Table of contents for 2026-02-17 in Star

Minister is faced with funding an ambitious slate of commitments made by President Ramaphosa Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana faces one of the most delicate balancing acts of his tenure when he tables the National Budget Review next week Wednesday, tasked with funding an ambitious slate of commitments announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa while safeguarding a fiscus that remains structurally constrained. In his State of the Nation Address last week, Ramaphosa pledged a sweeping package of interventions aimed at improving service delivery and restoring confidence in a crucial year for local government. These include deploying 10,000 additional labour inspectors to curb business non-compliance, allocating R2.5 billion to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), mobilising more than R1 trillion in infrastructure investment over three years, addressing collapsing municipal water systems, strengthening intelligence…

2025 proved to be a landmark year for South African markets, not because the country’s challenges disappeared, but because risk was fundamentally repriced, according to outgoing JSE chief executive Leila Fourie. Speaking at the Raging Bull Awards in Cape Town on Friday night, Fourie said: “2025 was remarkable, not because our challenges disappeared, but because risk was repriced. “Our nation’s trajectory and global dynamics shifted. Markets responded to that change with speed and conviction. In doing so, they reminded us of something fundamental: when risk is reduced, credibility improves, and capital responds," Fourie said. According to Fourie, South African equities delivered one of the strongest performances globally in 2025. In US dollar terms, the JSE All Share Index surged by 56%, outpacing the S&P 500’s 16.39% and the MSCI Emerging…

Somewhere in your organisation right now, someone is signing up for an artificial intelligence (AI) tool. Maybe it's a marketing manager experimenting with content generation. Perhaps it's a developer integrating an AI coding assistant. It could be a finance team exploring automated reporting. They're not being reckless. They're being resourceful. They've found something that makes their work faster, easier, and better. They've connected it to your systems, granted it access to your data, and moved on with their day. What they probably haven't done is tell IT. And what IT almost certainly hasn't done is bring that tool, and its associated identities, into your governance framework. This is shadow AI. And it's creating an identity crisis that most organisations don't yet realise they have. The adoption curve…

Africa GreenCo aims to enable 200 Megawatts (MW) worth of trades this year, according to Precious Mpepele, the Commercial Manager at Africa GreenCo. The company is the only regional buyer and trader of renewable energy in Southern Africa with current operations in South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It will be extending its operations to include Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. GreenCo provides customized Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for independent power producers and bespoke solutions for corporate off-takers. Their expertise lies in forecasting energy production and in trading, along with their involvement in the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), ensures a reliable and stable energy supply for clients with over 1 terawatt-hours (TWh) traded. A terawatt-hour is equal to one…

The Directorate of the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) was recently called on to consider a complaint lodged against Canik SA over a series of billboards along Grayston Drive, Sandton, displaying firearms, with a mother saying the advertisement is harmful to children. The Directorate (the body which decides over complaints) said it appreciates the complainant’s desire to shield children from exposure to contentious items like guns. However, it noted that it cannot on the basis of an individual’s subjective moral preference uphold a complaint against an advertisement for a legal product in a widely used public space. The complainant in essence stated that the advertisement is inappropriately placed and harmful to children and impressionable youth. She noted that the billboards are positioned directly along a busy pedestrian route used by families,…

The Directorate of the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) was recently called on to consider a complaint lodged against Canik SA over a series of billboards along Grayston Drive, Sandton, displaying firearms, with a mother saying the advertisement is harmful to children. The Directorate (the body which decides over complaints) said it appreciates the complainant’s desire to shield children from exposure to contentious items like guns. However, it noted that it cannot on the basis of an individual’s subjective moral preference uphold a complaint against an advertisement for a legal product in a widely used public space. The complainant in essence stated that the advertisement is inappropriately placed and harmful to children and impressionable youth. She noted that the billboards are positioned directly along a busy pedestrian route used by families,…

A 56-year-old teacher has been arrested for murder and attempted murder following a fatal shooting in Elukwatini in the early hours of Saturday morning. Mpumalanga police said officers responded to reports of a shooting at about 2.10 am. On arrival, police found a 22-year-old woman in the street with a gunshot wound to her foot. She told officers that she had been shot by her mother’s male friend and that her mother had also been shot inside the house. Police then entered the home where they found the 45-year-old woman lying on the floor in a pool of blood. She had sustained a gunshot wound to the head. Emergency Medical Services declared the mother dead at the scene, while her daughter was transported to hospital for medical treatment. The suspect…

King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has mandated his leadership to engage with global entrepreneur and philanthropist Robert Gumede to save the Tongaat Hulett Limited (THL) company amid the threat to several jobs in KwaZulu-Natal’s agriculture industry. Zulu Royal Chancellor Inkosi Malusi Zondi said the king is worried about Tongaat Hulett’s possible liquidation and the potential loss of jobs. It emerged last week that Tongaat Hulett’s business rescue practitioners had filed for provisional liquidation. The company has been under business rescue for some time. This comes as the provincial government is also scrambling to find solutions to stave off job losses and the devastation to the agricultural sector that liquidation could bring. Inkosi Zondi said the situation was not tolerable and needs to be contained. “What we are seeing is very painful. South…

A complaint that a TV advert could encourage children to climb into washing machines – with potentially fatal consequences – has been dismissed by the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB). In a decision earlier the month, the ARB considered a complaint against a commercial advertising Tops at SPAR, flighted by the SPAR Group Limited. Tops at SPAR is an outlet that sells alcohol and related beverages. According to the decision, the commercial shows “a man with a small ‘Tops’ cooler box” moving through a series of exaggerated scenes. He moves from one scene to another in quick succession – walking through a house party, a drinks cool room, a mountain top and a tent, then climbing out of a car boot and into a laundromat where a card game is under…

After struggling for years to obtain the right to install his washing machine on communal property at a residential complex in Johannesburg, a visually impaired resident at last received justice from the Supreme Court of Appeal. The SCA last week found that the Park Avenue Body Corporate had to allow Melusi Ncala to install his washing machine on common property in light of his disability. Ncala owns a ground floor unit in this sectional title block of flats. Shortly after he had moved in, he made modifications to cater for an outside washing machine to accommodate his safety in light of his disability. But this was erected on the common property, along with other modifications, such as a roof over the washing machine and a security door leading to the…

Every day, Omar Ismail lives with a bullet in his head. Fragments remain lodged in his skull, too dangerous to remove. Doctors have warned that surgery could kill him. So he wakes each morning knowing the metal is still there, pressing against his brain, shaping his memory, his speech, his future. His little girl, Yusraa, carries her own burden. Shrapnel remains in her small torso. It cannot be removed. Loud sounds still frighten her. Car rides still unsettle her. She was just 22-months-old when she was shot. His wife, Asma Mahomed, once strong and independent, lives with a missing limb. A single police bullet tore through her lower right leg. Surgeons amputated it to save her life and the life of the unborn child she carried that night. This is…

With a Top 8 place at stake and the battle for the SA Shield on the line, Saturday’s derby between the Lions and Sharks at Ellis Park promises plenty of sparks (kick-off 2pm). The Lions desperately need winning momentum to get their United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign back on track and will target a season double over the visitors. For the Sharks, a win would secure their SA crown and help them avoid another defeat to their hosts. We look at the key battles that could shape the outcome of the derby as the URC returns following a Six Nations break. Forwards power The Sharks’ overall forward play has been their strength in the last two coastal derbies against the Stormers. They were excellent with their carries over the gain…

Sekhukhune United coach Eric Tinkler has often downplayed his team’s chances of competing for the league title – a dream that now seems increasingly out of reach. Yet, his side have persevered through an inconsistent season and remain firmly in the hunt for a Top 3 finish. Above them, the league’s two strongest sides, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, continue to dominate. While matching the quality of these teams was always going to be difficult, Tinkler’s side, strengthened by smart acquisitions over the last two transfer windows, would face a disappointing season if they fail to secure continental football. Fresh from a 2-0 win against Orbit College, Babina Noko have made good strides in their attempt to cement their place at the top, despite having played more matches than some…

England survived a major scare to qualify for the Super 8 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup yesterday, as a swashbuckling Italian chase fell agonisingly short in Kolkata. Will Jacks smashed the fastest T20 World Cup 50 by an Englishman to help his side post 202/7 – their highest total of the tournament. Despite being the lowest-ranked team in the competition, Italy threatened a historic upset before eventually being bowled out for 178 off the final ball. “We haven’t played our best cricket, but at the end of the day, we’ve made it through and we’re heading to Sri Lanka, so we can be happy about that,” said England captain Harry Brook, after the match. Most of England’s batsmen earned solid starts after Brook won the toss at Eden…

The Gauteng Liquor Traders Association (GLTA) has rejected proposed increases in liquor licensing fees by the Gauteng Liquor Board, warning that the move would disproportionately hurt township-based micro and small businesses already battling what it describes as a “broken and unworkable” regulatory system. The association, which represents thousands of liquor traders across Gauteng, on Monday said the proposed fee hikes are both unaffordable and unjustifiable given ongoing structural challenges within the licensing regime. “These increases are being pushed onto traders operating in an environment where the system itself is failing them,” said GLTA spokesperson Jongikhaya Kraai. “You cannot raise fees on small businesses when you haven’t even fixed the basics, from a backlog of almost two years in licence approvals to red tape that makes it nearly impossible to comply.”…

How does an organisation with established reporting systems, external audits and formally constituted governance structures unravel to this extent? The provisional liquidation of Tongaat Hulett (Tongaat) provides a stark answer. For decades, it operated as a significant player in agriculture and property sectors, embedded in regional economies and listed on the JSE. Its decline has been gradual, complex and at times, contested. Yet, the liquidation process forces a question that lingers long after the headlines fade: what were the boards seeing and what were they missing? Tongaat did not collapse in a vacuum. Like many entities that encountered a similar fate, financial statements were published, board meetings convened and assurance processes executed. Reports were structured and professionally presented. Risk frameworks were documented. Audit opinions were issued. From the outside, there…

In late November 2022, Elon Musk met with Apple CEO Tim Cook at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, following a public dispute where Musk claimed Apple had threatened to remove Twitter (now X) from the App Store. The meeting was described by Musk as a "good conversation" that resolved a "misunderstanding" regarding the app's potential removal. No matter how powerful you can be in tech, as long as you have an App you need to answer to Google or Apple for your existence. One person who knows very well about the power of these platforms is the founder of UpScrolled, Issam Hijazi, after his app was recently, February 14, 2026, temporarily removed from the Play Store. The UpScrolled app has been reinstated and it’s not clear why it…

A new Bureau for Economic Research (BER) document indicated that South Africa’s mining sector has been in decline in recent years but still has potential to be a force globally. Robert Botha from BER said that the economic history of South Africa is intimately bound to the extraction of its mineral wealth. “Despite this geological lottery, the sector faces various constraints that have prevented it from taking full advantage of successive commodity booms. Once the primary engine of the economy, the sector’s economic contribution has stagnated, allowing the notion to take hold that South African mining is a sunset sector,” Botha said. Botha added that despite successive commodity price booms, in real terms the sector has declined since 1994. “Over this period, the sector contracted by 0.29% on average. By…

IN A SIGNIFICANT legal victory, the Supreme Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of a mother who fought to receive lump-sum damages for her child born with cerebral palsy due to hospital negligence, rejecting the Eastern Cape Health Department’s attempt to substitute future medical care for monetary compensation. The mother turned to the Supreme Court of Appeal against an order issued earlier by the Eastern Cape High Court, which allowed for some of the damages to be substituted by medical services, IOL reported. The mother instituted a R23 million damages claim against the provincial health department, with the latter conceding liability. The only issue which served before the high court concerned the appropriate form of compensation for future medical care and related needs. The amounts payable for general damages,…

The Madlanga Commission has postponed the hearing of Witness F after learning that he was hospitalised. The commission said an application has been filed before the commission by the legal team representing the witness that has asked that proceedings be postponed to March 16. Witness F was set to testify at the commission yesterday at 9:30am after abruptly withdrawing an urgent High Court application aimed at blocking his testimony and suppressing private WhatsApp messages seized from his phone. The Gauteng organised crime officer had rushed to the North Gauteng High Court in a last-ditch effort to avoid taking the stand and to prevent the commission from displaying chats investigators believe could be explosive. But as the commission pressed ahead, he retreated. A partially protected witness, Witness F could deliver some…

A persistent myth continues to circulate in South African workplaces: “Don’t worry, he’s only been here for two weeks. He’s on probation. We can just tell him it’s not working out and let him go today.” Many employers – and anxious new employees – believe a probation period is a legal free pass where labour laws do not apply. It is often seen as a trial phase during which an employee can be dismissed “on the spot” for any reason, or no reason at all. This belief is incorrect – and acting on it sends thousands of employers to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) each year. What Is Probation? Under South African law, specifically the Code of Good Practice: Dismissal, probation is a period intended to evaluate…

South Africa’s popular e-hailing platforms including Uber and Bolt could soon find themselves on the wrong side of the law as the clock runs out on new government regulations. IOL previously reported that the government has introduced the National Land Transport Amendment Act, requiring all e-hailing platforms, including Uber and Bolt, to register with authorities. The new regulations mandate that operators display proper vehicle branding, install panic buttons, and secure licenses for both drivers and platforms. The new rules were introduced to regulate the fast-growing e-hailing industry, improve safety for passengers and drivers, and address the long-standing tensions between e-hailing services and the traditional taxi industry. The rules came into effect in September 2025. Last year, the government allowed a 180-day compliance period for drivers to apply for licenses and…

Bazozwa house delivered one of the most dramatic stretches of the season so far, blending power shifts, romance, rising tensions and disciplinary action that reshaped the game overnight. The week began with Mmeli claiming victory in the Head of House challenge. Rather than celebrating the title, he viewed the position as a layer of security in an increasingly unpredictable game. During his reign, he praised the creativity and energy inside the house and reflected on how his connection with his Cuff It partner, Thandeka, had grown stronger. What started as a cautious alliance evolved into a close strategic partnership, marked by private jokes, shared responsibilities and visible support as they navigated HoH duties together. But the calm did not last. During live nominations, Biggie introduced a nomination wheel that dramatically…

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed to IOL that Zimbabwean musician and social media personality Malloti is wanted in South Africa on a charge of robbery with a firearm, with authorities now moving to have her extradited from Zimbabwe. Speaking to IOL, Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Captain F.C. Van Wyk confirmed that a warrant of arrest was issued in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court for an accused identified as Namatai Bhobho. “The accused is wanted on a case of robbery with firearm after a Warrant of Arrest was issued for her in Wynberg court. The case was removed from the court roll until she is traced and arrested,” Van Wyk said. He further confirmed to IOL that the docket is currently with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after…

The pockmarked earth on Johannesburg’ eastern fringe, until last week a humble cattle kraal ringed with barbed wire, now stands as the unlikely centre of South Africa’s latest gold fever. Dozens of fortune-seekers have flocked to the township of Springs, some 50 kilometres (30 miles) east of the city, scouring the dirt for gold. The scene echoes the rush that built Johannesburg, the country’s financial capital, at the turn of the 20th century. The diggers, armed with pickaxes, arrived almost overnight. “They spread like a virus,” security guard Princess Thoko Mlangeni, 33, told AFP outside her tin‑shack home overlooking the field, recalling how they first appeared on February 8. The sudden invasion of Springs – birthplace of 1991 Nobel literature laureate Nadine Gordimer – reflects a wider frenzy, as…

The distance between Ahmedabad, situated in north-central Gujarat along the banks of the Sabarmati River, all the way north to New Delhi, positioned between the Himalayas and the Aravalli Range, is just under 1 000km. It may as well be on a different continent for the Proteas after spending the first week of their ICC T20 World Cup journey at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, picking up three crucial wins from three matches, to book their ticket to the next Super Eights phase. Afghanistan’s victory over UAE yesterday ensured the Proteas’ passage to the next round with a game to spare. Aiden Markram’s men have, though, now packed their bags and travelled to India’s capital for their final Group D match, effectively a dead-rubber, against the UAE at the…

The romance of the FA Cup has always added something special to the month of love, with the chance of an upset – not roses and candlelit dinners – getting the hearts of fans fluttering, and red cards the ones that truly matter. The English game’s oldest competition once reigned as a blazing romantic David-versus-Goliath tale. But has that glow dimmed in the modern era of football pragmatism? Fixture congestion, squad rotations, and packed Premier League schedules mean that for some big clubs, the FA Cup is no longer the main romantic interest. Still, if this season has taught us anything, it’s that English football never quite lets the magic die – especially when the underdogs get to write their own love stories. Take the most jaw-dropping moment of this…

Zambia announcing a temporary import ban on South African livestock due to the Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) outbreak has received mixed responses from the agriculture industry and the Department of Agriculture. This follows President Cyril Ramaphosa declaring FMD a national disaster last week in his State of the Nation Address. Moses Rannditsheni, Director: Media and External Communication at the Department of Agriculture, said that Zambia imports an insignificant volume of agricultural products. “Although every agricultural product exported out of SA grows the SA agricultural economy, suspension by Zambia would not really make any significant impact. We understood why Zambia arrived at its decision and hope they will review this suspension as soon as we start with the mass vaccination,” he said. Wandile Sihlobo, the chief economist at the…

As the dust settles from Thursday night’s State of the Nation Address (Sona), attention must turn to the rapid implementation of what President Cyril Ramaphosa announced and to addressing what was left unsaid. There was much to welcome, as BLSA noted in our release after the speech. Most important was the clarity the president brought to the future of our electricity transmission system. The independent Transmission System Operator will own and operate transmission assets and run the electricity market. This resolves the policy confusion that emerged in mid-December when the Minister of Electricity and Energy published an unbundling strategy proposing that transmission assets remain with Eskom rather than transfer to the TSO. The dedicated task team that the President will establish under Necom provides the right mechanism to manage the…

This week's column hijacker, Adam Wakefield, is a radio journalism major turned reporter turned consultant turned marketer turned comms strategist, who co-founded and co-hosted the Elite Rugby Banter podcast before, as he puts it, life got in the way. When I shared some Western podcast consumption data with Wakefield, it triggered the reflections below. In major African podcast markets, and across the continent more broadly, radio remains the most democratised medium, and the audio podcast, arguably the most malleable digital media show format despite the hype around video growth. I learned this the hard way. After experimenting with producing African Tech Roundup Podcast as a video pod (alas, you might never actually see the stuff, except in short-form snippets on social), I found that video made an already challenging workflow…

AECI, a key player in the mining and chemicals sector in South Africa, foresees significant earnings growth in its year to December 31, 2025, with earnings per share expected to swing back into the black. The group said in an operational update and trading statement Monday it anticipates basic earnings per share (EPS) will soar, with estimates ranging from 319 to 353 cents for 2025, a major improvement from a loss of 268 cents in 2024. This reflects a variance of about 232%. Additionally, headline earnings per share (HEPS) is expected to reach between 1 022 and 1 131 cents, marking a 58% increase on the prior year's 716 cents. AECI's strong performance is buoyed by robust operational efficiencies at its Mining segment, where earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, and…

In a shocking development, the last of four suspects in the murder of 22-year-old Bolt driver Isaac Satlat surrendered to police yesterday, in Atteridgeville. He is expected to appear before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court today. Earlier the same day, three of Satlat’s alleged killers, Dikeledi Tears Phela, Gositsiane Machidi, and McClaren Mushwana, appeared in court but abandoned their bail applications, choosing to remain behind bars. Supporters and e-hailing drivers staged a picket outside the courthouse, chanting “Justice for Isaac” as the trio appeared briefly before the matter was postponed, while calling on the government to improve safety for digital platform drivers. Provincial police spokesperson Mavela Masondo confirmed that all four suspects, including the one who surrendered later, face charges of premeditated murder, aggravated robbery, and car hijacking in connection with…

In a shocking development, the last of four suspects in the murder of 22-year-old Bolt driver Isaac Satlat surrendered to police yesterday, in Atteridgeville. He is expected to appear before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court today. Earlier the same day, three of Satlat’s alleged killers, Dikeledi Tears Phela, Gositsiane Machidi, and McClaren Mushwana, appeared in court but abandoned their bail applications, choosing to remain behind bars. Supporters and e-hailing drivers staged a picket outside the courthouse, chanting “Justice for Isaac” as the trio appeared briefly before the matter was postponed, while calling on the government to improve safety for digital platform drivers. Provincial police spokesperson Mavela Masondo confirmed that all four suspects, including the one who surrendered later, face charges of premeditated murder, aggravated robbery, and car hijacking in connection with…

ActionSA’s party leader Herman Mashaba, is among five senior leaders in the running to become the party’s Johannesburg mayoral candidate. The Central Candidate Selection Committee (CSC) was set to finalise its decision yesterday ahead of an official announcement on Saturday, February 21. Those who will be interviewed are Mashaba, Michael Beaumont, Lerato Ngobeni , Dereleen James MP and Funzi Ngobeni. IOL previously reported that ActionSA had finalised its internal nominations process for the mayoral position, while not ruling out Mashaba as a contender. In a sit-down interview with IOL in November last year, Mashaba indicated he would consider contesting the mayoral position ahead of the 2026 local government elections if the party could not identify a suitable candidate. He said that if ActionSA failed to find someone with the same…

As diplomatic tensions mount, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi heads to Geneva for a pivotal second round of indirect talks with the United States. Scheduled for Today, these discussions aim to bridge the vast gap between Tehran’s and Washington’s contrasting visions for a potential agreement, highlighting the fragile nature of the renewed diplomatic engagement. Araghchi will lead a “diplomatic and specialised” delegation, expected to convene with key figures such as Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, and Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). American negotiators will be represented by President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff. The backdrop to this conversation is the first round of talks held in Muscat, Oman, on February 6, which…

The City of Tshwane’s Bad Buildings Committee launched a blitz on Pretoria West, targeting dodgy businesses and illegal building occupants in a bid to restore order to the city’s streets. Kholofelo Morodi, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Corporate and Shared Services, said the fifth enforcement operation in the area revealed alarming levels of non-compliance and neglect, with properties racking up hundreds of thousands of rands in unpaid utility bills. The targeted properties owe the city R541 170 in unpaid water and electricity accounts, with one business responsible for R412 000 of that amount. Morodi said: “The operation formed part of the city’s ongoing commitment to restore order, enforce municipal by-laws, and safeguard the dignity of residents and compliant businesses. Inspections revealed that the properties targeted during this operation collectively…

There was a time not too long ago when Orlando Pirates were spoken of as brave challengers, a side capable of pushing the champions but ultimately falling short when the race tightened. Two seasons on, that narrative has shifted. The Buccaneers are no longer chasing shadows – they are setting the pace. Heading into tomorrow’s top-of-the-table clash against Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium, Pirates sit six points clear. It is a position built not on hype, but on continuity, depth and a growing sense of belief within the dressing room. For veteran midfielder Makhehleni Makhaula, now in his third season with the club, the shift has been gradual but deliberate. Having finished second twice behind Sundowns under José Riveiro, Pirates have finally learned what it takes to turn promise into…

Kaizer Chiefs have run out of safety nets. Bundled out of continental football in the CAF Confederation Cup and eliminated from the Nedbank Cup two weeks ago, the Amakhosi are now staring at a stark reality – the Betway Premiership is their only remaining route to silverware. With the pressure mounting and the margins tightening, Chiefs will need more than structure and intent. They need decisive individuals to rise when it matters most. Here are five players who must step up if Chiefs are to sustain a genuine league title push. Brandon Petersen | The margin between points and regrets Goalkeepers often decide league races quietly. Brandon Petersen has been entrusted with the No 1 jersey this season, making over a dozen league appearances. While he has delivered solid performances,…

Traditionally, the Springboks have relied on their versatile loose-forwards to cover the No 6 jersey, with less emphasis on selecting specialist fetchers to strengthen the squad. However, it might be time for Rassie Erasmus to consider that approach ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. In the United Rugby Championship, a handful of ball poachers have been delivering strong performances for their franchises, knocking on the Bok door. With the position currently belonging to captain Siya Kolisi, it’s time to start looking beyond the 2027 tournament heading into the next 13 international matches. We take a look at the flankers who have put their hands up for that spot. Paul de Villiers | Stormers Arguably the top No 6 flank in the country at the moment. De Villiers stepped out…