The first weekend of April sees the DSTV Premiership return after a week of the FIFA international break with Orlando Pirates traveling to KZN for a date with Richards Bay while Kaizer Chiefs welcome Stellenbosch FC at the FNB Stadium.

Third, on the log, Orlando Pirates who have already won the MTN 8 trophy this season and are also in contention for another trophy in the Nedbank Cup will want to keep their CAF Champions League aspirations intact with a victory over Richards Bay at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The significance of this fixture lies in the fact that Pirates can jump over to the second spot on the log provided SuperSport United drops points in their clash against Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.

With 7 more matches left in the DSTV Premiership, the race for the second spot finish will certainly go down to the wire for the Buccaneers and the other two contenders.

Meanwhile at the FNB Stadium Kaizer Chiefs will host Stellenbosch FC on Saturday night in another feisty encounter between the two sides.

Amakhosi have already beaten Stellenbosch twice this season in the MTN 8 and DSTV Premiership respectively however, despite history favouring the Glamour Boys ahead of the encounter on Saturday night, Chiefs' coach Arthur Zwane has warned his team to be wary of the Stellies.

"We are facing a dangerous Stellenbosch side that is tactically good and can be a threat at times, they have good runners and they are also on a good run of form so we have to be very prepared for them," Zwane said during Kaizer Chiefs' press conference on Thursday.

Amakhosi who need to stay within touching distance of the top 2 spot will be without Yusuf Maart due to suspension but Siyabonga Ngezana returns after he was out in the previous encounter due to suspension too.

Mamelodi Sundowns head into their last group stage match of the CAF Champions League having already secured a spot in the knockout stage of the competition.

Sundowns entertain a wounded Coton Sport side that has not won nor collected any points in their 5 group stage matches in group B.

Having made a statement of note a couple of weeks ago by thrashing Al Ahly 5-2 at Loftus Versfeld, Sundowns' coach Rhulani Mokwena has hinted that his side will not go easy on Coton Sport as they want to finish the group on a high note.

"It's important for us to finish number one in the group because it has a lot of connotations to it, we want to make sure that we complete the group stages with the same excellence that we played every single match," Mokwena said.

Kick-off at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday night is at 21:00.

Manchester City welcomes Liverpool in a blockbuster English Premier League encounter at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

It might not be the supermassive mega City vs Liverpool clash of recent seasons owing largely to the visitors’ decline, but Saturday lunchtime meeting at the Etihad is still huge for the hosts and Arsenal.

Arsenal must hope that Liverpool will go to the Etihad for one reason only - getting the maximum points in order to see City lose further ground in the title race as City are seven points off where they need to be before the Gunners face Leeds later that afternoon.

Like City, there's plenty in it for Liverpool too, Liverpool is two places and seven points off fourth-placed Tottenham, with Newcastle sandwiched in between and Brighton breathing down their neck.

The Reds now have 12 games with which to try and secure a top-four spot, with seven of those coming in the month of April.

After Manchester City, Liverpool will travel to Stamford Bridge for a date with Chelsea before welcoming Arsenal to Anfield next weekend.

With a lot at stake for both sides, this encounter surely promises to be one that will be filled with drama, exhilaration and potentially a winner.

The Proteas need to win both the two-match ODI games against Netherlands in Benoni and Johannesburg to give themselves a chance of automatically qualifying for the ICC Cricket World Cup that is set to be held in India later this year.

The Proteas who are yet to qualify for the World Cup have boosted their squad ahead of the home-bound Netherlands tour bringing in Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje.

Head coach Rob Walter said the inclusion of Rabada and Nortje comes at a time when the team needs nothing else but a victory to secure their spot in the World Cup.

"We have named our strongest possible squad for these games given the importance of these matches in the context of qualifying for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, we have a job to do and I am confident that with this group of players, we can get the job done," said Walter.

The second match of the series will be a special occasion as it marks the annual Pink Day where the Proteas along with their fans raise awareness and funds for an important cause, the match will also see the Proteas wearing an all pink kit.

The first ODI will start at 13:00 on Friday while the second ODI begins at 10:00 am on Sunday the 2nd of April 2023.

Matchday 4 of the Currie Cup will see the Griffons host the Blue Bulls on Friday afternoon looking to secure their first victory of the campaign after a very poor and disappointing start to the season.

Table-topping Free State Cheetahs will then entertain the Pumas at the Free State Stadium in a first vs second encounter on Friday afternoon, the Pumas head into the match at the back of a convincing 28-13 victory over the Griquas last weekend while the Cheetahs demolished the Blue Bulls 32-7.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Golden Lions will face the Natal Sharks with the Western Province facing the Griquas at the Cape Town Stadium.