Nelson Mandela's funeral and memorial services "will mean changes" to South Africa's Premier Soccer League schedule this week, "including another postponement" for Orlando Pirates, whose Wednesday trip to Cape Town is off, according to Mark Gleeson of SOWETAN LIVE. The possibility of a postponement of Tuesday's clash between Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld "has also been discussed" by PSL officials because of the memorial service at FNB Stadium. But "no decision has been announced yet" and the consensus from officials consulted is that the game in Tshwane as well as the clash between Bidvest Wits and SuperSport United at Milpark Stadium "will go ahead." The postponement of the Ajax-Bucs clash was confirmed Monday. Cape Town Stadium is being used for a Western Cape memorial service for Mandela and the match "cannot be switched to Athlone Stadium because it is already booked" (SOWETAN LIVE, 12/9).
EUROPEAN TOUR CHANGES: REUTERS' Nick Said reported the European Tour's Nelson Mandela Championship at Durban's Mount Edgecombe Country Club "will start a day earlier on Wednesday to ensure that all four rounds of the golf tournament are played by Saturday." The European Tour said, "In recognition of the national period of mourning for the passing of former President Mr. Nelson Mandela, provision will be made for observing the day of the state funeral for Mr. Mandela which will take place on Sunday, December 15." Cricket South Africa was "full of thanks" after their Indian counterparts agreed to start a two-day warm up match for their test series 24 hours earlier to avoid finishing on Sunday. The switch means the tourists will now have just one day between the final 50-over match of their current series against the Proteas in Pretoria on Wednesday and the two-day game in Benoni starting on Friday (REUTERS, 12/9).
