Chery South Africa has announced the renewal of its sponsorship of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, extending the partnership for an additional three years from 2026. The renewal follows four successful years of collaboration and coincides with the fourth anniversary of Chery’s relaunch in South Africa.
The partnership has played a key role in the continued growth and success of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, with Chery South Africa serving as the Official Vehicle Partner. Chery’s fleet supports event logistics and operations across all host cities, contributing to a seamless race experience from build-up week through to race day.
“We are proud to welcome them for another three years as we continue to deliver world-class running events across South Africa.”
Wade Bromfield and Verene Petersen by Ray van Breda
Tony Liu, CEO of Chery South Africa, says the brand is excited to continue the journey. “Over the past four years, we’ve built a strong partnership and created memorable experiences for runners and Chery owners alike. We look forward to further strengthening our connection with the running community and the cities we celebrate.”
Chery at Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series by David-Sullivan
The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series features five major 10km races in Gqeberha, Cape Town, Durban, Tshwane and Johannesburg. The renewed partnership will continue to focus on innovation, performance and enhanced runner and supporter experiences.
The DHL Stormers may have crossed the whitewash six times, but Director of Rugby John Dobson insists the performance that dismantled a youthful Stade Rochelais outfit would be stopped cold by South African rivals if repeated in the coming weeks.
The 42–21 Investec Champions Cupwin at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, the Capetonians’ eighth straight victory in all competitions, lifted them to the top of Pool Three, ahead of four-time champions Leinster. Yet beneath the glossy scoreline, Dobson saw cracks that could be ruthlessly exposed in the Vodacom URC derbies that loom next.
The Stormers flew out of the blocks. Wings Dylan Maart and Leolin Zas struck inside the opening seven minutes, the hosts surging ahead as if the contest might be over before it began. Instead, composure ebbed, forced passes crept in, and an understrength La Rochelle, stacked with academy talent, were invited back into the arm-wrestle.
“I thought we were so energised at the start and so good, and it just felt like we got seduced into it being too easy,” said Dobson.
“To produce the intensity that we started that game with was really good for us. However, it was a learning experience, and we had to manage that game better at the 15-to-20-minute mark.”
That window proved pivotal. Infringements and errors disrupted Stormers rhythm, allowing La Rochelle to find a foothold and trail just 16–7 at the break – a reminder that scoreboard pressure means little without territorial and tactical control.
“It was about the outcome in the end, but it wasn’t a great process from us,” Dobson admitted.
“There’s definitely stuff we didn’t get right that we spoke about during the week, and there’s work to do before the local derbies [in the Vodacom URC]. That said, a home win in this competition is non-negotiable.”
Captain Salmaan Moerat echoed the coach’s concerns, praising the intent but demanding more from the engine room.
“But as a pack we know we could have been much better. There’s still a lot for us to improve on,” Moerat said.
He also highlighted the side’s response after prop Neethling Fouché was yellow-carded for a high tackle.
“It’s never ideal to get a yellow card,” he said. “But what was really rewarding was seeing how the group galvanised and worked harder for each other when someone was off the field.”
If the Stormers’ structure wavered, individual brilliance helped steady the ship. Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach pulled the strings, while Man of the Match Paul de Villiers hunted turnovers like a seasoned openside despite his tender years.
“It took some moments from Paul or Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] to bail us out. That was a little bit frustrating that we got ourselves in that position,” Dobson explained.
“Two years ago, we were just getting cleaned out [at the breakdowns], and now we have Paul, who is like a limpet and his decision-making is so good.
“He is very special.”
Dobson believes the result keeps the Stormers firmly in the European hunt, even as he demands sharper execution.
“We want to be part of this tournament,” he said. “South African teams don’t have a great record in it, and we feel we’ve got an opportunity.
“Performances like this give us belief, but we also know we have to be better. I think we can start to dream about getting deeper into this tournament than we have got before.”
The immediate focus, however, shifts to domestic danger. The Lions arrive in Cape Town next weekend, followed by a clash with the Bulls on January 3 – fixtures where sloppiness will be punished.
“We have to get the stuff right and it is no use just talking about it in the week,” Dobson warned.
“We know that performance [in Gqeberha] doesn’t beat a fired-up Lions team in Cape Town or a Bulls team [on January 3].”
Dobson revealed the Stormers’ coaches have been studying the Lions closely, noting their threats across the park.
“We had a good look at them as coaches,” he said.
“We know that Henco [van Wyk] gets the best contact metres, we know about Quan’s [Horn] line breaks, and we know about their efficacy at the breakdown.
“They made their intentions clear that they want to rest and prepare for this game. I promise we won’t be lacking intensity.”
For the Stormers, the winning streak in Europe and Gqeberha has offered momentum, but the real examination now comes at home, where fast starts mean nothing without the patience to finish the job.
The DHL Stormers will take the field at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday with a formidable array of national talent, as nine Springboks have been named in the starting lineup for theirInvestec Champions Cup clash against two-time champions Stade Rochelais.
The match, scheduled for 15:30, is one of the most anticipated fixtures of the pool stage, and the Stormers fresh off a 26–17 away win over Bayonne, are bolstering their ranks with returning stars.
You don't want to miss out on this one. Come watch Sacha and his teammates cook at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
Warrick Gelant’s recovery from illness restores stability and counter-attacking quality to the backfield. He is joined by wings Dylan Maart and Leolin Zas, who continue to offer pace and finishing ability. Damian Willemse has been rested due to a slight hamstring niggle but is expected to return next week.
The midfield sees experienced centre Ruhan Nel reunited with Jonathan Roche, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and veteran scrumhalf Cobus Reinach form a halfback pairing capable of dictating tempo and territorial pressure.
Who else is looking forward to seeing this guy in action for us in Gqeberha this weekend?
Evan Roos, influential off the bench last week, returns to the No. 8 jersey. Alongside Ben-Jason Dixon and Paul de Villiers, the loose trio is expected to play a crucial role in both breakdown intensity and defensive organisation.
In the tight five, locks JD Schickerling and captain Salmaan Moerat provide continuity and lineout strength. André-Hugo Venter starts at hooker, flanked by Springbok props Ntuthuko Mchunu and Neethling Fouché.
The bench offers significant depth, with JJ Kotzé, Connor Evans, Ruan Ackermann, Imad Khan and Wandisile Simelane, all starters in Bayonne, joined by experienced forwards Oli Kebble, Sazi Sandi and Marcel Theunissen.
Director of Rugby John Dobson emphasised the challenge ahead:
“It was great to win away from home, but we have to back that up now and we know that it will take a big effort against a highly physical Stade Rochelais team. We always get such fantastic support in Gqeberha… we’re looking forward to a match with Test match intensity.
The final squad list will be officially confirmed by EPCR at 14:00 on Friday, with changes still permitted before the deadline.
Our team for the Investec Champions Cup match against Stade Rochelais in Gqeberha on Saturday.
