South Africa take on Sri Lanka in the first of three Tests on Thursday looking to build on their drawn series with Australia. The Sri Lankans have not enjoyed the best of times over the past 12 months but they now have a chance to end the year on a high (South Africa 2/5, Sri Lanka 8/1, draw 3/1 Match Prices).

New Australia coach Mickey Arthur may have warned supporters not to expect too much too soon from his new-look side, but there remains a feeling of cautious optimism ahead of their test series with New Zealand (Australia 4/5 New Zealand 5/1 – first test match prices).

Pakistan lead Sri Lanka 2-1 in the five-match one-day series and victory in Sharjah on Sunday will see them take the series. Sri Lanka blew an excellent chance of glory last time out so can they bounce back and square the series this time around? (Pakistan 8/11, Sri Lanka 11/10 – Match Prices).

South Africa take on Australia in the second Test on Thursday still trying to catch their breath after victory in the opening match in Cape Town. It was an unbelievable contest last time out so we will take a look at who might come out on top in Johannesburg in the finale (S Africa 13/8, Australia 13/5, draw 11/5 Match Betting).

Well, what on earth was that all about? Both South Africa and Australia looked to have strong batting line-ups that would score heavily in Cape Town but the hosts were shot out for 96 before the Aussies fell for 47 as Graeme Smith’s side claimed the spoils to set up an intriguing second Test (S Africa 6/5, Australia 2/1, draw 5/2 Match Prices second Test).

South Africa take on Australia in the first of two Tests on Wednesday looking to atone for their recent one-day defeat. The sides look evenly matched on paper and everything points to a titanic struggle in Cape Town but who might come out on top? (S Africa 13/8, Australia 2/1, draw 7/4 – match prices).

World Cup favourites New Zealand (8/13 World Cup outright) are still on course to fulfil the expectations of an entire nation by lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy, as the tournament enters the semi-final stage.

Two down, two to go in terms of Rugby World Cup quarter-finals and so far it has been the underdogs which have triumphed as Wales and France defied the odds to set up a semi-final showdown next weekend.

The Rugby World Cup takes a break this week until the quarter-finals next weekend as the remaining nations size each other up for the knock-out stage. The southern hemisphere sides (New Zealand 4/6 fav World Cup Outright) were expected to be the main challengers to take the title but might one of the Six Nations teams spoil their party?

The pool stages are all done and dusted as the likes of Scotland, Italy, Samoa and Fiji have all failed to make the cut, and we now look towards the exciting knockout stages of the World Cup in New Zealand.