Two massive World Cups, football overload, squeals of wheels, ten out of tennis and some netball of note, this is one hell of a month for sport - and it is ALL on your World of Champions, SuperSport...
For confirmed TV times and channels, please check out the TV guide closer to the times, but for now here are the 'best ofs' for October 2023 on a screen near you.
---- RUGBY: World Cup and URC -----
With the World Cup reaching the crunch stages, and the United Rugby Championship kicking in, it is an absolute feast for rugger fans.
Key matches
Friday, 6 October
RWC: France v Italy
Saturday, 7 October
RWC: Ireland v Scotland
Sunday, 8 October
RWC: Japan v Argentina; Fiji v Portugal
Saturday, 14 October
RWC: Quarterfinal 1, 5pm
RWC: Quarterfinal 2, 9pm
Sunday, 15 October
RWC: Quarterfinal 3, 5pm
RWC: Quarterfinal 4, 9pm
Friday, 20 October
RWC: Semifinal 1, 9pm
Saturday, 21 October
RWC: Semifinal 2, 9pm
Plus: URC - Lions v Stormers, 4:05pm; Munster v Sharks, 6:15pm
Sunday, 22 October
URC: Bulls v Scarlets, 3pm
Friday, 27 October
RWC: Third/fourth, 9pm
Saturday, 28 October
RWC: Final, 9pm
Plus: URC - Stormers, 4pm; Sharks, 6pm; Lions, 6pm.
---- NETBALL: SA Champs, 2-7 October -----
The excitement of the Netball World Cup followed by Varsity Netball is over, but there is still plenty for netball fans to enjoy as the annual Spar National Championships begin in Rustenburg on October 2.
The event is traditionally played in August, to coincide with Women’s Month and National Women’s Day, but had to be postponed this year because of the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in August.
Up to 1 800 players will descend on Hoërskool Rustenburg for a feast of netball, with the under-21 championships being played alongside the senior tournament.
Nine districts will compete for the senior A title, which is currently held by Johannesburg.
---- CRICKET: World Cup -----
The Proteas’ quest for World Cup glory begins on 7th October when they play Sri Lanka in their ICC Men's World Cup 2023 opener in India.
All 48 matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
SuperSport Cricket, Grandstand and Action will be the channels carrying all the thrilling runs, wickets and catches.
SA focused:
Saturday, 07 October 2023 – South Africa v Sri Lanka
Thursday, 12 October 2023 – South Africa v Australia
Tuesday, 17 October 2023 – South Africa v Netherlands
Saturday, 21 October 2023 – South Africa v England
Tuesday, 24 October 2023 – South Africa v Bangladesh
Friday, 27 October 2023 – South Africa v Pakistan
Wednesday, 01 November 2023 – South Africa v New Zealand
Sunday, 05 November 2023 – South Africa v India
Friday, 10 November 2023 – South Africa v Afghanistan
Wednesday, 15 November 2023 – Semifinal 1
Thursday, 16 November 2023 – Semifinal 2
Sunday, 19 November 2023 - Final
---- FOOTBALL: derby delights and more -----
There are plenty of tense derby football matches to look forward to across the DStv Premiership, Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, MTN8 and the Uefa Champions League this October.
Newcastle v PSG, Champions League - Wednesday, 4 October
Dubbed the “Money Derby" due to their rich owners, this is one of the matches to watch out for in the month of October. PSG's UCL pedigree may prove too much, the new boys Newcastle will be out to send their passionate support into raptures.
MTN8 FINAL - Saturday, 7 October
Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates renew their rivalry once again, and sparks will fly as they face off in the MTN8 final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Pirates eliminated Sundowns in the semifinal of the same competition last season, leading to a change of coaching at Sundowns. After winning nine of the last 12 meetings between the two, Sundowns will have their tails up, while Pirates have only won two and drawn one.
Arsenal v Manchester City - Sunday, 8 October
It is the classic case of student against teacher once again as Mikel Arteta meets his mentor Pep Guardiola in this mouth-watering encounter between Arsenal and Manchester City. Arteta knows this is such a key fixture for Arsenal if they want to pull off an upset this season and beat the Cityzens to the title, having been pipped last season by a surging City.
Liverpool v Everton - Saturday, 21 October
The fixture that brings a city to a standstill - the Merseyside derby. Liverpool face Everton in a match in which form in the lead up is of little importance. And there is seldom a unsatisfying draw in this clash - the last 13 meetings between the two teams have seen Liverpool win seven and Everton five.
AC Milan v Juventus - Sunday, 22 October
AC Milan v Juventus is one match that you should definitely watch this October, as it's among the most exciting matches of the season with a lot of goals and drama. This meeting will serve as a measuring stick for the teams in terms of how far they have come and how long they have to go if they are going to be competitive this season as both are looking to reclaim their glory after a tumultuous past season.
Cape Town derby - Saturday, 28 October
In what promises to be an exciting encounter between Cape Town Spurs and Stellenbosch, Cape Town will be brought to a standstill when these two big names clash. It will be the first meeting between the two teams in the Premier Soccer League this season after Spurs were promoted to the top tier a few months back.
Madrid derby - Saturday, 28 October
As a result of being beaten by Atletico Madrid by 3-1 in September, Real Madrid know that they will have to appease their fans in October with a victory over their arch-rivals Barcelona. As far as statistics go, Madrid will have hope having won five of their previous nine meetings, while Barcelona have won three. Strap in for one of the fiercest rivalries in the world of football.
Moroka Swallows v Sundowns - Sunday, 29 October
For the first time in a league match, coach Steve Komphela and midfielder Andile Jali will face their former paymasters and aim to right all the wrongs they suffered in the cup match earlier this season when Sundowns won. Jali was also sent off for a rough challenge on Teboho Mokoena. This fixture has been largely dominated by Sundowns, with the team winning four matches and two games ending in draws.
Manchester derby - Sunday, 29 October
There's been a blue moon over Manchester for what seems like an eternity now, with City winning six of the 10 PL titles since United's last trophy lift. This translates into the stats for this encounter, with Pep's charges having won nine and drawn four of the last 15 encounters. Will the Reds have something to celebrate in what has been a frustrating season thus far?
---- MOTORSPORT -----
UPCOMING F1 RACES:
Qatar GP – 6-8 October
United States GP – 20-22 October
Mexico GP – 27-29 October
UPCOMING MOTOGP RACES:
Indonesia GP – 13-15 October
Austrian GP – 20-22 October
Thailand GP – 27-29 October
---- TENNIS -----
KEY UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS:
ATP: SHANGHAI MASTERS – 04-15 October
WTA: ZHENGZHOU Open – 09-15 October
ATP: EUROPEAN OPEN – 16-22 October
WTA: ELITE TROPHY (players 9-19 in world rankings) – 24-29 October
WTA FINALS: CANCUN – 29 October – 09 November
ATP: PARIS MASTERS – 28 October - 5 November