Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-09-30 i Mercury

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has called for urgent reforms in the way South Africa’s metros manage their core trading services, warning that years of underinvestment in water, sanitation and electricity have left cities struggling to support growth and attract investment. Speaking at a Metro Trading Services Reform engagement session with executive mayors yesterday, Godongwana said the country’s stagnant economy and rising unemployment had put severe pressure on public finances. The National Treasury implemented these reforms to restore and sustain trading services such as electricity, water, sanitation, and waste services in metros through institutional and financial reforms. Godongwana noted that municipalities are unable to expand bulk infrastructure in fast-growing areas such as Lanseria in Johannesburg, Mooikloof in Tshwane, and Cape Town’s West Coast, limiting property development and revenue generation. “This means…

The Competition Commission has accused regional airline Airlink of aggressive and exclusionary conduct on the Johannesburg–Mthatha route, alleging that its pricing strategy between 2012 and 2016 forced rival Fly Blue Crane (FBC) out of the market and cost consumers more than R100 million in inflated fares. In the ongoing hearing at the Competition Tribunal, economist Jason Aproskie argued that Airlink had demonstrated its ability to sustain prolonged losses to keep competitors at bay. He pointed to the Johannesburg–Namibia route, where Airlink recorded losses for 35 out of 36 months, as evidence of its capacity to remain in unprofitable markets in order to outlast rivals. “Which shows its ability to sort of remain in that territory. If it was engaging in this conduct against a more efficient operator, it shows that…

The global economy thrives on predictability. When that certainty evaporates, businesses have to adapt or perish. South Africa is aiming to do two things: restore some level of predictability by engaging with the US, but simultaneously securing international partnerships and building the infrastructure foundation that enables South Africa to be competitive in global trade. President Cyril Ramaphosa made this case powerfully last week at the United Nations General Assembly. Speaking at a South Africa-USA trade and investment dialogue, he outlined clear goals for our US relationship: sustain and expand trade flows, keep our companies competitive and ensure workers and consumers in both countries benefit from our partnership. The practical steps he announced matter. A South Africa-US Trade and Investment Forum will be held alongside next year’s annual investment conference. The…

On February 21, 2024, the first enforcement notice relating to direct marketing was sent to FT Rams Consulting. The main reasons for the notice were that the responsible party did not, (1), stop sending direct marketing after the recipient opted out and, (2), did not obtain the recipient’s consent before sending them electronic direct marketing. The Information Regulator released a media statement shortly before the enforcement notice, which had some very interesting statements. Advocate Pansy Tlakula, the chairperson of the Information Regulator had this to say: “Our leniency regarding direct marketing through unsolicited electronic communications is going to be a thing of the past because responsible parties (public or private bodies) ignore the provisions of section 69 of POPIA and infringe on the rights of data subjects. “In response to…

Boxer Retail’s share price shot up 5% on the JSE yesterday morning after it said strong trading in the last two months of its 26-week period to August 31 had boosted a four-month performance that was already ahead of the previous year. Boxer Retail increased like-for-like sales by 5.3% for the 26 weeks to end-August, 2025. The discount supermarket chain which listed on the JSE at the end of November last year, said overall turnover for the 26 weeks was up 13.9%. Internal food inflation for the period was -0.7%, as measured on a volume-held-constant basis. The latest trading update is more positive from the operational report provided in July, where Boxer’s management said that for the 17-week period to June 29, turnover grew 12.1% and 3.9% on a like-for-like…

AYO Technology Solutions said yesterday that 99.26% of its shareholders at a meeting had approved a resolution to delist the company. AYO, one of the largest broad-based black economic empowerment information and communications technology groups in the South African market, had informed its shareholders in May this year that it had received a firm intention from its major shareholder Sekunjalo Investment Holdings, to delist AYO via an offer to eligible shareholders. The shareholder meeting was originally scheduled for August 29, 2025, but was postponed until Monday. The resolution to delist was approved by shareholders holding 99.26% of the votes. AYO’s share price increased by 6.72% to 49 cents a share on the JSE by yesterday afternoon. In May, Sekunjalo said it was of the view that if AYO was taken…

thami.magubane@inl.co.za Claims that the eThekwini Municipality intends to recover R53 million from a former employee implicated in wrongful actions have been criticised as a farce by opposition parties. The office of Deputy President Paul Mashatile has come under fire from opposition parties after it claimed in replies to Parliament that the eThekwini Municipality intended to recover close to R53 million from a former employee. Mzamo Billy, a DA MP and member of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), questioned what the national government was doing to hold the municipality and anyone in the municipality who had acted wrongly accountable after the municipality was forced to pay R53 million to a service provider. The issue concerns a settlement agreement made by the municipality with a service provider after a legal dispute…

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) have sought to calm growing public concern over the hijacking of taxpayer eFiling profiles, saying the integrity of the tax system remains their highest priority. In a joint statement, the two institutions were responding to a recent article published by Sowetan, which reported on a rise in compromised eFiling profiles leading to financial losses for taxpayers. They said the article contained “a number of factual inaccuracies” as it was published before the OTO’s draft report on the matter was released for public comment. The OTO confirmed it has been investigating profile compromise cases for over a year, following numerous complaints from both taxpayers and practitioners. The draft report, delayed to allow SARS to provide detailed input,…

President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa’s trade and investment relationship with the United States remains strong and continues to deepen, following a series of engagements on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last week. In his weekly newsletter to the nation, the president said the engagements included a Trade and Investment Dialogue hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce, as well as meetings with American companies, members of Congress, and US government officials. His comments come as Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau is continuing to negotiate for a trade deal with the US, which includes the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), with the current agreement expiring today. Trump imposed a 30% tariff on South African goods in August, citing an imbalance in…

Investigations are underway to determine whether an armed robbery suspect in uMhlanga is linked to other robberies in the area. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Captain Ntathu Ndlovu said Durban North police arrested a 43-year-old man in connection with the attempted murder of a 35-year-old man who was robbed and stabbed on Friday while walking along the M41 and N2 pedestrian bridge in uMhlanga. Marshall Security said the arrest came after reports of multiple stabbings and robberies on the M41 pedestrian bridge. Marshall Security’s armed response and special operations team responded to the incident. Managing director Tyron Powell said the suspect had stabbed and robbed the victim before fleeing towards Phoenix. The victim, found at the Gateway Taxi Rank, needed immediate medical attention. “Upon arrival, members assessed the victim, who had sustained…

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Disaster Management Centre, in collaboration with local emergency services, is actively responding to an array of weather-related incidents triggered by heavy rainfall that commenced on Sunday and is projected to continue today. The South African Weather Service (Saws) has issued a Level 4 weather warning for severe thunderstorms in the region. So far, no major incidents have been reported, but the MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has called on residents to exercise extreme caution. “Roads are slippery, and several low-lying areas are at risk of localised flooding. We appeal to all road users and communities to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel, especially in flood-prone zones,” Buthelezi said. Yesterday in Pietermaritzburg a bakkie was swept off a low-lying bridge in Lincoln Meade…

It was upon José Mourinho’s arrival at Chelsea in 2004 that he proclaimed himself a “special one”, although that sheen has worn away two decades on as he returns to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday with Benfica. The Portuguese coach claims he is now more “humble” and “altruistic”, but at his Benfica presentation he still made the point that, even though he is considered to have struggled in recent years, he has led two teams to European finals. Bringing those big nights and silverware to Benfica is the 62-year-old’s new mission, after he was sacked by Turkish side Fenerbahçe in August. Mourinho, who won the Uefa Champions League with Porto and Inter Milan, as well as three Premier League titles across two spells at Chelsea and La Liga with Real Madrid,…

The Sharks will be looking to bounce back from their opening-round defeat against Glasgow Warriors when they take on the Dragons in Friday’s United Rugby Championship clash at Rodney Parade in Newport, Wales. Coach John Plumtree’s side showed plenty of fight in their 35-19 loss to the Warriors in Scotland last weekend but will know the importance of turning effort into points against the Welsh side they have beaten in their past five games. The visitors, however, needed a last-minute try to pull off a 33-30 win in their last away match against the Dragons. The Welsh side, who are usually among the URC’s whipping boys, began the season with a 42-21 loss to Ulster in Belfast. They struggled against a physically dominant Ulster pack, particularly in the scrums and…

It was only the first game of the new United Rugby Championship (URC) season, and despite a runaway victory, the Stormers believe there is still plenty of room for improvement heading into the next couple of rounds. While they thrashed defending champions Leinster 35-0, the Stormers won’t dwell too long on the result, with the Ospreys making the trip to the Mother City for another Friday night clash at the DHL Stadium. The Cape side put in a clinical second-half performance thanks to their forwards and a contribution of 20 points by flyhalf Jurie Matthee, to overpower the Irish giants, but forwards coach Rito Hlungwani insists there are still key areas to work on ahead of their next outing. After facing the Welsh side – who they haven’t beaten in…

It did not take long for the folly of failing to add depth to the centre-back position to bite Liverpool, with Crystal Palace exposing cracks that had been hinted at despite five wins in their first five Premier League matches. Granted, Arne Slot could not have envisaged the crushing injury blow to young Italian defender Giovanni Leoni, who had impressed on his League Cup debut. But the decision to try to wrap up a move for England’s Marc Guehi only on transfer deadline day – when interest on both sides had been apparent throughout the window – may be a rare black mark on Slot’s previously unblemished record on Merseyside. The England stalwart demonstrated exactly what Liverpool had missed out on after the deal collapsed late on the final day…

President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday said South Africa was strengthening trade and investment ties with the US, following a series of high-level engagements with US companies, lawmakers and government officials in New York last week. The meetings took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly and included a South Africa–US Trade and Investment Dialogue, convened by the US Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business advocacy organisation. In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa said the engagements demonstrated growing confidence in South Africa’s economic reforms and its long-term growth prospects. “The optimistic, future-focused tone of this important engagement underscored how, beyond the headlines and debates around trade policy and political frictions, US and South African businesses are forging ahead,” he said. “Many US companies already have operations in South Africa,…

Eskom yesterday announced that Unit 6 of Kusile Power Station has officially entered commercial operation, marking the completion of South Africa’s largest-ever power build programme. The milestone brings to a close the decades-long construction of Kusile and Medupi, the two supercritical coal-fired power stations that together can now supply 9 600MW to the national grid when running at full capacity. Together, these stations form the backbone of the country’s baseload electricity supply. Eskom said Unit 6 had been synchronised to the grid in March this year and had been contributing electricity since then, but its output is now formally recognised in performance reporting. The additional 800MW will also be factored into Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF) metrics. This achievement also marks a key milestone in Eskom’s strategic goal to add…

South Africa’s average net salary edged higher in August 2025, but signs of job losses among higher earners remain a concern, according to the PayInc Net Salary Index (formerly the BankservAfrica Take-home Pay Index). The index rose marginally to R21 222 in August, up 0.2% from July and 2% higher than a year earlier. The upward trend evident in net salaries during 2024 has spilled over to 2025, with the average nominal net salary in the first eight months of 2025 up by 4.6% compared to the corresponding period in 2024. “The recovery in salaries reflects the moderate improvement in economic activity and the economy’s resilience, despite multiple challenges,” said Elize Kruger, an independent economist. Kruger added that the number of salaries paid signals that just more than 216 000…

It’s 8.30am on the dot last Wednesday in Kawasaki, an industrial city in the greater Tokyo area. Half an hour before the Apple Store opens, and already an orderly, curiously-constituted queue of a dozen or so people has formed outside the front door. My wife Sithabiso and I join behind what appears to be a homeless man, standing against the shop’s minimalist glass shopfront in the shadow of Toshiba’s looming new global headquarters. We’re all here hoping to cop one of the latest iPhone 17 devices that Apple has taken to drip-releasing for sale. Limited pre-orders and tiny batches made available at their stores to anyone willing to show up early every morning. Pre-order customers need to wait at least two weeks. Want it sooner? Rise early, join the queue,…

Vukile Property Fund reported strong trading metrics for the five months to August 31 and that it is on track to meet full year guidance of at least 8% growth in funds from operations (FFO) and dividends per share (DPS). The group’s management anticipates being able to revise its annual guidance at the release of its interim results on or about November 26, 2025, but they had made a “great start” to the 2026 financial year and “at the moment it’s all trending in the right direction,” said the CEO Laurence Rapp in a pre-close online presentation on Monday. The JSE-listed specialist retail real estate investment trust (REIT) is driving momentum through a strong performance from its South Africa portfolio, the integration of recently acquired assets in Spain and Portugal,…

If you’ve ever stared at your inbox late at night, timing an e-mail to “send later” just so it looks like you’re working around the clock, you’re not alone. Welcome to the world of task masking, one of the latest workplace trends shaking up office culture. It’s the cousin of quiet quitting, the rebellion against hustle culture that went viral in 2022. But while quiet quitting is about setting boundaries and doing just enough to meet your job description, task masking takes things in another direction: it’s about looking productive, even when you’re not. And here’s the thing: it’s not just a Gen Z quirk or a TikTok fad. It’s a symptom of something deeper in our post-pandemic work culture, return-to-office mandates, and the pressure to always appear “on.” What…

A German man has won 15.3 million euros ($18 million) in the lottery after discovering a forgotten ticket in his coat pocket six months after he bought it. The father from the Frankfurt area had remained oblivious to his winnings all spring and summer despite a poster campaign to find him, the Lotto Hessen company said yesterday. But with the weather turning chilly in Germany, the man reached for a jacket he had not worn since March and that is when he found the ticket in his pocket. “It wasn’t until the weekend that I found the ticket again, folded up in the inside pocket of my jacket,” the unidentified man was quoted as saying in a statement by Lotto Hessen. “When I checked the numbers on my phone and…

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has urged coalition partners in the Government of National Unity (GNU) to act with political maturity and avoid threatening to walk away when disagreements arise, following the Patriotic Alliance’s (PA) ultimatum over political appointments in Johannesburg. Speaking to eNCA, Mbalula confirmed that the ANC had not yet met with the PA following its threat to leave the GNU if Kenny Kunene is not reinstated as MMC for Transport in the City of Johannesburg. He said the matter is being handled by ANC structures in Gauteng together with coalition partners. PA leader Gayton McKenzie announced he would resign as Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture today as part of the party’s decision to withdraw from all governing coalitions with the ANC at national, provincial, and local levels.…

The Non-life Insurance Division of the National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO) has warned motorists to ensure their cars are roadworthy, as this could impact their claims following an incident. The organisation emphasised the importance of proper care and maintenance of vehicles. It stated that generally, insurance companies provide cover on the condition that the insured party takes reasonable steps to prevent harm. The Non-life Insurance Division of the NFO cautioned that insurers may deny claims or limit payouts if they determine that poor vehicle maintenance contributed to an incident. It stated that the law requires all vehicles on public roads to be roadworthy, and insurers have the right to reject a claim if a vehicle's unroadworthiness contributes to an incident. “Every time a vehicle hits the road, it enters…

The state of forensic mortuaries in KwaZulu-Natal has come under scrutiny following the provincial legislature Portfolio Committee on Health’s latest oversight visits. Committee chairperson Dr Imran Keeka said that at this stage, there are approximately 900 bodies still in KZN facilities, some dating back to 2017. “We are aware, although there was no explicit report given to us, through our committee discussions on forensic pathology services earlier this year, that there are still some bodies from the riots and the floods that are still in the Phoenix Mortuary,” Keeka said. He said the reason behind this is that the South African Police Service (SAPS) processes have been incomplete. “I have personally written to the chairperson of the police committee, who has acknowledged my correspondence to have a discussion around this…

Rory McIlroy was not shy about expressing his dislike for Ryder Cup hecklers after a week that included taunts, insults and a beer thrown at his wife, Erica. The situation grew so ugly that extra police with dogs escorted McIlroy over the weekend as he helped Europe beat the United States 15-13 at Bethpage Black in the biennial team golf showdown. “I wish they had have let the dogs off the leashes,” McIlroy joked, on Sunday following Europe’s nail-biting victory. Raucous fans created an intense and unsafe atmosphere, with over-the-top insults aimed at players and their families, and five-time major winner McIlroy emerging as the top target. “The police out there and the amount of security presence was insane,” McIlroy said. “Nothing was going to happen. There wasn’t going to…

South Africa’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup have been thrown into uncertainty after Fifa handed Bafana Bafana a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player in their March qualifier against Lesotho. The world governing body confirmed that midfielder Teboho Mokoena should not have featured in the match played in March earlier this year against Dikwena. The breach of Article 19 of the Fifa disciplinary code and Article 14 of the preliminary competition regulations has now been punished with a forfeiture. As a result, the game – originally won by Bafana 2-0 – has been awarded as a 3-0 victory to Lesotho. In addition, Safa have been fined around R215 000, while Mokoena received a warning. Safa expressed deep disappointment with the ruling yesterday, in a…

The Bulls are expecting some of their injured stars to return only after they complete their opening overseas tour in the United Rugby Championship (URC). That will also be around the time their Springboks rejoin the squad for a busy December schedule. For now, without the Boks and key injured players such as No 8 Cameron Hanekom, loose forward Elrigh Louw, and flyhalf Johan Goosen, the team has still managed a positive start with an opening victory in the competition. Yes, their outing against the Ospreys at Loftus Versfeld was far from smooth – despite winning 53-40 – and things will only get tougher when defending champions Leinster visit Pretoria on Saturday. It’s a replay of last season’s final, and the Bulls will look to strike the first psychological blow…

KwaZulu-Natal clubs will once again carry the burden of a 14-year trophy drought as the Carling Knockout Cup gets underway this weekend, with all four representatives from the province involved. Not since Golden Arrows’ stunning MTN8 triumph in 2009, has a KZN side lifted major silverware, and the weight of that barren run continues to hover over the province’s football landscape. This year’s revamped Carling Knockout Cup presents another opportunity to end the cycle of near-misses and heartbreaks, but history suggests it will be anything but straightforward. AmaZulu, who last reached a cup final in 2022 under Romain Folz before falling short against Orlando Pirates in the MTN8, begin their campaign at home to Magesi. Arthur Zwane’s side have enjoyed a solid start to the season, particularly on their own…

South Africa’s agricultural sector is experiencing uneven recovery in 2025, with strong gains in field crops, fruits and vegetables offset by persistent challenges in the livestock industry, according to the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz). Agbiz chief economist Wandile Sihlobo yesterday said the latest data shows a robust recovery in crops and horticulture, supported by favourable rains, but warned that animal diseases continue to weigh heavily on livestock producers. “From the high-frequency data, we are starting to see mixed fortunes. There is a robust recovery in field crops, vegetables, and fruits, thanks to good rains, but the livestock industry continues to struggle with animal diseases,” Sihlobo said. However, he said the livestock industry continues to struggle with foot-and-mouth disease. “We have also continued to struggle with foot-and-mouth disease…

At the heart of good governance is balance. The governance triad of board, chair and CEO alignment has already been identified as a theme critical to organisational success. This means that the boardroom must be a place of stewardship where directors collectively safeguard the organisation’s purpose, resources and long-term value. Yet too often, it becomes an arena where egos clash, alliances form and personal ambitions overshadow fiduciary responsibilities. When this happens, governance suffers. The organisation’s energy is diverted from strategy and oversight to power struggles and personality contests. This challenge is not new, but it is growing more pronounced in an era where boards face unprecedented scrutiny and complexity. Directors are expected to manage global risks, guide digital transformation and uphold corporate citizenship, yet the effectiveness of these responsibilities is…

Lufthansa said yesterday it will cut 4 000 jobs, nearly 4 percent of the German airline giant’s workforce, after profits slumped in the face of mounting headwinds. Hit by walkouts, aircraft delivery delays and rising costs, Lufthansa’s earnings tumbled by a fifth in 2024 and profitability has fallen behind its leading European rivals. The news comes against a bleak backdrop for Europe’s biggest economy, which is struggling to recover from a long downturn that is weighing on many of Germany’s leading companies. The job cuts, to be carried out by 2030, will mostly be in Germany, targeting administrative roles rather than jobs such as pilots and cabin crew. Lufthansa – which operates Eurowings, Austrian, Swiss and Brussels Airlines and has acquired a stake in Italy’s ITA – said it was…

Cilo Cybin, the Cannabis Special Purpose Acquisition Vehicle (SPAC) that listed on the JSE’s AltX Board in June 2024, transitioned to the Main Board yesterday, where it seeks to pursue additional growth avenues, both organically and through acquisitions. The JSE said yesterday that the transition from AltX to the Main Board’s General Segment has followed the Financial Sector Conduct Authority’s approval of amendments to the Listings Requirements in September 2024, as part of the JSE’s Market Segmentation Project. These amendments introduced two Main Board segments: Prime and General, designed to align regulatory frameworks with issuers’ size and liquidity. Since the General Segment’s launch last year, over 30 companies have migrated to this segment. This, the JSE said, reflects an appeal by companies seeking to benefit from a regulatory environment that…

People don’t diet on vacation because food is central to experiencing local culture, and vacations are a time to relax and indulge, making it difficult to maintain strict dietary habits due to restaurant portions, rich ingredients, and travel-related factors like alcohol consumption and limited healthy options. The break from routine can also disrupt eating patterns, leading to unconscious snacking or overeating. To enjoy local culture without overindulging, consider shared dining experiences, such as ordering several dishes for the group to taste and share. Prioritising dishes abundant in vegetables can also help manage indulgence while savouring local flavours. That post-vacation “glow” often comes with an uninvited guest: inflammation. Think bloating, fatigue, cramps, or even a flare-up of old aches. You don’t have to give up indulgence to feel good. Experts say…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has established an official inquiry into the fitness of Advocate Andrew Chauke to hold office as Director of Public Prosecutions, following serious allegations about his conduct. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed yesterday that the inquiry was initiated in terms of section 12(6)(a) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Act of 1998. In July, Ramaphosa suspended Chauke, who is the South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions, with immediate effect, after allegations regarding his questionable conduct in office. Calls for his suspension began in August 2023, when National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi formally recommended that he be placed on precautionary suspension, citing concerns over his judgement and potential misconduct in several cases. “The inquiry will look into certain serious allegations regarding Adv Chauke’s fitness and propriety to…

Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, SAPS divisional commissioner of crime intelligence has named businessmen Katiso “KT” Molefe and Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala as two of the leaders of the notorious Big Five cartel, accused of infiltrating South Africa’s criminal justice system and the political sphere. He was testifying before the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry yesterday. The commission is tasked with uncovering the truth behind alleged corruption, political interference, and criminality in the criminal justice system. Khumalo, who heads the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), took the stand to shed light on alleged corruption within the police force, emphasising that serious threats to police operations originate internally, allowing external threats to infiltrate the SAPS. Khumalo, is facing criminal charges in a separate matter, after being arrested in June at OR Tambo International…

Every now and then, a performance comes along that transcends the ordinary and etches a player’s name into rugby history. For Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, that moment arrived at Kings Park this past weekend when he almost single-handedly dismantled Argentina with a record-breaking 37-point haul in the Boks’ 67-30 Rugby Championship win. The 23-year-old delivered a display of sheer brilliance. Composed, clinical and classy, he showed exactly why many view him as one of South Africa’s brightest rugby prospects. For 80 minutes he mixed artistry with precision, slotting seamlessly into the blueprint the Boks want to carry towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup. On this evidence, he has taken a major step towards making the No 10 jersey his own. His boot was ruthless. Early penalties settled nerves, followed by…

The Springboks called up Lood de Jager yesterday as cover for Franco Mostert ahead of the second and decisive Rugby Championship Test at Twickenham on Saturday against Argentina. South Africa find themselves first on the standings, and a victory in London will likely secure the title for a second season in a row. The world champions are top with 15 points, New Zealand one point behind, Australia in third on 11 points, and Argentina on nine at the foot of the log. Mostert remained in South Africa due to a family bereavement, and De Jager has made a full recovery after picking up a niggle during the 43-10 victory over the All Blacks in Wellington. After Saturday’s 67-30 demolition of the Pumas at Kings Park, the attention now shifts to…

Pakistan captain Salman Agha said India had “disrespected cricket” while Indian counterpart Suryakumar Yadav complained his side were denied the trophy after winning a fraught Asia Cup overshadowed by ill feeling on both sides. The two teams did not shake hands for the third Asia Cup match running as India won a thrilling final by five wickets in Dubai on Sunday. Suryakumar’s men then refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), who is also chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and Pakistan interior minister. The Indian players instead celebrated retaining their regional crown by mimicking holding a trophy. Suryakumar told reporters: “I think this is one thing which I have never seen since I started playing cricket – that the champion team…

AmaZulu defender Sandile Mthethwa believes Usuthu will head into their clash with Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium tomorrow better prepared after learning harsh lessons from their most recent setback. Usuthu suffered a disappointing defeat to TS Galaxy last time out, a result that left them sitting ninth on the Betway Premiership table. Their away form has been a particular concern, with two draws and three defeats in five matches across all competitions this season. For Mthethwa, however, the trip to Soweto represents more than another away assignment. It is a chance for the KwaZulu Natal side to prove their resilience against one of the giants of South African football. “The last game, as much as we lost, but it was a learning curve ahead of the game against Kaizer Chiefs,”…

Orlando Pirates are braced for another important midweek Betway Premiership match as they host TS Galaxy at Orlando Stadium this evening. Just two days after securing their place in the next round of the CAF Champions League with a resounding 4-0 victory over Lesotho’s Lioli, the Buccaneers turn their attention back to domestic affairs, eager to extend a remarkable run of form. With the season unfolding intriguingly, the clash promises to be an exhilarating contest as both teams look to claim three vital points. Currently, the league table reflects the closely matched nature of the two squads, with only one point separating them. TS Galaxy arrive in Soweto seated comfortably sixth on the league standings, having staged a stunning turnaround following a rocky start to the 2025/26 campaign, which saw…