Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-09-08 i Mercury

JSE-listed Copper 360, which operates in the Northern Cape, has proposed a R1.15 billion rights issue and a restructuring of its debt. The mining company said in an announcement to shareholders on Friday that it was in the process of restructuring, aiming to raise sufficient funding for short- and medium-term growth, reduce the debt burden to improve profitability, and mine several orebodies with achievable growth potential. The share price slipped 1.4% to 70 cents on the JSE on Friday, well down from R3.25 that it traded at a year previously. Copper has surged onto the prospects of many mining groups due to raising demand for the metal in renewable energy technology, AI and data centres and due to its use in urbanisation and in infrastructure. Copper 360's directors said the…

Stakeholders in the electricity industry are voicing concerns regarding the capacity of the Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to fulfil its expanded role as South Africa navigates the complexities of its evolving energy market. This heightened scrutiny comes in the wake of a stakeholder engagement session held by the Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy, which included discussions with various stakeholders such as labour unions and the Just Energy Transition (JET) Project Monitoring Unit (PMU). During this session, Minister for Electricity and Energy Kgosientso Ramakgopa assured lawmakers that the revised Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) would soon be adopted by Cabinet, a critical step in the nation’s energy transition. However, Dr Wickus Kruger of the JET PMU highlighted the urgent need for Nersa to bolster its capacity through additional staff…

In Khayelitsha, a youth-led redesign of a major transport hub in 2024 reduced commuting times by 15% for more than 5 000 residents, according to the African Centre for Cities’ Future Streets report. The project created 200 jobs and showed how practical interventions led by young people can reshape urban spaces for efficiency and inclusion. Although modest in scale, it offered insights that speak directly to South Africa’s most pressing development priorities. The structural constraints facing South Africa’s cities are deeply rooted in history. The 1950 Group Areas Act institutionalised a spatial framework that placed the majority of citizens in townships and rural areas distant from economic centres. Today, more than 80% of South Africans still live far from where jobs and services are concentrated. The economic effects remain evident:…

At times like this we have to ask, "What would ka Seme advise?" Ambassador Mniwa Mahalngu is no more. I met him in February this year and we exchanged pleasantaries. I will remember him always for agreeing to deliver a Prixley ka Isaka Seme lecture at the University of Columbia that Francoir Ndengwe and I arranged in 2016. This was 110 years since Prixley made a remarkable and unforgettable speech about the regeneration of Africa. It is befitting to publish the speech as tribute to Ambassador Mahlangu. He reminds us that precisely in the month of April 2016, marked 110 years since the famous and celebrated speech entitled The Regeneration of Africa by a renowned son of Africa, Pixley ka Isaka Seme. The speech was delivered…

Tesla unveiled on Friday a proposed compensation package for Elon Musk that could top $1 trillion if the controversial CEO delivers on his vision for stratospheric growth from new technologies. The plan potentially provides Musk - already the world's wealthiest person - with up to 12 percent of additional total company shares, according to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. To reach the full award, Tesla must reach a market capitalisation of "at least $8.5 trillion by 2035," according to the filing, which announced a shareholder vote on the proposal in November. Tesla's current market capitalisation is just over $1 trillion, down somewhat from its peak following recent weak earnings. Analysts have attributed some of the sales woes to Musk's embrace of far-right politicians, which has sparked…

A KEY government contract, central to the provincial government's management of its fleet of vehicles, has been blamed for the severe shortage of ambulances and police vehicles to service communities. Members of the provincial legislature have expressed worries about the RT46 transversal tender, fearing it is at the heart of the shortage of government vehicles, including ambulances and police vehicles. The “RT46 transversal tender” is described as a series of South African government tenders managed by the National Treasury (in 2021) to provide comprehensive vehicle fleet management services to government entities. These tenders cover services like fuel card provision, fleet tracking, maintenance, repair, and traffic fine management, aiming to control costs and improve efficiency for government-owned vehicles. Concerns have been raised regarding the dysfunction of the tender, with MPLs claiming…

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry will officially begin its hearings on September 17. This comes after the much-anticipated public hearings were delayed because the commission had to finalise the installation and testing of its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems. The inquiry, which was initially set to begin on September 1, will probe issues of corruption, political interference, and criminal syndicate infiltration within South Africa's criminal justice system. The commission spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, reportedly said when the initial delay was announced that while investigators and evidence leaders have begun consulting witnesses behind closed doors, the commission will not proceed publicly until its digital infrastructure is fully operational. "We are focused on ensuring that all the necessary ICT infrastructure is in place so that investigators and the legal team can effectively…

Former MK Party secretary general Floyd Shivambu has officially announced the formation of the Afrika Mayibuye Movement as both a political movement and a political party, adding he is the president of the organisation. The widely anticipated announcement came during a media briefing held on Friday in Midrand, Johannesburg, following a national consultation process that began in June. Shivambu, who was also deputy president of the EFF, said the countrywide consultation process revealed a widespread desire among South Africans to be genuinely heard. “The number one lesson is that people crave genuine listening,” he said. “We also have learned that our people have got a lot to say, that good non-certificants possess profound knowledge and ideas about their communities…” He added that the public demanded institutionalised participation in governance and…

A 21-year-old man died when he was electrocuted due to an illegal electrical connection in Emona, oThongathi (Tongaat), prompting the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) to renew calls for municipalities to take action to rid areas of illegal connections. Security company Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) said its officers were called to the scene at 9:46am on Saturday morning, where they found the man’s family gathered. Relatives told RUSA that the victim tripped on exposed wires while walking in the rain. He was declared dead on the scene. RUSA added that the incident was not isolated. “Paramedics & Reaction Officers have attended to three electrocutions (due to) illegal connections in the past ten days,” the company said. Cogta MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi extended condolences to the…

The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) has condemned recent incidents regarding the alleged theft and leakage of professional examination papers associated with legal practitioners. LSSA president Nkosana Francois Mvundlela said the organisation condemns the theft and leakage of professional examination papers, as well as the possession, circulation and use of any unlawfully obtained exam content. “The LSSA has noted recent social media activity alleging the circulation of leaked Board Examination materials and reiterates that such conduct strikes at the heart of professional ethics and public trust in the legal profession,” he said in a statement. Mvundlela said the Board Examinations are administered by the Legal Practice Council (LPC). The organisation said it supported the LPC in safeguarding the integrity of these assessments and called for urgent, thorough investigations into…

It wasn’t the result Springbok newcomer Ethan Hooker wanted in his first Test against the All Blacks, but the utility back was chuffed to get his baptism of fire at Eden Park in Auckland. Despite the nail-biting 24-17 loss on Saturday, the Bok bench, including Hooker, turned the tide for the side as they chased a first win at the iconic stadium in 88 years. Although it wasn’t meant to be after a slow start to the game, the 22-year-old Hooker experienced his first Test against New Zealand and had a taste of what it feels like to face the Haka in front of a passionate and fired-up away crowd. “It was a very surreal experience for me,” the utility back said. “Just being at Eden Park and experiencing the…

Kaizer Chiefs’ capture of Khanyisa Mayo on loan from Algerian giants CR Belouizdad may be a signal of ambition, but it also turns up the heat on head coach Nasreddine Nabi to deliver more than just glimpses of progress this season. The Bafana Bafana forward became Amakhosi’s 11th signing of a busy transfer window, underlining the club’s intent to rebuild after years of inconsistency. Chiefs finished a disappointing ninth in the Betway Premiership last season, though their Nedbank Cup triumph provided a silver lining and secured a return to continental football in the CAF Confederation Cup. Now, with Mayo added to a squad already reinforced in almost every department, excuses are starting to run thin. Nabi, entering his second year at Naturena, can no longer be judged solely on stabilising…

Springbok great Steven Kitshoff feels the Springboks were the more dominant team in the Eden Park showdown with the All Blacks and is convinced they will bounce back this week in Wellington. The Boks started the Rugby Championship match in Auckland poorly but were on top in the second half, before losing 24-17. “It was a disappointing result because the Springboks had plenty of opportunities to score points or enter into the New Zealand 22,” said Kitshoff, who was a ZARbet ambassador, at Pirates Rugby Club on Saturday in Johannesburg. “A couple of things went against them, but in my opinion, the Springboks were the more dominant team, and it makes for an exciting second Test.” Kitshoff, a veteran of 83 Tests at loosehead prop for South Africa, was a…

The recently released 8th annual SweepSouth Report on Domestic Worker Pay and Working Conditions paints a troubling picture of the lives of domestic workers in South Africa. The report, based on over 5 000 responses collected nationwide, reveals that the dramatic stall in the country’s economic growth is having a profound ripple effect on this critical workforce, predominantly made up of women aged 26 to 41. According to CEO Lourandi Kriel, South Africa’s economy has only managed a growth of 0.7% over the last decade, a stagnation that has forced consumers to reconsider their spending power. “The economic conditions have a ripple effect on domestic workers in that when an economy doesn't grow, you know consumers have either the same or less share of wallet and they need to decide…

The All Share index on the JSE, as well as the Rand on Friday ended stronger in reaction to the release of the US non-Farm payrolls. The All Share index recovered by 0.9% on Friday and ended the week flat with a mere 300 points lower on 101532. The index, however, is still 20.7% up for the year. The US announced that the economy could only create 22 000 new jobs during August 2025. This is much lower than the expected increase of 72 000. The unemployment rate for the US increased from 4.2% to 4.3% as was expected. Especially since April 2025, after the first comprehensive tariff announcement by the Trump administration, consumers and producers started to discount negative consumer and business confidence due to expectations for higher inflation…

Bell Equipment, the JSE-listed manufacturer and distributor of materials handling equipment globally, reported a sharp 330% increase in net cash inflow to R487.04 million in the six months to June 30. The share price gained 2.65% to R41.63 on Friday afternoon, despite the fact that the dividend was passed due to the global slowdown in demand in key markets and a contracted US market due to the current USA tariff situation. “Just when we anticipated some stability might prevail in our global markets, following a reduction in demand for equipment during 2024 to more normalised levels, the first half of 2025 has been marred with extreme uncertainty in some of our key markets, the US in particular,” the chairman, Gary Bell, and chief executive, Ashley Bell, said on Friday in…

The EU on Friday slapped Google with a massive €2.95 billion ($3.47 billion) antitrust fine for favoring its own advertising services, drawing a furious rebuke from President Donald Trump and a threat of fresh tariffs against Europe. Google vowed to appeal the decision by the European Commission, which accused the US firm of distorting competition in the 27-nation bloc. "Google abused its dominant position in adtech, harming publishers, advertisers, and consumers. This behavior is illegal under EU antitrust rules," EU competition chief Teresa Ribera said. Trump, who has threatened to go after Europe for its rules on the digital market and content policing, lashed out at the decision, which brings Google's total EU liabilities to nearly €10 billion. "Very unfair, and the American taxpayer will not stand for it!"…

Constable Akho Ndzingo,29, had only served six months in Khayelitsha, taking his oath to protect and serve South Africa, before being tragically killed on night patrol in Site C on June 12 last year. A tearful Kholiswa Ndzingo, Akho's mother, laid a wreath in his honour during the SAPS national commemoration ceremony at the Union Buildings yesterday, where 27 fallen police officers were remembered. She remembered her son as a caring breadwinner for the family, who left behind a 4-year-old son. “Losing a child is heartbreaking, especially one who provided for us. His father and I are unemployed. I am incredibly proud of my son for growing up to serve all of South Africa – he was a true hero who lived to protect others. It’s just unfortunate he…

A swift response by South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel and Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) averted a potential threat at Air Force Base Waterkloof on Thursday, after an unauthorised vehicle forced its way through the Buccaneer Gate. The incident, which occurred around 8 pm, ended when the vehicle crashed near the African Aerospace and Defence (AAD) water hydrants inside the base’s residential area. Three suspects were arrested — one on the scene and two shortly thereafter. Director of Defence Corporate Communication Rear Admiral Prince Tshabalala confirmed the arrests. “All three suspects were processed by the Military Police and will be handed over to the Metro Police for further investigation,” he said. Chief of the SA Air Force, Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, praised the response. “The vigilance and professionalism…

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has ruled that ArcelorMittal South Africa’s (AMSA) applications for six-year negotiated pricing agreements with Eskom met the required eligibility criteria but stressed it had not approved any tariff reductions for the embattled steelmaker. NERSA said in a statement that AMSA’s applications for its Newcastle and Vanderbijlpark plants “do meet the eligibility criteria prescribed in the Interim Long-term Negotiated Pricing Agreement Framework (NPA Framework).” The energy regulator explained that in September and October 2024, AMSA submitted applications to Eskom seeking reduced tariffs under the framework. Eskom rejected both, saying AMSA had failed to comply with requirements. AMSA then petitioned NERSA, as allowed under the framework. NERSA said it carried out “a comprehensive assessment of AMSA’s information submitted to Eskom to determine whether the…

The Western Cape High Court has ruled that disciplinary actions taken against two pupils, for vaping in the school’s hostel, were unlawful, as the school’s governing body twice punished them for the same offence, which amounts to double jeopardy. The now Grade 10 pupils were twice found to be vaping. The first incident was at the end of 2023 when they were in Grade 8, and the second incident was last year, a few months down the line. During the 2023 incident, both pupils, only identified as L and M, were expelled from the hostel for a few months. However, when the incident occurred again the following year, both were permanently expelled from the hostel. A few days later, the school yet again sanctioned them for the same offence for…

The ANC has delivered a stern ultimatum to its Limpopo provincial chairperson, Stan Mathabatha, following the rejection of his letter to step aside from his party duties. Mathabatha, who also serves as the Deputy Minister for Land Reform and Rural Development, had voluntarily sought to step aside from his role as ANC Limpopo chairperson. In a letter addressed to the party’s Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, he cited concerns over alleged misconduct within the party and the erosion of ANC values and processes, specifically referencing issues observed during regional conferences in the Vhembe and Waterberg regions. He stated that his decision was made “in order to uphold my reputation and integrity”. However, his attempt to distance himself from these issues was rebuffed by the party’s leadership. Mbalula convened a meeting last Thursday…

Third ODI, Southampton England: 414/5 (Bethell 110, Root 100, Buttler 62*, Smith 62, Bosch 2/79, Maharaj 2/61) South Africa: 72 all out (Bosch 20, Archer 4/18, Rashid 3/13, Carse 2/33) • England won by 342 runs, SA win the series 2-1 The Proteas have become the masters of falling prey to the dead-rubber ODI syndrome. Sunday’s world record ODI defeat by 342 runs, in which they were 18/5 at one stage, before being routed for 72 by England at Southampton’s Rose Bowl follows on directly from their last dead-rubber in Australia just over a fortnight ago. Having won the first two matches of the series Down Under to clinch the trophy, they slumped to a 278-run defeat in Cairns. They have now eclipsed that performance with an even more pitiful…

KwaZulu-Natal football has been waiting more than a decade for silverware, and Durban City assistant coach Pitso Dladla believes the region’s struggles are rooted in financial realities and player retention. The last major trophy to land in KZN was back in 2009 when Golden Arrows stunned Ajax Cape Town to lift the MTN8. Before that, the only league success from the province came courtesy of Manning Rangers in 1997, a club that has since folded. AmaZulu have come the closest to rewriting that history in recent years, finishing runners-up in the 2020/21 league campaign and reaching the MTN8 final in 2022, only to fall short on both occasions. Dladla, who is part of Gavin Hunt’s technical team at newly promoted Durban City, says cup competitions offer the most realistic route…

Aryna Sabalenka credited her new-found mental approach on Saturday after producing a controlled performance to retain her US Open crown. The 27-year-old world number one from Belarus defeated American eighth seed Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) to claim a fourth career Grand Slam title. Sabalenka said her victory followed a rethink after defeats in the Australian and French Open finals earlier this season. “After the Australian Open, I thought the right way would be just to forget it and move on, but then the same thing happened at the French Open,” she said. “So, after the French Open I figured, ‘okay, maybe it’s time for me to sit back and look at those finals and maybe learn something,’ because I didn’t want it to happen again and again.” A holiday…

The weekend’s last round of Currie Cup action has determined the line-up for the semi-finals of the historic tournament, with the Lions and Griquas hosting home semi-finals. Boland, for so long in the top two on the log, will travel to Ellis Park to play the Lions, while the consistent Griquas will be at home against the Cheetahs. Spare a thought for former champions in the Pumas, who were in theTop 4 for almost all of the tournament but dropped out at the weekend when they came up against a Sharks side strengthened by their United Rugby Championship stars. The Sharks used the game as a warm-up for the upcoming URC season, having previously only selected young players. The Sharks won the game 19-13 in Durban and the previous week…

Wave of layoffs sweeps through the country as 140 000 jobs lost in the three months to June The government has expressed deep concern over the implications of mass job cuts on the economy following retrenchment notices by a number of multinational corporations. Last week, Glencore Operations South Africa revealed its intention to retrench employees at its Rustenburg ferrochrome smelter and vanadium operations, citing insufficient electricity supply and a general “lack of sustainable industry solutions.” Companies who are considered intensive energy users have already sounded the alarm that the escalating costs of electricity could exacerbate job losses. Similarly, ArcelorMittal South Africa announced preparations to close its long steel mills resulting in the loss of over 4 000 jobs, attributing its plight to delays in addressing structural problems that have plagued…

Globalisation can be defined as, ”The growing interdependence of the world’s economies, cultures, and populations, brought about by cross-border trade in goods and services, technology, and flows of investment, people, and information. Countries have built economic partnerships to facilitate these movements over many centuries.” Since one of four global economic shocks (black Swans) emerged in 2020 with the Covid-19 pandemic, followed by the Russia-Ukraine war (2022), the attack on Israel by Hamas (2023) and the introduction of tariffs on most developed and developing countries by the Trump administration (2025), the debate continues on whether globalisation has slowed down, or is even reversing. In the South African context, loadshedding has put a spotlight on the energy crisis, and the recent focus on the emerging Southern African “gas cliff” has further exacerbated…

The National Labour and Economic Development Council (Nedlac) held its annual summit on Friday under the call of advancing solidarity, equality and sustainability in the economy and labour market. This is a clarion call to action by the leaders of government, business, labour and civil society. Whilst we will naturally have different interests, mandates and objectives; there are core issues that we can and must agree on, which if we fail to resolve, will threaten the very fabric and stability of society. Given our history of three hundred and fifty years of colonial and apartheid rule that has left lasting scars of inequality and dispassion, we must be a society that values the principles of providing solidarity to those in need. To be nation capable of growth and development,…

African Rainbow Minerals’ (ARM) share price plunged 7.3% on Friday after it reported a 47% decline in headline earnings for the year ended 30 June 2025 to R2.7 billion, or R13.79 a share. On Friday afternoon, the share price was R175.28, reflecting an 11.4% increase over the past 12 months. Revenue for the year increased by 1% to R13.1 billion. The decline in headline earnings was ascribed mainly to lower average realised export US dollar iron ore prices and increased mechanised development costs at Bokoni. A final dividend of R6 a share was declared, down from R9 per share last year. The total dividend for the 2025 financial year came to R10.50, compared to R15 per share in 2024. Despite the lower dividend, directors stated they maintained a robust balance…

International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has stated that the country remains unfazed by United States President Donald Trump’s decision to miss the upcoming G20 Summit in Johannesburg this November. Instead, US Vice President JD Vance will represent the country, a move that Lamola has openly welcomed, underscoring South Africa's commitment to diplomatic engagement despite the change in US representation. Trump’s non-attendance at the high-stakes summit comes as no surprise, as he had previously indicated his intent to skip the event, citing unsubstantiated claims of systemic persecution and killing of white citizens in South Africa. These claims have been widely debunked and have contributed to an already strained relationship between Washington and Pretoria. Lamola, however, has chosen to focus on the pragmatic aspects of the US delegation. Expressing his enthusiasm for…

There are mixed views to the KwaZulu-Natal government's Provincial Jobs and Economic Growth Action Plan to create jobs. Politicians have welcomed the announcement, while an economist said it is not the job of the government to create jobs. Premier Thami Ntuli unveiled the action plan on Friday. In a statement, the premier's office noted that KZN has endured multiple shocks in recent years—devastating floods, the Covid-19 pandemic, energy insecurity, and logistics disruptions. Looting and crime waves have further eroded investor trust and placed strain on communities and businesses, it said. The action plan aims to create 12 734 direct jobs and support 43 005 indirect jobs, with a projected economic impact of R56 billion. It also includes 11 616 training opportunities and 10 569 internships. “The plan acknowledges key…

Members of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature have called on the national government to expedite the payment of R65 million in compensation to farmers affected by flood damage. Addressing the KZN Legislature recently, Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, the KZN MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, stated that farmers, especially those in rural areas, have suffered losses due to natural disasters in the current financial year. She said that despite these significant losses, affected farmers have not yet been compensated by the government, placing their livelihoods and the agricultural sector at risk. KaMadlopha-Mthethwa proposed that the government establish a ring-fenced disaster relief fund to address future crises. Sakhile Mngadi, DA KZN spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development, said that farmers are under siege from forces beyond their control. He said that crops have been lost,…

E-hailing driver Siyanda Mthokozisi Mvelase, who was killed in Soweto, Gauteng, and burned inside his car, was laid to rest in Ulundi on Saturday. Speaking at the funeral, his uncle, Lucky Mvelase said his family was deeply saddened by his murder. “We don’t even know what to compare what we’re experiencing to. But we hope that God will heal our wounds,” he said. “I considered Mthokozisi as my own child...We never imagined that one day, we would gather like this at his funeral.” No matter how painful, Mvelase added, they had to accept the pain and reality of his passing. He described the e-hailing driver as respectful, kind and always having a smile on his face. He also passed on a message to the authorities. “I went to where he…

“It was a deliberate hit.” This is how Gauteng police spokesperson, Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi described the brazen daylight shooting of insolvency lawyer, Bouwer van Niekerk. Van Niekerk was killed in the boardroom of his Saxonwold, Johannesburg office on Friday. The 43-year-old was at the time of his death was reportedly working on high-profile cases, including a major insolvency case linked to an alleged Ponzi scheme. According to Nevhuhulwi, nothing was stolen. “Once inside the boardroom, gunshots were heard, and the assailants fled the scene,” she said. “The attorney was declared dead at the scene, with no items reported stolen, pointing to a deliberate hit. "Police are searching for four suspects, and investigations are ongoing to determine the motive." Justice and constitutional development minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi condemned the attack. Speaking on behalf…

THE theme for this year’s International Literacy Day, which is celebrated annually on 8 September, is “Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era”. When reflecting on this theme, I am immediately confronted with the fact that digital literacy skills cannot develop at the expense of traditional literacy skills. I would argue that to navigate the complex world we live in, we must first strengthen traditional literacy before we can fully develop digital literacy. In South Africa, promoting literacy in a digital era has its own complexities. I immediately think about the many marginalised people who may not be equipped with the necessary literacy skills to access new opportunities for learning, work and communication. In addition, when thinking about digital inclusion I am reminded of our responsibility to ensure everyone has the…

Max Verstappen slowed McLaren’s Formula One dominance yesterday with a phenomenal display of driving on his way to victory at the Italian Grand Prix, the fastest race in the sport’s history. Starting from pole, the reigning world champion completed a magical weekend at Monza, which included the fastest lap ever in F1 during Saturday’s qualifying, outpacing the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Red Bull’s Verstappen has little chance of securing a fifth consecutive drivers’ title, still trailing championship leader Piastri by 94 points, with the Australian finishing third. “It was really enjoyable,” said Verstappen, who took the chequered flag in 1hr 13mins 24.325sec. “I think we pitted at the right time, and with the hard tyres at the end you can push a bit more. It was…

South Africa 10 Try: Nadine Roos; Penalties: Byrhandré Dolf; Conversions: Dolf. France 57 Tries: Emilie Boulard (2), Gaby Vernier, Charlotte Escudero, Agathe Gerin, Joanna Grisez (2), Annaëlle Deshaye, Alexandra Chambon; Conversions: Lina Queyroi (6) The Springbok Women received a sobering dose of reality at the World Cup in the form of the fleet-footed French, who ran up a 57-10 score in the final match of Pool D in Northampton yesterday evening. The Springbok Women have been a revelation at the tournament, starting with a 66-6 win over flyweights Brazil, followed by a 29-24 victory against middleweights Italy, but heavyweights France pulled the South African challenge back down to earth. South Africa finished second in Pool D and will play New Zealand in the quarter-finals. The French, ranked the fourth-best team…

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah could this week become the second African football icon after Achraf Hakimi to secure his presence at the 2026 World Cup in North America. Salah will captain Egypt in Burkina Faso in a top-of-the-table African zone Group A qualifier tomorrow, and victory for the Pharaohs will guarantee first place with two matches to spare. Paris Saint-Germain full-back Hakimi helped Morocco become the first African qualifiers at the weekend when they struck five unanswered goals after Niger were reduced to 10 men in Rabat. The nine group winners in Africa qualify for the World Cup, which will feature a record 48 nations, up from 32 at the last edition in Qatar three years ago. Salah converted a penalty in a 2-0 win over Ethiopia in Cairo on…

Experienced New Zealand hooker Codie Taylor was ruled out of the second Rugby Championship Test against South Africa, yesterday, while unlucky wing Emoni Narawa is a major doubt. Taylor failed a head injury assessment and will not play the rematch against the world champion Springboks in Wellington next week after leaving the field in the first half of Saturday’s tense 24-17 win in Auckland. All Blacks assistant coach Jason Ryan confirmed that 101-Test veteran Taylor will be replaced in the squad, with Samisoni Taukei'aho in line to start. Narawa was forced off in the seventh minute with a rib complaint after opening the scoring with a try, and was deemed “highly unlikely” by Ryan to feature on Saturday. The talented 26-year-old’s fledgling career has been hampered by injuries, having played…