The rugby community in South Africa, England and Europe united to honour Hyron Andrews following his sudden death in France, rallying around his family, the grieving Lions and his former teammates in a powerful show of solidarity.

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“And they all lived happily ever after.” The good news is that the famous ending doesn’t only happen in fairy tales. It’s true of thoroughbred racehorses too. Just ask Hollywoodbets, which is leading the charge for equine welfare in South Africa. Once its horses have run their final race, they continue to enjoy a productive life off the track and in the care of new owners. Nicole Wille, manager and founder of Hollywoodbets Life After Racing, says the programme provides retraining and responsible rehoming for retired Hollywood Racing horses. Nicole Willie. Picture: Supplied A modest beginning Fast approaching a major milestone in horses rehomed, the programme began modestly in 2023 from a small, rented yard with eight stables in Drummond, near Durban. Later, Life After Racing moved to the former Gold Circle Ashburton Training Centre, which had fallen into disuse. And today, thanks to Hollywoodbets support, the programme has its own top-class facilities at the centre, which it shares with Hollywood Racing’s training and pre-training operations. Wille said the programme can cater for 50 horses, with its own dedicated staff of 21 grooms and work riders. It is also backed by independent vets, farriers, nutritionists, dentists and other equine professionals. And because racehorses, like human athletes, sometimes need help getting over niggles or injuries, physios and other therapists are on hand to provide comprehensive care. Wille says Hollywood racehorses, after a career of three to seven years, are taken through a comprehensive programme. It begins with a good rest, for an average of three to four months. Next, they are assessed to see what discipline fits them best for the future, with many going on to become “happy hacks”, or beginning second careers in polo, polocrosse, dressage, showing and jumping. Training follows, with a focus on ensuring the horses are calm, balanced, and confident, ready for their new lives. Picture: Supplied A reset The perception by some in the public that racehorses are inevitably skittish, hard to manage or somehow unsuitable for rehoming is wide of the mark, says Wille. An equine management professional who has wide experience in South Africa, Great Britain and the USA, she says that after a few months’ break from the track and on lower-energy feed, racehorses soon become more relaxed. “It resets their brains. I find they are not as high-strung. The beautiful thing about thoroughbreds is that they are extremely athletic. They are wanting to please; they want to do a job,” she says. Picture: Supplied But getting a horse ready for his or her new life is only part of the story. You need the right owner too. Wille will advertise, call on her extensive network, or ring up names on the programme waiting list. Then it’s time to meet the would-be owners and make certain they have the knowledge, resources and affection to take on a retired racehorse. They are quizzed at length, asked for references and to produce photographs of their stables. Wille likens this part of her work to matchmaking. It’s about finding the right horse for the right person: The horse needs to be suitable for the equine discipline the new owner has in mind and with a temperament, be it lively or more relaxed. Ensuring a good match gives the best chance of a happy ending, says Wille. But you can’t control everything, and because owners’ circumstances sometimes change, the rehoming contract includes a right-to-return. A new home So far, only a handful of horses have been brought back (and soon found new homes). But Wille says the right-to-return helps owners feel more comfortable taking on what is still a bit of an unknown for them, while ensuring the horse’s welfare into the future. During their racing careers, she says, racehorses are “cared for at the highest level”, and the programme is about making sure the new owners keep up the good work. Wille does regular checks but says that thanks to social media she’s often already up to speed and enjoys reading owners’ posts, showing off their horses and how well they were settling down in their new homes or excelling in equestrian sport. Great demand Hollywoodbets Life After Racing horses are in great demand and have been resettled across the country. There are even several in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Kenya, says Wille. She speaks of the strong relationships the programme has forged and the close friendships made, all helping to ensure Hollywood’s retirees thrive. They are doing well in a host of disciplines, says Wille, mentioning the Western Mounted Games in Parys, where three Life After Racing graduates competed in early October 2026. It truly is a second life for the retired racehorses; living happily ever after.

The Health Funders Association (HFA) has warned that increasing medicine prices could hurt struggling households and increase medical scheme expenditure. HFA CEO Thoneshan Naidoo said that for medical scheme members and households, a medicine price increase is more than a percentage on paper. It affects the cost of maintaining healthcare cover and obtaining necessary treatment. HFA is a non-profit organisation representing 23 medical schemes and three administrators in South Africa. The organisation’s role includes representing member interests in critical industry discussions, providing access to key resources and expertise, and advocacy on regulatory and policy matters through submissions and engagement with key stakeholders. Medicine price increases Naidoo said the organisation is seeking clarity and understanding of the evidence supporting the enforced extraordinary adjustment, how the impact on patients and affordability was assessed and how the perspectives of medical schemes and consumers were considered before the decision was taken. This follows the National Department of Health’s authorisation of a 2.88% increase in the Single Exit Price (SEP), effective 1 October 2026. SEP is the regulated maximum allowable price at which manufacturers sell medicines into the private market. The department also approved a 1.47% annual adjustment earlier this year. “The increase was implemented with just one week’s notice, creating operational challenges for administrators, schemes, pharmacies and patients, while also creating uncertainty regarding medicine pricing and benefit administration,” said Naidoo. Medicine price increase to hurt households According to Naidoo, the organisation estimates that the adjustment could increase medical scheme expenditure by approximately R1 billion and households’ direct medicine spending by an additional R400 million per annum. “The actual impact will depend on medicine use since medicine expenditure is driven by both price and utilisation as well as the mix of products,” he said. “This is why medical scheme medicine expenditure has been rising at levels in excess of the Consumer Price Index (CPI).” He noted that for medical scheme members, higher medicine expenditure places further pressure on medical scheme contributions. Schemes pool members’ contributions to fund their healthcare, so increases in the cost of treatment ultimately affect the affordability of cover. Pressure on households Naidoo said the increases will mostly put pressure on people who are on chronic medications. “Members paying for medicines from their own pockets will feel the impact more immediately through higher direct costs at the point of purchase. “These pressures matter particularly for people who require ongoing treatment. Medicines are a recurring necessity for many households, including those managing chronic conditions. Higher prices can add to the financial strain on members and their families at a time when maintaining healthcare cover is already challenging.” He worries that once the increase is implemented, it becomes part of the price base on which future annual increases are calculated. Its cost therefore extends into 2027 and compounds over time. “An affordability assessment should consider both the immediate increase and its continuing effect on contributions and household spending.” Clarity required Naidoo said the organisation has written to Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and the national department to seek clarity on the process and basis for determining the increase. He has also raised an issue that medical schemes and consumer representatives were not consulted before the adjustment was approved. “Medical schemes and consumer representatives’ participation could have contributed expenditure data, helped test assumptions about affordability and informed consideration of possible alternatives. Consultation would also allow members’ and patients’ experiences to form part of the assessment. “The pricing regulations also provide a mechanism for manufacturers or importers to seek exceptional increases for particular medicines. HFA would welcome clarity on why a broader blanket adjustment was considered appropriate in this instance and how targeted alternatives were evaluated. “In a country where many households already face difficult healthcare choices, these decisions have real consequences. Transparency and consultation can help ensure that the financial pressures facing members and patients receive full consideration alongside the need to maintain a reliable medicine supply,” he said.

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz has opted for several different formations in recent weeks. None of them seems to be working. Coach Da Cruz goes back to the drawing board Coach Fernando Da Cruz opted for a back four and a double midfield pivot of Reeve Frosler and Sibongiseni Mthethwa for Chiefs’ 1-1 draw against Stellenbosch, and persisted with that pairing against Red Arrows in a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round. Da Cruz’s hands are tied in some ways with Lebohang Maboe and Siphesihle Ndlovu out injured, but this combination clearly isn’t working. The imminent return of Lebohang Maboe could hold the key. Chiefs have shuttled between using a back three and a back four, and neither approach is yielding the desired results. The sooner Da Cruz has his first-choice midfield pairing available, the better. Chiefs’ form is dismal across all competitions The Glamour Boys have now drawn five of their last six Betway Premiership outings. They’ll aim to claw back a 1-0 deficit when they meet Red Arrows in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary round clash on Friday, 23 October at 18:00. After that, it’s a meeting with Orlando Pirates on 31 October. There was reportedly a heated exchange between Reeve Frosler and Renaldo Leaner in the aftermath of the 0-1 defeat to Arrows. Chiefs XI vs Red Arrows: Leaner; Monyane, Miguel, Moloisane, Cross; Vilakazi, Mthethwa, Frosler, Mako; Baartman, Shabalala. Latest Kaizer Chiefs injury news 21-year-old winger Langelihle Phili is nearing a return after a serious ankle injury he sustained in late August during training. Phili could return towards the end of October, but the technical staff won’t rush the exciting new signing back just yet. He missed the clash with Stellies, as did Lebohang Maboe. Coach Fernando Da Cruz has been taking some heat for Chiefs’ recent performances. Will Chiefs mount a comeback against Red Arrows? Click the red comments banner below and have your say

Family and friends of Reinbrecht Piper took to the streets of George this weekend in a peaceful march calling for justice following the 21-year-old’s fatal stabbing at a McDonald’s drive-through in Courtenay Street last month. The march took place on Saturday with participants gathering at Unity Park before proceeding along Courtenay Street to JP Spares and returning to the park. The gathering was organised to honour Piper, who died on 27 September, and to raise concerns about the criminal case following the decision to grant bail to the two men accused of his murder. Peaceful and respectful Organisers had called for the march to remain peaceful and respectful, with the focus on remembering Piper and seeking justice. Piper was allegedly stabbed in the chest during an altercation with a group of men at the fast food outlet in Courtenay Street at about 02:25, police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie said. His friends Logan, Marco and Stian carried him to a car and rushed him to George Hospital, where doctors fought for more than an hour to save his life. Public outcry over bail decision The march followed widespread public reaction to the George Magistrate’s Court decision to grant bail to Justin Jafta, 28, and Craig Nelson, 27, on 1 October. Both men were granted bail of R1 000 each and face charges of murder with common purpose, a Schedule 6 offence. Under Schedule 6, an accused person must satisfy the court that exceptional circumstances exist which, in the interests of justice, justify their release on bail. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) subsequently confirmed that it had found no grounds to oppose the bail applications after considering the police docket and consulting with the investigating officer. NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the State found no evidence that the accused posed a flight risk, would interfere with witnesses or evidence, or would endanger the public. However, the prosecution had not yet viewed CCTV footage of the incident when the bail applications were heard. The footage was subsequently viewed by the prosecution and investigating officer on 5 October. Family continues to seek answers Piper’s family has also lodged a formal complaint with prosecuting authorities concerning aspects of the bail proceedings and the investigation. In an earlier statement, the family said it remained committed to seeking justice for Piper and his two friends while respecting the legal process. “For the family, this is about justice for Reinbrecht and his friends, but also about every South African family affected by crime. Because Reinbrecht cannot speak for himself, his family will continue to speak on his behalf,” the statement read. The family has appealed to anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Accused due back in court in December Jafta and Nelson have not pleaded to the charge and remain presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Their next appearance in the George Magistrate’s Court is scheduled for 3 December. The march provided an opportunity for those affected by Piper’s death to remember him publicly and call for accountability as the legal process continues. Post your condolences below by clicking on the comment banner …

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