How football helped Thinasonke Mbuli grieve
The Banyana Banyana assistant coach defied her mother’s wishes when she pursued a career in sport. But football has kept Mbuli sane through tragedy, and it’s a choice she would make again.
Stories by: Allan Hendricks
Thando Ntini unfazed by the weight of expectations
His surname and his father’s accomplishments put the 20-year-old under more scrutiny than his peers. But that doesn’t bother the talented bowler who has announced his name in style.
Mpumelelo Mhlongo, star athlete and healthcare hero
The para-athlete who broke his own sprint record in Dubai last year is working to transform South Africa’s healthcare system while targeting a storming performance at the Tokyo Games next year.
Joe van Niekerk lives the good life in Costa Rica
The former Springbok chose a different path on hanging up his rugby boots, taking up organic farming in Costa Rica and rediscovering himself by being one with nature.
The gifted Gregory Mahlokwana bowls both ways
The young, ambidextrous bowler was almost lost to cricket as a more certain career in law enforcement beckoned. But a chance meeting with his idol gave him the chance to pursue the pitch.
The women golfers leading the way in SA
Compared with the men’s game, women’s golf still lacks support, but the Duma sisters and Zethu Myeki may just be the ones to change all that and become pioneers among black female players.
Anrune Weyers fights for para-athlete recognition
The South African sprinter wants to raise the profile of para-athletes in the country to increase understanding of what they do and boost the sponsorship of under-funded athletes.
Sascoc woes impact on SA’s athletes
The body responsible for Olympic sports has been moving from one crisis to another, a state of affairs that has filtered down to their troubled preparations for next year’s Games in Tokyo.
The dangers of sporting euphoria
The Springboks’ Rugby World Cup triumph gave South Africans an insane high as they celebrated a landmark victory led by the team’s first black captain. But this high has intense side-effects.
SA Rugby’s transformation problem
More than two decades into democracy, the ghosts of apartheid still haunt the Springboks, and a portion of South Africans despise the team and what it stands for.
US draws on SA rugby talent for World Cup
The Eagles will benefit from a strong South African influence led by coach Gary Gold and former Springbok Jaque Fourie in their World Cup showing, backed by a solid rugby administration.
Rugby on the up in Africa
The second-biggest continent will have only South Africa and Namibia at this year’s Rugby World Cup. But Rugby Africa president Khaled Babbou will not fight for more slots; his eye is on the future.
The new football champions of Stellenbosch
The rugby-mad town with a chequered history has new heroes. This time the ball is round and the joyful noise of triumph comes from a part of Stellenboch that’s on the fringes, figuratively and literally.
James Small’s extraordinary and flawed life
The former Springbok rugby player lived life in the fast lane, resulting in awe-inspiring performances on the field and dramatic collisions off of it.
Stormy path behind and ahead of Siya Kolisi
The Stormers have had a painful and taxing season of ups and downs, but it could be just the preparation their captain needs to lead the Springboks to glory at the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Laurian Johannes wants to open doors for women rugby coaches
Johannes is the first woman to manage a South African rugby national team, continuing her trend-setting ways.
Project 654 and the new era of domestic cricket
Cricket South Africa’s proposal to change the format of domestic cricket has met with resistance from the South African Cricketers’ Association, which claims it was not consulted.
Cape Town’s love-hate relationship with football
Football in the Mother City has a rich history of fighting racism, but that past is a distant memory with the sport now reduced to begging for a field to host the beautiful game.
Solidarity tackles sports quotas in Labour Court
Trade union Solidarity has entered the transformation conversation with attempts to stop what it terms ‘unconstitutional’ race quotas in South African sports teams.
Man with Labrador eyes and Rottweiler bite
His Proteas teammates have cracked under pressure with bat in hand but Quinton de Kock, the left-hander from Joburg, has remained resolute as the team’s run-getter.
Brexit stokes uncertainty in sport
The United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union could have a positive impact on South Africa’s player drain problem, which is fuelled by the stronger pound.