Latest news with #CastleLager
TimesLIVE
6 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Aussies will definitely sledge Rabada, Markram believes
'Behind the scenes the team must rally behind him, and make sure his prep is good and he is focusing' Long before he tested positive for taking a recreational drug, Kagiso Rabada, was going to be a central figure in the build up to the World Test Championship final. Now he has that cloud hanging over his head, everyone, including Rabada's teammates, expect the Australians to remind him of his indiscretion. 'I'm sure [the Australians] will 'talk' to him. It comes with the job. Whenever people can have a dig, they will have a dig,' said Aiden Markram, who has played with Rabada since the pair were schoolboys. Former Proteas captain, Graeme Smith agreed. 'Unfortunately when you make a mistake it comes with pressures of embarrassment, what people say about you and all that sort of crap. He will have to find a way to mentally deal with that.' A proud and memorable Castle Lager send-off: a celebration of unity, passion, and unwavering support for our Proteas Men as we look toward the ICC World Test Championship Final 🇿🇦🏏🍻. #WTC25 #WozaNawe #ProteasWTCFinal #BePartOfIt #CastleLager — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) May 31, 2025 In that controversial 2018 series, which ended with the Australians scratching the ball with sandpaper, it was Rabada who was targeted in the second Test, when Steve Smith, knowing the SA spearhead was one charge away from a suspension, initiated contact between the pair. The infamous 'shoulder barge' of the then Australian captain, indeed led to Rabada incurring a suspension, which would have been served in third Test until Dali Mpofu helped win an appeal which overturned the sanction. The Australians were furious and their anger played a small role in the controversy that followed at Newlands. Six years later the heat between the two teams, which had built up during a decade of intense series's, has cooled. Although a few protagonists remain from 2018 — including Rabada, Smith and current Australian captain, Pat Cummins — much of the bitterness from that era has passed. 'Players on both teams have played cricket with each other somewhere and that creates a different dynamic because you get to know the person and then it becomes hard to be crude towards someone,' said Markram, who made two centuries in that series. Nevertheless Rabada certainly expects some chirps to be directed his way at Lord's. 'Any type of verbal abuse, or if the media want to say something, that's normal, that's the field we play in. You can't be ignorant to it, you have to be aware. I don't think it is anything that is going to slow me down,' Rabada said last Friday. 'We've obviously chatted,' said Markam. 'Mentally, KG is one of the strongest people I know. He's dealt with this well in his own personal space. We trust that fully. You're talking about KG, one decision or whatever happened doesn't change anything about the person, what he's achieved and him as a person. We've come a long way. I feel I can see it in his eyes. To me, it looks like he will be completely fine.' Rabada said he 'owed' it to his teammates to address them about his positive test, but said that in the limited interaction he's had with some, he could feel their support for him. Smith said that would be important in the build-up to the final. 'Behind the scenes the team must rally behind him, and make sure his prep is good and he is focusing on the right things,' said the former Proteas skipper. 'He has an opportunity to bounce back and to make the most of it. He's going to be a key figure. Everyone will be looking at him. Even if he doesn't get the wickets that he might like to get, it will be about his performance driving other people forward as well.'
News24
20-05-2025
- Business
- News24
Old flagship sponsor returns to back Proteas for World Test Championship final
Castle Lager is back on board to sponsor the Proteas in the World Test Championship final against Australia. The final takes place at Lord's from 11-15 June. CSA CEO Pholetsi Mosekki says they are humbled to be backed by a brand that reflects 'a shared belief in the power of unity, resilience, and national pride'. For more Proteas news, visit our dedicated section. The Proteas will have a familiar ally back in their corner when they tackle Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord's in London from 11-15 June. Castle Lager, which was once synonymous with South African cricket, will be the Proteas' official team sponsor for the duration of the showpiece at the 'Home of Cricket'. READ | To Ngidi or to Paterson? The Lord's slope could hold the answer The flagship brand of South African Breweries (SAB) will feature on the leading sleeve of the Proteas' playing kit. Cricket SA's CEO, Pholetsi Moseki, welcomed Castle coming on board for the World Test Championship final. 'The show of support for the Proteas Men reaffirms Castle Lager's long-standing and consistent support of South African cricket. 'We are humbled to go into the WTC Final with a brand that reflects a shared belief in the power of unity, resilience, and national pride. 'Castle Lager's backing serves as a rallying cry to the nation to stand behind our boys as they chase Test cricket greatness on the global stage,' Moseki said. Castle's Brand Director, Thomas Lawrence, added: 'Castle Lager is proud to be back on the Proteas Test jersey - a symbol of resilience, pride, and South African excellence. 'Our return marks not just a sponsorship, but a renewed commitment to the spirit of Test cricket and the values it shares with our brand: heritage, endurance, and unity. Together with the Proteas, we look forward to writing the next great chapter in South African cricket.' The South African squad will assemble in Arundel, England on 31 May and will play a warm-up match against Zimbabwe from 3-6 June, before heading to London on 7 June. 🗞Announcement 🗞 Castle Lager will be the official team sponsor to the Proteas Men for the duration of ICC World Test Championships (WTC) Final taking place from 11 – 15 June at Lord's Cricket Ground in London. @CastleLagerSA, the flagship brand of South African Breweries… — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) May 20, 2025
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Proteas and Castle Lager reunite long-standing relationship for Lord's ICC World Test final
The Proteas Test squad will be sponsored by Castle Lager in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Picture: Supplied. In an exciting development for South African cricket, Castle Lager has been unveiled as the official team sponsor for the Proteas Men during the upcoming ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final, taking place from 11-15 June at the famed Lord's Cricket Ground in London. This collaboration between Castle Lager, the flagship beer brand of South African Breweries (SAB), and Cricket South Africa (CSA) reflects a deep-rooted connection with the sport and showcases a commitment to the national team as they contend for cricketing supremacy. As part of this sponsorship, Castle Lager will prominently feature on the leading sleeve of the Proteas' playing kit for the highly anticipated match. CSA Chief Executive Officer, Pholetsi Moseki, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, 'CSA is pleased to welcome Castle Lager as the official team sponsor for the ICC World Test Championship Final. The show of support for the Proteas Men reaffirms Castle Lager's long-standing and consistent support of South African cricket.'
News24
08-05-2025
- Business
- News24
Corona, Stella gain traction in SA, with AB Inbev stealing market share
While AB Inbev saw declining volumes in South Africa, it reported market share gains in the first quarter of the year. Its Corona and Stella Artois brands saw strong local sales. The group's profit beat forecasts by a large margin. For more financial news, go to the News24 Business front page. Anheuser-Busch InBev says its brands took market share from competitors in South Africa, with Corona and Stella Artois seeing solid sales growth in the country in the first quarter. Still, the Belgium-headquartered giant reported a volume decline of 'low single digits' (below 5%) in South Africa, where its brands include Castle Lager, Carling Black Label, and Flying Fish. Along with others in the industry, the quarter was affected by the late Easter holidays, which this year fell later in April. Its 'Beyond Beer' brands – primarily Brutal Fruit – saw volume growth of mid-single digits, while Corona and Stella Artois volumes were up in the low-teens (10% to 14%). AB Inbev reported estimated market share gains in both beer and Beyond Beer. Last month, its main local competitor, Heineken, reported that its SA beer and cider volumes declined by a high single digit, 'behind a market characterised by an aggressive promotional environment'. The group owns brands like Amstel and Savanna. In South Africa, AB Inbev's revenue and profit before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by low-single digits. Across the world, the group reported a nearly 8% rise in first-quarter operating profit, which was more than double what analysts expected, Reuters reported. Its share price gained 3% in morning trading on the JSE, and is now up 40% since mid-January. The group's revenue rose 1.5% as it benefited from price hikes, even as its volumes declined by more than 2%. Sales in the US and China struggled, but South America performed well. Corona was a stand-out brand, increasing revenue by more than 11% outside of Mexico with double-digit volume growth in more than 30 markets.
