South Africans have been urged to apply for or collect their identity documents without delay ahead of the Local Government Elections on November 4.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has shown no mercy to a wounded All Blacks side, naming a stacked lineup for Saturday's series decider in Baltimore.

Agriculture minister Wille Aucamp and minister Sun Meijun of the General Administration of Chinese Customs (GACC) have signed a protocol allowing South African cherry producers to export to China. The partnership signed on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, will grant cherry producers access to the Chinese market for the first time in history. “This achievement is record-breaking as it is the first time that two market access protocols have been signed with China within a year,” said Aucamp. “We truly appreciate China’s efforts to speed up our market access requests for South African agricultural products.” South Africa’s benefits Aucamp said the agreement gives South African agricultural exporters duty-free access to the Chinese market, meaning they can export cherries without paying import tariffs. “The finalisation and signing of the cherry protocol confirms the commitment made to increase and broaden trade under the Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development, giving South Africa 0% tariff market access to Chinese markets,” said the minister. He also noted that signing the protocol will bring major economic benefits for South Africa, with China as the world’s largest importer of cherries. China’s total cherry imports are about 586 900 tonnes in 2025, valued at US$3.3 billion (approximately R52.8 billion). Strengthening biosecurity Aucamp also met with the minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Mr Zhang Zhu, on Monday, 7 September 2026. Both Ministers reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to continue to collaborate on mutually beneficial areas such as biosecurity – especially foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and securing more market access opportunities for South African agricultural products. “There was also an opportunity for minister Aucamp to meet and engage with representatives of the Chinese fruit importers at the South Africa-China Fruit Trade Business Forum, organised by FruitSA.” Jobs to be created Aucamp said this partnership to export cherries is expected to stimulate more investment in production, adding about 600 new job opportunities, in line with the government’s priority of inclusive economic growth and job creation. “There is more to come between South Africa and China now that the negotiations to grant market access for South African blueberries to China are at an advanced stage,” he added. The next step is to enter into a similar partnership to export South African blueberries, as proposed by China. “China has submitted a draft protocol for the import of blueberries for South Africa’s consideration, and minister Aucamp has requested Team South Africa to fast-track the coordination of inputs and negotiations, with a view to finalising the protocol before the end of the year.”

A new-look Proteas women’s team will take on neighbours Zimbabwe for the first time in a T20 series later this month. The five-match series will take place from 11 to 19 September, at Bulawayo’s Queen’s Sports Club. Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt said she was excited about the opportunity to face fellow African opposition for the first time at senior international level. “It’s very special for us. I think for as long as I’ve played, we haven’t played against another African team,” said Wolvaardt. “It’s pretty cool that we get to play some cricket against our neighbours. So I’m very excited to head over there.” Besides Wolvaardt, the only other squad regulars who’ll make the trip up north are Annerie Dercksen, Karabo Meso and Kayla Reyneke. There is a recall for batter Anneke Bosch, while the exciting Miané Smit and Faye Tunnicliffe will also get a chance to show what they can do, and so, too, Ayanda Hlubi, Eliz-Mari Marx and Nondumiso Shangase. The touring group also includes four uncapped youngsters, namely Caitlin Wyngaard and Luyanda Nzuza from the Titans, former SA U19 team and Warriors seamer Nthabiseng Nini, and Western Province wicketkeeper-batter Jae-Leigh Filander. Head coach Mandla Mashimbyi believes the upcoming series provides an ideal opportunity to assess the next generation of players. “The purpose is quite simple. It’s an opportunity for players to test their skills. An opportunity to give opportunities to the young players. And also for us to see where we are going forward in terms of the future of South African cricket,” said Mashimbyi. Proteas women’s squad for Zimbabwe T20s: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Anneke Bosch, Annerie Dercksen, Jae-Leigh Filander, Ayanda Hlubi, Eliz-Mari Marx, Karabo Meso, Seshnie Naidu, Nthabiseng Nini, Luyanda Nzuza, Kayla Reyneke, Nondumiso Shangase, Miané Smit, Faye Tunnicliffe, and Caitlin Wyngaard Fixtures – all starting at 1.30pm Friday, 11 September Sunday, 13 September Tuesday, 15 SeptemberThursday, 17 SeptemberSaturday, 19 September

The Springbok squad received a warm welcome after touching down in Baltimore, Maryland, where they are gearing up for their fourth and final test match against the All Blacks this weekend in the Greatest Rivalry series. The rugby rivals will play at the 70 000 seater M&T Bank Stadium. It will mark the first time South Africa and New Zealand have played each other in the US. SPRINGBOKS GREETED BY SA FANS, GWIGO SONGS In clips posted on social media, the Springbok squad, including players and staff, were greeted by a warm reception at the Baltimore Washington International airport. In the arrivals department – in the early hours of Monday morning, no less –  were scores of South Africans wearing their Springbok jerseys and waving South African flags. The rugby fans, likely living or visiting the US, excitedly sang and cheered on the players. In other clips, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi was seen joining the crowd who belted out Gwigo praise songs. Take a look… Springboks thought they have left RSA, only to be met by a bunch of "Legal foreigners" in USA.🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 Bokke everywhere!!!❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/SxvNrRrX7b— El-MAJOR_GENERAL (@CollinSmit90755) September 7, 2026 Springboks arriving in America 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/D49sYLC2Qh— Peché Africa 🇿🇦 (@pmcafrica) September 7, 2026 Baltimore are you ready!!! @Springboks pic.twitter.com/nnEmVYMFo8— Madea (@MadooraMopedi) September 7, 2026 The Springboks have landed!!! Baltimore is about to host the Greatest Rivalry in the history of rugby.South Africans descended on BWI airport to welcome the team. pic.twitter.com/SvISCbwshg— South African Embassy, Washington D.C (@RSAinDC) September 7, 2026 WHAT TIME DOES THE GREATEST RIVARLY MATCH TAKE PLACE? South Africans will have to stay up a little longer to watch the Springboks play the All Blacks on Saturday, 12 September at 11 pm SA time. This weekend’s match will mark the first time the countries clash in the US. The match will take place at the NFL Stadium, M&T Bank, which has a slightly smaller seating capacity than the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. The Boks have only played in the US twice this millennium before this match. Baltimore itself is hoping to to be selected as a host city to the 2031 Rugby World Cup, set to take place in the US. HOW MANY SAFFAS LIVE IN THE US? According to statistics from a 2023 US consensus, around 85 000 South Africans live in the US. The state of Maryland – where the Springboks will play – has an expat community of 2000. However, that figure is likely to change, given the influx of South African refugees under US President’s resettlement programme.

Orlando Pirates mentor Abdeslam Ouaddou has bagged the Betway Premiership Coach of the Month award for August. During that period, Ouaddou led Pirates to three wins and a single draw in the team’s opening four league matches. The Buccaneers kicked off their campaign with a 2-0 win over rookies Milford FC on 1 August before playing to a 1-1 draw away to AmaZulu. Pirates then hammered Chippa United 3-0 in their third league game and rounded off the month of August with a 2-0 win over Sekhukhune United on 25 August. Overall, the Soweto giants scored seven goals and conceded just once under the tutelage of Ouaddou during the month of August. Ouaddou faced stiff competition from Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso who also guided his team to a three wins and a draw in four league games during that period. Cardoso’s Sundowns beat TS Galaxy 3-2, drew 1-1 with Kaizer Chiefs and outsmarted Marumo Gallants 2-0 in their opening three matches. The Brazilians then wrapped up the month by hammering AmaZulu 5-2 on 26 August. Sundowns scored 11 goals and conceded five, and perhaps that also played a role in the judges’ decision to eventually decide on Ouaddou. Also read: Sundowns take full advantage of Orlando Pirates’ league absence ORLANDO PIRATES MENTOR ABDESLAM OUADDOU WINS BETWAY PREMIERSHIP GONG Orlando Pirates’ coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou has been named Betway Premiership Coach of the Month for August. 🏆#BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/hPdHPpJOou— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) September 8, 2026 Also read: Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper joins Siwelele FC WHICH COACH HAD A BETTER MONTH? Let us know in the comment section below…

Dis-Chem is rebuilding its app and replacing the e-commerce platform underneath it, targeting a year-end launch.

Engineers, surveyors and satellite operators abandoned global Mercator long ago, even if classrooms did not.