Innholdsfortegnelse for 2023-06-15 i Star

But financiers had wavered the breached covenants and had been very supportive, the group says RETAILER Spar’s debt woes were in the spotlight yesterday after it posted its interims and said it had breached debt covenants with banks, due to the weakening of the rand and translation of foreign debt into reporting South African currency. Its financiers had wavered the breached covenants and been very supportive, it said. For the six months ended March 31, 2023, the group said diluted headline earnings per share declined by 30.2% to 447.7 cents as it reported lower sales in South Africa and Switzerland. Turnover for the group increased by 7.9% to R72.9 billion. Spar said on March 31, 2023, owing to the weakening of the rand and translation of foreign debt…

SHAFTESBURY Capital’s integration was progressing well, CEO Ian Hawksworth said in a trading update on the annual general meeting that was held yesterday. The merger of Capital & Counties Properties and Shaftesbury to create Shaftesbury Capital was completed on March 6. Shaftesbury Capital’s property portfolio is located in London’s West End, focused primarily on Covent Garden, Carnaby, Soho and Chinatown. On the JSE Shaftesbury’s share price gained 1.81% to close at R28.12 yesterday. “We are pleased with the first 100 days of activity across Shaftesbury Capital ... We are encouraged by operational progress, prospects for our prime West End portfolio and the benefits we are seeing from the combined platform,” he said. Actions to integrate undertaken so far were expected to result in annualised cost savings of £7.5 million…

THE SPAR GROUP said yesterday for the six months ended March 31, 2023, it had opted not to declare a dividend due to high interest rates, inflationary cost pressures, and difficulties with a new IT system. In its interim results for the six months ended March 31, 2023, re- leased yesterday, the group said in light of the challenges, the board of directors believed it prudent not to declare an interim dividend. Turnover for the group increased by 7.9% to R72.9 billion. Over the past 12 months, all regions have come under considerable inflationary cost pressures. “The cost pressures, coupled with SAP software go-live challenges at Spar’s KwaZulu-Natal distribution centre and subsequent loss of turnover during the latter half of the period, resulted in a decline in operating profit…

Youth Day is about to be lit in Joburg with a jam-packed day of activities to keep youngsters entertained. Grand Africa officially launched their latest initiative, GradeTown – a youth day celebration that boasts South Africa’s hottest youth talent. Grand Africa is known for their fashion influence and curation of edgy street wear over the past five years, so there’s no doubt this party is going to be Joburg’s main attraction tomorrow, at Waterfall City Park at the Mall of Africa. This first-of-its-kind event will feature a range of activities, including the hottest live music performances, interactive and thought-provoking talks, sports tournaments and more. Patrons can look forward to performances by multiple award-winning artists Focalistic, Emtee and A-Reece. Also, headlining is amapiano goddess Kamo Mphela alongside DJs Kaymo, Savage, LeloWhatsGood,…

The Eastern Cape High Court sitting in Makhanda imposed heavy prison sentences on six Zimbabwean nationals in what game reserve owners in the Eastern Cape have called a major breakthrough in the war against rhino poaching syndicates. The men, Francis Chitiyo, 35, Trymore Chauke, 29, Misheck Chauke, 27, Simba Masinge, 27, Nhamo Muyambo, 32, and Abraham Moyane, 36, were convicted of conspiracy to kill a rhino and steal the horns and unlawful possession of an unlicensed Voere 375 hunting rifle and ammunition on July 31, 2018 on the N2 near Makhanda. They were sentenced to effective imprisonment ranging from 16 to 20 years. The court was packed with hundreds of employees, staff, and owners of various game reserves in the Eastern Cape. In sentencing the six, Judge GH Bloem referred…

The return of the Diepkloof service delivery protest from last Monday resulted in yet another day of looting and the barricading of roads. Yesterday, during a violent service delivery protest, some trucks were looted and several roads were blocked off amid the chaos and mayhem in the area. Johannesburg metro police department spokesperson Xolani Fihla said the N1 North and N12 near Diepkloof were blocked off. It was also reported that simmering tensions resulted in police firing rubber bullets to disperse protesting residents. Fihla said Diepkloof residents were protesting over the lack of service delivery. “The residents are demanding electricity, water, sanitation and houses. The situation is a bit tense, and officers have been deployed. “Motorists are urged to exercise extreme caution. Avoid these roads and use the Golden Highway…

Patrons at the Mdlalose Tavern in Nomzamo Park in Orlando East, Soweto, were enjoying themselves in July last year when gunmen burst in and opened fire on them. Sixteen people were gunned down, and several were injured in the mass shooting. Police rounded up six suspects but, despite months of investigation, they all walked free on Monday. The National Prosecuting Authority decided to drop all charges against the accused as it believed it did not have a watertight case against them. As there was insufficient evidence against the accused, the NPA felt there was little prospect of a successful conviction. Witnesses did not want to come forward as they feared for their lives. So what was the NPA to do but shrug its shoulders, drop all charges against them and…

A key suspect in the killing of the Cradock Four: Fort Calata, Matthew Goniwe, Sicelo Mhlauli, and Sparrow Mkonto on June 27, 1985, has died. The Foundation for Human Rights said Hermanus Barend du Plessis, an apartheid-era policeman, died on May 16 at the age of 79. It added that Du Plessis was involved in the planning of the Cradock Four murders, and reported back to his superiors after the operation. In a statement issued on Monday, the foundation said the four anti-apartheid activists were on their way back to Cradock from then Port Elizabeth, when they were abducted at a roadblock by members of the Security Branch and Vlakplaas death squad. They were tortured and murdered. “The passing of Du Plessis is devastating for the families of the…

FOR MANY young people Youth Day has just become a normal day while they continue to bear the brunt of unemployment, while others fail to compete in the labour market because they lack the skills and necessary knowledge. A high number of those that live in remote arrears but manage to complete matric against the odds cannot gain access to institutions of higher learning because of the proximity to the institutions that are located far away. In many poor provinces such as vast Limpopo, young people are forced to relocate to other provinces such as Gauteng to get their education through funded programmes. As a solution to this challenge facing the country, K Boneng Skills Academy had to be transformed this year, with its purpose to take rare skills to…

Thulisile Phongolo, known as Thuli P, continues to be subject of the talk after her withdrawal of assault charges against her partner, DJ Maphorisa. After being mum since sharing their joint statement, Phongolo took to Instagram to reveal that she is at peace, and slammed disrespect aimed at her. “People are so disrespectful, forgetting that we can also become disrespectful. Just because we choose not to be disrespectful doesn’t mean we don’t know how to do so. It just means we know how to treat people well; you think before you say things; you treat people with consideration,’’ she said. The actress, who claimed to have been physically attacked by her boyfriend, Themba “DJ Maphorisa” Sekowe, dropped assault charges against Sekowe at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court last month. The pair…

We are counting down the days until you arrive for the Trevor Noah Live in South Africa tour from August 31 to September 15, presented by Savanna Premium Cider. We hope you are too. You will be pleased to hear that almost every show is sold out. Yes, you are reading correctly; almost every show in South Ahhh is sold out! And, as you know, Trevor, just like a crisp and dry Savanna, the tickets are only for people 18 years of age and older. Since you left Mzansi, we know you have had too many highlights to count; you have hosted awards and even won iconic global awards of your own! In the “darkness” of all things we have been going through, your pending arrival is the light at…

The information pack for the newly revealed Volvo EX30 reads like something of an encyclopaedia on recycled materials and sustainable production methods. But what this all boils down to is a smaller CO2 footprint than any Volvo to date. According to the Swedish carmaker, it has a 25 percent lower footprint, over a 200 000km lifespan, than the current C40 Recharge. Like the latter, the new Volvo EX30 is available in fully electric format only and it also happens to be the brand’s smallest model, with an overall length of 4.23 metres. Yet despite being the greenest and most compact Volvo model, it’s also the fastest-accelerating, if you opt for the Twin Motor Performance variant. This flagship model pushes out 315kW and can accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 3.6 seconds.…

Max Verstappen is rewriting the record books, ready to overtake some of Formula One's all-time greats in what looks ominously like becoming the most one-sided of seasons. His Spanish Grand Prix 'Grand Slam' win last week was a career 40th for Red Bull's dominant double world champion and left him one behind Ayrton Senna, with Alain Prost's tally also in his sights. The Dutch 25-year-old was quickest in every practice session, led every race lap from pole position at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya and also took a bonus point for fastest lap. Fleeting hopes that Verstappen's Mexican team-mate Sergio Perez could put up a fight seem to have evaporated, with Verstappen already a mighty 53 points clear after seven of 22 races. A third title seems assured and if domination…

THE man who handed Aphiwe Dyantyi his Springbok debut believes in “second chances”, and hopes the new Sharks signing can play his way back into the national team. SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus was the head coach who picked then-Lions star Dyantyi at left wing for the first Test against England in 2018, and the speedster repaid the faith with a try at Ellis Park in a come-from-behind 42-39 Bok victory. Dyantyi went on to score six tries in 13 Tests, and was named World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year. But his Rugby World Cup dream was shattered when he tested positive for banned in July 2019, and he received a four-year ban soon after that. Now 28, the No 11 has been recruited by the Sharks…

THE South African contingent in this week’s US Open will be one of the youngest in the history of this Major as a new generation of the country’s golfers start making their presence felt at the highest level of the game. Retief Goosen was the last South African winner of the US Open in 2004, and this week the quartet of Deon Germishuys, Thriston Lawrence, Wilco Nienaber and amateur Aldrich Potgieter will represent an entirely new generation attempting to add to the country’s tally of five US Open titles. The average age of the four young South Africans who will tee it up at the Los Angeles Country Club from today is 23, with the youngest (Potgieter) being 18 and the oldest (Lawrence) 26. The US Open has certainly favoured…

SOUTH Africa’s captains of industry have urged the government to resolve the diplomatic fallout with the US, as it threatens billions of rand in trade and investment, which could cripple an already subdued economic growth trajectory. This comes as Business Confidence Index (BCI) plunged to its lowest in nine months in South Africa amid lower trade volumes, fewer tourists and a weaker rand. South Africa is on the verge of losing the benefits of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) from the US government, due to the country’s decision to remain neutral in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) yesterday said the economic sensitivity of South Africa to international trade relations was evident from the substantial swing from a surplus on the trade…

CONSUMERS in South Africa continued to feel the impact of elevated inflation and high interest rates in April as retail trade sales fell for the fifth month in a row as the adverse effects of the prolonged power crisis weighed on general dealers, food and beverages retailers. Data from Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) yesterday showed that retail trade shrank by 1.6% year-on-year in April 2023, following a downwardly revised 1.5% fall in March. This marked the fifth consecutive month of decline in retail activity and at the quickest pace since June 2022, and also higher compared with market estimates of a 1.4% decrease. StatsSA said that five of the seven retail categories included in the index declined year-on-year. StatsSA’s deputy director for distri- butive trade statistics, Raquel Floris, said the…

VENTURE capital in South Africa is resilient and growing, with entrepreneurs creating jobs, according to Endeavor South Africa managing director Alison Collier. Endeavor South Africa’s mission statement is to lead the global high- impact entrepreneurship movement to drive long-term economic growth and build strong entrepreneurship ecosystems in growth markets by selecting, mentoring and accelerating the best high-impact entrepreneurs. Collier said this week that Harvest Fund III was on track for a first close of R150 million in September. She said the fund had seen remarkable interest, not only from existing investors, but from institutional investors and, in particular, pension funds. Endeavor South Africa in March launched Harvest Fund III as it continues to invest in tech and tech-enabled companies from South Africa and the rest of the continent to…

JONATHAN Ortmans, the president of the Global Entrepreneurship Network, (GEN) said in the recently published 2023 Global Start-up Ecosystem Report that “Innovation ecosystems benefit from wide engagement by the most diverse array of communities. “In fact, world-changing ideas emerge faster when we acknowledge unconscious bias and meaningfully engage people with unique experi- ences and histories”. Last week, I had the opportunity to visit six ecosystems in the US. These included Washing- ton DC, Philadelphia, New York, Stamford, Boston and Atlanta. The one thing that really impressed me was the diversity in the various start-ups, funders, policymakers and even support organisations that were present in these engagements. Their various models on how they support start-ups are also evident from the diversity, which one believes has been leveraged by the inclusive nature…

The recent heavy rains across the Western Cape have caused the flooding of endangered African penguin nests, resulting in parents abandoning their chicks, nests being underwater and chicks being displaced. Since the last week of May, more than 50 chick carcasses have been found after drowning due to the flooding. This is according to the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (Sanccob) and conservation authorities. So far, 174 chicks and 28 eggs have been successfully rescued and admitted to Sanccob Cape Town, and 39 chicks were admitted to Sanccob Gqeberha. Sanccob, in partnership with conservation authorities such as the city, CapeNature, Robben Island Museum and SANParks, continues to retrieve chicks and eggs from flooded nests and take them to Sanccob where chicks can be hand-reared and…

THE EMPLOYMENT Equity Amendment Act once again came under fire during picketing by a group of DA members led by party Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga outside the Employment and Labour office in Pretoria. President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the act into law in April and Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi published a gazette last month inviting comments on its sectoral targets. While the DA and trade union Solidarity have been scathing about the act, trade union federations like Cosatu and Saftu have expressed support for it. The DA has said it was prepared to go to court over the act because it believed it would introduce forced quotas in local businesses and would also discriminate against whites, Indians and coloureds. The government said the law seeks to introduce new measures…

THE South African Air Force (SAAF) has welcomed scores of candidate officers who have undergone training since the beginning of the year. In a welcoming commission parade at the SAAF College in Pretoria yesterday, the officers were reunited with their loved ones after their training over a six-month period. According to the Chief Director of Force Preparations, Major-General Lancelot Mathebula, the candidates began an educational journey designed to shape them into confident servant leaders on January 16. Mathebula said the event was meant to celebrate all SAAF candidate officers who had sacrificed their family time as they underwent months of training in various fields at the Air Force College. He said they had received training in, among others, leadership, management and officership. “We are here today to honour, applaud and…

Tears of joy flowed on Tuesday at the Western Cape High Court, where Andrew Moseadie was sentenced to 45 years behind bars for robbing, then raping and killing his cousin. The 25-year-old was found guilty on all three counts against him last month. Moseadie, who was 19 at the time of the attack, admitted that he was dik getik when he stabbed Christel Moseadie, 36, in the neck in her Hout Bay home. According to the expert testimony of forensic pathologist Laura Peddle, Christel died a slow and painful death. The mom’s naked body was found in the bathroom of her Petersen Street house with her face covered in blood, her pants around her neck, and used condoms on the floor. On Tuesday, Judge Monde Samela again highlighted the brutality…

Millions of children’s and teenagers’ lives have been reduced to only their homes and their screens under the shadow of Covid-19. Online gaming, socialising, and learning soon become the sole options for many people. And while digital tools and technology offer many chances to keep kids engaged, delighted and learning, they can also put them at greater risk for a variety of dangers. Before the epidemic, children's rights, safety and mental health were all at risk from online sexual exploitation, dangerous content, false information, and cyberbullying. The increase in screen time may have made children’s suffering worse if they were already experiencing injury or hurt, whether it was online or off. Some of the protective mechanisms that were available to them were disrupted and limited as a result of schools…

The Light up the Library initiative has committed to keeping the lights on at libraries across the country even in the darkest hours of load shedding. This announcement was made by Nestle Bar One with the aim of raising the bar for students who rely on the library to get the full services that the facilities offer. It is reported that these libraries have been selected based on the most urgent needs: Winterveld Library in Tshwane has been without power since 2019, the Randburg Library in Joburg uses portable lights during load shedding and Beacon Bay Library in East London and Musgrave Library in Durban issue books manually during load shedding. In conversation with The Star, Matete Lesele, a senior librarian at Randburg Library, described how load shedding had affected…

On September 16, 2021, South African doctor Lauren Dickason, 40, allegedly strangled her twin daughters, Maya and Karla, 2, and their older sister Liane, 6, IOL reported. Dickason, her husband Graham and their three children had emigrated to New Zealand a few weeks earlier. Dickason has been in a secure psychiatric institution since her arrest. According to IOL, she last appeared in court on June 1, this year. According to the New Zealand media, her legal team are basing their case on a defence of insanity. On June 20, 2001, 37-year-old Andrea Yates, 37, of Houston, Texas, confessed to drowning her five children, Noah, 7, John, 5, Paul, 3, Luke, 2 and Mary, 6 months, in their bath. She was sentenced to life in prison but the verdict was later…

With the launch of a new turbocharged flagship model called the XT, the Subaru Outback has been given the engine it always deserved The Subaru Outback XT is priced at R959 000 in South Africa, making it R130 000 more expensive than the normally aspirated 2.5i-Touring ES variant that previously topped the range. The XT is powered by a detuned version of 2.4-litre turbocharged flat-four Boxer engine that does service in the latest WRX sedan. In this guise it produces 183kW and 350Nm, which is 19kW less than you get in the WRX, with torque staying the same. However Subaru Southern Africa says this tune is better suited to the more diverse usage requirements of the crossover model. Its claimed 0-100km/h sprint time is a not inconsiderable 7.5 seconds, while…

Are you having an overwhelming experience attached to fear and uncertainty? Despite your circumstances, science can help you overcome anxiety. But, what does anxiety mean? Anxiety is the body’s response to fear of real or perceived threats regarding non-specific life situations. Living with anxiety can be frustrating, but you are not alone. Anxiety is a mental illness that torments our minds, plunging our thoughts into darkness. And, of course, Covid-19 has worsened anxiety. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that anxiety has risen by over 25% during the pandemic. WHO global anxiety statistics estimates that 284 million adults suffer from anxiety – 179 million were women (63%) and 105 million were men (37%). Given the mental health concerns raised by the pandemic, mental health support is an absolute need for…

MOROCCO’S Atlas Lions are not entertaining thoughts of a dead rubber in Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations Group K qualifier against South Africa at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. Both teams have already qualified for Afcon in Ivory Coast next January. Saturday’s outing will be an important part of the teams’ preparations for that continental showpiece. Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui made that clear before the team flew out on Tuesday. Many Moroccan fans did not take too kindly to the team playing to a goalless draw against lowly Cape Verde in Monday night’s international friendly. Cape Verde is a country of less than a million people. Regragui said he used the match to try out combinations and he also noticed the players were tired after a long season. “Our match was…

REAL Madrid officially confirmed the signing of England midfielder Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund yesterday in a deal worth €103-million plus add-ons, the Spanish giants said. Bellingham, who will sit out England's upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers due to injury, will be unveiled as a Real Madrid player yesterday after signing a six-year contract. Dortmund said they had reached an agreement with Real last week in a deal that includes add-ons that could increase the total amount by up to 30%. Bellingham is the third player signed by Real Madrid for a fee of at least €100m after Gareth Bale (2013) and Eden Hazard (2019). "Our club have signed one of the greatest talents in the world, a midfielder who comes from Borussia Dortmund and arrives at Madrid after being voted…

THE NATIONAL Assembly's approval of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill has been met with an outcry and threat of litigation by the Solidarity Movement and other critics. The approval of the bill means the ANC-led government is one step closer to its plans for achieving universal health coverage. According to Parliament, the NHI Bill seeks to provide universal access to healthcare services in the country in accordance with the National Health Insurance White Paper and the Consti- tution. “The bill envisages the establishment of a National Health Insurance Fund and sets out its powers, functions, and governance structures. The fund will purchase healthcare services for all users who are registered with it,” it said. The bill still needs to be reviewed by the National Council of Provinces, SA’s second…

NASPERS expected its headline earnings per share to slump by between 82.1% to 75.1% in the year to March 31, but remains committed to bring its businesses to profitability by first quarter of 2025. Its businesses had “scaled meaningfully and each segment showed a clear path to profitability” following years of investment and significant growth, the group said in a trading statement yesterday. Meanwhile, its listed Europe-based subsidiary Prosus said it expected headline earnings a share would decline between 80.9% and 74% for the year to March 31. The financial results of Prosus almost completely account for Naspers’s results. Prosus said in a trading statement yesterday that the decrease in earnings per share related to lower contributions from equity-accounted investments of about $4.1 billion (R76.18bn) or 233 US cents…

AS THE NEW, emerging business- people, South African youth represent immense potential. They are expected to play a pivotal role in growing the economy, enabling social cohesion and driving positive change. These three young entrepreneurs, although from different backgrounds and with experience across various sectors, share the same resilient spirit and drive to succeed – no matter what. Kgahlego Rasebotsa | Founder of Interior Bubble Armed with a business administration degree and a long-standing affinity for the creative arts, businesswoman Kgahlego Rasebotsa started her company, Interior Bubble, at the tender age of 26. Growing up in Polokwane, Rasebotsa has succeeded in building a formidable business empire from humble beginnings. After graduating, she suffered depression after not being able to find a job. But entrepreneurship provided the answer she was looking…

The Weeknd has insisted The Idol sex scenes aren’t meant to be sexy. The 33-year-old singer and actor, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, has responded to backlash over the intimate scenes in the second episode of the HBO show, with fans branding the series “torture porn”. Asked if the scene in episode two was meant to be overtly sexy for viewers, he told GQ magazine: “No. There’s nothing sexy about it. When we use Basic Instinct as a reference, we’re using Verhoeven. “Verhoeven is the king of ’90s satire thriller – yes, there’s moments of ‘sexy’ in his films but there are other moments that are very cheesy and hilarious. “How ever you’re feeling watching that scene, whether it’s discomfort, or you feel gross, or you feel embarrassed for…

The City of Joburg’s finance MMC Dada Morero has delivered a budget speech peppered with good intentions for Johannesburg residents, and called for the reprioritisation of the people of the city through housing, healthcare, and other services. He also accused the DA, as the leader of the previous coalition-led administrators, of having “blown it with the city’s funds”, following a series of mismanagement of the previous budget allocations. Morero said the DA-led coalition had left the city’s coffers empty, when he delivered the city’s proposed budget of over R80 billion for the 2023/24 financial year. “Fortunately in 2023, we have the policy tools and programme resources that can be mobilised, such as the National Development Plan (NDP), the Joburg Growth and Development Strategy 2040, the District Development Model (DDM), and…

Ingredients 850 g oxtail, cut into joints 15 ml oil 6 pickling onions, peeled 150 ml red wine 1 cloves garlic, crushed 5 ml parsley, chopped (2ml dried) 5 ml rosemary, chopped (2 ml dried) 6 baby carrots, peeled 300g mushrooms, quartered 4 baby potatoes, peeled 1 packet Royco Rich Oxtail Packet Soup 100 ml frozen peas Method Preheat the oven to 160ºC. Brown the oxtail in batches, in hot oil in a small casserole. Then brown the pickling onions, and set aside. Return the oxtail to the casserole, add the red wine, garlic, parsley, rosemary, and approximately 800 ml water. The oxtail must be completely submerged in liquid. Cover the casserole, and place in the oven for 1 hour. Add the pickling onions, carrots, mushrooms and potatoes and cook…

INSTEAD of joining the queues of youngsters heading for the exit, I want to tell you why I recently returned to South Africa from the US and believe in South Africa and her future. Yes, its official jobless rate is just shy of 33%, and 62% of youth aged 15-24 are unemployed. With just under 8 million officially out of work, it seems the current generation of young people is being left with little hope. But if you dig beneath the numbers, you see that while many want to immigrate, South Africa is the most appealing destination for others from Africa. I count myself as one of them. With millions of young people ready to contribute their skills, the future holds great promise – all we need is the opportunity…

A gripping documentary about a cop turned serial killer, Rosemary Ndlovu, is streaming on Showmax and has garnered glowing early reviews. Dubbed Rosemary’s Hit List, it uncovers how Ndlovu killed for insurance: funeral cover payouts worth more than R1.4 million. Ndlovu was convicted in 2021, receiving six concurrent life terms for the murders of six members of her family. Ndlovu was also sentenced to an additional 30 years: 10 years each for fraud, incitement to commit murder, and the attempted murder of her mother, Maria Mushwana, her sister Joyce, and Joyce’s five children. Director Valentino Mathibela spoke about what sparked his interest in doing the documentary. “I wanted to find out why a mother, a daughter, and a sister would become perpetrators while in a position of power to do…

Ford Performance Motorsport have thrown down the gauntlet with the announcement that it will be competing in the legendary Dakar Rally. Next year, a Ford Ranger works team will be lining up in the gruelling event in Saudi Arabia, ostensibly as a “finish and learn” effort, with the previous generation Ranger seen in the current SA Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC). This in preparation for a fully-fledged assault in 2025, using an all-new custom-built Ranger Raptor built to Dakar’s T1+ class regulations. That’s not the only South African Ford connection. Apart from the all-new Ranger being built locally at Ford’s Silverton plant, Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM), in collaboration with long-time Ford partners M-Sport, will head vehicle development, servicing and event management. Built in Pietermaritzburg, NWM is responsible for the two Ford Rangers…

JON Rahm says the merger of the PGA Tour and LIV Golf’s Saudi backers has left golfers in limbo, but Brooks Koepka isn’t daunted by a little “chaos” at this week’s US Open. The winners of the first two majors of the year - Rahm claimed his second major title at the Masters in April and Koepka bagged his fifth at the PGA Championship last month - were among the many blindsided by the shock announcement last week that the PGA Tour and DP World Tour would join forces with the Saudi Public Investment Fund. The deal is being billed as one that will end the bitter rift that erupted when the breakaway LIV Golf league launched in October 2021. But the merger has already drawn scrutiny from US lawmakers,…

THE Pumas will rely heavily on their pack of forwards to gain dominance in Saturday’s Currie Cup semi-final (5.30pm kickoff) against the Sharks, but coach Jimmy Stonehouse will also have a few tricks up his sleeve in the backline to catch the Durban side unawares. Leighton Koopman looks at four players who could be key to a Pumas victory at Kings Park. Tinus de Beer The flyhalf has been in excellent form for his team and has been hitting his straps on attack and with his kicking boot. He will have to be in top kicking shape if he wants to have any influence on the semi-final. His tactical kicking is one of his assets and will not only be vital to relieve pressure, but to also get the…

ARGENTINA captain Lionel Messi has said that “in principle” last year’s World Cup would be his fifth and final appearance at global soccer’s showpiece event. The 35-year-old forward led his country to a third World Cup triumph in Qatar last December, saying throughout the tournament that he would not be playing at another edition. Messi was persuaded out of international retirement in 2016, however, and many of his compatriots were hoping he might be cajoled into going on to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. “I think not. This was my last World Cup,” Messi told Titan Sports ahead of Argentina's friendly against Australia in Beijing. “I’ll see how things go, but in principle, I won’t go to the next World Cup.” The seven-time Ballon…

CHAMPIONS League final hero Rodri is likely to be thrust straight back into action for Spain in the Nations League tonight, five days after helping Manchester City complete the treble. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said he had yet to settle on his line-up for the semi-final against Italy in Enschede, but hinted that Rodri was a strong candidate for a role in the game. The midfielder scored the winner for City in the Champions League final against Inter Milan on Saturday but while his teammates have been celebrating, he has joined up with the national squad for the four-nation tournament in Netherlands. “He cannot be more motivated than after winning a Champions League and being named as the man of the match. He has put Manchester City in…

IT has been a long and winding road for Johan Goosen this season, but the familiar Free State Stadium is just the stage for the mercurial utility back to strut his stuff. Goosen first made his name as a youngster in Bloemfontein for Grey College and then the Free State youth teams before graduating into the senior Cheetahs side as a teenager in 2011. He was so good that he was the leading Super Rugby points-scorer at one stage during the 2012 season with 145 points in just nine games, before he sustained a shoulder injury that would also rule him out of the Junior World Championship in Cape Town, which led to Handre Pollard being called up to the SA Under-20 squad, and they went on to win the…