The Sharks suffered a double injury blow against the Stormers, with Springbok enforcer Eben Etzebeth and rookie flyhalf Vusi Moyo both leaving the field in the first half of their heavy defeat in Cape Town.

As South Africa grapples with its enduring economic disparities, one must question: will we allow another sector to slip into the hands of criminal networks, or will we finally learn from the past to create an equitable future for all?

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has urged his players to remain humble after lifting the MTN8 trophy with a 2-0 victory over Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night. Sundowns’ second trophy already Goals from Teboho Mokoena and Iqraam Rayners sealed the win for the Brazilians, who claimed their second trophy of the 2026/27 season following their triumph in the FIFA African-Asian Pacific Cup before the international break. Despite adding more silverware to Sundowns’ collection, Cardoso insists his players must remain grounded, with several challenges still ahead as they look to maintain their dominance on the domestic and continental fronts. Speaking after the final in Durban, the Portuguese coach acknowledged the difficulty of overcoming Pirates but maintained that his side deserved to lift the trophy. “I think in the end we could have had a better result, but it was a difficult victory and we have respect for our opponents and what they do on the pitch,” he said. “I think it was fair for us to win, and we deserved to take the trophy, something we defined at the beginning of the season and now looking ahead, it’s important to remain humble.” Sundowns have enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign, having beaten Al-Ahli Saudi 2-1 to win the FIFA Intercontinental Cup last month. The MTN8 success represents another early-season milestone for Cardoso’s charges, but the coach was quick to remind his players that there is still plenty of work to be done. “We have a match to respect in two days’ “It’s not that you collect two medals in October that you should be happy,” the Portuguese coach added. “Well, we should be happy of course, but we have to be humble enough to know that we have a match to respect in two days and the qualifying round of the CAF Champions League to be played next weekend.” With the Carling Knockout set to be launched on Wednesday, Sundowns face a demanding schedule that includes CAF Champions League commitments and Betway Premiership fixtures. Cardoso believes maintaining focus and unity will be crucial as the Tshwane giants continue their pursuit of more trophies. “Carling Knockout is starting soon and there are a lot of things ahead. The players need to keep the focus and trust each other and values we have developed,” Cardoso concluded. “That’s because it puts us closer to winning more and more to remain ambitious. That’s how you can continue to assert yourself in a difficult country where there is difficult competition at a high level.”

The Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration, Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, said the government may approach the courts for a supervisory order following the Constitutional Court’s (ConCourt) judgment on asylum seeker applications. On Sunday, the IMC on Migration updated the country on the government’s plan to implement the ConCourt judgment. A supervisory order would allow the court to retain oversight of the implementation process and guide how the order is operationalised. The order may also include a suspension period to allow the department of Home Affairs the necessary time to develop and strengthen administrative, human resource, infrastructure and processing capacity required to implement the judgment sustainably. On Friday, the Director-General of the department of Home Affairs withdrew the directive his office issued on 28 September regarding the intake of asylum seeker applications. The department said the attempt to practically implement the judgment immediately “led to serious consequences that could not have been foreseen in the Court order”. “This includes, amongst others, the fact that RRO operations were overwhelmed within a matter of days since the directive was issued, Home Affairs officials were placed at risk, and that serious threats to public safety and order had emerged,” said the department. Asylum seeker applications: Home Affairs needs time On Sunday, Kubayi said a supervisory order could provide the guidance needed to implement the court order. “We believe that this approach represents a responsible and lawful mechanism to ensure constitutional obligations are fulfilled in a manner that is orderly, practical and in the public interest,” said Kubayi. “It will allow government to avoid administrative disruption while ensuring that the rights recognised by the court are progressively and meaningfully realised. “Following all those options presented to the legal teams, this option that we are presenting is what the legal team says is sound in legal terms and has prospects of success in court.” In its application, the government will ask the court to provide guidance on the nature and scope of the supervisory measure that may be required, and the appropriate duration of suspension of the judgment. “The objective is not to delay compliance but to ensure effective and sustainable means. Otherwise, we will be in contempt of court as government. “We are in a situation where the IMC must find a balance between compliance with the court order and listening to the concerns of many South Africans. And we believe we will be able to find that balance, though we need time and patience, which we will request formally from the court and which we are requesting today from our citizens.”

Springbok and Sharks hooker Bongi Mbonambi finds his rugby career hanging in the balance as he faces an internal disciplinary ruling at the Sharks. According to Rapport, the World Cup-winning veteran is currently under investigation for alleged misconduct and a breach of team protocols during a recent team-building session. The disciplinary cloud has cast immediate doubt over Mbonambi’s future in Durban. Reports indicate that if he is found guilty, the franchise is prepared to take a hardline stance, with management even weighing up the possibility of terminating his contract. The fallout has already severely impacted the player’s availability. Despite being fully fit, Mbonambi has been excluded from training and matchday squads as the process unfolds. Sharks coach JP Pietersen has repeatedly sidestepped media inquiries regarding the hooker’s ongoing absence, offering “no comment” as speculation mounts. Springbok and Sharks stalwart facing uncertain future The issue reportedly stems from an alleged breach of team rules during a pre-season team building exercise at Bayala Private Safari Lodges. Mbonambi and other players were said to have continued socialising into the early hours, going against team instructions, and various disciplinary rulings have been made in each case. However, it’s Mbonambi who has especially found himself in hot water as he was apparently present at a team meeting where Pietersen told players that they could socialise on Tuesday evening, but then had to focus ahead of the return to full training. However, he is said to have disobeyed this instruction, while the fact he has not returned to the squad mix indicates there is a feeling that the onus was on him as a senior player to lead by example. Another senior Springbok, Trevor Nyakane, was also said to have been involved in breaching protocols, but could reportedly escape more serious punishment because he was not present at the meeting when Pietersen set down the expectations. Long way back This internal crisis not only threatens Mbonambi’s domestic tenure, but also casts a shadow over his international prospects that have already appeared to be in jeopardy in recent seasons. Having battled various injuries over the past year, the latest developments may also jeopardise his chances of forcing his way back into the Springbok setup ahead of the upcoming November Test window. As the Sharks prepare to finalise their verdict following the disciplinary processes, it now remains to be seen if there is way back into the selection mix for Mbionambi, or whether he faces an exit from the coastal side.

According to the most recent data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), residential property prices in Cape Town rose 11.5%. In many parts of the city, prices have reached record-breaking levels. Where can buyers find affordable homes with excellent resale value? R500 000 Property 50 Minutes from Cape Town In Paarl Rural, a handful of listings advertise flats for under R500 000. These are modest flats priced at under R10 000 per square metre. In one listing, a 47-square-metre, 2-bedroom flat, the agent advertises a rental income of R6 000. The bond on the flat is estimated at R4 000 a month. The seller is asking R390 000 for the flat. As more properties like this sell in Paarl Rural, the average sale price has dropped below R1 million. One home, with an asking price of R900 000, is currently under offer. R900 000 appears to be the going rate in Paarl Rural. Between the 106 sales recorded with the Western Cape Deeds Office, the average sale price in the area is R939 000. In greater Paarl, the average sale price is R2.3 million. Of the 6 sectional titles sold in Paarl Rural this year, the average sale price is R189 847. Many of these are in Vlakkeland, an affordable housing estate. But rent for these properties typically starts at R5 000. The 74 freestanding properties averaged R910 000. These prices have attracted serious buyers. Over the last two months, 18 properties have sold in Paarl Rural. 61.2% of buyers are between 18 and 49. That’s 5.3 percentage points more than buyers of the same age group in Cape Town. YearAverage Sale Price% Difference2021R6.39 million456%2022R2.84 million-55.5%2023R2.20 million-22.6%2024R3 million36.4%2025R1.1 million-63.3% Living in Paarl Without traffic, Paarl is 50 minutes from Cape Town’s City Centre. With traffic, the commute between Paarl and the heart of the Mother City can take 90 minutes. However, a train route connects Paarl to the City Centre and the Northern Suburbs. The suburb has become popular with those seeking value for money away from Cape Town’s ever-increasing property prices. Yet, buyers haven’t had to compromise on amenities. Education Paarl is home to some of South Africa’s best public schools. Paarl Gimnasium, La Rochelle Girls High School, Hoërskool Labori, Paarl Girls High School and Paarl Boys High School. While the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) doesn’t enforce feeder zones, schools prioritise learners within certain boundaries. Lifestyle The town has blended small-town charm with city amenities. Residents are surrounded by wine farms, attracting tourists. But there’s also enough to do in the centre of town that makes living in Paarl appealing for those migrating from larger cities. The community is active. Expect to find a community of like-minded residents, whether that’s at a running club or local pub. Why is Property in Paarl Affordable? Not all property in Paarl is affordable. In greater Paarl, the average sale price is R2.3 million. But in Paarl Rural, home prices are lower because of the Vlakkeland housing estate. The estate, intended to be the Western Cape’s answer to affordable housing, has lowered the overall pricing. If a home in Paarl Rural sells for R1.6 million, and a flat in Vlakkeland sells for R200 000, the average price dips to R900 000. The dip in property values in Paarl Rural coincides with the completion of homes in the development. In 2023, the average sale price in Paarl Rural was R3 million. But as homes in Vlakkeland were brought to market, the average sale price dropped 75.2% to R745 000 by the end of 2024. Property values in the area have been increasing slowly since 2024. In 2025, the average sale price was R1.1 million. As of September 2026, the average sale price sits at R939 000.

Cybersecurity is Shoprite’s top-ranked risk, and the only one whose controls it rates as partially effective.

Standard Bank will buy as much as 4.99% of Nigeria-focused fintech OPay as it files to list in New York.