Innehållsförteckning för 2025-07-08 från Mercury

A new customs duty has been slapped on vaping liquid, which will result in higher prices. On Friday the South African Revenue Service (SARS) introduced important amendments to the Customs and Excise Act, 1964, aimed at tightening the regulation of electronic cigarettes and vaping products. These changes, reflected in amendments to Schedule No. 1 (Parts 1 and 2A) and Schedule No. 6 (Part 1E), include the insertion of new tariff subheadings, the introduction of an excise duty on vaping liquid, and the implementation of new rebate provisions for defective or exported products. XA Global Trade Advisors explained that under the amended tariff structure, a new subheading, 8543.40.10, has been inserted to specifically classify vaping devices presented with vaping liquid, whether or not the liquid contains nicotine. The customs duty applicable…

The Banking Association South Africa (BASA) and five major lending banks have filed an application to appeal a recent order by the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, in a legal battle that could redefine consumer credit relationships. The court's declaratory order, handed down by a full bench on 12 May, affirmed that an application for debt review, or a debt review order, does not remedy the default status of the original credit agreement under section 103(5) of the National Credit Act (NCA). This section is pivotal for consumers as it caps the total interest, fees, and charges accruing on a defaulted credit agreement, thereby safeguarding borrowers from potential exploitation by lending entities. This ruling positions the notion of 'default' as permanently tied to the original credit agreement, irrespective of…

Debt experts and economists are gearing up for what could be a pivotal moment at the end of July as South Africa's monetary landscape evolves. The highly anticipated meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) may see a further reduction in interest rates, offering hope to beleaguered consumers grappling with escalating costs and economic uncertainty. Casey Sprake, economist at Anchor, on Monday said the interest rate outlook continued to tilt dovish, with markets now pricing in a 66% chance of another 25 basis points cut. “While the pace has been more gradual and staggered than initially anticipated—particularly following the last rate hike exactly two years ago—the Sarb's cautious approach has still delivered meaningful relief to highly indebted households,” she said. Sprake added that…

Last month, news broke about Kenya's KCB Group being on track to become the first foreign bank to secure entry into Ethiopia's newly liberalised financial sector. This represents a historic shift ending five decades of state control dating back to the 1974 Derg nationalisation. It's the kind of development that Bernard Laurendeau spent years laying critical groundwork for during his time embedded within Ethiopia's government machinery, though not all his efforts bore fruit. Government whispering After 15 years advising Fortune 50 clients (from Google and Cisco to UAE's Ministry of Finance), Laurendeau returned to Ethiopia in 2019 to serve as senior advisor to the jobs creation commission under the Prime Minister's office. The work wasn't always successful. For instance, a startup act he helped draft "never saw the light of…

Primary Health Properties (PHP), a leading investor in modern primary care facilities in the UK and Ireland, in a trading update released on Monday said improving rental growth and stabilisation in yields underpin valuation growth. For the six months to 30 June net rental income rose 3.1% to £78.6 million (R1.9 billion) with adjusted earnings per share up 2.3% to 3.54 pence. Dividends declared were 3.55 pence up 2.9%. PHP said it had continued to focus on delivering organic rental growth derived from its existing assets. This growth arises mainly from rent reviews and asset management projects with income increasing by £2.2m, or 1.4%, in the six-month period. The company generated an additional £2.1m of extra rental income from its rent review activities, both in the UK and in Ireland.…

The South African Medical Association is expressing concern about a significant increase in flu cases as winter's icy grip takes hold of South Africa. This seasonal increase has drawn significant attention to the influenza virus, its various types, symptoms, and the measures we can take to protect ourselves during the colder months. What is influenza? The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) defines influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, as an acute respiratory illness caused by an infection of the respiratory tract. The flu is not just a simple cold; it can lead to severe health complications, especially in vulnerable populations such as the elderly, young children, and those with pre-existing health conditions. Two primary types of influenza circulate among humans: Type A and Type B. Influenza A is…

Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has warned municipalities to use disaster funds promptly and for their intended purposes and not for paying salaries or funding trips. He made these remarks during a briefing yesterday in Sandton where he provided information on the release of the funds following floods and heavy snowfall that occurred in KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, and the severely affected Eastern Cape. A total of R1.255 billion has been allocated for the 2025/26 financial year with the funds to be released in phases. The bulk of the money, about R500 million will go to the Eastern Cape which suffered the most damage to infrastructure and homes. In KZN, R139 million in disaster relief grants have been allocated for 17 municipalities including the eThekwini Municipality,…

Inequality and unemployment especially affecting women and the youth will be among the key issues discussed during the Civil 20 (C20) engagement process ahead of the C20 summit. The C20 summit is being held ahead of the G20 summit in South Africa in November. A media briefing was held yesterday in Pretoria by the C20 South Africa leadership team, which gave an update on preparations to deliver the C20 policy pack before the G20 summit. C20 chairperson Thulani Tshefuta said: “We have taken a conscious decision of making this as the first South African G20 to be less about South Africa but more about Africa as a whole.” The C20, he said, has established structures representing various sectors, including women, disability, youth, health, and education, to shape the G20's processes…

As part of its National Greening Programme, South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has announced an ambitious plan to plant one million trees on September 24. The initiative not only aims to mitigate climate change but also to create employment and enhance food security through the planting of fruit trees. At the launch of the One Million Trees Campaign at the Pretoria National Botanical Garden yesterday, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, said her department was currently finalising logistics for the ‘one million trees’ planting day. The DFFE has identified ‘safe’ spaces where the trees will be planted, where requirements such as water availability, a dedicated person to look after the trees, and security or fencing are in place. Such places will…

He moved like a predator in tall grass, striking only when the odds were perfect David Dabede ‘DD’ Mabuza passed away in Johannesburg on July 3, 2025, at the age of 64. Quiet yet formidable, Mabuza’s journey from rural Mpumalanga to national power was as improbable as it was compelling. Mabuza’s political career was one of remarkable resilience, calculated manoeuvring, and a reputation for feline-like cunning that earned him the nickname ‘The Cat’. Through shrewd calculations, alliance-building, and opportunistic shifts, he not only secured provincial supremacy but also played a decisive role in the national political realignment that led to Cyril Ramaphosa’s rise to presidency in 2017. Mabuza’s political life began in earnest after his years as a teacher and school principal. Having served in the South African Democratic Teachers’…

Silverstone delivered its signature drama once again — the skies wept, the wind whispered uncertainty, and strategy sheets were tossed into chaos. On a rain-slicked circuit that punished hesitation and rewarded nerve, McLaren stood tall, extending their grip on both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. Lando Norris capitalised on teammate Oscar Piastri’s misstep to seal his first British Grand Prix victory. A 10-second time penalty for Piastri — handed down for an unsafe restart that hampered Max Verstappen — reshuffled the order behind the safety car, allowing Norris to cut the championship gap to just eight points. With the rain coming and going, teams were forced into constant recalculations, leading to a flurry of pit stops and non-stop action. As the season barrels toward its second half, here are three…

Belgian sprinter Tim Merlier edged Italy’s Jonathan Milan at the line to win stage three of the Tour de France in Dunkirk yesterday, as Mathieu van der Poel retained the overall lead. The largely flat 179km route from Valenciennes to Dunkirk — skirting the Belgian border — was marred by a series of crashes, the most serious involving Jasper Philipsen, who withdrew from the race with severe abrasions and a suspected fracture. Three further crashes followed, including two in the finale, one of which involved Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel. Despite the chaos, main contenders Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard avoided trouble and finished safely in the main group, remaining in second and third place overall behind Van der Poel. Belgium had more to celebrate when national champion Tim Wellens crested…

Coach Andy Farrell insisted yesterday he remains open-minded about his squad for the first British and Irish Lions Test against the Wallabies, after naming his strongest team yet to face the ACT Brumbies. With just two more warm-up matches to play, starting with the Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday, the line-up for the opening Test on 19 July is starting to take shape. But Farrell said nothing was locked in. “Players can play themselves in and play themselves out,” he said. “At the same time, all we’re looking for is a cohesive team performance and that’s at the forefront of what we’re trying to achieve. “I mean, the nature of the format of these two games allows for us to be open-minded,” he added. “You have to stay open-minded. Otherwise,…

Novak Djokovic said it was “good to break the curse” in front of Roger Federer after coming from a set down to beat Alex de Minaur and reach his 16th Wimbledon quarter-final on Monday. Djokovic looked sluggish and unusually tentative in the early stages of his last-16 clash against the Australian 11th seed on Centre Court, but eventually found his rhythm to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. The victory keeps the seven-time champion on course for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title — a feat that would crown his extraordinary career. If he wins the title on Sunday, the 38-year-old Serb would also equal Federer’s men’s record of eight Wimbledon crowns. The retired Swiss great was watching from the royal box as his long-time rival endured his toughest test of…

President Trump announces additional tariffs on countries aligning with BRICS The rand weakened to its lowest in nearly two weeks against the major currencies on Monday as global risk was seen to have escalated following US President Donald Trump’s tariff threat. On Sunday, Trump announced an extension to the tariff deadline, pushing it to the beginning of August while imposing an additional 10% tariff with “no exceptions” on countries aligning with the policies of BRICS—a bloc of emerging economies comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Trump also reiterated previous warnings of imposing tariffs of up to 100% on BRICS nations should they abandon the US dollar in bilateral trade, and further warned other countries against joining the alliance. The expanded BRICS bloc now encompasses 11 countries, representing 43%…

President Donald Trump just launched a fragrance called Trump Victory 45 - 47, part of the "Fight Fight Fight Collection". The lid of the $249 (R4 427) bottle is a (obviously) gold statuette of Trump, tummy flat, shoulders back, looking like the Oscar for Best President in the World Ever. You get $100 off if you buy two. The President's fragrances, for there is one for boys, one for girls, is "For Patriots Who Never Back Down, Like President Trump. This Scent Is Your Rallying Cry In A Bottle. Featuring Trump’s Iconic Image And Raised Fist, This Limited-Edition Cologne Embodies Strength, Power, And Victory." And yes, the first letter of every word is capitalised. Since Trump took office, the Trump Store launched 168 new products, including clothing, hats, BBQ snacks,…

It’s been about two years since generative AI exploded onto the mass market and into the boardroom buzzword lexicon. What began as a curiosity has quickly snowballed into a business necessity. It might sound hyperbolic, but those who are not exploring how AI can support their businesses are already falling behind. But we’ve seen big tech ideas arrive, explode into the mass market and then quietly subside before. Remember when brands couldn’t launch NFTs and Metaverse activations fast enough? Generative AI has promised similar seismic change but unlike those other technologies, it is actually here to stay. It is powerful and it is changing the way businesses operate. Is it all it’s cracked up to be though? Not yet. What AI is doing well right now At Euphoria, we’ve been…

South32 plans to sell Cerro Matoso in Colombia to a subsidiary of the global mining, industrial, and financial group, CoreX Holding, for up to $100 million (R1.78 billion) but will take a $130m impairment. The global mining and metals company said Monday that the deal followed a review of its operations in response to structural changes in the nickel market. The transaction is expected to be finalised in late 2025. CoreX will take control of Cerro Matoso, including all liabilities, after paying up to $80m based on future production and nickel prices, and up to $20m in four equal payments based on milestones within the next five years for the Queresas & Porvenir North nickle exploration and development project. "The transaction is consistent with our strategy and will further streamline…

Old Mutual announced Monday that Prabashini Moodley has been appointed as its CEO of a newly configured Life & Savings segment, while Clarence Nethengwe, CEO of the to-be-launched OM Bank, has also been appointed to executive oversight of OM Finance and OM Transaction Services. The life assurance and financial services group said Moodley’s appointment was effective August 1, 2025. She will report directly to the group CEO, Jurie Strydom. The Life & Savings segment will consist of four business units: Personal Finance, Old Mutual Wealth Management, Old Mutual Corporate, and the Mass and Foundation Cluster (MFC) - excluding banking. The MDs of these business units will report to Moodley. The formation of the Life & Savings segment will enable more effective delivery to customers and intermediaries in South Africa and…

We’ve all heard the saying, “Jealousy makes you nasty,” but it can make you something far worse than that – you could be suffering from Othello syndrome (OS), a rare medical condition where you suspect your partner is cheating on you when there is no basis for it. One such sufferer is Debbi Wood, a woman dubbed “the UK’s most jealous wife” for forcing her husband to take lie detector tests to make sure he wasn’t cheating on her. Wood, 43, from Leicestershire, appeared on Channel 5’s 87 Stone: Fat Chance Of Work, where she spoke about the affliction where she would check her husband Steven’s e-mails, phone, bank statements and even banned him from watching television in case he was allured by a woman on the screen. Wood reportedly…

The Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) has firmly rejected the long-awaited Section 59 report's findings, which revealed glaring alleged racial bias and discrimination by medical health schemes against black health professionals. Presented by investigation panel chair Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, the report found systemic procedural unfairness and a deeply entrenched power imbalance that over the years has disproportionately and negatively impacted black medical professionals. The inquiry commissioned by the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS), which was launched in 2019, scrutinised practices by medical aid schemes such as Discovery, Medscheme and the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) between 2012 and 2019. “We confirm the findings and recommendations in the interim report that the procedure followed by medical schemes when they claw back monies allegedly owed by practitioners or when they investigate instances…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has been urged to make the allegations levelled against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu by KwaZulu-Natal's top cop his main priority when he returns to the country. Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s allegations took centre stage at the Peace and Security Cluster Committee Chairpersons’ briefing yesterday. Mkhwanazi made damning allegations against his colleagues and politicians, including Mchunu, whom he alleged were linked to crime cartels in Gauteng. He highlighted communications between Mchunu and a businessman as a crucial piece of evidence. Mkhwanazi alleged that Mchunu ordered the unilateral disbandment of the political killings task team and transferred 121 politically sensitive dockets to Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Shadrack Sibiya’s office, where they have since been allegedly “neutralised”. In a statement, Mchunu rejected Mkhwanazi’s “wild allegations…

South African prisons have become hotspots for organised criminal syndicates who smuggle cell phones and other gadgets that are used to scam South Africans and demand ransom from the families of kidnapped victims. This comes as the National Commissioner of Correctional Services Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale, led a specialised team in a targeted operation that uncovered an undisclosed number of cell phones and other gadgets, allegedly being used by inmates to commit crimes from behind bars at the Bavianspoort Correctional Centre in Pretoria. It is reported that a group of inmates at the facility, who were found with mobile phones were actively scamming members of the public, resulting in the confiscation of several mobile phones and other contraband items. Department of Correctional Services (DCS) spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo indicated that investigations have…

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson and KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli yesterday officiated the handover of previously unused, long dormant land to the Nkandla Local Municipality to support the development of a shopping centre that will create jobs and boost local economic activity. “Today is not just a ceremonial handover. It is an important turning point for our department and how we work in rural municipalities to ensure that the land that we own is used for communities and by communities to grow their economy and to create jobs,” says Macpherson. The initiative forms part of a national push to repurpose state-owned properties — particularly in underdeveloped areas — and transform them into public assets that can fuel economic activity. “The department that I lead is no longer just…

Springbok laws and discipline advisor Jaco Peyper says the Boks have approached World Rugby’s refereeing department for clarity on “one or two things” ahead of Saturday’s second Test against Italy — particularly around the breakdown, where the team was outplayed in the series opener. Peyper, the vastly experienced former referee who joined the Springbok setup in early 2024, was clear that the approach was part of a normal feedback process — not a complaint. “First of all, the refereeing team here, led by Holly Davidson and company, have a great ethic,” said Peyper. “They are people you can give feedback to, and they give it back. World Rugby encourages this. “We had a few questions after last week’s game, and they will give us honest feedback. Italy had a clear…

On Day two of the second Test between South Africa and Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Wiaan Mulder scored an unbeaten 367 — just 33 runs shy of Brian Lara's iconic quadruple century — to record the highest individual score by a South African in Test cricket. Here, Ongama Gcwabe highlights the top five highest Test scores of all time: Brian Lara – 400 not out & 375 Who can ever forget Lara's mountain of a knock against England at the Antigua Recreation Ground in St John's? A little over two decades later, his 400 not out remains the highest individual score in Test history. That fixture ended in a draw, but Lara’s record-breaking innings was etched into cricketing folklore. A decade earlier, Lara had scored 375 at…

The tragic passing of star Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has been a stark reminder of how we often perceive our sporting idols as objects, not people. It took a conversation with Liverpool legend Michael Owen to prick my conscience. Asked what the potential implications of Jota’s death alongside his brother André Silva were to Liverpool, Owen chose instead to focus on what it meant to those closest to him. He chose to focus on the pain felt by those mourning the loss of a father, son and husband — of a mother who has just lost two sons. And he has a point. No matter how many songs Reds fans sing in his honour next season, or what grand gestures are planned in the 20th minute of matches to pay…

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has unveiled a bold strategy aimed at improving South Africa's transport sector's freights and goods handling capacity and to transform the passenger, freight, and aviation sectors over the next four years. Speaking at the 2025 Southern African Transport Conference (SATC) in Pretoria on Monday, Creecy said the first target was to increase freight volume on the Transnet network to 250 million tons annually by 2029, a move that is expected to strengthen the backbone of South Africa's logistics framework. Addressing port efficiency, Creecy also said South Africa aimed to achieve an international operational benchmark of 30 gross crane movements per hour when loading and unloading vessels, a standard necessary for remaining competitive in global markets. “We need to achieve this standard to remain globally competitive,” Creecy…

In a fast-evolving world where markets, mandates and morals are shifting, organisations are being called to govern differently. The traditional rule-bound model of governance is increasingly insufficient in the face of systemic risks, stakeholder activism and digital disruption. As governance thinking evolves, new frameworks continue to emerge, each responding to the demand for purpose-driven, context-sensitive leadership. This proliferation of frameworks reflects the increasing complexity and diversity of modern governance challenges. The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) draft Corporate Governance Framework (CGF), released in May 2025, exemplifies this shift, but its relevance to Africa hinges on aligning its structural approach with local realities. Developed with US public companies in mind and globally recognised for its work on internal controls, the framework nonetheless raises critical questions for governance communities worldwide. In contrast…

Today, access to the internet is as essential as electricity or running water. It’s how people find work, run a business, study, manage their money and stay connected to those they care about. Yet for too many South Africans, especially those living in rural or underserved communities, affordable, reliable internet remains out of reach. Terms like the digital divide are typically used to describe this phenomenon. But with such slogans, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that this profound lack of access holds back individuals, small businesses, and our country’s economic potential. The internet is infrastructure If we’re serious about growing South Africa’s economy and supporting entrepreneurs at every level, we need to start seeing the internet for what it truly is: vital infrastructure. Just as roads connect…

The Vision Consortium that has taken over the rescue of Tongaat Hulett has been directed by the Durban High Court to provide documents and disclosures relating to the Vision Group’s acquisition of the former Lender Group claims and security. The Court issued this ruling on July 4, 2025, following an urgent application brought by RGS Group Holdings, a company that had once planned to submit its own business rescue plan for Southern Africa’s biggest sugar group, but then withdrew from the bidding process after the validity of its proof of funding was questioned. Tongaat Hulett said in a statement on Monday that the ruling was limited to disclosure and did not affect the implementation of the business rescue plan (BRP) or the integrity of the acquisition itself. Over the past…

The South African REIT sector experienced a modest pullback in June, declining by 1%, trailing both equities (+2.4%) and bonds (+2.3%) for the month, following a really strong April. However, analysts caution against interpreting the decline as a reversal in fundamentals, pointing instead to profit-taking in larger counters, following an extended period of outperformance. In April, South Africa’s REIT sector gained 6.9% and outperformed equities (4.3%) and bonds (0.8%), despite a disrupted trading month due to public holidays. “The June dip appears more technical and structural. Many of the more liquid stocks have delivered stellar returns over the past 18 months, so some rotation was inevitable, particularly in a month where global sentiment was otherwise risk-on,” said Ian Anderson, head of listed property and portfolio manager at Merchant West Investments,…

Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge said the claims by a judge’s secretary that he tried to solicit oral sex from her in chambers never happened, and that the allegations are malicious and hurtful. Judge Mbenenge took the stand yesterday in the Judicial Conduct Tribunal’s sexual harassment inquiry against him. Judge’s secretary Andiswa Mengo claimed that Judge Mbenenge had made unwanted sexual advances towards her. These include that on either November 14 or 15, 2022, he called her into his office and tried to solicit oral sex from her by attempting to open the zip of his pants. Mbenenge said that he had hoped that he did not need to answer to these allegations, as they were all lies and never happened. He said that if proper investigations were done…

South Africa’s electricity supply received a significant boost on Sunday evening after Eskom announced the successful return to service of Unit 4 at the Medupi Power Station, adding 800MW to the national grid. Eskom stated that the return of the unit at 20:29 on Sunday marked a “major milestone” in its Generation Operational Recovery Plan and came eight months ahead of schedule thanks to strategic interventions. “The return of Medupi Unit 4 marks a major milestone in our strategic objective of achieving operational stability through the addition of 2 500MW to the grid,” said Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane. “This achievement moves us closer to consistently overcoming loadshedding, which is now largely behind us due to structural improvements in the generation fleet, as we continue to build a more…

In the 1997 action film “Dante’s Peak”, Pierce Brosnan plays the role of a volcanologist sent to investigate seismic activity beneath a long-dormant volcano. Years after its release, the story inspired South African Tebogo Makhubela to become a geologist, the 35-year-old told AFP in an interview. Recipient of one of the prestigious National Geographic 2025 Wayfinder Awards, Makhubela leads a research team working to uncover ancient clues to human evolution. His turf lies below the surface of the Earth in the limestone caves of South Africa’s Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site about 50 kilometres (30 miles) northwest of Johannesburg. Speaking from inside The Rising Star cave, one of the numerous caves in the area, Makhubela said he and his colleagues have only “scratched the surface” of the…

The murder of Mpho Mafole, the group divisional head for corporate and forensic audits at the City of Ekurhuleni municipality, has sent shockwaves through the city. Mafole was shot dead on the R23 in Kempton Park on June 30. Sources close to the municipality believe that Mafole’s death was a hit, linked to his investigation into a massive R2 billion electricity billing scandal he was close to uncovering. According to a senior member of the municipality, Mafole was murdered just months after joining the city, and his team were probing the matter. The scandal involved instances where ratepayers were paying drastically reduced rates for electricity, while other ratepayer accounts were absent from the system, evidently showing that the municipality was being short-changed. The senior official of the municipality, who spoke…

Chelsea’s young side are targeting a place in the final of the Fifa Club World Cup when they take on Fluminense in the last four today, with the Brazilian team marshalled by former Blues defender Thiago Silva, who is still going strong at the age of 40. Silva was already a veteran when he signed for Chelsea in 2020 before going on to have an impressive four-year stint at Stamford Bridge. One of the finest centre-backs of his generation, Silva arrived after eight years at Paris Saint-Germain and, in his first season at Chelsea, won the Uefa Champions League. He played 155 games for the London club and left 12 months ago after helping oversee the development of some of the young talents now featuring regularly under Enzo Maresca. “He’s…

Wiaan Mulder broke numerous Test cricket records on Monday with an unbeaten 367 on Day 2 of the second Test between South Africa and Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The 27-year-old now holds several historic milestones: the highest score by a player in their first match as captain, the highest score by a player away from home, the highest ever score by a No 3 batter, the third-highest Test score by a captain, the best strike-rate for a triple century, the fifth-highest Test score in history, and the highest Test score by a South African. One of the records that appeared to hold personal meaning for Mulder — or perhaps even caused a twinge of regret — was surpassing Hashim Amla’s 311, which previously stood as the highest…

Mamelodi Sundowns have officially confirmed the departure of five players as part of their off-season squad reshuffle, following their early exit at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. The reigning Betway Premiership champions announced on Monday that Sanele Tshabalala, Thabang Sibanyoni, Sifiso Ngobeni, Lucas Suarez, and Sipho Mbule have all left the club, as preparations intensify for the 2025/26 season. Goalkeeper Sanele Tshabalala, who joined Sundowns in 2020, leaves without having made a senior appearance. The 25-year-old goalkeeper was part of several title-winning squads but failed to crack the first-team pecking order and will now look for opportunities to revive his career elsewhere. Striker Thabang Sibanyoni, a product of the club’s development system, exits after spending much of his time out on loan. Despite showing promise during…