T20 World Cup 2026 betting tips: South Africa vs New Zealand – Can the Kiwis stop the Proteas?
The first semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2026 sees unbeaten South Africa take on New Zealand.
The Proteas stormed through to the semi-finals thanks to a string of dominant performances. Riding high on winning momentum and having ticked every box so far, they are now touted as title contenders. The Kiwis, on the other hand, have been far from their best so far and barely squeezed into the top four courtesy of a better net run rate.
To pass this litmus test, the Men in Black must produce a near-flawless performance, writes Sports News Blitz’s cricket expert Himanshu Sharma.
Premier League analysis: Five key points from Leeds United vs Man City
Manchester City got a narrow but important 1-0 over Leeds United at Elland Road at the weekend, moving in closer to league leaders Arsenal.
Antoine Semenyo scored the only goal of the game in first-half stoppage time, with Leeds having some strong early chances - Dominic Calvert-Lewin had the best chance to score for Leeds United but wasn’t able to convert.
Despite missing Erling Haaland, Man City held firm to claim all three points.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Tyler Cooke gives his thoughts on the game.
MMA news: Alex Pereira vacates UFC light heavyweight belt, Jiri Prochazka vs Carlos Ulberg set
Alex Pereira has officially vacated his UFC light heavyweight title in order to move up a class and compete at heavyweight.
UFC boss Dana White confirmed the 38-year-old Brazilian’s decision on February 27. Jiří Procházka and Carlos Ulberg will now fight for the vacant 205-pound belt at UFC 327 in Miami on April 11.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Samuel Faris-Clark takes a look at the situation.
Wrestling news: Randy Orton, AJ Lee shine in Elimination Chamber as WrestleMania 42 takes shape
The United Center in Chicago played host to WWE’s final stop on the Road to WrestleMania as two more superstars punched their ticket to Las Vegas and AJ Lee became champion again.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Mosaddek Abu discusses the key takeaways from a busy Elimination Chamber.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Intercontinental play-offs preview – DR Congo, New Caledonia and Jamaica
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, a mini-tournament of intercontinental play-offs is set to add two more teams to the main draw.
Scheduled for late March in Mexico, the action will feature six teams.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer AJ Becker takes a closer look at the three nations who will be taking part in Pathway 1 of the play-offs.
Premier League news: Man Utd go third after Benjamin Sesko sinks Crystal Palace at Old Trafford
Manchester United edged past Crystal Palace thanks to a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Šeško doing the damage for the hosts.
Maxence Lacroix had given Palace the lead in the first half, but it was not enough for Oliver Glasner’s troops as United found their footing in the second period to take the three points.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Robert Bore reviews the action.
Horse racing news: Harry Bentley lands £1.2 million Hong Kong Classic Cup aboard Stormy Grove
Harry Bentley secured his biggest success yet in Hong Kong when delivering Stormy Grove with a sensational late run to score an upset and claim the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic series, the HK$13 million (approx. £1.2m) Hong Kong Classic Cup (1m1f/1800m), at Sha Tin on Sunday 1 March.
The son of Toronado made it two wins in a row and landed the Hong Kong Classic Cup with a performance reminiscent of his explosive 1600m showing at Sha Tin two weeks ago, when, after being drawn 14, he surged from last to first to claim his first Hong Kong win.
Breakout Jockeys and Horses to Follow in the Upcoming Calendar
Horse racing is a sport that is constantly evolving, with new names joining the sport every year.
Every star coming into the sport will aim to make their impression, whether that is by winning a notable Grade One or scoring victory in one of the Classics.
Breakout jockeys will be looking to upset the status quo, and their mounts will likely be overlooked due to the inexperience of the rider when making online horse racing betting selections.
But, who are potentially some of the breakout jockeys and horses worth following in 2026?
Cheltenham Gold Cup news: Gavin Cromwell says Inothewayurthinkin “will take plenty of beating” if he turns up
Gavin Cromwell has fired an early warning to the rest of the staying chase division: if Inothewayurthinkin brings his A-game to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, they might all be running for second.
Speaking on William Hill’s Inside Track: Ireland podcast, the trainer admitted this season hasn’t exactly gone to script - for the yard or for his stable star - but insists the reigning Gold Cup hero is coming to the boil at the right time.
England’s Champions League charge: Six Premier League clubs enter crucial last-16 showdowns
The 2026 UEFA Champions League knockout stage has delivered a draw loaded with narrative, pressure, and opportunity for English clubs.
With UEFA’s new coefficient-based system offering the Premier League a potential fifth qualification spot for the following season, every tie involving English sides carries extra weight.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Joshua Topping analyses what’s at stake.
Premier League betting tips: Viktor Gyokeres to score against Chelsea, Leeds Utd to beat Man City and more Gameweek 28 betting tips
Hope springs eternal of course and I fully subscribe to the view you're either hot, or you're due, and I’m due, so read on for a breakdown of the best bets from this weekend’s Premier League TV games from Sports News Blitz’s punting laureate - The Bookie Basher - including a massive clash in the capital between Arsenal and Chelsea on Sunday, March 1.
ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Kelso, Newbury and Doncaster on Saturday, February 28
After a week off recovering from trapping one of his testicles in the hatchway of a canal boat, Sports News Blitz’s racing tipster Jeff Mexico is back for Saturday’s ITV racing action.
We’ve decided that it’s sometimes best not to ask why Jeff was dangling his meat ‘n’ two veg into a narrowboat on the Leeds and Liverpool waterway – we just know he has been up to no good again, so let’s stick to the horses.
ITV have served up 10 races for Saturday afternoon: five from Kelso, two from Newbury, and three from Doncaster. Let’s get cracking.
UFC Fight Night: Preview and suggested bets for Brandon Moreno vs Lone’er Kavanagh and more
Former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno takes on rising English talent Lone’er Kavanagh at UFC Fight Night in Mexico City on Saturday, February 28.
The UFC returns to Mexico for the eighth time in its history and the first time since March last year, only this time under somewhat precarious circumstances, writes Sports News Blitz’s Finn Littlewood.
Golf betting tips: Shane Lowry to shine in Florida; Johnny Keefer’s ball-striking prowess on full display
The PGA is back in Florida this week, as the golfing elite head to the PGA National Champion Course for the Cognizant Classic.
It is a slightly weakened field this week, with Shane Lowry the lone A-lister amongst the line-up.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Sam Condy breaks down his three favourite picks ahead of the Tour’s Florida pit stop.
Premier League news: Newcastle Utd face Anthony Gordon dilemma in race for European football
European football looks like a distant dream for Newcastle United if they don’t start turning chances into goals.
Hope remains, however, after an attacking solution with Anthony Gordon was discovered.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Mosaddek Abu takes a look at the Magpies’ recent struggles.
Cricket analysis: Harry Brook’s coming-of-age innings for England
Promoted to No.3 for the first time, England’s captain played a blistering innings, sprinkled with a hint of newfound maturity.
If you want it done, do it yourself. Harry Brook took matters into his own hands by promoting himself to No.3 and smashing a 50-ball century to pull a sloppy England past an even sloppier Pakistan to become the first team to reach the semi-finals.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Sai Raghav Balakrishnan discusses Brook’s first T20I 100 against Pakistan in the Super 8’s.
England women news: Leah Williamson warns players could strike over scheduling concerns
England women's captain Leah Williamson has refused to rule out the possibility of players taking strike action if concerns over scheduling and player welfare are ignored.
Speaking ahead of England’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine, Williamson highlighted the pressures on players, warning that fixture congestion is contributing to rising injury rates in the women’s game.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Liberty Nicholson-Hulse takes a closer look at why female footballers may feel forced to take a stand against a packed calendar.
Horse racing news: Zac Purton confident Voyage Bubble can rebound in G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup
Champion jockey Zac Purton says Voyage Bubble’s disappointing performance last start should be excused as he prepares to take on Romantic Warrior in the HK$13 million (approx. £1.2m) G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (1m2f/2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday 1 March.
Ricky Yiu’s seven-year-old finished a distant third to Romantic Warrior in the HK$13m (approx. £1.2m) G1 Stewards’ Cup (1 mile/1600m) last month, relinquishing the Triple Crown he claimed so spectacularly last season.
T20 World Cup betting tips: India vs Zimbabwe - What to expect and players primed to shine
The T20 World Cup 2026 co-hosts India face Zimbabwe in a Super 8 fixture that feels like a knockout.
The Men in Blue are in a ‘no-slip zone’, while Zimbabwe arrive believing they can cause more chaos, writes Sports News Blitz’s cricket betting writer Himanshu Sharma.
The Biggest Talking Points in South African Rugby
South African rugby has rarely been short on headlines, but even a relatively quiet year has underlined just how dominant and dynamic the Springboks and their broader rugby ecosystem have become.
As one of the sport’s true heavyweights, the headlines coming out of South African rugby reflect performance, leadership continuity, and a fresh wave of talent.