), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars; 49/1), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns FC; 136/24), Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage; 33/1), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC; 20/0), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign; 31/0), Casey Krueger (Chicago Red Stars; 38/0), Emily Sonnett (OL Reign; 77/1), M.A. Vignola (Angel City FC; 0/0)

Midfielders (6): Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC; 4/0), Savannah DeMelo (Racing Louisville FC; 3/0), Julie Ertz (Unattached; 122/20), Lindsey Horan (Lyon; 133/29), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit; 25/3), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit; 49/3)

Forwards (9): Mia Fishel (Chelsea FC; 0/0), Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit; 19/5), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC; 211/121), Midge Purce (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 23/4), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign; 202/63), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 22/4), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC; 0/0), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC; 6/0), Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 55/15)

USWNT vs. South Africa (international friendly)

  • When: Thursday, Sept. 21
  • Where: TQL Stadium (Cincinnati)
  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: TNT, Universo and Peacock

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch USWNT vs South Africa on Sling” link=”https://sling-tv.pxf.io/zN0gP6″]

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch USWNT vs South Africa on Peacock” link=”https://imp.i305175.net/nLAkWX”]

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