Star -julkaisun 2025-09-25 -irtonumeron sisällysluettelo

China has signaled its readiness to fast-track zero-tariff access for South African goods, opening the door for more local products to enter its vast consumer market under favorable terms. Speaking at the South Africa–China Trade and Investment Promotion Conference in Johannesburg on Tuesday, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng said the initiative forms part of Beijing’s broader commitment to deepen economic cooperation with Africa. “In June this year, President Xi Jinping announced that China is ready to expand zero-tariff treatment for 100% of tariff lines to all 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China,” Wu said. “More than 30 African countries have already signed the framework agreements. China is prepared to work with South Africa to implement these measures as soon as possible.” The announcement comes as…

The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) has come under fire from the steel import industry after proposing the use of national security provisions to tighten controls on steel imports. Industry players fear that ITAC’s move to invoke Article 21 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) — traditionally reserved for situations of war or terrorism — could be used as a blanket restriction on imports, even where no genuine security concerns exist. Presenting XA International Trade Advisors’ seventh Import Duty Investigation Report on Tuesday, CEO Donald Mackay warned that “import control is creeping in under the guise of national security,” raising suspicions that government may be attempting to bypass its GATT obligations. “By invoking the national security concern, government is hoping to bypass the obligations…

South Africa’s furniture sector has received a significant boost as leading retailer Coricraft expands local production of upholstered seating at its Epping facility in Cape Town, reducing reliance on imports and supporting more than 500 jobs. Backed by the Localisation Support Fund (LSF), the initiative has shifted tens of millions of rand worth of furniture production into the local economy. Coricraft has already achieved nearly 10% growth in productivity and a 38% improvement in efficiency by adopting lean manufacturing practices, real-time monitoring, and new planning tools that allow it to respond more quickly to market demand. According to Shani Naidoo, group director responsible for Coricraft and The Foschini Group (TFG) Home business, the initiative represents more than just operational improvements. “By producing more locally at Coricraft, we are securing jobs,…

Green hydrogen has numerous applications across multiple industries, from decarbonising steel to fertiliser production, fuelling heavy transport, storing renewable energy for grid stability, and supplying cleaner feedstock to refineries and chemical plants. However, beyond these use cases, it also has the potential to provide a clean energy source to power future technology, with far-reaching implications for both industry and society. Technology driving energy demand Technological innovation is accelerating at a rapid pace, from cloud computing to generative AI, robotic-assisted healthcare and autonomous vehicles. While each breakthrough is a potential revolution, it also comes at an increased cost in terms of electricity consumption. Data centres are multiplying across the world, consuming vast amounts of power to support AI training and applications. Hospitals are adopting robotics, mixed reality neurosurgery, and AI-driven diagnostics,…

African Bank has raised R700 million of 3- and 5-year social bonds enabled by its first Sustainable Finance Framework (SFF) that aims to drive inclusive growth in South Africa through the financing of small to medium enterprises. The bonds were well subscribed, with more than R1 billion in bids received, African Bank said on Monday. The SFF was instrumental in enabling the bank to raise capital through Green, Social, and Sustainability bonds and loans, in support of projects that deliver measurable environmental and social impact. Several other South African institutions have issued these bonds, such as the Development Bank of Southern Africa, Nedbank, and the City of Cape Town. These bonds typically fund initiatives like affordable housing, education, healthcare, and employment creation. African Bank's SFF outlines eligible criteria for SME…

A third instalment of the popular franchise, Camp Rock, is currently in production, with filming having started in Vancouver last week. To add to the excitement, the brothers, Joe, Nick and Kevin Jonas will return to their iconic roles as Shane Gray, Nate Gray and Jason Gray, respectively, of the fictional band, Connect 3. Demi Lovato, who portrayed Mitchie Torres in the first two films, will also return to take on the role of co-executive producer. In a video shared by Disney+, Nick says, “Camp Rock, it’s so good to be back. It’s time to head back to camp.” Alongside the return of fan-favourite characters, the cast of Camp Rock 3 has some exciting newcomers. Maria Canals-Barrera will reprise her role as Connie Torres, Mitchie’s mother, and a fresh…

The City of Johannesburg is gearing up for an aggressive campaign aimed at removing electricity meters from over 1 300 worst defaulters that owe a staggering R978 million. This decisive action highlights the municipality’s commitment to enforcing payment and enhancing service delivery in a city plagued by financial challenges. As part of its Project Lokisa credit control drive, the City has already flagged these households, which have failed to settle accounts for over a year. Director for Communications and Stakeholder Engagement within the Group Finance Department, Kgamanyane Maphologela, said that should these customers fail to settle their accounts or approach the City within the stipulated period, the City will be left with no choice but to remove its electricity infrastructure. “All identified customers have already received level three disconnection notices,…

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) Board has announced comprehensive measures aimed at expediting the payment of all outstanding claims. Following a series of fruitful meetings with various stakeholders, including legal representatives and service providers, the Board is taking definitive steps to restore faith in the claims process while implementing a sustainable management system to prevent future backlogs. The urgency of the situation has prompted the RAF to initiate payments for claims that have been pending for more than 180 days, with the total value of these claims exceeding an astonishing R20 billion. In just two weeks, the RAF has disbursed R3.3bn and anticipates further monthly payments exceeding R4bn throughout the year as part of its restructured business model. This consistent flow of payments is expected to significantly alleviate the claims…

As South Africans celebrate Heritage Day this September, one local entrepreneur is making it her mission to keep cultural traditions alive – one bead at a time. For Phindile Millicent Msiza, a proud Ndebele woman, beadwork is more than a business. It is a calling to preserve African identity. “As a black South African woman, I have taken it as my personal responsibility to preserve our African culture through my talent in jewellery making. Cultural preservation and promotion bring me personal enrichment and profit,” she told IOL. Every weekend, she sets up her stall at Denlyn Mall in Mamelodi, showcasing a vibrant collection of African jewelry. For Msiza, the mall is more than a trading space – it is a platform to celebrate tradition and share African artistry with a…

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the world must act with urgency and unity to confront the multiple global crises threatening peace, development, and human dignity. Addressing the General Debate at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, Ramaphosa delivered an appeal for multilateral reform, climate justice, economic equality, and peace in regions plagued by conflict. Ramaphosa told world leaders that South Africa’s 2025 G20 presidency will be guided by “Equality, Solidarity and Sustainability,” aiming to re-centre Africa in global economic governance. He warned that climate change continues to reverse hard-won development gains, particularly in the Global South. “Extreme weather events, like floods and droughts, are driving food insecurity, displacing populations, damaging infrastructure and destroying livelihoods.” He also pointed to the debt crisis facing many…

When Mihiar Ayoubi joined BMW three decades ago, he entered a world obsessed with precision engineering and the pursuit of the ultimate driving machine. Currently, as the head of BMW Driving Experience, he talks about the transformation of driving itself – from purely mechanical systems to intelligent, connected platforms and, now, to a completely new electric era. “For 30 years I’ve lived through the evolution of driving dynamics, and with this Neue Klasse platform we’ve been able to take everything we’ve learned and start fresh – something that comes once in a century,” he said during an interview after the global reveal of the BMW iX3 in Munich. Three decades of transformation Ayoubi describes the journey of BMW’s driving dynamics in three distinct stages. “The first decade was mechanical,” he…

Alexander Isak scored his first Liverpool goal to inspire a 2-1 win against Southampton in the League Cup third round, while Chelsea survived a scare to beat third-tier Lincoln on Tuesday. Isak was making his third appearance for Liverpool since his British record £125 million move from Newcastle on transfer deadline day. The 26-year-old had drawn a blank in his 58-minute debut appearance against Atletico Madrid and also failed to net after coming off the bench for the last 23 minutes of Saturday’s Merseyside derby win over Everton. But Isak got off the mark in the 43rd minute as Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy tried a short pass that was intercepted by Federico Chiesa, who picked out the Sweden striker to fire home. It was a belated birthday present for Isak,…

As Formula 1 charges into the final stretch of the 2025 season, McLaren’s dominance since the mid-season break has painted a picture few thought possible at the start of the year. Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have led the way, turning the papaya-orange cars into the benchmark for consistency and raw pace. Yet, in the background, the reigning champion Max Verstappen remains an outside contender with a less than one in a thousand chance of beating Piastri on points. After his win at Baku, the question is: could Verstappen really pull off a near impossible comeback and snatch the title from McLaren’s new star, Oscar Piastri? On paper, the task seems insurmountable. Piastri sits on 324 points, Norris on 299, while Verstappen trails in third with 255. That leaves a…

The average cost of a household food basket dropped marginally in September, but civil society groups have warned that South Africans continue to face rising food insecurity and hunger. According to the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group’s (PMBEJD) Household Affordability Index, released on Tuesday, the basket cost fell by just R1.20 (0.0%), from R5 380.62 in August to R5 379.42 in September. On a year-on-year basis, however, the index shows a sharp increase of 2.4% or R123.74, up from R5 255.68 in September 2024. Mervyn Abrahams, director at PMBEJD, said 21 of the 44 tracked food items increased in price last month. Key hikes of 5% or more included chicken gizzards (5%), beef liver (7%), butternut (13%), green peppers (9%), and bananas (8%). Smaller but notable increases were seen…

Mining has done so much to build South Africa’s economy but for too many people living in mining communities, that wealth has not translated into dignity, opportunity, or security. My mother works in mining, and our family has lived in various mining communities over the years, so I know first-hand what it means when decisions taken in boardrooms thousands of kilometres away shape the lives of ordinary people. The timing of Anglo American’s merger with Canada’s Teck Resources tells a damning story that South African leaders appear determined to ignore. Just as CEO Duncan Wanblad’s restructuring promises collapse spectacularly with a $3.8 billion coal sale dead, the Woodsmith polyhalite project delayed until 2027, and losses ballooning to $1.9 billion, suddenly Vancouver beckons as the new headquarters. How convenient. For most…

Ahead of COP30 in Belem, Brazil, countries that are parties to the Paris Agreement will submit their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for 2030–2035, as states acknowledge that climate change is a “common concern for humankind” for both present and future generations. When planning and implementing climate action, states must respect, promote, and consider intergenerational equity, which simply means equity means fairness among generations, with an equitable and just distribution of benefits and risks. Drawing from the open and frank arguments in the Commission, Commissioner Louise Naudé aptly reflects, “I don't know whether to wish that my son would have a child, or to hope that he won't. With the critical decade for climate mitigation action flying by and the dishearteningly slow and limited mitigation action underway, it seems any child…

The world economy will grow more than previously forecast this year after absorbing the shock of US President Donald Trump's tariffs, but their full impact remains uncertain, the OECD said Tuesday. In June, the Paris-based organisation had cut its forecast from 3.1 percent to 2.9 percent, warning at the time that Trump's tariffs would stifle the world economy. But in an updated outlook on Tuesday, it raised the projection to 3.2 percent, saying the economy "proved more resilient than anticipated" in the first half of 2025. The OECD said "front-loading" - companies rushing to import goods ahead of Trump's tariffs - "was an important source of support". The economy also got a boost from strong AI-related investments in the United States and government spending in China. The updated figure…

This month, a chaotic and hilarious comedy, starring several South African A-listers, is scheduled for release in cinemas. Loved Out starring Somizi Mhlongo’s daughter, Bahumi Mhlongo and veteran actress Khabonina Qubeka, tells a story that many can relate to: love is important, but self-love is vital. The movie, which is slated for release tomorrow, is written, directed and produced by Tendayi Nyeke. At the centre of Loved Out is the complex relationship between a mother and daughter. The story revolves around Ruva, played by Love, Sex and 30 Candles star Mhlongo, whose life is far from perfect. Despite her ambition and drive to run her family restaurant, she often finds herself in the role of caretaker for her mother, Gloria, played by Qubeka. Gloria’s wild behaviour often complicates Ruva’s dreams,…

Patriotic Alliance (PA) has welcomed an independent investigation that cleared Kenny Kunene of any wrongdoing related to his controversial visit to the Sandton residence of Katiso Molefe in July. The high-profile probe, led by leading law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH), found “no evidence or witness testimony that refutes the version from Kunene,” affirming his presence at the residence was solely for journalistic purposes. According to the CDH report, Kunene had facilitated an exclusive interview between journalist Jabulani Binase and Molefe for Africa News Global (ANG). The investigation included interviews with all key parties – Kunene, Binase, a facilitator referred to as “Jabu,” and ANG Editor-in-Chief Steve Motale – and examined media content, documents, and public records. The visit, which attracted widespread media attention, took a dramatic turn when SAPS…

The City of Ekurhuleni faces fresh allegations of institutional cover-up following claims that senior municipal officials refused to take disciplinary action against Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Acting Chief Julius Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi is accused of facilitating the illegal transfer of city-owned vehicles equipped with blue lights to private businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala who is under arrest and facing a slew of charges including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and fraud. Xolani Nciza, the Former Head of Employee Relations at the Ekurhuleni municipality and the official who oversaw the internal investigation into the matter, spoke to eNCA on Tuesday about how efforts to hold Mkhwanazi accountable were systematically undermined. “In February 2023, we initiated an internal investigation following media reports concerning blue light irregularities. The inquiry revealed clear malfeasance linked…

In a political twist that’s reigniting old wounds, the ANC Women’s League has blasted the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) announcement of Helen Zille as its mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, calling the move “astounding” and “deeply hypocritical.” DA Federal Chairperson Helen Zille was officially announced as the party’s Johannesburg mayoral candidate last weekend, setting the stage for a fierce contest in South Africa’s economic heartland. This also sharpened battle lines ahead of the 2026 local government elections. But the ANCWL has condemned the nomination, citing Zille’s controversial past and what they call a “track record of exclusionary governance.” “Johannesburg is a cosmopolitan metropolis of the African continent, home to millions seeking economic opportunity,” said the League in a statement. “The only proven track record to be attributed to the DA is its…

The Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre at the University of Johannesburg was alive with colour, music, and cultural vibrancy on Monday, September 22, as South Africans were introduced to the enchanting world of Wu Opera, performed by the Zhejiang Wu Opera Research Center. The event, hosted at UJ Arts & Culture’s Kingsway Campus, formed part of a cultural exchange programme showcasing Wu Opera – also known as Jinhua Opera – a traditional Chinese operatic genre with a history spanning over five centuries. A Celebration of Heritage and Cultural Exchange Audiences were treated to a rich programme of performances, including classics such as Nine-Section Dragon, Blocking the Horse, Carrying the Bridal Sedan Chair, Lu Bu Tests His Horse, and the evocative Three Battles with the White Bone Spirit. The show featured vivid…

It was a tough weekend for Toyota Gazoo South Africa (TGRSA) in the Outeniqua 400 fourth round of the South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC), which took place in the scenic Langkloof Valley between Oudtshoorn and Uniondale in the Western Cape. Good start They started well from Louvain Guest Farm, where rally HQ was situated, with Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet setting the fastest time over the 38-kilometre prologue, just one second ahead of teammates Guy Botterill and Oriol Mena, in an identical GR Hilux IMT Evo. First setbacks Despite their pace, several setbacks put the team on the back foot by the time the dust had settled after the technical 80-kilometre loop at the end of the day. Botterill and Mena first suffered a puncture, and then had to deal…

Heritage is the thread that binds past, present, and future. It is the story of who we are, the roots that ground us, and the compass that guides us forward. To know your heritage is to know yourself, your dignity, your identity and your purpose. Heritage is not a mask we wear on certain days, it is the truth of who we are, and it must be lived with pride. When people know their heritage, they discover their strength and when a nation honours its heritage, it becomes unshakable. And, the true question is: what future does our heritage demand of us? Apartheid sought to erase heritage by silencing languages, ridiculing cultures, and stripping communities of dignity. Yet, what was meant to divide became a source of defiance, as people…

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine has identified co-hosts India and Sri Lanka, as well as defending champions Australia, as formidable opponents to face off against in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, starting on September 30. New Zealand, who won the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, are aiming to win the 50-over silverware after emerging victorious in the 2000 edition of the competition. Sophie had earlier announced that she would step away from the format after the end of the upcoming World Cup. “Every team will possess a different challenge, but we know the defending champions Australia are going to be pretty tough to beat. Playing them first up will be a great start to the tournament. India at home are also a huge threat, in terms of the support…

Lions scrumhalf Morne van den Berg has praised the system at the Springboks that allows players to use their unique talents, and “be ourselves”. The man best known as “Krappie” in rugby circles has replaced injured Grant Williams on the bench for Saturday’s vital Rugby Championship match against Argentina in Durban. The 27-year-old has had to be patient for national honours and has just three caps behind him. “It’s very exciting. It’s a massive privilege to be a part of it and learn more every day,” Van den Berg said of the Bok set-up. “The system gives you a lot of confidence. If the coaches back you and make you believe — and I know I’ve been given everything to be the best player I can be — then who…

Transnet reassures investors of commitment to R127bn capital expenditure plan over five years Transnet has reassured investors of its commitment to an ambitious R127 billion capital expenditure plan over the next five years as it works to modernise South Africa’s rail and port network, tackle theft and vandalism, and open the system to private operators. This comes as the State-owned freight and logistics operator continues to ramp up volumes after moving nearly 160 million tons of freight in the year ended 31 March 2025 compared to 151 million tons the previous year. Freight volumes had been in steep decline since Transnet’s peak year in 2017/18, when it moved well over 200 million tons. Speaking in a wide-ranging discussion on the company’s turnaround efforts at the 5th SA SOC Investment Summit…

South Africa’s agricultural exports to the United States surged by 26% in the second quarter of 2025, reaching $161 million (R2.7 billion), despite ongoing concerns over potential tariff hikes and market access. Data from the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) on Tuesday showed that the increase was driven largely by citrus, wine, fruit juices, and nuts—products that traditionally dominate South Africa’s shipments to the US. Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz chief economist, said the surge may reflect exporters taking advantage of the 90-day pause on higher tariffs. “It appears that some exporters may have taken advantage of the 90-day pause on the higher tariffs and exported more volume than usual during that period,” he said. “The fact that South Africa generally has a large fruit harvest also contributed to this…

Energy poverty in South Africa remains acute. Research from the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) shows that more than half of households live below the upper-bound poverty line, with a significant share on the food poverty line. This is the context in which affordability and food-versus-energy choices are made at kitchen tables every day. Free Basic Electricity (FBE) was designed to ease this burden, but delivery is uneven across municipalities and coverage limited. Stats SA’s 2023 General Household Survey found that only about 14% of municipal electricity consumer units received FBE. This shortfall undermines access to affordable electricity at levels sufficient to drive socio-economic development and improve food security. Meanwhile, municipal finances are under severe strain, with arrears to Eskom approaching R100 billion. In response, National Treasury has launched a…

Remgro, the JSE-listed investment group with well-known South African businessman Johann Rupert as its major controlling shareholder, has declared a 200 cents a share special dividend, bringing its total payout to shareholders to about R3.09 billion for the year. The special dividend for the year to June 30 followed the disposal of the interest in British American Tobacco and strong performances from nearly all Remgro's investee companies. The special dividend is in addition to the total dividend for the year, which increased by 30.3% to 344 cents a share compared with the previous year. Remgro's intrinsic net asset value per share increased by 16.5% to R292.34 at June 30, from R251.01 at June 30 a year before. The closing share price at June 30, 2025, was R158.20 (2024: R136.09), representing…

The battle for Johannesburg’s mayorship intensifies, Dada Morero is emerging as a formidable challenger to the Democratic Alliance’s Helen Zille. Morero’s appeal among township voters, especially in Soweto, is growing, fuelled by critiques of the DA’s performance in poor areas and mounting frustration over the party’s silence on Gaza. DA’s Western Cape Record Under Fire The DA is under fire for what many locals and opposition figures call neglect in impoverished areas in the Western Cape. Earlier this year, ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile visited townships such as Gugulethu and Khayelitsha, pointing to “filthy streets”, overflowing rubbish heaps and inadequate municipal services. He accused the DA government of ignoring these communities. Helen Zille responded forcefully, calling Mashatile’s claims “bulls**t” and insisting that the DA does more for poorer neighbourhoods than…

For more than two years, over 1 000 learners at La Rochelle Primary School in Johannesburg have been forced to endure unsafe and undignified sanitation conditions, as broken toilets remain unfixed and promises of relief continue to fall flat. According to Sergio Isa Dos Santos, the Democratic Alliance DA’s Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, the crisis at the school has gone beyond sanitation failures, now completely disrupting teaching and learning and depriving learners of their constitutional right to quality education. “This situation is unacceptable and must be resolved urgently so that learners can return to a safe, dignified environment conducive to learning,” said Dos Santos. He revealed that the school’s main restrooms have been unusable for the past two years, with no clear indication from the GDE on when repairs…

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Logistics is under fire after splurging nearly R200 million defending itself in pothole-related lawsuits, with a staggering 988 cases filed against the department. This was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for Roads and Logistics, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, in a written reply to a question tabled by the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL). Diale-Tlabela provided a breakdown of the department’s spending over the past five years: nearly R70m was spent on legal costs after the department was found liable in 145 mostly minor pothole cases; over R43m was paid for injuries caused by unsafe road surfaces; and almost R87m went to out-of-court settlements. The DA also revealed that of the R422.5m budgeted for roads and maintenance last year, over R82m was diverted…

The South African Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (SASOG), together with the Society of Obstetric Medicine South Africa (SOOMSA) and the South African Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (SASUOG), has dismissed recent claims suggesting a connection between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In a joint statement issued by the Alkemi Collective on behalf of these organisations, they confirmed that “there is no evidence that taking paracetamol in pregnancy at recommended therapeutic doses causes autism in children.” While some early observational studies indicated a small association, these were criticised for being vulnerable to confounding factors such as genetics, family environment, and unreliable self-reporting. More robust research, including sibling-controlled analyses and large population studies, notably a Swedish study, found that once shared familial factors were accounted…

Those of us in the industry have always maintained that for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) to increase their market share in South Africa, it needs to be a small and affordable car that can attract the masses. Chinese Manufacturer BYD has now done exactly that with the launch of the compact hatchback Dolphin Surf, aimed directly at the vibrant urban market with two variants, both priced under R400 000. As the country’s most affordable BEV, the Dolphin Surf comes in two variants: the Comfort and the Dynamic. Power and range The Comfort model features BYD’s 30kWh Blade Battery with a WLTP combined range of 232 kilometres, powered by a 55kW front-wheel-drive motor with a maximum DC charging rate of 30kW. The Dynamic model is equipped with a 38.8 kWh Blade…

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has named a 45-man preliminary squad for the final two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month, with Zimbabwe and Rwanda the opponents. South Africa will first take on Zimbabwe at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on October 10 before hosting Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium on October 14. While the extended list offers Broos plenty of depth, several notable names have once again been overlooked despite good form and proven pedigree. Independent Media takes a closer look at five players who missed the cut: Thembinkosi Lorch The 32-year-old winger has rediscovered his spark since moving to Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic. Lorch recently stood out on the global stage at the FIFA Club World Cup and has carried that momentum into the new season. Just last…

Two-time US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau was hailed by United States teammates as an explosive X-factor, gladiator and showman on Tuesday as controversy erupted around him at the Ryder Cup. It began when the 32-year-old LIV Golf star, whose interview session at Bethpage Black was postponed to today after the opening ceremony was advanced to yesterday (Wednesday), fired the latest verbal salvo in a war of words with Europe star Rory McIlroy. “Just his golfing ability alone is an X-factor for our team, but also, he’s a really fiery player,” US captain Keegan Bradley said of DeChambeau. “We have a lot of calm, mellow guys so we need the energy from Bryson and he brings that every day in practice rounds, the team room and hopefully in the tournament.” At…

WHEN Cricket South Africa announced the return of wicket-keeper/batter Quinton de Kock to the international white ball space on Monday, the whole country was sent into a frenzy, as fans were engulfed by the excitement of watching the left-hander in the green and gold once again. De Kock had announced that he would retire from One-Day cricket following the conclusion of the 2023 ICC Men’s World Cup, and went on to score four centuries in that tournament. With the 2027 ICC Men’s World Cup less than two years away, the 32-year-old’s availability has certainly strengthened South Africa’s chances of achieving something special, winning the elusive trophy for the first time, on home soil. De Kock will step straight into international cricket when the Proteas play Namibia in the T20I match…