Sports

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.

Noman returned figures of 6-112 for his ninth haul of five wickets or more in Tests as South Africa lost their last four wickets for 53 runs an hour before lunch, having resumed on 216-6.

Left-arm spinner Noman Ali finished with six wickets Tuesday as Pakistan dismissed South Africa for 269 in the first Test in Lahore after Tony de Zorzi's gutsy century.

Noman returned figures of 6-112 for his ninth haul of five wickets or more in Tests as South Africa lost their last four wickets for 53 runs an hour before lunch, having resumed on 216-6.

Pakistan lead by 109 after they scored 378 in their first innings.

De Zorzi carried the fight to Pakistan on a turning Gaddafi Stadium pitch as he completed his second Test century with a six and two singles off Noman.

The left-hander finally holed out for 104 to long-on off Noman, where Shaheen Shah Afridi took a low catch, ending a 208-minute innings containing 10 fours and two sixes.

Noman, who bowled a probing 35 overs, also removed Prenelan Subrayen for four during the session.

Fellow spinner Sajid Khan took the first wicket of the day when he had Senuran Muthusamy caught by Salman Agha for 11.

He then wrapped up the innings when he bowled Kagiso Rabada for nought to finish with 3-98 off 33 overs.

*This article was first published by EYE WITNESS NEWS  

Former Kaizer Chiefs forward Brian Abbas Amidu and his co-accused have been denied bail by a Zimbabwean court and will remain in custody pending trial on drug trafficking charges.

Amidu, also known as Tumirai Matsika, appeared in the Kwekwe Magistrates’ Court alongside Kudzai “Reuben” Mhlanga after their arrest over the seizure of about 780 kilogrammes of dagga, with an estimated street value of US$78,000 (more than R1.3 million).

The court ordered that the pair remain behind bars as the prosecution prepares for trial.

The arrest has reignited debate around Amidu’s age, with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) recording him as 29, while football databases such as FotMob and Transfermarkt list his birth year as 1990, which would make him 35. The Herald newspaper in Zimbabwe reported that prosecutors described the bust as one of the largest in the Midlands Province this year.

Amidu’s football career included a brief stint with Kaizer Chiefs in 2012 before moving to Black Leopards in South Africa. He later played in Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, and represented CAPS United and the Zimbabwe national team, the Warriors.

The ZRP’s statement lists Amidu’s age as 29, but the older age reflected in public football databases has triggered a social media storm, with fans questioning the legitimacy of the younger figure reported in court.

Age discrepancies are not uncommon in football, particularly in Africa, where players have been known to understate their ages to meet youth tournament eligibility requirements or secure professional contracts.

Police allege that Amidu has used multiple aliases and has pending cases in Epworth and Harare under different identities, a tactic investigators say was intended to evade detection.

The stark contrast between his once-promising football career and his current legal troubles has drawn widespread attention across Zimbabwe and southern Africa.

Last week, IOL reported that Robert Mugabe Junior, 33, son of the late former president Robert Mugabe, was arrested again in central Harare for alleged possession of illegal drugs.

Authorities said Mugabe Junior was stopped by police during the night while driving a silver Honda Fit the wrong way along 2nd Street Extension in Harare. During a search, officers reportedly found two small sachets of cannabis (dagga), along with papers and a dagga grinder, in a sling bag in his possession.

The total weight was about two grammes, with an estimated street value of US$30 (approximately R500).

*This article was first IOL News

Morocco is scheduled to stage the Cup of Nations (AFCON) from 21 December to 18 January at nine venues, with 24 national teams competing in the premier African football competition.

African football boss Patrice Motsepe said on Monday he is "absolutely confident" the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will go ahead in Morocco, the scene of daily anti-government protests for more than a week.

Young Moroccans took to the streets on Sunday for a ninth straight night of protests, calling for an end to corruption and a change of government.

The protesters have demanded reforms to social services, especially health and education, and voiced anger over social inequality.

Morocco is scheduled to stage the Cup of Nations (AFCON) from 21 December to 18 January at nine venues, with 24 national teams competing in the premier African football competition.

Stars like Egypt and Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah and Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi are among the players set to participate.

Speaking during an annual gathering of African football bosses in Kinshasa, Confederation of African Football president Motsepe said: "We (CAF) are absolutely confident the AFCON will go ahead as planned.

"Morocco is planA, Morocco is plan B and Morocco is plan C," he told his audience, including FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

"CAF will co-operate and work with the government and all the citizens of Morocco to host the most successful AFCON in history," said Motsepe, a South African billionaire businessman.

Morocco hosted the 1988 AFCON - then an eight-nation tournament - and withdrew as hosts of the 2015 version citing Ebola virus fears.

AFRICAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE 'IMPORTANT'

Motsepe said CAF hoped to revive the African Football League, which was launched amid much hype only to be discontinued in 2023 after one radically changed edition.

Instead of 24 entrants, playing a minimum of 14 matches each, and record prize money for an African club competition, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa won a watered-down eight-team tournament.

*This article was first published by Eye Witness News

Jessica Thompson added two more gold medals to her already impressive haul on Saturday, bringing her total to five national titles at the Bombela Concession Company SA National (25m) Championships.

Thompson clinched the 50m freestyle title in 24.19 seconds, just five-hundredths of a second shy of the national record. She also took gold in the 100m backstroke with a time of 58.34 seconds.

Speaking about her sprint victory over national short-course record holder Caitlin de Lange (who finished second in 24.65), Thompson praised her rival.

“Caitlin is such an incredible swimmer, especially in the sprint free event so swimming against her I knew I had to be on my best game, top form and it was really nice having her next to me so I could get that extra push.”

Thompson described the quick nature of the sprint: “I think in the 50, you don’t have time to think – that’s the beauty about the races. It’s more just trusting in your training and you can’t think about it – your body goes into autopilot.”

VAN NIEKERK AND COETZEE SECURE VICTORIES

Meanwhile, Lara Van Niekerk successfully added the 50m breaststroke title to the 100m gold she won on the opening day. Her win comes after a challenging year of battling back from injury, illness, and disappointments.

The 22-year-old double Commonwealth Games champion expressed relief, noting her improvement from last year's world championships. “I can just take this as a positive. It’s faster than I went at worlds last year, so it’s baby steps. Rome wasn’t built in a day, so we’re getting there,” she said.

Van Niekerk is also finding her passion for the sport again. “I’ve just got back to why I started swimming in the beginning and I’m really enjoying it again. I love going to training every day and at least I’m enjoying racing again. There was a stage last year where I was scared of racing, so it’s good. It means I’m improving as a person and I’m getting back there.”

In the women's 400m freestyle, Duné Coetzee returned to winning ways, clocking in at 4 minutes 11.38 seconds. The 23-year-old, who recently moved back to Pretoria after finishing her studies in the USA, was happy with her progress under new coach Rocco Meiring. “I’ve only been swimming with Rocco for about two months, so I’m really happy with all my solid performances… This meet was just kind of to see where I’m at and what we need to do in training, so I’m very happy,” she commented.

MEN’S RACES SEE NEW AND FAMILIAR FACES ON TOP

Tai Pearson finally got his hands on two gold medals on Saturday, winning the 100m backstroke in 53.29 seconds and the 200m individual medley in 2:01.49. The 18-year-old was delighted to top the podium after several second-place finishes to the returning Chad le Clos earlier in the week.

“It’s been hard the past two days racing Chad in my events because I’m a butterfly swimmer, and freestyle, so I came second in three events and he came first, so I’m really happy with getting the double now,” Pearson said, adding, “It was a tough one, so the legs are definitely hurting.”

OTHER MEN’S TITLE WINNERS INCLUDED:

Armand Landmann, who claimed his first-ever national title in the 50m freestyle in 22.09 seconds.

Chris Smith, who took the 50m backstroke title in 26.31 seconds. He noted that he was "happy" with the time for this point in the season, despite being a bit more than half a second off his personal best.

Matthew Caldwell, who won the 400m freestyle title in 3:48.47.

Individual Medley Double for Van Heerden
Keira van Heerden made a return to the podium, completing an individual medley double by adding the 200m IM gold (2:14.79) to her earlier 400m IM title, holding off a fast-finishing Georgia Els.

The Bombela Concession Company SA National (25m) Championships in Pietermaritzburg will conclude on Sunday.

*This article was first published by Eye Witness News