Latest news with #NelsonMandelaBayStadium
Yahoo
08-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chippa United officially announce the signing of Thulani Mini
Chippa United officially announce the signing of Thulani Mini Chippa United, a prominent club in South Africa's Betway Premiership, has officially welcomed back Thulani Mini among their latest roster additions. The announcement came on Tuesday as the team gears up for the upcoming 2025/26 season. The 'Chilli Boys' have been intensifying their training sessions in preparation for their opening league fixture. They are scheduled to face reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns this Saturday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. Mini, a 23-year-old forward, marks Chippa's first confirmed signing for the new campaign. His departure from Stellenbosch FC was mutually agreed upon after a stint that saw him feature six times for the first team. During his time there, he also contributed to the reserve squad's triumph in the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) in the 2023/24 season. Alongside Mini, Chippa secured the services of Khaya Mfecane, a versatile 23-year-old previously with Cape Town Spurs. Capable of playing both defensively and in midfield, Mfecane brings five years of experience from his time at Spurs, as well as prior involvement with South Africa's junior national teams. 'Chippa United is proud to announce the signing of Khaya Mfecane,' the club stated. 'Hailing from Alice in King William's Town, part of the Amathole District Municipality, the dynamic midfielder arrives with U23 international exposure. Welcome home, Khaya.' Another fresh face at the club is Thamsanqa 'Shaka' Magwaza, a winger discovered in Mbizana, Eastern Cape. The team expressed enthusiasm about his potential impact, saying, 'Chippa United FC is proud to announce the signing of Thamsanqa 'Shaka' Magwaza! Scouted in the Mbizana region, Eastern Cape, the winger will be an exciting player to watch this coming season. Mayisukume iMpuma Koloni.' Additionally, Chippa confirmed the permanent acquisition of Azola Tshobeni from Orlando Pirates. With further signings expected to be revealed soon, the upcoming match will also mark Sinethemba Badela's first official game in charge since his recent appointment as head coach.
The Herald
01-08-2025
- Business
- The Herald
MBDA exiting the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium on a path of success
The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is a dynamic trading operation that requires a predictable environment to thrive. To ensure a multipurpose facility like it works well, it requires investing time in building relationships, technology, maintenance, and getting the right people on board to build an attractive calendar of events and inventory. A lot of what we see today at the stadium is a return on two years of hard work and investment, developing a whole suite of bankable projects and a viable commercial plan. In the 2024/25 financial year that ended June 30, the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality had set a revenue target of R14m for the stadium's operations, and not only did the MBDA surpass this, but significantly so to the tune of more than R20m. For accountability, the financial performance of the MBDA is recorded in monthly management reports submitted to the municipality as a compliance requirement. Since October 2024, the stadium has been the focus of national and international attention, whether for the Home of Legends Cup, Nedbank Semifinal, DHL Stormers against RC Toulon, Bafana Bafana playing Ghana, U20 Rugby Championship, or more recently the Springboks Test match against Italy. The fact is, the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is buzzing again. It is this buzz that seems to have suddenly caught attention, and as the popular proverb goes, 'failure is an orphan, but success has many fathers'. The Bay stadium is demonstrating signs of success, and it is no surprise then that some are eager to associate with it. What is not apparent to them is that the fruits we see today are the results of two years of planning, canvassing and lobbying by the MBDA management, while maintaining this city's iconic facility with diligence and care. As we prepare to transition out of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, we hold our heads high and it is important that we give account to the ratepayers of the most recent and notable initiatives of the last 12 months. The Test match did not land on our lap; it came through intense background work we did with EP Rugby and supporting the union with restoring and reimagining its relationship with SA's rugby community. Subsequently, this agreement led to a delegation to SA Rugby presenting our case for regular international rugby Test fixtures to return to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Ultimately, this objective was achieved through a shared commercially driven model that was both mutually beneficial not only for Saru and the MBDA, but the entirety of the Eastern Cape province. The MBDA raised direct revenue of R4.4m from the Test match including nearly R400,000 from food and beverage sales as part of the agreed commercial model with Saru. To put this in context, this equates to 22% of the R20m target that the municipality has challenged the MBDA to achieve in this current financial year. The MBDA has already achieved 22% in one month. In addition, the MBDA saved the municipality a whopping R10m Test match hosting fee through smart commercial deal-making led by the executive management. The Test match's economic impact in the city was north of R60m, with every registered hospitality establishment either full or near capacity. The ripple effect was felt in all corners of the Bay, from Gelvandale, Motherwell, to KwaNobuhle, as a record number of mainly youth were gainfully employed during that week. The retail industry also reported a big surge in sales. The positive media coverage tracked is in the millions, stretching to international markets. The image presented is of a Bay venue with the most gees and vibe not seen in a long time. Social media was abuzz, commending the Bay for a memorable experience, thanks to a partnership forged through efforts of the MBDA, EP Rugby and Saru. The successful hosting of the Springbok Test match was an intended catalyst to advance the case for more national and international fixtures to return to the Bay. Currently, we are at an advanced stage in preparations for hosting an Investec Champions Cup match, once again highlighting the proactive approach of the MBDA in attracting major events that have significant economic spin-offs for the city. We exit the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium mindful that the facility has been well-maintained, has improved operations, systems and controls, but most importantly, the people who we have entrusted with this work are the best at what they do, they are resilient and innovative. As evidenced by the upcoming Jazz on the Lake concert, we had started creating our own portfolio of events as a proactive step to close any gaps in the calendar. It is our hope that absorbing the staff of the stadium into the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality does not diminish their entrepreneurial character and creativity. We also hope that those who take charge can only build on the success they are about to inherit as this stadium represents the only hope for economic growth fuelled by mass sporting events in the province. This is why when we took over the stadium in 2017, rebranded it — giving it back to its citizens as #OURSTADIUM. Anele Qaba, MBDA chief executive The Herald
The Herald
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
All the vibes from Saturday's rugby Test and entertainment in pictures
Relive the razzmatazz and on-field action from Saturday's international rugby at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium through this gallery featuring images captured by one of The Herald's photographers, FREDLIN ADRIAAN FLYING IN: Springbok hero Edwill van der Merwe evades a tackle by Italy's Alessandro Fusco as he dives over the line for a disallowed try during Saturday's Test at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Image: FREDLIN ADRIAAN PATRIOTIC NOTES: Gqeberha-born performer Belinda Davids sings the SA anthem Image: FREDLIN ADRIAAN RAPPY CHAP: Artist Early B performs before the match Image: FREDLIN ADRIAAN GROUP EFFORT: Early B performs with the GQ dancers Image: FREDLIN ADRIAAN EVASIVE ACTION: Springbok wing Makazole Mapimpi gets moving against Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday Image: FREDLIN ADRIAAN FULLY FOCUSED: Manie Libbok during Saturday's Test against Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Image: FREDLIN ADRIAAN SKY-HIGH: Springboks Edwill van der Merwe (14) and Pieter-Steph du Toit tussle for the ball with Italy's Jacopo Trulla Image: FREDLIN ADRIAAN SHOWING SUPPORT: The Springbok Women vs Canada game at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday Image: FREDLIN ADRIAAN BREAKING FREE: Action during the Springbok Women vs Canada game Image: FREDLIN ADRIAAN GOING DOWN: A Springbok Women player is tackled during the game against Canada Image: FREDLIN ADRIAAN Springbok Fan Highlights at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Explore our match-day fan gallery to see if you were caught in action backing the Boks.
France 24
12-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Springboks overcome Wiese red card to crush Italy
Wiese was sent off after 22 minutes for head-butting prop Danilo Fischetti in a penalty-riddled match that also saw one South African and two Italians yellow-carded. At one stage in the second half at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium it was 13 versus 15 after Springboks prop Wilco Louw was yellow-carded. Fischetti followed Louw to the sin bin three minutes later and replacement loose forward David Odiase was yellow-carded in the closing stages. "I am really pleased, and I am sure my teammates are also thrilled that we could deliver a performance like that," said Springboks captain and lock Salmaan Moerat. "We knew the threat the Italians posed. They are a quality side who made it really hard for us last week, and also this week, especially when we were down one man early in the game. "I thought we did really well to show character and pull through. The boys really played with heart tonight." le Roux becomes centurion Italy captain and lock Niccolo Cannone said: "It was a very tough game, we know the level of the Springboks. I am proud of my team, but we have to improve many things because this is a high level. "We fought until the end, but we fell too far behind in the fist half to have a realistic chance of victory and levelling the series." Amid the disciplinary mayhem, full-back Willie le Roux became the eighth Springbok to win 100 caps. He received rapturous applause when substituted midway through the second half. Back Ethan Hooker and forwards Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Cobus Wiese -- a brother of Jasper -- made their Test debuts off the bench in a second half that became increasingly scrappy. A South African side showing 11 changes to the starting line-up after a mixed first Test performance last weekend scored seven tries to the delight of the capacity 44,282 crowd. Winger Edwill van der Merwe, recalled after a 13-month absence, scored twice in the first half and won the player of the match award. Scrum-half Grant Williams and centre Canan Moodie also crossed the tryline. After missing his first two conversions with kicks that veered left of the near post, fly-half Manie Libbok succeeded with the next two and South Africa led 24-0 at half-time. The record four-time Rugby World Cup winners added another three tries in the second half through hooker Malcolm Marx, winger Makazole Mapimpi and replacement hooker Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Libbok converted them all to finish with a personal tally of 10 points, and his mix of kicking and running was impressive in an electric atmosphere. Italy, fielding only five of the starters in a narrow Six Nations Championship loss to Ireland last March, rarely threatened to score and conceded many penalties.
Associated Press
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
14-man Springboks suppress Italy with 7 tries
GQEBERHA, South Africa (AP) — South Africa smothered Italy 45-0 with only 14 men at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and swept their two-test rugby series on Saturday. No. 8 Jasper Wiese was sent off in the 22nd minute for head-butting Italy prop Danilo Fischetti. His first international red card spoiled the chance to play with his younger brother Cobus, who made his Springboks debut in the second half. South Africa had two tries by then and scored five more. Even when it had 13 players for 10 minutes after prop Wilco Louw was sin-binned for head-on-head contact, South Africa still scored. Winger Edwill van der Merwe was denied a hat-trick try by a forward pass so the pack engineered a lineout drive for Malcolm Marx to dot down. Its the third time South Africa has blanked Italy. The last time was 17 years ago. A depleted Italy never looked like scoring a try and didn't have a shot at the posts. A strong response was expected from world champion South Africa after it was humbled by Italy's fightback in Pretoria last weekend. South Africa led 28-3 at halftime but won only 42-24. This time, South Africa led 24-0 at halftime and never let its foot off Italy's throat. The Springboks retained from Pretoria only seven players, including fullback Willie le Roux, who became the eighth Bok to play 100 tests, 12 years after his debut against the same side. Even with a much changed team, South Africa still started 11 Rugby World Cup winners. One of them, scrumhalf Grant Williams, scored the opening try thanks to his Sharks clubmates on the wings, Van der Merwe and Makazole Mapimpi. Van der Merwe dived beside the right corner flag for the second try and his second in his second test. After Jasper Wiese was marched, the winger also got the third try, the best of the match. Ox Nche had just arrived to shore up the Boks front row and destroyed an Italy scrum. Le Roux then chipped the ball and a kind bounce allowed Van der Merwe to dribble the ball to behind the posts and score. Center Canan Moodie bagged the fourth try just before halftime when he smashed through two defenders. Yellow cards dropped both teams to 14 players when Marx scored. But as the benches cleared the game lost its shape and it took more than 20 minutes for the Boks to score again. Beautiful handling set up Mapimpi's 33rd test try. In the dying seconds, replacement hooker Jan-Hendrik Wessels scored in the corner and Mannie Libbok converted from the sideline, his fifth success from seven shots. ___ AP rugby:
