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38 Springboks, Two URC Derbies, One Massive Saturday

Adnaan MohamedNews, Preview, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on 38 Springboks, Two URC Derbies, One Massive Saturday
By Adnaan Mohamed

South African rugby is rolling out the heavy artillery on Saturday, with 38 Springboks spread across two United Rugby Championship derbies promising a feast of collisions, bruising set pieces and simmering provincial pride.

The Stormers host 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.

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.

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.

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)

COASTAL DERBY

DHL Stadium, Cape Town – Kick-off: 16.00

Teams: 

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.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Neethling Fouché, 19 Riley Norton, 20 Connor Evans, 21 Evan Roos, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Wandisile Simelane.

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)

Mphahlele returns to defend Boxer Super Run Durban title

Adnaan MohamedFeatures, News, PreviewLeave a Comment on Mphahlele returns to defend Boxer Super Run Durban title
By Adnaan Mohamed

Ryan Mphahlele will defend his Boxer Super Run Durban 5km title on 18 October knowing he is not at the fitness level that powered him to victory a year ago.

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 Meyer said 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.

The stopwatch will provide the answer.

The Boxer Super Run Johannesburg takes place on Sunday, 15 November, with entries also sold out.

Gqeberha could make or break Glenrose’s historic title chase

Adnaan MohamedFeatures, News, PreviewLeave a Comment on Gqeberha could make or break Glenrose’s historic title chase
By Adnaan Mohamed

Glenrose Xaba’s Spar Grand Prix dream is heading into dangerous territory.

The Boxer Athletics Club star has a shot at becoming the first woman to win four SPAR Grand Prix titles, but Saturday’s penultimate race in Gqeberha could send the championship race into overdrive.

Xaba currently shares the record of three Grand Prix crowns with fellow South Africans Rene Kalmer and Irvette van Zyl, and Ethiopia’s Tadu Nare.

A victory in this year’s series would put her alone at the top.

But the road to history is littered with potholes.

Cacisile Sosibo, Xaba’s Boxer teammate, leads the standings on 80 points, with Hollywood Athletics Club’s Tayla Kavanagh on 60 and Xaba third.

Kavanagh will miss Gqeberha after staying in Europe following the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, where she smashed Elana Meyer’s South African 5km record with a sensational 14:51.

That absence has opened the door for the chasing pack.

And they are coming.

Ethiopian Selam Gebre, currently fourth, will be among those hunting points, while Karabo Mailula, sixth, arrives after finishing fifth in Thursday’s Absa RUN YOUR CITY Joburg 10K in 34:44.

Irvette van Zyl, another three-time Grand Prix champion, clocked 34:51 in Joburg and sits 10th overall.

Neheng Khatala, Cian Gerber (Oldknow) and Karabo More are also expected to throw themselves into the points battle.

Xaba, meanwhile, is carrying serious form into Gqeberha.

She finished 13th in the Copenhagen half marathon in 1:07:49, the second-fastest 21km time of her career.

Sosibo was 70th in 1:14:00 and will be determined to protect her championship lead.

Then there is the course.

SPAR Grand Prix technical consultant Brad Glasspoole says the new route could produce a furious finish.

“The new Gqeberha route starts at Pollok Beach and avoids the city centre. This reduces traffic, turns and twists,” Glasspoole told Modern Athlete

“There is a 550m climb on 10th Avenue, followed by a 450m descent. The final 2.5km is flat and fast.”

That final stretch could become a sprinting lottery, with tired legs and championship points fighting for the same piece of road.

About 6,000 runners are expected, with wet and windy conditions forecast.

Glasspoole believes the new qualification rule could make Saturday even more important.

“This is a new rule we introduced this year to make the series more competitive. With Johannesburg as the final leg after Gqeberha, Saturday’s points could be decisive.”

Athletes must complete at least three races to qualify for the Grand Prix title.

The five-race series visits Cape Town, Durban, Tshwane, Gqeberha and Johannesburg, with R1,967,500 in total prize money and up to R212,000 available per leg for the South African competition.

Caster Semenya at starting line during the 2025 SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge and 5km Fun Run at Green Point Common Sports Ground on March 30, 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)

Xaba, Sosibo, Mailula and More are coached by former Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya and her wife Violet Semenya.

Saturday is therefore no ordinary 10km.

For Xaba, it is another step towards history.

For Sosibo, it is a chance to tighten her grip.

And for the chasing pack, it is open season.

Gqeberha is ready. The title race is on.

Rassie unleashes Malcolm Marx flank Masterplan

Adnaan MohamedNews, Preview, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Rassie unleashes Malcolm Marx flank Masterplan
By Adnaan Mohamed

Rassie ready to unleash World Player of the Year in new role against Wallabies

Rassie Erasmus is cooking up another Springbok surprise, and this one could see the World Player of the Year, Malcolm Marx, packing down far from his usual hunting ground.

Erasmus continues to redefine squad management, introducing 13 changes for the Test against Australia while building leadership depth through Andre Esterhuizen’s appointment as captain.

Malcolm Marx has been named among the replacements for Sunday’s showdown with Australia in Perth, but Erasmus has revealed the wrecking-ball hooker could be unleashed at flank when he storms onto the field.

Yes, flank.

The revelation adds serious spice to an already radically reshuffled Bok pack as Erasmus attempts to keep his warriors fresh while building the depth he believes will be crucial at the next World Cup.

“Even later in the game, if Ox Nché comes on, Jan-Hendrik might move to hooker, and we’ve been trying Malcolm on the flank as well,” Erasmus said.

That means Marx could swap the No 2 jersey for the loose-forward trenches, where his ferocious carrying, physicality and breakdown work could give the Wallabies another headache.

And if that sounds like classic Rassie rugby roulette, it is.

The Boks have also thrown another curveball at No 8, with Marco van Staden packing down at the back of the scrum alongside Elrigh Louw and Paul de Villiers.

But Erasmus made it clear that Van Staden’s biggest assignment is not wearing the traditional No 8 hat.

“There’s not a specific role for the eighthman apart from scrumming,” the Bok boss said.

The real battlefield will be the breakdown.

“If you take Paul, Marco, Elrigh, Jasper [Wiese] if he comes on, André Esterhuizen and others, I think the breakdown battle is going to be massive.

“Marco will have a massive impact there. Like Fraser McReight and the guys in their team, there are certainly guys who can disrupt a defensive breakdown. They’re really good at that and hopefully Marco can help sort that out for us.”

With Australia boasting breakdown pests of their own, Van Staden has been handed the dirty-work job.

The Boks have also built a safety net should the pack start falling apart.

If Louw or De Villiers are forced off, Franco Mostert can move into the loose-forward mix, while captain André Esterhuizen can shift to either blindside or openside.

Then there is Jasper Wiese, waiting in the wings for his 50th Test cap.

Jasper Wiese will earn his 50th Springbok cap from the bench Photo: X.com

Erasmus admitted he would have preferred to start the powerful No 8, but wanted insurance on the bench if the new-look starting combination hits turbulence.

“We’d have loved to start Jasper, but we need some security on the bench,” he said.

“We’re sure the guys who are going to start are going to be a little bit energetic and haven’t played for a while. There might be some combination hiccups.”

Up front, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Zachary Porthen will pack down either side of hooker Johan Grobbelaar.

The selections are part of Erasmus’ bigger body-management operation, with Grobbelaar getting his opportunity after Deon Fourie played three Tests in succession at 39.

“[Deon Fourie] playing three Test matches in a row at the age of 39, Grobbies deserves a chance now.”

Erasmus also stressed that Wessels and Grobbelaar have experience against Australia, adding another layer to the selection gamble.

“We’re trying to save the bodies, and manage the guys while winning but also building some squad depth.”

In Perth, therefore, the Boks are not merely taking a hammer to the Wallabies.

They are sharpening every blade in the toolbox.

And if Marx really does appear at flank, Australia could discover that Rassie’s bench has teeth in places nobody expected.

Sunday’s contest, kicking off at 11:45 SA time on SuperSport, is more than another Test. It is another examination of Erasmus’ greatest creation: a Springbok system where stars rest, leaders emerge and the conveyor belt never stops moving.

SPRINGBOKS – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 André Esterhuizen (c), 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Marco van Staden, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Bench: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Ox Nché, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21 Morné van den Berg, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Quan Horn.

Gerda Steyn’s Free State homecoming gets a 10km twist

Adnaan MohamedComrades Marathon, Features, Preview, Totalsports Two Oceans MarathonLeave a Comment on Gerda Steyn’s Free State homecoming gets a 10km twist
By Adnaan Mohamed

Gerda Steyn will trade ultra-marathon endurance for 10km speed when she lines up at the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K in Bloemfontein on Sunday, 25 October.

For one of South Africa’s most accomplished road runners, the race carries a personal significance. Steyn grew up in the Free State and attended university there, yet has never raced competitively in the province.

She describes her Mangaung debut as a “homecoming” and a full-circle moment.

“The Free State is where I grew up and also where I went to university. Being part of this first Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K feels like a homecoming, a full-circle moment because I’ve never actually raced in the Free State or the Northern Cape,” Steyn said.

“I’m sure I will recognise every corner and every turn. Racing a 10km also exposes me to a different side of the running community because I get to meet different people and new faces that I don’t get to meet at the marathons and the ultra-marathons. It’s very, very special indeed.”

Steyn arrives with formidable credentials. The seven-time Totalsports TWO OCEANS ULTRA MARATHON champion and five-time Comrades Marathon winner has a 10km personal best of 32:24, set in 2020.

The shorter distance will also serve a practical purpose as she rebuilds her speed following another demanding ultra-marathon season.

“I always find that stepping down from the ultra-marathon and marathon distance to race a 10km is very beneficial,” she said.

“After success at the Totalsports TWO OCEANS ULTRA MARATHON and Comrades Marathons this year, I’ve had time to recover and I’m back on the road again, working on my speed.”

The “Smiling Assassin” knows the 10km demands a different kind of aggression.

“The training and the racing for 10km is quite different to the long distances. There’s no room for mistakes. You have to be ready to go from the gun, which forces me to stay sharp and keep focusing on the speed side of my training.”

Steyn has previous experience of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, having competed in the inaugural Tshwane 10K in 2023.

The series began in Cape Town in 2015 and attracted more than 50 000 runners across the country last year. Mangaung becomes its sixth city.

“I think from the start the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has had such a wonderful reputation for bringing mass participation and world-class elite-level performances to the heart of South Africa’s urban spaces,” Steyn said.

“Every runner can attest to the fact that the experience, from entering the race to finishing the race, is always so pleasant, which is why we have seen its tremendous growth.”

For Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder, Steyn’s appearance adds another dimension to the inaugural event.

“Gerda has such a strong connection to the Free State, so to have her return to race here for the first time makes this a particularly special moment,” Meyer said.

The race starts at 07:00 at the Sir George Grey Street exit of Grey College, with the finish on Kings Way.

Steyn’s target is straightforward.

“My aim is to get the most out of myself on race day, which is all I can ask of myself.”

In Mangaung, the ultra queen gets a chance to show how sharp her shorter-distance claws remain.

Websites: www.runyourcityseries.com

Tatjana is back: Olympic star returns for SA Championships

Adnaan MohamedNews, Preview, SwimmingLeave a Comment on Tatjana is back: Olympic star returns for SA Championships
By Adnaan Mohamed

The return of Tatjana Smith has injected fresh electricity into next week’s South African Short Course Championships, turning a routine national meet into one of the country’s most intriguing swimming stories of the year.

Tatjana Smith – Credit World Aquatics

Smith, formerly Schoenmaker, will return to competition at the GC Jolliffe swimming pool from 24 to 27 September, almost two years after retiring following her gold and silver medals at the Paris Olympics.

The four-time Olympic medallist is entered in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke, as well as several relays for her new Stellenbosch-based team, Lane Leader.

Tatjana Smith gold – Credit World Aquatics

Swimming South Africa Head of High Performance Dean Price welcomed her return.

“We’re very excited that Tatjana is coming back to swimming. We know Tatjana is an excellent racer, so you can really count on her in a big event. I think she’ll be a huge addition to our team, and I think not only in the individual, but I think she can be of great value in the relays as well… We look forward to her competing in her first event, and we feel very confident that she’s going to do very well.”

Michael Houlie, a Commonwealth Games silver medallist and former national teammate, believes Smith’s new-found freedom could make her particularly dangerous.

Michael Houlie – Credit SASCOC-Team SA

“She’s a phenomenal swimmer, but more importantly, she looks like a happy swimmer right now. And that could be dangerous for everyone else, so the world better watch out,” he said.

“She has absolutely nothing left to prove, which means she has the opportunity to race completely free and just enjoy swimming again.”

Duné Coetzee, another former Tokyo teammate, added: “I think it is amazing that she is coming back. She is the best there is and such a huge inspiration to me. I’m really excited to see her race again and to learn from her.”

Houlie will also make his first appearance at the championships since 2018, targeting qualification for December’s World Short Course Championships in Beijing in the 50m and 100m breaststroke and 50m freestyle.

“Short course metres is a different type of racing,” he said, pointing to the increased demands of walls, pullouts and transitions.

Coetzee brings another compelling storyline. Having moved to Pietermaritzburg a month ago to train at Seals Swimming Club under Wayne Riddin, she will race eight individual freestyle and butterfly events in her home training pool.

Dune Coetzee – Credit SA Sports Images

“Training has been going exceptionally well,” she said. “I’ve been doing some of the hardest sets I have ever done, which has been really motivating and has also given me a lot of confidence in my swimming.”

Commonwealth Games relay medallists Hannah Pearse, Georgia Nel, Guy Brooks and Chris Smith are also entered, while Para swimmer Christian Sadie arrives fresh from winning S7 50m freestyle gold in Glasgow.

For four days, the 25m pool will become a cauldron of turns, underwater battles and stopwatch drama.

Smith’s comeback supplies the headline.

The racing will supply the verdict.

Springboks vs All Blacks: Baltimore Rugby Brawl Awaits

Adnaan MohamedAll Blacks, News, Preview, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Springboks vs All Blacks: Baltimore Rugby Brawl Awaits
By Adnaan Mohamed

The All Blacks are desperate. The Springboks are hunting. Baltimore is the battleground.

There will be nowhere to hide when the Springboks and All Blacks slug it out in Baltimore on Saturday.

This is rugby stripped down to its studs: four games in a row, two wounded heavyweights, one series trophy and enough national pride to power a stadium.

The Boks lead. The All Blacks want to drag them into the gutter and level the series.

Siya Kolisi has seen this movie before. He knows the haka comes with teeth.

“We definitely want to win the series,” said the Springbok captain.

“We don’t want to draw it, and that has been our mindset this week.”

Translation: the Boks have no appetite for polite handshakes and participation medals.

They want the trophy.

They want the win.

And, above everything, they want South Africans to puff out their chests.

“We’ve all seen in the last three games that if you are not at your best, they have what it takes to punish you. But so do we, and we want to make sure we keep making our people proud.”

The stakes are already sky-high. Then rugby decided to throw another log on the fire.

Saturday marks Rassie Erasmus’ 100th Test match in his two Springbok roles as head coach and Director of Rugby.

For Kolisi, this four-Test marathon has felt less like a series and more like a succession of World Cup finals.

“In my experience, it doesn’t get tougher than this. It’s like playing four Rugby World Cup finals in as many weeks given the quality of both teams.”

That is not hype. That is a warning label.

The All Blacks have changed personnel and brought Richie Mo’unga back at flyhalf. Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick expected the move and reckons New Zealand could unleash an even more adventurous attack.

“Richie is world class and we know him well,” said Stick.

“I think the All Blacks are going to be even more bold tomorrow when it comes to keeping the ball alive and using the wide channels, and we know how dangerous they are.”

So expect the ball to fly, bodies to fly and somebody’s game plan to eventually crash into the advertising hoardings.

The Bok answer?

Bring the thunder.

“The most important aspect for us is to enforce our game on them physically and go from there,” Stick said.

That phrase, enforce our game, should make the All Blacks nervous.

Because the Boks are not arriving in Maryland to admire the scenery.

They are arriving to impose themselves.

Kolisi, meanwhile, has no intention of allowing outside noise to hijack the Bok blueprint.

“Our system isn’t rigid. We can play set-piece rugby and a kicking game. We don’t have a system that says we have to play a certain way. It’s one that creates opportunities for us to play.”

And Baltimore is already buzzing.

Stick says South Africans are everywhere, dressed in green and gold and travelling from across the United States to back their team.

“There are a lot of South Africans here and the vibe is great, so we are excited about the opportunity to promote rugby in the USA.”

Even Stick got a taste of American sporting culture, watching baseball and ticking an item off his bucket list.

His verdict on the pitchers?

“I thought (Kagiso) Rabada (Proteas bowler) was fast until I saw those pitchers.”

Now the Boks need to throw a few fastballs of their own.

Kick-off is 17h00 Baltimore time, 23h00 SA time, live on SuperSport.

Erasmus has 100 Tests to celebrate.

Kolisi has cap 107.

The All Blacks have desperation.

The Boks have a trophy to grab.

Baltimore has been warned.

Hollywood Athletics Club stars headline Gun Run

Adnaan MohamedNews, PreviewLeave a Comment on Hollywood Athletics Club stars headline Gun Run
By Adnaan Mohamed

Irvette van Zyl returns to the OUTsurance Gun Run this weekend after a seven-year absence, with the four-time Olympian targeting another fast performance on the Cape Town course where she produced one of the event’s most notable runs.

Van Zyl will contest Sunday’s 21.1km Half Marathon, while fellow Hollywood Athletics Club athlete Stephen Mokoka lines up in Saturday’s 10km, where the 41-year-old veteran enters as one of the leading contenders.

Van Zyl’s last appearance at the Gun Run came in 2019, when she won the women’s half-marathon in 1:12:11.

That remains the second-fastest women’s time in the race’s history, behind Elana van Zyl’s 1:10:55 course record set in 1999.

The performance was particularly impressive given that Van Zyl had undergone significant surgery earlier that year before returning to top form.

Seven years later, she is looking forward to tackling the course again.

“I’m quite excited,” Van Zyl said.

“This is the first time I will be back running it since 2019. I knew I wanted to go back but never had the chance. So yeah, just excited everything worked out this year that I can go and run it.”

The 30-year-old knows the course well and remains fond of its combination of challenge and scenery.

“I like the route. It has a bit of a tough hill in it and yeah, it’s just nice views running it and it’s almost a great atmosphere running in Cape Town and going through C point at the finish.”

Van Zyl has set herself a realistic target rather than chasing her 2019 performance at all costs.

“I’m hoping for close to that time that I did run in 2019. So anything under 73 I’ll be very happy with, but the weather also has to play with. So we’ll see.”

For the South African marathoner, the significance of her return extends beyond the stopwatch.

“But yeah, I’m just excited to be healthy and be running and just be back after seven years of absence and really looking forward to it.”

While Van Zyl will be chasing another strong performance over 21.1km, Mokoka will be aiming to make an immediate impact on his Gun Run debut.

The former South African 10km record holder boasts a 27:38 personal best, recorded in Manchester in 2015, as well as a 59:36 half-marathon best and a 2:06 marathon personal best.

His longevity remains one of the defining features of his career. Mokoka is a four-time Olympian and has represented South Africa at five World Championships.

His 2026 season has also demonstrated that his speed remains intact, including a sub-29-minute performance at the Hollywoodbets Durban 10km.

Last year’s Gun Run 10km winner, Adam Lipschitz, has moved up to the half-marathon this year, where he will target the course record.

That leaves Mokoka as the leading name in the 10km field, although several Cape Town-based athletes will be hoping to disrupt his winning plans.

The weekend therefore offers Hollywood Athletics Club two experienced international performers with very different objectives.

For Van Zyl, it is a long-awaited return to a course where she has already left her mark.

For Mokoka, it is an opportunity to add a Gun Run victory to an already decorated distance-running career.

The stopwatch will settle the argument.

Etzebeth: All Blacks series tougher than a World Cup

Adnaan MohamedAll Blacks, Features, News, Preview, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Etzebeth: All Blacks series tougher than a World Cup
By Adnaan Mohamed

Eben Etzebeth believes the Springboks’ unprecedented four-Test series against the All Blacks ranks among the toughest challenges international rugby can offer.

The veteran lock, who has experienced both the highs and lows of South Africa’s rivalry with New Zealand, says the significance of the Baltimore finale extends beyond another Test match.

“I think every Test match against the All Blacks is special,” Etzebeth said.

“Every Test match you put the green and gold jersey on is special and every time we play the All Blacks we know the rivalry and what it means to them as well as to us.”

The Springboks head into the fourth consecutive weekend of Test rugby against New Zealand knowing the result will determine the series.

For Etzebeth, the physical and mental demands of such a schedule make it a unique challenge.

“I think, challenge-wise, this is surely the toughest in rugby: to play New Zealand four times in a row and try to win the series,” he said.

“So, my answer to the question is, it’s not as special as a World Cup win, but it is still harder than a World Cup to win because you play against New Zealand, which, over the years, have been the number-one or number-two team in the world for a long time.”

“This is definitely one of the tougher challenges in rugby.”

Etzebeth’s own return has added another dimension to the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Series.

After a lengthy period disrupted by suspension, injury and concussion, the 33-year-old admitted that watching from the sidelines had been difficult.

“It was a bit frustrating, obviously not getting a lot of rugby under my belt,” he said.

“It was nice to be back. It was nice to play the first Test against Argentina again and get a full 80.”

He was particularly frustrated after being forced to withdraw from the England Test during the week.

“It was tough to watch the guys from the side obviously in the mix for that England game and then had to withdraw in the week. But yeah, great to be back.”

The enforced break also gave him an opportunity to work on his game.

“Every year you try to be a better version of yourself and you try to add to your skill set,” Etzebeth said.

“I think the time off gave me that opportunity as well. So yeah, I just trained hard and tried to get back into the mix.”

The Springboks’ response after losing the opening Test has been another key feature of their campaign.

Etzebeth credited both the coaching staff and players for ensuring the team responded under pressure.

“When you don’t have a good game, they’ll tell us,” he said.

“Also the players, I think every time we don’t start well, we pull together.”

He pointed to previous experiences, including the British & Irish Lions series and World Cups, as evidence of the group’s resilience.

“We’ve been in this situation before and yeah, it happened again and we said after the first Test match that we can’t lose another game. So the pressure was on.”

The Baltimore Test also provides rugby with an opportunity to expand its American audience ahead of the 2031 World Cup.

It will be Etzebeth’s first match in the United States.

“With the World Cup coming up in 2031, they’re definitely trying to grow it in America,” he said.

“I think this Test match is definitely a good start, us against the All Blacks here in Baltimore.”

For Etzebeth, there is a simple way to introduce new American supporters to the sport.

“The best way to sell it is to have them come to the stadium and enjoy the experience and see us play, the first and second-best team in the world.”

After three bruising Tests, the rivalry now gets its American stage.

For Etzebeth, that is precisely where rugby’s biggest challenges belong.

Joburg 10K set for Heritage Day takeover

Adnaan MohamedEvent Update!, Features, News, PreviewLeave a Comment on Joburg 10K set for Heritage Day takeover
By Adnaan Mohamed

Thousands of runners will storm the streets of the City of Gold on Thursday, 24 September, turning Heritage Day into a spectacular Joburg 10km takeover.

The sold-out Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K will unleash a stampede of running shoes onto Lilian Ngoyi Street from 08:00, with the M1 and M2 highways transformed into a giant sporting playground before the finish on Rahima Moosa Street.

For one morning, Joburg’s legendary hustle will have a new soundtrack: thousands of pounding feet, screaming spectators, pumping music and the thunder of a city celebrating its heritage.

Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K by Tobias Ginsberg

This is road running with a Mzansi twist.

The route will be crammed with entertainment, cheer zones and sponsor activations from Absa, PUMA, Powerade, AVIS and Heineken, creating a colourful carnival designed to showcase the diversity, history and unmistakable swagger of Johannesburg.

Stillwater Sports managing director and Series founder Michael Meyer says the race will offer runners a different view of the metropolis.

“We’re excited to bring thousands of runners together in Johannesburg on National Heritage Day for what promises to be a fantastic celebration of running, culture and community.”

Meyer says the energy of the route, entertainment and spectators will create an atmosphere that is uniquely Joburg.

Absa Head of Sponsorship Jabulile Nsibanyoni says the event will turn the streets into a moving celebration of South African identity.

“At Absa, we are passionate about creating memorable experiences that bring communities together, and this event is a true reflection of that commitment.”

She says the entertainment has been carefully curated to celebrate Joburg’s rich heritage and cultural traditions.

“Both participants and spectators can look forward to a dynamic showcase of performances reflecting the warmth, diversity, and energy Joburg is known for.”

Then comes the speed trap.

Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K by Charles Ndou

PUMA Run Train Marketing Manager Rae Trew-Browne says the Heritage Day edition has a personality of its own.

“Every Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series event has its own personality, and Joburg’s Heritage Day edition promises to be particularly special.”

The PUMA Speed Zone will add another turbocharged dimension to the race.

“It’s a chance for every participant to embrace their own version of TOO FAST while enjoying the incredible atmosphere that makes the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series so special,” says Trew-Browne.

The stakes are already high after a sizzling 2026 series.

Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K by Charles Ndou

Adriaan Wildschutt won Gqeberha in 27:47, Joshua Cheptegei blitzed Durban in 27:19 and Salem Kibet conquered Tshwane in 28:45. Kenya’s Brenda Jepchirchir won Gqeberha in 30:15, while Doreen Cherop claimed victories in Durban and Tshwane in 30:43 and 31:35 respectively.

Cape Town’s 10K was cancelled because of a severe weather forecast.

Now Joburg gets the spotlight.

And on Heritage Day, the City of Gold will not be walking.

IT WILL BE RUNNING!

For further information please visit https://runyourcityseries.com/