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Why Springboks-All Blacks rivalry is bigger than rugby

Adnaan MohamedAll Blacks, Features, News, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Why Springboks-All Blacks rivalry is bigger than rugby

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry carries influence well beyond the playing field.

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander welcomed NZ Rugby president Erin Rush to Cape Town ahead of Saturday’s Test at DHL Stadium, highlighting the enduring relationship between two nations that have collectively won 70% of Rugby World Cups.

Erin Rush was elected first female president of NZ Rugby in 134 years. Photo: John Cowpland / action press

Rush, New Zealand Rugby’s first female president, has also brought a remarkable playing and broadcasting career into the governance arena.

Cape Town now prepares for another chapter in one of sport’s most enduring rivalries.

By Adnaan Mohamed

South Africa and New Zealand have spent more than a century throwing rugby thunderbolts at each other. On Wednesday morning, the latest chapter of that fierce sporting relationship began with handshakes, smiles and a shared flight into Cape Town.

South African Rugby president Mark Alexander welcomed his New Zealand counterpart Erin Rush at Cape Town International Airport ahead of Saturday’s second Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test between the Springboks and All Blacks at DHL Stadium.

The two presidents travelled together after witnessing New Zealand’s 33-16 victory over the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday. Their rugby roadshow continued at the same venue on Tuesday night, where the All Blacks edged the Lions 42-35 in a breathless spectacle featuring 11 tries.

Coach Dave Rennie’s side produced six tries, with Cash van Rooyen’s charges crossing five times. The thrilling contest crackled like a loose ball at a hotly contested breakdown, with the All Blacks eventually stealing victory in the final minute.

For Rush, South Africa’s welcome has been every bit as memorable as the rugby. After the All Blacks victory in the first Test, she expects the pressure and intensity of the rivalry to reach new heights for the rest of the series.

“It’s been amazing. There’s a lot at stake,” said Rush.

“Firstly, I want to say thank you to South Africa Rugby and the people of South Africa for their generous hospitality. Also for bringing such intense anticipation and a huge match-up on the field. It is so exciting and we’ve got so many of our supporters here who are enjoying it too.”

Her response came after Alexander pointed out the strong historical bond between New Zealand and South Africa.

“Yeah, thank you,” Rush replied.

Alexander then welcomed his New Zealand counterpart with the warmth of an old rugby handshake.

“We welcome Erin [Rush] and the All Blacks the old foe here in Cape Town. We’re great friends and always bring the best out of each other,” said Alexander.

“The one thing about rugby, it brings people together. And the two nations have got a long history, you know.”
Then came the statistic that gives this rivalry its heavyweight status.

“Between the two of us, we won 70% of the World Cups hosted to date. So, it is the greatest rivalry. And that’s why we’ve got the best two teams in the world competing in the next couple of weeks in South Africa.”

Rush arrives in the Mother City carrying a remarkable rugby story of her own. The 56-year-old became New Zealand Rugby’s first female president in May 2026, securing a two-year tenure after being elected by NZR’s affiliate members and succeeding former All Black Matthew Cooper.

Her rugby CV reads like a long-running Test match. Rush was Black Fern No. 113, making her international debut in 2003 at 33, only weeks after giving birth. She captained Wellington Pride, earned 100 caps for the province and played club rugby for Wellington FC.

Her pioneering streak began even earlier. In 1998, she co-commentated the first Black Ferns Test broadcast live on television during the World Cup final.

Black Fern #113 – Erin Rush Image Credit: AllBlacks.com

She served as NZR vice-president from 2024 to 2026 before taking the presidency. Her current role includes attending board meetings, travelling with national squads, welcoming international guests and presenting medals, with no board voting rights attached to the ambassadorial position.

Now, Cape Town becomes the next set piece in a rivalry that has shaped rugby’s folklore.

Saturday’s Test promises another heavyweight collision. Alexander and Rush have already shared the flight, the hospitality and the rugby spectacle. Come kick-off, friendship will have to make room for the fiercest handshake in world rugby.

The rivalry is ready to rumble

Springboks ready to turn Ellis Park into a rugby war zone

Adnaan MohamedAll Blacks, News, Preview, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Springboks ready to turn Ellis Park into a rugby war zone
By Adnaan Mohamed

The stage is set. The old enemies are back. And the Springboks are ready to throw everything into the opening punch of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.

When South Africa face New Zealand at 10bet Ellis Park on Saturday, it will be the first of four Tests between the heavyweight rivals in a series that promises enough drama to keep rugby fans glued to their screens.

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick knows exactly what is coming.

“Playing four games in one season against the All Blacks is always going to be a great challenge,” Stick said.

“These are moments that we live for. The closest thing to the Greatest Rivalry in terms of a series where every game counts is probably the British & Irish Lions series, or the knockout stages of the World Cup, and our mindset for these games will draw on those experiences.”

The Boks are under no illusion about the size of the challenge.

“We know it’s going to be a tough challenge. The All Blacks are in a good space and have been playing very well,” said Stick.

“But from our side, we also want to keep improving and evolving, and we will never be comfortable. It doesn’t get tougher than playing against the All Blacks four weeks in a row, and we are excited about it.”

That is fighting talk from a team preparing to enter a rugby pressure cooker.

Ellis Park brings the emotion

Captain Pieter-Steph du Toit, who will earn his 99th Test cap, is relishing the occasion.

“It’s a very different tournament,” he said. “To be involved in a series like this and have New Zealand play in South Africa, and also playing four games in a row is a massive honour and privilege.”

For Du Toit, Ellis Park carries memories bigger than rugby.

“It’s an awesome stadium for us and it’s close to my heart,” he said.

“When you stand there and sing the anthem and see the supporters behind the Springboks, it’s unbelievable. And of course, the 1995 Rugby World Cup was won there as well, so it’s a very special place for our country.”

Then comes the haka.

Du Toit says the Boks now have a deeper appreciation of what the ritual means to the All Blacks.

“I would never say we’d be relaxed, but it’s a massive honour to face the haka,” he said.

“We’ll face the haka with respect and we’ll accept the challenge.”

De Allende gets his flowers

Saturday will also belong to Damian de Allende, who becomes only the 10th Springbok to reach 100 Tests.

Stick believes the centre’s milestone deserves a standing ovation.

“For a guy like Damian de Allende, who has been with us through the ups and downs, and had to cope with a lot of people saying he wasn’t good enough to play for the Springboks, is amazing,” Stick said.

“He’s one of those guys who does the dirty work without anyone seeing it, so for him to play his 100th Test match is a great achievement for him and his family.”

Du Toit remembers watching De Allende during his Stormers days.

“I just saw this beast in the way he carried the ball and his work on defence,” he said.

“I have so much respect for him, the way he carries himself on and off the field, and how he’s grown as a person. It’s great to see people progress in life.”

Boks know where the battle will be won

Stick expects the All Blacks to bring serious heat at scrum and lineout time.

“We know New Zealand is going to bring it in terms of intensity,” he said.

“They’ll also look for gaps with their skilful players, so I’d say the key would be to stay alert and not get caught out.”

In other words, one defensive nap could become an All Blacks party.

The whistle blows at 17h10, with the match live on SuperSport. Limited tickets remain available.

Ellis Park is ready.

The rivalry is awake.

And the Boks are knocking on the door.

Teams

South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain), 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok.

New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Anton Segner, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Leroy Carter.

Date: Saturday, August 22
Venue: 10bet Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.10 (Sunday, August 22)
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)

Sibling rivalry in semifinal of SA Senior Squash Nationals

Adnaan MohamedFeatures, News, SquashLeave a Comment on Sibling rivalry in semifinal of SA Senior Squash Nationals
By Adnaan Mohamed

Family ties will be parked at the door when brothers Damian and Luhann Groenewald face each other in an intriguing all-Northerns semifinal at the Growthpoint SA Senior Squash Nationals at Makers Landing in Cape Town on Friday.

The Groenewald brothers both powered through Thursday’s opening day to set up a sibling showdown on the glass court at the V&A Waterfront, guaranteeing the family a finalist regardless of the outcome.

Second seed Damian was clinical in dispatching fellow Northerns player Judah Phillips 3-0 (11-6, 11-7, 11-6), while third seed Luhann had to dig considerably deeper against experienced 2019 champion JP Brits.

Brits, who also coaches the 20-year-old, came out firing and swept through the opening game 11-4. Luhann then changed gears, showing remarkable composure and resilience to take the next three games 11-3, 11-4, 11-9.

“It was a very tough match because JP is my coach and a very experienced player,” Luhann said.

“The first game he played really well at a high pace and took the ball short. My brother just told me to get the ball past him and stay tough, which I managed to do in the end, and I’m very happy to get through to the next round.”

That next round now carries an entirely different dynamic.

Damian knows his younger brother’s game intimately, while Luhann will have to find a way past an opponent who knows his strengths, weaknesses and habits almost as well as he does himself.

The Groenewald name is therefore guaranteed to appear in Saturday’s final. The only question is which brother will carry it there.

At the top of the men’s draw, defending champion Dewald van Niekerk continued his pursuit of an unprecedented sixth consecutive national title with a commanding 3-0 victory over Reuel Videler.

John Anderson completed the men’s semifinal line-up with a 3-0 win over Dean Venter.

In the women’s draw, top seed Hayley Ward advanced with a 3-0 victory over Kim McDonald, while former champion Lizelle Muller marked her return to the Nationals with a gritty 3-1 win over Lara Patrick.

SA Country Districts player Lizelle Muller plays a backhand during her match against Lara Patrick (Northerns) on the opening day of the Growthpoint SA Senior Nationals squash championships at Makers Landing at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town on Thursday. Muller won 3-1. Picture credits: Grant Pitcher/ Gallo Images  

Muller, competing at the tournament for the first time since 2022, recovered from losing the opening game 12-10 before taking control of the match.

She faces second seed Helena Hudson in Friday’s semifinal after Hudson defeated Keschia Schlebusch 3-0.

Alexa Pienaar also booked her place in the last four after producing a remarkable comeback against former champion Milnay Louw to win 3-1.

Yet with Van Niekerk chasing history and Ward leading the women’s field, Friday’s headline act belongs to the Groenewald brothers.

One court. Two brothers. One place in the final.

In the girls’ U15 Growthpoint Nationals, being played simultaneously, Western Province’s seventh seed Aakiefah Taliep produced the upset of the day when she recovered from losing the opening game to defeat second seed Kimeya Moonisami of KwaZulu-Natal.

Western Province’s Aakiefah Taliep leaps to play a volley during her match against KwaZulu-Natal’s Kiyema Moonisami on the opening day of the Growthpoint SA U15 Nationals girls’ squash championships at Makers Landing at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town on Thursday. Taliep won 3-1. Picture credits: Grant Pitcher/ Gallo Images 

Moonisami appeared comfortably in control in the first game, conceding just three points, but Taliep responded strongly to take charge of the next three and secure a hard-earned four-game victory.

It was one of several fiercely contested matches in the girls’ section.

Third seed Simi Shwababa (Border) was pushed all the way by Eastern Province’s Janel Hall before prevailing 11-9 in the fifth, while No 4 seed Mia Bakkes (Northerns) had to recover from 2-0 down against Western Province fifth seed Jenna-Leith Wyllie before winning the deciding game 12-10.

Thursday’s results were:

Seniors

Women

1-Hayley Ward (EP) bt 8-Kim McDonald (WP) 3-0 (11-9 11-8 11-7), 2-Helena Hudson (Northerns) bt 7-Keschia Schlebusch (SA Country Districts) 3-0 (11-7 11-7 12-10), 3-Lizelle Muller (SA Country Districts) bt 6-Lara Patrick (Northerns) 3-1 (10-12 11-2 11-7 11-4), 4-Alexa Pienaar (SA Country Districts) bt 5-Milnay Louw (WP) 3-1 (12-10 12-10 7-11 11-9),

Men

1-Dewald van Niekerk (SA Country Districts) bt 8-Reuel Videler (SA Country Districts) 3-0 (11-6 11-9 11-3), 2-Damian Groenewald (Northerns) bt 7-Judah Phillips (Northerns) 3-0 (11-6 11-7 11-6), 3-Luhann Groenewald (Northerns) bt 6-JP Brits (SA Country Districts) 3-1 (4-11 11-3 11-4 11-9), 4-John Anderson (Joburg Squash) bt 5-Dean Venter (EP) 3-0 (11-7 11-4 11-4), 

U15

Girls qualifying round

1-Chanel Leppan (Northerns) bt 8-Kaitlin Saayman (Free State) 3-0 (11-5 11-6 11-2), 4-Mia Bakkes (Northerns) bt 5-Jenna-Leigh Wyllie (WP) 3-2 (9-11 9-11 11-9 11-3 12-10), 3-Simi Shwababa (Border) bt 6-Janel Hall (EP) 3-2 (13-11 6-11 9-11 11-9 11-9), 7-Aakiefah Taliep (WP) bt 2-Kimeya Moonisami (KZN) 3-1 (3-11 11-9 11-4 11-8).  

Boys qualifying round

1-Ponatshego Molefe (Joburg Squash) bt 8-Emile Erasmus (Northerns) 3-1 (11-6 11-4 6-11 11-6), 4-Zander Smit (Boland) bt 5-George Hung (Free State) 3-2 (11-3 11-13 11-0 7-11 11-5), 3-Zayd Badroodien (WP) bt 6-Keeran Morrison (EP) 3-0 (11-6 11-9 11-5), 2-Rupert Good (WP) bt 7-Phethahatso Motsoeneng (Limpopo) 3-0 (11-4 11-8 11-4)

adidas unveils fastest-ever trail running shoe

Adnaan MohamedAdvertorial, TrailLeave a Comment on adidas unveils fastest-ever trail running shoe
By Adnaan Mohamed

For runners chasing seconds on the world’s toughest terrain, adidas believes it has found another gear. The global sports brand has unveiled the Agravic Speed Ultra Evo, its fastest trail running shoe to date, combining technology from its record-breaking road racing range with innovations developed specifically for the demands of mountain and ultra-distance racing.

Inspired by the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, the Agravic Speed Ultra Evo has been redesigned for uneven terrain, steep climbs and technical descents. At an average weight of only 250g, it is around 5% lighter than the Agravic Speed Ultra 2 while delivering more than 10% greater energy return and a 1% improvement in running economy.

For elite trail athletes, marginal gains often become monumental victories.

The shoe was created during a multi-year development programme involving 13 elite athletes, adidas designers and footwear engineers. Every prototype was tested in laboratories and on demanding race courses to ensure measurable performance translated into real-world confidence.

“Trail running asks so much more of a shoe,” said Korbinian Lehner, Senior Manager Footwear Innovation at adidas.

“Our challenge was finding the balance between speed, stability and confidence, and that’s exactly what the Agravic Speed Ultra Evo was built to deliver.”

Among the standout innovations is a new Dual ENERGYRIM construction, adapted from adidas’ road racing platform. The independent movement of each side of the shoe helps runners adapt to unpredictable terrain while increasing energy return by more than 10% compared to the previous model.

The moulded LIGHTSTRIKE PRO midsole delivers 15% greater deformation, allowing more responsive cushioning without compromising stability. Combined with an optimised rocker geometry and wider landing platform, the shoe is designed to create smoother transitions across rugged terrain.

Completing the package is an engineered woven upper featuring an integrated debris collar and minimal stitching, providing a secure second-skin fit while helping keep stones, sand and trail debris outside where they belong.

As trail running continues its rapid global rise, footwear innovation has become one of the sport’s fiercest battlegrounds. Every gram saved and every stride made more efficient can prove decisive over marathon and ultra-marathon distances.

The adidas Agravic Speed Ultra Evo will be available from 24 August 2026 through adidas, the adidas app and selected retail partners, retailing at €500/$500.

For runners preparing to take on mountains rather than pavements, adidas believes its latest innovation is built to keep speed alive long after the trail begins to bite.

Comrades starts stopwatch on century celebrations

Adnaan MohamedComrades Marathon, Features, News, PreviewLeave a Comment on Comrades starts stopwatch on century celebrations
By Adnaan Mohamed

The Comrades Marathon has started the countdown to its biggest chapter yet.

The 2027 Down Run, on Sunday, 13 June, will celebrate the 100th edition of the Ultimate Human Race, with the finish moving to the Kings Park Rugby Precinct in Durban and the entry cap rising to a record 28,000 runners.

The centenary campaign, The Greatest Story Ever Run, was unveiled at Kings Park on Wednesday, alongside a special 100th-edition logo.

The slogan, selected from more than 200 submissions from the Comrades community, neatly captures an event whose history has been built kilometre by gruelling kilometre since 1921.

For CMA General Manager Alain Dalais, the centenary is an opportunity for a new generation to add its own footprints to an extraordinary legacy.

“The Comrades Marathon has such a rich history, from the pioneers of the 1920s who ran to pay tribute to their comrades in arms from the Great War, to the hundreds of thousands of runners who have shaped the legacy of this phenomenal event by adding their own stories to Comrades Marathon lore over the past century.”

“Now in 2027, we get to add a glorious 100th chapter to this story as we celebrate the centenary of one of the world’s greatest running events, and we invite our 2027 entrants to honour those who came before them while contributing to this next chapter of the race.”

The numbers surrounding the race are almost as imposing as the hills.

The 28,000-entry ceiling will make 2027 the largest Comrades field ever, surpassing the 24,172 entries recorded for the 2025 Down Run and the 24,636 entries for the 2019 Up Run.

CMA Race Director Sue Forge says the bigger field has been backed by detailed operational planning.

“While we want as many runners as responsibly possible to experience this historic centenary race, the safety of our participants, volunteers, spectators and communities remains our foremost priority.”

Traffic management, transport, crowd control and venue operations will all receive additional attention as the CMA prepares to squeeze another sizeable slice of humanity onto the road.

The Kings Park move should provide breathing room at the business end of the race. Forge says the sports fields will offer more space for the finish area and race village, with improved runner flow, medical services, recovery, hospitality, transport and post-race operations.

The route is expected to measure approximately 91km, although the official distance will only be confirmed after formal measurement following roadworks. The 2025 Down Run measured 89.98km, while the longest Comrades route was 92km in 1971.

There is another welcome piece of news for aspiring centurions: entry fees will remain unchanged.

Entries open on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, through three phases. Green Number and Yellow Number athletes receive first access, followed by CMA Members and then general entries.

For CMA Chairperson Mark Leathers, the launch is merely the starting gun.

“Our 2027 race will be the largest edition of the Comrades Marathon yet, and we know that this launch is just the beginning of an incredibly exciting build-up to the next Down Run, and the start of an exciting next century of the race.”

The 2027 Down Run starts at 05:00 from Pietermaritzburg City Hall, with a 12-hour time limit and the finish at Kings Park.

A century of sweat, sacrifice, heartbreak and heroics has brought Comrades to this point.

Now 28,000 runners get the chance to leave their footprints on history.

The greatest story ever run is ready for another chapter.

Dewald van Niekerk eyes sixth straight SA Squash Crown

Adnaan MohamedNews, SquashLeave a Comment on Dewald van Niekerk eyes sixth straight SA Squash Crown
By Adnaan Mohamed

Dewald van Niekerk (pictured above) is ready to turn the glass court into his personal playground as he hunts a sixth straight Growthpoint SA Senior Nationals crown at Makers Landing from August 20 to 22 at the V& A Waterfront in Cape Town.

The SA Country Districts star has been the man to beat since Rodney Durbach ended his run in 2020. Van Niekerk answered that defeat by winning his first national title in 2021 and has been swinging his racquet like a wrecking ball ever since.

Last year, he smashed through Steve Coppinger’s record of four consecutive titles, set between 2010 and 2013.

Now history is knocking again.

Standing in his way are the Groenewald brothers, Damian and Luhann, seeded second and third respectively.

Damian has already shown Van Niekerk can be pushed to the edge. He took the champion to five games at July’s Growthpoint Jarvis-Kaplan interprovincial tournament and will open against fellow Northerns player Judah Phillips.

Luhann, one of South Africa’s brightest young squash prospects, faces a baptism of fire against 2019 champion JP Brits.

Fourth seed John Anderson meets Eastern Province’s Dean Venter.

The women’s draw has its own tasty subplot.

Six-time champion and defending champion Alex Commins is absent, leaving Eastern Province ace Hayley Ward with the No 1 seeding.

Hayley Ward (EP) heads the women’s field for the Growthpoint SA Senior Nationals squash championships to be played at Makers Landing at the V&A Waterfront from August 20 22. Picture credits: Petri Oeschger/Gallo Images  

Northerns second seed Helena Hudson faces Keschia Schlebusch, while third seed and 2021 champion Lizelle Muller, Van Niekerk’s sister, takes on Lara Patrick.

Ward has finished runner-up for the past two years and will be desperate to turn silver into gold. Her first hurdle is Western Province’s Kim McDonald.

Fourth seed Alexa Pienaar faces former champion Milnay Louw in a mouth-watering opener.

Pienaar is a former University Sport SA champion, while Louw lifted the national crown in 2017 and 2019.

With reputations, records and bragging rights on the line, the all-glass court at the V&A Waterfront is set for three days of high-octane squash.

Growthpoint Properties Group CEO Estienne de Klerk said the tournament showcases the depth of South African talent.

“The Growthpoint SA Senior National Squash Championships brings together the very best of South African squash, from established champions to the next generation, showcasing the depth of talent in South African in this sport,” he said.

“Growthpoint is proud to provide Space to Thrive by supporting a championship that gives these athletes a national stage on which to compete at their best.”

City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said the tournament had become an important part of the sporting calendar.

“The City of Cape Town is proud to continue its support for the Growthpoint SA Squash Nationals in 2026,” Smith said.

“The championships have become an important platform for raising the profile of squash while creating opportunities to develop the country’s most talented athletes.”

V&A Waterfront head of public relations Donald Kau said: “The Growthpoint SA Nationals tournament continues to bring incredible energy to our neighbourhood while showcasing the V&A Waterfront as a destination for world-class experiences.”

The U15 Nationals will also take place, giving the next generation their own taste of the national spotlight.

For Van Niekerk, the mission is brutally simple: win again.

Six titles are within reach. The squash ball is in his court.

Sosibo ready to turn up the heat in Tshwane

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Cacisile Sosibo is no longer knocking politely on the door of South African road running. She is kicking it open, one kilometre at a time.

The 28-year-old Boxer Athletics Club speedster heads into Sunday’s Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K with her eyes firmly fixed on a top-five finish, carrying the kind of confidence that can make even Pretoria’s notorious hills look like speed bumps.

Sosibo has enjoyed a sizzling 2026 campaign, lowering her 10km personal best to 32:16 at the SPAR Women’s Grand Prix Durban leg in June and dipping under 32:45 three times this season.

Then came Durban.

She clocked 32:36 to finish sixth in a quality international field at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K, a performance that gave her belief and plenty of bite.

“Durban was amazing for me this year. I ran a PB at SPAR and got a top-six finish at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K, which gave me a big confidence boost,” said the KwaZulu-Natal-born runner, now based in Soweto.

Her legs have been talking loudly ever since.

On Sunday, she ran 34:01 for third at the Totalsports Women’s Race Joburg, less than 24 hours after winning the senior women’s 10km title at the Central Gauteng Cross Country Championships.

That is some serious mileage in the bank.

Sosibo knows what it feels like to mix it with the best. At the 2023 World Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia, she finished 10th in the half marathon in a personal best 1:09:31.

Now, under the watchful eye of legendary coach Michael ‘Sponge’ Seme, who has also guided four-time Olympian Stephen Mokoka, she believes the old magic is returning.

“Things have been going well for me this year. I feel like the Cacisile who was competing back in 2023. I’m coming back slowly but surely.”

Tshwane, however, is ready to collect its toll.

The hilly, high-altitude route can chew up ambitious runners like a hungry school of piranhas. Sosibo knows a personal best may be asking for too much.

“Tshwane is a tougher course with hills at altitude, so I’m not expecting a PB. My target is to race smart and run with the lead pack for as long as possible.”

Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports, believes her Durban performance has changed the conversation.

“Cacisile’s 2026 season has been hugely encouraging, and her sixth-place finish in Durban showed that she can compete with a strong international field,” Meyer said. “We’re looking forward to seeing her build on that performance in Tshwane.”

The race is sold out, with the gun going at 08:00 from Stanza Bopape Street in Arcadia.

For Sosibo, the mission is clear: climb with courage, conserve the fuel and unleash the finishing kick when the road finally points home.

Her comeback may be labelled “slowly but surely”.

On Sunday, she will be hoping it looks anything but slow.

Rassie Erasmus hits back at All Blacks slow-play claims

Adnaan MohamedFeatures, News, RugbyLeave a Comment on Rassie Erasmus hits back at All Blacks slow-play claims
Adnaan Mohamed

The first Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Series has already produced its opening skirmish.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has dismissed suggestions that South Africa deliberately slows the game at set pieces, insisting his team will stick to its systems when the All Blacks arrive at 10bet Ellis Park on Saturday.

“There are always three truths: New Zealand’s truth, the truth people believe, and our truth,” Erasmus said.

The comments come as the pre-Test needle begins to prick. New Zealand has promoted a high-intensity, multi-phase style, with suggestions that the Springboks could seek to disrupt that rhythm.

Erasmus is having none of it.

“In our last two games against New Zealand in Auckland and Wellington, people can go and look at those games and ask were we slowing those down. They beat us in Auckland, and we got a good result in Wellington.”

For Erasmus, Test rugby is not about satisfying outside narratives but more about surviving the furnace when pressure reaches boiling point.

“We believe there’s a certain way to win big games and we think it will be a grind.”

That grind could become the defining feature of Saturday’s opening act.

“When you’re under pressure and you attack, it’s tough to maintain cohesion,” Erasmus said. “We will try to find a balance when games are really tight, but we have a system to fall back on that protects the players.”

Tony Brown’s influence has also helped shape the Boks’ attacking approach.

“Since Tony Brown, former All Black flyhalf and current Springbok assistant coach, has been with us, we feel as though we’ve been on the right track.”

SA Rugby laws advisor Jaco Peyper then entered the fray, offering a technical explanation of the much-discussed 30-second set-piece law.

“The law is very clear. From the moment the referee puts his foot down to mark the spot, not from the whistle, there is 30 seconds to form a lineout or scrum.”

Peyper said teams could manage the moments before the mark is made within the laws, while opponents who are ready to play can apply pressure.

“There’s nothing in the law that says you can’t idle before the mark is given.”

He also pointed out that teams can disrupt tempo through repeated infringements at breakdowns and mauls.

The whistle, in other words, could become a metronome for a Test where every second matters.

Peyper has full confidence in the officials appointed for the four-Test series, particularly England’s Matthew Carley, who will referee Saturday’s opener.

“You’re going to have a firm referee. Someone who deals decisively at the breakdown and is very strong on anything negative or cynical. And he does not get influenced by the home crowd.”

That could be music to the ears of both coaching boxes.

Erasmus expects the All Blacks to bring a blue-chip attacking blueprint to Johannesburg.

“You can see it on social media. They’re advocating a high intensity, running game, with multi-phase attacks. And when you analyse it, it definitely shows in the stats.”

Dave Rennie, who Erasmus previously faced during his Munster days, adds another tactical layer to the contest.

“The big battle is going to be when they have the ball, they’ll have total control of what they do with it, and when we have the ball, we’ll have total control of what we do with it.”

The biggest concern for Erasmus is the All Blacks’ breakdown work.

“What concerns us most is how physical and brutal they are at the breakdown. They take the ball through so many phases and then they put in a well-timed grubber kick. Their attacking kicks are as dangerous as when they have ball-in-hand.”

Away from the tactical chessboard, Erasmus admitted the Springboks are embracing the occasion.

“We all appreciate and respect what this series means,” he said.

“I’d love it if the people at Ellis Park create the same atmosphere as that which the people did in Cape Town. The haka was heard 100%, which makes it something special.”

The Springbok coach also knows the All Blacks remain capable of delivering a sting.

“We know how good the All Blacks are. Since 2018, when they were leading the world, we’ve always wondered when they’re going to beat us again, and they will beat us again in future, but hopefully not this weekend.”

Erasmus will name his team on Thursday, with captain Siya Kolisi and prop Ox Nche the only injury concerns.

“The only two doubtful players are Siya and Ox, who are coming along well,” he said. “I wouldn’t say either is confirmed out, but if they get through training today it could go either way. Apart from those two, everybody else is available.”

The All Blacks are also expected to unveil a few tactical surprises.

“They’ll have plans they didn’t show in the Nations Championship, little things, such as lineout variations, maybe a front peel or back peel move, and there are things that have caught us out before.”

The stage is set.

The talking has started.

Now Ellis Park gets the final word.

South Africa face New Zealand at 17h10 on Saturday, with the match live on SuperSport.

Boxer Super Run Durban 2026: Pick Your Wave

Adnaan MohamedBoxer Super Run, Event Update!, PreviewLeave a Comment on Boxer Super Run Durban 2026: Pick Your Wave
By Adnaan Mohamed

The Boxer Super Run Durban is giving runners something increasingly precious in road running: a choice.

When the fourth edition hits Snell Parade and Blue Lagoon Park on Sunday, 18 October, the 5km race will offer four distinct start waves, allowing participants to decide whether they want to chase the clock, chase good times or watch South Africa’s fastest feet turn the beachfront into a blur.

The formula is simple, and perhaps that is the secret of its appeal.

The Open Wave fires off at 07:00, providing the competitive launchpad for club runners, school teams, serious athletes and anyone with a personal best rattling around in their head.

Then comes the Super Social Wave, running from 08:00 to 09:30, where the stopwatch takes a back seat and personality moves to the front of the pack. Families, friends, colleagues, charities and costumed crews can walk, jog and laugh their way through the 5km.

“The beauty of the Boxer Super Run is that every participant can choose their place on the start line,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports.

“From runners chasing a personal best in the Open Wave and groups bringing the energy in the Super Social Wave, to the country’s top athletes battling for the Elite titles, each wave brings its own excitement and makes the Boxer Super Run a truly inclusive 5km experience.”

That inclusivity is the race’s biggest strength. Five kilometres can be a gentle introduction to road running or five kilometres of controlled suffering for an athlete hunting every available second.

Boxer Super Run by Anthony Grote

“The 5km distance makes this event accessible enough for someone taking on their first run, while still providing a genuine test for experienced athletes,” says Lee-Ann Pillay, Head of Marketing at Boxer Superstores.

“It is incredibly rewarding to see such a diverse group of people come together, each with their own reason for being there, but all united by the same 5km journey.”

At 09:45, the mood changes gear when the elite women take centre stage. The elite men follow at 10:00, turning the final act into a high-octane sprinting spectacle.

For the elite athletes, five kilometres is hardly a Sunday stroll. It is a knife-edge dance where a misplaced stride can cost seconds and a well-timed surge can blow the race wide open.

Pillay believes the four-wave structure captures the spirit of the event.

“With four distinct waves offering four very different ways to experience race day, the Boxer Super Run continues to demonstrate that 5km running is for everyone, whether you’re chasing the clock, chasing a personal milestone or simply chasing a great day out.”

The 2026 event costs R100, is open to entrants aged nine and older, and includes a performance T-shirt, goodie bag, timing chip and finisher’s medal. Entries opened on 6 August and, according to the supplied event information, are now sold out. The official Boxer announcement confirms the 18 October date and the four-wave structure.

The starting line may have four doors, but the destination is the same: a memorable 5km through Durban.

Some runners will chase glory. Some will chase a PB. Others will chase their friends.

All will be chasing the finish.

Xaba puts the hammer down in Joburg

Adnaan MohamedFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Xaba puts the hammer down in Joburg
By Adnaan Mohamed

Glenrose Xaba saved her sharpest kick for the closing kilometres, powering to a commanding 32:11 victory at the Totalsports Women’s Race Joburg at Marks Park, Emmarentia, on Sunday.

The South African turned a demanding 10km into a tactical game of patience, pace and positioning, picking her moment before putting daylight between herself and the chasing pack with about two kilometres remaining.

It was a performance built for the hill

Xaba had initially planned to shadow Kenya’s Brenda Kenei, who arrived with a 30:29 personal best and ambitious sub-30:30 intentions. The Joburg elevation and rolling route soon exposed where the race could be won.

“I saw a post that there would be a lady aiming for sub-30:30, and I said I would go with her. I knew the course was tough, but I would try my best to stick with her,” Xaba said.

“The beginning was hard because she was pushing, but I tried my best to keep the pace. I noticed that when it came to the hills, she was not as strong, so I tried to close the gap on the downhills so that when we approached the hills, I could stick with her. I think the plan worked for me.”

It certainly did.

With the final climbs looming, Xaba shifted gears and turned the race into a solo pursuit.

“I think it was two kilometres to go when I broke away from her. I knew that when we got to one kilometre to go, we were going to climb again.”

Her reward was a second victory of the year and another confidence boost ahead of the World Championships.

“It feels amazing to cross the finish line first. I think it’s my second win of the year, so I am very happy. It shows that my training is going well. I am focusing on the World Champs, so when I come to a race, I am coming with a full programme.”

Top Three: Brenda Kenei, Glenrose Xaba and Cacisile Sosibo. Photo’s Tobias Ginsberg

Kenei finished second, with South African Cacisile Sosibo third.

Xaba’s victory also put a distinctly local gloss on a series increasingly becoming a meeting point for South African talent and international challengers. Durban went to Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala in 32:06, while Kenya’s Daisilah Jerono won Cape Town in 31:29.

Stillwater Sports managing director Michael Meyer praised the Joburg finale and the thousands of women who helped turn the series into a national celebration.

“The Totalsports Women’s Race Joburg was the perfect culmination of this year’s three-race series,” Meyer said.

Totalsports head of marketing Nikki Crous echoed the sentiment, saying women across Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg had created “three truly memorable race days”.

With Busiswa providing the soundtrack and PinkDrive remaining central to the campaign, the series finished with plenty of colour, community and running shoes pounding the pavement.

Xaba supplied the final flourish.

Joburg had its champion. The 2026 Women’s Month racing relay had its perfect finishing kick.

RESULTS – TOP 10 / Totalsports Women’s Race Johannesburg 2026 10km

Date: Sunday 16 August 2026

Start Time: 08:00

Start Venue: Judith Rd at Orange St intersection

Finish Venue: Orange Road and Buffalo Road Junction, Marks Park

Top 10 Elite Field

1 Glenrose Xaba (South Africa) 32:11, 2 Brenda Kenei (Kenya) 32:28, 3 Cacisile Sosibo (South Africa) 34:01, 4 Irvette Van Zyl (South Africa) 34:23, 5 Emma Pallant-Browne (Great Britain) 34:44, 6 Karabo Mailula (South Africa) 35:02, 7 Dikeledi Majara (Lesotho) 35:41, 8 Carina Swiegers (South Africa) 37:04, 9 Cornelia Joubert (South Africa) 38:19, 10 Maria Shai (South Africa) 39:06

GET YOUR FULL RESULTS HERE: