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.
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 Clubveteran 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.
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.”
“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 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 teammateNeheng 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.
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 fortheir 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.
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.
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.
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.
South African rugby is rolling out the heavy artillery on Saturday, with 38 Springboks spread across twoUnited Rugby Championshipderbies promising a feast of collisions, bruising set pieces and simmering provincial pride.
The Stormershost the Sharks at DHL Stadium Cape Town, while the Bulls welcome the Lions to Loftus Versfeld for the latest chapter in the Jukskei rivalry. With 24 Springboks involved in the coastal showdown and another 14 at Loftus, the domestic stage will resemble a Test-match shop window with provincial colours.
The scene is set for the strongest exhibition of South Africa’s locally based Test quality this season.
The Cape derby carries extra theatre. The Stormers revive their famous Men in Black jersey, welcome 50 former players and their families, and celebrate Siya Kolisi’s return to familiar territory.
Coastal rivalry.@Springboks firepower. Forward warfare. @THESTORMERS vs @SharksRugby at DHL Stadium promises 80 minutes of fast, physical and relentless rugby.Sharks chasing a hat-trick. Stormers unleashing 11 Boks. Cape Town, buckle up.#StormersSharks#URC#Rugby Read…
Sentiment will fill the stands, but the scoreboard will demand hard currency.
Kolisi’s presence adds leadership and emotional weight to a Stormers side featuring 11 Springboks in its match-day squad. Wilco Louw returns to the Cape franchise for the first time since 2020, setting up a heavyweight scrum engagement with Sharks prop Ox Nché.
Their duel deserves a prize-fight billing. One dominant shove, one mistimed bind or one costly penalty could swing territory, momentum and the match. In the front row, reputations are built one brutal reset at a time.
The Sharks arrive with a dangerous memory: their 30-19 victory in Cape Town on 24 January and two wins over the Stormers last season. JP Pietersen’s side knows the coastal road can be travelled successfully, making the derby a stern examination of John Dobson’s returning Springbok contingent.
The news you have been waiting for 📰
The Hollywoodbets Sharks are locked in for Saturday’s coastal derby against the DHL Stormers in Cape Town 🦈⛈️
Andre Esterhuizen captains the side as the Sharks go in search of a third straight @Vodacom#URC win.
Dobson has selected his strongest available team, while the Sharks bring their own international firepower, including Nché and Eben Etzebeth. The aerial contest and forward exchanges could turn DHL Stadium into a pressure cooker where every loose ball carries the threat of an explosive counterattack.
The Jukskei derby brings its own combustible ingredients. The Bulls and Lions have contrasting provincial identities and plenty of incentive to seize bragging rights in Pretoria. Last season, the Lions won at Loftus, while the Bulls triumphed at Ellis Park, proof that familiar surroundings offer no guaranteed shelter.
Beyond the established Springboks, both derbies give members of South Africa’s successful Under-20 teams a valuable measuring stick against players who have conquered the international arena. For Rassie Erasmus and his coaching staff, the evidence will be found in the details: decision-making under pressure, physical resilience, tactical discipline and the ability to deliver when the contest tightens.
The next generation will have to earn every centimetre. Reputation might open the door, but performance determines who owns the jersey.
𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 & 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲.
Our Springboks are back and ready for derby weekend at Loftus.
Saturday’s double bill is a celebration of local rugby’s depth and a reminder that provincial loyalty remains a powerful force. The Stormers want their black strip to become a symbol of renewed authority; the Sharks will arrive eager to spoil the homecoming. At Loftus, the Bulls and Lions will fight for control of a rivalry that rarely travels quietly.
Thirty-eight Springboks provide the star power. Two derbies supply the combustible atmosphere. The rest is up to the players, the pressure and the occasional referee’s whistle that will send an entire stadium into a philosophical debate.
South African rugby has cleared the stage. Now the derbies must deliver the fireworks.
JUKSKEI DERBY
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – Kick-off: 13.30
Teams:
Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Hanro Liebenberg (captain), 6 Jeandre Rudolph, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Alu Tshakweni, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Cheswill Jooste
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Ethan Adams, 12 Henco van Wyk, 11 Richard Kriel, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horne (captain), 7 Siba Qoma, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 Sebastian Lombard, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Boan Venter Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 JP du Preez, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 Siba Mahashe, 22 Nico Steyn, 23 Boeta Chamberlain.
Referee: Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa) Assistant referees: Christopher Allison (South Africa), Jonathan Lottering (South Africa) TMO: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
Sharks: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi,7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Matt Romao, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Eduan Swart,1 Ox Nche Replacements: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Stephan Lewies, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Ivan van Zyl, 23 Gianni Lombard
Referee: Morné Ferreira (South Africa) Assistant referees: Griffin Colby (South Africa), Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa) TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
CAPE TOWN –Haashim Peadhas barely pulled on aDHL Stormers jersey and already John Dobson has placed an intriguing name alongside his: Antoine Dupont.
The 21-year-old Bo-Kaap scrumhalf is set to make his Stormers debut from the replacements bench against the Hollywoodbets Sharks at DHL Stadium on Saturday, with Dobson comparing his potential with the French superstar who previously won the Junior World Championship Player of the Tournament award.
It is a remarkable reference point for a youngster whose own global breakthrough came at the 2025 World Rugby Under-20 Championship, where Pead was named Player of the Tournament after producing electric running, rapid service and instinctive attacking rugby.
“We went to a lot of trouble to get him,” Dobson said.
“He’s world-class … I don’t want to use that term glibly, but he’s a high-quality player.
“With all respect to Stef [Ungerer] and André [Warner], Haashim is the future. The quicker we get him on the field and develop him, the better.”
That is a sizeable endorsement before Pead has even played his first senior match for the Stormers.
The Lions moved quickly to sign him after his Junior World Championship heroics, although opportunities in Johannesburg were limited. His four-year Stormers deal has now brought him back to Cape Town, the city he calls home and the team he dreamed of representing as a child.
Pead grew up on the cobbled streets of Dorp Street in the Bo-Kaap, less than 2km from DHL Stadium. On Saturday, he could walk onto the pitch in the Stormers jersey he once imagined wearing as a youngster.
He will deputise for two-time Rugby World Cup winner Cobus Reinach, giving the teenage sensation a front-row view of the demands of elite professional rugby.
Pead’s challenge is now to turn potential into production.
The scrumhalf has the speed to exploit broken-field opportunities and the passing game to accelerate the Stormers’ attack. The Sharks derby will offer a very different examination from the junior international stage.
The Stormers have surrounded him with serious experience, naming 11 Springboks in their match-day squad. Seven returning internationals are set to make their first Stormers appearances of the season.
Damian Willemse starts at fullback, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu partners Reinach at halfback and Siya Kolisi moves to blindside flank. Wilco Louw is also set for his first Stormers appearance since 2020.
Then there is the bench.
Fourie, who has 141 Stormers caps, provides veteran guidance alongside Evan Roos, Riley Norton, Connor Evans, Neethling Fouché, Vernon Matongo and Wandisile Simelane.
The Stormers will also wear their new black kit, reviving the iconic 1999 Men in Black campaign.
Dobson expects the occasion to resonate with supporters.
“This weekend we also play our first match in the new Men in Black kit, which is a great nod to our past and something which resonates deeply with our fans.”
For Pead, the symbolism is even stronger.
The world has already seen his potential.
Now Cape Town gets its first look.
And if Dobson’s Dupont comparison proves to be more than a headline, the Bo-Kaap boy could be at the beginning of something extraordinary.
DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
The Tembisa-based runner won both Durban and Johannesburg in 2025, but says this year’s race will serve as a measure of where he stands against a strong elite field.
“Whenever I line up at a race, I want to win,” Mphahlele said. “But my fitness isn’t anywhere near where it was at this time last year. I’ll definitely compete for the win, but I’ll also use the race to see where my fitness is now and how I compare with the other athletes.”
Mphahlele returns to a fast, flat Durban course he favours, although his previous victory offers little comfort ahead of another fiercely contested race.
Last year’s win required a fight to the finish, and the defending champion expects the competition to be tougher this time.
“I enjoy the fast, flat course and expect the tactics to be similar to last year,” he said. “The standard was already very high, and the win didn’t come easily.”
The attractive prize purse adds another incentive to an elite race that has already attracted a sold-out field.
Stillwater Sports managing director Michael Meyersaid Mphahlele’s return would add further intrigue to the contest, particularly given his candid assessment of his preparation.
The elite women’s race starts at 09:45, with the elite men following at 10:00 at Snell Parade near Blue Lagoon Park.
For Mphahlele, the race offers two targets: another title and an answer to a more immediate question about his form.
JOHANNESBURG – “Something must be done about the horrific levels of gender-based violence in South Africa.”Gerda Steyn’s powerful words set the tone for the finalSPAR Women’s Grand Prix race in Johannesburg on Sunday, where thousands of women turned the City of Gold into a moving sea of solidarity before Glenrose “Supercharger” Xaba powered her way into the history books.
Steyn led a moment of silence before the race to honour victims of gender-based violence and femicide, while the elite athletes wore black armbands in solidarity with women living under the shadow of violence.
Hollywood AC’s Hollywood AC’s Irvette van Zyl, Makhosi Mhlongoand Gerda Steyn at the start of the 2026 SPAR Women’s Grand Prix and 10km Challenge and 5km Fun Run at Marks Park Sports Club (Photo by Reg Caldecott/Gallo Images)
“Women should be able to go about their daily lives without fear, and if they want to run, they should be free to do so without wondering whether they will get home safely,” said Steyn.
The message carried extra weight on a morning when about 15 000 women took to the streets for the Jozi SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge.
Then came the moment that mattered more than the stopwatch.
Xaba had already etched her name into SPAR Grand Prix history when she stormed across the Marks Park finish line in 32:26 to win the fifth and final race of the series and secure an unprecedented fourth Grand Prix title.
Seconds later, the 29-year-old Boxer athlete found her 89-year-old grandmother, Elizabeth Xaba, and wrapped her in an emotional embrace.
It was the first time Elizabeth had watched her granddaughter race live.
The stopwatch recorded 32:26. The embrace recorded something far more personal.
“My grandma is a special lady to me. She’s very close to my heart and I’m so happy that she’s there to witness the thing that I’m doing,” Xaba said.
“She taught me very well and she always believes in me and always motivates me all the time. If I’m feeling down, she’s always there for me.
“I can say that I love her so much and she loves me too. And I’m glad that she’s there today.”
Xaba’s victory completed a remarkable season in which her trademark acceleration once again turned the final kilometres into a launching pad.
Glenrose Xaba celebrates her 2026 SPAR Women’s Grand Prix victory with her grandmother Elizabeth Xaba at Marks Park Sports Club. (Photo by Reg Caldecott/Gallo Images)
Her Boxer teammate Karabo More followed her home in 33:36 for second place, with Selam Gebre of Nedbank third in 33:52. Esther Borura finished fourth in 34:25, followed by Irvette van Zyl in 34:42.
More, who has repeatedly shown her resilience throughout the series, said she was proud of another podium finish after a demanding week.
“I’m really proud of myself. It was a very challenging week. I think I had to push from start to finish,” she said. “It’s all about your mental state. If it’s very strong, you can fight. By God’s grace, I was able to get another podium finish.”
Karabo Mailula was sixth in 35:14, Steyn seventh in 35:23, Kyla Jacobs eighth in 35:25, Emma Browne ninth in 35:31 and Dirbe Dagne 10th in 35:51.
On a morning when running became a platform for solidarity, Xaba supplied the history and her grandmother supplied the heart.
The final image was fitting: a champion who had spent 10km chasing the clock finally stopped to embrace the person who had helped her believe she could outrun it.
