Police have opened an inquest after a devastating house fire in the Western Cape claimed the lives of two children aged four and 11 in the early hours of Saturday morning.

A coalition of over 60 civil society groups is set to ignite change with synchronised protests across South Africa on August 8, targeting critical issues of housing inequality and xenophobia.

A former Springbok flyhalf is in line to become the Bulls’ new kicking coach. According to Rapport, Vlok Cilliers is the frontrunner to join Johan Ackermann’s coaching staff. The 58-year-old recently returned to South Africa after his stint as France’s kicking coach came to an early end. While Cilliers is still finalising his severance package with the French Rugby Federation, Rapport says the talks are not expected to prevent a move to Loftus Versfeld. Cillier, who earned one cap off the bench for the Boks in the first Test of the 1996 All Blacks series, became South Africa’s first full-time kicking coach during the Bulls’ most successful era under Heyneke Meyer. Working with the likes of Derick Hougaard and Morné Steyn, he helped the Bulls win three Super Rugby titles and three Currie Cup crowns between 2004 and 2014. After leaving Loftus, Cilliers joined the Stormers before linking up with Fabien Galthié’s France coaching team in 2019. Rapport that recently retired flyhalf Johan Goosen, who has been involved with Bulls’ U23 and Currie Cup teams this year, has also been mentioned as a possible candidate. This story was first published on sarugbymag.co.za. It is republished here with permission.

Chery South Africa has strengthened the value proposition of its Tiggo 8 lineup with the introduction of the new Tiggo 8 Pro LS. The Pro LS replaces the Pro 1.6 T-GDI 290T Executive+ as the entry point into the local Tiggo 8 line-up. This has been done while still retaining the competitive positioning that has helped make the Chery Tiggo 8 range an appealing option in the local market. Power and torque The new Tiggo 8 Pro LS runs the same 1.6 litre-turbocharged petrol engine that produces 137kW of power and 275Nm of torque. Drive is sent to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The combined fuel consumption is rated at 7.2 litres/100km, which translates into a range from the 51 litre tank. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, along with Bluetooth and Intelligent Voice Command. Picture: Supplied New sporty styling Visually, the new Chery Tiggo 8 Pro LS adopts a sportier front-end treatment and new full-width LED tail lamps at the rear. The upgraded lighting package includes automatic LED headlights, daytime running lights and fog lights. Heated exterior mirrors also add further convenience in wet or misty conditions. The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro LS is available in three exterior colours: Khaki White, Carbon Black. And Tech Grey. Refined interior Inside, the cabin has been refreshed to deliver a more refined driving environment. The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro LS offers dual 12.3-inch digital displays. This combines the digital driver’s instrument cluster with a central infotainment touchscreen for a cleaner and more modern cabin layout. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, along with Bluetooth, Intelligent Voice Command, front and rear USB ports and an upgraded 50 watt wireless smartphone charger. You will also find: synthetic leather upholstery, electrically adjustable front seats driver’s seat memory, four-way electric lumbar support for the driver, heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, and auto-dimming rear-view mirror. The second and third rows are also supported by dedicated comfort features including a second-row air-conditioning outlet and third-row independent air-conditioning. The new Chery Tiggo 8 Pro LS is equipped with synthetic leather upholstery and space for seven occupants. Picture: Supplied Seating for seven Practicality remains central to the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro LS package. With seating for seven, the SUV is designed to accommodate growing families and active lifestyles. A power-operated tailgate with smart-key functionality further improves day-to-day usability, particularly when loading luggage, shopping or family gear. Safety and driving systems The new Chery Tiggo 8 Pro LS features a 540-degree HD panoramic camera system, giving drivers a clearer view of the vehicle’s surroundings when parking or manoeuvring in tight spaces. This is supported by front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, door-open warning and rear collision warning. Additional driver assistance features include: Adaptive cruise control, Forward-collision warning, Autonomous emergency braking, Lane departure warning, Lane departure prevention, Lane-keeping assist, Traffic congestion assist, and Intelligent high-beam control. These systems work alongside core safety features such as: seven airbags, Electronic stability control, Anti-lock braking, Electronic brake-force distribution, Brake assist, Hill-descent control, Tyre-pressure monitoring, Emergency stop signal, Speed limit reminder, ISOFIX child-seat anchors, Child safety locks, and Driver and front passenger seatbelt reminders. The new Tiggo 8 Pro LS is available in three colours: Khaki White, Carbon Black and Tech Gray. Picture: Supplied Pricing Tiggo 8 Pro LS – R499 900 Pricing includes Chery’s five-year/150 000km vehicle warranty, 10-year/1 million km engine warranty for the first owner and a five-year/75 000km service plan.

Paarl Gimnasium continued their outstanding 2026 season by claiming derby bragging rights with a commanding 25-11 victory over Paarl Boys’ High in front of a packed Faure Street Stadium on Saturday. A crowd of approximately 25 000 witnessed Gimmies score four tries, with outside centre Derik Cloete producing a man of the match performance by crossing twice as his side secured a 15th consecutive victory following their only defeat of the season. Left to rue missed chances Boishaai made the stronger start and raced into a 6-0 lead through two penalties from Daniel Mesenheimer, but were left to rue several missed attacking opportunities that could have increased their advantage. Gimmies gradually settled into the contest, with Louis Koen opening their account from the kicking tee before Cloete produced a moment of individual brilliance. The outside centre chipped over the defence, regathered superbly and finished in the corner to hand the visitors a 10-6 lead at the break. Slick move The second half belonged to Gimmies. Cloete grabbed his second try after a slick backline move before Thomas Saunders produced one of the moments of the match, sprinting 55 metres and beating three defenders to stretch the advantage to 20-6. Boishaai briefly threatened a comeback when winger Aleit Stander crossed from a quick-tap penalty while Gimmies lock Dirk Hugo was serving a yellow card. Any hopes of a late fightback were extinguished in the closing stages when scrumhalf Mickyle Booise collected a superb offload from winger De Waal Vivier to score Gimmies’ fourth try and seal an impressive 25-11 triumph. Scorers: Paarl Gimnasium Tries: Derek Cloete (2), Thomas Saunders, Mickyle Booise Conversion: Louis Koen Penalty: Koen Paarl Boys’ High Try: Aleit Stander Penalties: Daniel Mesenheimer (2) RESULTS AUGUST 1 WESTERN CAPE Paarl Boys 11-25 Paarl GimWynberg 64-12 BishopsSACS 30-36 RondeboschStellenberg 42-12 DurbanvillePaul Roos 45-13 Boland LandbouDrostdy 22-20 MilnertonParel Vallei 52-14 Tygerberg NOORDVAAL Affies 66-12 NoordheuwelMenlopark 36-5 EG JansenMiddelburg 7-45 GarsfonteinWaterkloof 34-38 HelpmekaarRustenburg 31-38 MonumentParktown 36-43 GlenwoodPretoria Boys 13-33 Maritzburg CollegeKES 31-46 Jeppe CENTRAL Grey College 59-26 Grey HighWitteberg 0-73 DiamantveldGoudveld 12-40 FichardtparkJim Fouche 31-34 Trio KWAZULU-NATAL DHS 26-19 Northwood EASTERN CAPE Graeme 33-22 DaleQueens 55-15 SelborneHudson Park 38-17 StirlingFramesby 22-46 OakdaleMarlow 26-33 PearsonNico Malan 47-26 Daniel Pienaar How closely have you followed First XV rugby in South Africa this season? Let us know by clicking on the comment banner below …

Police have launched a murder investigation after unknown gunmen shot and killed four men in Nyanga, Western Cape, on Saturday night. The attack happened at about 9:55pm on Old Klipfontein Road after the men stopped to fix a flat tyre on their Toyota Avanza. Gunmen opened fire Police spokesperson Colonel André Traut said the victims were repairing the tyre when the attackers struck. “Preliminary reports indicate that at approximately 21:55, the victims were travelling in a Toyota Avanza along Old Klipfontein Road when they stopped to repair a flat tyre. While they were attending to the vehicle, they came under attack by unknown gunmen who opened fire on them,” said Traut. Paramedics declared all four men dead at the scene after they suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Taxi violence suspected in deadly shooting The gunmen fled the scene before police arrived and remain at large. Police believe the attack may be linked to the taxi industry. Investigators on the other hand are still working to establish the exact motive. The Serious Violent Crime Unit has opened four murder cases and is leading the investigation. Police appeal for information Police have urged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Members of the public can contact the SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or submit anonymous tips through the MySAPS mobile application. Police will treat all information in the strictest confidence.

Nedbank has appointed Nikos Angelopoulos, formerly MTN Group's CIO, to the same role at the bank.

Eskom recorded a daily energy availability factor of 80.24% on 20 July, its best single day since 20 September 2017.