Defending SPAR Grand Prix champion Glenrose Xaba returned to winning ways by breaking the Tshwane course record on Saturday, boosting her title defence with a dominant display over 10km in Centurion.
The Boxer Athletics Club star clocked 32:28 at SuperSport Park to shave one second off the previous course record of 32:29, set by Namibia’s Helalia Johannes in 2022.
It was Xaba’s first victory of the 2026 series after finishing second behind Tayla Kavanagh in Cape Town and missing the Durban leg while competing internationally.
Kavanagh’s absence due to her Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow presented an opportunity, and Xaba capitalised with a measured performance.
Ethiopian athlete Selam Gebre stayed with Xaba through the opening half of the race before the South African made her move shortly after the 5km mark. She quickly opened a decisive gap and never looked back.
The performance was underlined by disciplined pacing, with Xaba completing the second half of the race 31 seconds faster than the first.
“I’m training for the half marathon at the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen in September, and the race went according to plan,” Xaba said.
“Coming into the race, my strategy was to run very fast to get bonus points, and I was very happy to be back in Tshwane and running the SPAR race. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.”
Gebre secured second place in 34:10 despite battling the conditions.
“The race today was very tough and intense, if I’m honest. The start time was different to what we’re used to, and the elevation kind of caught up with me and I couldn’t breathe at certain points. So, it was tough, but I had to push myself as best I could and I’m glad I came second,” she said.
South Africa’s Kyla Jacobs finished third in 34:21 after a strong closing kilometre. It was her second podium finish of the series, with both Jacobs and Gebre collecting bonus points for running under 34:40.
“It’s always great to be here for the Tshwane race because this is actually where my running career started, so I’m really proud and happy to be on the podium today,” Jacobs said.
“It was a great race. I tried to run conservatively and was able to pick the field up from the back, so I was happy with how I executed it.”
Xaba’s victory throws fresh momentum into the SPAR Grand Prix series as she continues her build-up to the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen later this year.
The tournament, scheduled for 11 to 13 December, will feature 28 sporting stars swapping their usual arenas for the golf course. It is expected to attract local and international visitors to the Garden Route during the peak holiday season.
The first player announcements include former Proteas captain AB de Villiers and Rugby World Cup winner Fourie du Preez for Team South Africa. Former Chelsea and England captain John Terry and West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara have been confirmed for Team World, with the remaining line-ups still to be announced.
Icons Series founder and CEO Thomas Brookes believes South Africa is the ideal stage for the competition.
“The Icons Series is built on the unifying power, unscripted drama, and patriotism of sport. We are thrilled to bring this world-first concept to South Africa, a nation with an unmatched sporting heritage and some of the most passionate fans on earth. The Links at Fancourt provides a spectacular, world-class stage to witness 28 of the greatest athletes of our generation put their reputations on the line.”
Els said captaining the home side at one of South Africa’s premier golf courses was a privilege.
“Leading Team South Africa on home soil at a magnificent venue like Fancourt is a massive honour. We know Team World is bringing serious firepower, but we are assembling a squad of true South African winners.
“AB de Villiers and Fourie du Preez are perfect first additions. They are fierce competitors who know exactly what it means to defend home turf. We’re ready to show the world how we play the game.”
Olazábal expects a fiercely contested encounter despite South Africa’s home advantage.
🚨 NEW ICONS SERIES EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨
We’re heading to Africa and The Links at Fancourt for the inaugural Icons Cup South Africa, from 11-13 December 2026.
“South Africa has an incredibly rich sporting heritage, and Fancourt is a magnificent, world-class test of golf. Team World is not travelling to George to enjoy the scenery.
“Ernie is a fantastic champion and he will have a passionate home crowd behind him, but I am assembling a team of icons. We will be fiercely competitive and will know how to win under pressure, and we are fully prepared to spoil the home-soil party this December.”
De Villiers brings a golf handicap of 2.3 to the South African side, while Du Preez, Terry and Lara are all keen golfers with extensive experience in celebrity and pro-am events.
Broadcast partners, streaming details and the remaining player announcements will be unveiled in the coming weeks. Tickets and hospitality packages are on sale through TicketPro.
For years, the Free State has produced world-class runners, yet many of its brightest stars have had to leave home to chase the country’s biggest road races. Now the road is coming to them. In a major boost for athletics in the province, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series will expand from five to six events with the inauguralAbsa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10Kon October 25, handing Mangaung a seat at South Africa’s top table of road running.
The announcement has been welcomed as a game-changing victory by some of the province’s biggest athletics names, who believe the race could unlock opportunities for thousands of aspiring runners.
Former Olympian and South African 1500m record holder Johan Cronje believes the city has waited long enough.
“Mangaung has always needed a world-class road race. There are no more excuses now. Local runners can compete against some of the best athletes in the world on their own doorstep.”
Cronje expects around 5,000 runners at the inaugural event and believes it has the potential to grow into a race attracting between 10,000 and 15,000 participants.
Three-time Olympian LJ van Zyl described the arrival of the race as a watershed moment for athletics in the province.
“Young athletes no longer have to leave home to experience a race of this calibre. It’s a real game-changer.”
“I’ve been excited because Free State has been overlooked for quite a while,” she said.
Swarts revealed that around 700 youngsters compete every Friday in the province’s cross-country league, with nearly 1,800 expected at next month’s provincial championships.
“This motivates our youngsters. Development starts with cross country, and now they’ll see the country’s biggest names competing alongside them. Does that not give hope? This is a story of hope.”
She believes the event will inspire children from townships and rural communities to dream bigger.
“Anyone can enter. Whether you’re from a township or a rural area, you can dream. Every day I work to help young people achieve the dreams they set for themselves. This race gives them that opportunity.”
Even Swarts has been bitten by the running bug again.
“I’ve started training because I had to be part of this. I’m competitive, so I’m hoping to break one hour. Since training for distance running, I’ve gained enormous respect for middle and long-distance athletes.”
The race is the result of a partnership between Stillwater Sports, the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality and the Free State Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
Since Absa became title sponsor in 2021, more than 200,000 runners have taken part in the series, which now stretches across Gqeberha, Cape Town, Durban, Tshwane, Johannesburg and Mangaung.
Stillwater Sports Managing Director Michael Meyer said the expansion was another important step in growing the series while creating tourism and economic opportunities for host cities.
Absa Group Chief Marketing and Corporate Affairs Officer Sydney Mbhele said runners had been calling for Mangaung to be included for years.
“We are proud to have listened because at Absa, we believe every story matters.”
Mbhele added that the bank’s R1 Campaign has already raised almost R10 million through Team Absa’s Strava activities to support school vegetable gardens across South Africa, with Free State communities set to benefit.
Mangaung Executive Mayor Gregory Nthatisi said the race would showcase the city’s heritage and hospitality while creating opportunities for local businesses.
Free State MEC for Economic Development and Tourism Ketso Makume believes the event will strengthen the province’s growing reputation as a sport tourism destination.
For a province that has spent years watching South Africa’s biggest road races from the sidelines, the starter’s gun in Mangaung will signal far more than the beginning of another 10km. It will announce that the Free State has finally arrived.
Emma Pallant-Browne believes motherhood has given her a new finish line to chase.
The British triathlon star and former international track and cross-country runner will make her Totalsports Women’s Race debut in Durban on Sunday before returning for the Johannesburg race on August 16, marking her first major 10km campaign since the birth of her son a year ago.
Her return arrives during Women’s Month, with the sold-out series continuing to celebrate women in sport while shining a spotlight on athletes balancing elite competition, careers and family life.
“Coming back after having my son, I’m starting to get injury-free and run a bit faster, so I was looking to race a fast 10km at sea level, and the Totalsports Women’s Race came highly recommended to me,” Pallant-Browne said.
“My goal is to take part in two Totalsports Women’s Race events this year, so I will also be lining up in Joburg on 16 August.”
The 36-year-old said becoming a mother has strengthened her passion for women’s sport and highlighted the importance of creating opportunities where female athletes can thrive.
“Women in sport is my absolute passion, especially now as a mother. I used to see a lot of women at races with their kids supporting ‘Daddy’, and it’s so great to now see dads on the sidelines with the kids supporting ‘Mummy’ and giving her the opportunity to have her time to shine.
“I think there are still barriers in women’s sport that see many women dropping out during their teenage years or when life gets busy and they start a family, but events like this really elevate women’s running and give women their time to shine.”
“There are a million reasons now not to get my session in, and I think it makes you want it a bit more,” she said.
“Knowing that we are bringing my son into a life where we show him that if you want to be good at something, you have to work hard for it, is what I keep thinking when times get tough. What example am I setting for him?
“My body has definitely had more injuries, but it’s made me more patient, better at problem-solving and time management, and more resilient when facing setbacks.”
She encouraged mothers returning to exercise after pregnancy to be patient.
Emma Pallant-Browne in action at the Two Oceans Half Marathon 2026 Photo: Mark Sampson
“Take baby steps, start with a jog or walk, build up gradually and enjoy the process. It’s so rewarding to see the progress you make and to track your improvements each week. Most importantly, don’t neglect strength training.”
Pallant-Browne has set herself a clear target for Durban.
“Running faster than 34 minutes would be a good start for me. It will be my first fast 10km postpartum, so I want to see what my body can do at the moment and then build from there.
“It would mean so much to me to start winning races again, but most of all I want to know that I gave it my all in Durban and Joburg, and pushed as hard as I could.”
Totalsports head of marketingNikki Crous believes Pallant-Browne’s story reflects the spirit of the event.
“Emma’s return to competition after becoming a mother is both inspiring and a powerful reminder that women can continue to pursue their goals at every stage of life,” Crous said.
“Her passion for empowering women through sport perfectly reflects what the Totalsports Women’s Race stands for. We look forward to seeing her take on both the Durban and Joburg events and wish her every success as she embarks on this exciting new chapter.”
With entries for Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg already sold out, Pallant-Browne’s comeback promises to be one of the standout stories of this year’s Women’s Month celebrations.
Chad le Closhas spent 16 years collecting Commonwealth Games medals. On day two in Glasgow 2026 he collected the one that elevated him above every male athlete in the event’s history.
The colour hardly mattered.
South Africa’s men’s 4x100m freestyle relay quartet claimed bronze behind Australia and England, with Le Clos producing a blistering 48.29-second anchor split to steer Team SA onto the podium at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.
Commonwealth Games bronze medalists Pieter Coetze, Guy Brooks, Ruard van Renen and Chad le Clos of Team South Africa after the Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay Final. Photo: Getty Images
It is a record that has been 5,772 days in the making.
Le Clos opened his Commonwealth account with gold in New Delhi in October 2010. Since then he has amassed five medals in India, seven in Glasgow in 2014, five on the Gold Coast in 2018, one in Birmingham in 2022 and now the history-making bronze back in Glasgow.
The relay medal was no ceremonial farewell.
Le Clos delivered the fastest split of the South African quartet, finishing ahead of teammates Pieter Coetze, Guy Brooks and Ruard van Renen on the anchor leg to underline his enduring quality.
Although celebrated globally for his butterfly exploits, the Durban swimmer has long proved his versatility. He won Olympic silver in the 200m freestyle at Rio 2016 and Commonwealth silver in the 100m freestyle two years later.
Eight of his 19 Commonwealth medals have now come in relay events, with his overall tally standing at seven gold, four silver and eight bronze medals.
An emotional Le Clos immediately shifted the spotlight onto his teammates, two of whom collected their first senior international medals.
“I couldn’t have done it without the boys, everyone pulled their weight tonight. The nerves were definitely there, we needed the medal, and do it for South Africa. It capped off a phenomenal night for the swimmers.
“I’m obviously delighted to get medal No.19, and it’s something I’ve been chasing for eight years. I’m super proud. It was 12 years ago when I was a 22-year-old and we got a medal in this event, and Roland Schoeman was 34. Now, I’m 34 and there are youngsters in this team who have incredible futures.”
— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) July 26, 2026
Le Clos joked that he has become the shortest and oldest swimmer in another South African relay team that has etched its name into the history books.
“I was very nervous tonight, probably the most nervous of the four boys. But I knew once Pieter dived in that we’d do it. Guy and Ruard were incredible and two of them were winning their first senior medals.
“My dad was in tears… it’s all very emotional. I’ve never given up and there’s been a lot of dark times. I’m a dog in a dogfight though and once I’m in one I give it everything.”
For an athlete who has inspired generations of South African swimmers, medal No.19 felt like another finish and the perfect full circle. The teenager who burst onto the Commonwealth stage in 2010 is now the veteran leading the next wave, with a place in history that is unlikely to be challenged anytime soon.
Elite sport rarely follows a straight lane. It is shaped by cold mornings, lonely kilometres and competitions that matter long before medals are on the line. That is where South Africa’s reigning aQuellé Midmar Mile champions,Callan Lotter and Matthew Caldwell, find themselves as the country’s swimmers begin theirCommonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow this week.
Their immediate focus lies further west, with selection for next month’s Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, California offering another important marker on the road to international relevance.
From 12 to 15 August, two of South Africa’s brightest distance swimmers will compete against some of the strongest fields in world swimming. The meeting is more than another championship. It is an opportunity to measure progress, expose weaknesses and gain the type of experience that cannot be replicated in training pools at home.
For Lotter, the reigning women’s Midmar Mile champion, the occasion carries added significance.
Callan Lotter Credit Action Photo SA
“It will be my first Pan Pacific Championships and I’m extremely excited,” she said. “It’s a huge opportunity to race against some of the best swimmers in the world and gain valuable international experience while representing South Africa.”
She will contest the 10km open water race together with the 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle events, embracing a programme that mirrors her growing versatility.
Lotter also sees California as an early reconnaissance mission ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games.
“Being able to compete in California gives me experience with the travel, time zone, environment and overall international racing atmosphere, which will be valuable preparation for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.”
Caldwell, who claimed the men’s Midmar Miletitle earlier this year, will make his own Pan Pacific debut across the 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle disciplines.
“It’s my first time competing at Pan Pacs. I am over the moon to be going there,” he said. “It’s a very big competition for me and to be racing the top athletes is very, very cool. I can learn a lot from it.”
He believes familiarity with the environment could prove invaluable when Olympic qualification and medals become the focus.
“It’ll be very good to be that side and experiencing how everything works, so it’s not a big shock when two years come by.”
Both swimmers acknowledge that preparing through South Africa’s winter has demanded discipline.
“Training has been going really well,” said Lotter. “The winter months are definitely challenging, but we’ve stayed consistent and focused on the bigger picture.”
Caldwell echoed that view.
“Once you’ve got a goal in mind, it makes it a lot easier to be training through the cold mornings, cold afternoons.”
That bigger picture still includes Midmar.South Africa’s iconic open water event remains a proving ground where elite ambitions intersect with community participation.
“Midmar is always a major goal, so the build-up will involve a strong training block,” said Lotter.
Caldwell added: “From December I’ll be building up until Midmar. I’m very excited to be racing there again.”
Entries for the 2027 aQuellé Midmar Mile, scheduled for 11 to 14 February, are already open. While thousands will gather at Midmar Dam for the challenge, Lotter and Caldwell offer a reminder that the event is more than a sporting tradition. It remains one of South African swimming’s most reliable springboards to the international stage.
TheTotalsports TWO OCEANS MARATHON powered by BYD has teamed up with global travel specialist Marathon Tours & Travel in a partnership designed to bring even more runners from across the globe to the Mother City over the next three years.
If the World’s Most Beautiful Marathon were a blockbuster movie, Marathon Tours & Travel has become the VIP usher, making sure international athletes walk the red carpet without tripping over paperwork, travel plans or race logistics.
For overseas runners, it means one trusted destination for race entries, flights, accommodation and travel planning. Less admin. More anticipation.
Totalsports TWO OCEANS MARATHON powered by BYD by Devin Paisley
TWO OCEANS MARATHON NPC chairpersonChris Goldschmidt believes the partnership is another milestone in expanding the event’s international footprint.
“We are excited to welcome Marathon Tours & Travel as the exclusive Travel Partner. Their reputation for delivering world class travel experiences makes them the ideal partner to help grow our international reach while ensuring a seamless journey from registration to race day,” he said.
Event director Wade Bromfield said the collaboration would strengthen the race’s global appeal while giving visitors greater confidence when planning their Cape Town adventure.
Every year, thousands dream of conquering Chapman’s Peak, surviving Constantia Nek and soaking up one of road running’s most spectacular finishes.
Getting there, however, has often felt like running an extra marathon before race week even begins.
This partnership promises to change that.
Marathon Tours & Travel’s Head of Product and Operations, Marie Howarth, says helping runners experience Cape Town is a privilege after her own encounters with both the Half Marathon and Ultra Marathon.
“Our teams are dedicated to creating an exceptional race-week experience, ensuring runners are welcomed, supported and inspired every step of the way,” she said.
The announcement arrives as anticipation builds for the 2027 edition.
Two Oceans Half Marathon 2026 by Mark Sampson
South African runners can enter from 3 August, whileBlue Number Club membersalready enjoy early access to the flagship races. International and Rest of Africa athletes will once again bypass the ballot process by entering exclusively through Marathon Tours & Travel.
The world’s most beautiful marathon has never been shy of stealing hearts.
Now it is making the journey there every bit as memorable as crossing the finish line.
South African sport is preparing for another first. From 26 July to 2 August, Pretoria will host the country’s first professional Premier Padel tournament, with the world’s top players heading to theSunBet Arena at Time Square for a landmark event that could reshape the sport’s future across the continent.
ThePretoria Premier Padel P1 is the first tournament of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa, placing South Africa firmly on the global padel map while giving the country’s leading players the chance to test themselves against the world’s elite on home soil.
Richard Ashforth, Luan Krige, Adam Van Harter, Warren Kuhn, Debbie van Aswegen and Marne Roos Photo: Supplied
Richard Ashforth and Luan Krige lead the South African men’s challenge alongside Egmond van Heerden and Jason Milner, while Adam van Harte and Warren Kuhn complete the local representation in the main draw.
In the women’s event, wildcard winners Linge Steenkamp and Zoe Kruger have earned their place among the sport’s biggest names after impressive performances on the domestic circuit.
Linge Steenkamp Photo: Supplied
One of the tournament’s most intriguing stories belongs to 15-year-old Basma Ali. The teenager is the youngest player in the field and will compete alongside some of the world’s finest professionals, highlighting the rapid growth of padel in South Africa and the pathway emerging for the country’s next generation.
Away from the court, organisers have assembled a week-long entertainment programme designed to turn the tournament into a sporting festival.
Jonathan Boynton-Lee and Lebo Mokoena will host the event, with DJ Nick Explicit, tournament mascot Moyà and the Vibe Squad providing entertainment throughout the week.
Finals weekend promises even more star power. DJ Maphorisa headlines Friday’s quarter-finals, Timo ODV takes centre stage during Saturday’s semi-finals, while Sunday’s finals will feature performances by Chrizz Beatz and the Mzansi Youth Choir.
“The Pretoria Premier Padel P1 is much more than a tournament, it’s a defining moment for padel and for South African sport,” said Primedia Sport vice-president Tobie Badenhorst.
“For the first time, South African fans will experience the world’s best professional padel players competing on home soil, while our own athletes have the opportunity to measure themselves against the very best. We look forward to welcoming fans to what promises to be an unforgettable week of sport, entertainment and celebration.”
Fans unable to attend will still be able to follow the action live. ESPN will broadcast the tournament across Sub-Saharan Africa from 27 July to 2 August via DStv Channel 218, StarTimes Channel 248 and ESPN’s linear channels on Disney+ in South Africa.
The closing stages from 31 July to 2 August will also be streamed worldwide on Red Bull TV, with Canal+ carrying the tournament for French-speaking audiences.
With international stars, South Africa’s leading players and a packed entertainment programme sharing the spotlight, Pretoria is preparing to deliver far more than another sporting event. It is set to serve the opening point in what many hope will become padel’s biggest chapter on African soil.
Every rugby team has a heartbeat. Some have a battering ram. The DHL Stormers may have found both wrapped into one compact, relentless hooker who happily answers to one unforgettable nickname. Meet Vernon Paulo.“War Dog.”
It is a label that refuses to loosen its grip, following the 25-year-old from Oakdale, through Bloemfontein, and now into the blue jersey he dreamed of wearing as a boy growing up in Riversdale.
The nickname sounds fierce enough to fill a front row on reputation alone. Paulo smiles at the story behind it.
“I think it comes more from the mobility on the field, actually being always available on attacking options or even on defence. So that’s actually basically where it started. I’m a running dog on the field, then I think that’s where it benefits my game as a player.”
The explanation says as much about his personality as his rugby. Paulo is less interested in barking than chasing. Like a distance runner refusing to see the finish line, he keeps circling back into the contest, hunting carries, tackles and support lines with tireless appetite.
That engine has already begun paying dividends.
Having joined the Stormers earlier this year after making his name with the Toyota Cheetahs, Paulo announced himself with a try on hisStormers XXIII Currie Cup debut against defending champions Griquas at DHL Stadium.
The score grabbed headlines. His mindset deserves equal attention.
“I think it was a lot of excitement being here. Playing rugby here is a massive privilege. You want to make the jersey proud and make the players, team and coaches proud around you. You focus on your job and being good in what you have to do.”
There is no chest-thumping. No grand declarations. The War Dog motif is carried with quiet purpose rather than theatrical growling.
“As a small boy, if you stay in the Western Cape, it’s a dream to play for the Stormers. Most of my childhood role models came out of the Stormers team. When I got the call, it was like a dream come true. Now I’m living that dream and I have to make the best of it.”
Stormers XXIII assistant coach Helmut Lehmann Photo: Stormers.com
“The last four, five, six weeks we’ve really improved a lot. Most importantly it’s getting everybody aligned with the Stormers way.”
Lehmann also praised the group’s resilience after surviving an error-filled opening victory.
“There was a lot of fight, a lot of character from the guys.”
That fighting spirit mirrors Paulo’s own rugby DNA.
He knows tougher examinations await, beginning with a hostile trip to Boland on Sunday where packed stands in Wellington often roar like a restless ocean crashing against the touchline.
Neheng Khatala has done the hard kilometres. Now she wants the reward.
Fresh from an impressive fifth-place finish at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K, the Lesotho 10km record holder believes she is perfectly placed to challenge for top honours at Totalsports Women’s Race on Sunday, 2 August 2026.
The confidence is measured rather than loud, shaped by months of disciplined preparation and sharpened on one of Africa’s deepest elite fields only weeks ago.
“If I execute my race plan well, I believe a great result will follow,” Khatala said.
“Every race is an opportunity to improve, and I want to make the most of it.”
Durban’s fast and flat route has become a magnet for personal bests, with its sweeping beachfront roads often rewarding athletes brave enough to commit from the opening kilometres. The Hollywood Athletics Club athlete hopes it will provide another platform to showcase her growing pedigree.
“It shows the power of women supporting and inspiring one another,” she said.
“Running brings us together regardless of where we come from or our backgrounds. It is an honour to be part of an event that celebrates strength, resilience and unity.”
Khatala says her greatest rival is the athlete she was yesterday.
Neheng Khatala photo by Anthony Grote
“My biggest motivation is becoming the best version of myself. Every race teaches me something new. Growth comes through consistency and hard work.”
She also hopes her journey encourages newcomers to chase their own goals.
“Believe in yourself, be patient with your progress and never compare your journey to anyone else’s. Every champion started with a single step.”
The atmosphere in Durban could also play a decisive role.
“Crowd support always gives me an extra boost. Hearing people cheer helps me find another gear when the race gets tough.”
Victory would carry special significance.
“It would make my family, supporters and my country, Lesotho, proud while motivating me to chase even bigger goals.”
Stillwater Sports Managing Director Michael Meyer believes Khatala is primed for another strong display.
“We look forward to seeing her showcase her talent on this world-class course alongside thousands of women celebrating the joy of running.”
“As one of Africa’s leading distance runners, Neheng’s participation will inspire women of all ages and abilities.”
When the starter’s gun echoes along Durban’s beachfront on Sunday morning, Khatala will not be chasing the clock alone. She will be chasing another step towards becoming one of Africa’s leading road-running names.
