Excitement is building as 33,000 fans have already secured their spots for the upcoming Vodacom United Rugby Championship showdown between the Vodacom Bulls and the DHL Stormers at Loftus Versfeld. With 18,000 tickets still up for grabs, the atmosphere promises to be electric for this highly anticipated clash on Saturday, 2 March 2024.

Vodacom Bulls co-captain, Ruan Nortje, expressed his anticipation, stating, "There is nothing better than running out to a packed Loftus." He highlighted the importance of the home crowd's support, noting how their passion provides the team with an extra edge during crucial moments in the game.

The match holds significant stakes as both teams vie for crucial points to secure home-ground playoff spots and the coveted South African shield. The Vodacom Bulls currently sit third on the log, trailing behind the table-topping Leinster, while the DHL Stormers are in sixth place, five points behind the Bulls.

Nizaam Carr, who has experienced the North-South derby from both sides, emphasized the impact of a large, vocal crowd, describing it as an indescribable feeling that fuels the players and intimidates visiting teams.

With 30,000 tickets already sold, the anticipation is palpable, and Nortje is confident that the remaining 18,000 fans are eagerly preparing to join the festivities. The day promises to be packed with entertainment, including friendly matches and a musical lineup featuring popular artists like December Streets and Martin Bester & the band.

Tickets for this epic clash start at R50.00 and can be purchased from Ticketpro. Don't miss out on this unforgettable rugby experience at Loftus Versfeld
[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

Take That, the multi-award-winning and smash-hit makers, are set to ignite the stage at the SunBet Arena, Time Square on Sunday the 20th of October, and the Grand Arena, GrandWest on Tuesday the 22nd October 2024. This spectacular event is brought to you by Big Concerts, in association with 947 and KFM 94.5.

The Discovery Bank pre-sale kicks off at 09h00 on Wednesday, 28 February, exclusively at www.ticketmaster.co.za, and runs until 08h59 on Friday, 1 March. General ticket sales open at 09h00 on Friday, 1 March 2024, also exclusively through Ticketmaster.co.za.

Known for their epic productions and sensational live performances, Take That holds the record for the most shows at London’s The O2 with an impressive 34 headline performances. Their 2011 Progress tour made history by selling over 1 million tickets in less than 24 hours, becoming the UK's biggest tour and earning them a spot on Billboard's 'Top 25 Tours' list, ranking third worldwide. In 2019, the band celebrated their 30th anniversary with the 38-date sell-out Odyssey tour, captivating audiences in 29 arenas and 9 stadiums, selling over 650,000 tickets.

Despite being 30+ years into their career, Take That shows no signs of slowing down. Constantly evolving, the future looks promising for the trio.

The band's highly anticipated ninth studio album, This Life, is out now. This vibrant collection showcases Take That at their musical peak, with influences from Hall & Oates, Supertramp, Wings, Elton John, The Eagles, and Crosby, Stills and Nash. The album features beautiful melodies, soaring choruses, and sophisticated harmonies blending Gary, Mark, and Howard's voices seamlessly together.

Mark describes the album as having "a sense of togetherness," whether it's the band reuniting or people seeking connection in their own lives. This Life is a testament to Take That's evolution, maintaining their unique essence while progressing their sound.
[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

Take That, the multi-award-winning and smash-hit makers, are set to ignite the stage at the SunBet Arena, Time Square on Sunday the 20th of October, and the Grand Arena, GrandWest on Tuesday the 22nd October 2024. This spectacular event is brought to you by Big Concerts, in association with 947 and KFM 94.5.

The Discovery Bank pre-sale kicks off at 09h00 on Wednesday, 28 February, exclusively at www.ticketmaster.co.za, and runs until 08h59 on Friday, 1 March. General ticket sales open at 09h00 on Friday, 1 March 2024, also exclusively through Ticketmaster.co.za.

Known for their epic productions and sensational live performances, Take That holds the record for the most shows at London’s The O2 with an impressive 34 headline performances. Their 2011 Progress tour made history by selling over 1 million tickets in less than 24 hours, becoming the UK's biggest tour and earning them a spot on Billboard's 'Top 25 Tours' list, ranking third worldwide. In 2019, the band celebrated their 30th anniversary with the 38-date sell-out Odyssey tour, captivating audiences in 29 arenas and 9 stadiums, selling over 650,000 tickets.

Despite being 30+ years into their career, Take That shows no signs of slowing down. Constantly evolving, the future looks promising for the trio.

The band's highly anticipated ninth studio album, This Life, is out now. This vibrant collection showcases Take That at their musical peak, with influences from Hall & Oates, Supertramp, Wings, Elton John, The Eagles, and Crosby, Stills and Nash. The album features beautiful melodies, soaring choruses, and sophisticated harmonies blending Gary, Mark, and Howard's voices seamlessly together.

Mark describes the album as having "a sense of togetherness," whether it's the band reuniting or people seeking connection in their own lives. This Life is a testament to Take That's evolution, maintaining their unique essence while progressing their sound.
[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

In a dazzling display of skill and determination, Ireland's women scripted a historic chapter at the HSBC SVNS 2024 in Perth, shattering Australia's winning streak in a gripping final. The sell-out crowd at HBF Park, the largest rugby gathering in Western Australia since 2017, witnessed jubilant scenes as Ireland claimed their first series win, ending a 29-game losing streak to Australia.

Amid near-perfect weather conditions, Ireland's victory was a long-awaited moment, marked by a stellar performance that left Coach Alan Temple-Jones almost speechless. "Playing Australia in Australia is an unbelievable opportunity for the girls," he exclaimed, expressing the team's sheer delight and focus throughout the tournament.

Captain Lucy Mulhall echoed the sentiment, stating, "This win has been a long time coming. It means a lot, and we've been on a long journey. This is massive for women's Irish rugby; we'll be sure to celebrate."

In an eventful bronze medal match, a resurgent Great Britain, without injured captain Abbie Brown, secured their second-ever HSBC Sevens bronze with a maiden series victory over the USA. Isla Norman-Bell's stunning kick-and-chase effort exemplified the team's growing prowess.

As Ireland leaps to fourth in the overall SVNS standings and Australia maintains its dominance at the top, Great Britain emerges as a big winner, moving out of the relegation zone for the first time this season.

The HSBC SVNS 2024 caravan now heads to Vancouver, Canada, promising more exhilarating rugby action on the weekend of February 23-25. Secure your tickets and be part of the thrilling saga!
[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

Rugby World Cup 2023 in France has etched its place as the most-watched rugby event in history, solidifying an impressive legacy of record-breaking achievements.

France 2023 amassed a staggering 1.33 billion viewing hours (VH) across both linear and non-linear broadcast platforms, surpassing its northern hemisphere predecessor, England 2015, by 30% (1.01 billion VH) and outpacing Japan 2019 by 19% (1.11 billion VH).

The surge in viewership for the men's Rugby World Cup underscores the tournament's widespread popularity and significance in a fiercely competitive global entertainment landscape. Despite the host nation's early exit in the quarter-finals, France secured the highest worldwide viewership with 481 million VH.

In a surprising turn, eight of the 11 surveyed markets witnessed robust growth in viewership since 2015, defying the general decline in linear TV and increased competition in the entertainment sector. The United Kingdom, in particular, nearly broke its 2015 record (361 million VH), an impressive feat considering a 27% overall decrease in linear TV viewership.

Emerging rugby markets, such as Germany (15.2 million VH), Italy (16.1 million VH), and the USA (11.1 million VH), showcased remarkable growth with increases of 27%, 70%, and 136%, respectively, compared to RWC 2015.

The pinnacle of viewership was reached during the RWC final between South Africa and New Zealand, accumulating a record-breaking 94 million VH globally. The France vs. South Africa quarter-final closely followed with 69 million VH.

A GLOBAL SPECTACLE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
In alignment with its goal to make rugby accessible worldwide, World Rugby collaborated with free-to-air broadcast partners across most markets, resulting in 85% of France 2023's global viewership coming from free-to-air TV.

The top 10 performing channels were all free-to-air, with TF1 and ITV1 leading in European markets, amassing 322 million and 295 million viewing hours, respectively. TF1 has already renewed its partnership with World Rugby and will broadcast the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.

Streaming services continued to gain prominence, with ITVX, the British broadcaster's streaming platform, ranking as the eighth most viewed channel during RWC 2023, securing 27 million VH. Overall, 70 million VH were attributed to online streaming services. The international federation's OTT platform, RugbyPass TV, attracted 350,000 subscribers and 1.7 million users during the tournament.

JAPAN 2019 LEGACY AND TIME ZONE IMPACT
The legacy of RWC 2019 in Asia remains palpable, with Japan ranking as the third-highest country in viewership for RWC 2023, accumulating 175.9 million VH over seven weeks. Although a decline from 2019, these figures represent a remarkable 221% increase from England 2015, illustrating the enduring impact of a home Rugby World Cup and the sport's growth in the region.

Despite an unfavorable time zone, with two pool fixtures in the middle of the night, 86% of Japanese viewership came from live programming, showcasing the significant appetite for rugby in this crucial market. Japan's domestic broadcaster featured the most viewed matches, with two national team pool games achieving 33 million viewing hours each, thanks to more accessible kick-off times at 19:45.

World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin expressed his delight, stating, "Rugby World Cup 2023 has been a fantastic tournament on and off the field." He emphasized the sport's continuous growth and the organization's commitment to collaborating with broadcast partners to enhance the viewing experience for new audiences, aiming to make rugby a truly global sport. The comprehensive reporting of Rugby World Cup 2023 broadcast audiences was conducted by Futures Sport+Entertainment, a member of Interpublic Group, a leading research agency in the sports and entertainment domain.
[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

In a dazzling display of cricket prowess at Centurion, the Pretoria Capitals and Sunrisers Eastern Cape set the stage ablaze with a nail-biting Betway SA20 showdown, filled with dramatic twists and turns that left spectators on the edge of their seats.

Facing a challenging pitch, the Capitals, after being put into bat, initially struggled, posting a modest 125. Yet, like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, their bowling unit staged a remarkable comeback, restricting the Sunrisers to 122/9 and securing a thrilling victory by a razor-thin margin of three runs.

This win holds profound significance for the Capitals, who were defeated by the Sunrisers in last season's inaugural final and faced a humiliating bowling attack earlier this week, being bowled out for a mere 52.

More than just a triumph, this victory resurrects the Capitals' Season 2 campaign, lifting Wayne Parnell's team from the basement of the log for the first time this season.

The match hung in the balance until the very last ball, with the Sunrisers requiring four runs for victory. Despite a six off the fourth ball in the final over, Capitals seamer Daryn Dupavillon maintained his composure, delivering a full delivery that flummoxed Sunrisers all-rounder Liam Dawson attempting a ramp shot.

Dawson, who had earlier injected hope into the Sunrisers' innings, striking two sixes on the grass bank, found himself caught by spectator Aidan Evetts, the fifth spectator to claim a share of the Betway SA20 Catch R2 Million competition.

Wayne Parnell (3/33) initiated the Sunrisers' collapse when they seemed poised for victory at 72/4 in the 14th over. Removing both Patrick Kruger and Marco Jansen in a single over, the skipper resurrected his team's fortunes.

Leg-spinner Adil Rashid (3/30) replicated the magic, dismissing Tristan Stubbs (35) and Beyers Swanepoel in a double-wicket over. The Sunrisers lost five wickets for a mere 30 runs during this period before Dawson's late assault reignited hope.

The Capitals' innings mirrored the ebullience of the match, with Jansen (3/27) and Dan Worrall (2/29) causing damage alongside three run-outs. A crucial 52-run partnership between Shane Dadswell (24) and Jimmy Neesham (27) ultimately propelled the Capitals to a competitive and triumphant total.
[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

South Africa, January 25, 2024 - The much-anticipated Calabash South Africa is on the horizon, set to unfold at DHL Stadium, Cape Town, and FNB Stadium, Johannesburg. In an exhilarating announcement, Big Concerts has added South African sensation Shekhinah and The Groove Yard to the line-up, promising an unparalleled concert experience.

As the largest international summer concert, Calabash South Africa is gearing up to be a musical extravaganza, featuring chart-topping artists from around the world. Here's a glimpse of what concert-goers can expect:

The Groove Yard: A Sonic Wonderland[

Enter the vibrant world of Calabash SA, where the rhythm never falters, and the energy is infectious. The newly unveiled addition, The Groove Yard, offers an electrifying space pulsating with extraordinary talent. In Cape Town, immerse yourself in the musical prowess of Stashe, Dwson, Das Kapital, and Dean Fuel. Meanwhile, DJ Buhle, Abby Nurock, Roz, and Kyle Cassim will captivate Johannesburg, ensuring an unforgettable experience at Calabash South Africa.

Headliners Galore: A Musical Dream

Calabash South Africa is not just the summer's biggest concert; it's a haven for music lovers. Headlined by Grammy Award-winning pop-rock royalty Maroon 5, the event features performances by international sensations like Keane, Meduza, Ava Max, Will Linley, Shekinah, Lloyiso, Sunset Sweetshop, and Timo ODV in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Maroon 5's Chart-Topping Hits: An Unforgettable Night

With Adam Levine's enthralling vocals, Maroon 5 promises a night to remember with chart-topping hits like "Moves like Jagger," "Sugar," "Payphone," and "Girls Like You."

Keane's 20th Anniversary Celebration: A Pianistic Journey

British band Keane, celebrating the 20th anniversary of their acclaimed debut album "Hopes and Fears," will enchant the audience with piano-driven pop-rock hits like "Somewhere Only We Know" and "Everybody's Changing."

Meduza's Global Dominance: Setting the Standard

In just two years, Meduza has become the most significant global streaming Italian artist, setting the benchmark for dance music worldwide. Their debut release, "Piece of Your Heart," has amassed over 2 billion streams and secured a top 10 spot in charts in 20 countries.

Ava Max's Electrifying Performance: Pop Sensation

Chart-topping pop sensation Ava Max, known for electrifying performances and powerhouse vocals, is anticipated to set the stage ablaze with hits like "Sweet but Psycho" and "Kings & Queens."

Local Talent and Rising Stars: A Distinctive Flavor

South Africa-born Will Linley brings a unique touch to the line-up, combining raw emotion with saccharine melodies. Acclaimed South African musician Lloyiso will showcase his soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics, establishing himself as a rising star.

The Rise of Sunset Sweatshop: A South African Storm

Since the release of their debut single "Move It," Sunset Sweatshop has stormed the South African music industry. Following positive critical reception and multiple award nominations, the band's success has soared.

I Make Beats - Timo ODV: Global Recognition

Timo ODV, with 80 million streams globally and 6x Platinum/Multi-Platinum records, brings his beat-making prowess to the stage, promising an unforgettable performance.

Suited Star – Shekhinah: A Musical Force

Shekhinah's electrifying musical journey has left an indelible mark on the global stage. Collaborating with international icons and recognized on Forbes Africa's "30 under 30" list for creatives, Shekhinah stands poised on the brink of greater heights.

VIP Experiences and Beyond: A Sensory Extravaganza

Calabash South Africa offers a range of VIP experiences, ensuring a premium and comfortable concert experience. Beyond the music, the event promises LED frame girls, towering stilt walkers, mimes, mikishi performers, pantsula dancers, acrobats, jugglers, and roaming festival glitter artists, creating a sensory feast that captivates, entertains, and leaves lasting memories.

Presented by Big Concerts, in association with Discovery Bank, Heineken, M-Net, 947, and KFM, Calabash South Africa is not just a concert; it's an experience you won't soon forget.

For complete tour and ticket information, visit Calabash South Africa's official website or follow them on social media:

Facebook: Calabash South Africa
Instagram: Calabash South Africa
Twitter: Calabash SA Fest
TikTok: @calabashsouthafrica
Book your tickets now at Calabash South Africa or Ticketmaster.co.za. Avoid purchasing tickets from Viagogo, as these may be unlawfully resold at multiple times the face value.


About Calabash South Africa:
Calabash South Africa is the ultimate international summer concert, featuring a star-studded line-up of world-renowned artists. The festival promises an unforgettable experience, celebrating the power of music at the largest venues on the African continent. For more information, visit Calabash South Africa's official website.
[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

Dream11 has been appointed as the official ‘Fantasy Sports Partner’ for the Betway SA20 Season 2 starting on 10 January 2024.This strategic partnership with Dream11, India's leading fantasy sports application with a user base of over 200 million Cricket fans in the largest cricket market in the world, marks a significant milestone in bringing together South Africa’s premier T20 tournament with the passion of cricket fans in India.
India being a key strategic market, with six Indian Premier League (IPL) teams also owning teams in the SA20, the partnership with Dream11 unlocks an opportunity to connect with millions of cricket fans across the subcontinent.
“It’s a huge coup for us to welcome Dream11 to our stable as our ‘Fantasy Sports Partner’,”Betway SA20 League Commissioner, Graeme Smith said. “This partnership is the coming together of two dynamic platforms that share a commitment to delivering unparalleled entertainment to cricket fans. With Dream11’s extensive user base and influence in India, we see incredible potential to engage with fans and have a platform to enhance the engagement of fans with SA20.”

Speaking about the partnership, Vikrant Mudaliar, Chief Marketing Officer, Dream11 said: “Partnerships are core to our strategy and have played a key role in Dream11 becoming the world’s largest fantasy sports platform. We are excited to join forces with SA20, a league known for its thrilling and entertaining cricket. Through this partnership, we aim to reach new users and help them engage with the sport that they love. Together, we look forward to offering fans an unparalleled fantasy sports experience during the upcoming SA20 Season 2.”
Dream11, renowned for revolutionizing the way fans engage with their favourite sport, has become a household name in India. With over 200 million users, the platform has played a
pivotal role in developing the fantasy sports industry in the country. Dream11 is currently the lead sponsor of the Indian Men’s and Women’s National cricket team.

Betway SA20 Season 2 is set to kick off on January 10, 2024, with a blockbuster match between Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Joburg Super Kings at St George’s Park in Gqeberha. The world’s best cricketers will be on show including Jos Buttler, Kieron Pollard, Liam Livingstone, Nicholas Pooran, Moeen Ali and Romario Shepherd to name a few. Tickets for all round-robin matches, the Final and Playoffs are available for purchase on www.SA20.co.za

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

The opening clash of the highly anticipated Betway SA20 Season 2 is set to unfold at St George’s Park this Wednesday, marking the start of what promises to be an enthralling tournament.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape, the reigning champions, will face a significant challenge in their quest to defend their title as they square off against Joburg Super Kings. The clash holds added weight as the Super Kings seek to avenge their semifinal defeat to the Sunrisers at Centurion in the previous season.

The team from Johannesburg has tasted success at this iconic stadium before, triumphing in Gqeberha last season and securing victories in both group matches, including a win over the Sunrisers at the Wanderers.

This inaugural match pledges to be a thrilling spectacle, with both sides boasting an array of talented players that promise exciting matchups. Notably, both teams feature adept young fast bowlers, with Marco Jansen leading the attack for Sunrisers Eastern Cape, and Gerald Coetzee and Nandre Burger spearheading the JSK bowling unit.

Burger, eager to form a formidable opening bowling partnership with Coetzee, expressed his anticipation pending his teammate's recovery from a recent pelvic inflammation that sidelined him from the recent Test against India at Newlands.

The absence of the influential Roelof van der Merwe in Season 2 will be felt by the Sunrisers. However, coach Adrian Birrell strategically reinforced the team by bringing back Simon Harmer to the Eastern Cape. Harmer, known for his tenacity on the field, is expected to bring a competitive edge to the Sunrisers, having been part of the first trade in the League.

Despite the excitement surrounding the defending champions, Harmer emphasized the team's focus on winning the trophy this year rather than solely defending their title. He reflected on his cricketing journey, highlighting his affinity for Gqeberha, where his career took flight as a young player.

Unfortunately, the Sunrisers have encountered setbacks with the late withdrawals of Sisanda Magala and Craig Overton due to injury. Their absence has prompted the inclusion of hard-hitting all-rounder Patrick Kruger in the squad.

St George’s Park is expected to host a vibrant and lively atmosphere as witnessed during the previous season, with Grammy Award-winning Zakes Bantwini headlining the pre-match festivities supported by a blend of electronic dance music and violin by Veranda Panda.

The pre-match entertainment is scheduled to commence at 4:20 pm, leading up to the match kick-off at 5:30 pm. Gates will open at 2:30 pm, allowing fans early access ahead of the opening ceremony.
[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

In a sensational showcase of cricket brilliance, South Africa steamrolled India in a dominating display, securing a commanding win in the series opener at Supersport Park, Centurion.

The Proteas' triumph was spearheaded by the stunning performance of debutant left-arm pacer Nandre Burger, who left cricket enthusiasts awestruck with his impressive figures of 4-33. Supported by Kagiso Rabada's prowess with the ball and Marco Jansen's valuable contributions, India succumbed to a mere second-innings total of 131 runs, granting South Africa a resounding victory by an innings and 32 runs, elevating them to a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

The 28-year-old Burger showcased his talent by clinching a remarkable match haul of 7-83, while Rabada's stellar performance secured 7-91 across both innings, highlighting his exceptional 5-59 in the first innings.

"We fell short in our quest for victory," expressed Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. "We couldn't capitalize on the favorable conditions with the ball and stumbled in our batting performance today. To conquer Tests overseas, a collective effort is vital, and regrettably, we couldn't deliver that. Our batsmen encountered challenges and struggled to adapt."

The Proteas' initial innings concluded at an imposing 408, primarily driven by Dean Elgar's monumental 185-run innings. India had earlier been dismissed for 245 in their first innings. Elgar, reflecting on his exceptional innings, remarked, "It was an extraordinary knock. I focused on playing patiently and sticking to the basics. Bagging 20 wickets was crucial... 'KG' (Rabada) was outstanding, and Burger showcased why he's a promising talent in South African cricket. Despite India's strength, we executed our game plan effectively."

India faced an uphill battle in their second innings, struggling right from the outset. Despite resistance from Shubman Gill and skipper Virat Kohli, the innings crumbled swiftly, concluding in just 34.1 overs across less than two sessions.
The disappointing batting display followed South Africa's modest addition of 16 runs to their first innings post-lunch. Skipper Temba Bavuma's sidelining due to a hamstring injury incurred during fielding resulted in his absence in the upcoming Cape Town Test. Zubayr Hamza joins the squad as cover, with Elgar assuming captaincy responsibilities.

Though Jasprit Bumrah displayed spirited bowling effort with 4-69, India couldn't halt South Africa's dominant performance, dampening their hopes of a series win away in South Africa.The two sides are poised for the second and
final Test at Newlands Cricket Stadium, starting on January 3, with South Africa eyeing a series victory to affirm their supremacy.
[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]