Upcoming Sports Highlights for December 2023: Brace Yourself for Exciting Action and Rivalries!
2023 in Sports: A Year to Remember for Mzansi
So here we are at the end of an incredible sports year, and South Africa has delivered once again! From rugby to cricket and golf, our athletes have truly outshone themselves. Let's take a quick peek at what's coming up in December and wrap up the sports year on a high note!
Ongoing Madness
The South African Open Golf Tournament
Swing those clubs one more time as the South African Open returns on 30 November - 3 December 2023, gathering 156 golfers for an epic showdown!
The English Premier League (EPL)
The EPL races ahead with Arsenal leading the pack, securing the top spot with 30 points, and Man City and Liverpool close behind with 29 and 28 points respectively. As the season heats up, be sure to catch these exciting matches in December:
- 2nd December
- 5th December
- 9th December
- 16th December
- 23rd December
- 26th December
- 30th December
UEFA Champions League
Whosay? The UEFA Champions League continues to thrill us with an unforgettable lineup of matches. Here are the essential dates to keep in mind:
- 12th - 14th December: Group Phase Matchday 6
La Liga, Serie A, and More
The Spanish La Liga and Italian Serie A offer intense competition, with Real Madrid and Girona sharing first place in the league with 35 points each. The high-stakes battle continues as the following crucial dates approach:
- 3rd December: La Liga
- 10th December: La Liga, Serie A
- 17th December: La Liga, Serie A
- 20th December: La Liga
- 23rd December: La Liga, Serie A
- 30th December: Serie A
Gear Up for December
The Cape Point Challenge
Join the action as the Cape Point Challenge surfski competition roars into Scarborough/ Witsand on 16th December 2023, finishing on Fish Hoek Beach for a dramatic 52km race finale!
Beach Volleyball World Pro Tour Finals
Grab your sunscreen and head to Qatar from 6th to 9th December 2023, as the Beach Volleyball World Pro Tour Finals unfold on the sand!
Bobsleigh World Cup
Ride the icy slopes as the Bobsleigh World Cup takes place in France from 9th to 10th December 2023.
PDC World Darts Championship 2023-2024
Prepare for a dart-tastic adventure as the PDC World Darts Championship 2023-2024 kicks off on 15th December 2023 at London's Alexandra Palace, running until 3rd January 2024.
HSBC Sevens 23/24
The sevens season makes a grand return with Dubai hosting the action from 2nd to 3rd December 2023. The following leg will arrive in Cape Town before the end of the year, setting the stage for a thrilling build-up to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
December URC
Get ready for 19 electrifying Union Rugby Club matches in December, including:
- 2nd December: Bulls vs Sharks, Lions vs Dragons, Stormers vs Zebre
- 23rd December: Stormers vs Bulls
- 30th December: Stormers vs Sharks
Boxing
The ring sizzles as Joshua and Wallin collide on 23rd December 2023, and Wilder faces off against Parker in Riyadh. With both fighters potentially setting up a showdown in 2024, the excitement builds higher! Be a part of the action with the following top bookies: Bet.co.za, Hollywoodbets, Betshezi, Gbets, and Betway.
Cricket Freedom Trophy Series
India and South Africa renew their long-standing cricket rivalry in the Freedom Trophy Series from 26th to 30th December 2023. As per South African tradition, this thrilling series will start on boxing day. Who will emerge victorious in this closely-contested tug-of-war?
In previous years, South Africa has excellently defended the Freedom Trophy. Will they manage to do so again? Unravel the answer in our upcoming January 2024 Sport Preview and get one step closer to ringing in the New Year in style!
Reflections on the past year: This impressive list of events demonstrates South African sports' vitality and the remarkable performance of our athletes in international competitions. With new leagues and exciting tournaments on the horizon, 2024 is shaping up to be another standout year for Mzansi's sports fans!
Enrichment Data:Based on the search results provided, there are no specific December 2023 South African sporting events explicitly listed. However, here's the relevant context:
- International Events:
- The 2023 ODI Cricket World Cup (October 5 – November 19 in India) and 2023 Rugby League NRL Grand Final (October 1 in Sydney) concluded before December[1].
- The Gay Games (November 3–11, 2023, in Hong Kong) and Pacific Games (November 19 – December 1 in the Solomon Islands) also occur outside South Africa[1].
- 2024 Events:
- December 2024 shows activity:
- Carling Black Label Cup (21st December 2024 in Soweto)[2].
- SA vs Pakistan Cricket (ODI on 19th December 2024 and Test starting 3rd January 2025 in Cape Town)[2].
For December 2023 specifically, the search results do not include direct mentions of major events in South Africa during that month. The Nedbank Golf Challenge is highlighted as a premier event[5], but its exact 2023 dates are unspecified in the provided results. Additional verified sources would be needed to confirm exact December 2023 fixtures. For reference, recurring events like domestic cricket (CSA T20 League), rugby (Currie Cup), or athletics competitions often occur in December, but these are not detailed in the provided sources.
Enrichment Data Sources:1. 18Bet.co.za2. Bet.co.za3. PCGamesN4. RugbyPass5. Nedbank Golf Challenge
- South African sports enthusiasts can look forward to the upcoming 2023 sports-betting events in December, such as the ongoing South African Open Golf Tournament from 30 November to 3 December.
- The European leagues are not to be missed, with the English Premier League (EPL) continuing its competitive season, and key matches scheduled for 2nd, 5th, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 26th, and 30th December.
- The UEFA Champions League will also captivate viewers on 12th - 14th December with the Group Phase Matchday 6.
- In addition, the Spanish La Liga and Italian Serie A will offer intense competition, with crucial matches taking place on 3rd, 10th, 17th, 20th, 23rd, and 30th December.
- For fans of seeking adrenaline and excitement, the Bobsleigh World Cup will take place in France from 9th to 10th December, and the PDC World Darts Championship 2023-2024 will commence on 15th December at London's Alexandra Palace.
- The HSBC Sevens 23/24 will make a splash, starting with Dubai hosting the action from 2nd to 3rd December, followed by the Cape Town leg before the end of the year.
- In rugby, Union Rugby Club (URC) will feature 19 electrifying matches in December, including games on the 2nd, 23rd, and 30th.
- The Cricket Freedom Trophy Series between India and South Africa shall commence on 26th December, setting the stage for a thrilling New Year as both nations strive for victory in the Boxing day fixture.
- Reflecting on the past year's events, it is evident that the South African sports scene has shone on a global stage, offering fans an array of events to follow in the years to come. With new leagues and exciting tournaments on the horizon, 2024 is poised to be another standout year for Mzansi's sports fans, following in the footsteps of the impressive 2023 season.
