The schedule for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 has been officially released.
The 16th edition of the tournament will be jointly hosted by Namibia and Zimbabwe and is set to showcase the wo...
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 assistan...
The party continues for the newly crowned ICC World Test champions – the Proteas – as they will be at the Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton this afternoon to meet and greet with fans.
South Africa Water Polo (SAWP) have celebrated their court victory against the authoritative governing body for aquatic sports in the country Swimming South Africa (SSA).
In a David and Goliath court battle, the emergent organisation, formed with the support of hundreds of water polo players, South Africa Water Polo (SAWP), has celebrated its court victory against the authoritative governing body for aquatic sports in the country, Swimming South Africa (SSA).
However, the SSA said they would be consulting on their next steps following the court order in which the organisation sought interdictory relief against SAWP, which they claimed acted as if it had the authority to govern or administer the sport of water polo in South Africa.
SAWP registered their organisation during February this year and was started to address “the failure of the SSA to take water polo seriously and which, according to them, has resulted in the ‘parlous, shambolic and neglected state in which water polo currently finds itself in South Africa, with a lack of meaningful transformation, poor administration, a dearth of fundraising initiatives, and a non-existent high performance programme”.
According to SAWP, their organisation was established as the SSA’s “focus is almost exclusively on swimming and is heavily skewed in favour of swimmers as opposed to water polo players”.
In their arguments, SSA sought a final interdict against SAWP preventing them from: purporting to carry out the administration or governance of the sport of water polo in South Africa; and interfering with the affairs of SSA.
Among their relief sought, SSA wanted the SAWP interdicted from directing or encouraging any person or entity to boycott or avoid participating in events held under the auspices of SSA; dissuading or discouraging persons from participating in local or international water polo events where the SSA is organising, or has organized, a team to participate in “that international event”; interfering with communications by the SSA to its water polo membership.
SSA is the national federation for purposes of the National Sport and Recreation Act (NSRA) in respect of the aquatic disciplines of diving, open water swimming, swimming, synchronised swimming, and water polo.
It is also a member of the South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) and is currently the only national federation in South Africa that is recognized as the responsible body for, inter alia, the sport of water polo by World Aquatics, the international federation responsible for all aquatic sports.
SAWP interim CEO Robbie Taylor said the ruling was a moral victory not only for the water polo community, but for all sporting communities in South Africa that were seeking to establish independent federations for the sake of improved governance and opportunities for developing and star athletes.
“This win is important validation of the local water polo community’s mission to restore purpose and world-class excellence to the sport we love so much… Today isn’t just a win in the pool; it’s a win for every player, coach, parent, and fan who believes in a better future for our sport. This is about standing up, standing together, breaking the shackles of inept administration and building a brighter future,” said Taylor.
SSA spokesperson, Mafata Modutoane, said: “While we respect the outcome of the judicial process, we are disappointed that our application to interdict activities which we believe compromise the structure, order, and integrity of the sport was not granted.
“Nonetheless, SSA remains steadfast in our mandate to regulate and grow aquatics responsibly and inclusively. To be absolutely clear: Water Polo South Africa is not affiliated to Swimming South Africa, nor is it authorised to organise competitions under our name.”
In the judgment, Western Cape High Court Judge Judith Cloete noted: “The applicant (SSA) cannot seriously suggest that the respondents (SAWP) do not have the constitutionally entrenched right to freedom of association contained in S 18 of the Bill of Rights, and that the same applies to any individual water polo player wishing to join the respondents.
“The Constitutional Court has made clear that freedom of association is a fundamental right which protects against coercion, enables individuals to organise around particular areas of concern, and to hold both public and private bodies to account…
“The applicant alleged in the founding affidavit that it has no suitable alternative remedy since the respondents 'have refused to engage with the applicant and have instead allowed this fight to spill into the media, with the intent of embarrassing … (the applicant) … and seeking to promote their own interests.'
"However the evidence to which I have already referred demonstrates that from the outset the respondents have expressed the clear intention to engage with the applicant. Furthermore, the respondents set out a number of factual examples of prior attempts by various stakeholders and role players in water polo to engage with the applicant, all apparently to no avail.”
Could Orlando Pirates starlet Relebohile Mofokeng be moving to Israel?
Israeli publication Sport5 reports that Maccabi Haifa have registered an interest in the 20-year-old Mofokeng, who has also been courted by Spanish giants Barcelona recently.
As a result, Pirates are said to have slapped a €1.5 million (R31.2 million) price tag on the youngster, plus a percentage on any future sale. The report suggests Maccabi Tel Aviv are also keeping tabs on Mofokeng.
Last year, it was reported that Barcelona were keen on the player and had made inquiries. However, nothing concrete has come from that interest to date.
Mofokeng has become a fan favourite at Orlando Pirates since being given his big break by former head coach Jose Riveiro two seasons ago. His impressive performances have also seen him make the step up to international football.
If Mofokeng were to complete the move to Israel, he would become the 10th South African to play football in the country in recent years. In the past, Thembinkosi Fanteni, Bevan Fransman, Tsepo Masilela, Mihlali Mayambela, Dino Ndlovu, Siyabonga Nkosi, Zama Rambuwane, and Siyanda Xulu have all played in the country.
Currently, former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Rushine De Reuck plies his trade in Israel.
A move to Israel would be a controversial one for Mofokeng. The country is currently engaged in what the South African government calls a genocide against the people of Palestine.
In 2023, South Africa’s government approached the International Court of Justice to open a case against Israel’s continued conduct in the Gaza Strip that resulted in a humanitarian crisis and mass killings.
Last week, Israel launched an unprovoked missile attack against Iran.
Perennial South African champions Sundowns qualified for FIFA's lucrative new tournament on the back of their record over the last four years in African competitions.
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso knows the Club World Cup will be a huge test of his side's credentials and said Monday making it out of the group stage would be "an incredible achievement" as they prepare for their opening game.
"I don't believe there is one single team before the competition that doesn't believe they can make the next stage," Cardoso said when asked about his team's tournament prospects ahead of their Group F clash with Ulsan HD of South Korea.
"Obviously for us it would be an incredible achievement to go through the group stage but before we achieve that we need to get points so we need to play a very complete match tomorrow."
Perennial South African champions Sundowns qualified for FIFA's lucrative new tournament on the back of their record over the last four years in African competitions.
However, they travelled to the United States still reeling after losing to Pyramids of Egypt in the final of the CAF Champions League two weeks ago.
Putting in a good showing in a group also featuring German giants Borussia Dortmund and Brazilian powerhouses Fluminense would help make up for that disappointment.
"I know it's going to be tough but I expect it to be beautiful," said the 53-year-old Portuguese Cardoso, who has also coached in France, Spain, Greece and Tunisia.
"We need to take it to the limit. There is a ceiling you need to go through at this Club World Cup.
"We need to understand what level we are playing at, and now just show what we can do and take the results as they come."
After Sundowns meet Ulsan in Orlando they will head to Cincinnati to face Dortmund this weekend before taking on Fluminense in Miami on June 25.
"I am pretty excited to see an African team against an Asian team and am curious to see how we deal with playing Dortmund and a Brazilian team," Cardoso said.
"It's three different tests and in the end they should all help us develop."
After another underwhelming campaign from Kaizer Chiefs that saw them finish ninth in the Betway Premiership, as many as five players could already be heading out the door at the Soweto Giants.
Though Chiefs did win their first piece of silverware in a decade when they beat Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final last month, it did not hide the fact that the AmaKhosi finished outside the top eight for a second season in a row.
Since the end of the season, the rumour mills have begun to swirl about high-profile transfers with Percy Tau even linked with a possible move to Chiefs.
According to iDiski Times though, five players could have already said goodbye to Chiefs, which would add to the big name exit of Ranga Chivaviro earlier this month.
George Matlou
The 26-year-old George Matlou will see his contract at Chiefs expire at the end of June. It’s believed that Sekhukune United may be interested in signing the midfielder. It may come as quite a shock to Chiefs fans, as Matlou was a big hit after the Nedbank Cup final as he refused to take off his match kit for several days after the encounter.
Fiacre Ntwari
The 25-year-old goalkeeper has not seen much game time for Kaizer Chiefs this season. The Rwandan had begun the previous season as the Chiefs number one shotstopper, but has fallen to third in the pecking order behind Bruce Bvuma and Brandon Petersen.
Samkelo Zwane
With Chiefs already said to be looking to boost their midfield, the 23-year-old Zwane also appears to be on his way out with a loan deal believed to be on the table.
Tebogo Potsane
At 31, the winger is also another player said to be on his way out of Naturena on a loan deal. He did not feature much in this recently concluded campaign, although there were reports that it was mostly due to injury. Given his age though, Chiefs could be forgiven for looking to younger charges.
Zitha Kwinika
Another Chiefs player on the wrong side of 30, the 31-year-old defender Zitha Kwinika was not favoured much this campaign under coach Nasreddine Nabi. With just one appearance as a substitute this season, there seems little keeping him at Chiefs.
The 32-year-old flanker/lock, who plays for Japanese club Toyota Verblitz, is among six injured players who will not feature against the Barbarians, Italy (twice) and Georgia from 28 June to 19 July.
njured World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit was released on Sunday from the South Africa squad preparing for their first four matches of the season, a SA Rugby statement said.
The 32-year-old flanker/lock, who plays for Japanese club Toyota Verblitz, is among six injured players who will not feature against the Barbarians, Italy (twice) and Georgia from 28 June to 19 July.
Props Gerhard Steenekamp and Ntuthuko Mchunu, number 8s Juarno Augustus and Cameron Hanekom and centre Lukhanyo Am have also been released due to injuries.
Augustus, who joins Ulster next season after helping Northampton Saints reach the Champions Cup final, will be particularly disappointed as he had received his first call-up from the record four-time Rugby World Cup winners.
The statement did not specify what injuries the players have, nor did it indicate when they might be available for selection, with South Africa set to play 14 matches this year.
Coach Rassie Erasmus has reduced his squad from 55 to 45 ahead of the first outing, a non-cap exhibition match against the Barbarians in Cape Town on 28 June.
Apart from the six injured players, the Hendrikse brothers, fly-half Jordan and scrum-half Jaden, flanker Renzo du Plessis, full-back Quan Horn and wing/full-back Ntokozo Makhaza have been omitted.
Makhaza, a 23-year-old university student based in Cape Town, was a surprise inclusion in the original squad as he has never played at senior level.
Erasmus has added one player, uncapped prop Boan Venter, who joined Edinburgh from Bloemfontein franchise the Cheetahs.
"Boan has been consistent for Edinburgh in the United Rugby Championship and Challenge Cup," said Erasmus, coach of the 2019 World Cup-winning team and director of rugby when the Springboks triumphed in France four years later.
"He is familiar with the South African structures after playing for the Cheetahs and coming through our junior ranks, so we are looking forward to seeing him in action."
After the Barbarians match, South Africa meet Italy in Pretoria on 5 July and in Gqeberha on 12 July, then Georgia in Mbombela on 19 July.
The Springboks play two Rugby Championship Tests each against Australia, New Zealand and Argentina between August and October.
Tour matches against France, Italy, Ireland and Wales in November complete their schedule. However, there could be additional fixtures as Erasmus has said he would like to play two extra Tests this year.
*This article was first published by Eye Witness News
The defending champions thrashed South Africa by 3-0 in the final at the Toyota stadium in Bloemfontein.
Two goals from the player of the tournament and the top goal scorer, Laurindo Dilson Maria Aurelio and one from Felicio Mendes Joao were enough to give the back-to-back gold medal.
The defending champions have proven to be the better side to win the tournament and lifting the trophy on the last day of the tournament was not a fluke. Aurelio opened the scoring when he jumped high to connect with a set piece to give Angola a 1-0 lead.
Bafana Bafana lite, as it is called by soccer lovers, came strong in the early minutes of the second stanza in search of an equaliser but it never came as Angola's last line of defence remained rock solid.
It was again Aurelio who silenced the South Africa’s vocal supporters when he coolly connected with a low cross in the 6-yard box to make the score reading 2-0.
Boitumelo Radiopane nearly reduced the deficit when his well-paced ball but Angola keeper Adilson Cipriano was equal to the task as he pulled a brilliant save and arguably the save of the tournament.
When everyone thought it was all over, Joao hammered the last nail on South Africa’s coffin when he brilliantly converted from a free kick a yard out of the 18 yards box leaving SA keeper Thakasani Mbanjwa hands down.
Pedro Gonçalves, the Angola head coach has urged his counterparts to come with their best teams in the tournament in future. “I thought all teams played well. My advice to all the coaches is to come with their best players because this is the only tournament that gives us a chance to be with players for a long time,” he said.
He said he was happy with the way his team performed in this year’s tournament. “Congratulations to my team. They have managed to defend the trophy and we hope to grow from here,” he said.
Vela Khumalo, the Bafana Bafana head coach said he was happy with the way his team played. He has, however, sung an old song that sounds like it is played from a broken record when he said they created chances but failed to score goals.
“I think we need to go back and find the strikes. I was with Victor Letsoalo in 2001 when we won the same tournament in Port Elizaberth and he is still playing. You will wonder where other strikers are,” he said.
