Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-12-10 i Mercury

South Africa has taken a major step toward boosting long-term infrastructure investment after the National Treasury successfully raised R11.795 billion in the country’s first sovereign Infrastructure and Development Finance Bond. The landmark issuance, announced on Tuesday, attracted strong market appetite, with bids exceeding R26bn, more than double the amount on offer, resulting in a 2.2-times subscription rate. Treasury said the strong demand demonstrates investor confidence in the State’s redesigned infrastructure financing strategy. The bond forms part of a series of reforms unveiled in the 2024 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement, aimed at expanding investment in critical infrastructure to support economic growth and improve service delivery. The proceeds of the bond will be channelled exclusively into projects under government’s Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI). The BFI is a specialised mechanism within…

South Africa may be heading into 2026 with renewed momentum after the North-West University (NWU) Business School’s Policy Uncertainty Index (PUI) showed a significant improvement in the final quarter of 2025. The index, released on Tuesday, eased to 64.9 from its record high of 81.0 in the third quarter, indicating a notable reduction in policy-related risks even though uncertainty remains above the neutral baseline of 50. Professor Raymond Parsons, economist at the NWU Business School, said the latest results suggest that “positive factors over the past three months have outweighed the negative ones,” allowing the economy to enter 2026 “on a note of cautious optimism.” Parsons emphasised that the global environment remains complex but generally supportive of growth. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects worldwide economic expansion of 3.2% in…

Leadership renewal has become one of the defining governance issues of this decade. In a climate defined by geopolitical volatility, digital disruption, and heightened stakeholder scrutiny, there is growing recognition that leaders who got companies to this point may not be the leaders who will take them forward into an uncertain future. The pace and unpredictability of today’s operating environment demand leadership teams that can adapt and refresh when required – boards can no longer rely solely on legacy leadership capability to steer through volatility. In response, boards are re-assessing long-standing leadership structures and asking tougher questions about whether their organisations are properly equipped for the complexities of the next ten years. Part of that reflection includes acknowledging how easily leadership blind spots can form when capability does not evolve…

The great migration has begun. South Africans and many of our country’s migrant workers will begin the great trek, as holiday makers head to the coast, the berg, the bush, and the rural hinterlands of places they call home. It is also the last-minute rush to move goods and cargo on time for the festive shopping and to stock up warehouses for the demand of a new year, when all economic and social beings and systems yawn out of the end of year festivities back to making South Africa work. With the attention it so deserves, the narrative around transportation and mobility at this time of the year, becomes about road safety due to the hundreds of lives lost due to road fatalities. The other focus becomes our congested land…

Ezeebit, the FSCA-regulated stablecoin and cryptocurrency payment infrastructure company, has announced the close of a $2.05 million (R35m) seed funding round. The capital will be used to accelerate product development and merchant adoption in South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria and expand strategic partnerships with banks, PSPs, and telcos. Ezeebit enables merchants to accept cryptocurrency payments with instant stablecoin settlement and next-business-day local fiat payouts. Operating since 2023, it was founded by three brothers - Daniel, Jonathan, and David Katz - who saw firsthand how traditional payment systems were failing African merchants, Ezeebit was built from the ground up to solve real merchant problems with compliance-first infrastructure. The company serves brick-and- mortar and online merchants across South Africa with expansion planned into the rest of Africa. Since launching in 2023, the…

The Labour Court in Cape Town has delivered a significant judgment strengthening protections for workers who participate in protected strike action. On Monday, Judge André Lagrange ruled that HEINEKEN Beverages acted unlawfully when it withheld short-term incentive (STI) bonuses from 39 Solidarity members because they took part in a two-day protected strike in February 2023. In a detailed 60-page judgment, the court found that HEINEKEN breached sections 5(1) and 5(2)(c)(vi) of the Labour Relations Act (LRA), which prohibit employers from discriminating against or prejudicing employees for exercising rights conferred by the Act, including the constitutional right to strike. Judge R Lagrange's ruling orders the multinational beverage company to disclose how the 2023 STI bonuses were calculated and to pay the affected employees the bonuses they were denied. The case centred…

Rachel Kolisi is seizing the moment. After her highly publicised split from Springboks captain Siya Kolisi, Rachel has focused on self-development and mindfulness and her new initiative “Falling Forward”, which is set to launch in 2026, is a testament to this. Rachel announced the project on Instagram, as part of her newly developed website, rachelkolisi.com, designed by Creatory. On the website’s home page, she shares: “This site is a window into my world: the projects I’m building, the stories I’m telling, the communities I am building and the causes I’m passionate about.” She adds: “It’s also a space where you can connect with me more personally, beyond headlines or social media snippets, and get a real sense of who I am and what drives me.” To the people who visit…

UMKHONTO weSizwe Party (MKP) Convener in KwaZulu-Natal, Willies Mchunu, has issued a stern warning against ill-discipline by disgruntled party members looking to oust him, saying protesting against a leader is tantamount to protesting against the organisation. Mchunu confirmed that he was aware that some members had come to the MKP office to complain about him. “I do not know the source of their complaints, as they did not engage with me regarding their issues.” Sources within the party said Mchunu has been a target since he took over the position. This campaign is said to have intensified after he introduced strict governance controls that eliminated any abuse of party resources. “I would not want to speak of the speculation out there as to what is going on, but I am…

Endangered penguins living off South Africa’s coast have likely starved en masse due to food shortages, according to a study, with some populations dropping by 95 percent in just eight years. Fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs of the small, black and white African Penguin are left globally, accord- ing to scientists, and the species was listed as critically endangered last year by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Two of the most important breeding colonies near Cape Town had collapsed between 2004 and 2011, with some 62 0 00 birds estimated to have died, the study by the UK’s University of Exeter and the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said. In those eight years, sardine populations in South African waters – a main food…

Alarming new data from eThekwini Municipality on child and teen pregnancy has revealed 7627 deliveries among girls aged 10 to 19 in the 2024/2025 financial year, while more than 3 000 teenagers sought pregnancy termination services over the past five years. Officials say the figures reflect a deepening crisis that is undermining the health, education, and future prospects of thousands of young people. In response to these escalating concerns, eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba launched the Child and Teenage Pregnancy Strategy at Nkosibomvu Secondary School in oThongathi, where he delivered an impassioned call for collective action. The problem has also drawn the attention of the provincial government. Last month, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli launched the Multi- sectoral Strategy to Curb Child and Teenage Pregnancies (2025–2029). In his address, delivered by the…

Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Velenkosini Hlabisa, has called for urgent reforms to strengthen the protection of whistle-blowers in South Africa, following the murder of Marius van der Merwe, who was killed for exposing corruption. Speaking at the launch of the Babita Deokaran Annual Lecture yesterday, Hlabisa highlighted the critical need to protect truth-tellers and those who expose corruption, stating that the country must act swiftly to prevent further tragedies. Deokaran, a former Acting Chief Director for Financial Accounting at the Gauteng Department of Health, was assassinated outside her home on August 23, 2021. She had been an instru- mental figure in exposing financial irregularities, including nearly R850 million in suspicious transactions at Tembisa Hospital, which she attempted to block just days before her death. Deokaran had…

Bafana Bafana have found it difficult to clear the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) barrier since their 1996 success, but former striker Shaun Bartlett believes the upcoming tournament may offer South Africa an ideal chance to claim a second continental title. Under Hugo Broos, the team has grown into one of the more promising national sides in recent memory. The upcoming tournament not only offers them a chance to build on that progress but also to lay a strong foundation for their upcoming World Cup campaign. Since their 1996 victory, South Africa have struggled to meet expectations. Their best subsequent result was a runners-up finish in 1998, while their third-place finish in the 2000 and 2023 edition was their most notable performance since that 1998 loss to Egypt (2-0) in…

With the T20 World Cup a mere seven games away, the Proteas yesterday produced an uncertain performance in the opening T20I against India that will have coach Shukri Conrad concerned about where his team is actually going. They went down by a mammoth 101 runs, bowled out for just 74 in 12.4 overs, in response to the hosts’ 175/6, which in short format terms is a proper snotklap. It was also the Proteas’ lowest ever total in T20Is. What perhaps mattered more than the defeat was the evidence that tourists are still casting around for a workable method for the tournament here in India and Sri Lanka in just a couple of months’ time. From the moment Quinton de Kock edged Arshdeep Singh’s second delivery to second slip, the Proteas…

Real Madrid desperately need superstar Kylian Mbappé at his magical best today in a pivotal Uefa Champions League clash against Manchester City and their unstoppable striker Erling Haaland. After just two victories in seven matches, fractures have emerged in Xabi Alonso's Madrid project, with some Spanish media reporting that a defeat against City could lead to a premature dismissal. So often this season Madrid have underwhelmed but been rescued by Mbappé's lethal brilliance, scoring 25 goals in 21 games to lead the scoring charts both in Spain and in the Champions League. Pep Guardiola's City are spearheaded by Norwegian international Haaland, who has 20 goals in 20 games across all competitions and, along with Bayern Munich's Harry Kane, is Mbappé's only rival as the standout star of the current season.…

International airlines expect to transport a record 5.2 billion passengers in 2026 despite global headwinds affecting the sector, the industry's trade association said on Tuesday. Carriers are also now expecting higher profits than previously forecast for 2025, and predict earnings to come in at a comparable level next year, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) added. IATA, which groups around 360 carriers representing 80 percent of global air traffic, said 2025 profits are projected to reach $39.5 billion, up from the $36 billion they predicted at the body's annual general meeting in June. IATA's Director General Willie Walsh attributed the improved outlook to air freight's better performance, achieved despite trade disputes triggered by the United States. Profits in 2026 are projected at $41 billion, with persistent aircraft availability problems putting…

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has welcomed the agreement between Eskom and major ferrochrome producers Samancor Chrome and the Glencore–Merafe Chrome Venture to halt planned retrenchments that threatened more than 7 000 jobs from December. The federation, however, says the temporary reprieve must pave the way for a permanent, affordable electricity solution to safeguard the future of South Africa’s ferrochrome sector. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by Eskom, the producers and government establishes a joint multi-stakeholder task team to develop a long-term intervention to support industrial competitiveness without shifting additional costs onto other electricity users. The parties aim to present a proposed solution within three months. Cosatu parliamentary coordinator, Matthew Parks, said on Tuesday that the federation “warmly welcomes this job-saving agreement,” but emphasised that the…

South Africa’s agricultural machinery market is ending 2025 on a strong footing, with tractor and combine harvester sales continuing to rise despite challenging weather and softer commodity prices. The South African Agricultural Machinery Association (SAAMA) reported that 544 tractors were sold in November, up 4% from the 523 units sold in the same month last year. SAAMA chairperson Willie Human said year-to-date tractor sales are now 19% higher than in 2024, underscoring farmers’ resilience and investment appetite. “Three combine harvesters were sold in November, 10 less than the 13 units sold in November last year. On a year-to-date basis, however, combine harvester sales are now approximately 3% up on last year. Overall market conditions proved to be quite challenging in November,” he said. Human noted that widespread rains disrupted…

Distributed or onsite renewable energy generation - commercial and industrial systems installed at factories, mines and other large energy users - is the quiet workhorse of South Africa’s energy transition. It powers businesses, takes pressure off the grid, cuts costs, reduces reliance on diesel and coal, and strengthens our economy. These projects usually comprise solar PV, are sized from a few kilowatts to tens of megawatts, often paired with batteries, and are among the fastest, most deliverable parts of the energy transition. The problem is their rollout is slowed by a grid-access process that treats a 10 megawatt (MW) onsite project the same as a 100 MW utility plant. The result is delays, uncertainty and rising project costs that hold back private investment when we need it most. Demand isn’t…

Merafe Resources said Tuesday the consultation period for a government-aided intervention to prevent its joint venture ferrochrome smelters from closing will be extended to February 28, 2026. Last week, Merafe Resources said retrenchment notices would be issued for more than 2 000 workers at the Boshoek and Wonderkop smelters after an earlier government proposal on electricity tariffs to save the Glencore Merafe Chrome Venture's (JV) ferrochrome smelters from closing, would only benefit one of its three smelters. The JV has been negotiating for years for lower electricity tariffs. Merafe's smelters account for about a third of South Africa's ferrochrome exports. Merafe said a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed with Eskom following recent engagements. Estimates are that some 300 000 to 350 000 jobs have been lost due…

A tug-of-war over R500 million unpaid rates bill between the DA-led KwaZulu-Natal Public Works and Infrastructure Department and the ANC-led eThekwini Municipality appears to be headed for court. In a surprise move last week, the municipality disconnected water and electricity supply in the provincial government offices in demand for the full settlement of rates bills from Public Works. The action paralysed key services, particularly in Transport’s licensing centres. This prompted a sharp response coupled by criticism from Public Works MEC Martin Meyer, who complained that the city’s demand of full settlement was unreasonable since his department had offered to pay the debt in terms. The matter degenerated into political mudslinging yesterday with eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba accusing the DA of being hypocrites in that it is attacking the city for…

The ANC Veterans League is proposing new strategies to elect the party’s leadership in an effort to ensure that suitable leaders are chosen. However, members are sceptical of proposals being mooted to have the party’s rank and file elect the senior leadership rather than party delegates. One member said such a proposal has not been discussed in his branch, and another said the move would not be a panacea for the party’s leadership squabbles. ANC leaders are calling for radical changes in the organisation to improve ethical leadership, governance, and accountability. Among the changes being proposed is modernising how the party leaders are elected. This change could mean that instead of party delegates voting for a leader, all general members would get to vote. ANC leaders in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)…

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has confirmed that one of the suspects being sought for the shooting in Saulsville in Gauteng is a parolee who was released three months ago. The man, who was previously imprisoned for attempted murder, extor- tion, and other serious offences, is known to police and is related to some of the victims. Masemola also revealed that police have charged the owner of the illegal shebeen operating from the very hostel room where the mass shooting took place. The attack unfolded when gunmen stormed the room and opened fire on patrons, killing 12 people and injuring 13 others on Saturday. Three of the victims were children aged three, 12, and 16. ActionSA MP Dereleen James said that although the full circumstances of the suspect’s parole…

Limpopo provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has condemned the fatal shoot- ing of a young police constable by her partner, a police sergeant, in an apparent domestic violence incident that unfolded at Ritavi police station in the early hours of Monday. According to the SAPS, the 40-year-old sergeant, who was attached to the Mopani district office, went to the rental home of the 31-year-old constable based at Ritavi police station in Nkowankowa shortly before midnight on Sunday. An argument reportedly broke out, prompting the constable to call colleagues at Ritavi SAPS for assistance. Responding officers escorted her to the police station for safety. After initially driving away from the scene, the sergeant allegedly changed direction from Giyani and headed to Ritavi police station. On arrival, he found the…

Proteas Women’s all-rounder Chloe Tryon told Independent Newspapers that they want to be ruthless when they are in a dominant position in the third and final T20I of the series against Ireland Women in Benoni today. South Africa were clinical in the opening match of the series at Newlands in Cape Town, beating Ireland by 105 runs on the back of captain Laura Wolvaardt's second century in the format. However, despite winning the second match by 65 runs at Boland Park, the hosts showed a bit of complacency with the ball, allowing Ireland Women to find a way back into the game. Going into the third and final match of the series in Benoni, the Proteas Women have an unassailable 2-0 series victory, and Tryon said that the side wants…

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said Nick Woltemade’s British sense of humour helped him adapt to life in England, ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash in the striker’s native Germany against Bayer Leverkusen. Howe yesterday called the 1.98-metre-tall striker “a funny guy – and I meant that in the nicest sense”. “I think he has British humour,” Howe added. “He came in with a very good way of approaching a transfer. He came in, felt at home, made people laugh. “He has gone in wholeheartedly to the Newcastle way of life and what the team and the city requires when you play for this football club. “He’s done brilliantly.” Newcastle have won three of five matches in the Champions League this season and sit one point, but six places, ahead of…

While this was not a World Cup-winning year for the Springboks — and if there had been a World Cup, they would surely have won it — the year 2026 is right up there in their “best ever” category. If we include the warm-up match against the Barbarians, the Boks played 15 matches, losing just two for an 86% record. That is the best Springbok return in the modern era, but not the best in history. In the first half of the 20th century, up to the famous 4-0 whitewash of the All Blacks in 1949, the Boks almost routinely finished the year unbeaten for a 100% record, but the issue is that they averaged just five Tests per year. Maybe the best way to evaluate how good a year…

The Stormers look set to bring back Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse and Cobus Reinach for Saturday’s Champions Cup showdown with La Rochelle in Gqeberha — but their return comes with a challenge. The Bok trio may add star power, yet they’ll need to raise the standard of a team that has been flying without them. The Cape side is still unbeaten this season, riding high after six excellent United Rugby Championship wins and a statement victory in France against Bayonne. That performance in the opening match of the Champions Cup made it clear that the Stormers aren’t just participating in Europe — they’re competing with intent. But the next test is a big one. La Rochelle, a team the Stormers have developed a fierce Champions Cup rivalry with, arrive at…

Recommendation appears in the 72-page Base Document tabled at the party’s National General Council The African National Congress (ANC) has revived its long-standing proposal to expand the South African Reserve Bank’s (Sarb) mandate beyond inflation targeting, arguing that the central bank must play a more central role in tackling unemployment, poverty and inequality. The recommendation appears in the 72-page Base Document tabled for discussion at the party's 5th National General Council (NGC). The document outlines a sweeping overhaul of the country’s developmental strategy, though critics argue it offers more rhetoric than concrete policy direction. In the section titled "Defining and Implementing an Effective Developmental Path for Growth and Social Equity", the ANC calls for a fundamental rebalancing of South Africa’s macroeconomic policy framework. The party argues that the Sarb’s…

The G20 Leaders’ Summit is over, now the hard work to implement and apply its many declarations must start. One particular declaration that must be taken to heart if we want to address a core challenge at the heart of our stalled economy, is the absolute necessity of reducing the rate of young people not in employment, education, or training (NEET) by a further 5% by 2030. This calls for a whole new way of thinking about teaching, learning, and employment, and South Africa’s government, its business leaders and institutions of higher learning will have to work together to change the narrative. For example, instead of complaining about skills shortages, we can collaborate to actively define and invest in the skills our economy needs; and rather than seeing training as…

South African consumer confidence improved notably in the fourth quarter of 2025, offering a welcome boost to retailers ahead of the festive season. The latest FNB/Bureau for Economic Research (BER) Consumer Confidence Index (CCI), released on Tuesday, shows the index rising from -13 in the third quarter to -9, marking the strongest reading of the year. Although still below the long-term average of -1 and slightly lower than the 2024 festive-season level of -6, the CCI report says the latest uptick is meaningful. It follows robust retail activity earlier in the year, with sales volumes growing by an average 3.9% year-on-year during the first three quarters of 2025. The BER noted that the improvement suggests consumers’ willingness to spend has extended into the holiday period. The biggest driver of the…

South Africa’s electricity transition has entered a decisive phase. The past three years have delivered steady improvements in plant performance, private sector investment in new generation and a visible strengthening of the institutions that govern the sector. The approval of the Market Operator licence and the formation of the Electricity Market Advisory Forum are important milestones that move the country closer to a competitive electricity market. The most significant development of the last quarter, however, is the publication of the Grid Capacity Allocation Rules by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa). The rules come at a time when grid access has become the binding constraint on the pace of new investment. South Africa has reached a point where the generation pipeline is healthy, capital is available, and technological…

Thungela Resources' management are confident of producing about 13.7 million tons of export saleable production for the year to December 31, 2023, which is above the guidance range of 12.8Mt to 13.6Mt. The coal mining group's chief financial officer Deon Smith said in a pre-close update that the production is in spite of the transition in its South Africa production profile, with the closure of Goedehoop and the successful ramp-up of Annea Colliery, as well as the hand-over of the Zibulo North Shaft project. Production momentum also benefitted from "consistent rail performance" and improvements by Transnet Freight Rail (TFR), with an annualised 56.6Mt run-rate for the industry for the period ended November 30, 2023, which is a 9% improvement on the 51.9Mt delivered in 2022. In Australia, export saleable production…

South Africans have rallied together to comfort the Van der Merwe family of slain Madlanga Commission witness Marius “Vlam” Van der Merwe, who was known as Witness D. The 41-year-old former Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officer was shot dead in full view of his family in Brakpan on Friday, shortly after 8pm. Police said the attackers were travelling in a white Nissan NP200 bakkie and confirmed that an AK-47 automatic rifle was used. A manhunt is underway. In the wake of this tragedy, Leanne has turned to social media, sharing her grief through a series of heartfelt TikTok videos that have resonated deeply with South Africans. “I cling to our memories, it’s all I can do now. I don’t know how I’m going to get through this, babe. How…

THE South African government has come under severe criticism after it emerged that nearly 500 companies remain eligible to trade with the state, despite recommendations stemming from investigations by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana disclosed in parliamentary replies to ActionSA MP Alan Beesley that only 18 companies have been barred from engaging in business with the government. Beesley strongly condemned the government's inaction, stating that it was outrageous that so few companies identified by the SIU remain free to trade with the state. “The failure to blacklist errant and corrupt companies is a clear indication that there is no political will to address corruption. “With zero consequences, corruption will continue unabated, and all South Africans will continue to pay the price,” he said. He was reacting…

Longyuan South Africa Renewables unveiled their Social Responsibility and Think Tank Report, highlighting their continued progress in green power generation, environmental protection, employee development, and community support. The report sought to spotlight the commendable initiatives undertaken in the realm of new, clean energy. China Longyuan is the world’s largest wind power investor and operator, with more than 22,000 megawatts of installed wind capacity. Longyuan SA, its subsidiary, invests and operates one of the largest wind power plants in South Africa. Longyuan South Africa Renewables CEO Wang Tianbao said that for many years, they have primarily worked on the Northern Cape highlands and have built two wind power projects. “We have always followed the concept of openness, shared growth, and green development locally, and we keep improving our clean energy supply.…

There have been serious discussions in Durban among the Sharks’ senior players about turning their season around with a strong display against Saracens in the second round of the Champions Cup on Saturday. After being on the receiving end of a heavy defeat against Toulouse in France this past weekend, the Sharks are making a concerted effort to revive their European campaign at Kings Park against the English Premiership club. The return of key Springboks for this clash, including utility player André Esterhuizen and Siya Kolisi, should provide a much-needed boost. However, the squad is aware that momentum will only come with a first victory. Esterhuizen, who will be playing his 100th match for the coastal side, said yesterday that players have spoken about “turning the ship around” after another…

Ruben Amorim said Manchester United have “improved a lot” after they climbed back into the race to qualify for the Uefa Champions League as Bruno Fernandes inspired a 4-1 rout of woeful Wolves on Monday. Amorim’s side recovered from their disappointing draw with lowly West Ham last week thanks to Fernandes’ double and goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Mason Mount at Molineux. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde had cancelled out Fernandes’ opener with Wolves’ first goal in six games in all competitions and their first in the top flight since October 26. But Mbeumo, Mount and Fernandes netted after the interval to clinch only United’s second win in their last six matches. United suffered an embarrassing 1-0 home loss to 10-man Everton on November 24 and, 10 days later, boos greeted the final…

David Miller believes the upcoming Betway SA20 Season 4 will form a big part of the Proteas’ preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup next year. The Proteas have only eight remaining T20Is before their T20 World Cup opener against Canada in Ahmedabad on February 9, 2026, starting with yesterday’s clash against current champions India in Cuttack. However, upon the Proteas’ return from India, the SA20 gets underway on Boxing Day at Newlands for a month-long T20 festival of cricket spread across six stadiums around the country. Miller, who captains the Paarl Royals, feels the quality of the competition is of a high standard and will help the Proteas fine-tune some individual skills. “In terms of prep, I think the guys are going to be playing in front of packed…

The Lions will head into their next European Challenge Cup assignment with a burning sense of purpose after a heartbreaking loss to Benetton at Ellis Park this past weekend. Having surrendered a commanding lead to the Italian visitors, the Johannesburg outfit was left stunned as the match slipped through their fingers — a result that immediately placed them under pressure in the competition. With their European campaign beginning on a low in front of their supporters, every remaining fixture now becomes a must-win encounter if they hope to advance to the knockout stages. Yet their path ahead will be far from straightforward. The Lions have travelled to England with a depleted squad, the result of mounting injuries and strategic rest for several senior players. For some teams, such circumstances might…