Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso discusses the emotional challenges faced during pre-season following the tragic passing of midfielder Jayden Adams, highlighting the team's resilience and unity.

Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala's lawyer argued key police evidence was 'pure hearsay' as the trial within a trial continued.

South Africans’ wallets continue to come under pressure as households grapple with rising living costs, from food and electricity to fuel and residential rent. The latest blow comes from the housing market, where residential rents have climbed in the first quarter of 2026, adding to the financial strain on tenants. There was, however, a silver lining: the share of tenants in arrears fell by 16.7%, suggesting that despite mounting pressure, more renters are keeping up with their monthly payments. According to the latest PayProp Rental Index released on 29 July 2026, average rent increased to R9 582, up from R9 462 – with Western Cape, like the previous quarters, being the province with the highest average rent of R12 125 per month. Average rent increases by R450 According to the report, the increase in average rent was R450. PayProp conducts the rental index to provide data-driven insights that help landlords, property agents, and investors measure market health, track inflation versus rental yields, and make informed financial decisions. “There were some early warning signals at the provincial level: This quarter we saw two provinces dip 1% rental growth, while another recorded a double-digit increase for the first time in three years,” reads the index. The rental index revealed that tenants in arrears declined within the period from 16.9% in the previous quarter. “Things were less peachy when it came to the average arrears percentage. Tenants in arrears owed on average 74.3% of their rent, up from the record low of 71.3% from the last quarter. “Despite the rising indebtedness we reported last quarter, it looks as though diligence from rental agents, backed by powerful arrears monitoring and recovery systems, is keeping the rent flowing.” Average rent per province According to the report, the provincial rankings remained unchanged from the previous quarter, with one exception. North West moved up from eighth to seventh place, swapping positions with the Eastern Cape, which dropped to eighth. Here’s the average rent per province, from most expensive to cheapest: Western Cape – R12 125 Northern Cape – R10 821 Gauteng – R9 600 KwaZulu-Natal – R9 583 Limpopo – R9 483 Mpumalanga – R8 494 North West – R7 620 Eastern Cape – R7 586 Free State – R7 501 Indebtedness falls The report revealed that tenants’ indebtedness fell in the first quarter of 2026, as average spending on debt dipped slightly to 45.7% of income, compared to 46.1% a year ago. However, the report noted that much of the fall in debt spending was driven by the interest rate cut in November, which made it cheaper to service debt. The Free State continued to record the highest proportion of tenants in arrears during the first quarter of 2026, followed by North West and the Northern Cape. At the other end of the spectrum, the Western Cape once again had the lowest share of tenants behind on their rent, ahead of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. The report noted that provincial rankings were largely unchanged from the previous quarter, with the only movement seeing North West overtake the Eastern Cape to move into seventh place.

R&B star Maxwell’s much-anticipated return to South African stages has been called off, with both scheduled shows now cancelled just days before they were set to take place. The singer was due to perform at SunBet Arena in Pretoria on Saturday, 8 August, and at Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town on Tuesday, 11 August. Promoter Vertex Events confirmed on Monday that neither show will go ahead. According to Vertex Events, Maxwell’s team reached out to inform the promoter that the singer could no longer fulfil the engagements, citing circumstances beyond their control. The statement noted that Maxwell had been eager to return to the country, but that ultimately there was no way to make the shows happen. Dates couldn’t be moved Vertex Events said several alternatives were explored with Maxwell’s team before cancellation was settled on as the only remaining option, including attempts to shift the shows to new dates. However, the promoter said Maxwell’s schedule made this impossible, confirming he will not be able to perform in South Africa again in 2026, regardless of timing. The statement was firm that neither party is at fault. “Neither party is in breach of the contract between Maxwell and Vertex Events,” it read, adding that both sides had handled the situation professionally and that the decision had not been taken lightly. Maxwell apologises to fans Maxwell’s South African tour dates have been cancelled, with promoter Vertex Events promising full refunds to ticket holders. Picture: Supplied In a statement shared through Vertex Events, Maxwell addressed fans directly. “Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond my control, I’m unfortunately no longer able to perform in South Africa as planned,” he said. “This decision wasn’t made lightly. I sincerely apologise to everyone who was looking forward to the shows. I appreciate your understanding and continued support. I hope to be back with you all soon.” Full refunds on the way Vertex Events said it had been fully prepared to stage the shows, with venues confirmed and technical and production logistics already in place. The promoter described the shows as being on track to sell out, and said it remains hopeful of bringing Maxwell back to South Africa in 2027. All ticket holders will receive full refunds, with Webtickets set to contact buyers directly regarding the refund process in the coming days.

American singer-songwriter and record producer Gerald Maxwell Rivera, known mononymously as Maxwell, has cancelled his South African shows. MAXWELL CANCELS CONCERTS IN SOUTH AFRICA R&B star Maxwell has cancelled his concerts in South Africa, which were scheduled for August 2026. The singing sensation was set to perform at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria on 8 August and at the Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town on 11 August. His management informed local organisers, Vertex Events, that he would not be able to travel to South Africa because of unforeseen circumstances. Both parties tried to find new dates for this year, but no workable solution was possible. In a statement, Maxwell expressed his regret, saying that the decision was not made lightly and that he sincerely apologises to fans who were looking forward to the shows. He thanked supporters for their understanding and promised to return soon. “Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond my control, I’m unfortunately no longer able to perform in South Africa as planned. This decision wasn’t made lightly,” he wrote. “I sincerely apologise to everyone who was looking forward to the shows. I appreciate your understanding and continued support. I hope to be back with you all soon,” he continued. WILL YOU BE REFUNDED? Ticket holders will receive full refunds. Webtickets are said to be contacting customers directly to arrange the process. Although preparations for the shows had already been completed, organisers assured fans that everything will be handled professionally and transparently. While Maxwell will not perform in South Africa in 2026, his team and Vertex Events are working to secure new dates in 2027, giving fans hope that he will return next year. “It is with heavy hearts that, following word from Maxwell’s team, we regret to announce the cancellation of Maxwell’s South African shows in Pretoria and Cape Town. We know how much these concerts meant to so many of you, and we sincerely apologise for the disappointment and inconvenience this has caused. Despite every effort by both Vertex Events and Maxwell’s team to find a solution, unforeseen circumstances beyond anyone’s control made it impossible for the shows to go ahead,” read a stsatement by Vertex events. “All ticket holders will receive a full refund, and Webtickets will be in touch with further details. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued support. We look forward to welcoming Maxwell back to South Africa in the future. ❤️,” read the statement.

Former South African Schools prop Deon Botes has been handed a four-year ban by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) after testing positive for the prohibited anabolic steroid nandrolone during the 2025 U18 Craven Week. The sanction makes Botes the latest promising young rugby player to receive a lengthy suspension for an anti-doping violation. READ | UK publication again implies Springboks have a doping problem Positive test at Craven Week Botes, who matriculated from Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) in 2025, was tested in competition while representing the Blue Bulls at the U18 Craven Week tournament in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, on 7 July 2025. His urine sample returned positive for 19-norandrosterone and 19-noretiocholanolone, metabolites of nandrolone, a prohibited anabolic androgenic steroid listed under Category S1 of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List. Botes later represented the SA Schools ‘A’ team during the U18 International Series before the positive test result emerged. B-sample confirmed result After being informed of the adverse analytical finding, Botes requested that his B-sample be analysed. The second sample confirmed the original result. According to SAIDS, the player did not challenge the laboratory findings or the integrity of the sample collection process. Instead, the hearing focused on whether he could establish how the prohibited substance entered his system and whether the anti-doping rule violation was unintentional. Supplement defence rejected According to Rugby365, during the hearing before an Independent Doping Hearing Panel (IDHP) on 11 June 2026, Botes maintained he had not deliberately doped. He told the panel he had been taking a product called “Testojoint” to assist with shoulder pain and recovery. According to evidence presented, the supplement had been purchased for cash by his father from an unidentified individual outside a pharmacy. The product reportedly carried the wording “Ultimate Test Booster” but had no receipt, manufacturer details, batch number or expiry date. Botes said he began using the supplement in April 2025, increasing his intake to three to five capsules per week during June. He also acknowledged he may have travelled to Craven Week with a pillbox containing the capsules and consumed them in the days leading up to his doping test. The panel accepted that Botes and his family gave sincere evidence and made significant efforts to identify an innocent explanation. However, it concluded that they failed to establish how the prohibited substance entered his body, meaning the requirements for a reduced sanction were not met. Ban runs until 2029 SAIDS imposed the standard four-year period of ineligibility, with the suspension backdated to 25 August 2025, when Botes was provisionally suspended. He will be eligible to return to competitive sport on 25 August 2029. The case follows another recent junior rugby suspension, with Wits loose forward Liam Santos receiving a three-year ban earlier this year. READ | Former Grey College and Wits player handed three-year doping ban Meanwhile, Junior Springboks prop Kai Pratt is reportedly still weighing up whether or not to have his B-sample tested after also returning a positive doping test earlier in 2026. Does SA rugby have a doping problem? Let us know by clicking on the comment banner below …

The Post Office has received an unqualified audit opinion for the first time in six years but it's survival remains in doubt.

Draft Reserve Bank and treasury rules would ban companies from moving crypto across the border, in either direction.