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The South African
a day ago
- Sport
- The South African
WATCH: SA U20 stars train with Springboks
In another example of some innovative thinking from Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, it was recently confirmed that three young stars had been called up to train with the senior team after their heroics at the U20 World Championship. Bathobele Hlekani, Cheswill Jooste and Haashim Pead all earned the opportunity to train with the Springbok group during their two-week conditioning camp in Johannesburg, which began on Sunday 27 July. It's something that has understandably excited the South African rugby community, and a clip recently posted by SuperSport shows the three young talents getting stuck into some gym work. In the recent U20 tournament, Hlekani impressed with his powerful performances at blindside flank, Pead set the tournament alight as the standout scrumhalf, while outside back Cheswill Jooste was a constant attacking threat. Speaking about the young guns invited to train with the squad for the next two weeks, Erasmus said: 'We are tremendously proud of the Junior Springboks for winning the World Rugby U20 Championship and we were thrilled to see the talent coming through the junior ranks, so we opted to invite three of them to join us to expose them to our structures and the standards required at top international level. 'We believe this camp will benefit them significantly, and we are excited to see how they slot in and train with us. 'Unfortunately, we had to limit the size of the squad to ensure maximum outputs and more individual attention at our training sessions, so although more players could have been invited, we could only select three.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Mail & Guardian
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mail & Guardian
Giants: A story of faith, family and football
Olisa Ndah and Thabiso Sesane discuss the struggles of injuries. Photos: Supplied In the fairy tale of Jack and the Beanstalk, a poor boy trades his family's cow for magical beans that sprout into the heavens and into the realm of giants. Many lessons can be taken from the story but one that stands out is that of faith and family. The belief that magical beans can grow and uproot your family from suffering can be seen as whimsical and as far-fetched as the dream of making it as a professional footballer or, if you're a fan, that your team will march to victory. Yet somehow this classic fairy tale beautifully parallels the football story told in the upcoming sports docuseries, Giants. The latest in the roster of SuperSport Originals, Giants is produced in collaboration with the award-winning film company T+W to tell a story about faith, family and football. In the five-part series scheduled for a five-season run, South African football teams will grant T+W exclusive access to document their league and cup campaigns. Season 1 sees the production house and broadcaster lay bare the heart and soul of Orlando Pirates' 2024‑25 season in a raw and emotional narrative. For Giants, think Netflix's Drive to Survive but for iDiski Times website. For the non-sporting people, imagine the American NBC comedy The Office but in the high-pressure, high-performance and unscripted world of football. Yes, you get a laugh here and there, but ultimately on Giants you are seeing the most human aspect of athletes who, with their gladiatorial frame, often seem infallible. You don't see athletes, you see humans. 'Audiences today want more than match highlights — they want depth, emotion, context and humanity,' says series director Luthando Tshaya. Director Luthando Tshaya 'With Giants, we aimed to shift the focus beyond the pitch. This documentary has to shine a brighter light on the players themselves, their personal journeys, the communities and families they come from. This was about capturing not just football, but life.' 'You connect with them and connect with their families; you start praying the same prayers as their moms,' adds executive producer Siyanda Manzini. Bringing this behemoth of a production to life required self-sacrifice and dedication, meaning the team behind the scenes had to fall in love with telling a story of humanity through the lens of football. 'We captured everything from early-morning gym sessions and emotional family moments to high-stakes match days and tactical decisions behind closed doors,' says Manzini. 'It was about trust. And once we earned that trust, we unlocked gold.' Trust was a vital cog in carving this viewing experience. Imagine having a camera on you during that unnecessary Teams call for a presentation you're not prepared for at work. That level of vulnerability is no laughing matter. Equally daunting yet therapeutic for Lebo Lepasa, the sister of Orlando Pirates' striker Zakhele Lepasa, was opening up to the world. 'For me it was emotional, eye-opening and strangely healing. Sharing personal parts of our lives felt daunting at first but the crew created a space that was respectful and supportive. And it also made me appreciate just how powerful storytelling can be,' she says. Tshaya describes the production as telling a story of 'faith beyond football', something Lepasa connects with deeply. As she sits in the stands or fiercely grips the nearest cushion on her couch at home, it's faith that fuels her support of her brother. 'Faith for us has really kept us anchored. It's what has carried us through the pressures, the wins, losses and criticisms of the fans. We kept reminding ourselves that the journey is bigger than football. It's about the purpose, discipline and the legacy,' she says. Similarly, Phumzile Mbatha, the mother of Ezamagebula midfielder Thalente Mbatha, describes herself as shy, but she grew to enjoy the process of filming and the opportunity it gave her to reminisce about raising her son. But being the support system to a player of one of South Africa's biggest clubs is not easy. Pirates coach Helmi Gueldich appears in the football doccie Giants 'It's very challenging because Pirates is a very big team. Since joining Pirates from a smaller team, the biggest challenge is social media,' Mam'Mbatha says. 'People don't understand and don't choose their words wisely. People don't respect the feelings of other people and forget that the players are also human. That is what hurts my feelings, but it's a part of the game.' Mam' Mbatha's resolution of criticism being a part of the game translates into a mental fortitude that her son exhibits in a diary entry that features on Giants. 'There's going to be a lot of critics [but] 'ikhonkotha ehambayo (dogs bark at moving vehicle).' The anecdote is something that keeps the Orlando Pirates No 16 motivated and focused. 'If I wasn't playing, it means you wouldn't be talking. So ikhonkotha ehambayo,' he says. The sporting and cultural weight of Orlando Pirates for South Africa is immeasurable, so the microscopic lens on all details of the club is to be expected. Manzini spoke of the challenge of 'matching the rhythm' of a club she described as 'intsika' (pillar) of black excellence and township pride. Tshaya 'felt the time was right to document what it truly means to wear the black and white jersey, to chase greatness, and to carry the hopes of millions'. But for co-series director Wani Rantloane, Giants goes even deeper. 'What you will learn about Pirates when you watch Giants is that it's very rooted in family and growing communities. It's a club that is run by a family that instils family values.' Rantloane and her co-creators are proud to archive South African football history, to showcase football as a place of joy and, in her words, 'immortalising greatness' through Giants. 'To become a giant, it's not just about being a talented footballer. It also comes with integrity, dealing with failures and challenges,' Rantloane adds. 'If we can start creating relatable and strong role models for our kids, it's going to mould how our society is built. 'People see the player but not the phone calls after a tough game and the prayers before every match. I hope people see the love, the resilience and the deep emotional labour that comes with being their [the players'] support system,' Lepasa says. With the first episode on Sunday, 27 July, on Mzansi Magic, SuperSport and Showmax Premier League, Giants promises to be a beautiful family watch with tonnes of thrills and frills to cultivate lessons and, of course, drama. Brace yourself. 'Expect the truth. Not a scripted gloss-over, but the raw, layered truth of what it means to be a giant,' says Manzini. Giants is meticulously structured to capture key turning points and spotlight different layers of what makes this club iconic. Season 1 cinematically archives the trials, tribulations and triumphs of people who happen to play professional football. It is equally a memorable cinematic experience as it is a reflection of society. It's sure to make that keyboard hater think twice before slandering Mam'Mbatha's son and Lepasa's brother. Though the outcomes of the story are well known to the public, the jeopardy is not lost because skilful storytelling immerses the audience in a recent past that feels like a lucid present. 'Each [episode] has its own heart and rhythm,' says Manzini. 'From the silent struggles to the loud celebrations, every episode brings something distinct, but connected by one powerful thread: legacy.' Tshaya adds: 'You'll see the stories that humanise the badge. Whether you're a die-hard fan or newcomer to South African football, there's something universal in the story.' So whether you choose to see it to decipher whether former coach José Ribeiro is a Michael Scott kind of leader or a Jay Pritchett one, whether you leave your couch having adopted the faith Jack had in his magical beans to help his family, you're sure to scale the heights of a deeply humanising journey and sit among giants.
TimesLIVE
20-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Proteas to meet Black Caps in Tri-Series final after beating Zim
Ruben Hermann and Rassie van der Dussen made half-centuries as the Proteas romped to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in their third match of the T20 Tri-Series at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday afternoon. The result saw the Proteas bounce back from defeat against New Zealand on Wednesday. Chasing Zimbabwe's target of 145, Hermann and captain Van der Dussen were the star performers, sharing a 106-run partnership. They set the ship back on course after Zimbabwe's Tinotenda Maposa made early inroads in the first power play, removing openers Lhuan-dre Pretorius (4) and Reeza Hendricks (6). Though he could not carry the Proteas over the line after being bowled by Richard Ngavara, Herman's 63 off 36 balls played a crucial role in getting the Proteas their second win of the series, which confirmed a place in the final on Saturday with a game in hand. Game. Set. Match 🇿🇦💥 The Proteas Men beat Zimbabwe to book their place in next Saturday's Tri-Series final ✅🏆 #SSCricket | #ZIMvRSA — SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) July 20, 2025 Van der Dussen finished with an impressive unbeaten 52 runs. He was accompanied by Dewald Brevis at the end as the Proteas got home with 16 balls to spare. Opener Brian Bennett belted 61 runs off 43 balls to help the home team to a respectable total of 144 for six. Bennett was the mainstay of the innings, with most of the Chevrons' top and middle orders struggling to get going. He paced his innings well, going at a good strike rate of 141.86 while scoring seven fours and three sixes. The only other major contribution came via the unbeaten 36 of Ryan Burl, who fought against accurate Proteas death bowling while losing partners at the other end. The Proteas pacers did not give Bennett and his opening partner Wessly Madhevere any room to breathe after they won the toss and bowled. It took almost three overs for Zimbabwe to get the ball to the boundary. And just when they were getting their groove on, Cobin Bosch had Madhevere caught at mid-off by Van der Dussen for 13. Bosch continued with his persistent good length, leading to the dismissal of Clive Madande, who hit the ball straight back at him for a caught-and-bowled. With Bennett and Sikandar Raza in the middle, Zimbabwe concluded the first power play on 29/2, but Raza had a short stay at the crease, being caught at deep square by Nandre Burger off the bowling of spinner Nqaba Peter's tossed up delivery. Bennett stayed composed despite losing partners and, with Burl, put on a stand of 78 runs off 47 deliveries. The 21-year-old Bennett progressed to his third career fifty before the Proteas bowlers regrouped to counter. Ngidi outfoxed the dangerous Bennett with a slower ball, which bowled him in the 15th over. In the next over, Burger removed Tashinga Musekiwa for a golden duck, caught in the deep by Dewald Brevis. The Proteas' death bowlers mixed it up in the closing overs with yorkers and slower balls to restrict the Zimbabweans. Bosch finished with economical figures of two for 16 runs. South Africa play New Zealand on Tuesday (1pm) before taking on the Black Caps in the final on Saturday (1pm).
Morocco World
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Nigeria vs Zambia WAFCON: Where and When to Watch Quarterfinals
Rabat – Nigeria and Zambia will clash this evening as part of the Women's African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarterfinals. The quarterfinals match will take place at the Larbo Zaouli stadium at 5 p.m. local time Several broadcasters will air the match. If you are in Zambia, you can watch the match at ZNBC, Diamond TV, or SuperSport. Nigerians can watch the match on SuperSport. Nigeria kicked off its stage group game with a win 3-0 against Tunisia. It also won its second game against Botswana 1-0. Meanwhile, Zambia drew 2-2 with Morocco in their first stage group match against Morocco 2-2. They won their remaining group games 3-2 and 1-0 against Senegal and DR Congo, respectively. Zambia finished third in the 2022 Wafcon after a hard-fought win over Nigeria in the bronze medal match. This year marks their fourth appearance in the continental tournament. In addition to Zambia vs Nigeria, today's fixtures also include a quarterfinal match between Morocco and Mali. The W The WAFCON game will take place at 8 p.m. local time at the Rabat Olympic Stadium. Arriyadia TNT and beIN Sports will air the match. Tags: morocco wafconnigeria wafcon
TimesLIVE
18-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Akani Simbine, Zakithi Nene set for Diamond League return in London
Relay sprint stars Akani Simbine and Zakithi Nene return to Diamond League action in London on Saturday as they step up their preparation for the world championships in Tokyo in September. The duo, who anchored the South African men's 4x100m and 4x400m teams to gold at World Relays in China in May, have spent more than the past month in training, away from competition. Simbine, winner of the 60m bronze at the world indoor championships in March, has gone unbeaten over 100m so far this season with six wins out of six. But he'll do well to make it seven on Saturday when he goes up against Olympic 100m and 200m champions, American Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo of Botswana. At this meet last year Simbine finished second behind Lyles — but ahead of Tebogo — while dipping under 9.90sec for the second time in his career. The South African speedster achieved that two more times during the Paris Olympics the next month, lowering his national mark to 9.82 while finishing fourth in the final. Also in the line-up are Jamaicans Oblique Seville and Ackeem Blake as well as the British trio of Zharnel Hughes, world indoor champion Jeremiah Azu and Louie Hinchliffe, all members of the relay outfit that took bronze behind South Africa in Paris. Nene, who has notched up two second places in Diamond League meets this year as well as a victory in Nairobi, faces five Olympic medallists as well as Zambian Commonwealth Games 400m champion Muzala Samukonga. Vernon Norwood was part of the victorious US 4x400m ensemble in France, with Bayapo Ndori and Busang Kebinatshipi competing for runners-up Botswana. Olympic 400m silver medallist Matthew Hudson-Smith and Charlie Dobson ran for the third-placed British team. But Nene owns the fastest season's best in the field, courtesy of the 43.76 he clocked in Kenya. The meeting will be broadcast on SuperSport channel 208 from 3pm.
