Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-12-03 i Mercury

The National Treasury, following consultations with the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government, said on Tuesday it will make up to R2.2 billion available to enable the repayment of depositors of Ithala. The payout process will start on December 8, 2025. Depositors will first need to be verified to ensure payments go to the correct recipients. Once verified, payments will be processed within approximately two days. More than 250 000 Ithala Bank customers have been in limbo since 2023, when the South African Reserve Bank’s Prudential Authority (PA) took control and froze all the bank accounts. The PA declared the bank insolvent and applied for a provisional liquidation. First National Bank (FNB) has been appointed as the payout bank for Ithala depositors and will facilitate access to their funds. This arrangement is intended…

Damning audit by Auditor General reveals profound shortcomings across 59 municipalities More than 20% of South Africa's 257 municipalities spent around R2.32 billion on water tankering services in the 2023/24 financial year, with R420 million of that classified as irregular expenditure. A damning audit conducted by the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) has revealed profound shortcomings in the management of the country’s water resources across 59 municipalities. The AGSA's Water Sector Report outlines a grim picture for Water Service Authorities (WSAs), who reported an astounding R14.89bn in water losses for the 2023-2024 year, attributed largely to inadequate maintenance of infrastructure. Briefing Parliament on Tuesday, AGSA officials warned of a steady deterioration in wastewater treatment, driven by poor water management and weak demand management systems. They reported that 90% of…

South Africa has now concluded its tenure as Chair of the G20, an extraordinary opportunity for a country that often sits at the intersection of global economic ambition and the lived realities of a developing agricultural sector. As the chairship winds down, one thing is clear: South Africa did not simply occupy the position; it shaped it. At a time when global food systems are strained by climate pressures, geopolitical conflict, erratic markets, and the lingering aftershocks of economic instability, South Africa’s leadership managed to push agriculture higher up the G20 agenda than it has been in years. And it did so with a deliberate focus on the Global South, reframing long-standing questions around food security, climate-smart farming, and inclusive growth. As we reflect on what this means for the…

At the conclusion of the 30th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) , when I ultimately bid farewell to the City of Belem, I felt a sense of relief and hope. A sense underwritten by the promise of what we had achieved from the negotiations and the conference - an outcome which signalled a commitment to action in the face of escalating climate crisis. Just as the news broke that the Brazilian presidency had released a final package coined as “global mutirão” – a name meaning “collective efforts”, after an all night negotiations in city of Belem, I thought “maybe, the Amazon never sleeps”. The Brazilian Presidency’s’ compact was an earnest attempt to pull together nations on controversial issues that had…

The Competition Tribunal has approved a major manganese-sector merger that will see ManganExx, a newly created subsidiary of Exxaro Resources, acquire significant mining and marketing interests from Ntsimbintle Holdings and its partners. Earlier this year, Exxaro diversified its portfolio, sinking up to R14 billion into the acquisition of manganese assets in the Northern Cape. The approval is subject to information-exchange conditions designed to safeguard competition in the market. Under the transaction, ManganExx will acquire: • Ntsimbintle Mining from Ntsimbintle Holdings and OMH (Mauritius) Corp; • Ntsimbintle Marketing and Trading, the Singapore-based global marketing arm, from Ntsimbintle Holdings; and • A shareholding in Mokala Manganese from Ntsimbintle Holdings. Once implemented, the transaction will place all target firms under the control of ManganExx, strengthening Exxaro’s footprint in the manganese sector. Exxaro, listed…

Shaftesbury Capital has gone through another period of positive performance with its London West End portfolio seeing high occupancy, footfall and sales volumes, chief executive Ian Hawksworth said Tuesday. He said in a trading update for the period July 1 to October 31, 2025, that 367 transactions have been completed year-to-date, well ahead of ERV (estimated rental value) and previous passing rents. On the JSE in the afternoon, the share price was 0.49% lower at R32.22 - the price traded at R31.37 a year before. "As customers continue to prioritise the highest quality locations, enduring demand for our exceptional portfolio together with strong performance and a healthy leasing pipeline give us confidence in our medium-term targets," he said. The 367 leasing transactions representing £30.2 million of new contracted rent in…

While several countries have banned the use of social media for teenagers, it is unclear if South Africa will adopt the same stance. According to AFP, Singapore is set to impose a stricter ban on smartphones and smart watches at high schools as part of a global push to combat digital distractions, while Australia is the latest country to impose a social media ban for Under-16s. Unpacking its plans to ban teens from social media, the Australian government said from December 10, at least 350 000 Instagram accounts from children aged 13 - 15 will be impacted. AFP noted that Facebook’s parent company, Meta, has already started deactivating accounts of younger users. Other countries that have taken a similar stance are Malaysia, France, Denmark, Norway, Greece, the United Kingdom, Germany,…

ITHALA Bank customers have welcomed the announcement that they will soon access their money but are demanding interest on funds that had been locked away for nearly a year. KwaZulu-Natal premier Thami Ntuli announced on Monday that customers will gain access to their money this month after the provincial government reached an agreement with the National Treasury (NT), which provided the R2.2 billion guarantee that was needed in order to allow for the repayment process. Reacting to the news, customers said the decision will end months of hardship but have demanded to be paid interest that would have been generated on their funds that have been in the bank all these months. In announcing the disbursement of the funds, Ntuli said, “I am pleased to announce that we have reached…

University of Pretoria alumnus Ntando Dube, of KwaZulu-Natal, says she hopes her journey in academia and the working world is an example to young people from townships that success does not depend on where you come from. Dube was raised in Imbali township in Pietermaritzburg but her academic prowess was recognised at a young age, and she received several scholarships to prestigious schools in the province. The latest scholarship she has bagged is the KwaZulu-Natal Rhodes Scholarship for 2026, which will see her continue her studies at Oxford University, where she hopes to bring an African lens to global questions of equity and economics. For Dube, being selected as the KwaZulu-Natal Rhodes Scholar is deeply personal. “I grew up in a township, Imbali in Pietermaritzburg, but attended several prestigious schools,”…

The Department of Social Development (DSD) has warned South Africans to be on high alert after a fraudulent message claiming government has launched a new “National Family Support Allowance” began circulating widely on social media. In the fake post, scammers allege that President Cyril Ramaphosa instructed Social Development Minister Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe to open applications for a three-month allowance worth R1 682. The department has flatly rejected the message as false. The department says it categorically dismisses this information as fake news, stressing that “there is no such programme, no new cash allowance, and no registration process linked to any ‘National Family Support Allowance’.” According to the department, the message appears to be designed to mislead the public and harvest personal information through fraudulent links. “The message is a scam…

African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has clarified that the party’s upcoming National General Council (NGC) will focus on reviewing and renewing the implementation of resolutions from the ANC’s 2022 national conference, and not on removing President Cyril Ramaphosa. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a special National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Boksburg this week, Mbalula dismissed reports suggesting that some senior members were pushing for a leadership change. He emphasised that the ANC has “closed ranks” to protect its president and focus on renewal. “There is no leadership struggle in this at all. There’s no leadership struggle. We're closing ranks. These are stories that are plotted deliberately by forces from within and outside our movement, who are hell-bent on disintegrating the ANC,” Mbalula said. He…

Two Mozambican nationals have been arrested after police recovered two firearms stolen from officers who were shot dead in Ivory Park, Johannesburg, last week. National spokesperson for the South African Police Service, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said an intelligence-driven operation led to the recovery of an SAPS-issued 9mm pistol and an R5 rifle, both positively identified as the weapons taken from Sergeant Rapetsoa and Constable Montja before they were killed on Friday evening. Following the murders, SAPS mobilised specialised units, including Crime Intelligence, the Sedibeng Tactical Response Team and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation - also known as the Hawks - to track down the suspects and the missing firearms. The raid led officers to Tembisa and Mamelodi East, where the two weapons were found along with several rounds of…

Proteas Women head coach Mandla Mashimbiyi wants to find a balance between World Cup intensity and T20 impact for their upcoming 20-over series against Ireland. After a break from cricket following their return from the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, the team resumed training in Cape Town ahead of the first game at Newlands on Friday (2pm start). Losing the final of the World Cup just last month, may have left a bitter taste in the Proteas’ mouths, but it has also instilled a level of belief that was previously absent. Now, the Proteas look to carry that momentum forward in hopes of building a stronger squad ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Mashimbiyi said it felt good to be back at the office, adding that the team was…

It was a weekend to forget for the Sharks after a disappointing 44-17 defeat to Connacht, and the returning Springbok contingent will likely be without Eben Etzebeth for some time. Etzebeth was red-carded at the end of the tour finale against Wales, and the Sharks will feel the impact of his suspension for eye-gouging, with the Boks not playing again until June next year. But there is good news for the embattled Durbanites: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has sounded a battle cry as he turns his attention to his club. After leading the Boks to one of their most successful seasons in history, Kolisi says the Sharks deserve similar fortunes after their underwhelming results in recent years. Kolisi told online rugby news site Rugby365 that he will take a short…

There is a familiar, almost ritualistic intensity that envelopes a camp preparing for a cup final. For Orlando Pirates, that intensity was unmistakable as head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and captain Nkosinathi Sibisi addressed the media ahead of Saturday’s Carling Knockout final in Polokwane. And yet, beneath the controlled tension, there was a notable measure of confidence – perhaps even quiet conviction – that this could finally be the year the Buccaneers end their long-standing drought in the competition. Pirates, despite their rich history, have curiously failed to lay hands on this particular trophy for years. It is a fact Sibisi acknowledged with a mixture of honesty and resolve. Addressing a packed media room at the Rand Stadium, he did not shy away from the gravity of the occasion. “This is…

The Competition Commission has referred a complaint against eight cargo shipping companies to the Competition Tribunal for prosecution for alleged price fixing. The eight cargo shipping companies, respondents, are Maersk South Africa, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), CMA CGM Shipping Agencies South Africa, Pacific International Lines South Africa, Mitsui O.S.K Lines South Africa, Evergreen Agency South Africa, COSCO Shipping Lines South Africa, and K Line Shipping South Africa. The Commission said in a statement on Tuesday that the respondents are global container shipping liners involved in shipping cargo for import and export purposes across the globe, including South Africa. They are alleged to have engaged in the fixing of the rates called General Rate Increase (GRI) charged to customers for the shipment of general cargo enroute from South Africa to Asia…

In a resounding testament to the growing dominance of digital commerce, Peach Payments announced a staggering 93% uplift in sales processed during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend compared to 2024. The South African payments platform reported that over four days, it handled more than 2.69 million transactions totalling a remarkable R1.86 billion. Chief Executive Officer and cofounder Rahul Jain shared that the most significant individual transaction during this weekend was an impressive R1.09 million deal in the Travel & Accommodation sector. This highlights not only consumer confidence but also the increasing reliance on online transactions in various sectors. The Retail sector was a notable success story, boasting a remarkable 154% increase in its share of online sales compared to last year. This surge reflects a broader consumer trend…

If you have driven through the Eastern, Western or Northern Cape recently, you may have seen convoys of trucks transporting massive wind turbine blades. They are difficult to miss; long, narrow and striking against the red Karoo dust. For many, these vehicles are just another road delay. For us, they are a signal that the centre of gravity in South Africa’s energy system is shifting. Wind energy is scaling up. Quietly, consistently and with far less fanfare than solar, it is becoming the most important contributor to our future electricity mix. Based on the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan, South Africa’s installed wind capacity is anticipated to grow from around 4 gigawatts today to 34 gigawatts by 2039. That is almost nine times increase over the next 14 years, which compared…

Araxi Limited (previously Capital Appreciation) attracted new clients, secured long term contracts, diversified revenue sources and increased market share in the six months to September 30.The JSE-listed company delivered a resilient performance amid ongoing low business confidence and sluggish economic growth.CEO Bradley Sacks said a "very healthy underlying performance" was masked by prior-period restatements, that increased prior-year headline earnings per share (HEPS) by 29%. Current year profitability, with HEPS at 7.82 cents, nevertheless kept pace, and exceeded this growth, he said in an interview. The interim dividend was held steady at 4.5 cents a share. This strong performance was evidenced by normalised EPS, which removes the largest once-off restatement, as well as one-time restructuring costs in Software, and indicates underlying EPS and HEPS increased by 59% and 58%, respectively. Asked…

In South Africa, agriculture represents more than an industry; it serves as a vital foundation for society. From the fertile valleys of the Western Cape to small family farms in rural areas, food production is a unifying element across communities. We shop for what looks fresh, affordable and safe. What we don’t often think about is the unseen world behind the harvest, the chemicals protecting our crops, and how they may be quietly shaping the health of the children growing up in farming regions. A new study led by scientists from the Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research at the University of Cape Town and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute at the University of Basel is now forcing that conversation into the light. The findings suggest that…

THE eThekwini Municipality announced its festive season plan yesterday, assuring that all pump stations along the Umhlanga Promenade are operational and experiencing no overflows. This update was part of the eThekwini Water and Sanitation network operational plan, which was presented during an Executive Committee meeting. According to Sibusiso Vilane, the acting director of the Water and Sanitation Unit, the plan includes provisions for addressing diesel refilling, as well as the removal of silt and screening at the pump stations. He stated that an action plan for pump stations affecting beaches has been sent to area managers for immediate implementation. Vilane said the pump station rising main in Armstrong Avenue, La Lucia, is currently under construction, and the temporary line is operational. He said all pump stations are checked daily to…

ABAHLALI baseMjondolo and other stakeholders are pioneering initiatives that will allow communities to cope with the impact of climate change. Thapelo Mohapi from Abahlali baseMjondolo highlighted the critical impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, particularly in Durban. He was speaking at the recent symposium of the 58th Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum. Mohapi said that recently they have had an engaging partnership with the eThekwini Municipality. He said their engagement with the City focuses on disaster preparedness, particularly for the expected disasters in Durban next year (February, March and April). They are addressing how to prepare, what to do during a disaster, and the post-disaster aftermath, including allocating people to temporary relocation areas. Mohapi said following the 2022 floods, which killed over 300 and displaced 42 000,…

As police have launched a manhunt for the suspects who killed a 77-year-old farmer and injured his wife during a violent attack in Baltimore, Limpopo, the family have appealed for privacy. According to a local neighbourhood watch, the family have asked that no statements be made to the media at this time. The Freedom Front Plus, which expressed shock and outrage at the incident, said farmer At Mahne and his wife Petro were tied up and assaulted by the suspects on Saturday, November 29. In a statement, André Moss, MPL and provincial leader for Limpopo, said the party “expresses its profound horror at last night’s brutal farm attack on the Mahne family.” “Uncle At Mahne tragically lost his life, and his wife, auntie Petro, was rushed to hospital,” adding that…

South Africa’s first fully operational intermodal freight village in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal, is set to expand into a multi-billion-rand operation aimed at reducing logistics costs and boosting the competitiveness of local manufacturers. This is according to EIT Group CEO Wessel Jacobs. The facility, modelled on similar operations in Eastern Europe, combines road, rail, and value-added logistics services. It currently handles containerised cargo, with plans to include bulk commodities in the future. Jacobs states that the expansion “will set an important precedent for reducing logistics costs and enhancing the competitiveness of local manufacturers.” EIT Group CFO Manka Sebastian says the expansion is expected to create jobs in Estcourt, supporting the government’s economic recovery plan while cutting transport costs to the Durban port by as much as 50%. “When you look at Europe,…

Arne Slot admitted yesterday that “superhuman” Mohamed Salah was unhappy about being omitted from Liverpool’s team for their vital 2-0 win against West Ham, but praised his attitude. The Egypt forward was an unused substitute at the London Stadium on Sunday as Liverpool boss Slot made changes following a terrible run of nine defeats in 12 games in all competitions. Misfiring Salah, 33, has scored just four Premier League goals this season – in stark contrast to his haul of 29 last season, a tally that won him the Golden Boot. Slot revealed that during his reign as manager at Anfield, Salah had been a “superhuman being” but that he had not been at his best in recent weeks. “As with all players around the world, there are phases in…

Two years out from the next World Cup, the bookies have the Springboks as hot favourites to defend their title once more, but that will not mean coach Rassie Erasmus will be holding thumbs when the pool draw is made in Sydney today (start 11am). The Springboks have shown the rugby world this year that they fear nobody, while in 2019 and 2023 they equally showed that, however tough their pool might be, they have the courage and gameplan to overcome in the end. In 2019, they lost to New Zealand in a pool game and defied the odds to become the first country to lose a pool game and go on to win the Webb Ellis Cup. They did the same in 2023 when Ireland beat them in a…

The Lions are on an uncustomary roll after back-to-back victories in the United Rugby Championship, and forward coach Julian Redelinghuys feels they have the momentum to win Saturday’s Challenge Cup clash with Benetton at Ellis Park. But the former Lions and Bok prop says his team cannot afford to drop this home game and must cash in on significant URC defeats of Ulster and the Bulls. With just four pool matches determining playoff qualification for the Challenge Cup, Redelinghuys says there is no room for error. “You need to end high up in your pool to have a home round of 16 and quarter-final,” he said. “Benetton here, Newcastle away, Lyon here, Perpignan away – those games decide everything. We want Ellis Park hosting those knockouts.” The Lions are not…

The year 2025 was one of contrasts for South African athletics. While several individuals delivered standout performances, Team SA once again struggled on the world stage. A contingent of 49 athletes tried to end an eight-year medal drought at the World Championships in Tokyo but returned with just one medal – the 4x400m relay bronze – underscoring the ongoing challenges of aligning the domestic season with the global calendar. For athletes like Bayanda Walaza, the year ended in heartbreak as injury robbed the young sprint sensation of a realistic medal chance. Simbine: Early-season spark The year began brightly with encouraging signs from South Africa’s sprint king, Akani Simbine, who won bronze in the men’s 60m final at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing on March 21. His fine early-season…

South Africa’s economy could still grow less than 1% this year despite optimism for a slight upsurge after gross domestic product (GDP) posted its fourth straight gain in the three months to September. Data released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) shows that real GDP grew by 0.5% in the third quarter, slower than the revised 0.9% growth in the second quarter. Stats SA’s chief director for national accounts, Dr Bokang Vumbukani-Lepolesa, said the expansion was quite broad-based, with nine over 10 industries growing during this period. “The trade, mining and finance industries as well as government services were the most significant positive contributors to overall growth. Trade increased by 1% with positive gains in wholesale, retail, motor trade, accommodation and food and beverages,” she said. “Mining output increased by…

A new feasibility study has found that the South Africa–Europe iron ore shipping corridor could begin operating ammonia-fueled bulk carriers as early as 2029, positioning Saldanha Bay as a future global hub for green maritime fuels. The analysis, released by the Global Maritime Forum (GMF) and conducted with a consortium of partners including Anglo American, CMB.TECH, Freeport Saldanha, VUKA Marine and ENGIE, concludes that the route linking Saldanha Bay to the Port of Rotterdam could reach full decarbonisation by 2035. If realised, it would be one of the world’s first major green shipping corridors connecting the Global South to the Global North. Saldanha Bay, home to South Africa’s primary iron-ore export terminal, already has plans under way to develop green ammonia production and expand port infrastructure to handle bunkering operations.…

South Africa’s chrome mining sector has pushed back against government plans to impose a tax on chrome ore exports, arguing that the decline of the domestic ferrochrome industry is the result of crippling electricity tariffs rather than ore availability or pricing. The Glencore-Merafe JV ferrochrome smelter has started retrenchments while Samancor Chrome could also close down. The Minerals Council South Africa says high power prices, combined with logistical inefficiencies at ports and rail, have left smelters uncompetitive, even though transport conditions have marginally improved in recent months. Chrome miners face a government tax on chrome ore exports. In October, Cabinet made decisions aimed at reviving South Africa’s chrome industry and invited comments for on a proposal to “place chrome ore under export control by the International Trade Administration Commission” of…

The South African electricity sector has been exceptionally active during the final quarter of 2025. On 27 November, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) approved the Market Operator Licence submitted by the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA). This approval is a key step toward the establishment of a competitive electricity market and marks a shift from planning to implementation. Nersa has also approved the creation of the Electricity Market Advisory Forum (EMAF), a body tasked with guiding the rollout of the competitive market framework. EMAF will advise the regulator on the finalisation and implementation of the Market Rules and the Market Code. Its formation signals the beginning of structured oversight for market design, something long overdue. Earlier in the month Nersa approved the Grid Capacity Allocation…

US President Donald Trump is likely to shift the focus of the G20 from development and global equity themes to a US-centric platform centred on trade, energy, security and strategic competition with China. These are the views of political analysts after the US assumed its G20 Presidency by cleaning the website of the previous host, South Africa, which it has pointedly excluded from next year’s summit. The analysts said this would mark a sharp departure from the priorities set in Johannesburg. The US will host the G20 Summit in Miami, Florida, next year. In a statement issued on Monday, the US said under Trump’s leadership, the country will return the G20 to focusing on its core mission of driving economic growth and prosperity to produce results. “As we usher…

Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, has testified that if National SAPS Commissioner General Fannie Masemola had approved the new organisational structure based on the 2019 work study, the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) would have been dissolved back in March 2024. Mchunu, who is on a special leave, was testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry yesterday. His decision to write a letter dated December 31, 2024, ordering the disbandment of the PKTT, has come under criticism from KwaZulu-Natal SAPS Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who testified at the commission on September 17. The letter in question stated that the task team was not adding value to the police’s work. According to Mkhwanazi, Mchunu’s conclusion that the team does not add any value to policing in South Africa “was misplaced”. Masemola…

The Department of Basic Education has revealed a qualifications crisis among the thousands of Grade R practitioners currently employed in public schools across all nine provinces in the country. It said of the 7 294 teachers, only 2 121 of them are eligible for qualification upgrades. These practitioners do not possess the minimum National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 6 qualification required to teach at this level. The figures were presented to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education on Tuesday during a briefing on the status of regulations to the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act as they relate to Grade R admissions. In August, the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, gazetted the first two sets of regulations under the BELA Act, 2024, for public comment. Chief Director for the…

A group of men have been taken in for questioning after police learned that there was an alleged plot to assassinate key role players in the Senzo Meyiwa trial. National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said a case of conspiracy to commit murder has been registered and is under investigation in relation to the trial. According to Mathe, the South African Police Service (SAPS) received concrete intelligence indicating that these individuals were allegedly scouting for opportunities to eliminate key figures in the trial. “The SAPS has taken in a group of individuals who attended proceedings this morning for further questioning and profiling," said Mathe. Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng, who is pivotal to the ongoing trial concerning the tragic murder of the former Orlando Pirates soccer player, may have been the primary target…

The Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast has announced a debt relief programme for ratepayers whose accounts are in arrears. In a statement the municipality said the council approved the programme during a special council meeting on November 28. The municipality includes the towns of Hibberdene, Margate, Port Edward, Port Shepstone, Southbroom, The municipality said it “acknowledges that many households and businesses are experiencing financial strain and struggling to settle their municipal accounts. This programme seeks to ease that burden while strengthening the municipality’s financial sustainability”. The three-month programme took effect on December 1 and applies to residents and business accounts. “The municipality reminds customers that failure to utilise this programme may result in consequences such as credit bureau listing, difficulties in obtaining municipal services, electricity disconnection,…

The Stormers will step into unfamiliar territory on Friday when they open their EPCR Champions Cup campaign against Bayonne in France, and lock JD Schickerling says the squad is embracing both the challenge and the quick turnaround required to meet it. After a bruising arm-wrestle against Munster in Limerick last Saturday – when the Stormers beat the home side to keep their unbeaten record in the United Rugby Championship – the squad has had only a handful of days to reset before facing their French opponents. But Schickerling insists the team is unfazed by the schedule and fully focused on transferring their URC momentum into Europe’s elite competition. The Munster clash was, in many ways, the ideal preparation for what lies ahead at the Stade Jean-Dauger. Physicality, intensity…

England head into tomorrow’s day-night second Ashes Test against pink-ball masters Australia needing a rare victory at Brisbane’s Gabba to get back into the five-match series. Travis Head’s whirlwind century as a makeshift opener carried Australia to an eight-wicket victory inside two days in Perth, giving them a 1-0 lead. The hosts are again without captain Pat Cummins and fellow quick Josh Hazlewood, leaving swing king Mitchell Starc – expected to be a force in humid Brisbane under lights – to carry the attack. England, who capitulated in four frantic hours in Perth from a winning position, cannot afford to slip 2-0 down with three matches to play, if they are to have realistic hopes of regaining the urn. They will be without their own pace spearhead, Mark Wood, who…