Inhaltsverzeichnis für 2025-09-23 in Star

Canal+ has taken effective control of South African television and streaming company MultiChoice, marking the French media giant’s biggest acquisition and a big step in its plans to become the leading pan-African pay-TV operator. The acquisition of control of MultiChoice, which already operates in 50 African countries, means the group will now be present in nearly 70 countries in Africa, Europe, and Asia. “Today marks an important step for Canal+, as we begin to integrate MultiChoice to create a group with enhanced scale, reach, and creativity,” said Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada in a statement. The deal was first announced in March 2024, but many regulatory hurdles needed to be crossed. The companies said in a joint statement that the combined group will have a workforce of 17 000 employees and…

regional airline says contested route was marked by high re-establishment costs, not predatory pricing Regional airline Airlink has defended its operations on the Johannesburg–Mthatha route, telling the Competition Tribunal on Monday that its presence on the contested route was marked by losses, high re-establishment costs, and difficult operating conditions rather than predatory pricing. The Tribunal this week resumed hearings into allegations that Airlink abused its dominance on the route between 2012 and 2016, when new entrant Fly Blue Crane (FBC) briefly competed before exiting the market. The case follows a referral by the Competition Commission, based on complaints lodged between 2015 and 2017 by business executive Khwezi Tiya, the OR Tambo District Chamber of Business, and FBC itself. The complainants accused Airlink of imposing excessive fares when it held a…

The boardroom has often been described as the table where the future of organisations is shaped. Around it, critical decisions are taken that affect employees, customers, communities, investors and society at large. Yet an often-overlooked question is this: who sits at that table, and why does it matter? The legitimacy of governance rests not only on policies and processes but also on the people entrusted to lead. Their mix of skills, experiences, perspectives and integrity determines whether governance delivers value or falls short. Boards poorly composed risk becoming echo chambers, where decisions reflect narrow thinking and familiar interests. By contrast, boards that bring together diverse expertise and perspectives are more resilient, adaptive and trusted. The composition of the governing body is therefore not a technical formality, but a fundamental test…

Imagine how our lives would change if South African banks were to launch new home loan pre-approval processes over WhatsApp. Customers could submit details, receive personalised offers, and upload supporting documents without ever logging into a website or downloading an app. In less than a month, banks would see their response times double, lead drop-off rates fall substantially, and customer satisfaction scores rise significantly—simply because they chose to engage with potential customers through conversation, via a messaging channel they already trust and use daily. WhatsApp. While the case study promises great results for financial institutions, the benefits for consumers are just as compelling. With faster, easier access to finance, streamlined pre-approvals cut down on paperwork and waiting times, giving buyers clarity within minutes on whether they qualify, which is crucial…

A fired LVMH executive - accused of misconduct including giving a colleague the middle finger - is suing Moët Hennessy for €1.7 million ($2 million), saying he was really ousted for flagging sanctions-busting sales to Russia, not his management style. Kenneth Kralick, who led online sales for the wines and spirits division of LVMH, says his boss turned against him after blowing the whistle in April 2023 on an alleged parallel distribution system channeling products through the US to Russia. “That’s when the real difficulties began,” his lawyer Marine Le Conte told the Paris tribunal on Thursday. She argued he was harassed in the run-up to his dismissal a year later. His remit was cut back and his boss deliberately ran meetings in French - a language Kralick doesn’t speak.…

​ The day we have been waiting for, as fans of the 3-Step sound or, more accurately, fans of house music, has finally arrived. Jazzwrld and Thukuthela have released their debut album, The Most Wanted. They are undeniably the leading names in the industry right now. I first discovered the duo earlier this year through their hit songs Isaka (6am), a collaboration with Ciza, and Vuka with Oscar Mbo. Shortly after the success of these tracks, they delivered more chart-topping hits, including Bengicela featuring MaWhoo and GL_Ceejay, uMa Wengane with Sykes and Major League DJz, Uzizwa Kanjan featuring MaWhoo and GL_Ceejay, Tholukuthi (Clap Song) and uValo featuring Babalwa M and Dlala Thukzin. All of these songs are catchy and worthy of the Song of the Year consideration. With so many…

Experts believe that although President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump are unlikely to meet directly, the upcoming 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York comes at a crucial time for South Africa and the US to address their bilateral relations. Trump imposed a 30% tariff on imports from South Africa recently after Ramaphosa’s government made several unsuccessful attempts to secure a trade agreement. The tariff rate is the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa and could cause tens of thousands of job losses at a time when South Africa’s economy is barely growing and unemployment is stuck above 30%. Trump’s decision was based on several factors, including the US trade deficit with South Africa and political disagreements with its government. The new tariffs effectively ended South Africa’s…

The National Taxi Alliance says it will remember its slain taxi chairperson, Thamsanqa Moyo, as a unifier and a fighter for the economic liberation of its members. The 58-year-old was shot and killed in Soweto last Thursday. It is reported that at the time of his death, Moyo was on his way to a meeting in Honeydew. Yesterday, members of the alliance visited Moyo’s home in Dube, Soweto, with spokesperson Theo Malele, saying the incident should not have happened as Moyo was a man of peace. “It is very difficult, and it is a sombre moment, but we are joining hands and forging ahead even with heavy hearts. The family is devastated by the loss, but they are comforted by his work of trying to bring people together and unite…

The Road Accident Fund must reimburse a Kaapse vrou for the laser treatment she received to her face, as it was “horribly disfigured” when she was hit by a car while jogging in Hout Bay. In February 2018, the plaintiff only identified as JA, was running with friends along the shoulder of Northshore Drive, Hout Bay, when she was struck by a vehicle. The collision was caused solely as a result of the negligence of the insured identified driver, with the result of which the plaintiff sustained serious injuries. She underwent a 12-hour emergency operation and was in intensive care for 18 days. As a result of the injuries sustained to her face during the collision, she underwent approximately 13 operations. JA, a safari planner, testified that the first time…

As we all daily watch the sickening reporting of the genocide taking place in Gaza and now in the West Bank, we are at risk of just switching channels to view something a little less disturbing and upsetting. Like maybe Netflix or Prime ... even the South African Broadcasting Corporation. We are at risk of doing nothing in the face of the greatest human catastrophe since the Second World War. It is genocide beyond any shadow of a doubt. As much as Hitler and Himmler wanted the elimination of all Jews from the face of the earth, so the triad of Netanyahu, Smotrich and Ben Gvir want to see the Palestinians obliterated from the region if not the face of the earth. Gas chambers and firing squads on the international…

A crisis summit on job losses is something that South Africa urgently needs in light of the recent spate of retrenchments across the country, says the chairperson of Parliament’s Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade, Sonja Boshoff. She has urged the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, to convene such a summit amid mass retrenchments and downsizing by big companies, which has become “far too routine” in South Africa. “We do not need another national dialogue talk shop. Our economy is stagnant and paralysed by contradictory policies. Workers and communities are counting on decisive leadership,” Boshoff said. “These job losses are too many, too frequent, and under too much avoidable pressure. We must act now, not just to protect livelihoods, but to safeguard South Africa’s industrial…

The Lions face the arduous task of overcoming the disappointment of losing their second consecutive Currie Cup final, as they prepare for their opening United Rugby Championship (URC) clash later this week. The dismay of losing to the Griquas in a tightly contested 25-24 final this past weekend will have to be quickly forgotten and cosigned to the past, if the Joburgers are to make a winning start to the franchise tournament against Cardiff Rugby on Saturday (kick-off 8.45pm). That, however, will be easier said than done. The truth is that the Lions were the overwhelming favourites to lift the coveted Cup against a determined Griquas, marking their shock defeat all the more bitter. No doubt compounding that dejection is the likelihood that the matchday 23 that lost the final…

“I miss playing for South Africa.” That’s all Proteas Men’s coach Shukri Conrad needed to hear to be interested in the rest of the call coming in at 2am. At the end of the phone was none other than Quinton de Kock, who felt the need to ring up Conrad all the way in Australia at that hour to urgently discuss his future. “We got to Darwin, I just put my head to the pillow at about 2 in the morning when my phone rang, and it was Quinny,” Conrad said, about the call yesterday. “He just expressed the desire to play for South Africa again in both white-ball formats. We chatted for a bit and I said I’d come back to him in a couple of days. Then, I…

Milk South Africa (Milk SA) on Monday revealed in its annual report for 2024 that while the dairy industry has encountered significant challenges over the past year, it is also witnessing noteworthy growth. Chairman of Milk SA, Dr Bonile Jack-Pama, said the sector plays a dual role in nourishing the country’s growing population and stimulating demand for dairy products. “Our milk producers and manufacturers of dairy products in particular, are at the coalface of the enormous challenges that every new day brings in our beloved South Africa, especially in terms of infrastructure and government services - and an unfriendly business environment overall.” He highlighted structural shifts in the sector over the past 25 years, noting that while the number of milk producers has dropped by 85% since 2000, output has…

It’s easy to see Heritage Day as a break from school or work, or an excuse to braai with friends and family. But its significance is much greater. It’s a day to remember the foundations of our society – and the way they retain their value as the basis for a more equitable future. South Africa’s multifaceted heritage has been shaped by thousands of years of human history and the convergence of diverse cultures, languages and traditions. And as we celebrate Heritage Day on 24 September, the country is still grappling with how to honour this complex inheritance while building a more inclusive future. This is a challenge for communities, businesses, governments and development agencies such as Kagiso Trust, which traces its foundations to the apartheid era. The Trust is…

As the global oil market continues to exhibit minor fluctuations, South African drivers may face a slight increase in petrol prices next week, according to experts. The Brent crude oil price has recently stabilised around $66.54 (R1 144) per barrel, raising discussions about the potential effects on the local petrol market. Professor Waldo Krugell of North-West University noted that Brent crude was trading within its recent range, saying that while concerns about sanctions on Russia persist, oversupply fears continue to offset them. Krugell added that the key factor for us will be the rand-dollar exchange rate over the next week. “On Friday's data, there is an under-recovery of 2 cents to 10 cents on petrol, but if the rand stays strong, the fuel price may end up virtually unchanged,” he…

Renergen on Monday warned of a bigger interim loss and announced it has ended a legal dispute with Springbok Solar Power Plant (RF) as the parties have agreed to “mutually beneficial operations in the Free State.” Renergen’s share price slipped 1.55% to R14.27 on the JSE in the morning, but the price remains substantially higher than only R3.63 in March this year, before the onshore helium and liquid natural gas producer reached an agreement to merge with Nasdaq and JSE-listed ASP Isotopes, which will ultimately lead to Renergen’s delisting from the JSE. Following a period of protracted legal proceedings and regulatory review, Renergen and RF said jointly that they have agreed to settlement terms that ensure the protection of Renergen’s subsidiary, Tetra4’s rights to natural gas extraction, and the continued…

Given that it is Heritage Month, with Heritage Day being celebrated tomorrow, the powerful theatrical production Dancing the Death Drill is certainly one for the books. This production is a commemoration of the lives lost in the tragic sinking of the SS Mendi on February 21, 1917. Directed by James Ngcobo, the artistic director of Joburg City Theatres, this masterpiece boasts stunning choreography, emotive storytelling and powerful performances. “This is a story that has been living inside of me for some time,” Ngcobo said. “Our goal was to create a piece that is both a haunting lament and a joyful celebration of life. The SS Mendi story must be known; it must be remembered. It is not something that belongs to a select few; it is a story that belongs…

The Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry yesterday resumed its investigation into allegations of political interference in the criminal justice system at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria. The venue has at least 300 seats allocated for public members, however, yesterday morning the auditorium room had not more than nine attendees in the public space. The dwindling attendance at the commission’s proceedings may indicate that public interest is waning now that KwaZulu-Natal police Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has completed his testimony. Mkhwanazi’s explosive allegations of politicians and businesspeople interfering with the criminal justice system sparked intense debate during his three-day appearance at the inquiry last week. Yesterday, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola took the stand to testify on the allegations of political interference in the criminal justice system. As he…

THE SOUTH African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has issued a renewed warning to beneficiaries after reports of fraudsters demanding money to “assist” with grant applications. Sassa emphasised that all its services are free of charge, and no one – not even its own staff – is permitted to request compensation for helping clients. National spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi said the agency is aware of “unfortunate occurrences that are designed to swindle our vulnerable beneficiaries off their grant money in the name of Sassa”. “We want to emphasise that all our services are free of charge and not even our staff members are permitted to demand money from our clients for providing a service because they are paid already,” he emphasised. Members of the public are urged to immediately report anyone who…

The City of Johannesburg is going after its worst defaulters who might soon have their entire electricity infrastructure, including electricity meters, removed as part of the City’s aggressive credit control initiative, under the Project Lokisa banner. The City has already identified more than 1 300 residential customers with a combined municipal debt of R978 million. These customers have failed to pay their municipal accounts for more than a year and risk the possibility of losing their electricity meters due to their persistent non-payment and their refusal to come forward and make arrangements with the City. Kgamanyane Maphologela, Director for Communications and Stakeholder Engagement within the Group Finance Department, explains that, should these customers fail to settle their accounts or approach the City within the stipulated period, the City will be…

The Gauteng Department of Education has promised to enlist the help of law enforcement agencies to help prevent Operation Dudula from disrupting the province’s academic programme in the new academic year. This comes as Operation Dudula visited some Soweto schools, with allegations that they prioritise undocumented illegal foreigners in their system. Yesterday, the movement and its leader, Zandile Dabula, who have been criticised for their nationwide campaign aimed at preventing illegal foreigners from accessing health care, delivered warning letters to 11 Soweto schools ahead of the next academic year. The movement says it is calling on public schools in townships to prioritise South African learners over foreign nationals, with the movement adding that this initiative is part of a broader campaign ahead of next year’s local government elections. “We have…

Lobby group AfriForum has launched a fierce defence of apartheid-era monuments after the EFF tabled a parliamentary motion calling for their removal from public spaces. The organisation condemned the proposal as a direct assault on Afrikaner heritage and warned that dismantling such monuments would deepen divisions in an already polarised country. “Politicians who have proven that they cannot build anything, like the EFF, are simply encouraging destruction and violence. Because the EFF has failed to build even one promised school, they are now focusing instead on promises to tear down statues,” said Ernst van Zyl, AfriForum’s head of public relations. Van Zyl claimed that the removal of historical monuments could open the door to serious forms of exclusion. This comes as a response to a heated debate in the National…

When Tony Brown was playing for the Sharks in 2006, he famously said he loved having “a pack of angry Afrikaners in front of him rather than attacking him.” Now, as Springbok attack coach, he is enjoying the ball his backline is receiving from that same pack. Brown, a former All Black and Highlanders flyhalf, saw the fruits of his labours in Wellington last week when the Boks overran his former team. But while rugby folk are raving about the 43-10 victory, Brown is not one of them. The Kiwi says the Boks must be even better to give themselves the best chance of winning the Rugby Championship by beating the Pumas twice over the next fortnight, starting in Durban on Saturday. “It was a good performance last week against…

Vincent Tshituka admits it took him a while to feel at home at the Sharks after a life in Johannesburg, but now he lives and breathes Kings Park. The elder Tshituka brother is the new captain of the Sharks side that left for Glasgow last night for a three-match United Rugby Championship tour, which kicks off against Glasgow Warriors on Friday. The 27-year-old came to South Africa from the Democratic Republic of Congo when he was four, and Northcliff in Johannesburg was his home until he left the Lions for the Sharks midway through 2022. “It took me a while to feel at home, but I definitely am there now. I learned the Sharks language, I speak it, and I love the brand,” he said. But it is not just…

Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva has criticised football’s schedule makers for lacking respect and fairness after his side were given little time to prepare for their clash with Arsenal. City kicked off their 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday just 66 hours after the final whistle in their Uefa Champions League home win over Napoli. While Pep Guardiola’s team had virtually no time to rest and recover from the Napoli match before the crucial Premier League showdown in north London, Arsenal had played their Champions League opener at Athletic Bilbao 48 hours earlier on Tuesday. Silva felt City’s tiredness was decisive as Arsenal dominated after Erling Haaland’s early strike before Gabriel Martinelli snatched a stoppage-time equaliser. Guardiola had named an unchanged side against Arsenal rather than rotating his…

Business Unity South Africa (Busa) has filed legal proceedings against the recently published Employment Equity (EE) Sector Targets, which officially came into effect on 1 September 2025. The EE Regulations are designed to promote equitable representation across all sectors of the economy and apply to all companies with more than 50 employees, setting targets across skilled, professional, and management levels over the next five years. The country’s largest organised business body on Monday stressed that its challenge is not aimed at opposing the Employment Equity Amendment Act or the principle of sectoral numerical targets under Section 15A of the Act, but rather the way in which the current targets were developed and imposed. BUSA CEO Khulekani Mathe said the organisation has engaged with the Department of Employment and Labour…

The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa) has hailed the Department of Home Affairs’ newly announced Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system as a landmark reform that will strengthen the country’s competitiveness in global tourism. This comes as the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Leon Schreiber, unveiled the ETA system at the Tourism Business Council of South Africa’s Leadership Conference on Thursday, positioning it as a key step in modernising South Africa’s visa and border management framework. Brett Tungay, Fedhasa national chairperson, commended Scheiber for driving digital transformation in visa and border control systems. Fedhasa is South Africa's trusted association for the hospitality industry, representing all segments and all establishments under one banner and with one voice. “The introduction of the ETA is a bold and visionary step that will…

In today’s digital economy, access to the right people has become as critical as access to the right technology. Yet, securing top IT talent has never been harder. A Bain & Company survey recently found that 44% of executives cite the growing AI talent gap as a major barrier to innovation, while LinkedIn’s 2025 Workplace Learning Report shows that less than half of applicants for technical roles meet the baseline requirements. The reality is stark: the pace of technological change is outstripping the availability of skilled professionals, and organisations that fail to rethink their talent strategies risk being left behind. Specialist IT recruitment matters A poor hiring decision in IT can result in systems that fail under pressure, spiralling costs, or catastrophic breaches that damage both reputation and revenue. And,…

Google faces a fresh federal court test on Monday as US government lawyers ask a judge to order the breakup of the search engine giant's ad technology business. The lawsuit is Google's second such test this year after the California-based tech juggernaut saw a similar government demand to split up its empire shot down by a judge earlier this month. Monday's case focuses specifically on Google's ad tech "stack" - the tools that website publishers use to sell ads and that advertisers use to buy them. In a landmark decision earlier this year, Federal Judge Leonie Brinkema agreed with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) that Google maintained an illegal grip on this market. Monday's trial is set to determine what penalties and changes Google must implement to undo its…

PPC’s share price surged 3.6% on Monday morning to R5.16 after it reported a “marked improvement” in its financial performance for the four months to July 31, 2025. The JSE-listed cement and aggregates maker for markets in South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe said in an update for the four months that their two-year-old “Awaken the Giant” turnaround strategy was gaining traction. This had resulted in further growth and margin expansion, on top of the improvement across key metrics achieved in the 2025 financial year. Their strategy, being implemented in a weak macro-economic environment in South Africa, focuses on increasing long-term leadership and competitiveness, through enhanced profitability and cash flow. In the four-months, group earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by more than 20% over the comparable period…

Johannesburg’s infrastructure is at a critical juncture. Over the past fifteen years, the city has witnessed minimal replacement of water infrastructure, according to an expert. As a result, many of these essential assets have now reached the end of their design life, leading to a growing sense of urgency for substantial renewal efforts to address the significant backlog. Speaking to The Star, a professional civil engineer and visiting adjunct professor at the University of the Witwatersrand Graduate School of Governance, laid bare the scale of Johannesburg’s water woes, from collapsing infrastructure and the heavy economic toll of supply failures to the urgent interventions needed to pull the city back from the brink of a full-blown water catastrophe. Joburg, and other parts of Gauteng, are in the grip of a deepening…

A SWIFT response by members of the Namakwa SAPS Task Team led to the arrest of three suspects who allegedly committed a business robbery at a local shop in Okiep. Preliminary reports indicate that on Sunday, September 21, at approximately 5.50pm, the shop owner was behind the counter when a customer entered the shop and purchased two packets of chips. Shortly afterwards, two unknown males also entered the shop. One of the suspects placed a packet of chips on the counter while the other stood in front of the complainant, pointing a firearm at him, and demanded money. According to reports, the second suspect went behind the counter and grabbed an open box containing an undisclosed amount of cash and packets of Sahawi cigarettes. After the robbery, the suspects fled…

Mandla Elliot Mthembu, the ex-husband of South African media personality Khanyi Mbau, has died. In a statement shared by his family, it was confirmed that the businessman and long-standing member of the African National Congress (ANC) died in New York on the evening of September 21. Mthembu was admitted to hospital, where he suffered a second stroke. Despite the tireless efforts of medical professionals, he succumbed to complications related to the stroke, “Throughout his life, Mr Mthembu was known for his entrepreneurial spirit, his contribution to South Africa’s business landscape and his commitment to the values of the ANC. His legacy will be remembered by many across the country.” The Mthembu family has requested privacy during the deeply painful time as they mourn the loss of a father, brother and…

The City of Johannesburg is a big and complex institution, an economic hub and the strategic municipality in the country. Therefore, the city council needs a strategic political leadership that will take it forward – and deliver the much-needed service to the residents. That said, the election of the executive mayor is not based on merit but the political party that the candidate belongs to, and the clique the candidate belongs to within the political party. This is partly why local governments in South Africa are in a poor state. The Patriotic Alliance has put the name of Kenny Kunene as its Johannesburg mayoral candidate for next year’s local government elections. Is Kunene fit for purpose? Can the residents of Johannesburg put their trust and future in his hands? There…

Democratic Alliance (DA) Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille has drawn sharp criticism after sidestepping questions about Israel’s atrocities in Gaza, where widespread destruction and mass civilian deaths have led many international observers and rights groups to label the assault as genocide. In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, the 74-year-old was pressed on her position regarding the escalating crisis but avoided taking a clear stand on whether Israel’s actions amount to genocide. “Genocide is a very big word and I haven’t been to Gaza, and I don’t know,” she told the broadcaster. “But I certainly know that Hamas has spent all its energy to obliterate the state of Israel.” Political analyst Siyabonga Ntombela said her remarks are consistent with the DA’s position of siding with Israel over Palestine. “Just because the…

When US President Donald Trump berated an Australian reporter for asking an unpleasant question, his colleagues took that as a warning. With the administration planning to slash correspondent visas and issuing not-so-veiled warnings, foreign journalists find themselves under pressure in the United States. Earlier this week, a journalist from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation asked Trump about his business dealings while in office. Trump was visibly irritated. “In my opinion, you are hurting Australia very much right now, and they want to get along with me,” Trump told the reporter, John Lyons. “Your leader is coming over to see me very soon. I’m gonna tell him about you. You set a very bad tone.” The exchange was widely discussed in Washington media circles. One foreign correspondent, who spoke to AFP on…

THE Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria was buzzing with activity last Wednesday. The judicial commission of inquiry into criminality, political interference, and corruption within the criminal justice system, led by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, officially commenced its inquiry. The origins of this commission lie in the disclosures by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi, on July 6 that a sophisticated criminal syndicate had allegedly infiltrated the highest echelons of the police, prosecutors, and even elements of the judiciary. Recognising the gravity of the allegations, President Ramaphosa announced the establishment of the Madlanga Commission on July 13. Assassinations, corruption, manipulation of investigations, and the reckless levelling of baseless allegations have become recurrent features in the South African Police Service. In such a climate, suspicion permeates every interaction. Boundaries…

As Kaizer Chiefs navigate a period of unexpected turbulence following a managerial shake-up, they are keen to get back on track tomorrow when they take on Marumo Gallants at FNB Stadium (kick-off 7.30pm). Recent performances have seen Chiefs suffer consecutive defeats, with a narrow 1-0 loss to Angolan side Kabuscorp in their continental opener on Saturday, following a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Sekhukhune United in the league last Wednesday. The weekend setback poses a significant challenge to Chiefs’ ambitions in the CAF Confederation Cup, marking a historic low for the club as it was their first loss to an Angolan team in any continental tournament. Before heading to Angola, the Glamour Boys enjoyed a five-match unbeaten streak in the Betway Premiership, but they now find themselves under pressure. The stand-in…

The Stormers are excited to welcome a trio of recently crowned Currie Cup kings from the Griquas into their system, as they prepare for their latest assault on the United Rugby Championship (URC) with Friday’s home game against defending champions Leinster. Griquas wings Dylan Maart and Gurshwin Wehr will join scrumhalf Caleb Abrahams on loan at the Cape giants, fresh off Saturday’s shock Currie Cup final triumph over the Lions. The news is just reward for three of the competition’s standout players, who helped guide the team from Kimberley to victory in a campaign where the odds were stacked heavily against Pieter Bergh’s charges. “Hopefully, they make it here. I’m not sure where they are with the celebrations,” Stormers assistant coach Dawie Snyman joked at a media conference yesterday. “But…

The Premier League is barely five rounds old and, while some of this year’s most expensive recruits have settled quickly, others are learning that price tags do not buy time or patience in England’s top flight. The battle for top striking talent was especially bruising, with much of the drama centred on Alexander Isak’s blockbuster move from Newcastle to Liverpool. The late nature of the Swedish forward’s forced exit meant he arrived at Anfield underdone, while a number of elite strikers had plenty of time to bed in at their new homes. Benjamin Šeško, Viktor Gyökeres and Hugo Ekitike all arrived in England with strong reputations as master finishers, and were among the most in-demand strikers in Europe. Of the trio, Ekitike has hit the ground running, bagging three goals…

The Proteas’ Women’s team have been given a wake-up call ahead of next month’s ICC Cricket World Cup after slumping to a six-wicket defeat to Pakistan in the third and final ODI in Lahore yesterday. Mandla Mashimbyi’s team had already assumed a 2-0 lead prior to the dead-rubber, but would still have wanted to depart for India on a high note. Instead, the batters collapsed to 115 all out, with the last nine wickets falling for just 65 runs after earlier being comfortably placed at 50/1. Pakistan’s destroyer-in-chief was left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu, who claimed a career-best 6/26. The left-arm spinner was well supported by fellow leg-spinner Syeda Shah (2/16). The home team’s chase was rocked early on when opener Omaima Sohail was dismissed for a first-ball duck by Nonkululeko…