Veteran police diver Johan “Pottie” Potgieter, who made headlines after being lowered from a helicopter into the crocodile-infested Komati River in Mpumalanga, has vowed to continue working until he is 70.

F7 Sports Management's Shafiek Mouton unpacks the hidden tolls of South Africa's schoolboy conveyor belt, urging patience and pastoral care for teenagers caught in a high-stakes commercial beast.

Mamelodi Sundowns have gained an early psychological advantage over Orlando Pirates following their 2-0 MTN8 triumph, but the big question is whether the Buccaneers can bounce back or whether the Brazilians are preparing to reclaim their domestic dominance. Sundowns and Pirates show why they are the best in SA There is little doubt that Sundowns and Pirates are currently the two best teams in South African football. Their meeting at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night reinforced that belief, with both sides showcasing the quality and attacking intent. However, while the MTN8 final was decided on the night, its psychological impact could extend well beyond the competition itself. For Pirates, the immediate challenge is how they respond to this setback. The defeat could galvanise the Buccaneers and strengthen their determination to defend their Betway Premiership title. Alternatively, it could plant seeds of doubt at a time when they need to maintain their momentum. It is a situation Sundowns know all too well. Last season, I predicted that Pirates would eventually end Sundowns’ eight-year winning run to an end. Pirates’ success was a culmination of years of gradually chipping away at Sundowns’ dominance, beating them in the 2023 MTN8 final and the Nedbank Cup decider in 2024. Those achievements represented a growing statement of intent from a team determined to challenge what had appeared to be an unbreakable Sundowns dynasty. Now, the tables may be turning, with Pirates facing the same challenge Sundowns had coming into the 2026-27 PSL season, to prove they have the mental strength to respond when their dominance is threatened. Losing the league has fuelled Masandawana What is becoming increasingly apparent this early in the season is that losing the league title to Pirates appears to have fuelled Sundowns’ determination to reassert their authority over domestic football. Their MTN8 triumph suggests they will be eager to build on that momentum as they pursue further silverware, including defending the CAF Champions League. Domestically, the big question remains on whether Pirates can prove that last season’s league triumph was not a flash in the pan. Can the Buccaneers establish themselves as a dominant force in their own right, or are Sundowns preparing to launch another era of domestic supremacy? For now, the Brazilians appear to have the upper hand. The MTN8 final may be just one game, but the psychological advantage it has sparked could prove crucial.

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou defended his decision not to start Oswin Appollis after the Buccaneers lost the MTN8 final 2-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. Appollis benched for Pirates Appollis was again superb for Bafana Bafana in the international break, particularly against Eritrea in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, as he produced a hat-trick of assists in a 5-0 win. He was also rested for Bafana’s final match of the international break, a 1-0 friendly win over Egypt in Cairo. So there was no reason to think the 25-year-old was not fresh for the clash with Masandawana. In the end, however, Appollis was only used by Ouaddou as a half time substitute, coming on with the team already 1-0 down and chasing the game. “He (Appollis) is one of the best players in the country and in our team,” said Ouaddou at the post match press conference. “But when you are playing a game you have a strategy, you can play it in different phases. You have to think and anticipate what could happen in the second half. “We did it last year,” said Ouaddou. Appollis came off the bench on the hour mark in last year’s MTN8 final and assisted two goals in extra time in a 3-0 win over Stellenbosch. “You know how I work. I have a starting XI all the time but I also have impact players. Today, he was part of the impact players, he is someone who can change a game. Oswin is a fantastic player, he is very important for us, but today we took the decision to bring him in as an impact player.” ‘The momentum of the game was the penalty’ The loss to Sundowns meant Pirates failed to grab a fifth consecutive MTN8 title, and Ouaddou pointed to Gamphani Lungu’s second half penalty, which was saved by Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, as the match’s turning point. He was also critical of his side’s slow start, which saw Teboho Mokoena give Sundowns the lead from a set piece. “We started the game a bit shy, with a lack of aggression and we were caught early. It is something we wanted to change, in games we have played (against Sundowns) before we have conceded early and been chasing the game. “But … really the momentum of the game was the penalty. If we managed to get to 1-1 the game could have been different.”

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.

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