IOL
Banyana Banyana eye winning start against Tanzania in WAFCON opening clash
South Africa begin their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign against a physical Tanzania side in Group B, with Desiree Ellis targeting three points in Morocco.
IOL
President Cyril Ramaphosa accepts IDAC head Andrea Johnson's immediate resignation
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday accepted the immediate resignation of Adv. Andrea Johnson as investigating director of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption.
The Citizen
In the spotlight: The 10 Bok players who need to prove their fitness this week
Having had a week off with their families following the conclusion of the first stage of the Nations Championship, the Springbok squad for the one-off Test against Argentina and the series against the All Blacks will kick off on-field training again on Monday. The 43-man squad gathered in Joburg on Sunday, with coach Rassie Erasmus set to use this week assessing players who have been recalled after missing out on, or playing a limited role in, the Nations Championship Tests against England, Scotland and Wales due to injuries. The 10 players who Erasmus and the Bok medical team will be interested to see training are Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Handre Pollard, Ethan Hooker, Canan Moodie, Andre Esterhuizen and Morne van den Berg. They will all want to prove their fitness ahead of the trip to Argentina for the one-off Test in Buenos Aires next weekend (8 August). With the four Test series against the All Blacks to follow, Erasmus will be keen to let them loose against the Pumas. “Some players are returning from injury and need some valuable game time, so depending on how they progress from their injuries during the week’s training camp, we will decide who we will take to Argentina, while the other guys in the 43-man squad will remain behind in Johannesburg with a group of coaches and management to begin preparing for the Tests against New Zealand,” said Erasmus. The 26-man squad that will travel to Buenos Aires is expected to be finalised at the end of this week. They will travel to Argentina in two groups on Sunday and next Monday. Expect a number of the other first-choice players who were involved in the Tests recently in the Nations Championship to stay home and continue training here. These players could include Damian Willemse, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Ruan Nortje, Malcolm Marx, Wilco Louw and Thomas du Toit. Meanwhile, the All Blacks squad for the tour of South Africa was named early on Monday in Auckland, by new coach Dave Rennie. A group of 44 players will tour South Africa from next week. The visitors will play four Tests against the world champions and four matches against the SA United Rugby Championship sides.
The Citizen
Ioane, Holland back in All Blacks group for tour of South Africa
New Zealand coach Dave Rennie named three uncapped players in a 44-strong squad Monday while Reiko Ioane and Fabian Holland return for the All Blacks tour of South Africa, an assignment he called “the toughest in rugby”. All 34 players from the successful Nations Championship campaign this month were retained, along with 10 additions to bolster the group for a gruelling seven-week tour that includes four Tests. Experienced 88-Test back Ioane, who recently completed a sabbatical at Irish side Leinster, was among seven recalled All Blacks, along with lock Holland who missed the entire Super Rugby season after dislocating his shoulder. Ollie Norris, George Bell, Ethan Blackadder, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Emoni Narawa are the others. Debutants Siale Lauaki, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa and Josh Jacomb were included with New Zealand facing four provincial sides as well as the Tests. Regular captain Scott Barrett, along with prop Tamaiti Williams and wing Leicester Fainga’anuku, remain unavailable because of injury with Ardie Savea again captaining the side. Savea, however, has been granted an extended break and will miss the first three tour games against the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls before returning for the opening Test. “This tour will challenge us and demand the very best of us. We have selected a squad that we know is up to the challenge,” said Rennie. “It’s a balanced blend of experienced Test players and a cohort of younger players who will be keen to work hard and showcase their skillset on tour. “With eight matches in six weeks, including a four-Test series against the Springboks, this would have to be the toughest tour in rugby,” he added. “Every player will be required to play their part across this tour, whether it’s preparing to play or helping their mates prepare.” The tour, which has been dubbed the “Greatest Rivalry”, begins against the Stormers in Cape Town on August 7 with the first Test on August 22 at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park. The second and third Tests are at DHL Stadium in Cape Town and FNB Stadium in Johannesburg respectively before both teams travel to the United States for the fourth and final Test in Baltimore, Maryland. New Zealand won all three of their Nations Championship Tests this month against Ireland, Italy and France respectively in a successful start to Rennie’s tenure after he took over from Scott Robertson. South Africa also went three-from-three, crushing Wales, Scotland and England. New Zealand squad: Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Bell, Ethan De Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Ollie Norris, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Siale Lauaki, Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Lord, Sam Darry, Fabian Holland, Peter Lakai, Simon Parker, Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson, Anton Segner, Ardie Savea (capt), Wallace Sititi, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa Backs: Cameron Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston, Ruben Love, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Josh Jacomb, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Caleb Clarke, Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Emoni Narawa
The South African
Kaizer Chiefs coach says the club wants four players
New Kaizer Chiefs boss Fernando Da Cruz wants to sign four players in attacking positions. Here’s the latest as the club shakes things up. Chiefs boss says the club wants four players Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz wants new options in attack. New wingers, a new number 9 and a creative midfielder are on the wish list for the French boss. “A striker, new wingers and an offensive midfielder. We have good profiles (already), but we asked management to get different profiles, so that we can play different football and be less predictable.” Is Duba for sale? Wandile Duba is arguably the best finisher at the club, and he’s popular among fans. Now 22, he can play through the middle as a number 9 or as a wide player in a front three. A return of three goals and two assists in 18 league outings last term isn’t great, but he does have a knack for scoring spectacular goals, often in big games. Will that attract interest from elsewhere in South Africa or overseas? Profiling Chiefs’ new midfield man Kaizer Chiefs have secured the signature of Adolf Mtasingwa Bitegeko from Tanzanian giants, Azam FC, for an undisclosed fee. Here’s a little more from the official club website: “The 27-year-old defensive midfielder, who was captain at Azam, becomes the first player from Tanzania to join Amakhosi. His arrival adds to the impressive list of players from over 20 different African countries who have worn the famous Gold & Black jersey. Mtasingwa brings valuable experience, having spent six seasons in Scandinavia, playing in the Icelandic, Norwegian and Finnish leagues. He returned home in 2024 to help Azam FC finish third in the Tanzanian league last season. The Tanzanian international has filled the role of vice-captain for his national team. We warmly welcome Adolf to the family and wish him success on his journey with the Glamour Boys.”
The South African
Bafana to brothers: Jayden Adams remembered by teammates
Jayden Adams was fondly remembered by his Bafana Bafana teammates as he was laid to rest over the weekend. The 25-year-old’s funeral service took place in Stellenbosch Attending were friends, family and dignitaries like the Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie, Bafana coach Hugo Broos, SAFA President Danny Jordaan and CAF and Sundowns President Patrice Motsepe. JAYDEN ADAMS REMEMBERED BY TEAM MATES On Instagram, several Bafana Bafana players have paid tribute to Jayden Adams following his shock death, reportedly due to suicide, earlier this month. The tragedy came just weeks after the national team returned from the FIFA World Cup, where they made it to the Round of 32. Oswin Appollis, who spent time with Jayden in the US, after the tournament, posted clips of them dancing and spending quality time together. “My brother”, he captioned the post. Lyle Foster – whose own mental health struggles had made headlines – shared on his IG account: “I love you, my brother. Rest with God”. Teboho Mokeoena also referred to Jayden Adams as his “brother”, as did Iqraam Rayners, who was one of the first friends to pay his respect. He shared: “It doesn’t feel real, and I don’t know if it ever will. You weren’t just a friend—you were my brother, my blood, someone I could count on through the good times and the bad. We shared so many memories, so many laughs, and moments that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. “Your loyalty, your strength, and the way you looked out for the people you loved will never be forgotten. My heart is broken knowing I won’t hear your voice, see your smile, or make more memories with you. But I’m grateful for every moment we had together. Thank you for being the brother you were to me. You left a mark on my life that nothing and no one can ever replace” ‘NOT ENOUGH HELP FOR ATHLETES’ Meanwhile, former Bafana Bafana star Brent Carelse has called on the national team to provide more mental health support for players. “So many of them [athletes] struggle. Everybody just expects them to be at their best at all times, and sometimes that’s not the case Carelse highlighted the case of Lyle Foster, who admitted to suffering from severe depression in 2023. Foster’s club, Burnley FC, provided him with professional support amid his health struggle. Carelse added: “In that team environment, a lot of people don’t understand that we as footballers and sports people spend more time with our teammates than we do with our family. “Not enough is being done to detect it at an early age as well, and also to help these athletes when they go through trauma and other things such as alcohol or drug abuse, or financially… There is not enough help for the athletes.”
TechCentral
South Africa’s mobile operators strike spectrum gold
South Africa's mobile operators have won 700MHz of prime spectrum, with Wi-Fi confined to the lower 6GHz band.
TechCentral
MTN, Vodacom take Icasa to court over data expiry rules
The operators want the high court to set aside regulations that will force automatic rollover of unused data bundles.