Orlando Pirates showed nerves of steel in the penalty shootout as they defeated Dondol Stars 5-4 on penalties to book a spot in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals on Saturday afternoon.

In a closely contested encounter between the two sides at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, the first half came and went without any of the goalkeepers scooping the ball from inside their net, although that was not because the two sides were in defensive mode, it was merely because there was no action in the final third of any of the two sides. 

However, the second half was a contrast of the first as the Buccaneers showed more enterprise in searching for the breakthrough.

That came in the 55th minute when halftime substitute Kermit Erasmus drew Dondol Stars' defenders towards him before laying the ball for Thembinkosi Lorch, who had enough time and space to compose himself before blasting the ball past Siphamandla Gumede to make it 1-0 for the visitors.

The lead however, only lasted for two minutes as Tebogo Makungo's header restored parity for the Tshwane based side.

With nothing to separate the two sides until the 90th minute, the match went straight to extra-time but just like much of the second half, the extra-time also ended with the two sides still deadlocked at 1-1.

It was then up to the penalty shootout to decide the contest, and the two sides traded accurate kicks with Deon Hotto, Sibisi, Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo and Kabelo Dlamini all converting for the Buccaneers, in response to goals from Dondol’s Kholofelo Monama, Francious Baloyi, Kamogelo Sambo and Thabang Mnyembane.

Just as it looked like the teams would head to sudden death, a poorly-taken penalty from Whitehead Nameka allowed Sipho Chaine to make a comfortable save before Sandile Mthethwa stepped up to take the decisive spot-kick, which he slotted home to book Pirates’ place in the semifinals.

Pirates will now face Kaizer Chiefs in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup with the date and venue yet to be confirmed.

A Yusuf Maart extra-time penalty was enough to see Kaizer Chiefs progress to the 2023 Nedbank Cup semi-finals where they will face Orlando Pirates.

Samuel Manganyi headed Royal AM in front in the 28th minute before Thabo Matlaba’s outrageous own goal restored parity for Chiefs in the 36th minute, Maart's penalty in the 102nd minute then sealed the victory for Chiefs after the two sides failed to find a winner in the second half.

The victory keeps Chiefs' quest for a silverware alive as the last time the side from Naturena tasted cup glory was in 2015.

Just like last weekend against Liverpool, Arsenal let another 2-0 lead slip at the London Stadium drawing 2-2 against West Ham United on Sunday.

Although Arsenal is four points clear of second-placed Manchester City, it is the champions who have all the momentum heading into the final weeks of a gripping title battle.

City maintained their hunt to dethrone the Gunners from the summit of the table after defeating Leicester City 3-1 on Saturday at the Etihad Stadium.

The two sides will meet on the 26th of April 2023 at the Etihad Stadium with City knowing that a victory for them will put more pressure on Mikel Arteta's side to crumble and potentially lose their grip at the summit of the log.

Meanwhile, Arteta believes his side can still maintain their lead at the top and go on to win the title.

"I am certain it is not the pressure, it's just us misunderstanding what we need to do, we have to understand that there's a lot at stake and we have to keep the composure to finish strong, it's something we will look at and try to fix for the upcoming matches," Arteta said.

4. Jacques Nienaber to step down after the Rugby World Cup

Jacques Nienaber is set to vacate his post as Springbok coach and join a European club at the conclusion of the Springboks’ 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign in France.

In an official SA Rugby press release over the weekend, Nienaber confirmed he would be joining the Leinster coaching ranks and cited personal reasons for his decision.

"The last few years have been the highlight of my coaching career and it's with a heavy heart that I’m finishing up my time with the Springboks and leaving the country for personal reasons," said Nienaber.

Despite his departure, Nienaber insists that his focus remained on the major task of the year, which was to give everything in the Springboks' defence of their Rugby World Cup title.

Nienaber has served several roles within the South African rugby structures, which include being a Springbok assistant coach at the 2011 and 2019 World Cup’s before stepping into the head coaching role in 2020.

In preparation for the World Cup, the Springboks will kick off the international season against Australia in Pretoria on Saturday, 8 July, in the opening round of the shortened Rugby Championship.

5. The Blue Bulls defeat the Natal Sharks while the Free State Cheetahs get the better of the Western Province.

Another Currie Cup weekend saw a couple of big surprises as the Natal Sharks went down to the Blue Bulls 24-20 and the Griquas also claimed a big win overcoming the Golden Lions 25-18.

The Pumas then saw themselves move to the summit of the table after hammering the Griffons 64-6 and the Free State Cheetahs continued with their fine form edging past the Western Province 26-17.