4 Sports Events You Can’t Miss in Joburg This Summer

After a month of Springboks vs All Blacks drama, packed stadiums and some serious rugby, the Boks closed out the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry with a 43-28 win over New Zealand in Baltimore, taking the series 3-1. It brought an end to a massive few weeks for South African rugby, with Ellis Park and FNB Stadium both hosting memorable Tests along the way.

But if you thought that meant it was time to put the jerseys away, think again.

From cricket at the Wanderers to football in Soweto and a rivalry that will take over both Loftus and Ellis Park, there’s still plenty to look forward to. Here are the sporting events we have on our radar.

Pink Day: Proteas vs Australia

27 September | DP World Wanderers Stadium

Pink Day is back, and this time Australia are coming to town.

The Proteas will face Australia in the second ODI of their three-match series at the Wanderers on Sunday, 27 September. The match gets underway at 10am and forms part of Cricket South Africa’s 2026/27 home season.

But Pink Day is about more than what happens between the wickets. The annual fixture turns the Wanderers pink in support of breast cancer awareness, bringing fans together for one of the most recognisable days on the South African cricket calendar.

And then there’s the cricket itself. Australia are always going to bring a bit of edge to the occasion, while the Proteas will be looking to make the most of home conditions as they build towards the 2027 Cricket World Cup, which South Africa will co-host.

So yes, wear pink. Get to the Wanderers early. And expect the kind of Sunday that starts with cricket and ends up feeling like a full-day Joburg outing.

The Jukskei Derby

10 October | Loftus Versfeld
5 December | Ellis Park

If you’re a rugby fan in Joburg or Pretoria, you already know.

The Bulls and Lions are bringing their rivalry back for not one, but two United Rugby Championship fixtures this season.

First up, the Bulls host the Lions at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, 10 October at 13:30. Then the fixture flips to Johannesburg, with the Lions hosting the Bulls at Ellis Park on Saturday, 5 December, also at 13:30.

There’s something different about watching these two sides play each other. It’s local. It’s loud. And with Pretoria and Johannesburg only a short drive apart, you can expect plenty of bragging rights to be involved.

The first one at Loftus is the perfect excuse for a Pretoria day out. The second brings the rivalry home to Ellis Park, giving Joburg its own shot at hosting one of the biggest South African derby fixtures on the URC calendar.

Pick your side. Pick your stadium. Just don’t expect a quiet afternoon.

Bafana Bafana vs Guinea

26 September | Orlando Stadium

Bafana Bafana are back in Joburg, and there’s a new chapter beginning.

South Africa will face Guinea at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, 26 September in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match. Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00.

There’s an added storyline here too. Pitso Mosimane is back in charge of Bafana, making this his first competitive match since returning for a third spell as national team coach.

The match comes after Bafana’s historic 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, where South Africa reached the knockout stages for the first time. Now the focus shifts to AFCON qualification, with Guinea, Eritrea and Kenya making up Group D.

And if you’ve never experienced an international football match at Orlando Stadium, this is a good one to put on the calendar. It’s Bafana, it’s Soweto, and it marks the beginning of a new era for the national team.

The Soweto Derby

31 October | FNB Stadium

There are few fixtures in South African sport that carry the weight of the Soweto Derby.

Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have been doing this for decades, with the rivalry stretching well beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch. The last meeting of the 2025/26 season was the 185th official Soweto Derby, with the two sides playing to a 1-1 draw at FNB Stadium.

It’s the kind of game where the city feels different. Jerseys come out. Group chats get loud. Families suddenly find themselves supporting different teams. And whether you’re inside the stadium or watching from a local spot with a crowd, the derby has a way of taking over.

Joburg’s sporting calendar is far from finished.

The Springboks may have wrapped up their latest chapter with the All Blacks, but there’s still plenty happening across the city.

Cricket has Pink Day. Bafana are heading to Orlando. The Bulls and Lions will meet twice. And, whenever the next Soweto Derby rolls around, you already know Joburg will be watching.

So if you’re looking for something to do beyond the usual weekend plans, start checking the fixtures. The city is still very much in game mode.