Latest news with #Cheetahs
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
More than £3k raised after crash left rider ‘feeling very lucky to be walking away'
MORE than £3,000 has been raised to repair machinery after a nasty crash left Oxford Cheetahs rider Cameron Heeps 'feeling very lucky to be walking away'. In Heat 12 of the Championship opener at home against Scunthorpe Scorpions, Zaine Kennedy cut across Heeps on the third bend, and in the following collision, Heeps hit the air fence at high speed. He was treated by medics and miraculously came away from the incident with no broken bones, but he was unable to continue due to lots of bruising and soft tissue damage, and he will take some time to recover before making his Cheetahs return. READ ALSO: Former U's loanee in star-studded squad for Under-21 Euros His bike was considerably damaged, with Oxford Speedway Supporters Club chairman Gavin Beckley creating a GoFundMe to help replace equipment. Alongside a track collection, more than £3,000 has been raised following a £2,000 target. Heeps said: 'I can't thank the supporters enough. It's blown me away the support that I have at Oxford and the amount of money that the fans have raised for me. I'm a bit speechless, because I can't say thank you enough. 'I'm so grateful because I don't have to stress about how I'm going to pay to repair the bike. I think the engine, the carby [carburettor], clutch and the seat are all we could save. A good 80 per cent of the bike has gone into the bin, but we can now put it back to how it was. 'The air fence and fence behind it both did their job. The fence behind was strong enough not to completely break, but weak enough to have plenty of give. It was the perfect mix. 'They did a great job when they rebuilt the track when speedway came back, they knew what they were doing and it was spot on. 'My brain wants to get back racing, but my body is telling me to hold on a bit. I took a pretty big hit, and I'll come back when I'm feeling comfortable. 'I don't think I could ever pay the fans back, they've gone above and beyond. But once I'm back, I'll put on a show and hopefully myself and the rest of the boys and can bring back some silverware for them.' To donate, please visit:
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Nienaber relishing challenge against 'wily' Smith's Glasgow
Glasgow and their URC semi-final opponents Leinster are well acquainted at this too, are Franco Smith and Jacques Nienaber, who first met in the 1990s, long before they emerged as two of South Africa's most respected coaches."I was his physiotherapist way back in 1998," recalled Leinster head coach Nienaber."We didn't go to school together but we were in rival schools so I know him and his family quite well. I actually coached with him with the Cheetahs in 2006 and 2007 before he went to Italy."He was their attack coach while I was dipping my toes in defence. Franco is an incredible human, a good person and you can see how he is leading Glasgow and the quality they have produced in the past couple of seasons under his guidance and leadership."He is a wily character, he understands the game and gets the team to gel so it'll be a nice challenge for us."Read more: Fatigue not an issue for Leinster
News24
25-05-2025
- Sport
- News24
Former Bok Cornal Hendricks funeral service
The funeral service for former Springbok winger Cornal Hendricks will take place at Wellington Moederkerk on Sunday. Hendricks died last Wednesday after suffering a heart attack. He was 37. The service starts at 12:00. Hendricks played 12 Tests for the Springboks between 2014 and 2015 and scored five tries. Hendricks' Test career was cut short when he was diagnosed with a heart ailment in late 2015. He had signed a two-year deal with the Stormers before the condition prevented him from playing for the Cape franchise. A deal with French side Toulon also fell through and he was forced to retire from rugby aged 27. However, after receiving a second medical opinion, he made a comeback for the Bulls in 2019 and played for the Pretoria franchise until 2024, before moving back to Boland where he started his professional career in 2008. He represented the Blitzboks from 2011 to 2014, before signing for the Cheetahs where he became a Springbok. Go to top
The Citizen
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Pumas and Griquas to battle it out for SA Cup title
The great rivalry between the Pumas and Griquas hits another level as they again battle it out in the SA Cup final this weekend. The Pumas and Griquas in action during their SA Cup pool match earlier this season. The two teams will contest the final on Saturday. Picture: Johan Orton/Gallo Images A cracking 2025 SA Cup final is on the cards as fierce rivals the Pumas and competition defending champs Griquas are set to battle it out for the title at the Mbombela Stadium in Mbombela on Saturday evening (kick-off 6:30pm). Although it is a lower division title, with none of the country's big four, the Bulls, Sharks, Stormers and Lions taking part, it is still an important trophy for the teams bubbling under, while the competition is also used as qualification for the Currie Cup, with the top four ranked teams making it in. That saw the two finalists, plus the third and fourth placed Cheetahs and Boland Kavaliers respectively, joining the big four in the country's premier franchise competition, set to kick off towards the end of July. This weekend's finale could have been very different after two thrilling semifinals were battled out last weekend that just went the way of the hosts by very small margins. The Pumas edged the Kavaliers 31-29, after they were reduced to 12 men in the second half holding a 25-10 lead, which allowed the visitors to fight back and go ahead 29-25, before two late penalties snuck the hosts back in front for the win. The Griquas and Cheetahs battled out a breathtaking encounter, both teams taking the lead and drawing level on numerous occasions, leading to the scores being locked at 38-all with just over 10 minutes left. Home captain George Whitehead then nailed a long range penalty to get them back ahead, which proved to be enough thanks to a terrific defensive effort at the death, including holding a Cheetahs player up over the line to secure the win. Fantastic rivalry The Pumas and Griquas will now continue their fantastic recent rivalry that has seen both sides triumph over the other in major finals. In 2022 it was the Pumas that stunned the Griquas on their home ground in the Currie Cup final, clinching a 26-19 win to lift the country's oldest trophy for the first time. In the 2023 Currie Cup the Pumas beat the Griquas 28-13 and 27-17 in the pool phase, as they made it to the playoffs and finished as runners-up to the Cheetahs. The SA Cup was then launched in 2024, and the Griquas got their revenge, beating the Pumas 31-26 in the pool stage and 46-24 in the final to lift the inaugural title. But the Pumas bounced back in the 2024 Currie Cup, thumping the Griquas 44-24 and 66-26, while they are unbeaten in this year's SA Cup, beating their rivals 39-34 in the pool stage, to take a three game winning run into the final. A top encounter is thus in the offering and it could become a scintillating battle that goes right down to the wire to see who will emerge victorious.
The South African
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Gayton McKenzie congratulates Rayno Nel on World's Strongest Man win
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has congratulated Rayno Nel for becoming the first African win the prestigious World's Strongest Man title. 'South Africa is beaming with pride as the rookie competitor made history on the global stage over the weekend in Sacramento, United States of America. It was not just a personal victory, but a continental milestone,' the department's statement read. As a former Cheetahs rugby player turned world champion strongman, the department said Nel showed the world what South Africans are made of – 'grit, determination, and unstoppable courage'. RELATED | Rayno Nel wins World's Strongest Man title: The dawn of the athletic era is HERE At the end of 2024, South Africa hosted the Strongman Champions League for the first time, with the vision of someday seeing a South African reach the top of this sport. 'For it to have happened this quickly, however, was a welcome surprise.' From his Varsity Cup days at Central University of Technology (CUT) to lifting the ultimate title in strength sports, the department stated that Nel's journey has been one of sheer resilience and national pride. 'His win is a reminder that greatness does not ask for permission, it announces itself. And Rayno, in his rookie season, announced South Africa's presence in this global sport in the boldest way possible.' The Minister recalled how Nel, who weighs 148kg and is the first rookie to win the competition since 1997, reached out to him for support in the early stages of his journey in strongman competitions. 'When Rayno approached me, he spoke with humility but had the fire of a champion. I told him then that I would stand behind him. Today, South Africa and the entire African continent celebrate with him.' The World's Strongest Man competition is designed to push the strongmen to their absolute limits, challenging not only their physical strength, but their agility and mental toughness too. McKenzie saluted Nel for his passion and perseverance. 'To see him raise the South African flag on such a massive platform, and to hear his words of pride for his country, is a moment I, and this nation, will not forget. 'South Africa salutes you,' McKenzie added. Post your congratulations below, by … Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
