Thursday evening Sportswave wrap

Rugby

Fourie Du Preez will not be available when the Springboks take on Argentina in Saturday's Castle Rugby Championship clash.

Jano Vermaak has come in as cover for the veteran scrumhalf.

Sharks hooker, Bismark Du Plessis, will earn his 50th test cap, he will play off the bench. The action will get underway at 21h10 on Saturday evening in Mendoza.

The All Blacks will be without Aaron Cruden when they take on the Wallabies in Wellington. He joins Dan Carter on the sidelines. In their absence, Tom Taylor will start at flyhalf. Colin Slade is on the New Zealand bench.

Football

Andile Jali remains a doubt for the MTN8 Cup semi-final between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday. The Pirates midfielder is nursing a thigh injury.

Arsenal have given up the chase for Luiz Suarez. Manager, Arsene Wenger, has been criticised for his lack of transfer activity this summer, however he says he expects to sign new additions soon.

Thiago Silva has signed a one-year extension with PSG,

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur will be involved in Europa League action this evening. Andre Vilas-Boas believes his side has tremendous talent and that they can do better than last season.

Cricket

Australia reached tea on 397 for 6 on day 2 of the final Ashes Test against England at the Oval. Steven Smith recorded his first Test century in the process.

England lead the five-match Test Series 3-0.

Tennis

Russian star, Maria Sharapova, has ruled herself out of the US Open. The third seed is nursing a shoulder injury. The last Grand Slam of the year will get underway on Monday in New York.

(File Photo:Gallo Images)

- Mak Dlamini

Twitter - @MakDlamini - @ECRSportswave