[imagesource: Getty Images]

Each week, I’ll be putting together a wrap of the weekend’s sporting action, standout moments, and major talking points, with a focus on football, cricket, and rugby.

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South Africa has a wealth of golfing talent shining on the PGA and European Tours at present, but perhaps none more brightly than Garrick Higgo.

The 22-year-old left-hander secured his first PGA Tour win in the wee hours this morning (local time), shooting a final-round 68 and pipping American Chesson Hadley to the Palmetto Championship in South Carolina.

The win came with a cheque of around R18 million, and a rather unusual trophy:

Welcome home, @Garrick_Higgo. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/loTL1cwtYT

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 13, 2021

Higgo becomes the first player to win in one of his first two career PGA Tour starts since Jim Benepe back in 1988, who won on his Tour debut.

He was suitably stoked:

“I can’t wait to see my family.”

South African @Garrick_Higgo is bringing home the hardware. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/xERSRXc6xE

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 13, 2021

The win takes him to 39th in the world ranking, and he’s one worth keeping an eye on as he tees off at the US Open later this week.

Again, what he has achieved already is phenomenal:

For context…#GarrickHiggo has won as many @PGATOUR titles (1) in two starts as Louis Oosthuizen has in 199 starts. Throw in 3 European tour wins in 27 starts for Higgo and what we have here is a rare talent. #golf

— Craig Ray (@craigray11) June 14, 2021

Roland Garros saw two epic matches this weekend, as Novak Djokovic secured his 19th Grand Slam title, putting him within one of Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer.

Friday night’s semi-final, in particular, when he overcame Nadal, was one for the ages:

With the king of clay accounted for, the Serb appeared to have one hand on the trophy, but Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas was determined to make him work for it.

Tsitsipas surged to a two-set lead in the final, but then tired as the relentless Djokovic refused to lie down:

Federer withdrew from the French Open in order to prepare for Wimbledon, where he has dominated the grass, and what may be his last shot at a Grand Slam.

Please, Novak – take a day off.

Special mention also to Barbora Krejcikova, who won her first Grand Slam singles title on Saturday, before returning on Sunday to claim the doubles title alongside fellow Czech Katerina Siniakova.

No player had achieved the double since France’s Mary Pierce in 2000.

The rugby news I am most interested in at the moment centres around whether or not Duane Vermeulen will be fit for the British & Irish Lions tour.

The man of the match in the 2019 World Cup final will be sidelined for the next six weeks due to an ankle injury sustained while playing for the Bulls, which would make him doubtful for the first test on July 24.

We can only hope he’s fit for the final two, because whilst we have exciting options at eight, none of them brings the same wealth of experience, or proven ability to perform under pressure, as Big Duane.

The PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA continues, with the Sharks and the Bulls facing each other this past Saturday.

I didn’t watch the match, but I did enjoy seeing this clip of Morne Steyn and Siya Kolisi:

Morne Steyn congratulating Siya Kolisi was definitely my favourite part of yesterday’s game 🤗 #Springboks pic.twitter.com/W9Wu1Nsjon

— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) June 13, 2021

Do not hurt one another, please.

Here’s one for the forwards – how about this barnstorming finish from Leinster’s second-rower Ryan Baird, during his side’s 38-7 win over the Dragons?

Ryan Baird, take a bow 👏 👏

What. A. Score. 🔥
pic.twitter.com/sbRRwNLopd

— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) June 12, 2021

I hope this chap below had some ice handy, because when you come for Bryan Habana, you will get burnt.

Rival wingers learnt this during his playing career, and now the same can be said for the speedster on Twitter:

I guess this is what overrated looks like @IsisNovnak 😉

1⃣2⃣4⃣ Test Caps
1⃣2⃣2⃣ Test Starts
6⃣7⃣ Test Tries
🏆 Tri Nations
🏆 RWC
🦁 Lions Series Winner
🏆🏆 #SuperRugby & Currie Cups
🏆🏆 Champions Cups
🏆 TOP14
🏅 World Player of the Year
🏅🏅🏅 SARU Player of the Year https://t.co/p2DhJVHaeP

— Bryan Habana (@BryanHabana) June 12, 2021

Game. Set. Match.

Friday saw Euro 2020 get underway (the name remains for marketing purposes) with a convincing Italian win over Turkey, but it was the events of the Denmark – Finland match on Saturday that will remain long in the memory.

Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch during the first half, with Denmark’s team doctor Morten Boesen saying he “was gone” before being resuscitated from cardiac arrest.

I’ll refrain from showing the moment he went down, and focus instead on the outpouring of love shown by people across the world.

Belgian goal machine Romelu Lukaku scored against Russia in Saturday’s final fixture, and dedicated the goal to his Inter Milan teammate:

“Cris, Cris. I love you!” Lukaku after scoring against Russia tonight. #eriksen pic.twitter.com/PJrPkU3Q0R

— Emanuel Roşu (@Emishor) June 12, 2021

Son Heung-min did the same after scoring for South Korea, with the pair having played together for Spurs:

“Hey Christian, stay strong, I love you!”

Son Heung-min ran to the camera to dedicate his goal to Christian Eriksen. 🇰🇷🇩🇰#AsianQualifiers pic.twitter.com/Lqj79LoW4Y

— Asian Football (@AsianFootballs) June 13, 2021

Then there was what took place at the stadium. As fans waited for an update, all rivalries were put aside, and Eriksen’s name was sung by both sets of supporters:

Impossible not to get goosebumps from that.

The pick of the action yesterday saw the Netherlands take on Ukraine. It looked like the Dutch had butchered a two-goal lead, but they scored late on to secure a 3-2 win.

Click ‘Watch on YouTube’ below and you’ll be redirected:

Let’s change tack for a second, and give our dues to Bafana Bafana.

Sure, the men’s team actually managed a win last week, coming from behind to beat Uganda, but we’re talking about Julio ‘Beast’ Bianchi, a 23-year-old competitive FIFA player from Cape Town.

He became the first South African to qualify for the FIFAe World Cup, set to take place in London in August 2021:

BAFANA BAFANA.. WHAT A STORY! ❤️@TheBeastBianchi becomes the first ever ‘South African’ 🇿🇦 to go to a @FIFAe World Cup 🏆

Africa WILL have representation in London. A dream that is now truly a reality for all. @EAFIFAesports #FGS21 pic.twitter.com/6TtJxqWF4C

— Brandon Smith (@BSmith_Esports) June 13, 2021

His second-place finish earned him $20 000 in prize money, by the way, with a great deal more on the table should he succeed in London.

South America’s premier international competition, the Copa America, also kicked off last night, with Brazil routing Venezuela:

Tonight, at 11PM our time, Argentina will take on Chile, so here’s hoping Leo Messi can rise to the occasion.

Finally, Proteas test cricket action is back, and we kicked off our tour of the West Indies with a most resounding win.

Having skittled the Windies for just 97, thanks to a Lungi Ngidi five-for and four wickets from Anrich Nortje, Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten 141 led the Proteas to a 225 run first-innings lead.

That was too much for the Windies to overcome, with five second-innings sticks for KG Rabada wrapping up victory inside two and a half days.

Quinny celebrated by paying tribute to one of his friends, part of the Rockwood Rhino conservation group, who had his right ring finger shot off. You can see that image right up top.

The fact that he found time to do that, yet chose not to join in the pre-match taking of a knee or raising of a fist, has not gone unnoticed by many South Africans.

It was a terrible weekend for Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al-Hasan, who went totally off the rails during a Dhaka Premier League game on Friday.

He first kicked down the stumps after being denied an LBW, before returning to uproot the stumps when the umpires called for the covers to come on during a spell of light rain:

Shakib Al Hasan completely lost his cool yesterday in the Dhaka Premier League… twice 👀 pic.twitter.com/PcfzqugcdE

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 12, 2021

He has since been suspended for three matches and fined for “showing aggressive behaviour towards the umpire” during a domestic match, which is probably too lenient, because this is far from his first indiscretion related to poor behaviour.

Another former international skipper, our beloved Faf du Plessis, is recovering from a massive kopseer after a collision with Mohammad Hasnain’s knee during a Pakistan Super League (PSL) match on Saturday:

BREAKING – Faf du Plessis has been sent to hospital for a check-up after he collided with Mohammad Hasnain while fielding in PSL game.#FafduPlessis #PSL pic.twitter.com/QGMnvCCPG6

— AIPWA@ANI (@AIPWAANI5) June 12, 2021

From another angle:

Praying to Almighty for the speedy recovery and a good health for #FafduPlessis
May he #getwellsoon ! pic.twitter.com/TT1JaTGFCH

— An Indian 🇮🇳💎 (@real_farooque07) June 12, 2021

Thankfully, he is on the road to recovery:

Thank you everyone for all the messages of support. I’m back at the hotel recovering. Have concussion with some memory loss but I will be fine. Hopefully be back on the field soon. Much love. ❤️

— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) June 13, 2021

Here’s to a speedy recovery, Faf.

There is no shortage of sporting action coming our way this week, including almost daily 3PM Euro 2020 kick-offs, so good luck to all with maintaining the facade of work productivity.

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