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South Africa begin World Test Championship title defence with target on their back – SUCH TV
South Africa captain Aiden Markram says his side can expect to have a target on their back when they begin a new cycle of the World Test Championship as defending champions.
South Africa play a two-test series in Pakistan, starting on Sunday, and two games in India in November as they bid to retain the trophy they won in June by beating Australia by five wickets at Lord’s.
The World Test Championship is decided at the end of a two-year cycle, with the top two teams competing in a one-off five-day match.
“I suppose you create a bit of a target on your back if youve won (the WTC), and if thats the case, its fair. We want to chase a place in the final again and lift that trophy once again but realise each team will be coming for us,” said Markram, who stands in as skipper for Temba Bavuma who has been ruled out of the tour with a calf strain.
“We, as a team, have to keep getting better and improving and playing well in all different types of conditions. It starts for us in Pakistan, and its a challenge the boys will be up for,” he told a press conference on Monday.
South Africa have been practising on specially prepared spinning wickets at Pretorias High Performance Centre.
“There were a couple of nets prepared where the spin is really exaggerated, and youd rather err on that side, and maybe then its a bit easier when we get to Pakistan,” Markram said.
“Were expecting to face a lot of spin over there, and its also, naturally, a lot lower there from a seam point of view. Theres a lot of skiddy, so its hard to try and emulate that here in South Africa, but weve been looking to put a lot of emphasis on finding a way to train for that.”
The first test against Pakistan is in Lahore and the second begins on October 20 in Rawalpindi.
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LeBron James is again fueling retirement speculation after posting a video tease on social media.
Back in June, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer posted a seven-second video in which he appeared in front of reporters at a press conference when one asked, “Are the retirement rumors true? What’s next?” That video turned out to be an advertisement for Amazon Prime.
Well, in a new video posted Monday, a man is seen sitting in a chair on a basketball court as James walks toward another chair.
James then sits down before the camera pans to a graphic that reads, “The Second Decision Coming Soon.”
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James brings the ball up court against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. (Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn Images)
“The decision of all decisions. October 7th. 12pm EST,” James wrote on his social media.
It should be noted that Tuesday marks the beginning of “Prime Day,” so perhaps this is merely a sequel to his Amazon Prime campaign.
James just completed his 22nd season in the NBA, and has hardly shown any signs of slowing down. In his age-40 season, he averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds. He posted 10 triple-doubles this past season, his most since 2019-20, when he won his fourth NBA championship.
James joined Los Angeles in NBA free agency in 2018. As of 2022, James has won one title with the Lakers. (Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
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He earned his 21st consecutive All-Star nod, extending his record. After turning 40 on Dec. 30, James averaged 25.1 points per game, the most by any player age 40 or older.
James became the first player in NBA history to play in the league at the same time as his son, Bronny James, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers last summer. The two played in 21 games together.
Lakers forward LeBron James gestures during the game against the Denver Nuggets March 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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If James winds up playing in 2025-26, it would be his 23rd NBA season, which would set a new record. He currently shares the record with Vince Carter. He has yet to commit and said he would think about his future after his Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs.
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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones appeared to give the middle finger to New York Jets fans as the team won their matchup, 37-22, on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium.
A video posted on social media and shared by former Cowboys star wide receiver Dez Bryant showed Jones flashing the bird as he clapped for his team.
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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones watches warm ups before an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
“Quit playing with Mr. Jerry Jones,” Bryant wrote on X.
Fox News Digital reached out to the NFL and the Cowboys for comment. Jones could face discipline for his conduct.
The Athletic noted that former Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams was fined $250,000 for an “obscene gesture” toward fans after the team’s win over the Buffalo Bills. The NFL also fined Carolina Panthers team owner David Tepper $300,000 in 2023 for throwing a drink toward Jacksonville Jaguars fans.
Jones had a lot to celebrate on Sunday.
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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stands on the field prior to a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 5, 2025. (Robert Deutsch/Imagn Images)
Dak Prescott had four touchdown passes in the win – two of which went to tight end Jake Ferguson. He also found George Pickens and Javonte Williams one time each.
“I think we’re spoiled,” Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer said of Prescott. “I think he’s one of the best players in the league. He’s certainly one of the best leaders and teammates I’ve ever been around. Guys believe in him and he’s playing with a ton of confidence right now.”
Prescott heard “MVP” chants from fans during the game.
“I saw this coming just on the simple fact this team knows how confident we are, what we’re capable of doing,” he said of the win. “We knew it was important to get the taste of last week out of our mouth and out of our mind.”
Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott reacts to a touchdown run by Javonte Williams during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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While the Cowboys faced bitter criticism over the Micah Parsons trade, Dallas is now 2-2-1 with the win.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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