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Ash Barty to take on men at Icons Cup South Africa

Adnaan MohamedEvent Update!, Golf, News, PreviewLeave a Comment on Ash Barty to take on men at Icons Cup South Africa
By Adnaan Mohamed

Three-time Grand Slam champion Ash Barty will return to the Icons Series when she lines up for Team World against Team South Africa at The Links at Fancourt in December.

Barty was announced on National Women’s Day as the latest addition to José María Olazábal’s 14-player squad for the Icons Cup South Africa, which takes place from 11 to 13 December.

The former world No 1 will take on the men in three days of team match-play golf, bringing a two handicap and previous Icons Series experience to the contest.

Barty competed at the 2022 Icons Cup New York, where she produced a strong winning record. Her return adds one of the world’s most accomplished multi-sport athletes to a field already packed with sporting heavyweights.

Her tennis CV needs little introduction. Barty won the French Open, Wimbledon and Australian Open before retiring in 2022 while ranked No 1 in the world.

On the golf course, her competitive instincts remain sharp.

Barty joins former Chelsea and England captain John Terry and West Indies batting great Brian Lara in Team World.

Olazábal’s side will face an increasingly formidable Team South Africa captained by four-time Major winner Ernie Els. AB de Villiers, Fourie du Preez, Butch James and Vernon Philander have already been confirmed for the hosts.

The format promises to put sporting reputations on the scorecard. Golf has a habit of exposing even the smallest crack in concentration, with every tee shot capable of opening the door and every missed putt capable of slamming it shut.

For Barty, the challenge will be familiar territory in one respect: pressure.

Her return gives the Icons Cup another compelling storyline as the fairways become a meeting point for athletes whose careers were forged in cricket, rugby, football and tennis.

The full line-ups are still being assembled, with further announcements expected in the coming weeks.

The Links at Fancourt will host the 28-player contest, with the event set to be broadcast internationally.

For Barty, the target will be clear. Bring the Grand Slam temperament, trust the golf swing and let the scorecard do the talking.

South Africa lands first African Icons Series tournament

Adnaan MohamedEvent Update!, Golf, NewsLeave a Comment on South Africa lands first African Icons Series tournament
By Adnaan Mohamed

South Africa will host the African debut of the Icons Series in December, with Ernie Els captaining Team South Africa against José María Olazábal’s Team World in a three-day golf match-play event at The Links at Fancourt.

The tournament, scheduled for 11 to 13 December, will feature 28 sporting stars swapping their usual arenas for the golf course. It is expected to attract local and international visitors to the Garden Route during the peak holiday season.

The first player announcements include former Proteas captain AB de Villiers and Rugby World Cup winner Fourie du Preez for Team South Africa. Former Chelsea and England captain John Terry and West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara have been confirmed for Team World, with the remaining line-ups still to be announced.

Icons Series founder and CEO Thomas Brookes believes South Africa is the ideal stage for the competition.

“The Icons Series is built on the unifying power, unscripted drama, and patriotism of sport. We are thrilled to bring this world-first concept to South Africa, a nation with an unmatched sporting heritage and some of the most passionate fans on earth. The Links at Fancourt provides a spectacular, world-class stage to witness 28 of the greatest athletes of our generation put their reputations on the line.”

Els said captaining the home side at one of South Africa’s premier golf courses was a privilege.

“Leading Team South Africa on home soil at a magnificent venue like Fancourt is a massive honour. We know Team World is bringing serious firepower, but we are assembling a squad of true South African winners.

“AB de Villiers and Fourie du Preez are perfect first additions. They are fierce competitors who know exactly what it means to defend home turf. We’re ready to show the world how we play the game.”

Olazábal expects a fiercely contested encounter despite South Africa’s home advantage.

“South Africa has an incredibly rich sporting heritage, and Fancourt is a magnificent, world-class test of golf. Team World is not travelling to George to enjoy the scenery.

“Ernie is a fantastic champion and he will have a passionate home crowd behind him, but I am assembling a team of icons. We will be fiercely competitive and will know how to win under pressure, and we are fully prepared to spoil the home-soil party this December.”

De Villiers brings a golf handicap of 2.3 to the South African side, while Du Preez, Terry and Lara are all keen golfers with extensive experience in celebrity and pro-am events.

Broadcast partners, streaming details and the remaining player announcements will be unveiled in the coming weeks. Tickets and hospitality packages are on sale through TicketPro.

Chad le Clos on becoming Commonwealth Games GOAT

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Adnaan Mohamed

Chad le Clos has spent 16 years collecting Commonwealth Games medals. On day two in Glasgow 2026 he collected the one that elevated him above every male athlete in the event’s history.

The colour hardly mattered.

South Africa’s men’s 4x100m freestyle relay quartet claimed bronze behind Australia and England, with Le Clos producing a blistering 48.29-second anchor split to steer Team SA onto the podium at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

Commonwealth Games bronze medalists Pieter Coetze, Guy Brooks, Ruard van Renen and Chad le Clos of Team South Africa after the Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay Final. Photo: Getty Images

The medal was the 19th Commonwealth Games medal of Le Clos’ extraordinary career, making the 34-year-old the most decorated male athlete in the history of the Games.

It is a record that has been 5,772 days in the making.

Le Clos opened his Commonwealth account with gold in New Delhi in October 2010. Since then he has amassed five medals in India, seven in Glasgow in 2014, five on the Gold Coast in 2018, one in Birmingham in 2022 and now the history-making bronze back in Glasgow.

The relay medal was no ceremonial farewell.

Le Clos delivered the fastest split of the South African quartet, finishing ahead of teammates Pieter Coetze, Guy Brooks and Ruard van Renen on the anchor leg to underline his enduring quality.

Although celebrated globally for his butterfly exploits, the Durban swimmer has long proved his versatility. He won Olympic silver in the 200m freestyle at Rio 2016 and Commonwealth silver in the 100m freestyle two years later.

Eight of his 19 Commonwealth medals have now come in relay events, with his overall tally standing at seven gold, four silver and eight bronze medals.

An emotional Le Clos immediately shifted the spotlight onto his teammates, two of whom collected their first senior international medals.

“I couldn’t have done it without the boys, everyone pulled their weight tonight. The nerves were definitely there, we needed the medal, and do it for South Africa. It capped off a phenomenal night for the swimmers.

“I’m obviously delighted to get medal No.19, and it’s something I’ve been chasing for eight years. I’m super proud. It was 12 years ago when I was a 22-year-old and we got a medal in this event, and Roland Schoeman was 34. Now, I’m 34 and there are youngsters in this team who have incredible futures.”

Le Clos joked that he has become the shortest and oldest swimmer in another South African relay team that has etched its name into the history books.

“I was very nervous tonight, probably the most nervous of the four boys. But I knew once Pieter dived in that we’d do it. Guy and Ruard were incredible and two of them were winning their first senior medals.

“My dad was in tears… it’s all very emotional. I’ve never given up and there’s been a lot of dark times. I’m a dog in a dogfight though and once I’m in one I give it everything.”

For an athlete who has inspired generations of South African swimmers, medal No.19 felt like another finish and the perfect full circle. The teenager who burst onto the Commonwealth stage in 2010 is now the veteran leading the next wave, with a place in history that is unlikely to be challenged anytime soon.

Team South Africa secure double silver as records tumble in Gaborone

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Picture credit: Anton Geyser for Athletics South Africa

Team South Africa will leave Botswana with two silver medals, US$40,000 in prize money and three new national records after the World Relays came to an end in Gaborone on Sunday.

The fierce rivalry between the host nation and the South Africans delivered a dramatic 4x400m final with Botswana getting the upper hand this time around.

The team of Lee Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori and Collen Kebinatshipi delivered the perfect ending to the championships, sparking wild celebrations in the passionate home crowd. They crossed the finish line in a new championship record of 2 minutes 54.47 seconds with the South Africans taking over two and a half seconds off their previous national record to secure the silver in 2:55.07.

The massive SA record was due in large part to Pillay’s unprecedented split of 42.66 in the second leg, making him the fastest ever in 4x400m relay history.

Earlier in the afternoon, SA’s men’s 4x100m team of Mvuyo Moss, Cheswill Johnson, Bradley Nkoana and Akani Simbine had set the tone by securing the silver behind the USA (37.43), also in a new national record.

Their new SA and African record of 37.49 eclipsed the record set by Bayanda Walaza, Shaun Maswanganyi, Nkoana and Simbine on their way to Olympic silver in Paris in 2024.

Simbine stormed past several teams down the home straight and just ran out of metres to overtake the USA’s Pjai Austin, who had the South African star hot on his heels.

The third SA record of the championship belonged to the SA women’s 4x100m team of Viwe Jingqi, Kayla la Grange, Gabriella Marais and Joviale Mbishe, who didn’t manage to reach the final but still had plenty to celebrate after breaking the 26-year-old record in the heats in a time of 43.22 seconds.

The other notable performance came from the mixed 4x400m team of Gardeo Isaacs, Rogail Joseph, Bradley Maponyane and Marlie Viljoen. 

Despite running close to the SA record in the heats, they just missed out on a place in the final but made the most of their second chance to qualify for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing in Sunday’s repechage, where they needed a top-two finish. 

They crossed the line first, winning in 3:12.77 to book their tickets to China alongside the SA men’s 4×100 and 4x400m squads. By reaching their respective finals, the SA men’s squads have also secured their qualification at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest this September.

 

Cian Oldknow set for comeback as Team SA gears up for World Cross Country Champs

Adnaan MohamedCross Country, NewsLeave a Comment on Cian Oldknow set for comeback as Team SA gears up for World Cross Country Champs
By Adnaan Mohamed

Cian Oldknow is back on the start line as Team South Africa prepares to tackle the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida on Saturday.

After an injury- and illness-disrupted 2025 season, the Olympian’s is primed for a return to action on the world stage.

Oldknow is part of a strong senior women’s squad contesting the demanding 10km, headlined by Glenrose Xaba, Cacisile Sosibo, Kyla Jacobs, Karabo Mailula and Zanele Maisa.

For Oldknow, Tallahassee represents the first competitive stride back after a year spent battling setbacks rather than chasing finish tapes. The Johannesburg-based athlete burst onto the marathon scene in 2024, winning three races over 42.2km, qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games and finishing as South Africa’s top marathoner ahead of Irvette van Zyl and Gerda Steyn. Momentum stalled in 2025, but not belief.

“This will be my first race back after quite a difficult year in 2025, so I’m hoping to start on a positive note,” said Oldknow.

“I really enjoy wearing the South African colours and take a lot of pride in representing my country. I know I’ll have to dig deep, even though I’m not in the best place yet, but I think we can take pride in what we do as a team.”

While the women’s squad gathers pace, the men’s team has been forced to adjust its rhythm. South Africa’s plan to field its strongest senior men’s outfit was disrupted when reigning SA 10km cross country champion Kabelo Mulaudzi was ruled out with injury. Mulaudzi, one of the form distance runners of recent seasons with three sub-28-minute 10km performances last year, will focus on rehabilitation ahead of 2026.

The men’s 10km team features Adriaan Wildschutt, Bennett Seloyi, Chris Mhlanga, Sanele Masondo and Musawenkosi Mnisi, with Jayde Roslee stepping in after the withdrawal of Mulaudzi.

Adriaan Wildschutt Photo: Team SA

“We can confirm that Mulaudzi is injured,” said ASA Cross Country Chairperson and Team Manager Jakes Jacobs.

“He is replaced by Jayde Roslee who finished in the top twenty in the junior race in Australia in 2023. He was the official reserve after his performance at the trials. The good thing is that Jayde is based in the US. So, he will represent the country on behalf of Kabelo.”

On the women’s side, national 10km champion Glenrose Xaba returns to the World Cross Country Championships for the first time since stepping up to the marathon. Fresh off a sixth-place finish at the Valencia Marathon, Xaba is aiming to better her 32nd-place showing in Serbia two years ago, and she believes the legs are ready.

“I did not train that much because I was already fit,” said Xaba.

“So, I rested and spent the rest of December polishing up because you can’t just come from a marathon and jump into another training programme. I will do my best to go with the East Africans because it’s something that I’m used to doing. I just want to improve and finish very strong. I’m feeling very good. No injury. I just want to do my best.”

With a 28-member squad spread across senior, junior and relay events, Team South Africa arrives in Florida with depth, resilience and runners eager to test themselves against the world’s best.

TEAM SA – WORLD CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Tallahassee, Florida | 10 January 2026

Senior men (10km)

  • Adriaan Wildschutt
  • Bennett Seloyi
  • Sanele Masondo
  • Chris Mhlanga
  • Musawenkosi Mnisi
  • Jayde Roslee (replacement)

Senior women (10km)

  • Glenrose Xaba
  • Karabo Mailula
  • Cacisile Sosibo
  • Kyla Jacobs
  • Cian Oldknow
  • Zanele Maisa

Senior mixed relay (4x2km)

  • Karabo More
  • Carina Viljoen
  • Luan Munnik
  • Christopher Swart

Junior men (8km)

  • Anele Matsoso
  • Tshepang Tshivhula
  • Beautin van der Westhuizen
  • Olerato Mosiloane
  • Benkosi Maqwara
  • Junior Noah

Junior women (6km)

  • Ithuteng Khiba
  • Lara Stander
  • Lara van der Merwe
  • Andrea Steynberg
  • Omaatla Dikao
  • Leandri Pretorius

Featured images: Michael Scott, TEAM SA

Lythe Proud to Podium with Wayde at World Champs

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Lythe Pillay was only 12 years old when Wayde van Niekerk stunned the world at the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016 setting a new record 400m of 43.03. Now, the boy who once sat wide-eyed in front of the TV is sprinting alongside his idol, and winning medals with him.

South Africa’s 4x400m relay team of Pillay, Udeme Okon, Zakithi Nene and Van Niekerk snatched bronze at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, clocking 2:57.83 in pouring rain.

But for Lythe, the medal was more than bronze. It was a childhood dream realised.

“It was a huge honour winning a medal with my childhood hero Wayde van Niekerk in the 4x400m relay with Team SA at the World Champ,” Lythe revealed to Modern Athlete with the impressive bronze medal dangling from his neck at the VIP tent at the finish of a Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K on Heritage Day.

Just a couple of days after returning from the global showpiece in Japan, the 22-year-old from Benoni was at the sold-out event which drew 14,400 participants to support his girlfriend who participated as one of the Boxer Athletic Club elite athlete contingent.

“I enjoy all sports, and it was awesome just coming out supporting my girlfriend and seeing a sport from a different crowd and a different perspective.

“I could just admire the work other athletes put in themselves. I can’t run far to save my life. So I marvel at all the athletes that turned out today. It’s a great vibe seeing the runners sharing their experiences with each other. I am just glad to be part of it all.”

But Pillay’s story circles back to Van Niekerk. He still remembers watching in awe as a grade 1 schoolboy when the South African stunned the world in Rio.

“It’s crazy because I always said I’m here because of Wayde. I saw the Olympics live from home. When I saw the line-up I thought the Americans will take it as per usual.

“And all of a sudden I see this guy from Bloemfontein, South Africa breaking the World 400m record. Seeing that made me believe that perhaps I can do it too.”

Pillay believes Van Niekerk’s achievement lit the fuse for a new wave of 400m talent.

“South Africa now has more sub-45 runners than ever before. So there has been massive growth. The word I like to use is inflation.

“I’m honoured to be part of that movement and to be able to get a medal with Wayde.

“We have great athletes now and it’s also a great feeling. I could be mistaken but Team SA had the youngest team in the field and it gives us hope and inspires us to know that once Wayde retires, we will still be in a good space.”

Now, with seniors like Van Niekerk alongside emerging stars such as Zakithi Nene and Gardeo Isaacs, Pillay believes the 400m is in safe hands.

“I have now transitioned from a junior into senior ranks. We now have a very nice steam of senior and junior athletes. We are in a very healthy place and I am a firm believer that a lot of us are here because of what Wayde did.”

For Pillay, Van Niekerk is more than a teammate. He is proof that South African sprinters can take on the world and win.

How Team SA Performed at The Paralympics on Wednesday

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The Paralympic classification system can be tricky, and that was clear when Mpumelelo Mhlongo broke the world record in the T44 long jump at the Stade de France but still finished in fifth place. Mhlongo, who already held the world record at 7.07m, competed against athletes in the T62 and T64 classes. Mhlongo improved his own record to 7.12m.

On Wednesday, Team South Africa secured two more bronze medals at the 2024 Paralympics. Pieter du Preez, in the men’s H1 individual cycling time trial, and the wheelchair tennis quad doubles team of Donald Ramphadi and Lucas Sithole, both came through in style to bring Team SA’s total medal count to four.

WHEELCHAIR TENNIS
Men’s Quad Doubles – BRONZE MEDAL MATCH
Team SA’s doubles duo, Donald Ramphadi and Lucas Sithole, defeated their Brazilian competitors in three sets (6–2; 4–6; [10]–[8]) to win South Africa’s fourth medal — a bronze — finishing in third position overall.

PARA CYCLING ROAD
Men’s Individual Time Trial – H1 (FINAL)
Team SA’s Pieter du Preez secured South Africa’s third medal — a bronze — after finishing in third position.

PARA SWIMMING
Women’s 100m Freestyle – S12 – Heats
Team SA’s Alani Ferreira finished eighth in her morning heat. Unfortunately, her time was outside of the top eight fastest finishers, which would have qualified her for the final.

Men’s 50m Freestyle – S7 – Heats
Team SA’s Christian Sadie finished seventh in the evening final, setting a new African record. Christian qualified for the final after placing fourth in his morning heat with one of the eight fastest times.

PARA EQUESTRIAN
Individual Event – Grade IV (FINAL)
Team SA’s Philippa Johnson-Dwyer finished the competition in 14th position.

PARA ATHLETICS
Men’s Shot Put – F46 – FINAL
Team SA’s Kerwin Noemdo concluded the competition in fifth position.

Men’s Long Jump – T64 – FINAL
Team SA’s Mpumelelo Mhlongo set a new T44 World Record with a jump of 7.12m, placing him fifth in the T64 competition.

Women’s 100m – T37 – Round 1 Heats
Team SA’s Sheryl James finished third in her heat, earning automatic qualification for the Thursday morning final

Not-so-delusional Maseti set to break new ground for SA cycling in Paris

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Not-so-delusional Maseti set to break new ground for SA cycling in Paris

By Karien Jonckheere

Miyanda Maseti wants to be an Olympic champion.

She already knew that when, as a plucky seven-year-old, she watched two-time Olympic gold medallist Caster Semenya on TV.

“If somebody told me then that I would be an Olympian, I would’ve accepted it way easy,” reckoned Maseti with a laugh. “I was a delusional seven-year-old so I would’ve been like ‘I already knew that’.”

Sure enough, 11 years later, the BMX star’s name was among those announced as part of Team South Africa heading to the Paris Olympic Games next month.

“I guess seven-year-old me wasn’t so delusional,” she added.

Maseti will become the first South African woman to represent the country in BMX racing at the Olympic Games since the sport was added to the programme in 2008.

“I’m not even going to lie to you, I think I’m more nervous than excited,” she admitted from her training base in the Netherlands, where she will stay until the start of the Games. “This is the Olympics and I need to show why I’ve made it there.”

While the dream of becoming Olympic champion may be a more realistic one for the next Games in 2028, Maseti is determined to impress in the French capital. “My goal in Paris is to do my best and be my best while I’m there,” she explained. “To achieve this goal I need to get myself in the right place to compete at my best ability.

“In order to be good at BMX it takes effort, time, consistency and fun. You will only want to get better if you’re enjoying it.”

Fun it’s certainly been for Maseti, having first climbed on a bike at the age of four because her brother was riding – and eventually racing against boys to make sure she continued to improve.

“I love how fun it is to learn a new skill,” explained the six-time national champion. “I love how much joy it brings. I love the intensity. I love the confidence it gives and I love the lessons it teaches.

“I wish that people knew that BMX isn’t as harmful as people think. Everyone is so afraid to fall, but it’s a part of life. Why not fall, doing something you enjoy?”

Catch Maseti on 1 and 2 August when she’ll be in action at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines BMX Stadium in Paris.