The sport you need to watch from the comfort of your own home

To be quite honest, in the modern age of sport, every year is a big year. There are more and more matches taking place across all codes, as the more games that take place, the more money there is to be made.

So, for us, the fans, it is an amazing time to be alive.

Almost every weekend there is something to look forward to sporting-wise, with almost every taste in sport catered for across SuperSport and SABC - or live at the ground, if you prefer that to your couch (no, really, you should go to the ground if you can).

With 2017 still young, let's take a look at five events you can look forward to this year, with the focus being on South Africa's big three sporting codes:

5 - 2017 Super Rugby Season

No year is ever complete without some Super Rugby action. While South African teams have sucked of late (bar The Lions), the competition is always exciting to watch, especially when the New Zealand sides are in action. Hopefully 2017 will turn out to be a good year all-round for the SA teams, but regardless of how the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls, Cheetahs, Lions, and Kings fare, we will be glued to our screens for the good seven months it takes the competition to run its course. February to August is when it takes place. Bring it on!

4 - 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup

The curtain raiser for the 2018 FIFA World Cup takes place in Russia in 2017. The tournament pits the continental tournament winners against each other in order to test out venues and organisation ahead of the biggest sporting event in the world. Russia, Germany, Australia, Chile, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, and the yet-to-be-determined winner of AFCON 2017 (not Bafana Bafana) will take part in the tournament. The showpiece event kicks off on 17 June and will run until 2 July.

3 - 2017 ICC Champions Trophy

While South Africa may be a very good team, and have been for a while, when it comes to tournaments, the team struggles. Sadly, the label of 'chokers' just won't go away, but the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy would be a great place to start toning down the haters. We will just have to wait and see, though, as the tournament only starts in June. India are the defending champions, but I would keep an eye on Sri Lanka, as their current tour of South Africa could be exactly what their young team needs to mature in time for the big tournament.

2 - 2017 Rugby Championship

Yes, it isn't the greatest time to be a Springbok fan, but our recent pain will do little to curb the excitement of matches against New Zealand and Australia on the rugby field. Oh, and Argentina too. There is something quite spectacular about the Boks facing the Haka, even if the events that follow are embarrassing. Our boys need us now more than ever, so let's put aside our feelings towards the coaching staff and underperforming players and make 2017 a year to remember for the Green and Gold. The tournament is due to start in August. 

1 - Proteas in England

While some will argue that watching the Proteas tour Australia or India is the pinnacle of the game of cricket for us in the Southern Hemisphere, I reckon a tour of England trumps them both. There is just something so fascinating about watching South Africa play in England. Maybe it is because all the grounds are steeped in history, or possibly it is the incredible atmosphere created by a whole lot of drunk Englishmen? Regardless, this is set to be a massive tour, and I have a feeling the boys will do us proud. The tour starts in May and runs until August, with the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy the meat in the cricket sandwich.

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Have we missed any events you are looking for to? Let us know in the comments section below.