At one stage, JJ van der Mescht was in Rassie Erasmus's plans but the Springbok coach has explained why the former Junior Bok must wait a while.

A newborn baby girl has been tragically discovered dead in a bin at a petrol station in Grassy Park. Police are urgently investigating the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking incident and are appealing for public assistance.

Revolution Abare Gwaaah supporters march against illegal migration on June 24, 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The group is demanding that undocumented foreign nationals leave the country and are pressuring the government for stricter border controls amid ongoing public frustration over high unemployment and crime rates. (Photo by Gallo Images/Luba Lesolle) Children cool off in the fountains of City Park on June 24, 2026 in Bradford, United Kingdom. The Met Office has upgraded an extreme heat warning to red for six regions of England and Wales on Wednesday and Thursday this week, with amber warnings in effect since Monday. Temperatures are forecast to rise above 30C for several consecutive days, posing intense heat risks for vulnerable people and infrastructure. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) A municipal worker fumigates a house during a dengue prevention campaign in Colombo on June 24, 2026. (Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP) A woman takes a picture in Manezhnaya square among Russian flags decorations in central Moscow on June 23, 2026. (Photo by Igor IVANKO / AFP) The reinstallation of the 2024 Olympic cauldron designed by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur, tethered to a balloon, hovers above the Tuileries garden with the moon in the background, in Paris on June 23, 2026. (Photo by Christophe DELATTRE / AFP) Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Julius Mkhwanazi testifies at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry at Brigette Mabandla Judicial College on June 24, 2026 in Pretoria, South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa established the commission to investigate and report on the veracity, scope, and extent of the allegations made on 6 July 2025 by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that South Africa’s criminal justice system was compromised. (Photo by Gallo Images/Frennie Shivambu) Democratic Republic of Congo’s supporter Michel Kuka Mboladinga, pays tribute to Democratic Republic of Congo’s late prime minister Patrice Lumumba, by remaining motionless ahead of the 2026 World Cup Group K football match between Colombia and Democratic Republic of Congo at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan on June 23, 2026. (Photo by Ulises RUIZ / AFP) Jacinta MaNgobese Zuma briefs the media during a joint civil address on illegal immigration at Protea Hotel on June 24, 2026 in Midrand, South Africa. It is reported that the South African Police Service (SAPS) has approached the private security industry to bolster operations ahead of the 30 June protests against undocumented foreign nationals. (Photo by Gallo Images/Sharon Seretlo) Structural damage is seen beneath the support structures of the M2 highway bridge near End Street extension in Johannenesburg, 24 June 2026. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/The Citizen Members of an honour guard prepare before the arrival of Canada’s Defence Minister David McGuinty for a meeting with Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi at the Ministry of Defence in Tokyo on June 24, 2026. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP) People stand in the water near mangrove trees during sunset at Walakiri beach in Waingapu, East Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara on June 24, 2026. (Photo by BAY ISMOYO / AFP) A fan wearing a mask of Argentina’s footballer Lionel Messi dances as he celebrates his birthday in Kolkata on June 24, 2026. (Photo by Dibyangshu SARKAR / AFP) A flamingo rests at a water pond at Dortmund Zoo in Dortmund, western Germany, on June 24, 2026 (Photo by Ina FASSBENDER / AFP) US rapper, artist and fashion designer Pharrell Williams leaves after presenting creations for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring/Summer 2027 collection fashion show as part of the Paris Fashion Week, in Paris, on June 23, 2026. (Photo by SIMON WOHLFAHRT / AFP) MORE: 24 hours in pictures, 23 June 2026

Heavy downpours, small hail and gusty winds are expected in parts of the Northern and Western Cape on Thursday, 25 June, with isolated showers and thundershowers forecast across SA. Here is what weather to expect tomorrow, according to the South African Weather Service. Weather warnings for 25 June 2026 Impact-based warnings The weather service has issued a yellow level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms leading to large amounts of small hail, strong gusty winds and heavy downpours over the southern parts of the Northern Cape and eastern parts of the Western Cape. Weather outlook for Thursday & Friday: 25-26 June 2026.Partly cloudy & cool conditions are expected, but cloudy & cold over the western interior, with isolated to scattered showers & thundershowers expected over the eastern & western parts of the RSA. #saws #weatheroutlook pic.twitter.com/oBykluGWoG— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) June 23, 2026 Provincial weather forecast Here’s what to expect in your province on 25 June: Gauteng: It will be a partly cloudy and cool day. Mpumalanga: Expect morning fog patches in the east; otherwise, it will be partly cloudy and cool to cold. It will be warm in places in the Lowveld where isolated showers and rain are expected. Limpopo: It will be partly cloudy and cool to warm with isolated showers and rain in places in the north, and in the east. A chance of drizzle is expected along the escarpment. North West: Morning fog patches await in the east; otherwise, it will be fine to partly cloudy and cool. Free State: Expect morning fog patches in the east; otherwise, it will be fine to partly cloudy and cool, but cold along the Lesotho boarder. Isolated morning showers and thundershowers are expected in the extreme southwest. Northern Cape: It will be partly cloudy to cloudy and cool, but warm in the north with isolated showers and thundershowers, but scattered in the south. Western Cape: Partly cloudy to cloudy and cool weather is expected, with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers in the extreme east from mid-morning. The region’s expected UVB sunburn index is “very high”. Residents should take the necessary precautions against prolonged sun exposure. Eastern Cape (western half): It will be cloudy and cool with scattered showers and thundershowers, but isolated in the north. Eastern Cape (eastern half): Expect partly cloudy skies in the east; otherwise, it will be cloudy and cool with isolated showers and thundershowers. KwaZulu-Natal: There will be morning fog over the interior; otherwise, it will be fine to partly cloudy and cool to warm with isolated showers and rain in the northeast. The region’s expected UVB sunburn index is “very high”. Residents should take the necessary precautions against prolonged sun exposure.

Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille took to social media to show her followers how empty the African National Congress (ANC) tables were on Tuesday 23 June. HELEN ZILLE: ‘LONELY DAYS AHEAD FOR ANC’ Helen Zille has had quite the sense of humour on social media and social media users are increasingly amused as her content gains popularity. She’s taken a dip in the pool of potholes in Johannesburg, hit the DJ decks and more. Now, she has poked fun at how “lonely” the African National Congress (ANC) tables were via a TikTok video on Tuesday 23 June. She used Akon’s hit song Lonely as the audio, which amused social media users. Take a look… “Lonely days lie ahead for the ANC. Visit check.da.org.za to register to vote or type “VOTE” in the comments and we will assist you. #BelieveInJoburg#Zille4Mayor,” she wrote. @helenzille Lonely days lie ahead for the ANC. Visit check.da.org.za to register to vote or type “VOTE” in the comments and we will assist you. #BelieveInJoburg #Zille4Mayor ♬ original sound – Helen Zille Many social media users thought the post was funny. “Helen my dear, you so messy 😭,” wrote Lisa dingiswayo. “ANC thinks this is AI,” wrote Shello Jacks. “Who’s handling Zille’s social media pages 😂😂😭,” wrote Lapis Lazuli. “Zille social media team is 🔥 🤣🤣🤣🤣,” wrote Tanya Marie. Others showed support for the DA. “DA has done very well for the city of capetown, i know you will be better in Johannesburg. 🇿🇦💙✊🏽,” wrote Emi. “You have my vote!!!! Zille for Mayor!,” wrote _lu_da2. MAYORAL CANDIDATE FOR JOHANNESBURG Helen Zille is the DA mayoral candidate for Johannesburg for the 2026 municipal elections. The politican was officially named the mayoral candidate in September 2025. Her aim is reportedly to restore the city to its former glory by tackling service delivery failures and unstable coalitions. The 2026 South African municipal elections will be held on 4 November across the country, to elect councils for all district, metropolitan and local municipalities in each of the country’s nine provinces. A total of 508 political parties registered to participate in the elections FIVE PLEDGES TO JOHANNESBURG RESIDENTS Reliable water and electricity for all residents Roads that work Attract 200 000 new jobs to Joburg Law and order! Kill corruption and make public spaces safer A professional, modern government. A City we can be proud of

South Africa-born doctor Lauren Dickason is set to return to court next year as she appeals her conviction for the murders of her three young daughters in one of New Zealand’s most high-profile criminal cases. Dickason, 43, was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment in June 2024 after being found guilty of murdering her daughters, six-year-old Lianè and two-year-old twins Maya and Karla, at the family’s home in Timaru in September 2021. The family had emigrated from South Africa to New Zealand just weeks before the tragedy unfolded. Challenge her conviction According to the RNZ website, a hearing before the New Zealand Court of Appeal has now been scheduled for three days, beginning on 9 February 2027 in Wellington. According to court documents, Lauren Dickason intends to challenge her conviction on the grounds that there has been a miscarriage of justice. The notice of appeal states that further details supporting the appeal will be provided by her legal team. Dickason pleaded not guilty to the murder charges during her trial, with her defence arguing that she was not criminally responsible because of severe mental illness. Her legal team relied on defences of insanity and infanticide, but a jury ultimately convicted her on all three murder charges in August 2023. Extensive evidence During sentencing, the court heard extensive evidence regarding Lauren Dickason’s long history of mental health struggles. Justice Cameron Mander ruled that her severe mental illness was not only a contributing factor, but the cause of her actions. As a result, he imposed no minimum non-parole period and ordered that she initially receive treatment as a special patient in a secure mental health facility. Dickason will become eligible for parole in September 2027 after serving one-third of her sentence. Attracted international attention The case attracted international attention, particularly in South Africa and New Zealand, because of the circumstances surrounding the family’s recent relocation and the ages of the children involved. Following her sentencing, Lauren Dickason released a statement expressing profound remorse for her actions. “I want people to know our girls brought me so much joy and were the centre of my world,” she said. “I am horrified by my actions, and the pain, distress and trauma I have caused everyone who loved them.” ‘No apology would ever be sufficient’ She also acknowledged the devastating impact her actions had on her husband, family and friends, adding that no apology would ever be sufficient for the harm caused. The upcoming appeal hearing is expected to revisit key legal and psychiatric issues that were central to the original trial, with the Court of Appeal set to determine whether Dickason’s conviction should stand.

South Africans have already gone digital at the till. Visa is betting their employers are next.

Broadcom's CEO says the chip matches Nvidia's Blackwell, as AI labs scramble for alternatives to scarce GPUs.