Production: Ntshembho Milondzo | Journalist: Andy Daniel

Before we kick off, we have to send our sincerest condolences to the Andrews family. Lions lock forward Hyron Andrews tragically passed away last week. The entire rugby community mourns alongside his loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

Now, onto the action this weekend, and there’s plenty of it.

The Springbok Women welcome Ireland to Athlone Stadium on Saturday, and that venue has been a proper fortress for the Bok ladies. They’ll be backing themselves to upset the world number five side in front of their faithful home crowd.

The United Rugby Championship is back in full swing after last weekend’s Champions Cup fixtures. The Lions face a daunting trip to Scotland to take on log leaders Edinburgh on Friday night, and it won’t be easy.

The Sharks travel to Cardiff looking to leapfrog their Welsh opposition with just one point separating the two sides on the table.

The Bulls welcome Ulster to Loftus Versfeld in what promises to be an absolute mammoth encounter at altitude.

And the Stormers will be hunting dominance when they host Scarlets at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Formula One circus rolls into Austin, Texas this weekend, where everything is bigger. Max Verstappen’s already complained about the bumpy track surface, and race organisers have taken it seriously, putting in serious work to try and smooth things out before lights go out on Sunday.