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The Star
a day ago
- General
- The Star
Ryan Rickelton aims high as Proteas take on Australia in WTC final
Having missed out on selection for South Africa's Test series against Australia three years ago, Ryan Rickelton will be keen to contribute significantly as he opens the batting for the Proteas against the old foe in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's, in London, starting next week. The 28-year-old now has 10 Tests under his belt since his debut in 2022, and seems to have firmly established his place at the top of the order. That's due in large part to the 259 he scored against Pakistan in the New Year's Test in Cape Town this year. In fact, Rickelton has two centuries in his last three Tests, and he will take on the Aussies with newfound confidence. "Bygones are bygones. It's in the past. I just have a really great opportunity to play against Australia in England in front of my family. They'll all be there, and my friends as well. So, what a cool week that'll be, and if I can contribute with the bat and put in a performance, that'll make it even sweeter,' Rickelton told "I've always watched Australia since I was a young boy, and they've been such a dominant force in world cricket for a long time. So, this is a dream come true for me.' Rickelton's performances of late have seen previous opener Tony de Zorzi shift down the order, and the responsibility of opening alongside Aiden Markram is massive. "I'm a bit nervous; it's a new opportunity for me. It was a new opportunity to open the batting in the New Year's Test, let alone the final against Australia. But, in saying that, I just want to bat, so if that's where I need to do my job, then hopefully I can prepare accordingly and try to set the game up for the team and dig in for a period of time. "With a new ball, generally it requires a bit of searching, which offers up some runs, so hopefully I can do myself justice and face a lengthy or a good sum of balls and back myself. If I face a few dozen deliveries, I'll be able to get some runs as well." @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Bayanda Walaza: The rising star set to succeed Akani Simbine as South Africa's sprint king
POISED FOR GREATNESS Bayanda Walaza, South Africa's teenage sprint sensation, is poised to succeed Akani Simbine as the nation's sprint king after setting a new SA junior 100m record of 9.94 seconds. Picture: BackpagePix His time in Rabat of 9.95 was well ahead of Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala (10.05) in second and Fred Kerley (10.07) in third. The 31-year-old Simbine is also unbeaten in five races now, following his victory in the Diamond League in Rabat on Sunday. Simbine also has the fastest 100m time in the world this year so far, with his 9.90 seconds he clocked in Gaborone, Botswana, on April 12. The contribution Akani Simbine has made to South African sprinting cannot be questioned, as he has been the flag-bearer for a generation. Bayanda Walaza Sets New SA Junior Record with 9.94, Poised to Succeed Simbine Despite his incredible form at his age, Simbine surely can't remain SA's top sprinter for much longer, as teenager Bayanda Walaza just keeps getting better. Walaza turned 19 in February, and despite his ungainly running style, he just keeps producing faster times. On Saturday, Walaza clocked 9.94 at the Boris Hankezovic Memorial meeting in Zagreb. It's yet another SA junior record, and he tied the fourth fastest time ever run by a South African. It's also the third fastest time in the world this year. Last year, Walaza was part of the SA men's 4x100m team which claimed silver at the Paris Olympics. That team was led by Simbine, in what to date has been his only major international medal. Despite his lack of medals on the biggest stage, the consistency and longevity of Simbine has been phenomenal. Testament to this is the fact that Simbine has run sub-10 in the 100m for the last 11 years in a row - which no other sprinter has ever achieved. Simbine's spikes indeed will be big ones to fill, but there's little doubt that Walaza will be up to the task when that day comes. @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Move over Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, Gary Player is still the biggest Donald Trump supporter
PRO-TRUMP Gary Player remains the most vocal supporter of Donald Trump among South African golf legends, surpassing Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. Picture: Michael Sherman/IOL While Els in particular has come in for criticism for his support of Trump in the past, he is not the most vocal in his political beliefs among legendary SA golfers. SA businessman and massive supporter of SA golf, Johann Rupert was also in attendance. The two veteran golfers were roped in to help ease diplomatic relations between the two nations, as the US President is an avid golfer. Els and Goosen are also known to be personal friends with Trump. It's fair to say that it was met with mixed reaction as Ernie Els and Retief Goosen joined SA President Cyril Ramaphosa in his much-publicised meeting with Donald Trump , in Washington, on Wednesday. Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Gary Player's Controversial Tribute to Trump at Sun City Invitational That honour should fall to Gary Player. Player, 89, has not hidden his support for Trump over the years - most notably accepting the Medal of Freedom during the President's first term in office back in 2021. At the Gary & Vivienne Player Invitational in November last year at Sun City, the nine-time major champion bizarrely gave his thoughts on Trump in a speech to open the tournament. 'You know we talk about legacies. Winston Churchill for me was one of my all-time heroes, but it wasn't for him we wouldn't be standing here tonight,' said Player. 'He said the youth of the nation are the trustees of posterity. In the White House, which I have spent a lot of time in the office, the President, there was a picture or a statue of Winston Churchill. '[Joe] Biden and [Barack] Obama took it down, in spite of what he did to win the war, and Donald Trump put it back! And now it's going to thank God come back into the office.' As Player finished talking about Trump there was muted applause from the guests in attendance for the speech at The Palace hotel. Player also went on to say he suffered like a junkyard dog in the early part of his career and how he 'never choked' during his career. @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport
