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Springboks opponents for third consecutive RWC title defence in Australia revealed

Adnaan MohamedNews, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Springboks opponents for third consecutive RWC title defence in Australia revealed
By Adnaan Mohamed

The Springboks pursuit of an unprecedented third consecutive Rugby World Cup title will unfold against familiar opponents after the defending champions were drawn into Pool B with Italy, Georgia and Romania for the 2027 tournament in Australia.

The announcement, made during Wednesday morning’s draw, confirmed that South Africa will face three teams they know well from past World Cup encounters: Romania in 1995 and 1999, Georgia in 2003, and Italy in 2019.

The format, guided by world rankings for the 2025 season, sorted the 24 teams into four bands before randomised placement into six pools. This is the largest RWC structure to date.

Rassie Erasmus: “We are pleased… but this is a World Cup”

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus welcomed the draw but emphasised the unpredictability of tournament rugby.

“We are pleased with the pool we have been drawn in, but this is a World Cup, and every team will go out there with great passion and do their utmost to represent their nations with pride,” said Erasmus.

“There have been surprises in the tournament before, so we’ll need to be up mentally and physically for every match.”

Erasmus offered a measured breakdown of each opponent, noting how deceptive world rankings can be.

“Italy may be ranked 10th in the world, but they showed us what they are capable of when they hit their straps earlier this season, even though the scorelines may not have reflected that.

“Georgia and Romania are also extremely physical and passionate teams, and we’ve faced them before, so we know how tough they can be on the day if we give them space and opportunities to play to their potential.”

His remarks frame Pool B as a group where familiarity offers preparation advantages, but no shortcuts — a reminder that even routine fixtures can turn into tactical ambushes if approached casually.

Tournament Format: Six Pools, New Pathways

With the RWC expanding from 20 to 24 teams and the fixture list increasing to 52 matches, 2027 will introduce a modified playoff pathway.

  • Winners of Pools A–D will face the four best third-placed teams.
  • Winners of Pools E and F will meet the runners-up from Pools B and D.
  • Runners-up in Pools A and C draw the second-placed teams from Pools E and F.

This structural shift increases the importance of pool-stage consistency and squad rotation which is a key component of Erasmus’s historically successful World Cup strategies.

The Full 2027 Pools

  • Pool A: New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Hong Kong China
  • Pool B: South Africa, Italy, Georgia, Romania
  • Pool C: Argentina, Fiji, Spain, Canada
  • Pool D: Ireland, Scotland, Uruguay, Portugal
  • Pool E: France, Japan, USA, Samoa
  • Pool F: England, Wales, Tonga, Zimbabwe

Australia will host matches from 1 October to 13 November 2027 across seven cities in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Sydney and Townsville.

The full matchday schedule will be released on 3 February 2026, with a two-week presale window for fans opening 18 February 2026.

A Favourable yet Demanding Pool

While South Africa avoided a heavyweight Tier 1 rival in Pool B, the draw offers strategic depth:

  • Italy present a risk profile based on tempo and moments of tactical unpredictability.
  • Georgia bring scrummaging power and collision dominance – a stress test for any forward pack.
  • Romania remain physical and combative, although rebuilding.

For Erasmus, the pool provides space to calibrate combinations, manage player load, and sharpen tactical identity, the essential building blocks for a three-peat campaign. Pool B offers stability, but only if executed with precision.

Eben Etzebeth Red-Card Fury Overshadows Bok Brilliance in Cardiff Rout

Adnaan MohamedNews, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Eben Etzebeth Red-Card Fury Overshadows Bok Brilliance in Cardiff Rout
By Adnaan Mohamed

The Springboks’ 73–0 evisceration of Wales in Cardiff should have been remembered purely as a victory of ruthless precision, a night when Rassie Erasmus’ men turned the Principality Stadium into a eleven-try scrapyard.

Instead, the Test has been plunged into global debate after Eben Etzebeth, the most-capped Springbok in history, was shown a red card for alleged eye-gouging. This incident that happened just before the final whistle to mercifully end the Welsh carnage, has dominated headlines from Cape Town to Cardiff.

While the Boks celebrated an unbeaten season and a flawless November tour, the image of Etzebeth leaving the field cast a long, uncomfortable shadow. Critics, former internationals, fans and pundits have fired up social platforms, arguing everything from “stone-cold red” to “unintentional and harsh.”

The timing was especially jarring: a night designed to honour Springbok milestones became a night consumed by disciplinary outrage.

Coach Rassie Erasmus did not try to sugar-coat it.

“It didn’t look good, and I thought it was a justified red card,” he admitted.

A rare moment where Erasmus openly conceded a fault on an evening when everything else went right.

Reinach Reaches 50: A Milestone Deserving More Light

Lost beneath the Etzebeth storm was a story that deserved to headline the night: Cobus Reinach finally reaching his 50th Test, a feat 11 years in the making.

The 35-year-old Bok scrumhalf, who buzzed around the breakdown like a hornet with a fresh battery pack, called the honour a dream fulfilled.

“It’s always special just to put on the Springbok jersey… If it’s cap one or cap 140 like Eben, it’s special.

But playing my 50th Test was definitely great,” he said.

“It’s every boy’s dream to play for the Springboks and having done that 50 times is unreal. It’s a privilege and something I’ll always be thankful for.”

That this milestone arrived during a historic win, and in a season where the Boks finished world No.1, made it sweeter.

“It wasn’t just about the end-of-year tour. It was about the whole season,” Reinach reflected.
“We learned and adapted more than previously, and I think we grew immensely as a team.”

The veteran scrumhalf, still as sharp as a new studs-on-soft-ground boot, even dared to dream further.

“I definitely want to play another one or maybe two World Cups,” he smiled.

“I feel good… it’s just my hairline moving back a little, and my beard getting thicker.”

His gratitude extended to the beating heart of Bok rugby: the supporters.

“From London to Wales, France, Ireland… thank you. We are one. We can’t do what we do without you.”

A Night of Dual Narratives: Dominance and Disruption

The Etzebeth incident ignited a worldwide rugby firestorm precisely because the Test was so lopsided. At 73–0, the Springboks were in full command. The back-to-back World Champions were ruthless, clinical, and controlled, suffocating Wales like a python tightening with every carry.

But the red card, shown late in the second half, shifted the conversation from dominance to controversy. Analysts have already begun dissecting angles, freeze-frames and intent, with disciplinary hearings expected to become the next battleground.

Yet, amid the noise, Reinach’s golden milestone, the Boks’ unbeaten tour, and their world No.1 finish remain significant markers of a team still evolving and still hungry. Reinach himself summed it up best:

“The way we work for each other and how tight-knit we are is special. If we keep that, there’s a lot more in the tank.”

Reinach’s Golden Milestone and Rassie’s Clever End-of-Year Chess Move

Adnaan MohamedNews, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Reinach’s Golden Milestone and Rassie’s Clever End-of-Year Chess Move
By Adnaan Mohamed

There’s a reason the Springboks never really feel “under-strength” even when half the squad is scattered across Europe, Japan and club rugby obligations. South Africa, more than any other rugby nation, has turned adversity into opportunity, disruption into design. And this week in Cardiff, as the Boks close out their season against Wales, that philosophy takes centre stage.

Saturday marks more than just the end of the Outgoing Tour. It marks a moment of quiet, powerful significance in a year defined by rotation, regeneration, and ruthless forward-thinking.

Because while the headlines will rightly celebrate Cobus Reinach’s 50th Test, the deeper story is how Rassie Erasmus is using this final match of the year to subtly tighten the screws on South Africa’s long-term blueprint.

Let’s dive in.

1. Reinach at 50: A Triumph of Perseverance Over Spotlight

At 35, Cobus Reinach reaching his milestone half-century is a testament to patience in an era obsessed with instant stardom.

He’s never been the loudest, the flashiest, nor the headline-grabber. Instead, he has been the Springbok who always arrives when needed, slips into the system seamlessly, and changes the tempo with a veteran’s calm.

Rassie’s admiration was heartfelt:

“Cobus is a true team man… he’s grabbed every opportunity with both hands.”

There’s something beautifully poetic about Reinach not starting on the day he reaches 50 caps, but sitting quietly on the bench.

He will be the lone backline reserve among seven hulking forwards. It captures his role perfectly: the dependable firefighter, trusted when the match burns hottest.

This is not just a milestone. It is a tribute.

2. The Selection Puzzle: Rassie Turns Limitations Into Leverage

Test matches outside the international window are usually a nightmare for southern hemisphere coaches. Erasmus lost a dozen frontline stars to club commitments – Handre Pollard, Malcolm Marx, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, and Pieter-Steph du Toit among them. Many coaches would be forced into damage control.

Rassie?
He sees a laboratory.

This is where South African rugby’s conveyor belt gets tested in fire. 49 players have earned Test caps this year alone. It’s a staggering number, but one rooted in planning, not panic.

“We’ve been rotating players all year… many of these combinations are fully settled.”

There is no “second-string Springboks.”

There are only Springboks in different phases of readiness.

3. The 7–1 Split Isn’t a Gamble – It’s a Statement

The rugby world still blinks when seeing a team sheet with seven forwards on the bench. But to the Boks, it’s as natural as breathing.

This week’s 7–1 split is partly forced by availability, but it also reinforces the core of South African Test identity: win the collisions, control the set piece, choke the opponents’ oxygen.

Wales, even in a rebuilding phase, are happiest in the trenches. A weaker team would try to outplay them.
South Africa plan to outmuscle them.

Rassie explained it plainly:

“Our pack has performed incredibly well… and we believe it will be a key area of the match.”

This is Rassie’s selection strategy.

4. Quiet Evolution: The Next Generation of Boks Steps Forward

Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, Zachary Porthen, Asenathi Ntlabakanye are not household names yet, but they are seen as the building blocks of South Africa’s post-2027 pack.

Steenekamp starting his first Test is no coincidence. The Boks’ current front-row titans will not be around forever. Rassie is not waiting until 2026 to find their successors.

Erasmus is making changes early, deliberately, and unapologetically.

This Wales Test is seen as an investment.

5. The Bigger Picture: Wales, Rankings and the RWC Draw

Wales arrive with their own headaches and absentees, but they’re dangerous precisely because of it. Young players with everything to prove, veterans trying to hold onto jerseys, and a home crowd hungry for a scalp.

And then there’s the looming Rugby World Cup draw next week.

For both teams, the rankings matter. Momentum matters. Perception matters.

Rassie expects an ambush:

“They’ll come out firing… they’ll give everything to finish on a high note.”

This will not be a polite end-of-year handshake.
It’s a cage fight with diplomatic flags.

6. What This Match Really Represents

This final Test of 2025 can arguably be seen as a microcosm of South African rugby philosophy:

  • Celebrate the unsung (Reinach).
  • Trust the young (Steenekamp, Ntlabakanye, Porthen).
  • Prepare for the future early (49 players used).
  • Double down on identity (the 7–1 split).
  • Stay unpredictable (mixing stalwarts with debutants).
  • Never fear disruption – weaponise it.

If the Boks win, they end the year with a statement.
If they lose, they still walk away with priceless data.

Either way, South Africa wins something.

On Saturday night, as Reinach steps onto the field for the 50th time, he’ll do so as the embodiment of everything this Bok season has stood for: quiet excellence, depth, resilience and relentless preparation for the future.

South Africa are building towards 2027. And Reinach’s milestone, achieved with humility, hunger and heart. It reminds us what really powers the Springbok machine: people who show up, again and again, long after the spotlight has moved on.

Proteas Rise in India: Shukri and Temba leads a masterclass in resilience

Adnaan MohamedCricket, Features, NewsLeave a Comment on Proteas Rise in India: Shukri and Temba leads a masterclass in resilience
By Adnaan Mohamed

For years, touring India has felt like stepping into cricket’s equivalent of the “Death Zone” in brutal conditions, deafening crowds, and a cauldron of pressure where even great teams lose their bearings. South Africa has known that pain too well. Heavy defeats. Broken confidence. Tours remembered for their scars rather than their strides forward.

But this time, something powerful shifted.

In a story worthy of every athlete who has ever been told they’re not enough, the Proteas walked back into the lion’s den, and roared back even louder, sealing a historic 2–0 Test series win, their first in India in 25 years.

The victory was a reset, a reclaiming of identity, and a reminder of what’s possible when belief becomes bigger than fear.

A Captain Who Carries More Than the Badge

Temba Bavuma’s journey mirrors the heartbeat of modern sport in South Africa: resilience, self-discovery, and the courage to keep standing up when the world expects you to stay down.

Twice before he had toured India. Twice he came home with the kind of numbers and memories most athletes try to forget. Thrown into unfamiliar roles, navigating team turmoil, and battling his own form demons, Bavuma could easily have let those failures define him.

But the man who walked out in Guwahati was not the same athlete.

He was calmer. Clearer. Centered. A captain who had found his voice. A leader whose strength lay not in shouting orders, but in empowering others.

“Coming here, I would never have thought 2–0 would be the result,” Bavuma admitted.

“We know how dark it can be, so getting 2–0 here is an incredible achievement. We’ve painted ourselves into history.”

This is the language of someone who understands the trenches and knows what it means to climb out of them.

A Team Built on Trust, Not Ego

Under coach Shukri Conrad, the Proteas have become more than just a squad. They’re a collective built on shared ownership. Conversations are open. Roles are clear. Leadership is distributed like responsibility in a relay race, everyone carries the baton at some point.

“I’m a lot more assured as a person and as a captain,” Bavuma said.

“We have a lot of leaders in the team. Guys who add value in their own space. Guys I bounce ideas off. And I’ve learned to separate Temba the batter from Temba the captain.”

For athletes, this is gold: Identity is not a single performance. Leadership is not a solo act.

Champions Step Up When It Matters

Great teams need great moments. And South Africa found them everywhere.

  • Simon Harmer, returning to the very country where his career once stalled, produced the greatest bowling series by any visiting spinner in India: 17 wickets at 8.94. A statistic and a story built on grit.
  • Marco Jansen was a walking highlights reel: destructive bouncers, crucial runs, and a catch so athletic it bordered on impossible.
  • Aiden Markram reinvented himself as South Africa’s safest pair of hands, plucking a world record nine catches and steadying the mood whenever needed.

This wasn’t a win built on stars. It was built on synergy and those subtle connections athletes feel when the entire team is in rhythm.

Rising Above the Weight of History

India had lost just one series at home in 12 years. Their fans are famously unyielding. Their conditions notoriously unforgiving. And yet, the Proteas showed that history, no matter how intimidating, is only a backdrop, not a destiny.

Their 408-run win in the second Test wasn’t just dominance; it was a message:

This team is evolving. Growing. Believing.

For South African cricket, often weighed down by near misses and what-ifs, this was an emphatic reminder that the future can be bold, bright, and beautifully unpredictable.

What This Means for the Athlete in All of Us

Every athlete, whether you run trails, swim laps, hit gym reps, or chase PBs knows what it feels like to revisit a place of past disappointment. The doubt. The fear. The ghosts.

What the Proteas did in India is what everyone strives for:

  • To return to a place of pain, and rewrite the story.
  • To trust the process even when your stats say you shouldn’t.
  • To lead with humility, not ego.
  • To push through dark moments because the light ahead is worth it.
  • To discover that your greatest breakthroughs often hide behind your greatest failures.

Bavuma and his team won a cricket series and delivered a universal message of courage:

Your past is not a prophecy. Your setbacks are not your ceiling. Your biggest victories often arrive exactly where you once struggled most.

And sometimes, after 25 long years, everything aligns, and you finally conquer your Everest.

Springboks Brace for Brutal Torino Clash With Resurgent Italy

Adnaan MohamedNews, Preview, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Springboks Brace for Brutal Torino Clash With Resurgent Italy
Adnaan Mohamed

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick has warned that Italy are no side to stroll past, likening Saturday’s showdown in Torino to a scrum where one wrong step can send you skidding backwards.

The Boks face the Azzurri at Allianz Stadium at 14:40 (SA time), live on SuperSport. And Stick made it clear the visitors aren’t treating this as a gentle warm-up jog.

“It’s a tough week because we are facing a team that comes off a good game against Australia,” said Stick.

“A few other players are getting an opportunity to play, and that motivates us immensely.”

Stick said the squad’s hunger runs deeper than selection rotation:

“The players have been working very hard and waiting for their opportunity, such as Handré (Pollard) and Canan (Moodie), among others.

“For us, whoever gets a chance to represent the country, it’s not just about playing for yourself, but close to 60 million South Africans at home. This Test is a massive game for us.”

He also brushed aside whispers that the matchday group lacked bite.

“There’s no such thing as a trial match when it comes to the Springboks,” Stick insisted.

“We need to respect the players who are receiving an opportunity to play. We all know Italy are in a good space as a team, and improving week in and week out.

“In Pretoria, they posed big challenges in the second half, so they are a side you can never underestimate. That said, we’ll be prepared, and the players are excited and looking forward to the match.”

Kolisi: Breakdown will be the battleground

Captain Siya Kolisi who is set to notch his 101st Test cap, expects the breakdown to be the heart of the contest, the place “where matches are won and lost like turnovers at a street fight.”

“It’s been one of the big areas we looked at this week, just as we did when we played against them in South Africa,” said Kolisi.

“We struggled in the first match against them back home, and that was one of the main reasons we had to work so hard to win that match.

“We know how good they are there, so we’ve worked hard this week to ensure we look after the ball properly. The pack will be important this weekend. We know what we have to do, and we have to make sure we are up for it.”

Kolisi dismissed concerns about cohesion within the fresh-faced forward unit:

“We’ve done the work on the field during the week, and that’s where we get to know one another. The coaches have been crucial in that regard. The senior guys obviously need to lead by example, but we feel good as a group in general.”

Van Staden’s hooker switch “a long-term project”

With Marco van Staden named as the reserve hooker, Stick revealed this is no spur-of-the-moment gamble.

“It was always the plan for him to be a backup hooker in the squad,” said Stick.

“At the 2023 World Cup, he was always training and working on extra skills in that position to ensure he was ready when the opportunity arose. So, it’s a project we’ve been working on for the last few years.

“He’s a tough guy who always plays with his heart on his sleeve, and he’s a breakdown specialist, which will be valuable against a side like Italy. It’s great that we can move him to hooker later in the game.”

Italian backline “will punish you” if given space

Stick also flagged Italy’s dangerous midfield and backline, a unit he describes as sharp enough to slice through any defensive line that drifts for even a moment.

“If you look at the Italian centres, they are probably one of the best centre partnerships in the country at the moment, and they have great players all around at the back,” he said. “They are also playing really well, so it’s going to be a tough game with ball in hand.

“If you give the Italian players time and space, their backline players will punish you.”

Teams:

Italy: 15 Ange Capuozzo, 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex (captain), 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Ross Vintcent, 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Niccolò Cannone, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti.
Replacements: 16 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Simone Ferrari, 19 Federico Ruzza, 20 Riccardo Favretto, 21 David Odiase, 22 Martin Page-Relo, 23 Tommaso Allan.

South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Marco van Staden, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Boan Venter.
Replacements: 16 Gerhard Steenekamp, 17 Wilco Louw, 18 RG Snyman, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.

Date: Saturday, November 15
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Turin
Kick-off: 13.40 (14.40 SAST; 12.40 GMT)
Expected weather: There will be some drizzle and light winds with a temperature around 14°C
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Jérémy Rozier (France)
TMO: Tual Trainini (France)

SOURCE: SA RUGBY

Helplink Supports Entrepreneurs in PE2EL 250km Ocean Challenge

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Helplink Supports Entrepreneurs in PE2EL 250km Ocean Challenge

Helplink, the AI-powered platform transforming South Africa’s informal economy, proudly announces its sponsorship of the Port Elizabeth to East London (PE2EL) Ocean Canoe Challenge taking place from the 3rd to 6th December 2025.  Widely regarded as the toughest ocean paddling race in the world, the 250-kilometre endurance event is a powerful, four-day metaphor for the entrepreneurial journey. Helplink’s involvement celebrates the shared values of resilience, grit, and growth that are vital both for conquering extreme sport and for building a successful business.

The four-day, 250-kilometre endurance event, often nicknamed “The Maker of Men” and “The Blood, Guts & Glory Race,” demands extreme physical and mental resilience. It is thus befitting that Helplink is sponsoring such a race (and two inspirational participants) as there are strong similarities in the challenges of building a compliant, formal business in South Africa.

Helplink’s involvement is powerfully embodied by three sponsored paddlers: Helplink graduate and brand ambassador Sibusiso Zulu, dedicated lifeguard Sandile Menjenjalo, and top sportsman Bevan Manson.

Helplink graduate and brand ambassador Sibusiso Zulu will participate in the race, representing thousands of emerging micro-entrepreneurs who embody the same courage and perseverance. This sponsorship creates a platform for live event engagement and human stories, connecting Helplink’s mission of formalising businesses to a broader audience of potential funders and partners through emotional storytelling.

“There is a direct and undeniable correlation between the sheer intensity of the PE2EL Challenge and the grit required to successfully launch and run a formal business in South Africa,” said Adelaide McKelvey, Executive Director – Helplink. “Sibusiso is a living testament to the transformation our programme achieves. He has navigated the tumultuous ‘waters’ of the informal economy to establish a solid business and is now applying that same perseverance to conquer the harshest coastline in the world. He represents every micro-entrepreneur who embodies courage, perseverance, and purpose.”

Helplink’s second sponsored paddler, Sandile Menjenjalo, a dedicated lifeguard from Orient Beach, adds a powerful dimension to this partnership. Through his sponsorship, Sandile gains access to the Helplink AI Course—a practical, SETA-approved programme building skills in adaptability, life-skills and career advancement for corporate and community environments.  His participation highlights the deep connection between Helplink’s beneficiaries and PE2EL paddlers and both rely on discipline, courage, mentorship, and mental resilience to succeed. Whether navigating unpredictable surf or career challenges, Sandile embodies the Helplink spirit: real growth occurs when grit meets guidance and learning fuel’s purpose.

Champion ocean paddler Bevan Manson has joined the lineup completing the dynamic trio. The accomplished athlete not only captained the South African national water polo team for several years but has also won the PE2EL race three times.  Bevan holds the World Ocean Canoe record of 243 km in one day and is renowned for excelling amid long hours of gruelling training and unforgiving ocean conditions. He shares a compelling story of perseverance that deeply resonates with young South Africans as they navigate careers or build businesses in the informal economy. A credible and inspiring role model, Bevan embodies grit, guidance and growth in every stroke.  “Through paddling, I’ve learned that pushing through the toughest waves builds the strength to achieve anything,” says Bevan Manson. “I’m excited to connect with others and help them chase their goals.”

The Entrepreneurial Challenge vs. The Ocean Challenge

The PE2EL race is a gruelling test along South Africa’s treacherous Sunshine Coast. Paddlers face notorious surf breaks, long, exposed open-ocean legs, and the psychological burden of four days of extreme endurance.
• Distance: 250 kilometres.
• Duration: 4 days of open-ocean racing.
• The Challenge: Battling unpredictable conditions, negotiating the massive surf at Woody Cape, and overcoming mental and physical fatigue—all challenges that mirror the uncertainty and resilience needed to build a thriving enterprise.

Sibusiso Zulu who successfully completed the Helplink programme, is leveraging the foundational skills he gained—discipline, strategic planning, and perseverance—to prepare for this epic undertaking.

“The Helplink programme taught me that endurance is not just physical; it’s about having the right strategy, mentors, and the mental fortitude to push past the breaking point,” said Zulu.  “Every day on the PE2EL race needs focus and proper commitment, just the same as in running my business. I am proud to represent the thousands of resilient micro-businesses in South Africa who are ready to make the leap into the formal economy.”

About Helplink: Fuelling Inclusive Growth

The informal economy receives minimal support from corporate SA, yet it is South Africa’s most underutilised engine for inclusive growth. Helplink is the ideal scalable tool to bridge this gap. Using its AI-powered platform, together with extensive mentoring – it fast-tracks the transformation of micro-businesses into compliant, fundable, and future-ready enterprises.

The programme offers:
• SETA Approved AI Training in financial literacy, compliance, and marketing.
• Access to professional mentors
• A substantial media budget and access to the Helplink Media Alliance, which boosts advertising exposure by up to 100%.
• A shared value strategic investment model for corporate partners that offers extensive media exposure and powerful brand association.

Helplink also offers an AI-powered training platform, empowering corporate employees to develop essential life skills to assist in their careers— from adaptability to strategic problem-solving.   Helplink is actively seeking funders and partners to empower not only their own employees but also micro-businesses from their supply chain. This is where compliance meets opportunity – a strategic investment that delivers visible, measurable impact and positive brand association.

Follow the Race and Helplink’s Journey:
For more information go to: https://helplinkai.co.za/

To follow the race please follow: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BhAJQPP1c/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Instagram: @helplinksa
YouTube: Helplink AI

Facebook : Helplink

LinkedIn:  Helplinksa
Race Updates: #HelplinkXPE2EL | #FormaliseFast | #GritMeetsGrowth | #LearnToEndure

‘You’re my friend and my idol’: Jürgen Klopp hails Siya Kolisi on 100-Test milestone

Adnaan MohamedRugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on ‘You’re my friend and my idol’: Jürgen Klopp hails Siya Kolisi on 100-Test milestone
By Adnaan Mohamed

Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has sent a heartfelt message to Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, congratulating him on reaching an incredible milestone of 100 Test matches for South Africa.

Despite having to play with 14 men for the entire second half after lock forward Lood de Jager was controversially red-carded, Kolisi’s Bok side produced an inspiring performance to earn a crushing 32-17 win over France .

In a special video message shared on his Instagram account, Klopp spoke with deep admiration about Kolisi’s journey from humble beginnings in Zwide to becoming a two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain.

“Siya, my friend, another milestone in one of the most incredible sports careers I’ve ever heard of,” Klopp said.
“The things I love in life the most are stories about people who made their way. Obviously, the most inspiring stories are the stories where the start was at a time when nobody could even imagine that a positive future was possible, and I think that’s your story.”

Kolisi, who led the Springboks to World Cup glory in 2019 and again in 2023, became only the seventh South African to play 100 Tests for his country when he captained the Boks against New Zealand earlier this year.

A lifelong Liverpool fan, Kolisi has often spoken of his admiration for Klopp — and the German coach clearly feels the same.

“Calling you my friend is one of the biggest honours I can imagine,” Klopp added.
“Having an idol in a sport I don’t understand at all is pretty special as well.

“Congratulations. One hundred, isn’t it crazy? And the best is still to come. Much love from Germany. See you.”

Klopp’s message struck a chord with South Africans and Liverpool fans alike, as two of sport’s most respected leaders shared a moment of mutual respect, proof that inspiration knows no boundaries.

Rassie’s Springboks Gears Up for Gruelling Northern Tour

Adnaan MohamedRugbyLeave a Comment on Rassie’s Springboks Gears Up for Gruelling Northern Tour
By Adnaan Mohamed

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus jetted off to London on Sunday, bracing for a five-week European tour that promises to test every sinew and synapse of the world champions.

The full squad will regroup in the UK on Monday morning, ready to tackle a sequence of five Test matches that reads like a gauntlet of rugby heavyweights.

The Boks kick off their campaign against Japan at Wembley Stadium on 1 November, before locking horns with France in Paris, Italy in Turin, Ireland in Dublin, and Wales in Cardiff. Each encounter will present a fresh challenge in vastly different conditions.

Erasmus, ever the strategist, knows that touring Europe in November is no spring picnic. It’s more like a muddy, cold-weather arm wrestle, where slick southern flair must survive in the trenches.

“We are excited about the tour and to measure ourselves against some of the best teams in the world,” he said before departure.

“A lot of hard work has been put in behind the scenes since the Rugby Championship, and hopefully this will set us in good standing to build on our season so far.”

The Bok mentor is acutely aware of the curveballs awaiting his squad. This includes the heavy air, damp pitches, and bruising opposition. But he believes his players are well-prepared for the north’s wintry grind.

“The conditions are vastly different in the UK and Europe to South Africa this time of the year,” Erasmus noted.

“But fortunately, most of the players have been exposed to those conditions either during their United Rugby Championship tours or by playing for overseas clubs.

“The time zone is also very similar to South Africa, which means we can slot back into full Test mode immediately from our first training session on Monday.”

If the schedule looks daunting on paper, Erasmus embraces it like a seasoned flanker facing down a charging number eight.

He knows the mental battle will be just as fierce as the physical one. It’s been 10 years since Japan caused one of the biggests upsets in the rugby world when the Brave Blossoms beat the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup in Brighton in England in 2015.

Coaches, Eddie Jones (Japan) and Rassie Erasmus (South Africa), will be going head-to-head at Wembley Stadium. Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

“Japan have been improving steadily over the last few years, and they defeated us a few years ago, so we have no doubt they will come out guns blazing next Saturday and throw everything at us,” he said.

France and Ireland, both top-four sides, loom as potential tour-defining tests.

“The last time we faced France in Paris was in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final, and that result will psyche them up going into the match against them,” said Erasmus.

“They are also ranked fourth in the world currently, and Ireland third, and we all know how tough matches at the Aviva Stadium are against them.”

He also expects spirited resistance from Italy and Wales. These two teams have plenty to prove on home turf.

“Italy put up a brave fight against us in Pretoria, and that will give them confidence going into our match in Turin. Wales will also be up for the challenge after recovering from a tough few years earlier this season, so we need to be ready mentally and physically each week to get the desired results.”

For Erasmus, the tour is a measure of mettle, a proving ground for depth, discipline, and determination.

“It won’t be easy,” he concluded, “but we have a quality group of players, and we know what they are capable of doing when we stick to our structures and play to our potential on the day.”

Ox Nche back for Rugby Championship ‘Final’

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has recalled powerhouse prop Ox Nche for Saturday’s Rugby Championship decider against Argentina at Twickenham in London.

Nche, a late withdrawal in Durban last week, returns to the front row alongside Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit. Grant Williams, Jesse Kriel and Bongi Mbonambi are back on the bench in the only other changes to the match-day 23.

“This match is a Final for us, and we know how dangerous Argentina can be, so we selected combinations we feel will be best suited for this game,” said Rassie.

“There are minimal personnel changes, with the bulk of the team having done the job for us last week against the Pumas in Durban and our other Rugby Championship matches.

“Ox and Grant could have played last week if we really needed them, but Boan (Venter) and Morne (van den Berg) did really well, while Jesse was rotated in the last two matches and is raring to go.

“The same applies to Bongi, who last played against Australia, and who is excited for this opportunity.

“Their experience, combined with the younger players in the team, makes this an exciting squad, which is exactly what we need in a match that will essentially be the Rugby Championship decider.”

Eben Etzebeth wins his 138th cap in the second row, while Siya Kolisi will lead the side in his 98th Test.

The rest of the starting XV is unchanged, with Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu again at halfback and Damian Willemse at fullback.

Erasmus warned of a backlash from the Pumas:

“They may be out of the title race, but they have beaten the All Blacks, Wallabies, and British & Irish Lions this season. It’s going to be another hard grind.”

The Boks will know exactly what result is needed after Australia face New Zealand earlier in the day.

Kick-off is at 15:00 (SA time).

SPRINGBOKS – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Bench: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Jesse Kriel.

Source: SA Rugby

Springbok Women’s Historic World Cup Win

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By Adnaan Mohamed

The Springbok Women tore through the history books in York on Sunday, barging past Italy 29–24 to clinch their first-ever Rugby World Cup play-off spot. It was a tackle-busting, line-breaking moment that also catapulted South Africa into the world’s top ten for the first time.

Head coach Swys de Bruin hailed the victory as a true pack effort:

“We stuck to our game plan, scrummed down as one, and outplayed them in the backs. Italy showed their Six Nations pedigree, but our team simply wanted it more.”

De Bruin said his team’s refusal to back down when Italy came with a determined fight back to twice draw level in the game, as well as the tactical acumen of his coaching staff were highlights in this exceptional win.

“I am so proud of everyone, this was really a team effort, not only from all here in England, but also our support structures back home, and this performance justifies the belief SA Rugby had in us,” said De Bruin.

“We had a plan on how to beat Italy and credit to my coaches, as it worked to a tee. Our first phase helped us to score some tries, while we also outplayed them in the backs with some delightful tries.

“We improved on every positive statistic out there and we are only two rounds into this tournament. It is such a relief and one can only thank God that it worked as planned.”

Italy twice levelled the scores after trailing 17–5, yet the Bok Women refused to fold. Their grit in defence and flair on attack delivered tries that split the Azzurri line like a well-timed crash ball.

Captain Nolusindiso Booi, playing her fourth and final World Cup, likened the triumph to lifting silverware after years of hard graft:

“This win is for those who laid the foundations before us. From where we started to breaking into the top ten. It’s magic. This is just so rewarding for everyone, especially the coaches who prepared us for this moment. I couldn’t have asked for a more rewarding send-off.”

The Boks now return to their Northampton base, preparing for a heavyweight pool clash with unbeaten France. This game will be yet another massive test in their quest to keep this fairytale rolling.