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When Matric Meets the Stormers: Markus Muller’s Results Day Scrum

Adnaan MohamedFeatures, News, RugbyLeave a Comment on When Matric Meets the Stormers: Markus Muller’s Results Day Scrum
By Adnaan Mohamed

Most matriculants spent results day pacing the house, refreshing WhatsApp and bargaining with the rugby gods. Markus Muller? He was at Stormers training.

Yes, while his classmates waited nervously for envelopes and emojis, the Paarl Gymnasium captain and South Africa Under-18 centre had his boots on and his head down at his first Stormers session, leaving his mom to do the official results run.

“I asked my mom to collect my results,” Muller laughed in an entertaining interview conducted by veteran prop Neethling Fouche using a Red Bull energy drink can as a microphone.

“During training, when I had time off, I looked at my phone, and my mom sent me a picture.”

Welcome to modern rugby: professional contracts, professional gyms and matric results via WhatsApp.

Muller passed, and passed the vibe check too.

“I was ‘quite’ happy with having passed his matric exam,” he said.
“I was a bit nervous, but it was fun.”

The timing could not have been more poetic. On the same day his school chapter closed, a professional one cracked open. Like a winger ditching the safe kick for touch and backing himself, Muller chose the Stormers call over the school hall queue.

Markus Muller at the Stormers High Performance Centre in Bellville on Tuesday Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

He is one of a bumper crop of schoolboy stars already snapped up by the Cape franchise for 2026 and beyond. Joining Muller from Paarl Gym is loose forward Quintin Potgieter, while the wider class includes Alutha Wesi (Rondebosch Boys), centres Randall-John Davids, prop Matt van der Merwe and wing Jordan Steenkamp, hooker Altus Rabe and loose forward Gert Kemp (Paul Roos).

Wynberg Boys flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed, Boland Landbou scrumhalf Jayden Brits and Grey College lock AJ Meyer are the other prodigies on the Stormers books.

These names might sound that is comes from a matric class list. However, it’s more like a Craven Week highlight reel.

Stormers wing Leolin Zas has already had his first look at the teenage midfield star, having watched him shine at Craven Week. His first impression? Talent, nerves and plenty of upside.

“His first day was yesterday [Tuesday], and he looked a bit nervous,” said the 30-year-old back of the 18-year-old.
“I can’t wait to share some things with him.”

Muller, described as the best schoolboy centre in the country last year, is already talking like a team man rather than a headline hunter. If the Stormers need him to do the dirty work, he’s keen.

The young midfielder said he would happily answer the Stormers’ call to pack down in a scrum if the need arises, but he would like to be part of a maul as well.

In other words: give him a jersey and tell him where to push.

Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson says the flood of local talent is no accident, but a carefully built pathway that keeps Western Cape rugby feeding itself.

“Our contracting model is to look at local talent from the region first as a way to keep strengthening the pathway system,” Dobson said.

He believes the current intake shows the production line is alive, well and hitting peak form.

“The strong intake of local talent is extremely encouraging as the Stormers look to build significant depth by drawing on the best that the schools in the Western Cape have to offer,” he said.

“We have seen a few big success stories in recent years, with the likes of Damian Willemse, Salmaan Moerat, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, JD Schickerling and Suleiman Hartzenberg all coming through our system to become household names.

“We expect the same to happen with many of these players who will join our environment next year and we are not done here, with a few more significant names set to be added to this list in the near future.”

As for Muller, his matric certificate may still be at home, but his boots are already in the Stormers locker room. One chapter closed, another opened. No study leave required.

SA Sport 2025: A Year-in-Review

Adnaan MohamedComrades Marathon, Cricket, Features, Hockey, News, Rugby, Springboks, Swimming, Totalsports Two Oceans MarathonLeave a Comment on SA Sport 2025: A Year-in-Review
By Adnaan Mohamed

In South Africa, sport has always been more than results. It is identity, catharsis and connection. In 2025, that truth surged again, from the collective power of the Springboks to the solitary courage of ultra-marathoners chasing dawn. This special edition captures a year when excellence became habit and belief became currency.

RUGBY: THE SPRINGBOKS – A STANDARD THE WORLD STILL CHASES

If global rugby were measured in tectonic plates, the Springboks spent 2025 shifting them.

South Africa’s national side operated with the assurance of champions who know their system is both unforgiving and evolving. They defended trophies, dominated tours and suffocated opponents with a brand of rugby that blended brute force with surgical intelligence.

The crowning individual honour came when Malcolm Marx was named World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year. It was well deserved recognition for a player who plays the game like a controlled demolition. Around him, the emergence of creative talents such as Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu ensured the Bok blueprint remained future-proof.

“The Springboks didn’t just win in 2025, they imposed a rhythm the rest of the world struggled to breathe in.”

CRICKET: PROTEAS REWRITE THEIR HISTORY

At Lord’s, cricket’s most sacred address, South Africa finally confronted its past and walked beyond it.

The Proteas’ World Test Championship triumph was more than silverware. It was a release. Decades of near-misses dissolved as a team led by coach Shukri Conrad and led by Temba Bavuma played with clarity, courage and conviction.

Where previous Proteas sides carried scars, this one carried belief. The victory announced South Africa’s return to cricket’s highest table, not as guests, but as equals.

Proteas Women mirrored that excellence, reaching global finals and reinforcing the depth and durability of South African cricket across genders.

ATHLETICS: SPEED, SCIENCE AND STAYING POWER
Akani Simbine : The Constant

In an era of fleeting sprint dominance, Akani Simbine remained the constant, anchoring relay success and delivering world-class performances with metronomic consistency. His longevity at elite speed became its own form of greatness.

ROAD RUNNING: A YEAR THE CLOCK COULDN’T CONTAIN

South Africa’s roads became theatres of defiance in 2025, places where age, expectation and perceived limits were dismantled.

Elroy Gelant : The Marathon Reset

At 38, Elroy Gelant shattered Gert Thys 26-year-old South African marathon record, slicing through time with the precision of a veteran who understood patience as power. His run didn’t just reset a record, it reset belief.

Glenrose Xaba : Queen of the Circuit

Glenrose Xaba ruled the SPAR Grand Prix like royalty, sweeping the series with relentless cadence and tactical control. Her dominance elevated women’s road running into mainstream conversation.

Maxime Chaumeton : Breaking the Mental Barrier

By dipping under 27 minutes for 10km, Maxime Chaumeton didn’t just break a record, he broke a psychological ceiling. The ripple effect will be felt for years.

The Wildschutt Brothers : From Ceres to the World

Adriaan and Nadeel Wildschutt continued to anchor South Africa’s distance legacy. Their performances reinforced a simple truth: endurance excellence is forged through environment, discipline and humility.

ULTRA-DISTANCE RUNNING: WHERE LEGENDS WALK TOWARDS PAIN
Gerda Steyn – The Golden Girl of Endless Roads

In the brutal, beautiful realm of ultra-marathons, Gerda Steyn remained peerless. Victories at both the Totalsports Two Oceans 56km and the Comrades Marathon confirmed her status as South Africa’s undisputed queen of endurance.

Steyn doesn’t race opponents, she negotiates with terrain, climbs mountains with calm authority and descends with fearless precision.

Tete Dijana : Defender of the Down Run

The Comrades Marathon came alive as Tete Dijana successfully defended his Down Run title. His aggressive, fearless approach reminded everyone that Comrades champions are not merely runners, they are architects of suffering and triumph.
“In 2025, South Africa didn’t just win Comrades, it owned the road.”

FOOTBALL: FOUNDATIONS OVER FIREWORKS

For Bafana Bafana, 2025 was about structure and progression rather than spectacle. Key wins, disciplined performances and youth-level success hinted at a system slowly learning consistency, laying bricks rather than chasing shortcuts.

BEYOND THE BIG CODES: DEPTH ACROSS THE BOARD

From hockey triumphs to netball growth, swimming, rowing and youth multisport success, Team South Africa’s broader sporting ecosystem thrived. Medal tables and qualification campaigns confirmed a vital truth: the base of South African sport is wider than ever.

THE BIG PICTURE: WHAT 2025 REALLY MEANT

What unified South Africa’s sporting year was not just success, but sustainability.

  • Rugby showed depth and evolution
  • Cricket conquered its mental frontier
  • Athletics blended speed with staying power
  • Road and ultra-running delivered global relevance
FINAL WHISTLE

If sport is a language, then South Africa spoke it fluently in 2025, sometimes loudly, sometimes quietly, but always with intent. From scrums that bent spines to runners who bent time, this was a year where the nation didn’t wait for greatness. It ran towards it and crossed the line together.

Dylan Maart’s Stormers surge has Springbok written all over it

Adnaan MohamedFeatures, News, RugbyLeave a Comment on Dylan Maart’s Stormers surge has Springbok written all over it
Adnaan Mohamed

Dylan Maart’s rugby journey is unfolding like a perfectly weighted grubber, unexpected, precise and suddenly impossible to ignore.

On loan from Currie Cup champions Griquas, Maart is now streaking down the touchline for the Stormers. The Wellington-born speedster is finishing tries under the bright lights of the Investec Champions Cup, leaving defenders clutching at air and selectors sitting up straighter.

Maart wasted no time announcing himself in blue and white. A debut try against Munster in Limerick was followed by a brace against La Rochelle in the Investec Champions Cup, both five-pointers delivered on a silver platter by Springbok fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

“Look, to get a try in the first place for the Stormers is always special,” Maart said.

“Two or three, I was very lucky to be in the right place at the right time.

“If you have someone like Sacha, who has all the talent in the world, on your inside and who can find every space, you just have to be in the right place.

“So, yes, it was exciting to get those two tries and to have a say in the team’s victory at the end of the day.”

Those early scores have propelled Maart from squad player to headline act, and now the Wellington-born speedster is preparing for another milestone: his first run-out at DHL Stadium.

“Making my debut, playing overseas for the first time and obviously the results have been going our way,” he said ahead of the Lions derby.

“I’m very excited to play my first game at the DHL Stadium in front of the home crowd … exciting times.”

The rise has been as steep as a midfield chip-and-chase.

“If I think of where I was a year ago to where I am now, I never thought I’d have the opportunity to play here at the Stormers, so I’m very grateful and very excited.”

While Maart is carving his own attacking lines, his compass points firmly towards an old friend and local hero, Springbok winger Kurt-Lee Arendse, who also cracked international rugby later than most.

“I actually didn’t play rugby until after high school, but I watched a lot of rugby,” Maart revealed.

“There’s a lot of guys that I can mention. But for me, growing up, it was Bryan Habana.

“Cheslin [Kolbe] now, as well as one of my friends, Kurt-Lee Arendse. He lives in Paarl, I’m from Wellington so he’s a guy I look up to and can always ask if I need some advice.

“He’s also a role model for me. And very inspiring also. To see that he can also make it. So, that’s something for me to look forward to.”

At 29, when many players are settled into predictable careers, Maart rolled the dice. He left his job as a warehouse worker at a bottling plant and bet everything on rugby. The risk was rooted in hardship.

“I played rugby in primary school, but nothing in high school, for various reasons.

“Things weren’t good at home. There were many nights when there was no food and we went to sleep hungry.”

At 13, he worked as a taxi guard, opening doors, collecting fares and carrying bags, just to put food on the table and secure a ride to school in Paarl. Rugby, though distant, never left his heart.

When opportunity finally knocked, Maart smashed the door down. He rose with Boland Cavaliers, became a pillar of a Griquas side that ended a 55-year Currie Cup drought, and is now lighting up the URC and Champions Cup in Stormers colours.

The Stormers’ season mirrors Maart’s surge. They are unbeaten in the Investec Champions Cup, eight wins from eight in all competitions, and positioned to host a last-16 European play-off.

Saturday’s URC clash against the Lions at DHL Stadium, only their third home game of the campaign, offers Maart another stage to sprint his late-blooming dream closer to green and gold.

Like Arendse before him, Maart is proof that in rugby, timing matters less than belief, and that some wings only truly catch the wind when the stakes are highest.

Keri Miller dives back into Midmar with family, fitness and heart in tow

Adnaan MohamedFeatures, News, SwimmingLeave a Comment on Keri Miller dives back into Midmar with family, fitness and heart in tow
By Adnaan Mohamed

Like a confident swimmer slipping into familiar waters, popular KwaZulu-Natal radio personality Keri Miller is set to make another splash at the 2026 aQuellé Midmar Mile, taking place from 5–8 February.

The co-founder of digital radio station PlayZN has confirmed she will line up in the family race on Saturday, combining strokes with sentiment as she swims her third Midmar Mile, while also serving as an ambassador for Mr Price Sport, one of the event’s key sponsors.

Miller won’t be navigating the Midmar waters solo. Instead, she’ll be buoyed by a strong family current, swimming alongside her sister, brother-in-law, niece and two nephews.

“As a family, last year was our first time swimming Midmar together and we absolutely loved it,” she said.

Her Midmar journey began almost by accident in 2024, sparked by an interview with race director Wayne Riddin and the lure of one of South Africa’s most iconic sporting keepsakes.

“It’s a really great towel,” she joked.

By 2025, the hook was firmly set.

“For the 2025 race, my sister had already entered her whole family and I thought, if [my niece] Charli-Rose can swim it at six, then nothing is stopping me. It felt like one of the best family days we could ever have together. Such a cool memory to make.”

Miller says the aQuellé Midmar Mile fits seamlessly with her philosophy of active, connected living.

“Considering I have a radio station called PlayZN, I’m a huge supporter of anything that gets us outside, off our phones and into our bodies. For anyone who’s had the privilege of learning to swim, this is one of the most satisfying things you can do. And everyone loves a medal. It’s such a celebration of how beautiful Midmar is.”

Her role as a Mr Price Sport ambassador adds another deeply personal layer to the experience.

“It’s a beautiful reminder that I’m in a strong, healthy body and that at 43 I can move happily and pain-free. Being able to represent a local brand in a local race feels special. I’m grateful and I hope to see more women my age shifting how they think about and treat their beautiful bodies.”

Preparation-wise, Miller is keeping her training balanced, mixing calm control with respect for Midmar’s unpredictable conditions.

“I’ll do some training with Nix O’Driscoll, who is a wonderful coach and will give me all the pointers, and then keep some sea swimming going because we know Midmar is not flat!”

Yet, for all the fitness and finish times, it’s the family moments that remain her emotional anchor.

“Spending time with Matt, Brad and Charli. Those three are everything to me… I just want to be present, cross that finish line together and get our family photo at the end. I get teary even thinking about it. I’m obsessed with those little humans.”

Reflecting on why the event continues to draw thousands into the water each year, Miller believes the magic lies in its accessibility.

“The sense of accomplishment at the end is huge and it’s so doable. You don’t have to be elite to compete. It’s the perfect race.”

Entries for the 2026 aQuellé Midmar Mile are now open, with early-bird entries closing on 21 December. More information is available at www.midmarmile.com

HYROX Johannesburg 2025: Uniting South Africa’s Fitness Community

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on HYROX Johannesburg 2025: Uniting South Africa’s Fitness Community

HYROX returned to Johannesburg for the second time this year, welcoming many first-time participants. HYROX Johannesburg returned to the Johannesburg Expo Centre, marking a significant milestone as South Africa’s first two-day HYROX event in the city and drawing thousands of athletes from across the region to compete in one of the world’s fastest growing sports worldwide. The weekend featured a full slate of competitions across all divisions – including Individual Open and Pro races, Adaptive, Doubles, and Relay races – showcasing a broad spectrum of fitness levels and fostering an atmosphere of competition and community. From elite athletes chasing World Championship slots to everyday athletes taking on HYROX for the first time, HYROX Johannesburg delivered exciting and inspiring performances for all.

The second HYROX Johannesburg of 2025 was the first in the 25/26 Season. The event attracted 6,100 athletes, of which 54% were women and 46% were men, competing across all divisions. This gender split signifies a remarkable shift in South Africa’s fitness landscape, reflecting increased female participation and empowerment in competitive fitness. It also highlights HYROX’s role in promoting an inclusive and supportive environment that encourages all genders to excel in fitness challenges. This trend aligns with broader national movements toward gender balance and growing female engagement in health and fitness activities.

Notably, the event attracted many first-time participants, marking a significant milestone in growing the HYROX community in Johannesburg and South Africa as a whole. Race Director Simon Goldsbrough says: “It was incredible to have so many first timers, but also people returning for another bite of the cherry. As HYROX increases with popularity, we have to ensure that we give the athletes the best experience. This goes from registration, right through to the race floor and ensuring that HYROX movement standards are adhered to by all athletes.”

HYROX South Africa continues to draw a remarkable mix of people, embodying the nation’s diversity and passion for fitness. South African professional boxer Kevin Lerena competed in Mixed Doubles. Former cricket star Makhaya Ntini took part in Pro Doubles, marking his first HYROX event. Acclaimed actress Thando Thabethe represented in the HYROX Women’s category, this was her third HYROX event.

Coach and influencer Vusi Mavreka Hlabangwana, also made a significant impact in Mixed Doubles, inspiring many with his passion for the sport. HYROX Elite15 athlete Jake Dearden, who secured first place in Men’s Pro, further elevated the competition, exemplifying how HYROX attracts top talent crossing borders to compete on a global stage and raise the event’s competitive standard. Their presence highlights how HYROX brings together sports stars, influencers, fitness experts, and celebrities alike, all united by a shared love of challenge and community. This convergence reflects the true South African spirit, one of inclusivity and collective celebration through sport.

Spectator turnout was equally remarkable, with around 7,500 fans packing the venue throughout the weekend, creating a supportive energy for those participating. This vibrant gathering again reflected the unique essence of South African culture, where sport is a powerful force that unites people. Across the weekend, spectators delighted us with traditional dancing, volunteers cheered on athletes with unwavering enthusiasm, and a strong sense of community permeated the event. It was a true celebration of how sport brings South Africans together, fostering shared joy in a way that defines the nation’s inclusive character.

Central to this was our incredible support team, particularly the dedicated volunteers and judges. Their passion and commitment ensured flawless execution and upheld the highest standards throughout each workout, playing a vital role in the event’s success.

Building on the success of three events hosted in 2025, anticipation is high for upcoming HYROX events across South Africa in 2026. As the local participation rises steadily, the series promises greater opportunities for athletes to be part of the HYROX Community:

We extend our sincere gratitude to all who played a part in making the second HYROX Johannesburg such a standout achievement.

PUMA Athletes Soar To Record Times At Valencia Marathon

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on PUMA Athletes Soar To Record Times At Valencia Marathon

PUMA athletes Amanal Petros and Chloe Herbiet have smashed their respective national records at the Valenica Marathon, cementing a place in the PUMA history books as the brand’s fastest ever male and female road runners.

Petros, a silver medallist at the 2025 Tokyo World Championships Marathon, delivered a spectacular second place performance in Valencia as well as a new German national record. He crossed the finish line in 2:04:04, surpassing his previous personal best of 2:04:58 set at the 2023 Berlin Marathon. This performance marks the fastest marathon ever run by a PUMA athlete and the third fastest ever marathon in European history.

“I’ve run many marathons but today I felt different. Everything aligned: the training, my pacing, the course. To break the German record is beyond anything I imagined,” said Amanal Petros.

It was double delight for PUMA, as Chloe Herbiet – the reigning European Half Marathon Champion – ran to a historic third place finish in a world class field. With a previous best of 2:24:56, Herbiet put in the performance of a lifetime to shatter that mark, crossing the finish line with a time of 2:20:38. The result makes the Belgian the sixth fastest European of all-time.

Both athletes powered to new records wearing the most coveted race day running shoe of the year, FAST-R NITRO™ Elite 3.

Rounding out the Top 10 in the women’s field for PUMA was Glenrose Xaba of South Africa with a sixth-place finish (2:23:22), followed by Meritxell Soler of Spain in ninth who set a new personal best (2:23:49).

For more information, please visit: www.puma.com

PUMA Unveils First-of-its-kind Deviate Nitro™ Elite HYROX

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on PUMA Unveils First-of-its-kind Deviate Nitro™ Elite HYROX
  • PUMA and HYROX take their global partnership to the next level with the reveal of the Deviate NITRO™ Elite HYROX
  • Specially engineered for HYROX competition, the footwear will debut on PUMA elite athletes at HYROX Melbourne this weekend, the second out of four Majors of the 2025/ 26 season
  • Deviate NITRO™ Elite HYROX launches globally on 19 February 2026

Global sports brand PUMA is ushering in a new era of performance, with the exclusive reveal of the hotly anticipated Deviate NITRO™ Elite HYROX – the first shoe purpose built for HYROX competition.

Using PUMA’s most advanced footwear innovation, Deviate NITRO™ Elite HYROX is tailored to elevate every stride, every push, and every rep. This breakthrough in footwear technology has cemented PUMA’s position as the number one brand in what is one of the fastest growing sports in the world.

Tried and tested by PUMA’s elite HYROX athletes, the Deviate NITRO™ Elite HYROX features an all-new, full-coverage, high traction PUMAGRIP outsole with a specially engineered lug pattern for multi-surface control.

The NITROFOAM™ Elite has been adapted to provide elite-level cushioning for maximum energy return; and sitting flush between the NITROFOAM™ Elite is a full-length, newly curated carbon fibre PWRPLATE that provides increased propulsion and support.

Wrapping the foot is a premium, feather-light ULTRAWEAVE upper for breathability and secure lockdown, powering athletes through runs, reps and everything in between.

“Having partnered with HYROX since their first ever race in 2018, we understand the needs of the athletes and community better than anyone. The result is this: a trailblazer in performance footwear. We’ve taken the very best ingredients from our fastest running shoes and engineered them to enhance your HYROX experience,” said Romain Girard, VP of Innovation at PUMA.

Deviate NITRO™ Elite HYROX will debut this week at HYROX Melbourne, appearing on PUMA elite athletes including Open Doubles world record holder, Jake Williamson; Hamburg Major winner, Joanna Wietrzyk; 3x HYROX World Champion, Hunter McIntyre; 2025 World Champion, Linda Meier; and Jake Dearden.

“HYROX athletes sit at the intersection of endurance, strength, and mental resilience. We are proud to support this growing global community and push the boundaries of innovation with the first shoe built specifically for their sport. The Deviate NITRO™ Elite HYROX reflects PUMA’s commitment to creating products that empower athletes to perform at their highest level, whatever the arena,” said PUMA CEO, Arthur Hoeld.

“Since 2018, our two brands have been on a shared journey – pushing each other, supporting each other, and raising the bar every year. Announcing our partnership extension in Hamburg in October for another five years was a milestone, and now launching the first-ever shoe built specifically for HYROX is another. It builds real credibility for our sport, and we can’t wait to see athletes train in them, race in them, and cross the finish line in them,” said Moritz Fürste, Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of HYROX.

PUMA’s legacy has always been defined by innovation and speed. As pioneers in performance and proud stewards of the HYROX global community, PUMA continues to shape the future of hybrid racing.

HYROX’s global footprint continues to grow rapidly, with participation, affiliate gym numbers, and international race locations increasing year-on-year. By the close of the 2025/26 season, HYROX is projected to welcome more than 1.3 million participants across over 85 cities and 30 countries, marking one of the fastest expansions in the functional fitness landscape since the sport’s launch in Hamburg in 2017.

The Deviate NITRO™ Elite HYROX will launch on 19 February, available to purchase on PUMA.com, PUMA retail stores and Totalsports. Price R6099.

For more information visit www.puma.com and follow @PUMATraining or visit www.hyrox.com and follow @hyroxworld.

Puma Athletes Win Athlete Of The Year Honours At 2025 World Athletics Awards

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Puma Athletes Win Athlete Of The Year Honours At 2025 World Athletics Awards

Global sports brand PUMA is celebrating a landmark moment as two of its elite athletes, Mondo Duplantis and Nicola Olyslagers, both won individual honours at the 2025 World Athletics Awards in Monaco.

Pole vault sensation Mondo Duplantis secured the Men’s World Athlete of the Year title after one of the most dominant seasons in the sports history. The accolade follows a year in which the Swedish star broke the world record four times, culminating in an extraordinary 6.30m clearance at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo – the 14 th world record of his career. Throughout the season he competed in PUMA’s EvoSPEED Naio NITRO™ Elite spikes, engineered to maximise runway speed and deliver the stability and explosive energy return required for world-record vaulting.

High-jumper Nicola Olyslagers was honoured with the Women’s Field Athlete of the Year award after a season defined by consistency and power. She secured both the indoor and outdoor world high-jump crowns and capped her campaign with the Diamond League title after clearing 2.04m – the highest jump of the year and a new Australian and Oceanian
record. Throughout her winning season, Nicola competed in the PUMA EvoSPEED NITRO™ High Jump Power spikes, which she relied on to deliver precision and unwavering confidence on the field.

The success of both athletes underscores PUMA’s ongoing commitment to excellence in track and field. With Duplantis and Olyslagers now recognised as the best in the world in their disciplines, PUMA reinforces its position as a leading partner in elite performance – and both athletes prove what’s possible when talent meets cutting-edge innovation.

Joseph Seutloali Avenges 2024 Heartbreak with Soweto Marathon Victory

Adnaan MohamedFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Joseph Seutloali Avenges 2024 Heartbreak with Soweto Marathon Victory
By Adnaan Mohamed

Lesotho’s Khoarahlane Seutloali powered through the final kilometres like a runner shifting into overdrive on the last hill of a brutal ultramarathon, storming to victory in the African Bank Soweto Marathon on Saturday morning in 2:20:09.

It was a win wrapped in redemption. Last year the Hollywood AC star faded in the dying stretch; this time he kicked down the door with purpose.

“I am very happy and proud to have won this race after finishing second last year,” Seutloali beamed. “And I am even prouder to have completed the double, and I want to thank my club, my sponsor and all the Basotho people.”

The Hollywood Athletics Club star completed a rare road-running double – adding Soweto gold to the Two Oceans crown already on his 2025 mantelpiece. His feat mirrors defending champion Onalenna Khonkhobe’s double last year. This time, Khonkhobe’s late charge fizzled as he settled for third in 2:20:39, 30 seconds behind the Lesotho ace.

South Africa’s Ntsindiso Mphakathi ran a gritty, measured race to finish second in 2:20:24, with former track star George Kusche fourth in 2:20:47.

Jepchumba Breaks the Tape as Steyn Takes “Small Win” in Brutal Women’s Battle

In the women’s race, the golden girl of South African road running Gerda Steyn made her long-awaited debut at the People’s Race.

The six-time Two Oceans and four-time Comrades champion was the first South African across the finish line taking the bronze medal in 2:37:00.

She just managed to edge out her Hollywood AC teammate Irvette van Zyl, who placed fourth in 2:37:35.

Gerda Steyn finished in third place on debut at the Soweto Marathon

Kenya’s Margaret Jepchumba (Nedbank) clinched the title in 2:34:33, just outside Van Zyl’s long-standing record. But it was more than enough to tame a stacked field. Zambian Elizabeth Mokoloma (2:35:59) took second.

“It was a wonderful first experience here in Soweto,” said Steyn, affectionately known as The Smiling Assassin.

“I have been wanting to run the People’s Race for such a long time. I am always proud to run on home soil, and not having the Soweto Marathon under my belt was a missing item.”

Steyn didn’t sugarcoat the challenge.

“It was a tough race, from the gun-go the pace was really fast from the beginning, but I expected it to be like that. I think it was the most competitive field we have had at the Soweto Marathon in a long time.

“I was the first South African to cross the line, and for me it is like a small win, although I am a little disappointed not to finish first. But it was a fair race.”

Results:

Men

  1. Khoarahlane Seutloali (LES) – 2:20:09
  2. Ntsindiso Mphakathi (RSA) – 2:20:24
  3. Onalenna Khonkhobe (RSA) – 2:20:39
  4. George Kusche (RSA) – 2:20:47

Women

  1. Margaret Jepchumba (KEN) – 2:34:33
  2. Elizabeth Mokoloma (ZAM) – 2:35:59
  3. Gerda Steyn (RSA) – 2:37:00
  4. Irvette van Zyl (RSA) – 2:37:35

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL RESULTS