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Mulaudzi stands in Masai’s way at Mangaung 10K

Adnaan MohamedEvent Update!, Features, News, PreviewLeave a Comment on Mulaudzi stands in Masai’s way at Mangaung 10K
By Adnaan Mohamed

Kenyan distance runner Felix Masai Kibet is targeting a personal best at Sunday’s inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K, but South African Kabelo Mulaudzi has warned his rivals they will have to work hard to deny him victory in Bloemfontein.

The race, scheduled for Sunday, 25 October 2026, promises a compelling contest over 10km, with Masai chasing a fast time, Mulaudzi pursuing another series victory and Glenrose Xaba targeting a personal best in the women’s race.

Masai, who owns a 27:19 personal best and led a Kenyan podium sweep at the Totalsports TWO OCEANS HALF MARATHON in April, outlined his ambitions at Friday’s official race press conference alongside four-time Olympian Stephen Mokoka and Mulaudzi.

“I want to run a PB on Sunday,” said Masai.

The Kenyan’s challenge will be complicated by the presence of Mulaudzi, one of the most successful athletes in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series in recent seasons.

Mulaudzi is chasing an eighth series victory after winning twice in 2023, claiming four victories last year and triumphing at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K last month.

His credentials include a 27:41 personal best, set while winning the 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K.

“I’m feeling very good and I’m ready for Sunday. The competition is tough, but I will try my best. The field will have to work hard to win,” said Mulaudzi.

The men’s contest will test whether Masai can convert his ambitions into a fast performance against a South African rival who has repeatedly delivered on the series circuit.

Xaba eyes personal best

Glenrose Xaba Photo: Pule Mogorosi

Xaba heads into the women’s race in strong form after winning the Boxer Super Run 5K in Durban on 18 October and becoming the first athlete to secure four SPAR Women’s Grand Prix Series titles.

The South African came within striking distance of her 31:12 personal best at last month’s SPAR Women’s Challenge in Gqeberha, clocking 31:16.

A flat, fast course in Mangaung could provide the opportunity she needs to improve that mark.

“I heard the course is flat and fast, and I’m looking forward to giving my best as I always do. I’m in good form and hoping to have a great race. I came close to my PB in Gqeberha, so I would be happy to set a new PB on Sunday,” said Xaba.

Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala will also arrive with confidence after winning the Hollywoodbets Joburg 10K on 18 October.

Khatala will be looking to improve her national record of 32:01, setting up another important test against a competitive women’s field.

A new challenge for Mangaung

Michael Meyer (Stillwater Sports Managing Director & Series Founder), Dirk Mokgele (Regional Segment Head, Absa Group), Glenrose Xaba (South Africa), Mrs Odessa Swarts (Athletics Free State Acting President), Hon Ketso Makume – MEC DEDT (Department of Economic Development and Tourism) and Filex Masai (Kenya). PHOTO CREDIT: Pule Mogorosi

The inaugural event adds Bloemfontein to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series calendar, giving elite athletes another opportunity to chase fast times and compete for honours on South African roads.

With Masai targeting a personal best, Mulaudzi determined to extend his winning record and Xaba eyeing a breakthrough, Sunday’s race will provide an early measure of the course’s potential.

The stopwatch will ultimately decide whether Mangaung delivers the fast times the athletes are seeking.

PUMA PROJECT3 athletes smash PBs and bank over $54k at Chicago Marathon

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on PUMA PROJECT3 athletes smash PBs and bank over $54k at Chicago Marathon

PROJECT3 closed out the 2026 season in style at the Chicago Marathon and the numbers are wild.

71 PROJECT3 runners finished the race. 26 of them set brand-new personal bests in PUMA’s Sunny Lime kits, powered by the Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 3 or Deviate NITRO™ Elite 4. Fifteen of those athletes improved by more than three minutes and will each walk away with a $3,000 performance bonus. Collectively, the group took a staggering 1 hour 32 minutes and 53 seconds off their previous marathon bests.

Top of the leaderboard

  • Fastest man: Alejandro Martinez Ambrosio (USA) – 2:17:32 (new PB)
  • Fastest woman: Amanda Mosborg (USA) – 2:29:30 (new PB, 2:27 faster)

Both take home $3,000 as PROJECT3’s first-place finishers.

The biggest jump of the day belonged to Hannah Bashan (USA). She dropped an insane 11 minutes and 53 seconds to finish in 2:51:51, earning her $6,000 total ($3,000 for the 3+ minute improvement + $3,000 for the largest overall time drop).

Lucas Maher, Lead Marketing of Running Athletes at PUMA, said:
“We’re incredibly proud of every athlete who stepped up to race today. This cohort has delivered through every high and low all season, truly embodying what PROJECT3 stands for. We’re thrilled to recognise their relentless dedication and hard work today, and we’ll continue to help sub-elite runners chase their dreams. We can’t wait to kick off next season and reach even greater heights together.”

The bigger picture
PROJECT3’s second year wraps with $405,000 in prize money distributed in 2026 (on top of $160,000 in its debut year). Next stop: Mumbai 2027, where 100 athletes will line up ready to chase the next set of PBs.

The Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 3 and Deviate NITRO™ Elite 4 are available now at PUMA.com, PUMA stores, Totalsports and Sportsmans Warehouse.

Follow @pumarunning for the latest.

Media contacts
Brett Bellinger, Marketing Director – [email protected]
Lungile Gunundu, Splash PR – [email protected]

 

About PUMA
PUMA is one of the world’s leading sports brands, designing, developing and selling footwear, apparel and accessories. Founded in 1948, PUMA helps the world’s best athletes and teams perform at their best with its innovative products. The company distributes its products in over 120 countries, employs more than 20,000 people and is headquartered in

Big Efforts Equal Big Rewards at Nedbank Gravel Burn; $155 000 on the Line

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Big Efforts Equal Big Rewards at Nedbank Gravel Burn; $155 000 on the Line

The racing at the Nedbank Gravel Burn is hot, so it’s fitting that the medals and trophies are forged by fire. When all is said and done, when the dust has settled, and when the last embers of the final Burn Camp have been extinguished, the race winners will walk away with dazzling reminders of the intense effort required to succeed at a seven-day gravel race. 

This year, the overall prize purse at the Nedbank Gravel Burn sits at $155 000, split evenly between the pro men and pro women. With opportunities to claim overall prize money and stage prize money – and a $2500 prize for the best overall climber – the top men and women riders could potentially enjoy a healthy payday at the conclusion of the 2026 Nedbank Gravel Burn.   

“Not only is this an incentive to race with heart and guile for seven days,” says founder Kevin Vermaak, “but it also shows the commitment of the Nedbank Gravel Burn to reward our best riders equally. The top riders are out there, in the wild, throwing everything they can at the race, and the prize money recognises the intensity the men and women bring to the racing.” A further $2500 per winning rider is also on offer in the Toyota Power Climber competition (for the top climber of the week). 

For the winners’ medals, the theme of fire, grit, and gold was incorporated by makers MetCon, the largest privately-owned precious metal refinery in South Africa. Only six have been made: gold, silver and bronze for the men’s podium, and the same three for the women.

Manufactured in-house in South Africa from 999.9 fine silver, each medal weighs 180g. First-place medals are plated in gold, second-place medals in rhodium and third-place medals in red gold. MetCon puts the approximate value of each finished medal at R30 000, including manufacturing, with the valuation subject to the daily silver price.

Making the medals took seven stages: design, tooling, casting, plating, polishing, quality control, and packaging. “Every stage was done carefully and with no shortcuts, because seven stages of racing deserve seven stages of craft,” says Grant Crosse of MetCon. “Each medal is presented in a handcrafted wooden box by Donkey Long Tong with a MetCon nameplate, along with a Certificate of Analysis and a story booklet about the full making-of story. The medals are made to be kept for life.”

And it doesn’t stop there. With extreme racing comes true reward at the Nedbank Gravel Burn. The overall Pro Men’s and Pro Women’s champions will receive the Fire Starter, created by South African fire-tool makers Donkey Long Tong in collaboration with MetCon. Each Fire Starter also incorporates a 42g ring of 24-carat gold, with black ceramic inlay tracing the route’s elevation profile.

Deeply rooted in South Africa’s history, gold remains an enduring symbol of worth. Incorporating this precious metal ensures the award carries tangible value alongside its athletic prestige. Victorious riders may choose to retain the piece or cash it in at market rates, which fluctuate over time. 

Handmade using titanium, brass, Karoo olienhout and ostrich leather, the Fire Starter is a working piece of art. At the closing ceremony, the two champions will use their trophies to light the ceremonial fire.

After a week of watching each other’s wheels, they can finally get on with the serious business of celebrating. Donkey Long Tong’s involvement also includes a Nedbank Gravel Burn special-edition Jack Sack. The South African company’s handmade leather bag is designed to carry fire and braai tools, keeping the partnership connected to the fireside gatherings that are part of Burn Camp life. 

Every age-group winner will also receive a Fire Starter, with a titanium shaft and the same practical purpose. Winning a category earns a trophy that can still be put to work around a fire years later.

For everyone who completes the race, a finisher medal on a hand-woven Xhosa ribbon marks their own journey to Shamwari Private Game Reserve. 

Follow the race: information, daily results, stories and highlights at www.gravel-burn.com 

See Nedbank Gravel Burn 2026 startlist HERE

About Nedbank Gravel Burn

Nedbank Gravel Burn is a seven-day, 750km gravel stage race set entirely in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. Starting in the historic Robert Sobukwe Town / Graaff-Reinet, the race journeys deep into remote semi-desert landscapes, with all riders staying together in the purpose-built Burn Camps. The route spans the Great Karoo and concludes in Big 5 territory at Shamwari Private Game Reserve. Designed as a true pro-am experience, Nedbank Gravel Burn brings elite and age-group riders together in a shared journey defined by scale, remoteness and connection.

PUMA Unveils the FAST-RB NITRO™ Elite 2

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on PUMA Unveils the FAST-RB NITRO™ Elite 2

PUMA has just pulled the cover off the next big step in rule-breaking speed: the FAST-RB NITRO™ Elite 2.

This isn’t just another racing shoe. It’s a platform for exploring what’s possible when you stop playing it safe with conventional footwear design. Every element has been carefully engineered to maximise speed while still delivering that pure, authentic running feel we all chase.

The updated NITROFOAM™ ELITE cushioning packs in more energy return, while the refined geometry gives you a smoother, more responsive ride. The standout feature? Two fused carbon-fibre PWRPLATES that create a distinctive springboard architecture built for serious propulsion. Pair that with a reworked ULTRAWEAVE upper that’s lighter, more breathable and locks your foot in securely, plus the reliable PUMAGRIP outsole for multi-surface traction, and you’ve got a seriously impressive package.

Developed in PUMA’s NITRO™ Lab, the FAST-RB NITRO™ Elite 2 represents the next frontier of running. While it’s not race-legal, internal studies have shown levels of running economy that make this the most efficient shoe in PUMA’s entire road running line-up.

Romain Girard, VP of Innovation at PUMA, said: “With the FAST-RB 2, we set out to take rule-breaking to the next level. By simplifying the design and giving our NITROFOAM™ technology more room to perform, we’ve created a shoe that delivers the highest energy return we’ve ever recorded in our testing – all in an incredibly lightweight package. Two years of innovation, lab testing and collaboration with athletes have gone into refining the experience, bringing together groundbreaking performance and the pure joy of running.”

The FAST-RB NITRO™ Elite 2 launches on 28 October 2026, with limited pairs available worldwide on PUMA.com.

FAST-RB NITRO™ ELITE 2 TECH SPECS

  • Weight: 250g (UK 8) / 206g (UK 4.5)
  • Drop: 8mm
  • Product lifespan: 320km

Follow @pumarunning on Instagram for the latest PUMA running news.

Purple reign: Hollywood stars light up Joburg 10km

Adnaan MohamedFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Purple reign: Hollywood stars light up Joburg 10km
By Adnaan Mohamed

Hollywood Athletics Club’s Purple Team turned its sold-out Hollywoodbets Joburg 10km into a showcase of organisational muscle and elite running firepower, with Neheng Khatala striking gold and three club athletes finishing in the men’s top seven at Nasrec on Sunday.

The third edition of the race attracted 12,000 participants across the 10km and 5km events, doubling last year’s turnout and turning the streets around the Johannesburg Expo Centre into a spectacular sea of purple.

For the Hollywoodbets Purple Team, the day was a powerful advertisement for its growing footprint in South African road running. Its elite stars delivered on the road while the organisers celebrated another milestone for an event that has rapidly become a major fixture on the racing calendar.

Nedbank Running Club’s Thabang Mosiako stopped the hosts from sweeping the men’s honours, defending his title in 30:43. Hollywood’s former Comrades Marathon champion Edward Mothibi, however, stole the spotlight with a superb second place in 30:51, matching third-placed Rebaone Obotseng’s time.

Thabang Mosiako successfully defended his title. Photo: Suppied

“I am really happy with my achievement today because it’s my second time running the Hollywoodbets Joburg. I think it was my third or fourth, but I have been maintaining a podium finish, so I can say I am very happy I managed to defend my title,” he said.

Mothibi’s performance was particularly impressive against a field packed with specialist 10km runners. The veteran showed that his endurance pedigree still carries plenty of firepower over shorter distances.

Hollywood’s Poloko Maphunye finished fourth in 30:54, while Stephen Mokoka, the experienced multiple South African record-holder, placed seventh in 31:29.

Edward Mothibi Photo: Supplied

Three Hollywood Athletics Club runners in the men’s top seven offered tangible evidence of the Purple Team’s depth, with Mothibi leading the charge and Maphunye and Mokoka reinforcing the club’s presence among the front-runners.

Khatala leads a purple podium charge

The women’s race provided an even bigger celebration for the hosts.

Lesotho’s 10km record-holder Neheng Khatala crossed the finish line in 33:40 to collect the R40,000 winner’s cheque and complete a memorable Durban-Joburg double after winning the Hollywoodbets Durban 10km in August.

The 2024 Olympian knew the hilly route would demand discipline and strength. Having won the Soweto Marathon two years ago, she recognised the challenge posed by the closing kilometres.

“I knew I did not have to go too fast; just manage my speed and balance the pace so I get to the finish because I did not want to be slaughtered at the end,” she said.

Emma Pallant-Brown, Neheng Khatala and Irvette van Zyl Photo: Adnaan Mohamed

UK-born Emma Pallant-Browne of Peak Running Club finished second in 35:04, followed by Hollywood teammate Irvette van Zyl in 35:17. South Africa’s golden girl of ultra-distance running, Gerda Steyn, completed a memorable club performance in fourth in 35:42.

Having three Hollywood athletes among the women’s leading four and five in the top 10 gave the Purple Team another reason to celebrate. Khatala’s victory, Van Zyl’s podium finish and Steyn’s fourth place underlined the strength of a line-up featuring talent across different racing distances.

The 2024 Olympian knew the hilly route would demand discipline and strength. Having won the Soweto Marathon two years ago, she recognised the challenge posed by the closing kilometres.

“I knew I did not have to go too fast; just manage my speed and balance the pace so I get to the finish because I did not want to be slaughtered at the end,” she said.

Khatala said winning in her club colours made the occasion particularly special, with the responsibility of representing her own team adding to the emotion.

Purple momentum heads to Mangaung

The club’s attention now shifts to the next challenge. Khatala, Van Zyl and Steyn are set to line up at the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY Mangaung 10km next Sunday, where Khatala hopes to attract strong support from fellow Basotho.

For Hollywood Athletics Club, Sunday’s success was about more than prize money and podium photographs. A sold-out mass-participation event, a formidable elite contingent and three male runners in the top seven provided a compelling demonstration of the Purple Team’s competitive reach.

Nasrec belonged to the purple wave. The challenge now is to keep it rolling.

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FULL 2026 HOLLYWOODBETS JOBURG 10K RESULTS

Young gun takes aim at established stars at Hollywoodbets Joburg 10K

Adnaan MohamedFeatures, News, PreviewLeave a Comment on Young gun takes aim at established stars at Hollywoodbets Joburg 10K
By Adnaan Mohamed

A rising star, a seasoned campaigner and a defending champion will bring three very different ambitions to the starting line when the sold-out Hollywoodbets Joburg 10km unleashes 12,000 runners at Nasrec on Sunday morning.

Twenty-two-year-old Sibusiso Msibi is hungry to announce himself on the big stage, Hollywood Athletics Club veteran Stephen Mokoka is chasing another strong finish, and Nedbank Running Club speedster Thabang Mosiako must decide how much his body has left after a demanding marathon in Germany.

The third edition of the race starts at 07:30, with the winner’s prize climbing to R40,000, making it the richest-paying 10km race in South Africa. With the stakes rising and the field packed, the road to glory promises to be anything but a Sunday stroll.

Rising Star: Sibusiso Msibi

For Msibi, the race represents a golden ticket to a bigger stage.

The University of Johannesburg athlete, who won the 2025 ASA 4km cross-country title, has spent much of his development focusing on track and cross-country. His speciality is the 1,500m and 5,000m, and he is now stretching his ambitions onto the road.

Speaking at Friday’s pre-race media conference in Hyde Park, the Tembisa-born runner made no secret of his intentions.

“I feel if I do good on Sunday, it will open opportunities for me. This is special for me. I am going all out and I am expecting a podium finish.”

Msibi has watched Mokoka and Mosiako from afar, drawing inspiration from the very athletes he will now measure himself against. A 10km encounter with Mokoka at a Region 5 event last year left a lasting impression.

“I remember watching them on TV and wishing to be like them,” he said. “He actually spoke to me during the race, but at the time I was ‘suffering’. That told me to go back and work harder at training.”

His focus remains on cross-country and University Sports South Africa competition next year, while bigger road races are firmly on his horizon. Balancing studies and athletics adds another layer to his challenge, although he says he is coping.

Mosiako, meanwhile, arrives with a title to defend and tired legs to manage.

Defending champion Thabang Mosiako

The former South African half-marathon champion pocketed R37,500 for winning last year’s race. However, his marathon outing in Cologne, Germany, two weeks ago has complicated his Johannesburg campaign.

The 31-year-old is still assessing his recovery and rates his chances at 50/50, wary of pushing too hard and risking injury. His usual end-of-year peak has also been disrupted by bringing his marathon plans forward.

He has even identified Msibi as a serious threat.

“I don’t think I’m going to defend this title with this young man next to me because I saw he can sprint that final 5km,” Mosiako said. “I’m still in my marathon mindset so I’m going to go with the flow and then we’ll see how the race unfolds.”

Mokoka brings a wealth of experience to the contest. The 41-year-old improved from eighth in the inaugural edition to third last year and wants to maintain that upward trajectory.

Accomplished veteran: Stephen Mokoka

“My target this year is to be able to maintain being in the top six from last year in Durban,” he said, reflecting on his recent results.

Mokoka also has reason to feel satisfied with his season after clocking 2:10:48 at the Cape Town Marathon, where he finished 13th.

At Nasrec, youth, experience and endurance will collide over 10 kilometres. Msibi wants a breakthrough, Mosiako hopes his marathon-weary legs can still deliver a title defence, and Mokoka has the experience to read every twist in the race.

The stopwatch will have the final say. For Msibi, though, Sunday could be the morning his name moves from the margins of South African distance running into the spotlight.

  • Venue: Johannesburg Expo Centre NASREC.
  • Start Times: The 10km race starts at 07h30. The 5km fun run follows at 08h00.
  • Race Pack Collection: Today (Saturday, 17 October) is the final day to collect your race number and pack. Collections are open at NASREC until 18h00. Note that there are strictly no race-day entries or number collections tomorrow morning.
  • Strict Rules: Running with headphones, earphones, or pets is strictly prohibited for safety reasons.
  • Cut-off Times: The 10km route has a hard cut-off at 09h00 (1 hour 30 minutes course time), and the 5km cut-off is at 09h30.

Gerda Steyn chases Hollywoodbets Joburg 10K glory

Adnaan MohamedNewsLeave a Comment on Gerda Steyn chases Hollywoodbets Joburg 10K glory

By Adnaan Mohamed

Gerda Steyn is accustomed to conquering the long road, but at the Hollywoodbets Joburg 10k on Sunday, the queen of South African ultra-running will need to summon her speed, sharpen her instincts and keep her rivals firmly in her sights.

The race starts at 7:30am at Nasrec, where 12 000 entrants are expected to turn the occasion into a celebration of running, community and personal achievement. At the sharp end of the elite women’s contest, Steyn faces a compelling challenge from Hollywood Athletics Club teammate Neheng Khatala and UK-born athlete Emma Pallant-Browne.

With defending champion Fridah Ndinda absent, the battle for the title is wide open. Steyn finished second behind the Kenyan last year and will be determined to go one better in the third edition, with R40 000 awaiting the winner.

The seven-time Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon and five-time Comrades Marathon champion has built a reputation on

endurance, resilience and an ability to deliver when the kilometres begin to bite. Yet she is taking nothing for granted over a distance where the pace is fierce and the margin for error is razor-thin.

The Hollywood AC star made it clear that a podium finish would represent a significant achievement.

“The 10km race dynamic is very unpredictable, and I know that there will be strong competition on Sunday. Yes, the previous winner is not here, but there are many other elite runners, so just to finish on the podium will be an amazing achievement for me.”

Khatala’s presence adds an intriguing club dimension to the contest, while Pallant-Browne brings another formidable challenge to a race that should demand speed and tactical nous from the opening strides.

Steyn has increasingly embraced the 10km as an important part of her racing calendar, using the shorter distance to develop speed and maintain her competitive edge ahead of a demanding 2027 season.

“It’s very exciting for me to line up in yet another 10km race because I always find the 10km race distance so challenging and so different to the marathons and ultra-marathons. These races play a very specific role in my preparation throughout the year.

“You have to challenge yourself at a much faster pace and you have to remain focused during each and every single second of the race.”

Her training has also taken a new direction this year, with trail running added to the mix as she prepares for the challenge of a 100km trail race next year. It is another test of versatility for an athlete whose appetite for endurance challenges appears boundless.

For Steyn, Sunday is an opportunity to turn that preparation into a performance and test herself against quality opposition on a faster stage.

She also has an encouraging message for the thousands of recreational runners lining up at Nasrec, particularly those tackling their first 10km.

Enjoy the experience, trust your preparation and make the most of the opportunity to be part of one of South Africa’s biggest road-running events.

Whether chasing a personal best, completing a first 10km or racing for the R40 000 prize, every runner will have a finish line worth celebrating.

For Steyn, though, the mission is clear: turn last year’s silver into gold. With Khatala and Pallant-Browne in the mix, the road to victory promises to be anything but a Sunday stroll.

Dr Insaaf Levy gets Springbok Women call-up for Ireland Tests

Adnaan MohamedNews, Racing, Springbok WomenLeave a Comment on Dr Insaaf Levy gets Springbok Women call-up for Ireland Tests
By Adnaan Mohamed

The balancing act between medicine and international rugby awaits newly qualified doctor Insaaf Levy after she was named in the Springbok Women squad for their two-Test series against Ireland in Cape Town.

The DHL Western Province player was named in the Springbok Women squad for their two-Test series against Ireland in Cape Town. Levy is among two additions to the squad announced by co-coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September for the encounters at Athlone Stadium on 24 and 31 October.

Anacadia Minnaar also returns after missing the recent European tour, with the EP Queens back replacing Felicia Jacobs. Levy comes in for the injured Ayanda Malinga.

For Levy, who has two Test caps, the call-up brings another opportunity to advance her rugby career while navigating the demands of life as a newly qualified medical doctor.

Her rugby résumé includes appearances in two of South Africa’s three Rugby Africa Women’s Cup Tests in Kenya in May, followed by a tour of Brazil with the SA Women A side in August.

The latest selection places her in the frame for the Springbok Women’s final assignments of the year, with Ireland providing a significant test of South Africa’s progress.

The hosts return from Europe after securing victories over Italy and Spain during a demanding tour that also included a match against Wales. Johannes-Haupt and September have opted for continuity, retaining the bulk of the group that finished the trip strongly.

“We opted for continuity as we have good momentum from the last couple of matches on tour, hence the call to stay with the same group of players,” Johannes-Haupt said.

She welcomed Minnaar’s return and explained the thinking behind Levy’s inclusion.

Dr Insaaf Levy

“Anacadia could unfortunately not travel to Europe, but we are happy to have her back, while we also want to bring Insaaf closer to the action and tap into her skill set,” she said.

Ireland, ranked fifth in the world, will offer a demanding examination as the Springbok Women look to build on their European results and close the season successfully on home soil.

“Ireland are not the fifth-ranked team in the world for nothing. They will really test us,” Johannes-Haupt said.

The two Tests will conclude the 2026 WXV Global Series for South Africa, with both matches scheduled to kick off at 15:00.

Johannes-Haupt believes Athlone Stadium provides an ideal setting for the team’s final international outings of the year.

“We are pleased on how the season progressed and want to finish it strong at home,” she said.

“Athlone Stadium has been a happy hunting ground for us in recent years and it is a perfect setting for us to close out the season.”

Free State Women centre Aisha Camara and DHL Western Province prop Anothando Katshwa have also been invited to train with the squad throughout the camp.

Anacadia Minnaar of South Africa with the ball during the Women’s International test match between South Africa and New Zealand at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)

For Levy, the immediate challenge is to make the most of her opportunity in a settled Springbok Women group while balancing the responsibilities of her medical profession with the demands of elite rugby.

Tickets for the matches on 24 and 31 October are sold separately and available exclusively through Ticketmaster: https://springboks.tmtickets.co.za/Events.

Pieter Coetze breaks 50m backstroke World Record

Adnaan MohamedNews, SwimmingLeave a Comment on Pieter Coetze breaks 50m backstroke World Record
By Adnaan Mohamed

South African swimming sensation Pieter Coetze has officially entered the record books, slicing through the water to shatter the men’s 50m backstroke world record in Tashkent on Friday with a blistering 22.09 seconds.

The 22-year-old’s lightning -fast performance eclipsed Russian Kliment Kolesnikov’s previous global benchmark of 22.11, set in 2022, and carved 0.42 seconds off Coetze’s own personal best of 22.51, which he recorded last week.

After coming agonisingly close to the 100m backstroke record at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow earlier this summer, the reigning 100m backstroke world champion finally landed his golden moment, leaving a world-class field floundering in his wake.

“Seeing that time on the board, it didn’t even click that it was a World Record,” Coetze said. “And then, like, a second later, I was like… ‘the World Record was 22.1.’ So… not many words to describe that. It’s crazy.”

The race delivered a breathtaking finish. Russia’s Egor Kornev, who was ahead of world-record pace at the halfway mark, mistimed his final strokes and touched in 22.29 for silver. compatriot Pavel Samusenko claimed bronze in 22.35, while former record-holder Kolesnikov languished in sixth in 22.88.

Coetze’s breakthrough adds another jewel to a remarkable year following his 100m backstroke world title in 2025 and two 51.7-second swims in Glasgow that threatened the longer-distance record.

His new status as world-record holder will put a target squarely between his shoulder blades as the Silk Road Tour continues in Kazakhstan next week.

Yet Coetze insists the record will not turn his head.

“I don’t think it changes much,” he said. “My mindset normally stays the same, no matter what the race is, because, you know, at this level everyone is always close. I mean, the world-record holder was there, and look how close it was. So, no, you can never get too comfortable. I’ll just keep doing the same.”

Fellow South African Michael Houlie ensured the national flag flew high again, winning the men’s 50m breaststroke final in 25.67 seconds. The performance placed him 16th on the all-time list despite battling lower-back pain and food poisoning.

“I think, in spite of all of that, I’ve been able to overcome it and swim the way I swam today,” Houlie said. “That takes courage, and I’m just… I’m grateful. Grateful to be here.”

Coetze’s historic splash was the Silk Road Tour’s first outright world record. Kornev had matched the 100m freestyle world record the previous week, but could not lower it.

Now South Africa has a new record-breaking name in the swimming spotlight, and Coetze has shown the world that when he hits top gear, even history struggles to keep its head above water.

Dayimani’s Diamond shines bright in Springbok shop window

Adnaan MohamedNews, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Dayimani’s Diamond shines bright in Springbok shop window
By Adnaan Mohamed

Hacjivah Dayimani is making a compelling case for greater recognition after back-to-back Man of the Match performances for the Stormers.

The loose forward scored twice in the 39-22 URC derby victory over the Sharks, showcasing his growing physicality, leadership and versatility.

With 43,000 supporters roaring beneath the shadow of Table Mountain, the 28-year-old diamond in the Stormers’ pack glittered brighter than the opposition’s star-studded Springboks as the hosts revived their famous Men in Black swagger.

The Sharks arrived unbeaten and loaded with heavyweight international firepower. They left nursing a bruising defeat, their coastal rivals having turned the scrum into a Cape Town battering ram.

While the return of several Springboks dominated the pre-match chatter, it was the Stormers’ collective muscle that stole the show. Wilco Louw, André-Hugo Venter and Ntuthuko Mchunu gave Thomas du Toit, Eduan Swart and Ox Nche a torrid afternoon in the front row.

Behind that demolition crew, Dayimani, Siya Kolisi and Paul de Villiers hunted at the breakdown like hungry predators.

Dayimani supplied the glitter.

He powered over from a maul in the 36th minute before crossing again after the interval, helping the Stormers build a commanding advantage and ultimately secure a bonus-point victory. Seabelo Senatla, Venter, Leolin Zas and JJ Kotzé also crossed the whitewash as the hosts avenged last season’s back-to-back derby defeats.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO | Hacjivah Dayimani says it would be nice being part of the Bomb Squad

For Stormers director of rugby John Dobson, Dayimani’s growing influence has become impossible to overlook.

“We have a players’ Man of the Match, which always differs from what SuperSport comes up with. In the first two games, Hacjivah was a convincing winner,” Dobson said.

The coach believes the forward has added precious steel to his trademark sparkle.

“What’s changed about Hacjivah is his stopping power; I don’t know whether it’s because he’s decided what the gym is or because he’s got more determined.”

Dobson also praised Dayimani’s leadership, revealing that he has taken charge during training sessions involving the Currie Cup players.

That is music to the ears of Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, who values players capable of covering multiple positions.

Dayimani has started three consecutive matches at No 8, can operate across the back row and has even played on the wing, including against the All Blacks. His experience with French club Racing 92 also adds versatility to his rugby résumé.

“He’s metamorphosised,” Dobson said.

“At 28 years old and when you talk about hybrids, a guy who can run 10.80 and has stopping power has got to be in anybody’s [selection] frame eventually.”

There is, however, a catch in this tale of glittering ambition.

Dobson insists Dayimani must maintain his current standards over an entire season, acknowledging that previous flashes of brilliance have not always developed into sustained excellence.

“He’s had flashes of brilliance. He needs to build a proper innings. He’s just at the start of it. If he carries on like this, I’ve got no doubt about it.”

Those words should ring in Dayimani’s ears louder than Saturday’s thunderous applause.

The Stormers star has the speed, the flair and, increasingly, the muscle to make a compelling case. His challenge is to turn dazzling cameos into a season-long exhibition of consistency.

The Springbok jersey remains the prize, and competition for places is fierce. Yet another performance of this calibre will make it harder for the selectors to ignore the diamond shining in black.

Dayimani has struck gold in the opening rounds. Now he must keep mining his rich vein of form.

The sparkle is undeniable. The real test is whether this diamond can shine long enough to earn its green-and-gold setting.

STORMERS – Tries: Seabelo Senatla, Hacjivah Dayimani (2), André-Hugo Venter, Leolin Zas, JJ Kotzé. Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (3). Penalty: Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
SHARKS – Tries: Manu Tshituka, Matt Romao, Phepsi Buthelezi. Conversions: Gianni Lombard (2). Penalty: Lombard.