Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has rewarded South Africa’s next generation of talent, naming former Junior Bok captain Riley Norton and five other uncapped prospects in a 37-man squad.

Australian mushroom murderer Erin Patterson will learn Friday if she has succeeded in overturning her conviction for killing three people with a poisoned beef Wellington lunch.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has praised chairman Tlhopie Motsepe for his support following their premature CAF Champions League exit against Wiliete SC last Friday. Sundowns back to winning ways Sundowns returned to winning ways with an unconvincing 1-0 victory over Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday night. However, the disappointment of their continental setback continues to hang over the Tshwane giants. Speaking after the win, Cardoso revealed that Motsepe had offered the team words of encouragement as they looked to advance into the quarter-finals of the Carling Knockout. “The chairman was very supportive. He spoke to the team with the right approach and with the right motivation to look forward to what we have,” Cardoso said. “It’s too late to cry over spilt milk, but that doesn’t mean we don’t recognise the moment or what happened.” Sundowns needed a response against Gallants after some soul-searching behind the walls in Chloorkop over the last couple of days. Cardoso was pleased with the character his players showed to secure the victory, insisting that the team must now focus on the challenges ahead. “As soon as we understood what needed to be done in the future, that’s when we started collecting energy,” the Portuguese coach added. “That’s why I spoke about the proof of character to win this match and show people that we’re alive. Even though we didn’t play the way we wanted to, we needed to tell our fans that we will fight for this badge.” ‘It was important to win’ The Sundowns coach also stressed the importance of delivering an immediate response for the club’s hard-to-please supporters after their continental setback. “It was important to win immediately after the last match that we had. It was important to show our fans commitment, show them that we need them and that they can count on us,” he concluded. The Brazilians must now shift their focus to the Betway Premiership, where they face Durban City at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday night. With the title race gathering momentum, Cardoso’s men will be eager to build on their victory over Gallants and maintain their grip at the top of the log standings. Sundowns sit top of the league standings with 23 points from nine matches, but there’s little separating them with second-placed Orlando Pirates. The Buccaneers are just one point behind, although they have played one game less.

Two men have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for the murder of 63-year-old Jannie Weideman, who was killed during a farm attack at Roodepoort Farm in Ermelo in December 2023. Mbongeni Walter Nkosi (36) and Mxolisi Sibusiso Mnisi (38) appeared in the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court, sitting in Delmas, where the sentence was handed down after they pleaded guilty to charges of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Trial The court heard that on 22 December 2023, at about 10pm, members of the South African Police Service (Saps) in Ermelo responded to a complaint at Roodepoort Farm. Upon arrival, they found security officers on the scene who reported seeing a suspect fleeing from the farmhouse. When officers entered the residence, they found Weideman lying motionless on the lounge floor. Police found that he had sustained multiple gunshot and stab wounds. Several empty 9mm cartridge cases were recovered from the scene, while emergency medical personnel declared him dead at the scene. Investigations Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said investigations revealed that a red Toyota Hilux, firearms, ammunition and jewellery had been stolen during the attack. Ndubane said police later recovered the stolen vehicle abandoned in Breyten. “The case was assigned to the Saps Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit, which arrested four suspects in Ermelo in January 2024. Firearms and ammunition were recovered during the operation.” Sentence Nkosi was sentenced to an effective 25 years’ imprisonment after receiving 20 years for murder and 10 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, with part of the sentences ordered to run concurrently. Mnisi received an effective 23-year prison sentence after being convicted of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise welcomed the outcome. He also praised those who helped secure the convictions. Other accused The case against Bongani Khoza has been postponed to 20 November 2028 for trial in the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court, sitting in Breyten. The court granted the fourth accused indemnity in terms of Section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Act.

The Springboks have confirmed the loss of four important players for the remainder of their Nations Championship campaign this November. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus on Wednesday named six uncapped players in a 37-man squad for the second leg of the Nations Championship in November, with Yaqeen Ahmed, Sebastian de Klerk, Luan Giliomee, Markus Muller, Riley Norton, and Emmanuel Tshituka all earning their first national call-ups for the Boks’ last four Tests of the season. BIG BLOW FOR RASSIE AND CO Unfortunately for Erasmus, Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, Andre Esterhuizen, and Handre Pollard have been ruled out of contention for selection due to them nursing injuries. “It’s always sad to lose players of that calibre, but we are pleased with the cover we have in those positions, and it also offers other players the opportunity to put up their hands,” Erasmus said. “The majority of the players in this group have been with us for most of the season and know what our expectations are, and also what to anticipate at this level, so we are excited about the group we’ve selected for this vital leg of the season.” The Springboks currently lead the Southern Hemisphere standings in the Nations Championship on points’ difference, as they are tied on 15 points with New Zealand. South Africa will line up against Italy (7 November), France (13 November), and Ireland (21 November) before the Finals Weekend in London (27-29 November). SQUAD FOR SECOND LEG OF NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP Props: Thomas du Toit, Ox Nche (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Zachary Porthen (all DHL Stormers), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls). Hookers: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls). Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Salmaan Moerat (Stade Rochelais), Ruan Nortje (Kubota Spears), Riley Norton (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat). Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers, Siya Kolisi (both DHL Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Emmanuel Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks). Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls). Scrumhalves: Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers), Morne van den Berg (10bet Lions), Grant Williams (Kobe Steelers). Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (both DHL Stormers), Luan Giliomee (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners). Centres: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Markus Muller (DHL Stormers), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls). Outside backs: Sebastian de Klerk (Vodacom Bulls), Aphelele Fassi, Ethan Hooker, Edwill van der Merwe (all Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).

In naming a 37-man Springbok squad for the second leg of the Nations Championship in November, Rassie Eramus has included uncapped Yaqeen Ahmed, Sebastian de Klerk, Luan Giliomee, Markus Muller, Riley Norton, and Emmanuel Tshituka. All six players have been involved in the Springbok set-up before. Ahmed, Giliomee, Muller, and Tshituka represented the SA ‘A’ team against Zimbabwe, and Norton – a former Junior Springbok captain – played for the Boks against the Barbarians in the opening matches of the season, while De Klerk attended the national alignment camp last season. Giliomee is also one of the players who has previously played for the Blitzboks, with the youngster recently having made the move from the Sharks to the Bulls. Erasmus was delighted to welcome the talented young players to the group and said their performances and promise shown in the last two seasons were key factors in their selection. “We’ve had all six players on our radar for a while now, and they’ve delivered consistently for their respective franchises in the last two seasons, so they thoroughly deserve their call-ups,” said Erasmus. “We’ve seen what most of them are capable of first-hand in our season-opening matches and at our training camps, so we are delighted to see what they have to offer on this tour.” Strong Springbok squad The newcomers will feature alongside a settled group of players, including the likes of captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Damian de Allende, who have all played for the Boks this season, in which the team finished at the top of the table in the Nations Championship Southern Series in July. That July window included victories against England, Scotland, and Wales, before being crowned the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry champions. squad for second leg of Nations Championship Props: Thomas du Toit, Ox Nche (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Zachary Porthen (all DHL Stormers), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls). Hookers: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls). Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Salmaan Moerat (Stade Rochelais), Ruan Nortje (Kubota Spears), Riley Norton (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat). Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers, Siya Kolisi (both DHL Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Emmanuel Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks). Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls). Scrumhalves: Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers), Morne van den Berg (10bet Lions), Grant Williams (Kobe Steelers). Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (both DHL Stormers), Luan Giliomee (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners). Centres: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Markus Muller (DHL Stormers), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls). Outside backs: Sebastian de Klerk (Vodacom Bulls), Aphelele Fassi, Ethan Hooker, Edwill van der Merwe (all Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).

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