Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-07-25 i Star

The Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) has has sounded the alarm on potential reputational risks stemming from serious allegations of maladministration and financial mismanagement at the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA). The GPAA is a government component which reports to the Minister of Finance and administers funds and schemes on behalf of the GEPF, the largest pension fund in Africa. It thus administers the pension affairs of approximately 1.7 million government employees and pensioners, as well as the affairs of their spouses and dependants. The GPAA has been rocked by allegations of serious financial mismanagement of pension funds amounting to more than R500 million after an audit being prepared for the financial year end flagged administration issues. An internal audit report compiled by Abacwaningi Business Solution (ABS) Audit & Advisory…

When news broke that hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix in South Africa could cost as much as R2 billion, the headlines focused on the bill. The critics warned of wasteful spending. Parliament debated priorities. But while the accountants saw a liability, I saw something very different: 20 000 jobs waiting to be created and an economy in motion. Yes, R2 billion is a significant investment. But as Singapore discovered when it launched its Grand Prix in 2008, the right event can pay for itself many times over. According to the Singapore Tourism Board, the race generates about S$150 million (R2bn) annually in visitor spending and economic impact. Independent studies put the return on investment at three to five times every dollar spent. Apply those multipliers to South Africa, and…

Anglo American saw generally lower production of its metals and minerals in the second quarter as it advances the sale of the diamond group De Beers as part of a substantial portfolio simplification strategy. The global mining group said in a production report on Thursday for the second quarter to June 30 that rough diamond production fell 36%, while copper production fell 11% during the three months due to sluggish demand. The group is restructuring its portfolio to focus on copper, as it is a key metal in the burgeoning demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure. The group is also focused on iron ore. The changes follow an attempt by BHP to take it over last year. Anglo American directors said Thursday that the demerger of its platinum…

Tesla fell short of Wall Street’s expectations in one of the automaker’s worst quarters in years, a sign of the toll that rising competition and a backlash against CEO Elon Musk have taken on the company. Adjusted earnings were 40 cents per share, Tesla said Wednesday in a statement, just below the average analyst estimate. Revenue fell 12% to $22.5 billion (R396bn), the sharpest decline in at least a decade. Still, the report was free of new bombshells and the company said it continues to move forward with robotaxi and affordable-vehicle plans, providing a measure of relief for investors. That comes “despite a sustained uncertain macroeconomic environment resulting from shifting tariffs, unclear impacts from changes to fiscal policy and political sentiment,” Tesla said. The revenue drop was due to a…

The curtain is officially falling on SA’s beloved soapie Muvhango. Since its debut in 1997, the soapie captured the hearts of many as it became SA’s first-ever soapie in Tshivenda. With its rich storytelling rooted in Tshivenda culture, Muvhango also explored the tension between tradition and modernity. Every weekday at 9pm on SABC2, families would gather around the TV, watching the Venda royal family as they navigated betrayal, drama and family dynamics. Over the years, characters such as Chief Azwindini, Susan Mukwevho, Thandaza Mokoena, Vho Mulimisi and KK Mulaudzi captured the hearts of many South Africans. Muvhango launched the careers of many household names, including Gabriel Temudzani, Dingaan Khumalo, Lindiwe Chibi and Macdonald Ndou. The cast and crew shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse of their last day on set this week…

Authorities in the Kingdom of Lesotho insist they have credible information about Basotho undergoing military-style training on certain farms within South Africa, as part of the growing campaign to fight for the contentious land in South Africa’s provinces. The land being claimed includes parts of Free State, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Earlier this month, a Lesotho member of parliament, Dr Tshepo Lipholo, leader of the Basotho Covenant Movement, a political party that has been leading the charge in demanding the return of Lesotho’s “stolen land” which is part of current-day South Africa, was arrested and charged in the mountain kingdom. Lipholo faces serious charges, including sedition and incitement. He is also accused of violating the dignity and reputation of Lesotho’s royal family by allegedly declaring himself…

Two people were found guilty of leaking the 2020 matric mathematics exam paper. Themba Daniel Shikwambana, a 36-year-old, and Thobile Sweetbetter Duze 48-year-old, appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on July 23. They pleaded guilty to stealing a matric exam question paper and were sentenced accordingly. Gauteng Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Singo said that on November 16 2020, the Department of Basic Education received a tip-off about a possible leak of the matric Mathematics exam paper, which had allegedly been circulated via WhatsApp. “The department was alerted via a WhatsApp photograph, which was later verified and confirmed to be a true copy of the 2020 Mathematics Paper 2 exam paper.” He stated that the initial investigation revealed that several learners in Limpopo and Gauteng had admitted to receiving the…

A man who brutally assaulted and raped his estranged wife over a terrifying three-day ordeal has had his appeal for a lesser sentence rejected by the Cape Town High Court. In November 2022, the father, who has two daughters with his estranged wife, was sentenced to 15 years for attempted murder, alongside a life sentence for rape and sexual assault. The couple’s tumultuous relationship began with marriage in 2014 but deteriorated by 2017, plagued by mutual drug abuse and incidents of domestic violence. Sometime in 2019, the wife attended a Christian-based recovery and rehabilitation centre due to her abuse of drugs, specifically Tik. Her children were left with their father, but eventually moved to live with their maternal grandfather. In October 2019, she left the rehabilitation centre and sought accommodation…

A former South African ambassador and seasoned diplomat believes the controversial bill introduced in the United States Congress, seeking to review relations with South Africa and to impose sanctions on some leaders of the ANC, will pass. IOL reported on Wednesday that a bill which seeks to re-evaluate the bilateral relationship between the US and South Africa, and identify government leaders who should be subject to sanctions, was passed by a US House Committee on Foreign Affairs this week. The US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025 was introduced in April by Ronny Jackson, a congressman from Texas. The bill, to become a law, will need to be approved by the House and Senate before being signed by President Donald Trump. The bill accuses South Africa of undermining the…

EFF leader Julius Malema yesterday expressed his approval of the newly established parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee tasked with investigating serious allegations raised by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. This move, described by Malema as an “important step in the right direction”, aims to shed light on what he termed “pure criminality” within the SAPS. Speaking during a media briefing in Cape Town, Malema said he was happy that the Ad Hoc Committee had been given the green light to conduct the investigation. “It is an important step in the right direction. What is happening in the police is pure criminality and we have to deal with that,” he said. On Wednesday night, Parliament unanimously agreed to form the 11-member committee that will probe the allegations by Mkhwanazi and report…

ESKOM has been ordered to pay close to R1 billion to French nuclear contractor Framatome, after the Western Cape High Court found the utility refused to pay damages after it cancelled a contract to install steam generators at Koeberg nuclear power station. The ruling stems from a 2014 agreement Eskom originally concluded with Areva, which was later ceded to Framatome. The deal covered the design, manufacture and installation of six replacement steam generators – three for each unit at Koeberg. Framatome, which has been in operation for 60 years, was contracted to supply and install two sets of three replacement steam generators, one set to be installed in each of the reactor buildings at units 1 and 2 at Koeberg during separate planned outages of these units. These installations were…

Jermaine Seoposenwe owes football everything. So, as she prepares for her last Banyana Banyana appearance, she bows out with gratitude and pride. Banyana will face Ghana in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations third-place play-off at Stade El Arbi Zaouli in Casablanca on Friday night (kick-off 6pm). The clash is set to mark Seoposenwe’s final outing with Banyana after she announced, prior to the tournament, that she would retire from international football after its conclusion. The 31-year-old will leave behind a decorated international career, having earned more than 100 caps, won the Wafcon title and played in two World Cups. Her journey with the national team endeared her to fans across the continent and the world, thanks to her silky playing style and eye for goal. Speaking at the pre-match…

Lucas Ribeiro Costa, the dazzling forward for Mamelodi Sundowns, has made his eagerly awaited return to South Africa for pre-season preparations following his impressive stint at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The 26-year-old Brazilian was undeniably the standout player for Sundowns during the 2024/25 season, contributing a remarkable 25 goals across 51 matches, leading the club to a triumphant league victory and an exhilarating run in the CAF Champions League, where they reached the final. His journey to the forefront of international football reached its zenith when Costa showcased his skills on a global stage in the United States, where he received the 'Goal of the Tournament' award for his breathtaking solo effort against Borussia Dortmund. This prestigious accolade only adds to the expectations surrounding Ribeiro as he prepares…

ORLANDO Pirates legend Edward Motale is confident that the Soweto giants have done enough in the current transfer window to not only mount a serious challenge against Mamelodi Sundowns, but to bring an end to the Pretoria-based side’s dominant reign at the top of South African football. The Buccaneers have not lifted the league title since the 2011/12 season, but after pushing closer to the top during the previous campaign than they have in recent years – even though they ultimately finished 13 points behind champions Sundowns – there’s a renewed sense of optimism in Orlando. A large part of that comes from their activity in the market, with several new signings boosting hopes that they can go all the way this time. Pirates will also head into the new…

Central bank says it and Ibex Group have resolved all the disputes in a “comprehensive settlement” The South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB’s) seven-year probe into now-defunct Steinhoff’s alleged breach of Exchange Control Regulations has finally been concluded with an agreement that what is now Ibex Group will no longer try to recoup a previously forfeited R6.3 billion. In a statement released on Thursday, the central bank said that it and Ibex Group had resolved all the disputes between the two parties in a “comprehensive settlement”. “Both SARB and the Ibex Group consider the settlement reasonable, proportionate and justifiable in light of the complex and competing interests,” the central bank’s statement said. “SARB and the Ibex Group consider this final settlement to be in the best interests of South Africa." SARB…

South Africa’s red meat industry is a cornerstone of the rural economy, particularly for emerging and communal livestock farmers. Yet, their aspirations - and the broader goals of inclusive growth outlined in the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) - are persistently undermined by a recurring threat: foot and mouth disease (FMD). Recent FMD outbreaks, most notably in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and parts of the Free State, have exposed the fragility of South Africa’s disease control systems. The economic fallout is staggering. Export bans, movement restrictions, and culling have cost the country billions in trade revenue, while simultaneously crippling market access for smallholder producers. For emerging farmers, who are already navigating structural disadvantages in the meat value chain, the disruption is not just economic - it’s existential. FMD is not a…

Kumba Iron Ore’s operational performance continues to improve, and it has made progress on the ultra-high-dense-media separation (UHDMS) project to increase the premium proportion of production and enhance margins. This was according to Kumba’s CE Mpumi Zikalala, who said in a production report and trading statement for the six months to June 30 that total production was flat at 18.2 million tons (Mt), and there was an increase in sales on the back of improved logistics stability. “As a result, we have maintained our full-year 2025 guidance at 35 – 37 Mt for both production and sales,” she said. Headline earnings for the half-year were likely to be between R6.84 billion and R7.34bn, varying by between 4% and 3% from the previous six months ended June 30, 2024. Headline earnings…

South African rugby titan Eben Etzebeth has released his much-anticipated debut autobiography, Unlocked, offering fans a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the life, challenges and triumphs of the most-capped Springbok in history. Feared by opponents and revered by teammates, Etzebeth has long been known for his physical dominance on the pitch – a towering lock with unrelenting energy, intelligence and aggression. Now, in Unlocked, he turns the spotlight inward, reflecting on the highs and lows of his life and career, and how a determined boy from Goodwood became one of the most iconic figures in world rugby. “Over the past few months, I’ve taken time to reflect on my journey – the highs, the lows, the lessons, the people and the moments that shaped me,” he shared on Instagram. “Unlocked tells…

From the tragic loss of music and television icons to surprise pregnancy reveals and a royal heartbreak, the world of fame served a full plate of drama, nostalgia and a few unexpected plot twists. Here’s what happened this week in the entertainment scene: 1Rock royalty bows out: Ozzy Osbourne dies at 76 The entertainment world is mourning the loss of heavy metal pioneer Ozzy Osbourne, who died this week at the age of 76. The iconic Black Sabbath frontman had long struggled with health issues, including Parkinson’s disease, but he remained active in the music world until recently. Surrounded by family, the music icon passed away peacefully just weeks after his emotional final performance in Birmingham. Known for his gritty voice, chaotic stage antics and larger-than-life personality, Osbourne helped shape…

This week, former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo reignited an old debate by stating that the Hawks, a crime-fighting unit, are not equipped for the task. He criticised the ANC's decision to disband the Scorpions. Speaking at the South African Council of Churches’ national church leaders’ anti-corruption conference in Johannesburg, Zondo said: “In the early 2000s, we had the Scorpions, which were very effective in fighting corruption. The criminals had begun to fear them. “In 2007, at the ANC elective conference, a resolution was taken to disband them. “And they were disbanded. The results are there for all of us to see what happened about the levels of corruption, because I don’t believe the Hawks, which were said to have taken their place, are up to that job,” he was…

A group of parents in Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, staged a protest outside the YMCA centre, where Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, was launching the 2026 online admissions system, to express their concerns about the construction of a local school on a wetland. The parents, from Bachana Mokwena Primary School, have kept their children home from school since it reopened for the second term on Tuesday due to the unsafe conditions. The classrooms for Grade R and Foundation Phase, which accommodate around 400 learners, are surrounded by underground water, sparking fears that the buildings could collapse at any moment. Chiloane has just kicked off the application process for parents and guardians seeking to enrol their children in Grade 1 and Grade 8 for the 2026 academic year, when the group of…

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) has welcomed the recent yet lenient sentencing of Gauteng-based businessman, Yakub Ahmed Suleman Bhikhu. Bhikhu was found guilty on 81 counts of fraud, forgery, uttering, money laundering, and the Contravention of the Tax Administration Act in the Pretoria Regional Court. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, Bhikhu pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years’ direct imprisonment, of which five years were suspended for five years. IOL reported that the convicted businessman was further ordered to reimburse R300 000 to Transnet, which he received as gratification. In addition, his company was sentenced to a fine of R500 000, which was suspended on the condition that no similar offence is committed. The union, on…

Drama played out during the adoption of the Budget in the National Assembly on Wednesday night when the MK Party supported the Appropriation Bill only to change its vote despite rejecting every departmental budget. The party’s chief whip Colleen Makhubele blamed the confusion on mistakenly casting their vote for the Ad Hoc Committee that was established to prove allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi during the marathon session. The unexpected vote of the official opposition unfolded soon after all the 42 schedules were agreed to. House chairperson Cedric Frolick had asked the National Assembly Secretary to read the Fifth Order, which was the next to be considered on the agenda after the schedule of vote of department. Frolick then immediately corrected himself that it was going to be…

What was meant to be an ordinary morning at the Gondwana Private Game Reserve in the Western Cape turned into tragedy when its CEO and co-owner, FC Conradie, was fatally trampled by an elephant. The 39-year-old wildlife advocate and respected conservation leader lost his life during an incident that has left the reserve community and conservationists across the country shaken. According to Warrant Officer Kappie Kapp of the KwaNonqaba Police Station, the fatal incident occurred at around 8am on Tuesday, July 22. Witnesses reported that Conradie had been on the property when the elephant charged and trampled him. Emergency medical services were called to the scene but was declared dead on arrival. “The elephant involved in the incident has since been moved from the area as a precaution,” said Kapp,…

Removing Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, just before National Women’s Month, was poor timing. Her predecessor, Dr Blade Nzimande, whose hapless legacy on tertiary education is unfolding horribly, was undeservedly in the role for more than 15 years. Nkabane was dealt a poor hand. One must question the bona fides of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s commitment to gender parity and combating corruption. However, many will agree that the former deputy to Gwede Mantashe at the Ministry of Minerals and Energy was out of her depth in the tertiary education portfolio. But thrusting her into the higher education cesspool without considering the extent of the challenges was unfair. She had no chance of success and was destined to fail. This emerged especially after her botched list of appointees for Sector Education and Training Authorities…

There is no shortage of Springbok supporters considering the big question: Who will start at flyhalf for South Africa against the All Blacks in Auckland this September? Few fans have a definitive answer, and it’s doubtful whether Rassie Erasmus is entirely certain either. The fact that Erasmus must weigh up the unique strengths of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Manie Libbok and Handré Pollard — and still not have a clear frontrunner — speaks to the Springboks’ remarkable depth as they build towards the Rugby Championship. That campaign kicks off with back-to-back clashes against the Wallabies on 16 August in Johannesburg and a week later in Cape Town. It is during those two Tests that Erasmus must settle on the half-back pairing that gives the Boks the best chance of claiming a historic…

South Africa continued to work tirelessly discussing with its counterparts in the US to keep the trade route open and having submitted the Framework Deal in May, South Africa has signed a condition precedent document with the office of the US Trade Representative, a precursor to finalisation of the negotiations, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau said in his budget vote. Tau said the collective work of business, organised labour and civil society, in engaging the US Congress is also a key lever in South Africa's toolkit in its approach to ensuring the continued inclusion of South Africa in the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act and to respond to the recently proposed US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act. "Our active engagements with Asia are significantly bearing fruit.…

ESKOM has been ordered to pay close to R1 billion to French nuclear contractor Framatome, after the Western Cape High Court found the utility refused to pay damages after it cancelled a contract to install steam generators at Koeberg nuclear power station. The ruling stems from a 2014 agreement Eskom originally concluded with Areva, which was later ceded to Framatome. The deal covered the design, manufacture and installation of six replacement steam generators – three for each unit at Koeberg. Framatome, which has been in operation for 60 years, was contracted to supply and install two sets of three replacement steam generators, one set to be installed in each of the reactor buildings at units 1 and 2 at Koeberg during separate planned outages of these units. These installations were…

Primary Health Properties (PHP), a leading investor in modern healthcare properties in the UK and Ireland, released its interim results for the six months to June 30, 2025, which showed its earnings grew amid an increase in rental income across its portfolio and after its Irish acquisition. PHP is London listed and secondary listed on the JSE. Net rental income increased by 3.1% to £78.6 million (R1.4 billion). Adjusted earnings per share increased by 2.3% to 3.54 pence, headline earnings per share decreased by 5.9% % to 3.2 pence, earnings per share increased to 4.4 pence, while dividends per share increased by 2.9% to 3.55 pence. PHP’s adjusted earnings increased by 2.2% to £47.3m in the reporting period, driven by organic rental growth from rent reviews and asset management…

Imagine if your period pad could quietly monitor your health while you go about your day, no needles, no lab visits, just a photo on your smartphone. It sounds futuristic, yet it’s already becoming a reality. And it could change women’s health in ways we’ve needed for decades. Globally, millions of women live with endometriosis, fibroids, and other reproductive health challenges, yet diagnosis often takes years. A 2020 study published in Frontiers in Global Women’s Health found that the average time to diagnose endometriosis can stretch from seven to 10 years, a delay rooted partly in how women’s pain is underestimated, and how little research has historically focused on menstrual blood itself. This is where MenstruAI, a new technology developed by ETH Zurich, could spark a quiet revolution. As reported…

Controversial Prophet Shepherd Bushiri may never face justice in South Africa after key extradition documents mysteriously vanished in Malawi. The development has cast doubt over the upcoming September hearing, raising fears that the prophet – who fled the country while out on bail in 2020 – could permanently escape prosecution. At the same time, his former accountant, Landiwe Ntlokwana, is at the centre of a legal storm of her own. Once a trusted insider in Bushiri’s financial operations, she now faces possible charges of perjury and defeating the ends of justice. South African authorities have been trying to extradite Bushiri and his wife Mary since they violated their bail conditions and escaped the country under murky circumstances. They face multiple charges, including fraud and money laundering. The extradition case…

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) addressed some of the most frequently asked questions around the review process for social grants, stressing the importance of keeping personal and financial details updated to maintain eligibility. A social grant review is “a process conducted by SASSA to update the information of the beneficiary on SASSA’s beneficiary database,” the agency explained. The main goal is to verify that beneficiaries still meet the eligibility criteria for receiving social assistance and that personal details are up to date. The agency clarified that grant recipients who did not declare their income when applying, or those who have experienced changes in financial circumstances, such as a change in marital status, must undergo a review process. “The beneficiary must report to their nearest SASSA office with the…

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) had its headquarters in Gauteng raided on Wednesday. The offices based in Braamfontein were raided by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as Hawks). This comes after claims of irregular tenders being awarded have risen. The tenders are alleged to be around R18 billion. The Hawks pounced on the officers of senior executives and seized items such as laptops, cellphones, and documentation. As the investigation unfolds, the Hawks have been tight-lipped on what is unfolding. National spokesperson for the Hawks, Brigadier Thandi Mabombo, said: “An operation was conducted as part of an ongoing investigation. To protect the integrity of our investigation, we cannot disclose details about that operation.” Prasa spokesperson Andiswa Makanda said they would not be commenting at this time.…

The City of Tshwane’s newly published valuation roll has sparked widespread criticism from homeowners who are unhappy with the outcome of their objections. Many residents expressed disappointment after discovering that their property values had doubled, raising concerns about the potential impact on their tax bills. The DA in Tshwane warned property owners four months ago about the impending significant increase in property rates income, stating that the city planned to substantially boost its revenue from this source. The party emphasised that the city’s financial struggles should not be borne by residents through tax hikes, advocating for properties valued at R450,000 or less to be exempt from paying rates. According to DA PR councillor Juanita du Plooy, at least 70% of those who lodged objections to the city’s valuation roll are…

In the ever-evolving landscape of workplace communication, the convenience and familiarity of informal messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram have become indispensable tools for many organisations. However, their widespread popularity among employees raises significant concerns related to cybersecurity, as highlighted by the 2025 KnowBe4 Africa Annual Cybersecurity Survey. The findings reveal that an overwhelming 93% of African respondents utilise WhatsApp for work communications, eclipsing traditional email and even Microsoft Teams. But what can organisations do to safeguard themselves against potential data leakage and other evolving threats? According to Anna Collard, Senior Vice President of Content Strategy and Evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa, the comfort of using these applications is a driving force behind their integration in workplaces. However, the convenience of informal platforms can lead to detrimental risks regarding control and…

Former Stormer Marvin Orie has been named in the Bulls team for their Currie Cup opener against Western Province in Cape Town on Saturday, while tough loose forward Jeandré Rudolph, formerly of the Cheetahs and Pumas, is set to make his debut. Another Cape product, Nama Xaba, will captain the Bulls. He joins Rudolph and fellow Capetonian Junior Pokomela in a powerful loose trio. An away visit to their arch-rivals is as tough as it gets for the Bulls, but assistant coach Phiwe Nomlomo says his charges are up for the challenge. “The players have trained well,” said Nomlomo. “There’s full-on excitement at the minute. “There’s a really great vibe in the team, but there will be nerves. I’m not really a nervous guy. I’ll embrace what comes, when it…

Springbok lock forward Vainah Ubisi has revealed that her immense desire to be part of next month’s Rugby World Cup in England was the fuel that fired her towards a comeback against the Black Ferns XV at Athlone Stadium on Saturday. Ubisi, who has not featured for the Bok Women since last year’s WXV 2 clash at the same venue after rupturing her Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), was included in Performance Coach Swys de Bruin’s starting team yesterday for the historic clash. The Bulls Daisies star has spent the intermittent months down in Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS) where she underwent an intensive individual rehabilitation programme. “When I got injured last year, that's what was in my mind. If I'm going to make it to the World Cup squad, if…

The Lions will have to grapple with a dichotomy of sorts when they kick off their Currie Cup campaign this weekend: confident that they will do well, yet desperate that they must. It was heartbreak in the final of last year’s competition when the Joburgers stumbled at the death against the Sharks — losing the title on the last play via a penalty. They face the defending champions in their opening match at Ellis Park on Saturday (kick-off 3pm), with the memory of that pain still whispering through the halls of Doornfontein. Recent shortcomings in the United Rugby Championship (URC) have not eased the pressure of expectation. And with nearly a decade having passed since their last piece of silverware, it’s understandable that the team will privately acknowledge the importance…