Sports

The Springboks were praised by the French media for building depth in their squad over the past few years – and the ability to field “a whole different team from one week to the other” – with assistant coach Felix Jones revealing it was borne out of a desire to give everyone a fair crack at the jersey.

The Boks are gearing up to face Six Nations champions France at the Stade de France on Saturday, and ahead of the clash, Jones was quizzed on South Africa’s rotation policy that has become the envy of the rugby world.

“We just feel currently we have a way of doing things which is keeping the players engaged, keeping them competitive,” Jones said at a media conference on Monday.

"Obviously, there is disappointment in not being selected but keeping them producing their own performances, producing assistance for the guys who are in the team, who are in the 23."

“The word ‘dropped’ is genuinely not in our thinking. It’s more of a rotation and trying to give everyone a fair crack to show what they can do for South Africa, and the byproduct of that is we obviously end up building a little bit of depth because we can get caps into guys.

“But the season is long – for the URC, for the European Cup, for the international season. There are obviously so many games, so it’s difficult for one player to play 15, 14, 13 Tests all season now when the games are so physical that rotation is needed. So that’s the thinking.”

Bok hooker Johan Grobbelaar has been one of the beneficiaries of this rotation policy and feels it’s necessary to ensure the national team doesn’t stagnate.

“You need to keep on building your squad, giving young guys opportunities; otherwise, it will reach a point where there are just some experienced guys and you’re left with a gap with too many young guys,” he said.

“It’s great to be rotated for me as a young guy coming in to get some more caps, so looking forward to the next few weeks.”

The Bulls forward picked up the last of his three Bok caps against Wales in November 2024 and is excited about the prospect of possibly being selected to face France this weekend.

“It would be a massive opportunity for me to play this weekend, and since I don’t have a lot of Test caps, it will be one of my biggest games yet,” said Grobbelaar.

“This is my first time in Paris, and to be here with players of this quality helps, obviously. I think it’s going to be a massive battle and I’m looking forward to it.”

*This article was used by IOL News

Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker faces growing pressure after his side’s poor run of form in the Premiership.

Stellenbosch FC are facing a mounting crisis following their sixth defeat in just 11 league games, with alarm bells ringing throughout the ambitious Winelands club.

After a promising rise to prominence in the PSL, the club now find themselves struggling near the bottom of the table, managing only two wins this season and just one in their last five games.

This past Sunday, Stellenbosch went down 2-0 to their hosts at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. The defeat marked a disheartening milestone, as it was the sixth time this season the club failed to find the back of the net in a Premiership match, raising questions about their attacking prowess.

The stark reality for Stellenbosch is that their once-vibrant squad has dwindled in quality due to the sale of several key players over the past few months. The loss of top talent has prompted fans and analysts alike to scrutinise the club’s recruitment strategy.

Although the recruitment department has made commendable efforts to find suitable replacements, the new signings have not yet made the desired impact on the pitch, which has led to the current slump.

At the helm, coach Steve Barker — the longest-serving coach among current PSL counterparts — must navigate this precarious situation without the support of former stalwarts. While Barker has demonstrated resilience and dedication to the club, the continuous loss of key players, compounded by two high-profile departures from his technical staff to rival clubs, has placed immense pressure on his coaching strategies.

The absence of his media officer from away matches has further complicated communication, as there were no updates on Barker’s reflections following the recent game.

The club’s CEO, Rob Benadie, who was in Johannesburg for the CAF Confederation Cup, could not provide any insights into the situation either, heightening speculation about the team’s future direction and the pressure-cooker environment ingrained in the club’s infrastructure.

As Stellenbosch FC navigate this turbulent period, the urgency for a turnaround is palpable.

Fans will be watching closely to see if the club can reclaim its former glory and secure a positive trajectory as the league season unfolds, starting with a home game against lowly Siwelele FC at Athlone on Wednesday.

*This article was used by IOL News

Cemran Dansin, the latest sensation turning heads at Orlando Pirates, announced himself in emphatic fashion this weekend when he scored a wonder goal that’s been called an early contender for the Puskás Award.

In the 35th minute of Orlando Pirates’ clash against Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld, the 20-year-old Dansin volleyed the ball from the edge of the 18-yard area into the top corner of Ronwen Williams’ goal after the Brazilians had failed to clear Oswin Appollis’ corner kick.

That it left Williams, one of the best goalkeepers on the continent and was nominated for the Yashin Award at last year’s Ballon d’Or Awards flat-footed, made it more special. It was the perfect way to show football lovers in South Africa that you have arrived.

The strike went viral on social media, with many commentators speculating that it could be nominated for the 2026 FIFA Puskás Award, given to the player judged to have scored the most aesthetically significant, or "most beautiful" goal of the calendar year.

The goal may have announced his arrival to South African football, but it’s been years in the making. According to the club’s website, the stylish midfielder spent the majority of his teenage years at the SAFA-Transnet School of Excellence, where the likes of Steven Pienaar and Daine Klate honed their skills.

In recent years, Relebohile Mofokeng and Siyabonga Mabena have graduated through the School of Excellence.

After a number of top clubs sought his services, it was the Sea Robbers that came out on top, and he joined the club ahead of the 2023/24 season, where he was thrown into the DStv Diski Challenge mix.

Last season, while captaining the side, a number of impressive showings saw him given the chance of training with the first team, where he continued to impress.

After Saturday’s game at Loftus, Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou spoke about the gamble that comes with selecting such an untested player in a big game against Sundowns, especially where a more established player in Thelente Mbatha was left on the bench.

“It’s very difficult for a coach because if you had lost that game, all he people will tell you ‘the coach put the player without experience’, but as a coach I have worked in development for five-six years," Ouaddou said in the post-match television interview.

“You have to give chance to this South African youth talent, to give them opportunity to shine, it’s what we did today in a very important game. I think this guy; it is a big experience for him and now we give him chance to grow. 

“It’s what I’m going to do, I give chance to the youth, especially South African youth with the talent, we need to give them chance,” Ouaddou added.

His words clearly resonated with Dansin, who expressed both gratitude and determination after his match-winning display.

“I’m happy for the coaches, players, the staff believing in me and giving me the opportunity,” Dansin said when speaking to the Orlando Pirates’ media team. 

“And, scoring in such a big game means a lot to me. I hope to keep on going and getting more chances to play,” he continued. “The coach always speaks to me about not looking at my age and being competitive. Playing for this club, it’s an honour for me. “Every time I get the opportunity, I try and give my best and not worry too much about me being the youngest. I’m just looking to fight and give everything,” he concluded.

For Pirates fans, Dansin’s dazzling strike is a glimpse into the club’s future. With his confidence, composure, and eye for the spectacular, the young midfielder looks poised to become the next big name to emerge from South Africa’s production line of talent. If Saturday was any indication, this may just be the beginning of a glittering career in black and white.

*This article was used by IOL News

Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp delivered sensational performances to steer South Africa to its first ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final.

The Proteas shocked England in the semi-final by 125 runs after batting first and scoring 319 for the loss of seven wickets, with Wolvaardt hitting 169. Kapp then took five wickets for just 20 runs as England were bowled out for just 194.

Wolvaardt showed her intent from the word go and hit the first two balls of the Protea innings to the fence. She hit her first World Cup century from 115 balls, hitting 12 fours in the process.

After that, she took the game by the scruff of the neck and hit her next 68 runs from just 28 balls.

Wolvaardt smashed 4 sixes and another 8 fours in this period. She was ably assisted by opening partner Tasmin Britz, who contributed 45 while Kapp scored a rapid 42 from just 33 balls.

Kapp then went on to rip the heart out of the England top order, taking two wickets in the first over of England’s batting effort.

England staged some sort of recovery, taking the score to 138 for the loss of 4 wickets before Kapp struck again. She took three more wickets, including two with successive balls and in the same fashion.

After that, it was just a matter of time before the match was wrapped up in South Africa’s favour.

*This article was first published by SABC News

Springbok squad announcements inevitably produce disappointment and happiness in equal measure.

The 36-man squad announced on Monday by coach Rassie Erasmus is no exception. Here, we look at some of the players who are celebrating or choking back the tears.

Zachary Porthen

While the dynamic 21-year-old would have been on the Springbok radar for some time, it has been his form for the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship (URC) that convinced Erasmus to give the former Junior Springbok captain a crack.

Porthen enjoyed impressive cameos off the bench against Leinster and the Scarlets and started last week in the 31-12 defeat of Zebre.

Bongi Mbonambi

If Porthen’s elevation to the Springboks was down to his URC form, the opposite can be said for the veteran hooker from the Sharks, whose demotion has been in the pipeline for some time.

Perhaps Erasmus is giving him a warning — he is on the standby list — but time is running out for the 34-year-old. He won two World Cups, but contesting a third in 2027 looks beyond his reach.

Johan Grobbelaar

The recall of “Grobbies” is another illustration of how provincial form can affect your Springbok status.

The Paarl Gymnasium product earned three caps for the Boks in 2024, only to drop out of the picture. But Rassie likes fighters and has clearly been impressed with how the man in the red scrumcap has put his head down at the Bulls and worked harder than ever. He has been excellent in the URC, and a recall is his reward.

Gerhard Steenekamp

The Bulls prop was out for most of a year with a knee injury after featuring strongly for the Boks in 2024.

Alongside Wilco Louw, he was double trouble for both the Bulls and the Springboks. Steenekamp made his comeback at the start of the URC, and four games later, he has shown Erasmus he is fighting fit and stronger than ever. He dominated his opposite number last week when the Bulls beat Connacht.

Vincent Koch

Like Mbonambi, Koch is a Sharks front-row forward on the out. For so long, the dead ringer for cartoon character Mr Incredible did incredible things as a key part of the Bomb Squad, but at age 35, his time looks limited.

The likes of Porthen and Asenathi Ntlabakanye are the future. Still, Koch and Mbonambi have the URC to show Erasmus they are not finished, and if they get fired up for the Sharks, it will be good news for beleaguered coach John Plumtree.

*This article was first published by IOL News

RIGOROUS TRAIL RUN: Runners from all over the country are getting ready to navigate the challenging mountain terrain in Harrismith.

Picture: Baagedi Setlhora

This Saturday, the tranquil town of Harrismith is set to transform into a testing ground of grit, endurance, and sheer willpower for the 103rd staging of its legendary annual Mountain Race. Far from a standard weekend jog, this trail race competition has earned the audacious - yet, by all accounts, accurate - title of the ‘toughest race in the world’ by its organisers.

It is an assertion that speaks volumes about the punishing terrain awaiting the hundreds of athletes ready to tackle the infamous slopes of the Platberg mountain. The event, steeped in over a century of history, offers three distinct categories this year, catering to various levels of masochistic enthusiasm.
The bedrock of the competition is the 15km Mountain Race, a storied event that has been an annual fixture for an astonishing 102 years, tracing its origins all the way back to 1922. For those seeking an even more profound challenge, the 30km Trail Run pushes the limits of ultra-endurance athletes, a category that is now entering its seventh year. But the 2025 event marks a significant evolution, as a new 1 km trail is incorporated for the first time. Vusi Mazibuko, the race’s Marketing Manager, and a Harrismith native who works as an engineer for Es kom in Cape Town, highlights the lineage of the competition and the excitement around its expansion.

“The main race, the Mountain Race, which is 15km, has been run for 102 years since 1922, and the 30km Trail Run has been run for 7 years, while the mini mountain trail run, which is 10 km, will be run for the first time this year,” Mazibuko explains. The incorporation of the 10km distance, though new, is expected to draw a significant number of participants, adding to the electrifying atmosphere.
“We are hoping to have around 500 runners for the mini race. For the Trail Race, which is much tougher, we are expecting around 200 entrants and for the main race, we are expecting 600 to 800 runners,” added Mazibuko.

But the true legend of the Harrismith Mountain Race lies in the challenge itself. This is a raw, unforgiving encounter with the natural world. The Platberg’s ascent is characterised by a brutal combination of altitude gain and treacherous footing - making it a true test of physical and mental fortitude. Mazibuko pulls no punches when describing the obstacles facing the runners, giving context to the race’s self-declared title.

“There is no (actual) road; there are big rocks, and there is also a one-man pass where runners can’t run past each other. You literally must run behind another runner with no opportunity to go past them,” he adds. This notorious “one-man pass” forces runners into a single-file procession, eliminating any possibility of strategic overtaking. The organisers’ confidence in calling it the ‘toughest in the world’ is not merely promotional hyperbole, but a testament to the decades of sweat, tears, and triumph etched into the mountain’s slopes.

As the sun rises over Harrismith this Saturday, the thousands of entrants won’t just be racing against a clock or against each other; they will be taking on a living, breathing challenge - a mountain that demands respect, resilience, and an unwavering spirit.

This year’s edition of the Mountain Race promises to be a spectacular display of human endurance, reminding both competitors and spectators alike that true glory is often found on the most difficult path. All races will commence from the Harrismith Primary School sports grounds, with the first race starting at 08:00. A prize-giving ceremony will take place after all races are completed, with cash prizes also on offer to cap off another successful Mountain Race in the Eastern Free State.