Innholdsfortegnelse for 2024-10-15 i Star

Incentive comes as the grocery chain navigates a complex retail environment In a year marked by stiff economic challenges, Shoprite has announced significant increases in the remuneration of its top executives, while simultaneously warning about the growing price sensitivity among South African consumers. For the fiscal year ending June 2024, Shoprite CEO Pieter Engelbrecht’s total remuneration rose sharply to R83.3 million, up from R64.7m in the previous year, while chief financial officer Anton de Bruyn’s pay jumped to R32.8m from R21.1m. These hikes come as the grocery chain navigates a complex retail environment exacerbated by economic headwinds that have left consumers feeling the squeeze. According to Shoprite’s annual report released yesterday, the substantial salary increases are attributed to the introduction of deferred incentives and performance-based share allocations. “The rise in…

The Competition Commission yesterday recommended that the Tribunal approve a proposed transaction, whereby the Government Employee Pension Fund (GEPF), represented by the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), intends to acquire Lanseria Holdings, without conditions. The GEPF consists of a pension fund that is administered for the benefit of government employees. The GEPF, through the government owned asset management firm PIC, is invested in numerous sectors. The acquiring group held an interest in Lanseria Holdings prior to the proposed transaction, while an owned PIC subsidiary ADR International Airports also owns a non-controlling interest in the Airports Company of South Africa. (ACSA). ACSA controls OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA), among others, which competes with Lanseria International Airport (LIA), which is controlled by Lanseria Holdings. LIA handles cargo, charter and scheduled commercial flights. It…

In an ambitious effort to unlock funding and accelerate renewable energy development across the continent, the first-ever Investment Forum for Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (Apra) convened yesterday. This landmark forum aims to bolster the continent's contribution to global green energy investment as it receives less than 2% of worldwide investment in renewable energy in the last two decades. Francesco La Camera, the director general of International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), said, “We are here with a concrete pipeline of projects, taking what was an idea a short while ago to real-life implementation.” The formation of Apra follows the passing of the Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change by African leaders—a resolution that calls for substantial reforms to international financial institutions and the establishment of new global taxes aimed at…

Social media platform TikTok said it will slash hundreds of jobs, with a significant number of employees in Malaysia expected to be affected, as the company shifts to AI-assisted content moderation. TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, said Friday it would cut several hundred jobs around the world, without providing a breakdown by country. Less than 500 jobs in Malaysia are expected to be affected by the move. A TikTok spokesperson said that the job cuts were part of an effort to boost content moderation. "We expect to invest $2 billion globally in trust and safety in 2024 alone and are continuing to improve the efficacy of our efforts, with 80% of violative content now removed by automated technologies," the spokesperson said in a brief statement. The company uses a combination…

Merafe Resources yesterday reported a 2% increase in attributable ferrochrome output from its joint venture with Glencore during the nine-month period to end September. This rising production reflects the company’s effort to navigate ongoing challenges within the South African mining sector, where energy costs and logistical hurdles have become prevalent concerns Merafe Resources CEO, Zanele Matlala said in August that the company together with Glencore was looking at ways to mitigate power supply, energy costs, and logistical constraints impacting mining companies in the country. The company yesterday said all operational smelters had been brought into production, helping to drive up production for the quarter to September and subsequently for the nine month period under review. “Merafe's attributable ferrochrome production from the Glencore Merafe Chrome Venture in the third quarter ended…

Last year marked a disheartening milestone in the global fight against climate change, as reported by PwC's newly released Net Zero Economy Index 2024 report. With a paltry decarbonisation rate of just 1.02%, the world has veered off track from the average 1.43% decrease between 2000 and 2023. More alarmingly, this rate stands significantly below the 20% reduction necessary each year to limit global warming to 1.5°C by the end of the century. Reflecting on this trend, Lullu Krugel, PwC Africa Sustainability Platform Leader, pointed to a surge in energy consumption as a central factor. Krugel noted a notable rise in demand attributed to the energy-intensive artificial intelligence industry, as well as a pressing need for heating and cooling due to extreme temperature shifts. In South Africa, the scenario appears…

Buku Abi has alleged that she was abused by R Kelly. The 26-year-old singer is the daughter of the I Believe I Can Fly hitmaker. She said she had been too scared to speak out about the way he had allegedly treated her as a child. Kelly is behind bars after he was convicted on multiple charges involving child sexual abuse. Speaking in the new documentary Karma: A Daughter’s Journey, which premiered on Friday, Abi said: “He was my everything. For a long time, I didn’t even want to believe that it happened. “I didn’t know that even if he was a bad person that he would do something to me. “I was too scared to tell anybody. I was too scared to tell my mom. “I really feel like…

FORMER president Jacob Zuma and current leader of the MKP has launched a scathing attack on the ANC, saying it had “reversed” the gains made since 1994. His remarks came during the memorial lecture of ANC veteran Johannes Phungula in uMlazi, south of Durban, on Sunday evening. “Comrades, I have been listening to you talk about this hero (Phungula). He was a brave comrade. He would not tolerate what is happening in the ANC now because they have reversed all the work done since 1994,” he remarked, reflecting on Phungula’s commitment to the Struggle for freedom. “The people who built the ANC, like comrade Phungula, would not have allowed what is happening in the ANC to continue unabated. He was not a coward. We must all emulate his character as…

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has paid more than R15 million to motorists after their vehicles were damaged by the pothole-riddled national roads over the past two years, highlighting the dire state of roads in the country. Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy disclosed this while responding to a Parliamentary question asked by Rise Mzansi MP, Makashule Gana. Gana wanted to know the total number of claims filed against her department in the past three financial years, including the total monetary value of the specialised claims and total amount that has been paid to motorists who suffered the damages. In response to the question, Creecy said over R15 million was paid by Sanral for a total of 116 claims for pothole damage on the country’s national roads. Creecy…

KWAZULU-NATAL Premier Thami Ntuli said they are doing everything possible to make the province and the city of eThekwini a desirable and safe destination. Ntuli made these statements after an operation yesterday morning, aimed at dismantling illegal drug activities and criminal activities, and apprehending undocumented foreign nationals. “We are not targeting foreign nationals, we are targeting crime as KwaZulu-Natal. We are saying we are hard on crime. As you have heard, in the actual assassinations that have recently taken place, people are being arrested and people who are trying to shoot at the police, the police were able to react successfully. “I think in KwaZulu-Natal, despite the fact that we still have high levels of crime, the work that is done by police and other departments that are co-operating with…

OUSTED mayor of Tshwane, DA’s Cilliers Brink took to social media platforms, expressing dismay following the announcement of the new mayoral committee in Tshwane, led by new mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya of ActionSA. Moya was Brink’s deputy mayor until last month when he was removed in a vote of no confidence in the Tshwane council. The ANC-sponsored motion of no confidence was supported by the EFF and ActionSA which has dramatically switched allegiance to the ANC in Gauteng. Moya announced her mayoral committee made up of 10 councillors representative diverse political parties including the ANC, EFF, GOOD Party, and her political home ActionSA. They are Community and Social Development Services – Councillor Palesa Modise (ANC); Economic Development and Spatial Planning – Councillor Sarah Mabotsa (GOOD Party); Environment and Agriculture Management…

EMERGENCY services battled a substantial fire following the ignition of a 38 000-litre diesel tanker on the N4 westbound just before the M17 in Pretoria North yesterday. The incident, reported at approximately 9.54am, resulted in significant disruptions on one of the region’s major highways. Responding swiftly to the emergency, the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department mobilised an extensive array of firefighting equipment and personnel. Resources dispatched from multiple stations include two fire engines, two water tankers, one water carrier, one foam tender, two rapid intervention units, two hazardous materials units, one district commander’s unit, and one mobile command unit. Stations involved in the operation include Rosslyn, Wonderboom, Innesdale, Central, Themba, and Ga-Rankuwa Fire Stations. In a collaborative effort, Madibeng Fire Services also arrived on the scene to assist…

The Cultural Urban Festival Africa (Cufa) in Mangaung, Free State, over the weekend has sparked an unexpected showdown between two of South Africa’s music giants, Makhadzi and Oscar Mbo. In a dramatic encounter that has now spilled over social media both artists have candidly expressed their frustrations over their on-stage spat that has now become a subject of speculation. Makhadzi expressed her dismay on social media, stating: “What began as an electrifying showcase quickly turned into a public spat, capturing the attention of fans and followers alike after Makhadzi accused Oscar Mbo’s DJ of removing her USB while she was trying to finish her performance. “Bloemfontein Macufe, I am sorry to perform for 20 minutes. I don’t know if this is all about the Oscar MBO PR trend, but why…

HE MADE an oath to bring back gold from his next competition, and he did just that. In a display of extraordinary strength and determination, Haroun Pietersen, the powerlifting sensation from Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, brought home gold from the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships. With each lift, Pietersen said he remembered his oath to his family, community and the country. The competition, held at Sun City over the weekend, saw participants from all over the world, including England, Sri Lanka, Jamaica and New Zealand, show off their muscles. Pietersen, who represented South Africa, said the competition was an extremely tight one, up until the end. However, Pietersen managed to rise above his competitors, beating them by lifting a whopping combined 800kgs. “I actually placed second in the Squat and Bench Press…

The rand began the week on a shaky note, sliding by 0.7% to R17.56 against the US dollar as investor sentiment remained clouded by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the impending Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS). As the fourth quarter unfolds, the rand has averaged R17.49 per dollar; however, experts anticipate a potential strengthening towards R17.00 as the year progresses. Investec chief economist Annabel Bishop said yesterday that the rand remained around R17.50/$1 on an escalation in geopolitical tensions globally, the moderate messaging from the US on interest rate cuts, and in the run-up to the MTBPS. Bishop said a slower, and less steep, US cutting cycle, with interest rate cuts now not expected at each Federal Open Market Committee meeting in the first half of 2025,…

The South African fuel industry yesterday sounded the alarm over the potential for a crisis in aviation fuel supplies, urging the SA Revenue Service (SARS) to extend the existing time-bound licences for jet fuel imports. This plea comes hot on the heels of a drawn-out review of the Customs and Excise Act, which has yet to align with the current dynamics of the industry. In a statement yesterday, SARS clarified that it was not responsible for the industry’s shortcomings in meeting the licensing requirements outlined in the Customs and Excise Act. “There are two sides to every story,” said Phila Mzamo, spokesperson for the Fuel Industry Association of SA (FIA). “The act does not provide for changes in the industry. For example, it lacks transition mechanisms to special storage warehouse…

MORTGAGE agreements soared by an impressive 18.89% in the three months to June, translating to R7.24 billion, according to the recently published Consumer Credit Market Report (CCMR) and Credit Bureau Monitor (CBM) yesterday. This surge marked a vibrant quarter for the mortgage sector, even as year-on-year comparisons revealed a decline of 4.36% after three successive dips in mortgage credit extensions. According to the report, the upward trajectory in mortgage agreements can largely be attributed to the banking sector, which commands nearly 80% of total credit granted. Overall, the total value of new credit extended grew by 5.43% quarter-on-quarter, moving from R132.53bn to R139.73bn. In parallel, the number of credit arrangements made saw a 4.62% increase, climbing from 4.72 million to 4.94 million. Lynette de Beer, acting CEO of the National…

Technology leaders often talk about creating the future. However few of them do. Elon Musk demonstrated the meaning of creating the future when he showcased a Tesla line of products that includes Optimus (a humanoid robot), Robotaxi and the Robovan. Some technology analysts and investors have expressed disappointment in the lack of technical details about the latest products from Tesla. What many have missed is the fact that Musk presented an integrated blueprint of the future. I say “integrated” in the sense that Tesla is not the first tech company to create a robovan or even a humanoid robot. Amazon has developed the Zoox, a form of a robovan, and Xiaomi has developed CyberOne, a humanoid robot. Tesla, however, developed all these product categories under one roof, an integrated…

Calgro M3 Holdings has launched its lowest-priced home yet, a one-bedroomed unit for R399 000, in a bid to begin to tap into the growing demand for lower-price homes estimated at more than 2 million units, CEO Wikus Lategan said yesterday. Interviewed at the developer of lower-income housing units and memorial parks’ release of its financial results for the six months to August 31, Lategan said the financial position of consumers was worse than people thought and it would take some time before their situation improved with the gradual easing of interest rates. He said Calgro had done “a great deal of research” into why South Africa’s low-cost housing developers appeared to be unable to make an appreciable dent into lower-income housing demand, and their conclusion was that they were…

Opposition parties are furious at the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) decision to drop charges against President Cyril Ramaphosa and all those connected to the Phala Phala scandal. Advocate Mukhali Ivy Thenga, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for Limpopo, declared on Friday that the Authority would not be pursuing the case any further, following what it called a “comprehensive investigation” by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI). In 2022, a scandal erupted when former spy chief Arthur Fraser accused Ramaphosa of money laundering in a statement made at the Rosebank police station. A purported $580 000 (about R8.7 million at the time) was taken from the farm and concealed in a sofa. Since then, Ramaphosa has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the money was derived from the sale of game…

ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile has urged the DA and other GNU parties to use reason. Amid reports of tensions inside the nation’s coalition government, the Government of National Unity (GNU), Mashatile made an appeal for reason and togetherness during a media briefing conducted by the party yesterday outside the ANC headquarters at Luthuli House in Johannesburg. Mashatile addressed the conflict between Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Leader Helen Zille at the ANC’s reflection on the first 100 days of the GNU. He emphasised the significance of settling disputes peacefully. “With Helen Zille and Panyaza, I am sure they will be able to resolve their issues,” Mashatile stated. He added that if the DA chooses to distance itself from a collaborative approach, it should not impede…

Non-profit organisation Baagi Ba South Africa has been advocating for years for the South African government to enter into international prisoner transfer treaties. The treaties would allow South African prisoners convicted abroad to serve their sentences in South Africa. In countries where such programmes exist, including the US, the treaties are designed to alleviate the hardships faced by offenders incarcerated far from home and facilitate their rehabilitation. Glory Matipile, the founder and chief executive of Baagi Ba South Africa, said effective rehabilitation for the hundreds of South Africans imprisoned across the world required them to serve their sentences within South Africa’s correctional system. A key benefit of that was the ability to speak the local language. “Baagi Ba South Africa was founded in 2018, and so far, we have about…

THE Tshwane District Health Services held a significant event at Block X Hall, aimed at commemorating Albinism Awareness Month and educating the community about albinism. The gathering not only sought to empower individuals living with this genetic condition but also focused on dispelling myths and fostering a more inclusive environment. Albinism is an inherited disorder that affects individuals across all racial and ethnic groups, according to Albinism Society of South Africa. Genetics Coordinator Anna Motswagae took centre stage to highlight essential facts about this condition. “Albinism is not contagious, and parents should never feel guilty about their child’s condition. It can occur in families with no previous history,” she explained, aiming to alleviate misconceptions often associated with albinism. Despite strides in awareness, those with albinism continue to grapple with significant…

Ingredients For the Filling: 1 onion, finely chopped 2 x 60 g (2 tins) smoked mussels, drained 2 fresh sweetcorn, kernels cut off cob 3 eggs 250 ml milk 125 ml cream 30 ml parsley, finely chopped 30 ml chives, finely chopped 10 ml thyme, chopped Salt and pepper to taste 100 g feta, broken into chunks For the Base: 5 sheets phyllo pastry 60 ml butter, melted Method Preheat oven to 180°C and prepare a 23 cm round tin with butter. In a large pan, sauté the onions with a dash of oil until soft. Add the mussels and corn and cook for another 3 minutes. Set the filling aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and cream until well combined. Add the herbs,…

Award-winning music powerhouse Asanda Lusaseni Mvana, affectionately known as Msaki, is poised to celebrate a remarkable milestone in her career, marking 10 years of musical excellence and creativity. Msaki is hosting Camagu in Symphony, a ceremonial occasion aimed at honouring her journey, promising a heartfelt celebration of gratitude set against the vibrant backdrop of the Sun Bet Arena on December 12. She took to social media and shared the thrilling news, emphasising the significance of this momentous occasion. “It’s been an incredible 10 years of music and magic with you. Join me for Camagu in Symphony – a night of gratitude and celebration.” The South African Music Performance Rights Association (SAMPRA) has been instrumental in supporting artists throughout the years. During a recent media briefing, Msaki extended her heartfelt thanks…

With immense sadness, the nation was told of the death of Tito Mboweni, an ANC Struggle stalwart, the former governor of the Reserve Bank and a former minister of finance. Tito was symbol of true grit, a hero of the Struggle to obtain equality across the world. His courage and strength made people stand in awe. A polished intellectual who never blinked, he gave hope to millions and was instrumental in our Struggle for equality, playing a pivotal role in our emancipation from racism. Stalwarts like him and many others made personal sacrifices that enabled us to shed our chains of enslavement and thrust upon us the virtues of liberty and freedom. Sadly, we also lost many other stalwarts during the past few years. They made the ultimate sacrifice which…

The Proteas Women’s team will be fully behind England when the former champions meet West Indies in the final ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Group B clash in Dubai today. Laura Wolvaadt’s team completed their round-robin play on Saturday with a seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh, leaving them with three wins from four matches and in second place in Group B. However, the West Indies, who are in third place, could eliminate the Proteas by virtue of a superior net run-rate, should they beat England. The Windies have a net run-rate of 1.708 compared to the Proteas’ 1.382. England currently boast a NRR of 1.716. England are favourites to beat the West Indies having won 19 of their 27 T20I clashes, including the last 13 matches on the bounce. West Indies,…

Eskom yesterday shed light on its pressing financial situation, revealing a substantial R40 billion shortfall in the 2023/2024 year determination that necessitates significant changes in its electricity tariff structure. As the utility engaged with the media regarding its Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD 6) application, it is clear that its financial landscape is marred by uncertainties, ballooning debts, and new regulatory challenges. Eskom is proposing a steep increase in tariffs: a 36% hike for direct customers in the first year in 2026, followed by a 12% rise in the second year in 2027, and another 9% in 2028. These adjustments, according to Eskom’s chief financial officer, Calib Cassim, are vital for transitioning to cost-reflective tariffs amid numerous external challenges. Chief among these are the R480bn debt-relief programme sponsored by the National…

The sugar tax is destroying desperately needed jobs in South Africa. And although health activists are currently claiming otherwise and currently calling for a higher tax, there is independent data to prove the tax has reduced employment levels without an iota of evidence the tax has improved anyone’s health. When the Health Promotion Levy (or sugar tax) was introduced in 2018, the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) commissioned a study on the impact of the tax. The Nedlac study found that between 2018 and 2019, the sugar tax cost 16 000 jobs in the sugar and beverage industries alone. Earlier this year, the activist group Healthy Living Alliance (Heala) misleadingly claimed that these job losses resulted from the Covid-19 pandemic, and that there were in fact no job…

Amazon is bolstering its e-commerce empire while continuing a march deeper into people's lives, from robots to healthcare and entertainment. Innovations unveiled in recent days by the Seattle-based tech titan included a delivery van computer system to shave time off deliveries by its speed-obsessed logistics network. Amazon Stores boss Doug Herrington said that the technology enables vans to recognize stops and signal which packages to drop off. "When we speed up deliveries, customers shop more," Herrington said. "For 2024, we're going to have the fastest Prime delivery speeds around the world," he added, referring to Amazon's subscription service. On top of that, according to Herrington, Amazon last year managed to cut 45 cents off the cost per unit shipped, a huge savings when considering the massive volume of sales. Amazon…

IN THE race towards digital transformation, it’s easy to get swept up in the allure of cutting-edge technology and the promise of instant results. Yet, as African governments and organisations push forward, there’s a recurring question: Why do so many digital strategies fail to deliver the impact we expect? This week’s TechTides column hijacker, Marcus Welby Rance, reckons the crux of the problem isn’t technological. Rance, who dubs himself a “citizen-centric digital transformation influencer”, serves as a digital transformation lead at Quantum Leap Consulting. With 14 years of experience and an ISO 30401 certification under his belt, Rance has been co-leading the implementation of the digital government strategy for South Africa’s Western Cape Government (WCG) for a hot minute – an initiative that’s been turning heads, even at the UN.…

Altvest Capital, which listed on the JSE’s Alternative Exchange yesterday, was thinly traded with its shares remaining at the opening price of R6.42 during the day as the JSE continues to attract companies to the bourse. While the stock was in demand, shareholders were hanging onto their shares under the code ALV, with less than 10% of those bids being settled. Altvest listed one million ordinary shares with an issue price of R6.50, as well as additional preference shares. The private investment platform transferred its listing from the Cape Town Stock Exchange to the JSE’s AltX Board. Altvest is one of South Africa’s more recently established investment holding companies. It currently provides investment opportunities in asset classes such as private equity, property and community housing, sustainable agriculture, fintech and block-chain…

Kanye West’s ex-assistant feared she would be “silenced, blacklisted and retaliated against” if she went public with her claim that he drugged and sexually assaulted her. In a newly amended lawsuit from his former employee, Lauren Pisciotta, the rapper, 47, is said to have given her a drink “laced with an unidentified drug” before an alleged assault at a music session in Santa Monica, California, with Sean “Diddy” Combs. Combs, 54, is in jail in New York, awaiting trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. Her legal papers say she allegedly had to be extremely careful in the way she distanced herself from West after the alleged incident, as she believed she would be “silenced, blacklisted and retaliated against” if she spoke out about her belief she had been drugged…

THE POSITIONING of ANC officials ambitious to succeed President Cyril Ramaphosa as ANC president seems to have begun, with alliances forming and factions emerging. This is despite ANC leadership yesterday denying that party leaders have started having talks among themselves as to who would take over the hot chair of Luthuli House. These assertions follow a public spat between the party’s secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, who seems to be eyeing the position, and provincial chairperson and Premier Panyaza Lesufi, who is believed to be supporting Deputy President Paul Mashatile. However, speaking yesterday at a media briefing during the ANC’s celebration of 100 days of the Government of National Unity (GNU) at its headquarters, Mashatile and the first deputy-secretary Nomvula Mokonyane both denied that there were factions brewing to pave the way…

AfriForum has made severe accusations against Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, claiming that he is the “central figure in the cover-up of rampant corruption, money laundering, and fraud” inside the Provincial Government. The ongoing scandal hinges on the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD), where 13 officials implicated in various forensic investigations since 2016 have been secretly reinstated by current MEC Faith Mazibuko after previously being suspended. The disturbing reports, highlighting the misuse of hundreds of millions of rand intended for initiatives such as school uniforms and food assistance for vulnerable communities, have raised eyebrows across the political spectrum. Notably, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has called for an urgent investigation into the appointment processes of these cooperatives, claiming they were irregularly allocated contracts linked to the school uniform procurement.…

ingredients Blondie base: 1¼ slab white chocolate ⅔ cup butter 1 tsp vanilla extract Pinch fine salt ½ cup brown sugar 2 extra-large eggs ¾ cup cake flour Filling: 2½ cups milk ⅔ cup cream 1 tbsp butter 1 vanilla bean pod, split ⅓ cup cake flour 3 tbsp cornflour ½ tsp salt ⅓ cup sugar 2 extra-large eggs Honey caramel: ½ cup honey Method Preheat the oven to 160°C. For blondie base: Melt the chocolate and butter together, then add vanilla and salt. Beat sugar and eggs in a separate bowl until pale in colour and fluffy. Mix the butter and egg mixtures together. Fold through flour until smooth. Pour into a 20cm brownie pan and bake for 10–15 minutes, or until just set. Set aside. Increase…

The bottom of the United Rugby Championship (URC) log was not where the Stormers envisioned themselves after their three-week European tour. However, this is precisely where the inaugural champions find themselves, with their next two matches against former champions Munster and current holders Glasgow Warriors in Cape Town. That's why it will be important for them to recover as soon as possible after going down 38-7 to Edinburgh, to find a way to get back on the horse, otherwise their season could be over before it even begins What will make Saturday's encounter against the Irish club more tough, is that the Stormers have never beaten them in the competition and they seem to be the bogey team of the Capetonians. In their four encounters so far – two of…

Although there is still a long season ahead in the United Rugby Championship (URC), the Lions and Bulls lead the South African charge in the tournament after three rounds. Both unbeaten, the Lions currently occupy third place on the URC log with 14 points, with their Jukskei neighbours on the same amount in fourth. In contrast, the Stormers and Sharks lost heavily in their final tour match and could only score one try apiece and find themselves at the bottom of the log. With the positive results for the Lions and Bulls, it comes as no surprise that their players topped the statistics for South African players this past weekend, contributing to their victories on the road. In the Independent Newspapers URC team of the week, there was no space…

The CSA T20 Challenge is heading into the second half of the tournament, and as the top four teams begin to pull away from the rest of the chasing pack, a few notable performances have emerged since the competition commenced. The Lions have assumed leadership of the table following this past weekend's action, holding a one-point lead over the North West Dragons in their quest to secure a second title in a row. This season has been action-packed, showcasing a wealth of talent on display. The inclusion of Proteas players has injected excitement and anticipation into the tournament. Here, Obakeng Meletse delves into the standout moments thus far. The rise to the top The Dragons have emerged as one of the in-form sides in the tournament, despite suffering a defeat…