The Iranian national volleyball team will participate in a four-team preparatory tournament to be held in Russia. This tournament is part of the team's final preparation for the 2026 Asian Volleyball Championship.
The Iranian national volleyball team will participate in a four-team preparatory tournament to be held in Russia. This tournament is part of the team's final preparation for the 2026 Asian Volleyball Championship.
Iran, Russia, Cuba, and Belarus will take part in the competition. According to the schedule, Iran will play three consecutive matches over three days.
Iran's game schedule is as follows: August 21 — match against Russia; August 22 — game against Cuba; August 23 — meeting with Belarus.
The competition will serve as one of the last tests for Iran before the start of the Asian Championship. Confrontations with strong opponents such as Russia, Cuba, and Belarus will provide the Iranian squad with valuable opportunities to refine tactics, assess players, and build momentum before the continental tournament.
The Iranian coaching staff plans to use these three matches to determine the team's readiness and address any weaknesses before the Asian Championship begins.
The Griquas team, currently leading the tournament table, defeated Sharks XV with a score of 55:21 in the Currie Cup match held in Kimberley on Friday evening. This victory strengthened Griquas' position in their bid to defend the domestic championship title.
During the game, flyhalf George Whitehead contributed to the large win by scoring two extra points. Griquas demonstrated superiority over Sharks XV, despite the Durban-based team having recently lost 54:0 to the All Blacks on Tuesday.
The total score scored in the two matches over five days exceeded 100 points, which is a significant signal, although the opponents were very strong: first the New Zealand national team, likely participating in the first test match against the Springboks on August 22, and then the confident Griquas team against the young Sharks players.
The first half of the match was particularly exciting. The home team took the lead and had a 19:0 advantage by the end of the first quarter. However, Sharks resisted tenaciously and managed to equalize just before halftime, bringing the score to 21:19. But Sharks' joy was short-lived, as Griquas scored the final play of the half, regaining the lead and heading into the locker rooms with a 26:21 advantage.
In the second half, Griquas continued to dominate. Wing Dylan Mart scored his second try, increasing the lead to 31:21. Fifteen minutes before the end of the match, Taan Lange scored, and Liam Cohen, who replaced George Whitehead at flyhalf, successfully converted it. Cohen is the son of former Springboks flyhalf Louis Cohen.
Two minutes later, Cohen failed to convert Lange's second try, but by the time the score reached 43:21, Griquas already had a significant lead. The Sharks' defensive line began to weaken, and they conceded a series of penalties—10 in the last 30 minutes. Lange completed a hat-trick, taking the score to 48:21, turning the game into a rout. Mart delivered the final blow, completing his hat-trick, and Cohen added a conversion, securing an overwhelming 55:21 victory.
Scorers statistics: Griquas: Tries — Janus Winter, penalty try, Dylan Mart (3), Bobby Alexander, Taan Lange (3). Conversions — George Whitehead (2), Liam Cohen (2). Sharks XV: Tries — Tino Mavesere, Tim Swiel, Johan Mommsen. Conversions — Luan Gillium, Tim Swiel (2).
Orlando Pirates coach Abdelslam Waddu provided an update on the injuries of Talente Mbatla and Evidens McGopa after both players missed recent club matches.
Waddu made these statements after Pirates drew against AmaZulu in the Betway Premier League at Kings Park Stadium on Wednesday. Mbatla could not participate in the trip to Durban, and McGopa has not yet featured for the Buccaneers this season.
The Pirates coach stated that both footballers continue to battle injuries sustained last season and are currently undergoing examinations by the club's medical team. Waddu said: 'Yes, they are in the hands of the medical department.' He added: 'I think they had some issues from last season that were bothering them, both inside. I cannot give you more detailed information about it, but I know they just have some check-ups with doctors, and I hope it is not too bad for them. But actually, both of them are injured.'
Mbatla has been a key part of the Pirates squad since joining the club, while McGopa provides an additional attacking option for Waddu when available. The absence of these two players comes during a busy start to the season, as Pirates are already participating in the MTN8 and the Betway Premier League.
Waddu now hopes that the results of the medical examinations will clarify their recovery as Pirates prepare for another championship match. The Buccaneers will remain in Durban for the next assignment, where they will face Chippa United at Kings Park Stadium on Sunday. The match is scheduled for 15:00. Pirates aim to return to winning ways after dropping points against AmaZulu, and also hope to avoid new injuries while balancing their commitments across various competitions.
According to the press service of the Football Association of Uzbekistan, the national team of Uzbekistan U-20, coached by Jamoliddin Rahmatullaiev, will play a friendly match against South Korea on August 25.
This match will be the last test for the team before the start of the qualification tournament for the AFC U-20 Cup, which is scheduled from August 25 to September 6. The friendly match will allow the coaching staff to assess the players' readiness for the upcoming qualifying matches and determine the team's level before the start of official games.
