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Sports fans across South Africa can plan their schedules as Canal+ has confirmed broadcasting rights for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, providing access to one of the biggest sporting events of the year.

Overview of the 2026 Commonwealth Games

These 11 days of diverse sporting spectacle will take place in Glasgow, Scotland, and run until August 2nd. The event will bring together elite athletes from around the world. Over 3000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations, including 500 African participants, will compete in 10 sports and 6 para-sports.

Among the disciplines featured will be athletics, swimming, track cycling, basketball 3x3, rhythmic gymnastics, boxing, judo, netball, weightlifting, and bowling. These competitions will be a must-watch for sports lovers across the continent.

Venues and Excluded Sports

The competitions will be held at four world-class venues: Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, the Scottish Event Campus, and the Glasgow International Arena & Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. However, to reduce operational costs and meet deadlines, several sports have been excluded from the Games, including badminton, hockey, rugby sevens, table tennis, squash, cricket, wrestling, triathlon, and road cycling.

Broadcast Access for Viewers

Canal+ and SuperSport have made the entire tournament widely accessible to local fans. To watch the performances of local stars, the most expensive package is not required; broadcasts will be available to subscribers of the Access package and above via DStv, DStv Stream, GOtv, and GOtv Stream platforms.

Channel Structure and Special Broadcasts

SuperSport will launch two main dedicated channels for the Commonwealth Games. One channel will broadcast major global events, while the second will focus exclusively on Africa's leading medal contenders. In case of overlapping finals in track, swimming, or court matches during peak evening hours, additional linear and streaming channels will be activated so that viewers do not miss any podium finishes.

South African viewers can follow regional broadcasts on SS Variety 3 and SS Variety 4, which will be renamed during the tournament to ensure focused coverage. Additionally, a third dedicated stream will provide specialized coverage for Portuguese-speaking audiences and athletes from Mozambique.

Management Statement

David Migno, CEO of Canal+ Africa and MultiChoice, commented on the large-scale multi-platform rollout, emphasizing the goal of uniting viewers around local sporting talents. He stated: 'We are pleased to confirm the broadcasting rights for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which will be available on SuperSport to our DStv and GOtv Access subscribers, with a special focus on African athletes who will strive to make their countries and the continent proud at this major global sporting event.'

From fast sprints on the track to intense bouts in boxing and swimming—Glasgow 2026 promises 11 days of pure and unadulterated sporting glory.

England batsman Joe Root will once again captain the national team in test tournament matches. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has decided to rely on experienced Root again after Ben Stokes announced the end of his international career.

New Team Leadership

According to reports, Root will lead the team in a three-match series against Pakistan starting on August 19. There is also a possibility that he will remain captain until the 2027 Ashes.

Change in Leadership and Legacy

Ben Stokes recently bid farewell to international cricket after a series against New Zealand. Along with head coach Brendon McCullum, he transformed England's play in Test cricket using the 'Bazball' style. Under his leadership, the team achieved memorable victories against strong opponents such as New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa.

Root's Previous Experience

Joe Root previously led the England Test team from 2017 to 2022. During this period, he managed the team in 64 matches, winning 27 of them. However, he stepped down as captain following defeats against Australia and West Indies.

Root's Importance to the Team

At 35 years old, Root remains the backbone of England's attack over the last four years. He surpassed Alastair Cook's record to become England's leading run-scorer in Test cricket and is among the top players in Test cricket history by total runs scored. Given his impressive form and experience, the ECB decided to entrust him with leading the team once more.

The second stage of the Premier Division Currie Cup kicks off this weekend, with four interesting matches scheduled. Additionally, on Friday evening in George, the champions of the 2026 First Division will be determined, where the home team SWD Eagles will meet Valke.

Premier Division Match Schedule

The Premier Division action begins on Friday afternoon with a clash between the table leaders—Cheetahs and Sharks XV in Bloemfontein. The match is set for 17:00 at Toyota Stadium. Two games are planned for Saturday: Lions versus Pumas in Ellis Park (15:00), and a home game for Griquas in Kimberley against Bulls XV (17:05).

Round Conclusion in Wellington

The second round concludes on Sunday in Wellington. Boland Kavaliers will host for the second consecutive time, welcoming neighbors Stormers XXIII at Boland Stadium. The Western Cape derby starts at 15:00 and, like three other Premier Division fixtures, will be broadcast on SuperSport.

Situation Before Matches

Friday's battle in Bloemfontein pits Cheetahs against Sharks XV. Despite being early in the tournament, both teams hold high positions in the rankings. Earlier, KwaZulu-Natalians defeated Pumas 26-24, and Free Staters won against Lions 29-27.

The Durban-based team has a 3-2 advantage in the last five encounters between the sides. Furthermore, Cheetahs won a tight match 7-5 in Durban last August. Cheetahs lead the early tournament standings as they have accumulated more points than Sharks, and with the presence of Springbok national scrum-half Faf de Klerk at number 9, they hope to maintain their initial momentum.

Saturday's Matches

In Saturday's first match, Lions aim to immediately recover the two-point deficit suffered last week in Bloemfontein, hosting Pumas in Johannesburg. Lions have a 4-1 head-to-head advantage over this team, with their only defeat to the Mpumalanga side occurring three years ago in Nelspruit. Last year's match between these two teams, also held at Mbombela Stadium, ended with a victory for Gautengers 36-35.

The second game on Saturday will take place in Kimberley. Griquas and Bulls XV hope to start their 2026 season after both teams suffered away defeats last week. The match will begin at 17:05. Based on last week's form and a large 42-21 victory in Pretoria last year, the North Cape hosts—the reigning Currie Cup champions—are considered favorites. However, the Bulls team, which has several young and promising players, should not be underestimated.

Weekend Finale in Wellington

The final match of the weekend will take place on Sunday afternoon in Wellington. Boland Kavaliers and Stormers XXIII are aiming for a second consecutive win of the season after starting it with victories last week. They currently occupy third and fourth places in the table. The Cape Town team won last year by a margin of 22 points in Cape Town, but Stefan Ungerera's team may face a hot reception and serious pressure on the field in Wellington, where a packed stadium supporting the Boland team is expected.