Author: Rethabile Nyelele

Azola Tshobeni has officially drawn the curtain on his Orlando Pirates journey. He confirmed his exit after nine years at the club. Now, he is sealing a switch to Betway Premiership outfit Chippa United. The 23-year-old midfielder’s move was communicated via a statement posted by his representatives, P Management Sports, on social media. This message doubled as a heartfelt goodbye to the Buccaneers. It also served as a declaration of intent for the next phase of his career. Nine years of growth in Black and White Arriving at Pirates as a teenager, Tshobeni progressed through the structures. He credits the…

The SA20 League is revving up for its fourth edition, with 30 players already confirmed to form the backbone of the six franchises. With a blend of seasoned internationals and local favourites, the league has officially entered the next phase of its evolution. It is one of the country’s most exciting T20 spectacles. Strong Core Set Ahead of Auction A total of 24 players have either been retained by their respective teams or signed on pre-tournament agreements, as per the latest regulations. In addition to these, each franchise has exercised its right to nominate a wildcard—a player who featured in…

Banyana Banyana’s hopes of defending their WAFCON crown came to a heartbreaking halt in Casablanca, following a distressing injury to star midfielder Gabriela Salgado during their 2-1 defeat to Nigeria on Tuesday night. The 27-year-old suffered a horrific leg break in the 83rd minute, just as the semi-final appeared headed for extra time. According to SAFA’s chief medical officer, Dr. Thulani Ngwenya, Salgado sustained fractures to both her tibia and fibula and was rushed to Mohamed VI University Hospital for immediate surgery, which was successfully performed the following day. Banyana Banyana vs Nigeria: A Game Derailed by Trauma The incident…

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has unveiled a 37-player squad to take on Australia in the opening rounds of the Rugby Championship. This squad features a balanced mix of seasoned campaigners and new Test talent. Rising Stars Join the Bok Fold Among the most notable inclusions are five players who earned their first Springbok caps during the July Test window. They are Ethan Hooker (utility back), Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Boan Venter (props), Marnus van der Merwe (hooker), and Cobus Wiese (utility forward). Their selection highlights Erasmus’s ongoing commitment to developing depth in the national team setup. Meanwhile, Thomas du Toit,…

The Springboks are gearing up to unleash a near full-strength squad when they face the All Blacks in the 2025 Rugby Championship. This marks a shift from the experimental line-ups used earlier in the season. Having rotated a whopping 46 players over their opening four games, the Boks now look set to field a far more settled side for the upcoming blockbuster encounters. Squad Rotation Gives Way to Stability South Africa wrapped up their incoming series last weekend, following convincing victories over Italy in Pretoria (42-24) and Gqeberha (45-0). They also achieved a dominant win against Georgia in Mbombela (55-10),…

Gauteng continues to stand tall as the epicentre of South African football, not only for its iconic clubs but also for the influential coaches it produces. As the 2024/25 season concluded, the spotlight was firmly on five homegrown coaching masterminds whose leadership shaped the modern game. These tacticians, born and bred in our country’s football capital, have made lasting contributions both on and off the pitch. Here are the five most impactful PSL coaches from Gauteng, including a mix of seasoned legends and dynamic new-era thinkers, who are defining success in South African football. Also read: Rulani Mokwena’s Wydad Exit…

Speculation around Relebohile Mofokeng’s future continues to intensify, and Orlando Pirates’ recent response to the noise has raised more questions than answers. The club might have issued a public statement, but its vague wording has left supporters and analysts wondering whether something bigger is being kept under wraps. Orlando Pirates Deny Offer But Don’t Set the Record Straight On 16 July, Orlando Pirates dismissed reports that Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven had tabled a staggering R120 million bid for the 20-year-old attacker. In a short statement published on the club’s website, Pirates slammed the media for fuelling speculation without verification. The…

Pre-season competitions may not always provide an accurate forecast of how the upcoming campaign will unfold, but they certainly help set the tone. These matches allow fans to gauge how prepared their team is, both physically and mentally, ahead of the new season. For Kaizer Chiefs, Saturday’s Toyota Cup showdown against Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko is anything but a low-stakes exhibition. The Soweto giants are approaching it with the kind of intensity typically reserved for major domestic cup ties. A Point to Prove After Last Season’s Embarrassment Chiefs know all too well the dangers of a sluggish pre-season. Last year’s…

Volkswagen has issued a new recall affecting 253 Polo sedans in South Africa, citing safety concerns with improperly fitted seat belts. This follows an earlier recall initiated on 17 July 2025, highlighting an ongoing issue involving seat belt defects in these vehicles. What’s the Problem? The recall stems from a manufacturing error that may compromise the functionality of the seat belts in Polo sedans. According to Volkswagen, the issue involves the rear right seat belt, although both rear belts (left and right) should be inspected as a precaution. The National Consumer Commission (NCC) explained that a seat belt webbing mix-up…

The Springboks have opened their 2025 campaign in dominant fashion. Victories over the Barbarians, Italy (twice), and Georgia have kept their unbeaten run alive. While sterner tests await in the Rugby Championship, the world champions have already revealed much about their form, depth, and experimentation. Here are 10 standout takeaways from their season so far. 1. Incredible Squad Depth Rassie Erasmus has achieved what most coaches only dream of: building a squad where every position has at least three capable players. Whether it’s choosing between Damian Willemse and Aphelele Fassi at fullback or balancing Jesse Kriel and Canan Moodie at…