While Australia claimed a consolation victory, the biggest takeaway for South Africa is a concerning hamstring injury to Tony de Zorzi just days ahead of the Test series.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo announced on Wednesday that he had left the team's training camp in Denmark after coach Jorge Jesus told reporters that the striker would be dropped for their next match.

Not even the rain could save the Proteas on Wednesday night as they were outplayed by Australia, who bounced back to earn a consolation victory in the third and final one-day international (ODI) in Potchefstroom. With the SA team having entered the dead rubber fixture holding an unassailable lead in the three-match series, they made five changes to the side that triumphed in the second clash at the Wanderers three days earlier. And the tourists hit back hard against their new-look opposition, securing a 45-run victory on the DLS method, though the series concluded with the Proteas taking a 2-1 win. Australia innings After the start of the match was delayed by half an hour due to wet conditions, Australia produced an impressive all-round effort, compiling 322/9 in their 50 overs. Their top seven all scored more than 20 runs each, led by captain Mitchell Marsh (56 off 42), Oliver Peake (48 off 53) and Alex Carey (74 off 88). While the visitors did well to stay afloat, however, the Proteas bowlers managed to take regular wickets in an attempt to contain them, spearheaded by seamer Corbin Bosch who grabbed career-best ODI figures of 4/60. Proteas innings Starting their chase, needing 323 to win, South Africa were on the back foot with a man down, with Tony de Zorzi having picked up a hamstring niggle while fielding and being unable to bat. In his absence, the top order were carried by Ryan Rickelton, who stood firm by racking up 71 not out off 81 balls for the second ODI half-century of his career, but he struggled to garner much support. He had Bosch as a partner, with the all-rounder unbeaten on 13, when rain began to fall and the players left the field after 28 overs. On 145/4, the Proteas were well short of the par score required, and with the weather preventing the players from returning, they settled for a convincing defeat. Following the conclusion of the ODI series, Australia were set to face an SA XI in a two-day tour match in Potchefstroom this weekend ahead of the first game of a three-Test series against the Proteas in Durban starting next Friday.

There is a number on the front of almost every snack now, and it’s usually followed by a “g”. High-protein dairy pouches, protein-fortified drinks and clear “protein waters” have moved from gym-bag staples to supermarket fixtures. In part one of this series, Kaunda Selisho unpacked South Africa’s GLP-1 boom, the pressure to stay thin online, and what the science says. Here, she expands on the snacks, trends, budget implications, and muscle retention needs of South Africans. Shake problem, snack solution Always check your labels and consult professionals when considering adding new items to your grocery trolley. Picture: iStock For many people, especially those with dulled appetites or sensitive stomachs, a thick, sweet shake is hard going. That’s part of the appeal of protein you can chew, spoon or squeeze: yoghurt pouches, cheese, eggs, biltong. Biltong has long been popular locally, partly for its high protein content. Is “protein water” the answer? Thanks to beauty events that include a wellness element, clear protein drinks are also gaining popularity among women in South Africa. They’re usually whey isolate or collagen that has been filtered to strip out the creamy texture. The whey versions are the better bet for hitting targets, as they typically deliver 20 to 25 g of protein per serving. Dietitians also note they’re more refreshing and less creamy, which some people (like myself) find easier when appetite is low. The trade-offs are that they often contain artificial flavourings and sweeteners, and that isolate is generally pricier than concentrate. Medical literature also finds that collagen-based versions are trickier because they are incomplete proteins, as they lack tryptophan. One analysis suggested up to 36% of daily protein could come from collagen peptides while keeping protein quality high. Your best bet is to check the label for the protein source and the grams per serving before you count it toward your target and make the purchase. Protein on a budget Protein is a vital macronutrient that acts as the primary building block for your body’s muscles, bones, skin, and tissues. Picture: iStock A local debt solution provider reports that, based on its data, over 50% of employed South Africans earn less than R15 000 monthly. However, when factoring in zero-income and informal-sector households, the average monthly figure drops closer to R4 000 to R6 000. Globally, the cheapest protein is rarely the trendiest; however, the average South African can’t afford to participate in the trend craze. The Competition Commission’s essential food pricing monitoring found that dry beans were the cheapest source at R0.32 per gram of protein, followed by eggs at R0.48 and IQF chicken at R0.91, with canned pilchards at R1.12 and beef the most expensive at R2.81. That data is from December 2023, but the ranking is instructive. Dried beans, eggs and pilchards are also VAT-exempt. By simple arithmetic, the First Choice drinks above work out to roughly R1.19 (21g) and R1.63 (27g) per gram of protein. That’s convenient, but it’s not the cheapest way to get there. For plant-based options, a 500g bag of lentils costs around R27, and a cup of cooked lentils delivers at least 18g of protein. An almost-empty high-protein snack shelf in a Johannesburg supermarket. Picture: Kaunda Selisho A note for women, especially in menopause Menopause is associated with a higher prevalence of sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss) and obesity. Mayo Clinic Press advises that after menopause the general recommendation is 1.0 to 1.2g of protein per kilogram of body weight a day, roughly 68-81g for a 68kg woman. The evidence on how much extra protein helps is mixed, though. In a randomised trial of 47 postmenopausal women doing resistance exercise, the higher-protein group (about 1.2g/kg) gained a small extra improvement in functional capacity, but not in muscle strength or lean mass quality. A review also noted that a high-protein weight-loss diet without exercise did not preserve fat-free mass in postmenopausal women. So, protein helps most when it’s paired with strength training. In South Africa, the confusion between authentic Greek yoghurt and “Greek-style” yoghurt centres on labelling laws, production methods, and nutritional values. Picture: Kaunda Selisho Essentially, advocating for a protein-focused game plan when thinking about what you eat isn’t a baseless fad. For people losing weight quickly, older women and anyone training, it matters. But, it’s worth remembering that a protein-fortified snack isn’t automatically a healthy one, and for most budgets, eggs, beans and tinned fish will always do the heavy lifting. Always check your labels and consult professionals when considering adding new items to your grocery trolley. – Read more in part 1.

Zimbabwean businessman Sir Wicknell Chivayo and his wife have been confirmed dead after a helicopter crashed in Marondera, Mashonaland East, at around 5pm on Wednesday. A family member confirmed the deaths to the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), following the fatal helicopter crash that claimed six lives. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening. Popular Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono had also claimed on X that Chivayo and his wife were among those who died in the crash on Wednesday. “Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife were killed today in a helicopter crash near Marondera, east of Harare,” Chin’ono posted. However, the identities of the victims have not yet been officially released by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). Six people die in Marondera crash Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana confirmed that a helicopter crash had occurred in Marondera, Mashonaland East, with six people on board. Mangwana said there were no survivors but did not identify the victims. “The Government wishes to confirm that a helicopter crash has occurred, involving one high-profile businessman, four passengers, and two pilots,” he said. “Current information indicates that there were no survivors in this crash. The Zimbabwe Republic Police will confirm the names of the victims in due course.” What happened in the Zimbabwe helicopter crash? The ZRP said the crash occurred at around 5pm on Wednesday in the Marondera Rural area. Police confirmed that the aircraft had six occupants and said officers and other relevant authorities were attending the scene. “The ZRP confirms a plane crash in Marondera Rural area at 1700 hours, this evening. The aircraft had six occupants,” police said. The police said further details would be released once more information had been gathered. Authorities are expected to officially identify the victims once their procedures have been completed.

Six people have reportedly died after a helicopter crashed in Zimbabwe on Wednesday evening, with the Government confirming that there were no survivors. The incident occurred in Marondera, Mashonaland East. The crash involved a high-profile businessman, four passengers and two pilots, according to Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana. Mangwana confirmed the incident in a statement on X, saying the Government had received information indicating that everyone on board had died. “The Government wishes to confirm that a helicopter crash has occurred, involving one high-profile businessman, four passengers, and two pilots,” Mangwana said. “Current information indicates that there were no survivors in this crash.” When did the helicopter crash happen? The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the aircraft crashed at around 5pm on Wednesday in the Marondera Rural area. Police confirmed that six people were on board the aircraft when the crash occurred. “The ZRP confirms a plane crash in Marondera Rural area at 1700 hours, this evening. The aircraft had six occupants,” police said in a statement. Police and other relevant authorities were deployed to the scene following the crash. Who were the victims? The identities of those who died had not yet been officially released at the time of the initial Government confirmation. Mangwana said the Zimbabwe Republic Police would confirm the names of the victims once the necessary procedures had been completed. “The Zimbabwe Republic Police will confirm the names of the victims in due course,” he said. This means further details about the businessman and the other people who were on board are expected to emerge as authorities continue their investigations. Police investigate helicopter crash The ZRP said the crash scene was being attended to by police and other relevant authorities. “More details will be released in due course,” police said. Authorities are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash as investigations continue. Mangwana extended condolences to the victims’ families and friends following the tragedy. “We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the victims, their families, and their friends during this difficult time,” he said. Further information, including the identities of the victims and circumstances surrounding the crash, is expected from authorities. OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT CONFIRMS FATAL HELICOPTER CRASH The Government wishes to confirm that a helicopter crash has occurred, involving one high-profile businessman, three other passengers, and two pilots. Current information indicates that there were no survivors in this…— Nick Mangwana (@nickmangwana) September 30, 2026

Capitec's fintech business contributed R2.7-billion to headline earnings, about three-quarters of what its personal bank earned.

The JSE and the Technology Innovation Agency have picked 10 tech SMEs for a pilot preparing them to raise capital.