Table of contents for 2025-10-22 in Star

Coca-Cola HBC will pursue a secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), following Tuesday’s announcement that the Coca-Cola Company and Gutsche Family Investments (GFI) have agreed to sell a 75% controlling interest in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) to Coca-Cola HBC. The transaction is valued at roughly $2.6 billion (R45 billion). As part of the deal, the Coca-Cola Company will sell 41.52% of its 66.52% stake in CCBA to Coca-Cola HBC, while GFI will sell its entire 33.48% stake. This gives Coca-Cola HBC a 75% interest in CCBA, valuing 100% of the company at $3.4 billion in equity terms. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2026. CCBA is the largest Coca-Cola bottler in Africa, operating in 14 countries and responsible for about 40% of Coca-Cola’s total…

Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago confirms discussions to lower SA’s inflation target South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) Governor Lesetja Kganyago said on Tuesday that the country has entered an era of “low and stable inflation” and confirmed that discussions with the National Treasury are at an advanced stage to formally lower South Africa’s inflation target. Speaking at the SA Tomorrow Investment Conference 2025, Kganyago said a joint statement by the Sarb and the Treasury had already been issued following their meeting with the Fiscal and Monetary Policy Commission, and that a formal announcement would be made “as soon as it is politically possible.” “It was important that the joint team of the Treasury and the Reserve Bank be given time to tie the loose ends before a formal announcement could…

There has been a lot of public commentary about the challenges facing the automotive manufacturing industry and the outcomes of the 2025 Auto Week, however scant attention is being paid on one of the key takeaways of the event, namely, how intensified localisation of the vehicle production process can help to alleviate the pressure the industry is facing. The recent Auto Week 2025 conference that was hosted in the city of Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape was not only historically significant as the choice of venue for the event was unprecedented in the history of the sector, but it was also held at a time when the industry is at crossroads and is staving off debilitating aftershocks that pose an existential threat to the industry in the country. Gqeberha’s status…

On Sunday October 19, 2025, Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramakgopa presented the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025 during a ministerial briefing in Pretoria. A reliable power system underpins economic growth and high electricity consumption correlates with improved quality of life. The IRP’s stated objective is to ensure security of supply by balancing supply and demand while optimising environmental impact and total cost of supply. In principle, the IRP seeks to secure supply at the lowest possible cost within environmental and other constraints. In practice, the IRP 2025 does not achieve this. The plan proposes increasing nuclear capacity from 1.8 GW to 7 GW by 2039, a net addition of 5.2 GW. Global experience shows that nuclear projects almost always cost double the original budget and take twice as…

South32 reported steady saleable production at its Hillside Aluminium smelter for the quarter ended September 2025, despite ongoing load shedding by Eskom that continues to strain the operation. The diversified miner said on Tuesday that production at Hillside Aluminium unit was unchanged at 181 000 tons for the quarter. The company noted that the smelter “continued to test its maximum technical capacity, despite the impact of load shedding.” Full-year production guidance for Hillside Aluminium remains unchanged at 720 000 tons, although quarterly sales volumes declined 13% after a shipment was deferred to the December quarter. Despite what South32 described as a strong start to the year, its manganese production from South Africa dropped from 593 000 wet metric tons in the previous quarter to 551 wet metric tons in the…

EFF leader Julius Malema grilled suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu yesterday on why he had accepted an affidavit from attempted murder accused tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, while he sits in a C-Max prison. Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee is investigating allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of political interference in the police. “There are all these allegations about Matlala, yet you still go and ask him for an affidavit. You are looking for an affidavit from an unethical man who is in prison,” Malema said in reference to Matlala, who faces allegations that he masterminded the attempted murder of his ex-lover. Mchunu said the affidavit from Matlala denied any dubious dealings with him, with Mchunu saying Mkhwanazi’s false allegations must be investigated. Mchunu said he had…

The Bellville Commercial Crimes Court has sentenced attorney Phuti Given Mothemane for attempting to bribe a state prosecutor with R50 000 to interfere in a criminal case against his client. Mothemane received a nine-year prison sentence and was wholly suspended for five years on condition that he is not convicted of corruption during that time. Additionally, he was handed three years of correctional supervision, which includes house arrest, 16 hours of community service per month, and participation in treatment and rehabilitation programmes as determined by the Community Correction Office. The court found that Mothemane offered Senior State Advocate Ezmeralda Johnson a R50 000 bribe on September 23, 2022, to “make the case go away” in the matter of State vs Norman Kotze and five others. The case involved allegations of…

The African National Congress (ANC) has quietly withdrawn its urgent court application to unfreeze its bank accounts after reaching a confidential out-of-court settlement with Ezulweni Investments over an R85 million debt. The ruling party confirmed on Monday that the long-standing legal dispute, stemming from unpaid services rendered during the 2019 general election campaign, has been “amicably resolved”. “Due to the lifting of the writ of execution, the ANC withdrew its two-part application after our forensic auditor, Mahier Tayob, debated the quantum with Ezulweni,” the ANC said in a statement. “Both parties agreed to enter into a new settlement agreement, supplanting all others, including the court judgment of November 2023. Its contents will remain confidential.” Earlier this month, Ezulweni Investments secured an attachment order enabling the sheriff to seize the ANC’s…

With local government elections on the horizon, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) appears to have taken on a mediating role within the tripartite alliance after a fallout between the ANC and the South African Communist Party (SACP). Cosatu is intensifying its calls for reconciliation and strategic coherence within the long-standing political partnership, following the SACP’s decision to independently contest next year’s elections. A bilateral meeting between ANC national officials and Cosatu, held on Monday in Braamfontein, served as a platform to address these growing tensions. While the primary focus of the meeting was to discuss future plans in anticipation of the 2026 local government elections, Cosatu spokesperson Matthew Parks highlighted the broader implications for the alliance. “It was a very positive and long overdue bilateral,” Parks said.…

The North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) has confirmed that a lion which escaped from a trailer along the R49 between Lichtenburg and Zeerust on Monday has been safely captured. The animal was being transported from the Free State Province to Nietverdiend in Ramotshere Moiloa when it reportedly broke free from the vehicle. The department assured the public that there was “no cause for alarm” and that the lion no longer poses any threat to the community or motorists in the area. Department spokesperson Jeremiah Matebesi said an investigation has been launched to determine how the incident occurred and whether any permit conditions were violated. “Preliminary investigations suggest there may have been an infringement of the transport permit conditions,” the department said in a statement.…

While it could be seen by others as a positive move to pursue anti-Israel campaigns by Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela, it is worth noting that he leaves a cascade of problems in South Africa, which his party, the ANC, has caused and fails to address. It is his party, which he represented as its Member of Parliament (MP) for many years, that has crippled the government at every level. It seems Mandela is deficient in either compassion or basic common sense in his approach. His cousins, who are Nelson Mandela’s granddaughters, Zaziwe Manaway and Zamaswazi Mandela, recently embarked on a life-changing journey to Israel and Gaza to witness the conflict for themselves rather than relying on biased media reporting, which further complicates this complex conflict, which has lasted for…

The Sea Robbers’ sails have been blown wide, but they remain the masters of their own destiny when it comes to their domestic and continental campaigns. Orlando Pirates were hammered 3-0 by Saint Eloi Lupopo in the first leg of the CAF Champions League second-round preliminary qualifier in Lubumbashi over the weekend – putting them under immense pressure ahead of the second leg at Orlando Stadium on Saturday (3pm). Pirates need to win the match to qualify for the group stage. And alas, should they fail to qualify, they will have squandered the opportunity to build on last season’s semi-final run under coach Jose Riveiro. And perhaps therein lies the problem. When Abdeslam Ouaddou was appointed as the new Pirates coach, he took the job knowing full well that he…

Mamelodi Sundowns’ impressive performance in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round match has given the club a timely boost in momentum, with their qualification for the group stages now within reach. The Brazilians will take plenty of confidence into the second leg at Loftus Versfeld Stadium this coming weekend, following their commanding 5-1 victory over Remo Stars on Sunday. Their experience once again proved vital, and having dominated the domestic league for the past eight years, Sundowns have faced numerous challenges across the African continent, with that exposure helping them dispatch the Nigerian champions with ease. The emphatic win not only gives them the upper hand going into the second leg, but also offers a platform to build a strong run of results. With international…

Few would disagree with the presumption that Tristan Stubbs was playing for his Test career in Rawalpindi. And after Stubbs dropped a straightforward catch in the first over of Pakistan’s innings on Monday, there would even be those of the opinion that it served the Proteas right for sticking with a player clearly devoid of confidence. But Shukri Conrad has not built up this World Test Championship-winning squad without supporting his players through both the good and, more importantly, the bad times. So, instead of dropping Stubbs, Conrad pushed the tall right-hander back up to No 3 – where he was initially selected in the Test side, and had scored his maiden Test century. Stubbs' response was his most assured Test innings since the home series against Sri Lanka last…

Domestic carrier Flysafair has confirmed that its flights to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) have been disrupted amid the suspension of the airport’s Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs) for Runway 05. This is a setback that aviation stakeholders attribute to the Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) missing key regulatory deadlines. The suspension, which affects aircraft operations in poor weather conditions, comes at a crucial time as South Africa’s tourism sector gears up for the busy festive season. "Yes, unfortunately we are affected with flights into KMIA given the suspension of those flight procedures - obviously this is only in the relevant weather conditions - when weather is clear we can get in. We are reviewing each instance as it arises," said Kirby Gordon, Flysafair chief marketing officer. "When the weather…

South Africa’s largest listed companies are demonstrating resilience despite facing persistent structural challenges, high borrowing costs, and infrastructure bottlenecks, according to analysts at Moody’s Investors Service. While the country’s economy remains constrained by weak growth, high unemployment, and ongoing energy and logistics challenges, blue-chip corporates on the JSE continue to leverage strong balance sheets and diversified funding strategies to weather the difficult environment. “These are diversified, blue-chip corporates with access to international financing as well, though more domestic than international,” said Iker Ballestero Barrutia, corporate finance analyst at Moody’s. “But this varies significantly by sector and company size.” Despite improved access to capital through local and international markets, the cost of capital has risen significantly over the past five years. A recent decline in benchmark interest rates is beginning to…

South Africa’s inability to meet the targets of its National Development Plan (NDP) is rooted in years of corruption, political fragmentation, and institutional decay, according to Professor Somadoda Fikeni. Speaking at the launch of the Maphungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection’s (MISTRA) latest publication, The State of the South African State, Fikeni said the country’s governance structures have been severely weakened, with poor implementation following commissions of inquiry and well-intentioned policy proposals. The new MISTRA book, authored by leading scholars, interrogates the capacity, ethics, and accountability of the South African state, offering recommendations to strengthen governance and restore institutional integrity. Fikeni said the implosion and internal divisions within the African National Congress (ANC) had spilled over into key state institutions, resulting in poor discipline and compromised appointments. "The weaknesses identified are…

As South Africans brace for yet another round of electricity tariff hikes, with Nersa announcing increases of 8.76% in 2026/27 and 8.83% the following year, the business community is facing mounting pressure. Operational expenses will rise further, while persistent grid instability disrupts planning and productivity. At the same time, unpredictable weather patterns, from heavy rains to extreme heat, are straining an already fragile grid. Against this backdrop, the urgency for businesses to accelerate investment in renewable energy has never been greater. The demand for renewable energy in South Africa is rising and shows no signs of slowing down. Across the region, persistent electricity shortages have triggered a surge in alternative power generation. While hydrogen and gas-fired plants play a role, renewables hold a clear edge thanks to shorter construction timelines…

Zeder Investments’ share price increased 5% on the JSE Tuesday morning even though it reported a 21.9% decline in net asset value to R1.68 per share in the six months to August 31. The JSE-listed company said in results released Tuesday the drop in net asset value mainly arose from a 31 cents a share special dividend and a downward adjustment in the valuation of its unlisted investments. The share price traded at R1.26 per share - a year it was at R1.95. The headline loss per share surged by 143.9% from 4.1 cents to 10 cents, mainly as a result of the downward valuation adjustments, countered by dividend income received. The investment in Zaad, which invests and operates in the specialised agri-inputs industry, with a focus on emerging markets,…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed a new member of the panel to conduct the inquiry into suspended director of public prosecutions (DPP), Johannesburg Advocate Andrew Chauke. Attorney Matshego Ramagaga has replaced Thenjiwe Vilakazi as a member of the panel chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Bess Nkabinde and assisted by Advocate Elizabeth Baloyi-Mere SC. Ramaphosa made the change on Monday. The panel is expected to inquire into, report on and make findings and/or recommendations on a number of allegations against Chauke and his fitness to hold office as a prosecutor in the prosecutorial services, in particular, in the capacity as a DPP. It will also look into his direct or indirect conduct relating to his fitness and propriety to hold office based on information including but not limited to matters…

Matric exams in Gauteng went off to a smooth and confident start, with the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) reporting that only a few centres experienced minor hiccups, all swiftly handled. Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said the first day of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams ran smoothly across the province, with 16 968 candidates sitting for the three-hour Computer Applications Technology (CAT) Paper 1 practical exam at 9am. Mabona said only four centres reported minor incidents, all before the start of the exams, which were swiftly resolved to ensure no learner was disadvantaged. Some centres experienced power outages, while others had candidates transported to nearby venues to complete their practicals without disruption. “Letsibogo Maths, Science and ICT School of Specialisation in Meadowlands, Soweto, reported a power outage…

Following the tragic N1 bus crash near Louis Trichardt, the governments of Malawi and Zimbabwe have stepped in to support the families, promising to pay for all of the victims' medical and repatriation costs. In a meeting with Limpopo government officials and impacted families at Siloam Hospital, Malawi’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Stella Ndau, and Zimbabwean diplomat Shepherd Gwenzi made the announcement. “The government of Zimbabwe will continue to assist the families of both the deceased and the injured with transport and accommodation until the conclusion of the ongoing processes. We are working with the government of South Africa and the high commissioner of Malawi to ensure that the requirements enabling the repatriation of the deceased for burial in Zimbabwe and Malawi, respectively, are completed within the shortest time…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for urgent collaboration between government, business, and civil society to address South Africa’s worsening food insecurity. In his weekly letter to the nation, he said the fight against hunger is a critical test of the country’s democratic progress. Ramaphosa revealed that between 15 and 16 million South Africans currently face inadequate or severely inadequate access to food, despite the constitutional right to food and water. He emphasised that South Africa is one of only 29 countries where this right is enshrined in the Constitution. “Overcoming poverty and tackling the cost of living for South Africans is one of the strategic priorities of the Government of National Unity,” he said. “Our Constitution imposes a duty on the state to take reasonable legislative and other measures, within…

When you buy into a community scheme – whether it’s a sectional title development, homeowners association, or retirement village – you cannot run away from your financial obligations. This is according to attorney Johlene Wasserman of VDM Incorporated and a specialist in sectional title law. She warned that not facing one’s financial obligations in this regard can have dire consequences. “We all have to pay our levies – and you don’t have to agree to it in writing; you become a member of the community scheme the minute it’s transferred into your name,” she warned. She pointed out that many schemes are on the verge of collapse due to levy defaults. Wasserman said unpaid levies are crippling community schemes throughout South Africa. The Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS) in its…

The final exams for the Matric Class of 2025 started on October 21. The outcome of these papers will determine the future of over 900 000 candidates. A South African matric certificate serves as a prerequisite for future educational and career opportunities. As the future leaders prepare themselves, however, others have to deal with a number of problems, some of which are beyond their control and may affect their performance in the matric exams. Recent reports indicate that learners at some Gauteng schools may experience disruptions due to water and electricity disconnections caused by unpaid debt. Due to recent service cuts, schools such as Filadelfia Secondary LSEN School in Soshanguve and E.W. Hobbs Primary in Eldorado Park have experienced disruptions to teaching and learning during this crucial time of the…

Lions assistant coach Morne Steyn feels that Saturday’s home United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against Irish visitors Ulster will likely be decided by whichever side executes their kicking game better on the highveld. The Lions picked up a bonus-point win over the struggling Scarlets last weekend on their return from a testing European tour – their first win of the season. But Steyn admits they will need to sharpen up against an Ulster side that demonstrated their tactical precision and aerial strength in last weekend’s victory over the Springbok-laden Sharks in Durban. “Ulster are a quality side, like all the Irish teams,” Steyn said, at an online media conference on Tuesday morning. “They’ve got great forwards and exciting backs. From nine to 15, almost all of them can kick, and…

Banyana Banyana will have to navigate uncharted territory without their key sources of inspiration when they face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the first leg of the second and final round of the 2026 Fifa Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) qualifiers this afternoon. The team assembled for camp on Sunday without head coach Desiree Ellis and four overseas-based players: Amogelang Motau, Thembi Kgatlana, Sinoxolo Cesane, and Hildah Magaia, all of whom play in Mexico. The absence of Ellis is particularly notable. She is not with the team as she has yet to agree to terms with the South African Football Association (Safa) on a new contract. This is surprising, considering Safa had ample time to offer her a new deal. Ellis has been working on a month-to-month contract…

The Foschini Group (TFG) shares plunged over 19% on the JSE Tuesday afternoon after it reported that headline earnings per share for the six months to September 30 are expected to be 20% to 25% lower than the same period last year. The group directors said the SA economy had softened “significantly” towards the end of its interim period. Consumer sentiment and discretionary spend in South Africa had remained subdued for longer than expected, despite moderating inflation and recent interest rate cuts, the South Africa, UK and Australia clothing and homeware retail group said in a trading statement. The share price traded at R97.25 on Tuesday afternoon, a price that was also well down on R145.05 a year earlier. Negative operating leverage arose in the group from subdued sales growth…

The global climate agenda has entered a decisive decade. The April 2022, flooding in KwaZulu-Natal overwhelmed economic and social infrastructure and forced Toyota’s Prospecton assembly plant to halt production for four months. That kind of disruption is exactly the kind which manufacturing firms face firsthand, and a crude awakening on the what the hard knock of climate impacts on production can and are becoming. The impact affected production lines and logistics routes but also disrupted suppliers across and into the province, demonstrating how physical risks cascade through industrial ecosystems. Similarly, the 2023/24, drought cut national maize yields by roughly 15%, affecting agro-processing and food exports. From agriculture to automotive, the message is clear: climate resilience is now a pillar of economic competitiveness. Building adaptive infrastructure and climate-proof logistics, has to…

BHP gathered strong momentum through its first quarter to end-September and is on track to deliver on full-year guidance and further progress its growth pipeline across Australia and the Americas, CEO Mike Henry said Tuesday. In an operational review released Tuesday, BHP said group copper production increased 4% to 494 000 tons, driven by record concentrator throughput at its flagship Escondida mine in Chile. Performance at Copper SA was strong, and major planned maintenance was safely executed. Copper production guidance for the 2026 financial year was unchanged at between 1 800 000 and 2 000 000 tons. "We’ve made a strong start to the year, highlighted by disciplined operating performance and execution of scheduled maintenance,” said Henry. Iron ore output from Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) was down 1% to…

South Africa’s wealth and children’s futures are entirely different. The Institute of Race Relations (IRR) warns that the fact that non-financial firms hold a record of R1.8 trillion in cash while 21% of children under five suffer from malnutrition exposes a serious economic and moral crisis. John Endres, the CEO of IRR, cautions that while millions of South African children go hungry, corporate investment has been paralysed by broken policies and growing risks. “These figures are a stark indictment of South Africa’s policy environment. Companies are not hoarding cash out of greed – they are responding rationally to policy uncertainty, collapsing infrastructure, crime, and burdensome race-based regulations that make investment risky. The result is corporate paralysis and frozen capital, while millions of children go hungry.” He added that the government…

Informal traders who have found themselves unable to trade despite valid trading permits following the City of Johannesburg’s recent change to trading permits have slammed Mayor Dada Morero and his administration for depriving them of their livelihoods. “I am one of the affected traders in the inner city, specifically the ones near the taxi rank in De Villiers Street, and other spots in the CBD. I recently took over from my late father, who passed away over two years ago. We have been paying the city or someone to trade on those streets. I have proof and account details that clearly show that someone has been eating and benefiting illegally from our payments. “If that money was not going to the city for the so-called permits, we now face a…

A 58-year-old lawyer from the Free State has been sentenced to three life terms of imprisonment after being found guilty of sexual offences against five minor children, some of whom were his stepdaughters. The man who cannot be named to protect the identities of the victims was sentenced this week in the Bloemfontein High Court. The man was found guilty of rape, indecent assault, sexual grooming, exposure of pornography to a child, sexual exploitation of a child, production of child pornography, sexual assault, and compelled sexual assault. In addition to life sentences, the man was jailed for an additional 61 years. The man was charged in 2019. Police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli said that the mother of the two victims reported that her daughters had disclosed they were being sexually…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana as Acting President while he undertakes a series of international visits. According to the Presidency, Deputy President Paul Mashatile will be on leave during this period. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed the temporary appointment yesterday, stating it was made in view of the President’s upcoming visits abroad. President Ramaphosa is traveling to Indonesia on October 21, for a working visit scheduled for October 22. He will then proceed to Vietnam for a State Visit on October 23-24. Following this, the President will be in Malaysia from 24 to 27 October for another State Visit, during which he will also participate in a Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Magwenya said the President’s travel plan would “advance South…

A man who was accused of being drunk at work has won the legal battle against his employer. Ntsabi Mahlo has been working as a general worker at Unilec SA since December 2021. On September 19, 2022, Mahlo went to work to consult with an in-house doctor as he was not feeling well. After the examination, it was found that he was sick and the doctor booked him off from work. A second opinion from another doctor the next day confirmed his illness, resulting in further sick leave for September 21, 2022. However, the tide turned when management alleged that Mahlo had reported for duty under the influence of alcohol on September 19, 2022. A disciplinary hearing was held, and he was found guilty of the charge and was…

In what appears to be a carefully orchestrated political manoeuvre, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has opened a new chapter in the party’s succession debate. Speaking at the Mpumalanga Provincial General Council, Mbalula made what seasoned observers recognise as a strategically significant statement regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa’s political future within the ANC. Addressing delegates in isiXhosa, Mbalula acknowledged that Ramaphosa’s second term as ANC President is approaching its conclusion. But rather than treating this as a natural transition point, he pointedly noted that “there is nothing that is prohibiting him to serve for the third term as the ANC President.” This seemingly casual observation carries profound implications for the party’s internal power dynamics. The statement is remarkable for three reasons. First, it explicitly frames Ramaphosa’s tenure as nearing a transition moment,…

The flying start to the campaign that had Kaizer Chiefs fans believing their club was ready to challenge for the championship, is now a distant memory. Amakhosi and Betway Premiership victories have suddenly become like the parallel lines of a railway track — destined never to meet. Granted, the Glamour Boys are still sitting fourth, with 15 points, trailing leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by a mere six points, having played two matches fewer than the reigning champions. Mathematically, they are still in the hunt for their first title since being crowned champions back in 2015 under Stuart Baxter. But recent poor form, which saw coach Nasreddine Nabi sacked, has undermined their assertion that they have what it takes to dethrone Sundowns. Of particular disappointment has been their inability to secure maximum…

Proteas Women’s senior player Marizanne Kapp delivered a stellar all-round performance to guide South Africa to their fifth consecutive win at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, beating Pakistan by 150 runs (DLS method) yesterday at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Kapp produced an outstanding new-ball spell in the rain-affected clash, claiming three wickets in her five-over burst to set South Africa up for another commanding victory in the ongoing tournament. The 35-year-old finished with figures of 3/20, while right-arm off-spinner Nondumiso Shangase and seamer Ayabonga Khaka chipped in with figures of 2/19 and 1/14 respectively, helping South Africa record five consecutive World Cup wins for the first time in their history. The result keeps the Proteas second on the table, behind only Australia — the side they are…

Baseball is one of many American sporting codes that requires specialists in each position rather than players who can fulfil multiple roles. You’re basically pigeonholed early on – pitchers pitch, hitters hit, and catchers … well, you get the idea. But then Shohei Ohtani came along and blew baseball fans’ collective minds. Before reading this column, you may not have heard of the sport’s latest phenomenon. I certainly didn’t know this bra from a bar of soap before he started popping up on my TikTok algorithm, with clips of his unbelievable performances with both bat and ball. Ohtani is Major League Baseball’s two-way marvel. His 160km/h fastballs and towering home runs belong to different universes of skill, yet he merges them seamlessly, night after night. The Japanese superstar doesn’t just…