Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-11-07 i Star

Vodacom said the matter was settled by the parties out of court, but did not disclose the rand amount of the agreement Vodacom has revised its earnings forecast downwards by around 17%, due to a “one-off event”, hours after it reported that a settlement had been reached in the Please Call Me court action. Vodacom said the matter was settled by the parties out of court; the parties were glad that finality had been reached, and Vodacom did not disclose the rand amount of the settlement agreement, even though Business Report did question the telecom operator in this regard. As part of the settlement, the group said a notice was sent to the Supreme Court of Appeal, withdrawing Vodacom's appeal. Additionally, a notice was sent to the High Court to…

An abandoned mine. A global superpower desperate for supply. And South Africa quietly holding the solution. This isn’t fiction — it’s happening right now in Steenkampskraal, a forgotten town in the Western Cape. For six decades the site gathered dust. Anglo American walked away in 1963, convinced it was exhausted. They were wrong — by about R50 billion. Today, Steenkampskraal’s rare-earth deposits could reshape global supply chains, challenge China’s dominance, and position South Africa as a critical player in the electric-vehicle, renewable-energy and defence industries. The Rare-Earth Revolution The world has entered a new resource war — not for oil or gold, but for elements most people can’t pronounce: neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium. These minerals are the invisible engine of modern life. Every EV motor, wind turbine and military…

South Africans are seeing slight relief at the pumps this month after the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources announced decreases in petrol and diesel prices, though experts say the cuts remain modest amid broader cost pressures in the economy. Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe confirmed that both grades of petrol dropped by 51 cents per litre, while both grades of diesel declined by 21 cents per litre at the start of November. According to the Road Freight Association (RFA), the lower diesel prices will offer some financial reprieve to transporters. RFA CEO Gavin Kelly said that as of 5 November, the cost of 500ppm diesel fell by 21 cents per litre and 50ppm diesel by 19 cents, while 93 and 95 octane petrol fell by 39…

Just Share, a shareholder activism group, says it recommends that investors vote against Sasol’s “say on climate” shareholder resolution at the fuels-from coal and chemicals group’s November 14 annual general meeting, but Sasol has staunchly defended its emissions roadmap. Just share said Thursday that there remain “multiple significant questions” about the feasibility and robustness of Sasol’s “optimised Emission Reduction Roadmap" (ERR) that it released at its Capital Markets Day in May this year - the ERR will achieve the same 30%-by-2030 emission reduction targets to which it committed in 2021, at a reduced cost. Just Share said most of Sasol’s emissions were from the Secunda Operation’s coal-to-liquid process and “offsetting” emissions did not prevent harm from burning fossil fuels. Broadly, Sasol intended to raise production as well as “offset” increased…

Operation Dudula leader Zandile Dabula says the movement will appeal a Johannesburg High Court ruling that bars it from preventing foreign nationals from accessing public healthcare facilities. The controversial group argues that public clinics and hospitals are overwhelmed by the influx of undocumented foreign nationals. Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg yesterday, Dabula urged members to comply with the court order for now. “The judgment sets a dangerous precedent that may weaken law enforcement, erode state capacity to manage illegal immigration, and undermine the interests of South African citizens,” she said. “We have instructed our legal team to launch an appeal to protect the interests of South Africans and the rule of law.” Dabula said her party had noticed more political parties adopting hardline stances on undocumented immigrants. She…

Ligwalagwala FM radio DJ Given Mathabela penned an emotional open letter to his daughter, Lusanda Hope Mathabela, who was brutally murdered in their home in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga on November 3. In the letter, shared publicly on social media, Mathabela laid bare his grief and disbelief at the loss of his only child. “My heart feels like it has been torn out of my chest. The pain of losing you is deeper than anything I have ever known,” he wrote. “I keep thinking this can’t be real, that any moment, you’ll walk through the door and say Appa. But I know you won’t, and that truth is unbearable.” According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, two suspects, Katlego Mokoena (18) and Lungelo Sithole (18), appeared before the Nelspruit Magistrate’s…

Motorists should not expect amnesty for past infringements when the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) Amendment Act and demerit system are rolled out in 69 municipalities across the country from next month. The Road Traffic Infringement Authority (RTIA), which manages South Africa’s road safety, driver compliance and administers Aarto, has indicated that the phased rollout of the amended legislation will begin on December 1, and continue until September 1, 2026. According to the RTIA, on April 1 next year Aarto’s third phase will be implemented in 144 municipalities and the fourth phase will see the introduction of the points demerit system and rehabilitation programme six months later on September 1. During phase one, issuing authorities were expected to finalise refresher training for law enforcement officers and back-office staff…

Former President Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has suspended its Deputy President and Leader of the MKP parliamentary caucus, Dr John Hlophe, with immediate effect, pending a full investigation into his conduct. The announcement was made late on Wednesday night. His suspension follows President Zuma’s return from a trip to Burkina Faso, after which he met with MKP national officials and was briefed about changes effected in the National Assembly without wider consultation. “The President has taken the decision to issue a precautionary suspension to the Party’s Deputy President and the Leader of the MKP Parliament Caucus, Dr John Hlophe, from both his leadership roles with immediate effect, pending a full investigation on his conduct,” the party said in a statement. The MKP said the decision is intended to…

Park Village Auctions will be hosting the simulcast auction of two properties – exclusive industrial premises and a farm – in Silvertondale, Pretoria, Gauteng. The auction will take place live and online on November 20. The first property is an industrial premises at 341 Stormvoel Road, Silvertondale Ext 2. This well-maintained property would be ideally suited to logistics, light manufacturing, or distribution operations, combining functionality, security and strategic location. The 4 546m² (1 300m² under roof) property features an 800m² warehouse space with 7-metre roof height, 10 roller shutter doors for efficient loading and offloading, a mezzanine level for additional storage, a service pit, firefighting equipment, and three-phase power. There is also a 500m² office space with reception, 11 offices, two boardrooms, seven storerooms, two kitchens, an entertainment space, and…

A man has been arrested for allegedly groping and trying to kiss Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as she greeted supporters in the country’s capital. The incident occurred Tuesday as Sheinbaum walked to an event near the presidential palace, shaking hands and taking pictures with people along the way, videos on social media showed. The man approached Sheinbaum, put his arm around her shoulder, and with the other hand touched her hip and chest, while attempting to kiss her neck. A member of the presidential security detail pulled away the man, who appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Despite his behaviour, Sheinbaum treated the man politely, agreeing to take a picture with him, then patting him on the back. Security authorities later reported that the man had…

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has his work cut out for him as he faces a tricky selection task when he announces his final 23-member squad for the AFCON finals in Morocco next month. Bafana have been on an upward trajectory in recent months, having qualified for both the upcoming continental showpiece and the 2026 Fifa World Cup with impressive top finishes in their respective groups. As such, Broos is fully aware that if it weren’t for the players’ effort and performances, Bafana wouldn’t be on the rise or counted among the favourites for AFCON. To maintain that momentum and reward his players’ hard work, Broos is expected to stick with the core of his regular squad for the tournament in North Africa. He also knows that he must prepare…

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says his side must remain humble, focused, and respectful when they face Richards Bay FC in the Carling Knockout Cup semi-final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday evening. The Buccaneers go into the clash on the back of a confidence-boosting win over Golden Arrows in the Betway Premiership on Wednesday — their latest in a string of strong domestic performances that have kept them among the most in-form teams in the country. Pirates now sit in second place with 22 points from 10 games – three behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns but with two games in hand. Domestically, The Sea Robbers have been imperious in recent months, amassing an unbeaten 14-game run, one that has helped them go back amongst the title chasers in…

Richards Bay coach Ronnie Gabriel believes his side’s spirit and belief could once again inspire a famous cup triumph when they meet Orlando Pirates in the Carling Knockout Cup semi-final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. The Natal Rich Boyz have already proven they can upset the Soweto giants, having eliminated Pirates from the same competition at the quarter-final stage in 2023, triumphing via a dramatic penalty shootout. For Gabriel, that victory remains a reference point for what is possible when his side performs with unity and conviction. “Yeah, while planning for this game here, we always tap into that type of energy, that type of experience,” said Gabriel. “We go back to beating Pirates in the same fixture, and this year we want to do the same thing. “The…

Bafana Bafana will head into the AFCON finals in Morocco next month as one of the favourites - not the whipping boys of the past - and coach Hugo Broos says they are ready to live up to that tag. Bafana arrived at the last continental showpiece, which was held in Ivory Coast, merely regarded as participants. But they rewrote the script as they earned a podium finish - third place - for the first time in more than two decades. They have since built on that foundation over the past few months. They qualified for the upcoming continental showpiece without a loss, finishing top of their group. Bafana restored the nation’s pride by qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup after finishing top of their group, shrugging off competition…

Lesaka Technologies’ consumer business delivered a standout performance in its first quarter with a 90% increase in segment adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) to R150 million, although the group reported a small loss. The Nasdaq and JSE listed technology group, which provides financial services and digital solutions to underserved communities and merchants across Southern Africa, said year-on-year, group net revenue increased by 45% and adjusted EBITDA was up 61%. Adjusted earnings per share increased by 97%, reflecting organic growth and the accretive effect of acquisitions. “These results mark a strong start to our financial year, demonstrating consistent and resilient growth momentum,” Lesaka CEO Lincoln Mall said. Lesaka serves over 90 000 micro merchants and more than 30 000 small-to-medium-sized businesses; the majority of these businesses are…

Conceptual clarity adopted in its founding principles and a strong mandate to drive sustainable industrialisation has largely defined the history of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). Although shortages of manufactured goods, caused by disruption to trade between Europe and South Africa following the first and second world wars were key catalysts for the rapid industrialisation of the local economy, the core objective to industrialise South Africa still underpins the corporation's foundational mandate, alongside its commitment to job creation. Established in 1940 through an Act of Parliament, the IDC turned 85 years old, in October, last month. For context, this institution has contributed significantly to shaping South Africa’s manufacturing and industrial base over the past eight and half decades. The corporation helped birth the likes of Ouma Rusks, Da Gama textiles,…

Tesla shareholders will determine on Thursday the fate of a massive pay package meant to retain Elon Musk long enough to achieve technological breakthroughs he vows will change the world. Musk - who has boasted that Tesla's engineering prowess in artificial intelligence, autonomy and robotics will leave rival tech giants in the dust - stands to garner as much as $1 trillion in an unprecedented package tied to performance benchmarks. Tesla Chair Robin Denholm has appeared on CNBC and other broadcasts in recent weeks to sell the plan in a sign of the board's continued enthusiastic backing for Musk, despite criticism that the billionaire's embrace of far-right political figures has weighed on sales. "Without Elon, Tesla could lose significant value, as our company may no longer be valued for what…

Assmang has announced it will place its Beeshoek Iron Ore Mine near Postmasburg in the Northern Cape under care and maintenance at the end of November, following the completion of a Section 189 consultation process in terms of the Labour Relations Act. The plaing of the mine under care and maintenance, as well as the retrenchment of workers, comes despite the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) having expressed strong opposition and its readiness to engage in consultations to explore alternatives. The decision, which comes after extensive consultations facilitated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and involving representative trade unions, will result in the retrenchment of all affected employees, numbering approximately 622 permanent workers, effective 30 November 2025. Assmang, a joint venture between African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) and…

The people have been given what they want as S3 (formerly known as SABC 3) is bringing back the iconic Top Billing to Mzansi’s screens. Ahead of the Top Billing Reunion Special on Thursday, November 27, the channel announced that the show will be back on our screens in 2026. Basetsana Kumalo, the original executive producer who steered Top Billing under the Tswelopele Productions, shared her excitement about the show’s return on social media. The lifestyle show, which was cancelled in 2019 after 25 years on air, was known for giving an inside look into beautiful homes, fine dining restaurants and celebrity weddings. “Top Billing is part of the South African pop culture. It’s a legacy brand, a show that many people grew up watching and over the years,” said…

The Randburg Magistrate’s Court has dismissed the Section 174 discharge application brought by eight former bodyguards of Deputy President Paul Mashatile. The bodyguards had sought to have their assault charges dropped. However, Magistrate Abdul Khan dismissed their Section 174 discharge application relating to the assault charges, with the trial set to resume from March 23 to 27, 2026. Khan ruled that only one charge – attempting to defeat the administration of justice – would be discharged, while emphasising that all the other charges would proceed, including pointing a firearm, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, malicious property damage, and reckless and negligent driving. The eight officers, who are currently out on R10 000 bail each, will have to wait until March to learn their fate when the matter…

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has rejected claims that 7 500 state-issued firearms from the South African Police Service (SAPS) have been lost to criminal syndicates, following a parliamentary question from MK Party Member of Parliament Wesley Douglas. Douglas had asked whether Cachalia had ordered a national audit into SAPS corruption that led to the alleged loss of the firearms, and if not, why not. He also wanted to know whether the Acting Minister would commit to delivering a full report by December, and if so, what the terms of reference of the audit were, when the results would be released, and what consequences management would apply to senior officers implicated. In his written reply, Cachalia said the SAPS “disputes the number of lost firearms, as indicated by the Honourable…

The murder case against 31-year-old Tiffany Nicole Meek, who is accused of killing her son, Jayden-Lee, has been moved to the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg. Meek appeared again at the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, where her case was postponed to November 20 for a pre-trial hearing. The matter was previously postponed, allowing for the finalisation of the indictment before the transfer. On Wednesday, Meek’s legal representative, Noven Naidoo, informed the court that his client will now be using Legal Aid for the rest of her case. According to her lawyer, Meek can no longer afford to pay for her legal fees due to her prolonged incarceration. “I have been instructed by the accused that she can no longer afford my services, and she wishes to apply for Legal Aid…

US President Donald Trump has launched a blistering attack on South Africa, saying the country “shouldn’t even be in the G’s anymore” and declaring he will not attend the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) summit to be hosted in Johannesburg later this month. Speaking at a business forum in Miami, Trump accused South Africa of “going in the wrong direction” and suggested the country’s domestic and foreign policies had undermined its standing among major economies. “For generations, Miami has been a haven for those fleeing communist tyranny in South Africa. I mean, if you take a look at what’s going on in parts of South Africa. Look at South Africa, what’s going on. Look at South America, what’s going on. You know, I’m not going, we have a G20 meeting…

The South African government says it has received distress calls from 17 South African men who are trapped in the war-torn Donbas region of Ukraine after being lured to join mercenary forces under the pretext of lucrative employment contracts. The men, aged between 20 and 39, have appealed for assistance to return home. Sixteen of them are from KwaZulu-Natal and one from the Eastern Cape. In a statement yesterday, the Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the men were drawn into the Russia-Ukraine conflict after being misled by promises of well-paying jobs. “The government of South Africa has received distress calls for assistance to return home from 17 South African men, between the ages of 20 and 39 years, who are trapped in the war-torn Donbas Ukraine.” Of the 17 young…

Lifesaving South Africa (LSA) has renewed its call for municipalities to deploy lifeguards earlier in the season following a spate of drownings at Victoria Bay and other beaches nationwide, just as eThekwini Municipality prepares to honour its own lifesaving heroes and ramp up safety efforts for the festive season. On November 5, the City’s Recreation and Parks Directorate held an event at Moses Mabhida Stadium to recognise eThekwini lifeguards “for their bravery and professional excellence in saving lives”. According to the Municipality, the Aquatics Safety Team is “ramping up preparations to manage the expected influx of beachgoers and swimmers during the festive season”. The City also unveiled new uniforms for beach lifeguards and swimming pool supervisors, “reinforcing the City’s commitment to safety and professionalism”. While eThekwini’s proactive approach signals a…

Vodacom has finally settled its long-standing dispute with Kenneth Nkosana Makate over the “Please Call Me” feature, bringing nearly two decades of legal battles to a close. This week, Vodacom and Nkosana Makate reached a landmark settlement that concludes a lengthy legal saga which originated in 2001. This resolution signifies the end of a longstanding conflict surrounding the establishment of the “Please Call Me” feature, now widely recognised in South Africa. The dispute centred around Makate’s initial contribution to the “Please Call Me” mechanism used by Vodacom. What began as a straightforward agreement for compensation escalated into a protracted legal battle, with both parties holding different views on the terms of payment. In 2014, the Gauteng High Court confirmed a contractual relationship between Makate and Vodacom but determined that Vodacom…

France flyhalf Romain Ntamack says that even though he did not play in the World Cup quarter-final against the Springboks, all French players were tainted by the agonising defeat. When the sides last met at the Stade de France, the Boks won 29-28 in a nightmare end to the host nation’s dream of winning the Webb Ellis Cup on French soil. Not long before the 2023 tournament, Ntamack suffered a serious knee injury. He had been favoured to be the starting flyhalf, but the No 10 jersey went to Mattieu Jalibert, who is likely to be on the bench on Saturday behind Ntamack. “I wasn’t part of that World Cup quarter-final squad, but the trauma affected more than just the 23 players on the team sheet,” he told RugbyRama. “Since…

FIFA has created a new annual award called the FIFA Peace Prize to be awarded for the first time during the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, world soccer's governing body said Wednesday. "Football stands for peace, and on behalf of the entire global football community, the FIFA Peace Prize - Football Unites the World will recognize the enormous efforts of those individuals who unite people, bringing hope for future generations," FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement. The announcement came before Infantino appeared at the America Business Forum in Miami, where US President Donald Trump and Argentine World Cup champion Lionel Messi were also speakers. The recipient of the inaugural award was not revealed, but there was immediate speculation that it could go to Trump, an Infantino ally…

Despite the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) facing governance and performance challenges, the country’s banks - especially Standard Bank - have been engaging in multiple significant business deals and collaborations with the state-owned asset management entity over the years, allegedly continuing to exploit the situation for their own gain. United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader General Bantu Holomisa recently raised concerns about commercial banks. He accused them of structuring self-serving deals with the PIC that leave the pension fund, and ultimately public servants, to shoulder significant risk. Holomisa, in a formal letter addressed to President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Chairperson of the Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA), Songezo Zibi, sounded the alarm over what he described as deeply troubling irregularities within the PIC. He cautioned that the scale and nature…

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has said that South Africa’s subtropical fruit sector remains a cornerstone of the country’s agricultural economy and a critical driver of export growth, particularly as the government pursues new market opportunities in Asia and beyond. Speaking at the Subtropical Marketing Symposium this week, Steenhuisen said that when he assumed office last year, he pledged to ensure that South Africa’s agriculture would compete “not just on volume, but on value.” “Nowhere is this more relevant than in the subtropical sector. Our avocado industry produces around 155 000 tons a year, and nearly half of that is exported as fresh fruit," he said. "Of the fresh exports, 75% go to the European Union and Russia, 22% to the United Kingdom, and a smaller but growing 3% to…

Sappi’s share price surged over 9% on the JSE on Thursday after it forecasted an improvement in its 2026 financial year, following a loss for 2025. The woodfibre product manufacturer for global markets will focus on debt and strengthening its balance sheet through targeted cost savings, and operational efficiency improvements, CEO Steve Binnie said. The share price traded 9.47% higher at R25.20 on Thursday morning - the price has ticked downward steadily this year from R54.10. The group, which manufactures on three continents and sells products in over 150 countries, reported headline earnings per share sliding to a US 19 cents loss for the year to September 30, 2025, compared with the one US cent profit the year before. “We’re all in the same boat. Our peers in South Africa,…

Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party leader Jacob Zuma is under scrutiny following his public fallout with his deputy Dr John Hlophe. On Wednesday night, the MKP suspended Hlophe for removing the party’s parliament chief whip Colleen Makhubele. Hlophe had, according to the MKP, unilaterally removed Makhubele without consultation with the party or Zuma and replaced her with Des van Rooyen. Zuma, who was out of the country when Makhubele was removed, then reversed Hlophe’s decision and issued him with a precautionary suspension. On Wednesday it was reported that Makhubele had been removed after she allegedly attempted to secure an MK service provider contract worth more than R180 000 per month for a company in which her husband is a director. It was also claimed that she failed a parliamentary vetting process…

A South African man who was arrested in July while attempting to smuggle a stolen Toyota Hilux bakkie from Tshwane to Zimbabwe has been sentenced to eight years’ direct imprisonment. The Mokopane Regional Court on Wednesday convicted and sentenced 34-year-old Solomon Chiloane for possession of stolen property following his arrest during an intelligence-driven operation earlier this year. Chiloane was intercepted on 14 July while driving a white Toyota Hilux Club Cab high-raised body along the R101 into Mokopane. The vehicle had been reported stolen in the Lyttelton policing area in Tshwane and was believed to be en route to Zimbabwe. Police said the arrest was made through a joint operation involving the Limpopo Provincial Tracking Team, Tshimollo Security and Investigation, Shadowsecure Security, and Tracker Connect. At the time, IOL reported…

MPs have expressed great concern about the continued reappearance of educators implicated in sexual misconduct elsewhere in the education system, saying they should be permanently barred from teaching. There were also worries about the Department of Justice’s manual submission system, internal capacity and delays resulting in the South African Council for Educators (SACE) registering applicants without feedback on their clearance certificate, with a signed declaration that they were never convicted of any sexual offences. This emerged when the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) and the SACE briefed the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education earlier this week where MPs were told that between 2018/19 and 2024/25, the ELRC recorded 469 cases of sexual misconduct involving educators. Of the 211 awards issued between 2021/22 and 2025/26, 176 educators were found guilty and…

South Africa is notorious for violence that can rival those of countries at war. One of the methods in which this brutality is exacted is through firearms. Surprisingly, some of these are registered in an effort to curb violence but inevitably end up into the hands of criminals who go on to commit atrocities such as gender-based violence, robbery and murder. Experts revealed to IOL that these guns, which are lawfully owned by citizens, private security organisations, and collectors, end up on the black market through theft, corruption, and licensing fraud. Firearm ownership in South Africa is tightly controlled under the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, which treats possession as a privilege rather than a right. The South African Police Service (SAPS), through the Central Firearms Registry (CFR), administers…

While the City of Tshwane celebrated a historic financial achievement for collecting over R4 billion in revenue for October, the DA warned that this milestone might be short-lived, pending the outcome of the cleansing levy court case. DA mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink cautioned that an adverse ruling on the cleansing levy could cost the city dearly, forcing it to refund affected consumers. The levy, which applies to property owners using private waste collection services, was declared invalid by the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, on August 1, following a legal challenge by AfriForum. The city has lodged an appeal with the Supreme Court of Appeal. Brink said the record levels of revenue collected by the city are in large part based on rampant double billing for waste collection and city cleansing.…

A mother, who clandestinely took her six-year-old child in the middle of the night from where she and her now estranged husband lived in Denmark, has now been forced, through a court order, to return the child to her husband in Denmark. The Central Authority of South Africa and the father of the child turned to the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, to enforce the terms of the Hague Convention relating to international child abduction, to which South Africa is a signatory. The father told the court that the child should be returned to his country of habitual residence in Fredericia, Denmark, from where he was unlawfully removed in August and wrongfully retained by his mother. The mother, on the other hand, claimed the father gave consent for her to bring…

Proteas Women’s all-rounder Annerie Dercksen says she learnt how to deal with adversity during the World Cup and is excited for what the future will bring for the Proteas Women’s team. Dercksen has had a rather quiet World Cup campaign. The right-handed batter scored only one double-digit score in five innings and bowled about five deliveries at the showpiece event. For a youngster who had been in fine form leading to the World Cup, scoring a century in Sri Lanka earlier this year and carrying the team on her back on many occasions, the World Cup was a disappointment. Any young player going through a dip in form in her debut World Cup would have to look deep within themselves in order not to be down on themselves. Dercksen says…

Every great leader is forged in big moments — and Siya Kolisi has had plenty in the Springbok jersey. From a dream debut in Mbombela to two World Cup triumphs and unforgettable battles against the top rugby nations in the world. The Bok captain’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary as he approaches his 100th Test cap on Saturday against France at the Stade de France in Paris. Ahead of the duel, we take a look at five crucial Test matches the skipper has played in and how it has guided him to his century. Test debut vs Scotland (15 June 2013, Mbombela) Kolisi’s Springbok journey began in dramatic fashion. Coming off the bench just five minutes into the game after an early injury to Arno Botha, he delivered…

LAMONTVILLE Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi has warned his players against complacency as the KwaZulu-Natal outfit prepares to battle unpredictability in the form of Marumo Gallants in the semi-finals of the Carling Knockout Cup. On Sunday, Abafana Besthende will welcome Bahlabane Ba Ntwa to the King Zwelithini Stadium in a 3pm kick-off, hoping to turn off-field uplift into onfield success against a side they faced seven days ago. Arrows thumped their Bloemfontein-based side in a league encounter in Umlazi and will now look to recreate that night in search of a place in the final. The win not only strengthened their top-eight position at the time but also drew significant buzz on social media — a wave of attention that Mngqithi acknowledges but treats with measured caution. “It’s a good…