Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-08-19 i Mercury

The Minerals Council South Africa has raised concerns regarding the recently published Mineral Resources Development Bill, arguing it fails to foster an environment conducive to investment and job creation. The draft Mineral Resources Development Bill, published for public comment in May until 13 August, aims to transform South Africa's mining industry by strengthening regulations, promoting inclusive growth, and enhancing the legal governance of mineral exploitation. The Bill addresses various aspects of the mining sector, including artisanal and small-scale mining, transfer of mining rights, and empowerment requirements. However, concerns remain regarding the impact on agricultural land, investor confidence, and the potential for unintended consequences. Speaking during a media briefing on Monday, Minerals Council’s CEO Mzila Mthenjane emphasised that the bill, in its current form, cannot drive the necessary transformation and…

The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has denied reports that it has made an expression of interest to an identified strategic partner to take over operations of Goodyear tyres manufacturing plant in Kariega, Eastern Cape. This comes after the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) on Monday announced that the IDC had made an offer to buy the plant as Goodyear was very upfront that it will not allow anybody to use their intellectual property to manufacture tyres. However, the IDC told Business Report that it acknowledged the challenges currently facing Goodyear in Kariega and was monitoring the situation as a key stakeholder in South Africa’s automotive sector. "At present, IDC has not made any formal or informal offer to purchase, finance, or partner with Goodyear. We note recent…

The Bureau for Economic Research (BER) has revealed that the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) may no longer be pursuing an inflation target of below 4.5%, which could have substantial implications for the nation's economy. In a recent analysis, BER indicated a growing consensus among economists that the Sarb's focus has shifted away from the previous benchmark, suggesting a potential move towards a lower target of around 3% over time. This development follows a year in which South Africa encountered three national budgets, signalling a period of significant economic recalibration. While the Sarb's inflation target technically remains unchanged, BER remarked that it was evident the central bank was not committed to the 4.5% aim any longer. “The inflation target shift has big implications for the economy. Our (mid-July) baseline assumes…

The search for a perfect AI hardware is on and takes many forms. One of them comes in the form of eyewear products that are touted as the next outlet for rendering AI services. Tech companies have tried eyewear devices, however, they were lacking in style and game changing technology. This time around many have improved on the looks and technology. The Meta RayBan collaboration is one of the great examples of merging technology and fashion. It is packed with AI that features technology in ways we’ve not seen before. In June this year, Xiaomi officially entered the smart glasses market with the launch of its first AI-powered eyewear, positioning itself as a rival to Meta’s Ray-Ban collaboration. The glasses are powered by Xiaomi’s XiaoAI assistant, enabling users to…

South Africa's agricultural exports to the United States have shown significant growth in the second quarter of 2025, against a backdrop of imminent tariffs announced by President Trump. This surge in export figures has been celebrated by industry associations and government officials alike. According to Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), South Africa's agricultural exports to the US amounted to $161 million (R2.8 billion), reflecting a robust 26% increase from the same period in 2024. "This is not a matter of base effects, but a better performance. And remember, this comes after another exciting quarter at the start of the year, when South Africa’s agricultural exports to the U.S. in the first quarter of 2025 were at $118m (R21bn), up 19% year-on-year," Sihlobo…

Since we spend most of our days in a work environment, the office is about more than just meetings and deadlines. It’s also a place to connect with your co-workers. There will be times when you find yourself waiting for your food to warm up and the microwave to ding, and suddenly you have to make small talk with the guy from IT or awkwardly stand there in silence. While discussing the weather might be boring, it sure beats being dragged into HR for making Shavonne from accounting uncomfortable with tales of your sordid weekend affairs. We’re not saying that banter has to be stiff, but certain topics are a no-no if you want to keep things professional and avoid a trip to the big boss’s office. Here’s a list…

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health and the recently formed South African Medical Association (SAMA) provincial branch have committed to collaborating to improve healthcare within the province. SAMA chairperson Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa said the establishment of the SAMA KZN structure aims to strengthen advocacy, improve coordination, and achieve more impactful engagement in health policy. “The KZN provincial structure is a game-changer. It translates SAMA’s national influence into tangible provincial action, ensuring that advocacy is not just broad but grounded, inclusive, and impactful,” Mzukwa said. SAMA CEO Dr Mzulungile Nodikida said that the impact they are making at a national level is what they want to be felt at the provincial level. He said there was no time for elections. They wanted provincial doctors to elect their leadership. Therefore, the current branch…

The parents of the 4-year-old girl, who was severely abused and died of her injuries, told the Protea Magistrate’s Court yesterday that they were abandoning their application for bail. The child's father is facing five charges, including rape, compelled rape, assault with GBH, murder, child abuse, and defeating the ends of justice, while the mother is facing charges related to murder and failing to report the abuse of a minor. The parents have not been named. The little girl, Nikita, was admitted to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital more than two weeks ago, after her screams for help sent shockwaves across the Eldorado Park community, resulting in the arrest of her parents. She later died from her injuries. According to police, the man was arrested after officers responded to reports of…

Five people from one family died in a devastating road accident on Saturday along the N2 in KwaZulu-Natal. According to a preliminary report from the KZN Transport department, a truck carrying sugar collided with a light motor vehicle, pushing it off the road and ultimately crushing it when the truck overturned. The truck driver also died in the crash. The victims, four siblings and their cousin, were travelling from Ndwedwe to Nquthu to attend an Umemulo ceremony— a traditional Zulu coming-of-age celebration for a relative. They have been identified as Khululiwe Goodness Maphumulo, 30, Sithabiso Artwell Mthiya, 35, Lowren Mthiya, 41, Ephraim Siphiwe Ntuli, 44, and Phakamani Joseph Mthiya, 44. KwaZulu-Natal's MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, expressed deep sorrow over the loss and assured the grieving family…

Richards Bay coach Ronnie Gabriel believes past success against Kaizer Chiefs could inspire his side when the two teams clash at FNB Stadium this evening. The Natal Rich Boyz face Amakhosi at the FNB Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 7.30pm. It comes at a time when Gabriel’s men are in desperate need of a turnaround, having stumbled out of the blocks in the new Betway Premiership campaign with consecutive defeats. They opened with a 2-1 loss away to Marumo Gallants and followed that with a 1-0 defeat to Golden Arrows in the KwaZulu-Natal derby. Chiefs, meanwhile, have hit the ground running in 2025/26 under Nasreddine Nabi. Amakhosi opened their season with a hard-fought 2-0 win away at Stellenbosch before edging Polokwane City 1-0 at home. Two wins from two have…

Brad Binder rediscovered some of his form at the Red Bull Ring this past Sunday, soaring beneath Austrian skies in a performance that turned a difficult season into a weekend of promise. Binder’s season has been a series of ups and downs, and he entered the summer break with more questions than solutions. Yet his performances since the restart hint that the latter half of the year could still produce some of his strongest showings. The weekend in Austria demonstrated noticeable improvement. His sprint race in particular caught the eye, with a fifth-place finish on Saturday marking his best result in a sprint this season. The summer break seems to have worked wonders for the South African, who returned refreshed and focused. Although he didn’t crack the top ten in…

Romelu Lukaku will miss Napoli’s opening fixture of their Serie A title defence after sustaining a thigh injury, the Italian champions confirmed yesterday. Napoli, who travel to promoted Sassuolo on Saturday, said in a statement that Lukaku had suffered a “serious” tear in his left thigh during Thursday’s pre-season friendly with Olympiakos. No timeline for his return was provided, though Italian media suggest he could be sidelined until November. Napoli indicated that the 32-year-old striker might require surgery. Lukaku played a key role in Napoli’s fourth league title last season, contributing 14 goals and 10 assists under coach Antonio Conte. In other transfer news, Borussia Dortmund announced that striker Sebastien Haller has joined Utrecht on a permanent deal. Haller, 31, reportedly moved on a free transfer after being allowed to…

STELLENBOSCH FC are sweating on the fitness of influential midfielder Sanele Barns ahead of their crunch Betway Premiership clash against Orlando Pirates tomorrow. Barns has been in prime early season form with the 28-year-old netting a brace against AmaZulu in the MTN8 quarterfinal at DHL Stadium. However, Barns was absent from Stellies’ starting XI in last weekend’s MTN8 Cup semi-final first-leg 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune United at the Danie Craven Stadium. Barns was ruled out with a “tight hamstring” and his recovery becomes even more important now after striker Ashley Cupido was forced off the field after just seven minutes against the Bambina Noko. Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has, however, downplayed the severity of Barns’ injury and hopes to have his winger back in the frame for the trip…

Thungela has net cash holdings of R6.3 billion, and is in a position to pursue strategic investments Thungela Resources remains in a strong financial position despite an 80% plunge in interim profits for the period to end June, with its stronger balance helping it to continue with strategic investments after paying a R2 per share half-year dividend. Shares in Thungela were 2.74% weaker at R88.17 in afternoon trade on the JSE on Monday, extending the stock’s 6% and 5% fall in the past seven and 30 days, respectively. Headline earnings per share (HEPS) for the half-year period to June 30 fell by 80% to 192 cents on the back of lower coal prices on global markets, although its strong balance sheet brightened up future prospects. “Despite challenging markets, Thungela’s balance…

The phenomenon of directors serving on multiple boards, known as interlocking directorships, is one of governance’s most enduring features. Celebrated for connecting organisations to wider networks and knowledge, interlocks are also criticised for perpetuating power imbalances and governance failures. In truth, they are neither good nor bad. Their value depends on how they are governed. Boards face a central question: when do interlocks enrich governance, and when do they undermine it, if ever? In an era where scrutiny of boards has never been higher, interlocking directorships raise questions about fairness, inclusivity and accountability. Shareholders, regulators and the public increasingly want to know not only who sits on boards, but how many other commitments they carry and what networks shape their judgement. This is no longer a niche governance debate; it…

While payments may not literally make the world go round, the world certainly functions through the transfer of value for goods and services. As we all know, the world is on a one-way express train into a fully digital era. What was once a straightforward process - cash or card - has evolved into a complex, dynamic ecosystem with evolving technology, shifting consumer expectations, and global economic forces. This evolution isn’t happening for its own sake; it is driven by a simple truth: consumers want (more) choice, and merchants who fail to provide that choice risk being left behind. Anyone who is involved in the payments space, in any capacity, be that a retailer or a software partner, understands that today’s payments environment is no longer defined by a handful…

An Australian court fined Qantas Aus$90 million (US$59m) on Monday for illegally laying off 1 800 ground staff during the Covid-19 pandemic, ending a five-year legal battle over the workers' rights. Federal Court Justice Michael Lee said he wanted the penalty to be a "real deterrence" to firms that might be tempted by the financial rewards of breaching employment law. Qantas decided to sack the workers and outsource their jobs in August 2020, a period of lockdowns and border closures when no Covid-19 vaccine was widely available. Australia's Federal Court subsequently found that Qantas had acted illegally despite its stated "commercial imperatives" because it prevented staff from accessing their rights to collectively bargain or take industrial action. It later dismissed an appeal by the airline. Long-dubbed the "Spirit of Australia",…

As we commemorate Women’s Month this August, it's essential to shed light on a pressing issue that affects millions of women in South Africa: heavy menstrual bleeding, known medically as menorrhagia. This condition is often shrouded in silence, overshadowed by stigma and a lack of awareness, leaving many women to navigate their monthly ordeal in isolation. What exactly is menorrhagia? Menorrhagia is more than just heavy bleeding; it's a chronic condition where menstrual blood loss exceeds what is considered normal. If you find yourself changing your pad or tampon every hour for several hours, experiencing periods that last longer than seven days, or passing blood clots the size of a quarter or larger multiple times a day, you might be dealing with menorrhagia. For many women, this condition transforms menstruation…

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development, Mbali Shinga, has pledged to seek help for the family of an e-hailing driver who was killed in Soweto last week. Siyanda Mthokozisi Mvelase, 27, was shot and burned in his vehicle at Maponya Mall last week. Another e-hailing driver was also attacked but he managed to escape. The second vehicle was also torched. During a visit to the Mvelase family home in Ulundi yesterday, the MEC said it was not within the jurisdiction of her department to assist the family financially with the funeral costs, but she would seek help. Shinga visited the family in the Nhlungwane area in northern KZN to convey her condolences. Mvelase’s family said they were unable to afford the costs to transport his remains from Gauteng and to pay…

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau is set to lead a delegation to Mumbai and Delhi next week at the invitation of Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal. The visit's objective is to strengthen trade relations and deepen economic ties between South Africa and India while also exploring new markets. It will take place from August 25 to 29. Tau is also scheduled to attend and speak at the 20th India-Africa Conclave. South Africa’s economy is under severe pressure due to a 30% US tariff on its exports and existing domestic protectionism, stifling competition and this dual challenge puts jobs, economic growth, and investment at risk. However, Tau and the Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, in a recent briefing indicated that they are exploring alternative trade…

The corruption case against embattled former Speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has been postponed to November 21 by the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. The postponement was granted to allow her attorney to consult with her on the docket provided by the State. A statement released by the National Prosecuting Authority's Investigating Directorate Against Corruption said: "Her attorney indicated that they may file representations with the office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions pending the outcome of the consultation process." Mapisa-Nqakula is facing a total of 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering. The charges fall under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (Preca) and the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca) respectively. She is accused of soliciting R4.5 million from a defence contractor,…

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is set to exit the management of eco-tourism functions in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park within the next twelve months. Ezemvelo said it will now focus solely on conservation work in the wetland park going forward. The entity stated that the arrangement between it and iSimangaliso to manage the eco-tourism aspect of the park was always intended to be temporary. They explained that the arrangement came about due to iSimangaliso not having the capacity to fulfil these mandates when it was established. Therefore these duties were given to Ezemvelo to run. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife CEO Sihle Mkhize said that the World Heritage Convention Act established the iSimangaliso Wetland Authority Park and appointed an authority for the park. This authority was charged with the management mandate within Isimangaliso. He…

Six individuals have been convicted for orchestrating a fraudulent scheme to siphon Compensation Fund monies into their personal bank accounts through fictitious medical providers. This is according to the department of Employment and Labour which said the group pleaded guilty after their arrest late last year, while three others are still proceeding to trial. Sentencing is scheduled for November this year. Minister Nomakhosazana Meth said: “This case should be a lesson to all those who orchestrate fraudulent schemes to siphon monies from the Compensation Fund that the Department, with the assistance of the law enforcement agencies, will ensure that the individuals implicated in any of the ongoing investigations in and outside the Compensation Fund will face the might of the law.” The minister said the Compensation Fund, which provides financial…

The US is becoming more open in its regime change tactics The pattern is well-worn. Regardless of the issue or the president in power, if a country refuses to toe the Washington line, accusations of human rights abuses become the weapon of choice. Cuba and Venezuela were targeted primarily because of their economic policies, which diverged from the model preferred by Washington. Iran and China were labelled for achieving successes that rivalled or surpassed Western capabilities. Now the target is South Africa. The offence is that the country dared to take Israel to the International Court of Justice and lay bare evidence of genocidal acts. When pressure failed to deter the government from this principled course, the United States released a plethora of destabilising interventions, the most recent being a…

Title challengers Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal all made winning starts but in contrasting fashion on the first weekend of the Premier League season. Defending champions Liverpool required late drama to beat Bournemouth 4-2 on an emotional night at Anfield, City cruised to a 4-0 win at Wolves, while Arsenal fought a rearguard action to hold on to a 1-0 victory at Manchester United. A new-look Liverpool attack already appears an upgrade on the one that fired Arne Slot’s men to the title with four games to spare last season, but an array of attacking weapons has come at a cost. Hugo Ekitike scored and provided an assist for Cody Gakpo on his Premier League debut. But the Reds needed two late goals from Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah to…

The Springboks are aware of their mistakes and determined to rectify them as quick as possible in the second Test against the Wallabies on Saturday in Cape Town. While they’ve identified key areas like the breakdown, defence and discipline where they must be better, they will have to do it without influential leader Siya Kolisi and fellow loose forward Pieter-Steph du Toit. The backrowers picked up injuries in the first Test at Ellis Park, one the Boks lost 38-22, and their grunt will be missed as the South Africans look to turn around their poor start to the Rugby Championship. Wingers Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe will also miss the Test with injuries. Kolisi looks set to be out for at least four weeks, while Du Toit misses…

French striker Arnaud Kalimuendo has signed a five-year contract with Nottingham Forest, the Premier League club announced yesterday. According to French media, the transfer fee paid to former club Rennes is believed to be at least €30m (about R716m). “Nottingham Forest is delighted to announce the signing of Kalimuendo, who joins the club on a five-year deal,” read a statement on the English club’s website. The 23-year-old came through the ranks at Paris Saint-Germain, before enjoying a breakthrough season at Ligue 1 side Rennes last year, when he netted 18 times in 34 appearances in all competitions. Prior to joining Rennes in 2022, he made five appearances for PSG and enjoyed success during loan spells at Lens, scoring 21 goals in 65 outings. “When I heard about the interest from…

Absa Group’s frequent leadership changes over the past few years mean its business units and operations may be running on “auto-pilot,” and the bank’s strategy will be sharpened over the next two months, the bank’s CEO Kenny Fihla said on Monday. Speaking at the bank’s online interim results presentation, Fihla, who has been CEO since June 17, said there were a “whole range of initiatives” underway at the group, which gave him confidence that it would reach a return on equity (ROE) of 16% - although the ROE target for the 2026 financial year had not formally been set yet. However, he said these initiatives were designed to stabilise the group, and a “reset” was needed to “sharpen the focus” of the organisation. He said since he had become CEO,…

Months after cybercriminals broke into the Asian subsidiary of Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton announced on July 2 that their Korean database had been hacked, and sensitive files stolen. The incident is the third attack against LVMH, which owns Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior, in recent months. The LVMH-owned brands notified customers that unauthorized parties had accessed parts of their client database, revealing their contact details and shopping preferences. In both cases, impacted consumers in China and Korea were assured that bank information and credit card data were not stolen as part of the breach. Under General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and many other local cyber laws, companies must swiftly notify authorities and customers if data is compromised, and obey rigid requirements for how data is collected, stored, and used. Even…

MTN’s share price plunged over 9% on Monday, even though it reported growth in its first half topline, profitability, and free cash flows, which were largely boosted by a turnaround at subsidiary MTN Nigeria, and despite lagging sales in South Africa. A significant number of board changes were announced. The share price traded at R155.89 on Monday afternoon, a price still well above R90.28 a year ago. Sales at its South Africa unit, its home market, dropped 3.7% in the six months to June 30. Group adjusted headline earnings a share increased by 76.1% to 657 cents per share. Reported HEPS increased by 352% to 645 cents. No interim dividend was declared. The board said it has been evaluating their “Ambition 2025” strategy and, considering the evolving geopolitical, macroeconomic, and…

While social media is abuzz with posts dedicated to honouring the bonds that enrich our lives, beneath the surface of these joyful relationships lies a complex reality- one that can lead to profound heartbreak when friendships dissolve. The human psyche often bears the brunt of this grief, revealing startling truths about how our brains react when we lose a friend. And, according to recent research, the emotional aftermath of losing a friend can be as painful, if not more so, than ending a romantic relationship. Most of us are caught off guard, and the pain can run even deeper than any romantic split. Recent research and insights from neurologists like Dr Lisa M Shulman, author of Before and After Loss: A Neurologist’s Perspective on Loss, Grief, and Our Brain, reveal…

The Competition Commission has approached the Constitutional Court this week in yet another chapter of the ongoing saga following allegations that the banks conspired with each other to manipulate the foreign exchange rate in respect of the US Dollar and the Rand. The Commission has approached the court for leave to appeal the Competition Appeal Court (CAC) judgment handed down in January last year in which it upheld the appeal by the majority of the respondent banks accused of price-fixing. The Constitutional Court is due to hear legal arguments over four days, starting today. In June 2020, the Commission had referred the case regarding the alleged rand fixing against 28 local and foreign banks to the Competition Tribunal. The banks were ordered by the Tribunal in March 2023 to file…

For diving into treacherous waters to save three teenagers from a rip current at Pennington Beach, 16-year-old Keegan Lowe was honoured at the National Sea Rescue Institute’s (NSRI) 58th awards and annual general meeting. Held at the Lagoon Beach Hotel in Cape Town at the weekend, the event celebrated exceptional acts of bravery, gallantry, and long service, recognising both volunteers and civilians whose courage and dedication reflect the NSRI’s core values. “Tonight we honour extraordinary courage and lifelong commitment. Every award represents not only individual bravery but also the collective spirit of the NSRI — volunteers, families, partners, and supporters working together to save lives,” said NSRI chairperson Jonny Velloza. The evening’s first honours went to Keegan, who bravely rescued three teenagers caught in a powerful rip current at Pennington…

The Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) took a closer look at a complaint by a movie lover regarding Ster-Kinekor’s Morvies Club advertisement, which he said promised “bottomless movie tickets per month”, but this is not entirely true. The complainant said upon closer inspection, the IMAX and Cinema Prestige experience, which include 2D and 3D films, were excluded. The complaint alleged that the Morvies Club advertisement for subscription, which appears on the advertiser’s app and in the lobby to its theatres, is misleading. According to the complaint, apart from not disclosing that IMAX and Cinema Prestige formats are excluded, the booking interface does not clearly distinguish between included and excluded formats until late in the process. It was also said that a three-month minimum subscription commitment (price lock) was not disclosed in…

KwaZulu-Natal Treasury has poured cold water on the proposed monthly R10 contribution from Zulu people to make King Misuzulu and the royal family financially independent from the government. Reacting to the proposal, which has sparked public debate, provincial Treasury MEC Francois Rodgers said he was not aware of any legislation that permitted such revenue generation. The provincial government provides funds for the Zulu royal household including for events. Last week, Rodgers announced that there would not be additional funding for this year’s Reed Dance festival after the king moved it from Enyokeni royal palace to Mashobeni palace. The Enyokeni palace has a R140 million amphitheatre complex, which years ago, was specifically requested by the royal family. The complex was fast-tracked to be ready for this year’s ceremony; however, the king…

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) recently hosted its 45th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government in Antananarivo, Madagascar. This year’s gathering was held under the theme: “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC”. The Malagasy President Andriy Rajoelina assumed the rotational position of Chairperson from the Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who has chaired the organisation since August 2024. Mnangagwa’s chairmanship faced its challenging moments, including the violence and instability in Mozambique following the holding of general elections in October 2024 and the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Both issues, which have far-reaching implications on regional stability, were not satisfactorily handled. According to the Human Rights Watch (HRW), about 300 protesters lost their lives and hundreds more were injured as…

Australia won’t fear any retaliation from the Springboks as they head into the second Test of the Rugby Championship in Cape Town on Saturday afternoon. That was the guarantee from 22-year-old outside centre Joseph Sua’ali’i yesterday morning as the Aussies brace for a full-on onslaught from the world champions after their Ellis Park disaster this past weekend. The Wallabies opened the tournament with a resounding 38-22 victory and will come into the Test at the DHL Stadium as favourites to claim back-to-back victories over the Boks for the first time in years. After trailing 22-0 at a stage in Johannesburg, they scored 38 unanswered points to complete a shock comeback win over their hosts. However, they are acutely aware of the Springboks’ ability to dig deep and put up a…

“EVEN Tiger Woods loses his swing sometimes.” This is the view of Warriors coach Robin Peterson in relation to Tristan Stubbs’ recent frustrations. Stubbs, 25, featured strongly in the T20I series against Australia. He was the Proteas’ third highest run-scorer in the series with 93 runs at an average of 31 and strike-rate of 129.16. These are decent enough numbers, and he formed solid partnerships with new hotshot kid on the block Dewald Brewis in two matches. But that’s just it. Stubbs is the Proteas’ crackerjack. The “generational talent” who, in his first turn at bat for the Proteas, blasted 72 off just 28 balls against England in Bristol back in 2022. Unfortunately, that remains Stubbs’ biggest contribution with the bat 31 innings later with only one further half-century against…

After back-to-back Premiership defeats in the opening rounds, Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou sparked hope with a spirited performance against Mamelodi Sundowns in Saturday’s MTN8 semi-final at Orlando Stadium. As a result of the early-season struggles, the Moroccan has been under fire as fans demand that Pirates rekindle the spirit of success witnessed during the victorious tenure of fan favourite Spaniard Jose Riveiro. However, Pirates showcased an impressive performance against the formidable Sundowns on Saturday, signalling a potential turning point for Ouaddou and his squad. Pirates displayed resilience and tactical acumen, suggesting that the Moroccan’s approach may be beginning to take root. With a solid 2-0 victory against Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-finals, hopes were high for Ouaddou’s Pirates. Yet subsequent defeats against Sekhukhune United and Marumo Gallants…

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said the team’s shortened pre-season will not be used as an excuse as they prepare to kick off their La Liga campaign at home to Osasuna today. Alonso will take charge at the Santiago Bernabéu for the first time after beginning his reign at the Club World Cup in the United States, where Madrid reached the semi-finals. Madrid’s request to postpone their league opener to a later date was rejected by Spanish football officials, and the team have played just one friendly since their 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in New Jersey on 9 July. “Obviously it would have been nice to receive some support with our request, especially for the players’ health… after such a long season and to have a little more preparation…