Johannesburg, 5 October 2022 – More international tennis sensations have been announced and are set to participate in Africa Cares Tennis Challenge, the biggest tennis tournament in Africa, which is set to take place on the 3rd and 4th of December 2022 at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Last week, Ten Entertainment Global Event, the organizers of the Africa Cares Tennis Challenge, announced that multiple grand slam winners Martina Hingis and Simona Halep will be participating in the event which will be hosted for the first time in South Africa this year. Today the organizers announced via their social media platforms that Ons Jabeur will also be participating in the tournament. Ons is the first female from the African continent to make a grand slam final, and number 2 in the world after Iga Swiatek.

Sloane Stephens, an American Tennis Professional who has five singles titles to her name, including her first Major at the 2017 US Open, will also be part of the line-up. The 29-year-old tennis superstar is also the founder of the Sloane Stephens Foundation with a primary goal of enhancing the quality of life for youth, through exposure to tennis as a basis for life.

The four women will be supported by South Africa’s golden boy Khololwam Montsi and German-Jamaican tennis star Dustin Brown. More tennis players will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tennis fans across Africa and the world at large can look forward to a two-day tennis tournament in sunny South Africa that aims to utilize sport as a vehicle to inspire change. Tickets are available for purchase on the Ticketpro website.

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

A powerful pipeline is a passion point of Lions Cricket – recognised and acknowledged many seasons back as the base of success now and in the future. And so, whenever possible, the DP World Lions Men’s and Women’s teams take to club cricket, whether it be a practice or match – mentoring on field and off, the heroes of tomorrow.

This past weekend saw the likes of men’s players Dominic Hendricks, Joshua Richards, Kagiso Rapulana, Wandile Makwetu, Tladi Bokako, Connor Esterhuizen, Lutho Sipamla and Mitch van Buuren all in action representing their various clubs in the Black Widow Club T20 competition.

Further to this and true to the Lions Way of taking the game to the communities in which it serves, the DP World Lions men’s team will practice in Kagiso, Lenasia and Soweto in the weeks to come. Following this, is the intention and efforts for the first home match of the CSA One Day Cup tournament, to potentially take place at the Braamfischerville Cricket Oval in Soweto, with the DP World Lions Men’s taking on GBet Rocks. All such details of which will be confirmed in due course.

“It’s important to us that if our first team players are fit and available, that they participate in our club cricket structures – because that is the most genuine and effective away that any Union can feed back into the system on which it is formed. The fact that our first One Day match may be played in the heart of Soweto, shows our intent on taking the game to our communities and to our fans that love our Lions team and brand: We cannot wait to feed the passion to future players, open the minds of those never previously exposed and remind every spectator to Dream Big,” smiles Lions Cricket CEO Jono Leaf-Wright.

“I am immensely proud of this Pride for their continued efforts to grow our communities and give back at every opportunity – and I personally look forward to the season ahead: The adventures, the records, the learnings, the growth, the teamwork,” concluded DP World Lions Head Coach Wandile Gwavu.

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

There will be 23 matches featuring the Top 10 women’s teams in the world on show from 10 -26 February

Tickets on sale online and across all three venues – Newlands Cricket Ground (Cape Town), Boland Park (Paarl) and St George’s Park (Gqeberha)

Monday, 3 October: The top 10 teams in the world will begin their bid for the ultimate prize in T20 cricket when South Africa take on Sri Lanka in the opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at Newlands on 10 February, as the match schedule for the biggest ever women’s sporting event in Africa was announced.

Fans can now buy tickets for the 23 matches that will be played across Cape Town, Paarl and Gqeberha in 15 days. The world’s best cricketers will take centre stage for a uniquely African celebration of cricket culminating in a Finals weekend at Newlands Cricket Ground with the winner being crowned on Sunday, 26 February. Tickets prices start at R60, with scholars and pensioners able to avail discounts. Families can make the most of the action with kids under six coming in for free across all the venues.

Bangladesh and Ireland complete the list of participating teams, joining Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies in the eighth edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup, which will be a spectacular celebration for everyone to be a part of.

The final match schedule was released on Monday in a uniquely African event at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town with ICC Ambassador Mithali Raj attending the launch. The T20 World Cup, which is a ground-breaking opportunity for cricket in South Africa, will look to be the most inclusive and accessible cricket tournament ever played in the country, forming part of back-to-back World Cups that will leave a legacy to grow girls’ and women’s participation.

The Western Cape will play host to a bumper opening weekend of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Boland Park will host the first double-header, with England and the West Indies in action in the early match, followed by defending champions Australia taking on New Zealand. The four sub-continent sides will headline the second double-header at Newlands on Sunday as India take on Pakistan and Bangladesh face Sri Lanka.

ICC Chief Executive, Geoff Allardice said: “We are thrilled to be announcing the match schedule for the next ICC Women’s T20 World Cup as we look to build on the success of Australia 2020 and host a uniquely African celebration of cricket.

“As a key strategic priority for the sport, women’s cricket continues to build momentum and engage more fans than ever before. With T20 as the growth vehicle for cricket we are confident that this event and the inaugural U19 Women’s T20 World Cup preceding the senior event will leave a lasting legacy to grow girls and women’s cricket around the world.”

Former India captain Mithali Raj, who is an ICC Ambassador, said she was really excited about the tournament being held in South Africa.

“The announcement of the schedule takes us one step closer to the Women’s T20 World Cup. This has been a fantastic period for the growth of the women’s game, and I am sure fans in South Africa will be out in huge numbers to support the players.

“I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in ICC tournaments over the years and know what they mean to players globally. I can’t wait to watch some fast-paced, high-energy cricket and closely-fought, exciting matches.”

Cricket South Africa Chief Executive, Pholetsi Moseki, says tickets have been priced to give all South Africans access to support the Proteas and this special global event.

“South Africa is eagerly awaiting the opening match against Sri Lanka, which will further confirm our competitiveness on the field of play. It will also mark an historic occasion of South Africa hosting the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, and a first-ever chance for our fans to experience the attractive blend of women’s cricket that will be beamed across the globe.

“This happens at the time that the appetite for women’s cricket, as a distinct brand, is gaining traction amongst the fans. We have sliced the prices of tickets to allow all the fans the opportunity to attend stadiums and join in the excitement, which will confirm that women’s cricket is open for business,” concluded Moseki.

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

As the rugby world braces itself for the third round of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, the Vodacom Bulls get set to host a hungry Connacht team at Loftus Versfeld on Friday evening.

The hosts have made six changes to the team that narrowly emerged victorious last weekend against Edinburgh. Vodacom Bulls fans will be treated by the return of inform Springboks, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie and Sbu Nkosi. Arendse and Moodie, both of whom quickly became fan favorites at Loftus with their electric pace and insane steps, will be high on confidence after both made their Springbok debuts in the last few weeks, scoring three tries collectively. While Nkosi, no stranger to the Green and Gold but only having made one appearance for the Bulls thus far, will also be looking to win over the Loftus faithful.

Cornal Hendricks will partner David Kriel in the midfield, while Johan Goosen gets his first start in the ten jersey since returning from a long term injury that kept him out of the game for eleven months. The ever-industrious and busy Zac Burger retains his spot at scrumhalf.

The loose-trio gets a little shuffle as Marco van Staden starts at seven with Ruan Vermaak dropping out for this game and joining the Vodacom Bulls XV that face the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. Captain Marcell Coetzee continues doing what he does best in the six jersey, with returning Springbok, Elrigh Louw, remaining in his ‘happy-place’ with the number eight on his back. Ruan Nortje and Walt Steenkamp have formed a formidable pairing in the engine room over the last season, and will continue their dominance for this game.

Francois Klopper earns a well-deserved start at tighthead, as Mornay Smith drops to the bench, with Johan Grobbelaar and Gerhard Steenekamp at hooker and loosehead respectively.

Jake White, BBCo Director of Rugby, is looking forward to the return of the Bulls-Boks, “It’s always nice having Springboks come back, especially when they are looking as good as Canan and Kurt-Lee. Sbu didn’t get a run out for the Boks but his confidence will still be high having been part of the group. I have no doubt that he is raring to go, and this is his chance.”

“Connacht is a dangerous team. We saw that in the last competition when they gave us a good smack in Galway. A lot has changed since then, and we know what we have to do this weekend.”

The game kicks off at 18h30, on Friday 30 September.

Starters:
15 Kurt-Lee Arendse; 14 Canan Moodie; 13 Cornal Hendricks; 12 David Kriel; 11 Sbu Nkosi; 10 Johan Goosen; 9 Zak Burger; 8 Elrigh Louw; 7 Marco van Staden; 6 Marcel Coetzee; 5 Ruan Nortje; 4 Walt Steenkamp; 3 Francois Klopper; 2 Johan Grobbelaar; 1 Gerhard Steenekamp

Substitutes:
16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels; 17 Simphiwe Matanzima; 18 Mornay Smith; 19 Janko Swanepoel; 20 Reinhardt Ludwig; 21 Embrose Papier; 22 Chris Smith; 23 Lionel Mapoe


POINTS OF INTEREST:

• Vodacom Bulls have lost just one of their last eight Vodacom United Rugby Championship matches, last season’s final to the DHL Stormers in Cape Town.
• Vodacom Bulls have won their last eight fixtures at Loftus Versfeld in the VURC since losing there 22-29 to the Cell C Sharks on 12 February.
• Vodacom Bulls have won their last three matches against Irish provinces since today opponents, Connacht, beat them 34-7 in Galway on 1 October 2021.
• Connacht’s only win in their last four BKT United Rugby Championship matches was 22-20 at home to Zebre on 1 May.
• The Irishmen have not won away from home since beating Emirates Lions in Johannesburg in April.
• Connacht have lost their last two matches against South African opponents whilst their record in South Africa is, won four, lost three.
• The two sides have met just once before with Connacht running out victors twelve months ago.

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

Hingis, 41, who won five Grand Slam singles titles in thee late 1990s, and Halep, 31 with two major titles in the bag, will feature at the Africa Cares Tennis Challenge in December.

The challenge is set for 3 and 4 December at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. The two-day tournament will see both international and local tennis stars in action.

Romanian Halep expressed her gratitude to be a part of the event. “As a tennis player I have been inspired by many and am always pushing to the highest level, so it is definitely an honour to encourage the same through this event, while giving awareness towards the issues of Gender-Based Violence,” said Halep.

The event aims to not only promote tennis in South Africa but is also a vehicle in the fight against Gender-Based Violence through campaigns and activations leading up to the main event. “Women in South Africa are five times more likely to be killed as a result of gender-based violence. As a protest and plea to stop GBV in South Africa we saw it fit to host the Africa Cares Tennis Challenge,” said Tendai Rukwava, CEO of TR Brand Communications & Events.

Tickets for the event will go on sale from Friday, 30 September at Ticketpro.

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

A World Cup winner, a seasoned club cricketer and a man that has shared the same changeroom on tour with some of the most recognised Proteas of the 21st century – in Non-Independent Director Simphiwe Ndzundzu, Cricket South Africa (CSA) has a real gem sitting on its Board.

Apart from his achievements in the game, this individual is a former policeman with special expertise in forensics and labour law, someone that understands all the dynamics of fraud, corruption, and maladministration, to name a few of his distinguished attributes.

Yet, Border Cricket President Ndzundzu, who celebrates his 52nd birthday this Saturday, October 1, has a whole different side to him that not many know about.

He was born and raised in the township of Kwa Masingatha, close to King William's Town, in the Eastern Cape – an area recognised as a hotbed of South African sportsmen and women.

“I came from a village where only two sporting codes were played, rugby and cricket,” he recounts.

“So I grew up playing the game with a tennis ball in the streets. From there I moved to playing with a hard ball in rural cricket and that was the way things started for me.

“If you look at the history of black cricket, you will find that it was introduced early and it was a well-established code in the Eastern Cape when I grew up. I also come from a family that played the game.

“Peter Bacela, a Protea himself and one of the best coaches ever, mentored us for a long time and my brother Brian was the first black African to play for Border. He was extremely talented.”

As Ndzundzu grew older, he became a key figure at Good Hope Cricket Club, first as a player and later as an administrator.

A top-order batsman, he represented the club in the Eastern Cape Premier League for many years, and whilst at the University of Fort Hare during the early 1990s, was part of a South Africa Students team that toured Zimbabwe and Kenya. Amongst the touring party were the likes of Shaun Pollock and Lance Klusener, players who would go on to become iconic figures for the Proteas.

For Ndzundzu, though, life had other callings and he went on to serve his country in a completely different form, via the South African Police Services (SAPS). He nonetheless continued playing and even went on to win the Police Cricket World Cup in Australia during his four-year stint in the force either side of the year 2000.

Ndzundzu then moved on to work for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in various divisions, Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, Eastern Cape Department of Health, the Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury, Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform and SOLA Forensic and Labour Consulting where he is today. He is also an independent contractor at the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration.

After leaving SAPS, time became a factor and he opted to move away from the cricket field and into the cricket boardroom at his club.

“Our president at Good Hope Cricket Club said to us that one of us needs to join the administration so that there was succession planning, and I was the one that was invited, that was the start of a different journey for me,” Ndzundzu says.

Nearly 20 years later, the 51-year-old is still going strong. He has been a selector for Border, a board member for both Border and Eastern Cape and been part of the CSA Members’ Council.

And now occupying another key position within the game’s mother body, he is trying to make a difference in terms of governing cricket better. Ndzundzu has a few matters he is trying to address.

“For me the major issue that needs to be looked at within CSA is to ensure that all affiliates are sustainable,” he explained. “There has to be a well-directed effort in order to achieve this target.

“What will guide is equity and inclusivity and when I say this, I mean we must show that in terms of action of decision-making, in terms of contents, in terms of the programs, there is inclusivity and diversity as well. This needs to be done to show that cricket is not an elite sport; it is played all over the country. These are key things that need to be achieved.

“Over the years we’ve had the elite side and then what I can call the ‘B’ affiliates. This is not sustainable. To be sustainable, we need to make all the affiliates strong. To me that will be the game-changer for CSA and that is key to development of the game, something that will show that it is accessible to all.”

So how does Ndzundzu plan to achieve these goals?

“To get there I would say we need to drive certain policies,” he adds. “There has to be a policy that speaks to content, there has to be a policy that speaks to recognition of development. You’ll find that the so-called top teams, take talent from these so-called ‘B’ affiliates.

“They are stripping their talent and not producing their own. This is a problem for me and are amongst important policy decisions that have to be taken. Others also need to recognise the unique circumstances that makes up each affiliate, like their rural nature. These are realities and priorities that should be addressed in order to take the game forward.

“I really am not happy with the pace of transformation. We need to see more being done within the rural areas, not just promising players being taken out from these townships and villages and sent to fancy schools. No…that is not transformation. I want to see more being done in that respect. Yes, the leadership may be transformed, but is the mind transformed to make sure that we’re driving this whole program correctly? That is where we are lacking.”

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

South African tennis fans will be excited to hear that the Africa Cares Tennis Challenge event is back after being postponed due to the discovery of the Covid-19 omicron variant causing travel restrictions just weeks before the event was set to take place last year.

The event is set to take place from 3 to 4 December at Wanderers stadium. This will be a two-day tennis tournament that will see both international and local tennis sensations showcase their talent, for a good cause. The players participating will be announced over the next couple of weeks through the Africa Cares Tennis social media platforms

The event aims to not only promote tennis in South Africa but is also a vehicle in the fight against Gender-Based Violence through campaigns and activations leading up to the main event. Therefore fans can expect to enjoy and embrace the concept of tennis whilst also highlighting the issue of gender-based violence in South Africa which has now been perceived as a threat to humanity and the CEO of TR Brand and Communications & Events and Representative of Africa Cares highlighted the importance of this event. “Women in South Africa are 5 times more likely to be killed as a result of gender-based violence. As a protest and plea to stop GBV in South Africa we saw it fit to host the Africa Cares Tennis Challenge.

We want to use the impact of sport to help inspire positive change” – Tendai Rukwava, CEO of TR Brand Communications &Events. Earlier in the year in partnership with Mercedes Benz Sandton, Africa Cares Tennis Challenge hosted the Gender-Based Violence Power Breakfast. It was held under the theme ‘How industry leaders can play their part in the fight against GBV’. Leading up to this event was also a Tennis Masterclass that was hosted by Miles Maclagan in May at the University of Pretoria in South Africa where he shared his knowledge on how South African tennis coaches can better their coaching skills. Not only did the coaches benefit from this clinic but young and aspiring future professional tennis players engaged with Miles Maclagan.

Tendai Rukwava, CEO of TR Brand Communications & Events and Representative of the Africa Cares Tennis Event said, “After having to postpone the Africa Cares Event, we are very excited for December.
Some organizations supporting the event include Unicef South Africa, MOT, Sun International, Mercedes Benz Sandton, Dunlop, SABC Sport and Gauteng North Tennis Development”.

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi said his team had to break out of the blocks with intensity from the get-go in their Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash against Argentina at Estadio Libertadores De América in Buenos Aires in their penultimate match of the competition on Saturday.

The Springboks need to win the match and preferably with a bonus point to remain in the title race and Kolisi and Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick were bracing themselves for a big battle.

“It helped a lot in our preparation that we could adapt to the conditions and time zone in Argentina over an extended time and also to have time to explore and experience the similarities between South Africa and Argentina,” said Kolisi.

“We are expecting a tough battle against the hosts, and we know have to bring as much intensity as possible from the outset because they start games strongly.”

Kolisi added: “We had a good week-and-a-half of training and a few days off as well last week, so we are looking forward to the clash.”

Stick spoke equally highly of Los Pumas and said: “Argentinean people are very passionate about their country, and there is a lot of motivation around what they do. They also play for their supporters so we know that if we don’t pitch up on the day we can get punished. We saw what they did against Australia.

“There are no easy games in this competition, so we must be switched on. They selected a strong team, and we know what we have to be prepared for.”

Stick was excited to see the same backline in action with Damian Willemse earning another start at flyhalf and said building momentum was vital for the team.

“The main thing for us is to get better in the way we play,” said Stick. “It is also good to have players such as Damian and Willie (le Roux) that like to take opportunities, so if Argentina lifts the intensity, we’ll be able to adapt to that world.”

Stick said he was excited to see Willemse getting another run at flyhalf: “I’m happy to see him get another chance to play No 10. He’s a special player and he is becoming more mature in his game. I’m happy to see him grow as a player and hopefully he’ll get even better.”

Kolisi emphasised the importance of protecting the ball at the breakdowns against a strong Argentinian loose trio and said: “It will be important to stick to our game plan. Their loose forwards are all good and off the ball, so we need to look after the ball at the breakdowns and make sure we make use of the opportunities we create in the match.”





[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

The Vodacom Bulls will go into their Vodacom United Rugby Championship season-opening match against the Emirates Lions with a strong match-day squad which includes three debutants in the starting XV.

New No8, Mihlali Mosi, the only new face in the forwards pack, will make his Vodacom Bulls and Vodacom URC debut when he scrums down alongside captain Marcell Coetzee and Ruan Vermaak to complete the starting loose trio.

Springbok winger, S’bu Nkosi, and fullback, Wandisile Simelane, will also don the Vodacom Bulls’ blue jumper for the first time.

Off the bench, Marco van Staden will make his much-anticipated return for the Vodacom Bulls, making his first appearance in the Vodacom URC alongside tighthead prop cover, Francois Klopper.

All the hard work the Vodacom Bulls have put in over their six-week pre-season period will be put to the test against a strong and determined Emirates Lions side in their own back yard.

“We have had a great six weeks of pre-season training where we have worked on areas we felt we needed to improve on from last season. This has also been a great opportunity for our new recruits to acclimatise in their new environment,” said Vodacom Bulls director of rugby, Jake White.

“A lot of hard work went into the past few weeks, and we are pleased with where we are ahead of the start of the season. We now have a tough encounter against a strong Emirates Lions team that will want to begin their season campaign on a positive note. Even though we expect a slow start, given that it is the first game of the season, we are looking forward to the lads giving their all to set the tone for the rest of the season.”



The Vodacom Bulls team to face the Emirates Lions on Saturday is:

STARTERS (15-1): Wandisile Simelane (Betway Centurion), Cornal Hendricks (Northam Rhinos), Lionel Mapoe (Pretoria), David Kriel (Tuine), S’bu Nkosi (Harlequin), Chris Smith (Harlequins), Embrose Papier (UP Tuks); Mihlali Mosi (Pretoria), Ruan Vermaak (Harlequins), Marcell Coetzee (CAPT, ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Ruan Nortje (ABE Midas Naka Bulle), Walt Steenkamp (Betway Centurion), Mornay Smith (Betway Centurion), Johan Grobbelaar (UP Tuks), Gerhard Steenekamp (ABE Midas Naka Bulle).

IMPACT (16-23): Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Pretoria), Dylan Smith (Tuine), Francois Klopper (UP Tuks), Janko Swanepoel (Pretoria), Marco van Staden (ABE Midas Naka Bulle); Zak Burger (Tuine), Morne Steyn (Tuine), Stedman Gans (Northam Rhinos).



Photo credit: Johan Rynners/Vodacom Bulls

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) announces that South Africa Men’s Head Coach Mr Mark Boucher is to leave his role after the conclusion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.

Mr Boucher has decided to resign in order to pursue other opportunities in line with his future career and personal objectives. While Cricket SA greatly regrets that Mr Boucher is unable to see out the term of his contract, it respects his decision and wishes him all the best in his future endeavours.

Mr Boucher has held the position since December 2019, and led the Proteas to 11 Test wins, including a memorable 2-1 series win against India at home in January this year. The Proteas are also currently number two on the ICC World Test Championship table. In the limited-overs arena, Mr Boucher has helped South Africa claim 12 One-Day Internationals wins, and 23 T20 International victories, the most recent being a historic 2-1 series triumph against England.

His last series at the helm will be a white-ball tour of India from 28 September – 11 October before heading to the T20 World Cup in Australia, where South Africa are grouped alongside Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. The tournament will run from 16 October – 13 November.

CSA Chief Executive Officer Pholetsi Moseki commented: “We would like to thank Mark for the time and effort he has invested in South African cricket as the Head Coach over the past three years. He has helped navigate us through some rough waters following the departures of so many senior players through retirement and has helped lay some strong foundations for the next generation of Proteas.

We are extremely grateful to him for the work he has done and would like to wish him well with the next chapter of his career.”

Director of Cricket Enoch Nkwe added: “We are deeply saddened by Mark’s decision to leave us but we also understand and respect his wishes. He is a Proteas legend and has done so much for the game in our country, both on the field and over the last three years off it, which we highly appreciate.

“He has built a sound platform for South Africa to flourish in all three formats and I’m sure we will see the results of that at the T20 World Cup next month. He has a settled squad already, one that is growing in confidence, and we look forward to watching them in their important series in India before they head to Australia.”

Cricket SA will in due course announce its intentions regarding a successor to Mr Boucher.

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]