The festive season serves up some of the best sports annually for South African fans. Enthusiasts of the Premier League, National Basketball Association (NBA), Premier Soccer League (PSL) and cricket all have something to look forward to.
The festive season is always a joyous time around the world, but there are few countries which enjoy it as much as South Africa. Much of this might be due to the fact that they are a sports-loving nation.
However, for sports fans and online sports betting enthusiasts, the action in December and January worth following will not only be local South African sports such as the Proteas test or the Premier Soccer League (PSL). Additionally, the Premier League, Formula One and National Basketball Association will have action worth following.
South African Sport Over Festive Season
As usual, there will be plenty of action to follow in the PSL as Orlando Pirates (6.51) and Mamelodi Sundowns (1.08) continue their title fight.
Pirates won their first seven games, claiming 21 points. Sundowns won six out of seven, claiming 18. However, Masandawana (as they are affectionately known) have won the last seven Premiership titles in a row and cannot be counted out.
Keep an eye out for the United Rugby Championship, too. South African teams the Stormers (20.47), Sharks (12.54), Bulls (5.94) and Lions (22.39) will be in action there too.
Boxing Day test cricket is a major tradition for fans of the sport around the world and South Africa is no different. Fortunately for Proteas (2.20) fans, their team will be in action in a one-off test against Pakistan at SuperSport Park, Centurion, after a three-match T20 series and a three-match ODI series thereafter.
International Sport Over The Festive Season
The Premier League action over the festive season is always a joy for fans around the world. Liverpool (2.22) have shocked fans by taking pole position in the race for the title and will be looking to ensure they are still on top by Christmas. Psychologically, that can be a huge boost.
By then, Formula One fans will already know definitively who their champion is, as the last race of the season takes place (the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix) will take place on 8 December.
With three races left in the season, Max Verstappen (1.02) looks almost certain to take the championship. He set himself apart from the chasing pack with his superb drive in São Paulo. However, there is much still to be decided.
The Dakar Rally (3-17 January 2025) will be another option for motorsports fans to enjoy over the festive season. South Africa has been well represented in recent years by Giniel de Villiers, who won the race in 2009.
In the MotoGP world championship, Brad Binder currently sits in sixth place with the Motul Solidarity Grand Prix in Barcelona the only race remaining.
Fans of American sports have plenty of National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Football League (NFL) action to look forward to, as those leagues do not slow down over the festive season.
Elsewhere, UFC 310 will take place in Nevada in what, in Central African Time, will be the early hours of the morning on 8 December.
It promises to be a thoroughly entertaining festive season for sports fans, with action all over the world. Keep an eye on Easybet for the latest odds on all the action.
